Jax4Kids May 2021 by Jax4Kids

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May 2021

Contents • May 2021

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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LIVING WELL

Dear Readers,

Community Profile: Here Tomorrow ��4 Help for the Anxious Mom ��4 Raising Siblings Who Stick Together ��5

he Jumbo Shrimp are back and it’s a welcome return to a pre-COVID normal! You’ll find a list of home games and special themed nights, events, and activities you can enjoy at the ballpark on page 23. Some upcoming themes include Youth Sports Day on May 9th, Military Appreciation Day on May 27th – tickets for all active duty, veterans, and former military members and their dependents are free (subject to availability). Enjoy fireworks at Friday night games, and on Sundays, kids can run the bases after the game; there will also be free face painting and balloon animals. May is Mental Health Awareness month. The green ribbons you see at the bottom of each page are to bring awareness to this important public health issue. The pandemic lockdown brought about a heightened focus on the importance of mental health and, thankfully, helped to break down the stigma around mental health. This month’s community profile is Here Tomorrow – a nonprofit dedicated to creating a space for anyone who needs guidance about a mental health issue. If you or someone you know is struggling, or if you are interested in volunteering or donating, turn to page 4 to read more and visit heretomorrow.org or call 904372-9087. If you suffer from anxiety, turn to page 4 and be encouraged by Author Paola Sur’s experience with anxiety and the three rules she follows when she’s having a dark day. If you have a child with OCD, turn to page 8 and read “A Parent’s Guide to OCD” for help in understanding OCD and how to help your child. For more information about Children and OCD, as well as other mental health resources for children, visit childmind.org. The Child Mind® Institute is a national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders. If you’re home all day, every day with a child with Autism, turn to page 9 for a helpful list of resources.

NATURE

Five Incredible Ways Birds Change Their Bodies for Migration ��6 Things to Do: Nature Events ��6

EATING WELL

Reducing Food Waste ��7

HEALTH & SAFETY One of the reasons we include a Nature page in this publication is that Nature is good for the mind, body, and soul. Turn to page 6 for a list of family-friendly events this month that will take you outdoors to enjoy nature. And, you can always find a list of nature events online at jax4kids.com. There is also a fascinating story on page 6 about “The Five Incredible Ways Birds Change Their Bodies for Migration”! The temperature is beginning to rise and sadly, already this year, a child in the United States has lost their life after being left alone in a hot car. Just 11 days earlier, in an effort to prevent hot car deaths, the Federal Communications Commission granted waivers to allow equipment manufacturers and automakers to install technology to detect the presence of a child in a vehicle. By 2025, nearly every new vehicle in the country will include a Rear Seat Reminder System. Read more on page 10. These are just a few of the highlights in this month’s issue. I hope you find valuable information that you can use and enjoy. Happy Mother’s Day! Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor

www.PediatricAssociates.com

Alison Peters-Carlson Editor................................. editor@jax4kids.com Gabrielle Carlson Associate Editor.............................info@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer..................................... tim@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer................................. linda@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager..................................judi@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales.............................. beth@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager......................... mary@jax4kids.com Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2021. 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.

Parents Guide to OCD ��8 Things to Do: Health & Safety Events ��8

SPECIAL NEEDS

Resources for Parents; Autism at Home, All Day Every Day! ��9 Things to Do: Special Needs Events ��9

INFANT & TODDLER

Leap Forward in Preventing Hot Car Deaths �� 10 New Dietary Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers �� 11 What Causes an Outie Belly Button? �� 11 Things to Do: Infant & Toddler Events �� 11

SUMMER CAMPS

Preparing Your Child for Summer Camp �� 12

TRAVEL

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Offers Safe Springtime Exploration for Families at Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends �� 13

EDUCATION

My Color-Full Florida �� 14 Four Skills Kids Learn When They Read �� 15 Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts �� 15 Things to Do: Education Events �� 15 Duval County School News ��16-17 Clay County School News �� 18 St. Johns County School District News �� 19

TEENS

Is Your Teen Looking for a Job? These Companies Hire 14 and 15-Year-Olds! �� 20 Things to Do: Teen Events �� 20

PETS

How to Socialize a Dog or Cat �� 21 Things to Do: Pet Events �� 21

MOTHER'S DAY EVENTS

Things to Do: Mother’s Day Events �� 22 Mom’s Night Out Events �� 22

THINGS TO DO

Things to Do: May Events �� 23

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 3

LIVING WELL

Community Profile: Here Tomorrow

ental health is important not only during May, Mental Health Awareness Month, but every month. Here Tomorrow, a nonprofit mental health center, knows this.

Mental Health Support Group

If you’re dealing with a stressful life change, challenge, or difficult situation, you don’t have to go it alone. A support Here Tomorrow offers a free welcoming group can help. A support group provides virtual and physical space to have converan opportunity for people to share persations about mental health and receive sonal experiences, thoughts and feelings, guidance on what to do if mental health coping strategies, and recovery tools in problems are getting in the way of you living a safe and supportive environment. your life. They are here to help you explore your options and connect you with what you For many, having a support group may be the answer between medical treatment are looking for to change your situation. and the need for emotional support. A As a mental health collaborative, Here person’s relationship with a doctor or other Tomorrow partners with other community medical personnel may not provide adeorganizations to make sure you get the quate emotional support, and a person’s help you are looking for when you need family and friends may not understand the it. Through collaboration with people and impact of a traumatic event or treatment. organizations, the Here Tomorrow team Every Monday, from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, is able to serve you in person, virtualthe director of education and community ly, or telephonically, free of charge. outreach, Jeff Yalden, leads and hosts a Visit Here Tomorrow free mental health support group at the Meeting Place. Jeff is a mental health Here Tomorrow calls its space “the Meeting motivational speaker, four-time bestselling Place” because they are not an office, cen- author, TEDx Speaker, yoga teacher, and ter, or practice. They are simply a starting strong mental health professional who point, a welcoming place to meet and have enjoys advocating for mental health and a conversation about mental health. addiction and supporting others in recovery. Here they provide information about In this safe space, Jeff will guide you resources and treatment options, rethrough healthy communication, healthy ferrals for treatment and communiself-talk, healthy reframing of the narraty resources, and follow-up contacts tive you’re telling yourself, and you’ll be to ensure your goals are met. supported in your day-to-day journey. You are welcome to call or stop by the Meet- Here Tomorrow’s mission is to transform ing Place anytime, Monday through Friday, lives by building a community where mental between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, or you can healthcare is acceptable and accessible make an appointment to talk via phone, and to provide education to reduce the Facetime, or in person at the Meeting Place. stigma associated with mental health conditions and seeking treatment. When The Meeting Place is located at 910 life throws you pain, and it begins to feel 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL 32266 unbearable, Here Tomorrow will stand by Here Tomorrow also offers Mobile Mental you and help navigate you through it. Health Crisis Support. If you or someIt's okay to not be okay, and it's okay to one you love is in a mental health crisis ask for help. If you or someone you know is and needs help, call (904) 372-9087. struggling, or to find out how to volunteer The Here Tomorrow crisis support clinior make a donation, visit heretomorrow.org, cal social worker will come to you, gain email hello@heretomorrow.org, or call (904) an understanding of your situation, and 372-9087 for more information, resources, help develop an immediate plan to keep or to book an appointment. j the person in crisis and others safe. They will then make a plan and find solutions heretomorrow.org to the issues at the root of the crisis.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 4

LIVING WELL

Help for the Anxious Mom excitement. You just need to let it run its course. that our motherhood journey It won't last forever, so for a couple of days, I us into powerful masters, like Jedis. IWeamturnslearnconvinced stop demanding stuff from myself. Do nothing. mind tricks, we can defeat an empire if we want to, and we have abilities that only moms can understand. I have discovered a lot of mine while battling anxiety for years, and that experience has shown me that our mind, like The Force in a Jedi, can learn to work with light and make us resourceful and positive. But, thanks to all the challenges of motherhood, we can easily detour into the dark side from time to time. Luckily, this doesn't have to be permanent. It all depends on what we do when darkness strikes and understanding that with our abilities we can come back to the light again even stronger than before. Like Anakin. What to do? How to recover from that state quickly without sinking my family with me into the darkness? It's not easy but it is possible. These are the three rules I follow when I have a dark day. 1. The day will happen no matter what and it will end no matter what. Someone a long time ago said this sentence to me and it became a mantra when I have a dark day. The day will pass and come to an end and you have to deal with it. So, I move through it step by step, accomplishing the little tasks one after the other. No matter how you might feel, you still need to be a responsible parent, co-worker, boss, employee, etc. It's not like you can just go under the blanket and watch bad T.V. all day. It's easier if you move little by little and take in the small victories of the day. 2. Doing nothing sometimes is the best choice. You need to create habits to reinforce positive thinking, but this doesn't happen magically. I usually practice meditation, prayer, journaling among other things. But when a dark day strikes, and it happens because life happens, sometimes my methods don’t make me feel better and nothing can. Then I just do nothing. I don't make efforts or try to force my way into

Remain still. Don't stir.

3. Press the reset button in your head. You can't let the dark cloud stay stationary in your life. This is what I do. Before going to sleep I use a visualization exercise. I imagine a red button with the big letters RESET. I think about the day and examine it. I ask myself "What can I learn from today?" Then I convince myself that nighttime will give me the chance to recharge my system; that as soon as I press that button I will go to sleep and when I wake up the next day I will basically be rebooted and my system will work like brand new. For me, it’s like telling The Universe: Ok, I had a bad day, and I will get the lessons and move on. Sometimes it takes more than a day or two to get out of the darkness. The longer you are in that state the more effort from your side you require to come back to the light. Every single mom has those days. However, I know that anxiety or any other kind of mental illness makes those days more common and more difficult to overcome. Dark days are necessary because they come like rain as they cleanse us and force us to be introspective, to have conversations with our inner being. Plus, remember that you have the power to turn things around, if you allow yourself to know what works for you, if you believe that you have the power within you, and listen to the voice of your heart (or to The Force if it helps!)

Raising Siblings Who Stick Together or most families, siblings are a fact of ling bonds, starting in the early years. • Leave them alone. If they’re having fun Fat least life. More than 80% of children live with together, you don’t need to join in. Let one sibling! If you’re like me, you Avoid favorites. It seems obvious, but having have good memories (obstacle courses in the backyard). And not-so-good ones (pinching contests on long car rides). Having—and being—a sibling shapes us in important ways.

Siblings Shape Us Growing up with siblings helps children develop skills like negotiation and problem solving. Siblings also help us learn to understand the feelings of others. Children whose siblings are kind, warm, and supportive show more empathy than children whose siblings don’t show these qualities. Sibling relationships benefit children as they grow. Teens who feel supported by a sibling tend to have better friendships and higher self-esteem. Older adults who are close to their siblings report higher life satisfaction and lower rates of depression. What You Can Do Check out these tips for building strong sib-

a “favorite” damages sibling relationships. Avoid comparing siblings or criticizing one sibling in front of another.

Build strong relationships with each child so each feels loved, valued, and special. Make some one-on-one time with each child part of your daily routine. Help children learn to resolve their differences. Conflicts between siblings give children many, many opportunities to practice turn-taking and cooperation. These moments also help children see the world from someone else’s perspective. Let your children try to work it out, and step in only when they need help. Create opportunities for siblings to have fun together. • A dance party, water play, blocks, art and other activities are great for children of different ages and temperaments.

them play and take a few minutes to relax!

•

Give them a mission to complete as a team: “Can you two push the laundry basket over to the washing machine? Let’s see how strong you are together!”

Build sibling connections into daily routines. Prompt children to say “good night,” “I love you,” and “good bye” to their siblings across the day. Cheer each other on. Encourage sibs to support one another. First time big brother rides a bike with no training wheels? High-fives from his younger siblings. Little sister builds a super-tall block tower? Snap a family pic to celebrate the moment. Give siblings a chance to care for one another. If a child is sick, let his brother bring him a snack. If a child falls down at the park, ask her sister to help her up while you pull

band-aids out of the diaper bag. Establish family traditions that build strong sibling bonds. • Involve children in activities like preparing special meals, making cookies, decorating for the holidays, and other important family activities (like planting a garden in the spring). •

Offer shared activities like a “family picture”—a big piece of paper that everyone draws on—or a “family fruit salad,” where each family member adds a different kind of fruit to the bowl.

While sibling conflict is normal, sibling connections are too. Nurturing these early relationships is a gift you can give your children, and one that they’ll take with them their entire lives. j Rebecca Parlakian zerotothree.org

Paola Sur is an Award-Winning Author, Momxious Platform Chief Content Officer, and she is getting ready to launch her upcoming book The Anxious Mom Manifesto. More info on Instagram @paobsur and at www.paolasur.com.j Paola Sur www.paolasur.com

SUMMER CAMP JUNE, JULY & AUGUST 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

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At Camp Discovery our school-aged explorers spend the summer doing fun activities on campus and safely visiting exciting places all over the Jacksonville area. Expeditions include Jacksonville Zoo, St. Augustine Aquarium, Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens, and much more!

8411 BAYMEADOWS WAY, SUITE 2, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32256 880 US HIGHWAY A1A NORTH SUITE SIX, PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL 32082 MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 5

NATURE

Five Incredible Ways Birds Change Their Bodies for Migration igration is perilous, but it’s also wondrous. M Here are some of the incredible ways birds sculpt their bodies for their journeys.

expand their digestive tract to process more food and quickly shrink and re-absorb parts of the same system during migration as they burn fat.

Double Their Body Weight A bird’s first inkling that it’s time to shift into migration mode comes from seasonal changes in its surroundings. When the days shorten at the end of summer, birds undergo hyperphagia: They eat excessive amounts of food for two weeks or more to store fat before migration. During this time, birds gorge on high-energy berries and fruits loaded with carbohydrates and lipids, which are stored as fat.

Greatly Reduce Their Sleep Time The need for sleep might be a barrier to human endurance, but for birds it’s just another physiological rule to break. During migration, a neurological shift instigated by the changing season forces birds to adapt to nocturnal habits and sleep less. How do birds rest while in mid-air? Very quickly. Swainson’s Thrushes, which undertake 3,000-mile migrations from Central and South America to northern Canada and Alaska, enter a sleep-like state for about nine seconds at a time. They keep one half of their brain awake to avoid predators or mid-air collisions while the other half rests.

Birds’ reliance on fat is unusual in the animal kingdom. People, for example, rely primarily on carbohydrates for endurance activities because our system can efficiently convert them to usable energy. But for birds, fat makes sense. Fat is lighter and less bulky than carbohydrates and protein— important for lightweight, small-framed bodies that must stay aloft by wingbeat. Plus, fat contains more energy than carbs. As they fly, birds can replenish fat by taking breaks to refuel. This is why it’s so important to grow native plants that produce the lipid-rich berries birds need. Ruby-throated Hummingbirds are best known for packing on the grams: Most double their body weight in fat, or more, before embarking on migrations. Some even gain close to half that in just four days. They need it since their metabolism is one of the highest of any animal on Earth. They require the human equivalent of over 150,000 calories every day to power their fast-moving heart and wings, which can beat 1,000 and 3,000 times per minute, respectively. That fat accumulated before migration is burned in a steady release of energy, ideal for the 2,000-mile journey many Ruby-throated Hummingbirds make twice a year. Transform Internal Organs All that fat added on to a bird’s small frame can’t just sit anywhere—it must be distributed properly. To make it all fit, many birds are able to shrink and grow their internal organs. Take the Bar-tailed Godwit, one of the bird world’s most intense migrators, flying 6,800 miles nonstop from Alaska to New Zealand each fall. To make room for energy-rich fat, godwits absorb into their body 25 percent of the tissue comprising their liver, kidneys, and digestive tract. This happens through a natural cellular process that lets the body recycle and clean up its cells and tissues called autophagy (which means "self-eating" in Greek). Godwits also increase the size of their heart and chest muscles to distribute extra energy and oxygen to these highly active areas mid-flight. Birds also undergo organ transformation during hyperphagia. While gorging on berries and bugs to gain weight, songbirds like Blackpoll Warblers

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 6

Consume Their Own Muscles When endurance athletes exhaust their carbohydrate and fat supplies, they face dehydration and starvation. For humans, those needs can put an end to any athletic performance. But birds have a last-ditch backup: They can burn their muscles for energy, a trick that some birds use to their advantage. Experiments done in a wind tunnel in 2011 revealed how Swainson’s Thrushes—typically flying up to 200 miles in a single stretch during migration—even burn muscle unnecessarily so they can fly farther and reach the most beneficial stopover sites. It is risky, though, if they can’t recover that lost muscle after migration. Revert to Their Previous Form Once birds reach their destination, they need to regain their organ function and shape and refuel now-emaciated fat stores. It’s an urgent task during spring migration because soon as they reach their breeding ground, birds must do the hard work of breeding: attracting mates, and producing and raising hungry young chicks—all while still taking care of themselves. If they can’t get food within a couple hours or are delayed after landing, they can actually starve to death. The stakes are lower during fall migration because birds don't need to breed upon landing, plus the warmer, tropical areas in the south tend to have more food available. Birds on average need to restore between 17 and 23 percent of their body weight in fat upon arrival, and also account for significant protein and water loss depending on their species and migratory pattern. It's an astounding balance to maintain while already undergoing spectacular trips across the world. j audubon.org

Things to Do Nature Events

City Nature Challenge 2021 May 1, 7am to 8:30am; 6:30pm to 8pm and May 2, 9:30am to 11am Join St. Johns County in celebrating the 2021 City Nature Challenge. Participate in this international challenge by exploring and documenting observations of nature using the iNaturalist app. During the challenge, you can use the app to take pictures of plants or animals found anywhere in your city, in your yard or neighborhood, while hiking in a park, or by a pond. In order to properly celebrate this event, St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is hosting a series of Bioblitz days to identify flora and fauna that live in our parks. Register in advance as spaces are limited. Be sure to bring a smartphone with the iNaturalist app installed. May 1, 7am to 8:30am -- Butler Beach; May 1, 6:30pm to 8pm -- Southeast Intracoastal Park; May 2, 9:30am to 11am -- Vaill Point Park. St. Johns County Parks and Recreation / 904209-0333 / www.sjcfl.us Butler Beach / 5680 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080 Southeast Intracoastal Park / 8301 A1A South, St. Augustine, FL 32080 Vaill Point Park / 630 Vaill Point Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086 Wild Wonders at Dutton Island May 8, 22, 11am Mike Rossi, an experienced local educator, will present his program "Animal Adventures!" an interactive and educational program that uses story, humor and music to teach children and adults about the wonders of the animal kingdom. Children and adults will be asked to be part of the show by holding select animals and performing certain parts that educate and entertain the audience using animals that are either small mammals or reptiles. Dutton Island Preserve / 1600 Dutton Island Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / www.coab.us Arts in the Park May 2, 10am to 4pm Friends of Crooked River State Park will host an Arts in the Park festival. This inaugural year of the festival celebrates nature with visual art, dance and music. Come enjoy plein air painters, community dancers, local artisans, & music. Bring your chairs and be entertained with performances by local creatives on the lawn throughout the day or stroll down the waterfront and watch the plein air painters as they create a one of kind masterpiece before your eyes. In addition to the performances, festival-goers can attend brief lectures, demonstrations, and activities on a variety of nature-related art including the opportunity to learn and participate in a community maypole dance. The Coastal Camden Art League will also be on hand to provide art activities for kids throughout the day. Feel free to enjoy the many other amenities of Crooked River State Park as well. Entry to the park is $5/vehicle, the festival activities are free.

EATING WELL

Crooked River State Park / 912-882-5256 / 6222 Charlie Smith Sr Hwy, St. Marys, GA 31558 / gastateparks.org Wild Edibles and Medicinal Plants Guided Walks May 5, 10am to 12noon Join Park Naturalist AyoLane Halusky and learn about the wild edibles and medicinal plants found in the parks. Meet in the first parking lot. Sign up in advance, as spaces are limited. Alpine Groves Park / 904-209-0333 / 2060 State Road 13 North, St Johns, FL 32259 / www.sjcfl.us Deep Creek Kayak Trip May 6-7, 10am to 1pm, May 8, 10am to 12noon Join County Naturalists for a guided trip of Deep Creek. Participants will enjoy a scenic kayak trip surrounded by conservation land. Fees range from $20 to $50. Boats are available to rent, or you can bring your own. Sign up in advance and complete the registration process to be guaranteed a spot. Deep Creek Soft Launch / 904-209-0335 / 7975 SR 207, Hastings, FL 32033 / www.sjcfl.us Discovering Nature Nearby: Bird Walk May 8, 10am The Discovering Nature Nearby Program returns to the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens. This month, go on a bird walk with Board President Kevin Blalock and featuring special guest, Duval Audubon Society President, Carol Bailey-White. May is an incredible month for birding at the Arboretum. Take a walk around the lake loop and learn about some of the incredible bird species that live in and migrate through the sanctuary. Attendance is limited with a $5 fee. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens / 1445 Millcoe Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / www.jacksonvillearboretum.org CleanSweep STA 2021 Beach Cleanup May 14, 5pm to 8pm Join CleanSweep STA for the annual May beach cleanup at the St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier. All supplies will be provided. Please register for a time slot. St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier / 904209-0333 / 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 / www.sjcfl.us 2021 A Brush with Nature May 15-16, 9am to 5pm The Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens hosts A Brush with Nature Plein Air event. At this event, visitors enjoy the gardens while many of the region’s finest Plein Air artists set up their easels to capture the essence of the Arboretum’s beautiful settings and paint their favorite scenes from locations throughout the 120-acre site. This special event includes food trucks, live music, children's activities and art. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens / 904-3184342 / 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / www.jacksonvillearboretum.org

Reducing Food Waste Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Taboutheestimated that in 2018, approximately 68% or 42.8 million tons of the wasted food we

generate in the U.S. ended up in landfills or combustion facilities. By reducing the amount of food that is wasted on a daily basis, we not only save money, but we can conserve resources for future generations and help support local communities.

•

What does reducing food waste look like?

to wash, dry, chop or slice your fresh food and store in clear containers for easy identification, snacking, and cooking later in the week. Wait to wash berries until you are ready to eat them; washing too early can lead to mold. You are more likely to use the produce if it is already prepped and ready to go for a meal. Food items such as bread, sliced fruits, and meats can be stored in the freezer. To defrost bread, just transfer to the refrigerator the day before use. Prepare and cook perishable items, then freeze for use later. For example, cook and season ground hamburger meat to use to make chili later in the week.

Reducing food waste can be simplified into four areas: meal management, planning, storage, prepping, and thriftiness. Let us take a look at each area to see where your family can make the most impact.

•

Planning

Thriftiness

•

• •

•

Keep a list of meals and their ingredients that your family enjoys. Make shopping lists based on these meals and how many meals your family will eat at home during the coming week. Plan meals for the week before shopping and buy only the ingredients needed for those particular meals – include quantities of each of the items listed. Do a search in the pantry and fridge for ingredients before adding them to the list. If there is a surplus of items/ingredients, plan meals around what you already have in stock. Buy only what you need and will use. Buying in bulk only saves money if you are able to use the food before it spoils.

Storage • • •

It is easy to overbuy or forget about fresh fruits and vegetables. Try to purchase only the quantity that is needed for the next few days. If you have a surplus of seasonal produce, learn how to freeze, dry or can surplus fruits and vegetables. Store bananas, apples, and tomatoes by themselves – many fruits give off natural gases as they ripen, which can cause other nearby fruits and vegetables to spoil faster.

Prepping •

When you get home from the grocery, take time

•

Be mindful of leftovers that need to be eaten up before making a new meal. Cook or eat whatever you have at home first before buying more at the store. If you have produce that is past its prime, think how it could be used in soups, casseroles, stir fry, sauces, smoothies, or baked goods. Before you throw those berries out, can they be frozen and used later in a yogurt smoothie? Think outside the box! Stale bread can be used to make croutons or for when breadcrumbs are called for in a recipe. Vegetable scraps can be used for soup stock. Be knowledgeable about the difference between “sell-by”, “use-by” and expiration dates. Foods can be fresh within days to weeks of the sell-by date. For example, milk should last 5 to 7 days past the sell-by date if stored properly. Use-by date indicates the last day the manufacturer guarantees the best quality of the product. Expiration date refers to the last date a food should be eaten or used.

And lastly, consider composting food scraps rather than throwing them away. Visit the University of Florida gardening extension website for more information on composting: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ j Aurea Thompson, MSH, RD, CSP, LD/N Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition Wolfson Children’s Hospital

Visit our Ponte Vedra location in the Sawgrass Village Shopping Center 340 Front Street, Suite 770

Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Nature events.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

Parents Guide to OCD hildren who have OCD, Obsessive-Compul- school. A teacher might notice a child having C sive Disorder, struggle with either obsesdifficulty focusing and assume she has ADHD, sions or compulsions or both.Obsessions are since her OCD isn’t apparent. It could also be unwanted and intrusive thoughts, images or impulses. Obsessions make kids feel upset and anxious. Compulsions are actions or rituals kids are driven to perform to get rid of anxiety. To understand how OCD works, think about a mosquito bite. When you get bitten by a mosquito, it itches, so to make it feel better you scratch. While you scratch the bite it feels great, but as soon as you stop scratching, the itching gets worse. That’s how OCD plays out. When a child with OCD feels anxious he’ll do something to fix it temporarily, but that ritual makes it worse over time. Compulsions can be things that kids actively do — like line up objects or wash hands — or things done mentally, like counting in their head. A compulsion could also be an avoidance of something, like a child who avoids touching knives, even flimsy plastic ones, because she’s afraid of hurting someone. Because compulsions are things that parents might notice, it is common for parents to be more aware of them than obsessions. OCD often first develops around ages six to nine. The disorder can manifest as early as five. Young children experience the disorder differently than adolescents and adults do. A young child may not recognize that his thoughts and fears are exaggerated or unrealistic, and he may not be fully aware of why he is compelled to perform a ritual; he just knows that it gives him a “just right” feeling, at least momentarily. Over time, in the 9 to 12 range, it evolves into magical thinking and becomes more superstitious in nature. In either case, a child with OCD will respond to his anxiety in a way that is very rigid and rule-bound and interferes with normal functioning. Parents might notice signs such as: • Repeated hand washing, locking and relocking doors or touching things in a certain order • Extreme or exaggerated fears of contamination, family members being hurt or harmed or doing harm themselves • Use of magical thinking, such as, “If I touch everything in the room, Mom won’t be killed in a car accident” • Repeatedly seeking assurances about the future • Intolerance for certain words or sounds Many children with OCD are distracted by their obsessions and compulsions, and it can interfere with their ability to pay attention in

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 8

mistaken for an anxiety disorder. And it can be overlooked when a child with OCD also develops depression, which kids with OCD are at risk for, especially without treatment. The first step in treatment is helping children understand how OCD works. It often helps to put OCD in a context that children can understand. For example, a clinician might explain that OCD functions like a bully. If a bully asks for your lunch money and you give in because you’re afraid, then the bully will be happy and go away. But the next day, the bully will come back for more because he knows you are afraid. The more you give in to a bully the more he will ask for. OCD functions the same way. The goal of treatment is to help a child learn how to stand up to his bully. The gold-standard treatment for OCD is a kind of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) called exposure and response prevention, or ERP. ERP works by helping children face the things that trigger their anxiety in structured, incremental steps in a safe environment. This allows children to experience anxiety and distress without resorting to compulsions, with the support of the therapist. Through facing their triggers, children learn to tolerate their anxiety and, over time, they discover that their anxiety has actually decreased. For most cases of mild to moderate OCD, treatment once a week for 12 to 15 weeks is usually enough to get strong results. Children with more severe cases are often treated with a combination of CBT and medication. A class of antidepressant medication called SSRIs can be used to help reduce a child’s anxiety, which in turn allows the child to be more responsive to therapy. Medication can be decreased or discontinued as the child learns skills to help her overcome her anxiety on her own. Your child’s clinician may be able to suggest strategies to help your child focus on learning, such as preferential seating and private testing rooms to minimize distraction, or extended time on tests and papers and use of a laptop to minimize negative consequences from perfectionism. For more information on the kinds of obsessions and compulsions, signs of OCD and treatment, visit childmind.org. j

childmind.org

Things to Do Health & Safety Events The Great Fire Run May 1, 7:30am Run the boundary of Jacksonville’s Great Fire. The 5K race and 1-Mile Fun Run begin and end at Old St. Andrew’s Church. Race day sign-up welcome by cash or check. The 5K will start at 7:30am, followed by the 1 Mile Run at 8:30am. To ensure safety during this time of pandemic, the wearing of masks will be required when not running the race, social distancing is encouraged, and there will be no post-race congregating. Entry fees start at $24. Proceeds from this race are benefiting the Jacksonville Historical Society. Old St. Andrew’s Church / 317 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.prsracetiming.com The Donut Run 5k at eTown May 1, 8am to 10am The first Donut Run will be held in the eTown community on May 1. There will be a 5k and a 1 mile fun run. The race will start and end at the new Recharge Amenity Center. Race kick-off is 8am. All runners receive chip timed 5k Race or 1 mile fun run, race shirt, finisher medal, gourmet donuts supplied by The Donut Experiment, racing bib, downloadable finisher photo, and live results. Entry fees start at $30. eTown's Recharge Amenity Center / 11003 eTown Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / runsignup.com

$40. Kids need to bring a yoga mat and a water bottle. Yoga mats are available for purchase for $20 if your child does not have one. Due to COVID-19, mats are not available for borrowing and attendees must have their own. Yoga Nook Northside / 904-587-2362 / 13453 North Main Street Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.yoganooknorthside.com Hildervat - Ultimate Viking Warrior Challenge May 22, 8am to 3pm and May 23, 10:30am to 1pm Hildervat is the ultimate in obstacle course racing. The course features over 15 obstacles spread over three miles. Obstacles include A-Frame Cargo Net / Vertical Cargo Net, Pulls/ drags, Quarter-Pipe Warp Wall, low crawl, heavy carries, multi-rig, sawhorses, monkey bars, wall, Z wall, angled wall, weighted hoist, rope swing, and the Tyrolean Cross. All participants receive athletic shirt, medal and bragging rights for life! Awards and cash prizes for top finishers. Saturdays event include the Elite Division, Open Division, Professional Division, and Relay Division. Sunday features more Open Divisions. Registration fees start at $80. Jacksonville Beach SeaWalk Pavillion / 75 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / hildervat.com

Essential Oil MAYke and Take Gathering May 22, 12noon to 1:30pm Join Charity to talk about essential oils, their uses, snack on essential oil treats/drinks, and make your own items to take home. With summer approaching, participants will be making sunburn relief spray, bath salts, and yoga mat spray. Each person will be making three Make Parent Education and Family Stabilization and Take items and will receive a free gift. This Course will be a no-stress, chat and craft time to unMondays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, Fridays, May 7, 14, wind and enjoy each other while learning about 21, 28, 9am to 1pm essential oils. There are no required items as This class is for parents going through a all of the ingredients for your “science experidivorce with minor children. Divorce can be ments” will be provided and attendees will be in an earth-shattering experience for parents and chairs for this event. Cost is $20 and all items kids. Kids may feel confused, frightened or even are included in registration. relieved about this change happening with their Yoga Nook Northside / 904-587-2362 / 13453 families. It can be hard for parents to be there North Main Street Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL for their children when they are trying to sort 32218 / www.yoganooknorthside.com out their own thoughts, feelings and plans for the future. Positive Development is an approved Community CPR and/or Basic First Aid: provider of the four-hour Parent Education and Blended Learning Family Stabilization Course required by Florida. May 22, 9am to 11am Each class is $60 per participant. Classes are Blended Learning Courses combine online held in person on Mondays and Fridays from 9am learning with in-person instruction and the to 1pm. certification exam. For either of these courses, Positive Development / 904-516-0913 / 9521 Community CPR/AED and Basic First Aid, after Shellie Road, Suite 13, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / registering (within 24 hrs) you will receive an www.positivedevelopmentllc.com email with your online course link. You will need to complete your online course prior to your Kids Yoga & Craft Day Out: Show and Tell in-person session date that you are registering May 15, 3pm to 5pm for. The online course will teach all of the course Bring your children (ages 4-8) to the Nook for information and the in-person session provides an afternoon out. This month’s activities will be the hands-on practice and instructor interaction, centered around show-and-tell. Your child should as well as the administration of the certification bring their favorite object this month to share exam. Cost is $70 plus fees. with everyone (please refrain from anything Englewood Christian Church / 904-434-6032 / alive!). The workshop, taught by a Kidding Around 4316 Barnes Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / Yoga certified instructor, will consist of a yoga safetyfirstjacksonville.com practice as well as the making of the craft. All supplies for the craft are included in the price of the workshop. There are only eight spots Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list available so be sure to sign up early. Cost is of Health & Safety events.

SPECIAL NEEDS

Resources for Parents; Autism at Home, All Day Every Day!

Things to Do Special Needs Events CARD Tackling Social Hurdles – Support Group May 3, 5pm to 6pm A support group for adolescents with Asperger’s Syndrome that want to practice social skills and overcome social worries. This is a free, virtual event. Jacksonville CARD / 904-633-0765 / marlena. jenkins@jax.ufl.edu / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu Zoom Across the Spectrum - Autism Parent Support Group May 4, 7pm to 8:30pm Many parents are looking for more specific guidance in raising kids on the spectrum. This support group meets online monthly and will feature a specific topic, and then parents can have discussions about the topic or share concerns or support on any topic of their choice. Please let moderators know if there are areas where you feel you need more support or information. Free. Autism Society of Florida / 407-207-3388 / info@autismfl.org / www.autismfl.org

aving a child with autism can have its H challenges. Having a child at home all day everyday can be exasperating. Here are some

resources for parents who have children with autism at home and dealing with this community health crisis. Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comicexploring-the-new-coronavirus?utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com How to help an autistic child during the coronavirus outbreak https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/how-to-help-anautistic-child-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak Coronavirus: Learning resources for kids home from school https://www.kiro7.com/news/trending/coronavirus-learning-resources-kids-home-school/5TSTZSDKWNGV3HR4KF5YMVXQ34/

Autism and Coronavirus Quarantine – How to Manage the Daily Routine https://www.themomkind.com/autism-and-coronavirus-quarantine-how-to-manage-the-daily-routine/ Educate. Advocate. Tips from Special Education Teacher https://www.facebook.com/EducateAdvocate/ posts/10158243242843945 Staying Structured and Engaged in this Challenging Time https://www.autismsociety-nc.org/staying-structured-coronavirus/ Family Information Page during COVID https://www.asmonline.org/News/107/Article/8686/ Coronavirus and Autism: What You Need to Know https://www.angelsense.com/blog/coronavirus-and-autism/ j thejerichoschool.org

Kiddin’ Around May 6, 20, 5pm A program that focuses on opportunities for social interaction with peers via board games and card games. Skill areas include: sharing the conversation, waiting, turn taking, giving compliments, accepting feedback, playing games fairly, oversharing of information, and making friends. Register online to participate. Families register once and can select all dates they wish to attend. Jacksonville CARD / 904-633-0760 / marlena. jenkins@jax.ufl.edu / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu CARD Young Adult Support Group May 10, 4:30pm to 5:30pm A virtual meeting place for CARD constituents ages 17 to 25 where participants can learn, share, and understand one another through common, comparable experiences and receive helpful guidance. Registration is required. After

registration you will be sent the Zoom meeting link and password. CARD / 904-244-3056 / anne.wilson@jax.ufl. edu / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu CARD/FDLRS-MDC - Parent Support Group May 10, 5pm to 6pm A Parent Group hosted by the UF Jacksonville CARD and FDLRS-MDC with the goal of helping parents/primary caregivers strengthen the parent-child relationships while learning about resources and support from professionals and other parents within the CARD and FDLRS-MDC communities. Free. Jacksonville CARD / 352-265-2230 / marlena. jenkins@jax.ufl.edu / card.ufl.edu Southeast Calmer Con May 16, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm Calmer Con is a Comic Book and Pop Culture Convention specifically designed to meet the needs of those with sensory processing challenges, autism, and anxiety concerns. Show hosts provide an authentic comic con experience, including costumed superhero, princess, and science fiction characters. There are the comic artists and vendors typically found at larger conventions but presented in a more appropriate way. There are also other sensory adjusted activities like a Lego space, art area, character photo booth, and Jedi training. A staffed Calmer Space area where attendees can relax, recharge, and reset before returning to the event is also available. Two sessions are available. Tickets are $20 plus fees. Thrasher Horne Center / 904-276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www. thcenter.org Sibshops May 19, 5pm Sibshop is a gathering of siblings across the ages to create community, build support and share in the stories that make them unique as the siblings of individuals with developmental, intellectual, social-emotional, and medical disabilities. Held online via Zoom. CARD / 904-633-0760 / audrey.bringman@jax. ufl.edu / pediatrics.med.jax.ufl.edu

Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Special Needs events.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 9

INFANT & TODDLER

Leap Forward in Preventing Hot Car Deaths innovations like these life-saving auto safety n April 14th, the Federal Communications O Commission made a giant leap forward in technologies,” Rosenworcel said. helping to prevent hot car deaths of children. The FCC granted waivers to allow equipment manufacturers and automakers to install radar-based technology that can detect the presence of a child in a vehicle, in some instances movement as subtle as a baby breathing will provide both auditory and visual alerts to the driver.

“Over 990 children have died in hot cars since 1990,” states Janette Fennell, President of KidsAndCars.org. “The inexpensive technology granted waivers by the FCC is the detection feature necessary to address both children unknowingly left alone in vehicles as well as those who get into vehicles on their own. Our vehicles are already filled with so many reminders, yet this addition may be the latest, best life-saving feature for our precious young children,” she continued. FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology granted waiver requests from equipment manufacturers and automakers to use proven technology to stop preventable and perilous ‘hot car’ deaths caused by children unknowingly left in or independently entering otherwise unoccupied cars. Public education and voluntary industry agreements have not and will not overcome this serious risk. The critical next step is for Congress to require vehicles to be equipped with these detection and alert systems so that drivers and caregivers are reminded of the presence of a child in the back seat. “With summer fast approaching, these waivers are a first step toward implementing a more permanent policy framework for promoting

These organizations are also working to advance legislation at the federal level. During the last Congressional session, The Hot Cars Act (H.R. 3593) and the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2), which was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 1, 2020, directed the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a minimum performance standard for systems that can detect the presence of an occupant and respond with alerts and would require this technology as standard equipment in all new cars. The ability to detect a child has been shown to be especially important during the pandemic, as the percentage of hot car deaths resulting from children getting into vehicles and becoming trapped inside rose from an average of 26 percent to 36 percent in 2020. By 2025, nearly every new vehicle in the country will include a Rear Seat Reminder System.

INFANT & TODDLER

Episcopal Children’s Services Free Child Care Resource & Referral (904) 726-1500 • (800) 238-3463 www.ecs4kids.org Child Care Resource and Referral Services can help your family by providing: • A customized list of local child care options from our trained specialists. • Information about quality child care and early learning programs • Financial assistance strategies and opportunities • Referrals to other community resources and programs.

Early

Learning Coalition North Florida

Helping Children. Helping Families.

Miles Harrison, a father, who after his own experience of losing his son, has been working tirelessly to help prevent these unthinkable hot car deaths, said, “Changes in routine, stress, sleep deprivation, and other factors can predispose one’s brain to go on ‘autopilot’ and a parent or caregiver can lose awareness of a child in the back seat of a car. I am so very thankful that the FCC has granted waivers to allow the use of available and affordable technology to help end these predictable and preventable tragedies.” j

cake,” the celebratory tradition is an entertaining way to give babies a first real taste of sugar.

But parents might want to rethink contributing to a developing sweet tooth so early, as new dietary guidelines recommend feeding babies only breast milk or formula for at least the first six months of life and not giving children under two anything with added sugar. After age two, the guidelines recommend added sugar be kept below 10% of daily calories consumed. Issued every five years by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services, this is the first time the guidelines have included recommendations for babies and toddlers. “Although I don’t see the celebratory smash cake going away, I would like to see parents think more about the sugar intake in a child’s life and promote healthy choices as little ones are learning about food,” said Stephen Silberman, MD, a board-certified pediatrician with Baptist Pediatrics and Wolfson Children’s Hospital of Jacksonville. “It’s never too early to start following a healthy dietary pattern, as eating habits established early in life have been shown to shape later eating behaviors.”

“Formula companies have done extensive research to match the nutritional composition of breast milk as closely as possible,” said Dr. Silberman. “For babies who are healthy and full-term, I typically recommend starting out with a cow’s milk-based formula because most do well on that protein.”

“Just because no one else can heal or do your inner work for you doesn’t mean you can, should, or need to do it alone.”

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 10

hether or not your baby has an innie or an outie belly button is due to chance. You won't know right away which way your baby's belly button will go, but both innies and outies are healthy.

Keep it simple According to the guidelines, babies should be exclusively breastfed until they are six months old, at which point parents can begin to introduce nutrient-dense, complementary foods such as cooked spinach and sweet potatoes. Breastfeeding should continue through at least the first year. If a parent is unable or does not want to breastfeed, the guidelines recommend an iron-fortified formula.

kidsandcars.org saferoads.org

- Lisa Olivera

What Causes an Outie Belly Button? New Dietary Guidelines for Babies and Toddlers W first birthday isn’t complete without a down the road.” A personal cake for the baby to devour and, more importantly, smash. Known as a “smash Allergenic foods that babies should be introduced

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. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake.

to include: • Dairy products • Egg • Fish • Peanuts and tree nuts (in the form of powder of butter) • Shellfish • Soy • Wheat

“There are a variety of safe ways to introduce these foods and avoid choking risks,” said Dr. Silberman. “Try pureed fish or spreading a thin smear of peanut butter on the baby’s hand or teething ring.” Beware of added sugars A recent analysis of national data found 98% of toddlers and two-thirds of infants consumed added sugars each day. The majority of sugars in the typical American diet are those added to packaged foods and beverages during processing and preparation. These differ from naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, certain dairy products and vegetables. “When shopping at the grocery store, look at the product labels,” said Dr. Silberman. “Common names for sugars include anything containing the word ‘syrup,’ like high-fructose corn syrup or malt syrup, or anything ending in ‘-ose,’ such as dextrose or sucrose.” Common foods that are high in added sugars include: • Breakfast cereals and bars • Candy • Desserts • Jarred baby foods • Packaged snack foods • Sweetened beverages

Some ways to reduce added sugar in a child’s diet include: • Serve water and milk instead of soda, tea, juice or sports drinks. Reducing the risks • Keep an eye out for hidden sources of Recommendations for food allergy prevention are added sugar in processed foods such as a complete reversal of guidelines from two ketchup. decades ago. • Satisfy sweet tooth cravings with whole fruit. “New knowledge in the science of food allergy suggests babies should be introduced to “The best advice to parents is to prioritize allergenic foods between six months and one feeding children a diverse diet that includes a year,” said Dr. Silberman. “Prior to contrary variety of fruits and veggies, whole grains, belief, avoiding food allergens early on in infancy, healthy fats and proteins.” j when the immune system is still developing, can actually play a role in forming these allergies baptistjax.com

What is an Outie Belly Button? The belly button, which is also called the umbilicus or navel, is really just a scar from where the umbilical cord detached from the baby. Contrary to popular opinion, the appearance of an outie belly button is not due to anything the doctor does, but rather after the umbilical cord is cut and clamped, which happens soon after birth, the belly button forms as an innie or outie during the normal healing process. Causes of Outie Belly Buttons Umbilical Hernia An umbilical hernia is a bulging of tissue under the site of the umbilicus. The umbilical cord, which delivered nutrients from the mother to the fetus in utero, goes through the abdominal muscles and creates an area where a hernia can easily form. The issue occurs before the baby is born and is most common among preemies, black babies, and babies born with low birthweight.

Things to Do Infant & Toddler Events

MOSH Molecules May 1, 15, 10am, 11:30am, 2pm and May 13, 2pm The Museum of Science & History’s newest early childhood program provides big learning for the youngest guests. Geared for children ages 3, 4 and 5, MOSH Molecules allows you and your child to explore and create memories in a safe environment. Each month’s classes will be themed- Animals, Space, Science or Art. Program content may include any of the following: reading a book, completing a craft, physical activity, free play, hands-on activity, songs and dance. Classes will last 45 minutes. Museum of Science and History / 904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / themosh.org Pediatric Associates Virtual New Parent Class May 1, 8, 15, 12:30pm May 12, 6pm Designed specifically for expectant parents, the free virtual one-hour course covers numerous topics on preparing for your new arrival, such as your child's development, immunizations, breast vs bottle feeding, and more. Pediatric Associates / 954-966-8000 / www.pediatricassociates.com Mini Monday at Color Me Mine Mondays, May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 12noon to 6pm Mondays are Mini Mondays at Color Me Mine with $1 studio fees for preschoolers all day. Hours are temporarily modified; Color Me Mine is open 12noon to 6pm. Color Me Mine / 904-338-9333 / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / jacksonville.colormemine.com

Typically, for an innie, the umbilical ring (the circle that makes the "button") will fully close in healing, but if an opening persists at the site, then abdominal tissue from underneath can protrude outward, forming an outie. Umbilical hernias are usually present at birth and sometimes seem to appear and disappear. This is often called a "reducible" hernia. Most often, an umbilical hernia will resolve on its own by age five. Umbilical Granuloma An umbilical granuloma is a small, inflamed growth of tissue, which is essentially scar tissue that forms at the belly button during the first few weeks of life. It often appears red, wet, and swollen. Sometimes it becomes infected, oozes pus, and/or will bleed. This condition is usually not painful for the baby unless it becomes infected. An umbilical granuloma is often treated either because it's infected or to prevent infection. Sometimes home remedies work to alleviate the condition (always consult with your child's doctor), or it may require treatment by your doctor. j

verywellfamily.com

Toddler Time at Get Air Trampoline Park Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27, 10am to 12noon Get Air Trampoline Park hosts Toddler Time for little kids under 46". Little Air jumpers and their parents are the only ones allowed during this time. Parents cannot share a trampoline with a child but can jump near them. Cost is $9.99 per child, and one parent jumps free. Get Air Trampoline Park / 904-267-1001 / 1564 Park Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073 / getairsports.com Story Time Art at Doing Dishes Pottery Studio May 4 and 7, 9:30am Class is once a month on Tuesday & Friday at 9:30am. Reservations are required. For $18, your child will hear a story and then paint a corresponding piece. This class is designed for you and your child to create Doing Dishes’ scheduled projects together. Smaller children will need a guardian's help. This month’s book is Spaghetti with the Yeti, and kids will paint a ceramic spaghetti bowl. Par- ticipants are learning a new technique: painting with yarn. Doing Dishes / 904-730-3729 / 5619 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.doingdishes.com Virtual Breastfeeding Class May 22, 12:30pm to 1:30pm The class is designed for parents that are planning to breastfeed or need support. Hosted by Certified Lactation Counselor, Tawanna Nottage, who is also a member of the Broward County Breastfeeding Coalition. The class will cover the following topics: How breastfeeding works, Getting the best start, Positions & latching on, How to tell if your baby is getting enough milk, Common challenges and how to overcome, and Breastfeeding support. The event is online and is free. Pediatric Associates / 954-966-8000 / www.pediatricassociates.com

Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list Infant & Toddler Events.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 11

SUMMER CAMPS

Preparing Your Child for Summer Camp CDC recommends you review the Become a Social Distancing Star! Tbeforehefollowing safe practices with your child • Keep at least six feet of space between sending them to summer camp during the pandemic. Be a Peer Protector! • Be prepared to stay home when you’re sick or have been around others who are sick. Be a Germinator Terminator! • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds… • After using the bathroom • After coughing or sneezing • After touching supplies or other objects that other people have used, like games, sports equipment, glue, scissors, and other craft supplies • After touching animals or garbage • Before and after eating • After touching your face mask • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. You can also use hand sanitizer* if you can’t wash your hands (*with at least 60% alcohol).

yourself and others, when possible. You can use the image of a jump rope to visually demonstrate six feet of distance. • Look for signs on the wall, tape on the floor or other items that let you know when and how to keep safe between people. Become Face Masked Marvels! • Wear a mask when you’re not able to keep at least six feet of space from others. Additionally, for sports camps: • Don’t spit • Bring your own equipment like gloves and bats, if possible • Don’t share towels, clothing or any items used to wipe your face or hands • Keep your belongings separated from others, like your gym bag and equipment, when not in use. • Avoid physical contact like high fives, handshakes, fist bumps and hugs j

cdc.gov

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” - Fred Rogers

TRAVEL Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Offers Safe Springtime Exploration for Families at Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends reated especially for the youngest members C of the family, kids and parents alike can join in the springtime fun at Busch Gardens’ Sesame Street® Safari of Fun Kids’ Weekends with special activities offered each Saturday and Sunday from May 1 – May 23, from 10:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.

Included in park admission, guests can take part in family fun with modified operations for everyone’s health and safety, including: • Open-air activities with plenty of space for physical distancing in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun play area, plus even more room to explore and play with special activities on the Festival Field. • Protective face coverings required for all guests age two and older. • Enhanced cleaning and sanitation of surfaces and ample availability of hand sanitizer. • Individually distributed, single-use supplies for crafts, scavenger hunts, and more. Guests can enjoy themed daily storytimes and outdoor live performances of “Let’s Play Together” at the Sunny Days Theater in Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Additional open-air

springtime festivities include: • Sunny Days Mural: Artists big and small will have the opportunity to share the masterpieces they create in the craft tent at the kid-friendly art display on the Festival Field. • Sesame Street Photo Opportunities: Physically distanced photo opportunities with the Sesame Street gang at 1-2-3 Smile with Me. Plus, don’t miss the new Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck selfie spot on the Festival Field. • Springtacular Maze: Families can enjoy each twist and turn of the flower-filled path on the Festival Field. • Furry Friends Dance Party: Guests can move and groove with the Sesame Street friends during this physically distanced interactive dance party in the Sesame Street Pavilion. • Special visits with Busch Gardens’ animals: From fur and feathers to scales and shells, exciting animal visitors will be stopping by for unique moments of learning and discovery on the Festival Field. Each weekend will have themed activities

celebrating the Sesame Street friends: • Rubber Duckie Weekend, May 1 & 2: Help Ernie reunite with his bath time buddy, Rubber Duckie, in an outdoor scavenger hunt and collect a special prize. Bert and Ernie will also make special appearances at dance parties and the 1-2-3 Smile with Me photo location. • Cookie Monster Weekend, May 8 & 9: C is for cookie! Search for Cookie Monster’s favorite treat during this weekend, where kids can also decorate a wearable cookie crown craft. • Elmo Weekend, May 15 & 16: Kids will help Elmo and Dorothy find their fish friends throughout the Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Families can also sing and dance along with Elmo at the Sesame Street Pavilion. • (New) Everyday Heroes Weekend, May 22 & 23: Celebrate everyday heroes during the event’s final weekend. Guests will have a chance to join the Everyday Heroes Club by earning special badges for Bravery, Helping, Manners, and more! Police officers, firefighters, and other local heroes will be honored during this community celebration, which will feature special guests and

emergency vehicles for this weekend only. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has worked with state and local health experts, outside consultants, and attraction industry leaders to enhance their health, safety, and cleanliness standards. For detailed information about the measures that guests can expect when visiting the park, including key operational changes, visit buschgardens.com/tampa/safety. Guests can visit www.BuschGardensTampa.com for more information and reservations and to purchase tickets, Fun Cards, or Annual Passes.j buschgardenstampa.com

ENROLL NOW & SAVE BIG!

Summer Camp Supervised Activities that teach

CONFIDENCE, DISIPLINE, and RESPECT! Fun & Safe! Well-Structured! Learn Karate! TOns of FUN! MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 12

www.KarateAmerica.info MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 13

EDUCATION

My Color-Full Florida a fabulous state! No wonder FbeenLORIDA-what explorers, new residents and visitors have coming here for centuries. Our diverse landscape, flora and fauna, climate and cultures create an adventurous playground for the young and young at heart.

Fast forward to more recent years, when I was asked to write for a local newspaper. It was great! I could write about whatever I wanted as long as it was about Florida. This was a perfect opportunity to revisit the places of my childhood, plus introduce to others the unique people, places and things that make our state so special. But all good things come to an end, and after several years I left the paper. The change was bittersweet as I loved sharing my research with others. And there had been a great deal of research over the years!

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Additionally, activities like choosing their own book, reading aloud and problem-solving while reading can help children develop agency, which leads to self-confidence. Encourage their development while reading by asking questions about characters in the book, like “What should she do next?” or “Why do you think he did that?”

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abilities that help them in school and after graduation.

when teaching Florida History, as do home schooling parents. Longtime residents and natives are also enjoying the book, revisiting places and reminiscing about Florida when they grew up. There are even stories about things that many of them admit they never knew before. In addition to the various stories, each is complemented with a black and white illustration. This allows the reader to become involved with the history and express their creativity. It’s an interactive, educational and entertaining way to learn history. So it’s time to explore! Explore our state that so many wish they could visit. Discover details about our start as the first place to be discovered in America. Learn about those original tourist attractions that are still open for visitors today.

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Definitely something for everyone and all ages. My Color-Full Florida is available on Amazon. Enjoy the journey! j

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Skill #1: Empathy Books provide an opportunity for kids to learn about people, places, cultures, activities and other things different from what they’re experiencing in their current environment. Reading stories of how others handle situations allows them to gain a new perspective. It’s an idea that is supported by research. According to research from The New School in New York City, reading fiction improves a reader’s capacity to understand what others are thinking and feeling. Skill #2: Self-confidence Kids become what they see. When a character looks like or has similar characteristics to the child reading the book, the story can show them new possibilities. That could be a new career idea, place they can travel, food they can eat or even different ways to react to things that are happening in their lives.

When reading out loud with kids, identify one new vocabulary word and talk about it. If the story has the word “spectacular,” ask them what they think it means, then share the definition as you know it: “Spectacular means very good.” Emphasize the pronunciation of new words to help kids connect the phonics to the letters within the words. Skill #4: Pattern Recognition Every story has a beginning, middle and end. The logical sequence of events in each story helps a reader understand what is happening. This story pattern can help kids start to recognize the order and sequence of effective communication. It can also help build pattern recognition that translates into other school subjects such as math and science. j unitedtoact.org

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MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 14

Skill #3: Expanded Vocabulary The more words kids read and hear the more opportunities they have to expand their vocabulary. Knowing more words fosters better written and verbal communication – an essential skill for school and the workplace.

skills are vital because opening a LBooksiteracy book leads to so much more than reading. help kids develop new skills and

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Deciding there was still yet another use for the Want to know more? There are even websites research, I created My Color-Full Florida. attached to the stories that you can go to and This book is a collection of some of the learn even more. favorite stories in the newspaper. Condensed down to a single page, the stories are conversational with the intention of drawing out the younger reader. The stories are factual and can guide the older reader on their travels around the state. Many have said they use it as their Bucket List of places to visit. Teachers, especially in the fourth grade classes, find it an excellent additional resource

EDUCATION

TRIAL MEMBERSHIP *

For over six decades I have called Florida home. My favorite memories growing up in south Florida, back before Disney World became the main attraction, are of the road trips with my family. I would share the backseat of our car with no air conditioning with my older sister, hair blowing in the wind. The routine stops at roadside picnic areas brought out the cold fried chicken Mom had made the day before. Great memories! Back then, tourist attractions featured the natural beauty of Florida. Acres of fragrant flowers at Bok Tower Gardens, Cypress Gardens, and of course, the magical mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs. The curious creatures of the Everglades, pristine white sand beaches of the panhandle, and orange groves as far as the eye could see. And nothing was scarier than riding Flagler’s narrow highway down to the Keys, especially at night!

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Teacher Appreciation Week Gifts think we can all agree teachers have had an • Items with a teacher or apple theme; most IShow especially challenging year due to COVID-19. teachers have plenty of these gifts already. your teachers you appreciate them this Teach

you can’t be with your teacher in person for Appreciation Week, May 3 – 7! Check out these gift IfTeacher Appreciation Week, here are some ideas. ideas, as well as some deals available to teachers for that week. • E-Gift Card: Most teachers love to receive gift cards, as they can then spend it how they Without knowing what a teacher likes, it can be please. Some ideas for e-Gift Cards are difficult to pick out a gift so here are some • Digital Subscriptions to platforms such suggestions for gifts that are generally pleasant as Amazon Prime, Playstation, Newspasurprises. pers like the New York Times, and more! • Homemade gifts, such as small plants in pots • Online learning platforms such as decorated by students. Masterclass. • Notes of appreciation from students. • Local restaurants, grocery stores, etc. • Certificates for practical gifts (like car washes, • Major online retailers. groceries, and dry cleaning) or indulgences • Ebooks through Google Play or Kindle. (coffee treats, restaurants). • Video Message: Record a special video of • Classroom supplies or gift cards to a store that your child thanking their teacher for all his or sells them. her hard work. • Letters or E-Cards: have students mail Note: Check out Jax4Kids’ Pinterest page at handwritten letters of thanks and appreciation Pinterest.com/jax4kids for ideas and printables for to their teachers that are strewn with photos, Teacher Appreciation gifts. drawings, pictures, and kind words. Or, send There are also some gifts you generally want to an e-card through platforms like Hallmark or avoid. Blue Mountain. • Perfumed items such as candles, colognes, Whatever you decide, just letting your teachers and fancy soaps — they’re a big allergy know that you appreciate everything they do is sure trigger. to bring a smile to their faces. j • Christmas ornaments and other religious or holiday-themed decorative objects. hustlermoneyblog.com

Things to Do Education Events

Chicken Dance Thru May 2021 FSCJ Artist Series - School Performances presents a virtual school time show. Chicken Dance is a full-length, 52-minute video and bonus videos for all ages. Performed by ArtsPower. Chicken Dance's virtual program includes a full-length performance of Chicken Dance on video, grade-specific Study Buddy educational guide that provides a full complement of literacy-building and visual arts activities for your students, song and dance instructional videos, interviews with the author of the Chicken Dance book and the musical’s set designer, and a Student Gallery page where your students can post their artwork and videos. Cost is $300 per School per Grade Level, $15 per Homeschool Group Household, or $6 per Ticket. FSCJ / 904-632-5050 / groupsales@fscjartistseries. org / www.fscjartistseries.org Doktor Kaboom! It's Just Rocket Science Thru May 26 FSCJ Artist Series presents a virtual performance of Doktor Kaboom! It's Just Rocket Science. Doktor Kaboom uses the excitement of rocketry to present Newton’s Laws of Motion in multiple, over-the-top, demonstrations. Each of Newton’s three laws is clearly explained, comically demonstrated, and followed by a DIY project that students can do as a class, in groups, or individually. The show is presented online. Video 1 features The Law of Inertia, Video 2 demonstrates The Law of Acceleration, and Video 3 covers The Law of Action and Reaction.

The website has Educational Companions designed to enhance the learning experience, including an educator's resource guide, lesson plans & guide for each of the three videos, It's Just Rocket science glossary, and practice math problems for use with Video 2. A viewing link will be emailed when the program goes live. The link can be shared within your group to view with ease in a classroom, home, or on a mobile device. Cost to view the presentation is $6 per Individual, $15 per Homeschool Group Household (3-6 students), $75 per Classroom (1540 students), and $300 per Grade Level of a School (100 or more students). FSCJ Artist Series / 904-632-5050 / groupsales@ fscjartistseries.org / www.fscjartistseries.org Debate Spaces Academy Virtual Sessions May 15, 1pm to 4pm Debate Spaces Academy is a series of half-day virtual workshops for middle school students with any level of debate experience. They build community and develop public speaking skills while engaging with current events and playing games. Cost is $20/ per session with discounts applied when registering for multiple sessions. Debate Spaces is an education non-profit that uses debate to foster civic engagement and connect middle school students from around the world. Scholarships are granted upon request and they will make their best effort to accommodate student needs. A device with WiFi connectivity and audio/video capability is required for participation. Debate Spaces Academy / info@debatespaces.org / www.debatespaces.org

Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Education events.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 15

Crown Point educator selected as School-Related Employee of the Year Florida Prepaid Partners with Team Duval to Offer College Savings

students who did not initially participate in online learning last spring. In addition to calling and emailing families, Hartley also made home visits. A talented artist, Hartley uses her skills to brighten the hallways. This year, she helped decorate the front entryway and assisted many teachers with decorating their doors.

Now until April 30, 2021, parents and guardians can start saving for their child’s future. Florida Prepaid offers a variety of plans that fit any family with any budget. The best part: your rate is locked in no matter what. This means that even if rates go up, you’ll always pay the same price for your plan.

Duval County Public Schools has partnered with Florida Prepaid to offer Duval families an exclusive discount.

For a limited time, use code DUVAL21 to get $25 off the enrollment fee! To learn more about Florida Prepaid, visit their website at myfloridaprepaid.com.

“My Chat” with School Choice is Back Parents can once again live chat with school choice specialists to get their questions answered regarding school selections for the 2021-22 school year. The “My Chat” feature, which was first opened January through February, is reopening now through June 30, 2021, on the School Match 2021 webpage. It is available Monday – Saturday, 9 AM – 1 PM. This will give families additional support as school choice season picks up. For example, families who completed a standard application earlier this year will begin receiving notifications of lottery results in mid-April. Additionally, the late application window will open on April 15 and go through June 30. To live chat with a specialist via “My Chat,” follow the steps below: 1. Go to School Match 2021 2. Log into or create a “My Show Plan-

ner” account 3. After a few minutes, a “My Chat” icon will appear next to the account holder’s name. Click on it. 4. Click the “Browse Contacts” tab. 5. Click the “Available Now” tab and select an “Office of School Choice” team member. The “My Chat” feature gives families an opportunity to receive quick answers to quick questions. Families with more involved questions are encouraged to make an appointment to speak with a specialist either virtually or in person. Or they can send an email to School_choice@duvalschools.org. Reminder – The school choice process is for families wishing to select a school for their children that is not their attendance area school. No action needs to be taken if families wish to have their children attend their attendance area school or keep their children enrolled in their current school of enrollment.

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 16

Cheryl Hartley says she didn’t choose her job. It chose her. The Crown Point Elementary School paraprofessional started out as a crossing guard at the school, hoping to get her foot in the door in a law enforcement career. But she ended up getting her foot in the door into the world of education. While a crossing guard at Crown Point, Hartley was offered different positions at the school. As she accepted her new roles, Hartley discovered a love for Crown Point and for students. Flash forward several years and several positions later, Hartley is now a classroom reading paraprofessional…and Duval County Public School’s “2021 School-Related Employee of the Year.”

“Ms. Hartley is always ready to jump in and help, whether in the cafeteria, during afternoon dismissal or even pulling students for reading mastery,” said fourthgrade teacher, Jennifer Evans. Evans says Hartley can draw just about anything, and her artwork supports student learning by promoting a welcoming environment for children. These include “rocks of encouragement” she created for staff at the school. “She is a blessing to our students and our entire school family,” wrote Evans. For Hartley, all this recognition and honor is affirmation that though her journey to the classroom was unexpected, it was the right path.

“I am still trying to get over the shock,” says Hartley, who points out she was up against a group of other outstanding employees.

“I get to see children’s educational growth,” said Hartley. “Seeing those moments when something just ‘clicks’ is an unexplainable delight. To know I am part of that process fills me with joy.”

While Hartley is shocked that she was awarded this designation, those who nominated her are not.

If she had to do it over, Hartley said she would choose this unexpected path again, and again and again.

“Her passion and dedication to help others is so inspiring,” wrote Principal Brett Hartley (no relation to Cheryl Hartley) in his nomination letter. “Hartley’s love for children shows every day. Students at Crown Point adore her and always smile when they see her.”

Nominees for the 2021 School-Related Employee of the Year include:

Principal Hartley says Cheryl Hartley’s role is to lead small reading groups of kindergarten through second-grade students. But he notes that she goes over and beyond her role for the students and staff at the school. A few examples include:

•

After hearing that some of the students needed bicycles a few years ago, Hartley took the initiative to find individuals who could donate bikes and present them to the children during the holiday season. Hartley went the extra mile in contacting

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• • • • •

Requitta Bell – Timucuan Elementary – Paraprofessional Anthony Carter – School Police Kelly Davis – Mandarin High – Secretary III Jennifer Erixton – Dinsmore Elementary – Secretary/Bookkeeper Fawne Fordenbacher – San Pablo Elementary – School Office Assistant Kabrina McCormick – Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center – Paraprofessional Christina Moore – Thomas Jefferson Elementary – Paraprofessional Glorivette Rivera – San Jose Elementary – Paraprofessional Noemi Vasquez – Alden Road Exceptional Student Center – Paraprofessional

If Schools are Renamed, How Will the Costs Be Paid? A recurring question at recent community meetings hosted by the district has been whether money from a half-cent sales tax will be used toward paying any school-renaming costs. The answer to that question is no. No money generated by the sales surtax will be used to pay for any related costs if the school board decides to change the name of a school. The half-penny sales surtax, approved by voters in November 2020, is solely for the purposes of rebuilding crumbling and aging school buildings, enhancing security features at each school, creating more productive learning spaces for students, and eliminating more than a billion dollars in deferred maintenance. To keep track of how the sales surtax money is

spent, visit the district’s Master Facilities Plan Implementation webpage. So, if not from the half-penny surtax, where will the money come from if the school board approves a school name change? As district leadership shared at a board workshop early March, the cost will be paid from existing revenue sources such as the district’s general and capital funds. Additionally, funding from private donations will be used. This includes private donations made through the School Renaming Fund set up by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund. At the time of this writing, more than $12,000 had been raised, and the district has received a separate donation of $10,000. How much will it cost? The name change process gives various

school stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback and alternative names. This feedback informs the superintendent’s recommendations. The superintendent’s recommendations, which can include a recommendation to keep a school’s current name, are then presented to the board for a final decision. If the board approves a name change, the estimated cost of renaming the school is as follows: approximately $32,000 for an elementary school and $287,000 for a secondary school. These costs include signage, printed materials and sports and band uniforms. All costs are estimations, and actual costs may vary per school based on multiple factors. More information about the school renaming process – and the answers to more Frequently Asked Questions – are available on the district’s Name Change Tracker webpage.

Registration Open for New ‘Summer Rise’ Program Team Duval is hosting a variety of programs this summer for students in Pre-K through 12. This includes a new program to help students prepare for the next grade level. Open to rising first through ninth-graders, Summer Rise is a six-week summer enrichment program that provides standards-based instruction in math, reading, writing, and science through a hands-on, summer camp experience. Registration for Summer Rise is open now through May 7, and space is limited. Summer Rise is just one of many summer learning opportunities available. Additional programs include fee-based summer camps, credit recovery programs, and programs for ESOL students. For complete registration and contact information for all summer programs, visit www.duvalschools.org/summer. MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17

• Treat all people fairly

Responsibility Individuals will be available to assist you • Do you application are supposedattothe do fair. with thewhat online • Plan ahead Registration closes on May 12, 2021.

COUNTS! CITIZENSHIP

• Don’t take advantage of others

• Don’t blame othersTraining carelesslyCenter Location: Fullerwood

FAIRNESS

• Take turns Saturday, Mayand 15,share 2021, 9 AM to 2 PM. • Be open-minded; Face-to-Face / Virtuallisten Fair.to others

CARING

Minority Teacher Fairness Recruitment Fair HARACTER • Play by the rules RESPONSIBILITY

Take Stock in Children

Jim Harbin Student Media Festival Winner

Teacher Staff Recruitment Fair Congratulations to Green& Cove Springs Junior St. Jen JohnsHalter, County School District is hiring High Principal Clay County's 2021 intermediate school teachers. SJCSD will for the 2021-2022 school year. They be holding fairs in May and tentatively Principal of the Year, and toteachers, Orangeespecially Park Juniorone in June. Complete an application are looking for new in the areas of science, ELA, Art, online to join. High Assistant Principal Janicemath, Tucker, Clay students' Congratulations to Switzerland Point Middle academic career. Students compete elementary music, school counselors, and School student Sophia Goral for her County's 2021 Assistant Principal of first theplace Year. at three different levels: elementary, middle, state-wide win in the annual Jim Harbin StuVisit the School District Clay County Florida and high. dent Media Festival! Teaching ESE Students The Jim Harbin Student Media Festival has YouTube chanThe Jim Harbin Student Media Festival is a Education) been around for 45+ years! It was Jim (Exceptional Student nel to watchstudent-driven program where students create Harbin's vision and is FAME's vision to teach, Are you ESE certified and interested in programs and andrecognize teacher support, with time presentations from idea, to storyboard, encourage Florida's student the momentsmedia learning moretoabout teaching ESE stufor questions andStudent answers. to production, presentation. Students media producers. filmmakers learn dentscreatively in St. Johns County work to design andSchool produceDistrict? a many valuable lessons from equipment usage Jen and Janice Join the Virtual Informational Session and receive virtual artists link onlike media forum for their message and compete &Register care to copyright lawsthe to protect found out about state-wide with11, students fromHear eachfrom county in themselves. They the learning and Tuesday, May at 6 PM. Monday, May 10,celebrate 2021. Registration closFlorida. The culminating even ison a red-carpet creativity of Florida's young artists. the SJCSD ESE Department their ESE es on May 10 at Noon. the announceaffair at the Florida Association for Media in Education’s (FAME) Annual Conference. The Watch Sophia’s video on the St. Johns County ment!

RESPECT

Clay County School News

2021 Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year St. Johns County School District News Announced TRUSTWORTHINESS

of Instructional Personnel Services serves the employees. School District of Clay County by focusing their efforts on the recruitment, hiring and retention Interested? Go to oneclay.net to find open of a diversified and highly qualified instruction- positions and online applications, job descripal staff whose mission is to provide students tions, completely salary schedules, and other with learning opportunities that are rigorous, resources you may need. relevant and transcend beyond the boundaries EqualSprings Opportunity Employer: The School of the classroom. Green Cove Junior High Fleming Island High School Wins National Now Hiring Instructional and District of Clay County is an Equal OpportuReceives Asthma-Friendly Fields of Excellence Award Human Resources: The Human Resources nity Employer. They do not discriminate on Support Positions, Apply Now When you are thinking about giving, the giftreligion, of time, talent and your School Award Department strives to provide the necessary the basisconsider of race, color, sex,experience! mariWhether you are starting your career or you Non Instructional Opportunities: The depart- Take Stock human resources and organizational culture status, age, program national origin orpublic disability. in Children, a tal state-wide mentoring for low-income school Asthma is the leading cause of The Florida Asthma Coalition is are an experienced professional, the School ment of Non-instructional Personnel Services students, is in need of adult mentors in Clay County. to support District in itsbyvision tohonoring prepare Employment of personnel in Clay County is District of Clay County can offer a wide range serves the Schoolthe District of Clay County Green Cove Springs Junior preventable hospitalizations, school of rewarding careers, as well as support to seeking highly learners qualified applicants for the in a life-long for success global infor compliance withabsenteeism Federal and Laws andState work-related High in and Clayand County their dedicaAfter the training application process is completed, the time commitment is approxihelp you grow. Visit oneclay.net to explore the variety of employment opportunities within mately one hour per week in a public school during the regular school year. lung disease in Florida. In addition, tion to students and the community competitive regarding nondiscrimination and preference. different types of positions with the district. their school systemworkplace. and to provide a diverse, asthma incurs high costs, in terms for the work that has been accomwell-qualified workforce who are dedicated Individuals with disabilities are encouraged Interested? Call (904) 272-8144 or go to www.takestockinchildren.org for more information. of the costs of care, lost workdays plished to earn the Asthma-Friendly Instructional Opportunities: The department to the realization of the full potential of all Administrative Opportunities: Great eduapply. Any person believes or she of Instructional Personnel Services serves the employees. andwho productivity, andhe lower quality School award fromtothe Florida and School District of Clay County by focusing their cational leaders are vital to our future, 2021 Principal and Assistant may need reasonable during of lifeaccommodations for persons with asthma and Asthma Coalition. efforts on the recruitment, hiring and retention Interested? Goseeing to oneclay.net to find open although students succeed can be its their families. The Florida Asthma theof application, testing or interview process theonline fieldapplications, of excellence winof a diversified and highly qualified instruction- positions and job descripPrincipal the Year Green Cove Springs Junior High Coalition works to improve asthma owncompletely reward, people are for ways ners, salary it'smany theschedules, backdrop the looking al staff whose mission is to provide students tions, andtoother notify department or has earned Bronzeshould recognition by the appropriate outcomes and reduce associated with learning opportunities that are rigorous, resources you may need. story they're helping write. Announced to grow professionally without losing the satcompleting six outschool of the ten Asth-in advance. office relevant and transcend beyond the boundaries costs for Floridians through various Equal Opportunity Employer: The School ma Friendly School criteria, which isfaction of influencing young minds. A school At Pioneer, they commend of the classroom. Congratulations to Green Cove Springs Junior interventions. District of Clay is anwomen Equal Opportuwere designed to Contact create a safe and the County men and who rise High Principal Jen Halter, Clay County's 2021 administration career is one such path. Like Information Human Resources: The Human Resources nity Employer. Theychallenge, do not discriminate on Principal of the Year, and to Orange Park Junior to the year after For more information about the Florihealthy environment for students Department strives to provide the necessary the basis ofyear, race,school religion, color, sex, mariteachers, administrators essential Highwith Assistant Principal Janice Tucker,includClay to produce exceptional are da Asthma Coalition, visit floridaasasthma. Bronze criteria human resources and organizational culture tal status, age, national origin or disability. Human Resources Department County's 2021 Assistant Principal of the Year. and safe fields of play. In a to the success of their schools and districts, thmacoalition.com. ed: establishing an Asthma Leadto support the District in its vision to prepare Employment of personnel in Clay County is Visit the School District Clay County Florida yearwith that challenged all,the goal: 900 Walnut Street ership Team, professional developthey never lose of providing life-long learners for success in a global and inand compliance Federal and sight StateusLaws YouTube chanPioneer Athletics honored For FL more information on how your competitive workplace. regarding nondiscrimination andispreference. ment for faculty and staff,Cove providing Green Springs, 32043 nel to watch the best education toencouraged their students. announce of school can enroll in the program, Individuals to with disabilitiesthe are winners for students the access momentsto medications The National Fields of Excellence Phone: 904-336-6706 Administrative Opportunities: Great edutheperson 2020who Fields of Excellence to apply. Any believes he or she visit floridaasthmacoalition.com/ Jen with and Janice asthma, providing student-cenAward,leaders presented by toPioneer Athcational are vital our future, and award. faced with the unknown, may needWhen reasonable accommodations during found out about Fax:increasing 904-336-6556 schools-childcare-centers/asthtered asthma support, letics, isseeing a nationwide program although students succeed canthat be its the application, testing or interview process they adapted, delivered and us! exemConnect with the announcema-friendly-schools. own reward, many are looking for ways recognizes hardpeople working individuals, asthma awareness, and providing

• Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined OHNS OUNTY CHOOL ISTRICT • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable yourCoast words, actions, and attitudes Dental Assisting atfor First Technical • Set a good example for others College recently hosted a virtual field trip Citizenship for 103 students at South Woods Elemenexperience is one of the most rewarding of the School District website! • Do your share to make your school and community better tary School. • Cooperate • GetDental involved in community First, Assisting studentaffairs DomiSJCSD is hiring ESE (EBD, Ind, Autism, Virtual Interviews will be held Saturday, • Stay informed; vote Doug, a book about nique read Sugarbug Anthony was teachers, sworn in asSpeech a newlyand teaching BKA8:30 (Brother SupportColeman Facilitation) May 22,history 2021, atfrom AM Keeper to 10:30 AM. cavities • Be a and goodplaque. neighborThen, Kacy presented elected member of the St. PreK/ESE Johns County Academy Charter School) which was founded Language Pathologists, teach• Obey lawsTeeth,” and rules “My Healthy which covered the School Board during the School Board’s by his brother, closes Pastor Coleman. ers, and Paraprofessionals. Registration on May 19, 2021. • Respect authority importance of visiting the dentist every Reorganization Meeting on November 17th. Tony was instrumental in starting the SJProtect theJakevia, environment six• months. Alyssia, and Cindy Coleman replaces Board Member Tommy Allen SO’s first local Dolphins football and cheer • Volunteer serving District 2. led an interactive “Healthy Food Project” programs which have served hundreds of Respect that featured a sad and happy tooth that Anthony “Tony” Coleman was born in Palatka, students in the Hastings, Flagler Estates, Arm• Treat with respect; the Golden Rule acted as others a cavity filled and afollow healthy Florida and grew up in Hastings. While living strong and West St Augustine areas. • Be tolerant and accepting of differences happy tooth. Maya and Amelia also led a there, Tony attended Hastings Elementary Throughout Tony’s 30 years of public service, • Use good manners, not badBrush, language song named “Got My Tooth Got My All stakeholders are encouraged to review • hasHolocaust Education Survey: School. Later, he entered Hastings High school, he received a number of awards. Among should the appropriate departmentto or • Be considerate of the feelings of others plifiednotify excellence and dedication where he played football and competed in Floss.” and provide public comment for the stansurvey.alchemer.com/s3/6240586/ ment! these recognitions are the highest award given to grow professionally without losing the satschools and communities for their school office in advance. physical education and activity op• Don’t threaten, hit, or hurt anyone track field. Tony excelled in sports and their organization and communities in dards&listed below. Visit the links provided by theHolocaustEdStandards1. St. Johns County, the Guy White Award, isfaction of influencing young minds. A school dedication and effort in keeping fields 2020. became a high school star athlete. In fact, he • Dealthe peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements portunities for students with asthma. Lastly, entire Dental Assisting class here to take each survey: Character Education Survey: in• addition to the Learning Legacy Award, administration career is one such their path. Like on to represent St. Johnsreporting County as its toolwhichsurvey.alchemer.com/s3/6240369/ FortifyFL is awent suspicious activity also have award access make sure with the elementary Caring and sports facilities looking best. Contact Information had a Q&A session is the highest giventobyyour the Su-tips to teachers, school administrators arethat essential first-ever champion in the state ofSurvey: Florida for • Be kind The extracurricular activities are Congratulations to the Golden Eagles perintendent of Schools. students. • Civics and Government CharacterEdStandards1 proper steps Other are awards taken.include school that allows you to instantly relay Human Resources Department the track & field 100-yard dash.information After gradto the success of their schools and districts, • Be compassionate and show you care Officer of the Year, Department of Juvenile hosted on these fields go way besurvey.alchemer.com/s3/6176659/ of Fleming Island High School on uating in 1983, Tony earned aagencies scholarship andJustice (DJJ) and the Meritorious Service to and they never lose sight of the goal: providing 900 Walnut Street to appropriate law enforcement • Express gratitude CivicsStandards1. yond opportunities beingCove named a 2020 National Fields of for track & field at Edward Waters College in Green Springs, FL 32043 the bestathletics. educationThe to their students. that list a few. • Forgive others school officials. FortifyFL was created and funded by the 2018 students gain from participation are Jacksonville, Florida. Sometime later, Tony Excellence recipient! Follow us on Twitter Phone: 904-336-6706 • Help people in need Tony serves in a number of civic duties. He is earned state certification in Law Enforcement @StJohnsCountySD opportunities that continue to give Fax: 904-336-6556 Florida Legislature as Acadpart of the Marjory • Be charitable and altruistic currently an adviser to Hastings Youth and Correction from First Coast Technical Connect with us! Principal: Tom Pittman well past graduation. Fairness Trustworthiness emy, and previously was the past co-chair of College. Anthony has an associate degree from Douglas High School• Public Safety By accessing FortifyFL, students can provide athe 7thStoneman Play by the rules Circuit Department of Juvenile Justice Be•your honest Vincennes University. 28 Fourth Grading Period Ends Athletic Director: Cunningham Do share toand make your school December 4 Travis – Interim ReportsFortifyFL isMay It’s no museum, but it is a lot like a • Take turns share The was named by students description of the threat, share pics and videos a suspicious activity reporting tool also have access to your tips to make sure (DJJ). Act. He served asapplication the past Board President • Don’t deceive, cheat, or steal In 1986, Anthony started his career in law and community better FSA Testing – ELA Reading (Gr. 4-6), Math (Gr.3-6) & • Be open-minded; listen to others hall of fame. It’s the space created to for the Hope Pavilion Group Home in Hastings. proper steps are taken. Center, that allowsSchool you to instantly relayMeeting, information Teacher December 6pm –Corey 9pm – Regular Board Training May 3 with - their 28,the 2021 • • Be reliable – do what you say you’ll do Field Operations10, Volunteer: enforcement Putnam County Sheriff’s and optionally submit contact informaMarjory Stoneman Douglas High School. (Gr. Cooperate Congratulations to Switzerland Point MiddleHe is Science students' academic career. Students • Don’t take advantage of others Maylaw 28enforcement agencies and Graduation honor great work and to foster school afrom Minister at5&8) the Lord Temple City ofcompete to appropriate • • Have theinvolved courage docarelessly the right thing Office before theSophia St. Johns Levine Schooljoining student GoralCounty for her first place atMinistries three different levels: elementary, Fleming Island High School, Village Square Parkway • Don’t blame others Get intocommunity RefugeThe and of currently serves General, asmiddle, a pride and community spirit in the Office Attorney school officials. FortifyFL was created and funded by the 2018 tion. Wednesday, 12,of Interims Issues •Department Build a good reputation Connect on Facebook Sheriff’s Office May in April 1988, as a Jim patrol state-wide win in2021 the annual Harbin Stuand high. • Treat affairsall people fairly member of the Chaplain Corps for the SJSO. Florida Legislature as Holiday part of the Marjory process. The unsung hero, the undeDecember 23 – January 3 – Christmas/New Year’s Break, Student/Teacher @St Johns County • • Be loyal – stand by your family, friends, and country officer. During his time with SJSO, Anthony dent Media Festival! of Education and Florida Department of Law Responsibility Stay informed; vote Monday, May 31, 2021 Memorial – Student/Teacher Holiday TonyDay isThe married to Cherl, and they proudhas By accessing FortifyFL, students can provide a Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety School District worked in both Patrol and Community-OrientJim Harbin Student Mediaare Festival feated MVP. Day and night, they stand youand are supposed to do • • Do Be what a good neighbor December 4 –inInterim Reports The tip report goes to your local school coordinated its development of theirEnforcement six children, who have graduated from The Jim Harbin Student Media Festival is a been around for 45+ years! It was Jim ed Policing (COP) before moving over to the description of the threat, share pics and videos Act. The application was named by students triumphant the face of adversity. Maystudent-driven 3 - June 10, 2021 FSA Testing – Grades ELA / Math, EOCs Obeyahead laws and rules December 10, 6pm – 9pm – Regular School Board Meeting, Teacher Training Center, Putnam and St7-10 Johns County Districts. Tony where Anthony students create Harbin's vision and is FAME's vision to teach, • • Plan Youth Resource Deputyprogram (YRD) section. from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. officials when and optionally submit their contact informawww.oneclay.net With the lights low and the bleachers submitted, your local police roll-out. • Persevere: keep on trying! • Respect authority and Cherl have 14 grandchildren. Tony enjoys media presentations from idea, to storyboard, encourage and recognize Florida's student Fleming Island High School, Village Square Parkway worked as a YRD for the Gaines Alternative tion. The Office of Attorney General, Department May – June 2021 High School District Exams • Always do your best emptied, they keep working, never OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 • Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 to production, presentation. Studentsof mentoring mediakids, producers. filmmakers learn • Protect the environment coachingStudent girls Rec basketball, Murray Middle,toPedro Menendez December 23 – January 3 – Christmas/New Year’s Break, Student/Teacher Holiday department Center, or sheriff office receive copies of Education and Florida Department of Law • Use self-control work creatively to design and produce a many valuable lessons from equipment usage relenting. To some it may just look like and high school football. • Volunteer High School as well as several of the district All Schools participate in a weekly early release on Wednesday: Elementary @1:45, Middle Keystone Heights 663-2529 • TDD (904) 284-6584 December 21, 2020 – January 1, 2021..............Winter Break – Student/Teacher Holiday Enforcement coordinated its development and your tips automatically, The tip(888) report goes to your local school • Be self-disciplined and officials Download onlaws thetoApp or Google Play. media forum for state-level their spent message and compete & care to copyright protectStore artists like elementary schools. He also one-year a patch of grass or a pile of dirt. But to ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT @12:50, High @ 2:50 www.oneclay.net roll-out. officials when submitted, your local police state-wide with students from each county in themselves. They celebrate the learning and • Think before you act — consider the consequences OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 • Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 department or sheriff office receive copies of Florida. The culminating even is a red-carpet creativity of Florida's young artists. • Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitudes Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information. Keystone Heights (888) 663-2529 • TDD (904) 284-6584 affair at the Florida Association for Media in your tips automatically, and state-level officials Download on the App Store or Google Play. • Set a good example for others MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 18 MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 19 Education’s (FAME) Annual Conference. The Watch Sophia’s video on the St. Johns County Citizenship experience is one of the most rewarding of the School District website! • Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs

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CHARACTER COUNTS! CITIZENSHIP

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May Character Counts Pillar: Citizenship (Emphasis on Patriotism)

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St. Johns County

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Florida Department of Education Encourages Stakeholder Input

December Character Counts Pillar: All Pillars

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December Calendar

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December

Fortify Florida: Suspicious May Calendar Calendar Activity Reporting App

South Woods Students Go J C on a Virtual FieldST. Trip

St. Johns County December 2020 School Calendar

Things to Do

TEENS Is Your Teen Looking for a Job? These Companies Hire 14- and 15-Year-Olds! that hire 14- and 15-year-old teens aren’t Jobs as hard to come by as you might think! Do you have or know of a mature and motivated 14- or 15-year-old teen hoping to earn some extra spending money? Think outside the babysitting box with these companies that hire young teens! Whether they want to save for a car, put away money for college, or learn the value of a hardearned dollar, they may be able to apply for a job with these companies that are known to hire teenagers as young as 14! What laws affect the hiring of younger teens? According to the Fair Labor Standards Act, 14 is the minimum hiring age for non-agricultural employment with limits on the number of hours minors can work and the types of jobs they can perform. For 14- and 15-year-old employees, ALL work must be performed outside of school hours and they may not work: • • • • •

More than three hours on a school day, including Fridays. Over 18 hours per week when school is in session. More than eight hours per day when school is not in session. More than 40 hours per week when school is not in session. Before 7 AM or after 7 PM on any day, except June 1st through Labor Day, when night-time work hours are extended to 9 PM.

Although some exceptions may apply, teens must generally be paid the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour (but this will depend on what they do and where they work). The following companies may offer jobs that hire 14- and 15-year-old teens, although it is important to note that the hiring process does vary by store and region. Contact the local business in your area to learn more about their individual hiring practices and requirements. Adventure Landing – Hires team members 15 and older. AMC Theaters - Hires ushers and concession workers 14 and older at select locations. Baskin-Robbins - Hires team members 14 and older at select locations. Bruster’s - Hires team members 14 and older based on state labor laws and local store policies. Chick-fil-A -Hires team members 14 and older at select locations. Dairy Queen - Select locations hire team members 14 and older. McDonald’s - Select locations hire crew members as young as 14. Publix - Hires cashiers, service desk clerks, and floral clerks 14 and older. Rita’s Italian Ice - Hires treat team members 14 and older.

Starbucks - The minimum age requirement is 16. Taco Bell - Some independently owned locations hire team members 14 and older. Wendy’s - Some locations may hire as young as 14 for cashier and cleaning positions. Winn-Dixie & affiliates - Hires baggers 14 and older. Still looking for more employment ideas for your teenager? Another option to consider if you’re still looking for jobs to hire 14- and 15-year-old teens is Care.com. Parents are able to create an account and apply for their children as young as 14-years-old. From there, you’ll be able to easily check out the available jobs in your area that hire 14- and 15-year-old teens, including babysitting, pet care, house sitting, lawn maintenance, and more! Other great places to promote your services include Nextdoor or in your neighborhood’s Facebook group. More great job ideas for young teens that require minimal experience & are great for building resumes: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Artist (selling handmade art/crafts online) Babysitter Camp Counselor Car Washer Cashier Child Care Assistant Concession Worker Dishwasher Dog Walker Fast Food Worker Food Prep Worker Golf Caddy Grocery Store Bagger Harvest Helper at a Farm/Orchard House Sitter Independent Living Retirement Communities Kennel Assistant Landscaper Lawn Mower Lifeguard/Swim instructor Local Attractions Local Pizzerias Mother’s Helper Music Teacher Nursery Worker Office Worker Paper Delivery Person Parks Pet Sitter Plant Sitter Pools Private Sports Coach/Swim Instructor Restaurant Hostess/Host Restaurant Busser Rec League Sports Referee/Umpire Summer Reading/Math Tutor for Elementary School Students Weed Puller or other Yard Work j

hip2save.com

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 20

Teen Events

YQL 2021-2022 Cast Applications Thru May 22 YouthQuake Live invites teens to apply for the upcoming 2021-2022 season. All cast members must be in 8th through 12th grade during the upcoming school year and at least 13-years-old by August 1st of the upcoming year. To join the cast, you must complete the YQL Cast Experience, including an application, cast placement by interview and audition, and cast retreat. Cast members are available for drama team, tech team, dance team, and worship team. Deadline is May 10th for Paper Applications and May 22nd for Digital Applications. YouthQuake Live / info@youthquakelive.com / youthquakelive.com JaxParks Aquatics Lifeguard Training May 1, 10am to 3pm; May 3-7, 3:30pm to 9pm; May 8, 10am to 6pm and May 9, 2pm to 6pm Join JaxParks Aquatics in becoming a lifeguard this summer. Recertification and new training are available. The recertification course is for returning guards whose certification is about to expire. The full course is a week-long course with all instruction on site. This is for new guards that have never been certified or guards whose certification is expired. The hybrid course is the same as the full course; however, the guards would do classroom work online and only report to the pool for the in-water portion of the training. All those planning to participate will need to be able to complete three prerequisite skills: 300-yard swim, two minutes of treading water without using hands, and retrieving a 10-pound brick from the bottom of the diving well. Class sizes are limited due to COVID-19. Recertification: May 1: Charles Clark at 10am to 3pm Full Course: May 3rd – 7th: Woodland Acres, 3:30pm – 9:00pm Hybrid Class: May 8 – 9: Pine Forest, Saturday 10am6pm and Sunday 2pm-6pm City of Jacksonville / 904-255-4271 / bealifeguard@ coj.net / www.coj.net Charles Clark - 8793 Sibbald Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32208 Woodland Acres - 8200 Kona Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32211 Pine Forest - 2335 Gattis Ln., Jacksonville, FL 32207 ACT On-Campus Testing May 1, 15, 29, 2pm; May 8, 22, 8am ACT On-Campus Testing at the University of North Florida is intended for students who have applied for admission and have been assigned a UNF ID number. Students who do not have an application on file at UNF will not be scheduled to test. Scores from the ACT On-Campus are reported to the University of North Florida only. ACT On-Campus score reports cannot be issued to any other institution or agency, including Bright Futures. Held in Building 51, Room 1101. University of North Florida / 904-620-1000 / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.unf.edu Enchanted Prom May 1, 3pm to 6pm Dreams Come True Learning Center hosts an Enchanted Prom. There will be games, prizes, free appetizers, drinks, and more. The event is open to all ages. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children. Tickets are limited due to COVID-19. Ti'Shae's Event Center / 904-384-1607 / 101 West 48th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32208 / www.eventbrite. com Youth Quake Live May 7, 8pm YouthQuake Live returns to in-person events. The Un-

common Tour features skits, live music, dance performances, teen cast members, and more. To comply with COVD-19 guidelines, masks are to be worn, and social distancing is to be observed. YouthQuake Live offers reserved seating for all events; for this season they are waving the fee and offering reserved seats free of charge to help families and youth groups with social distancing. Reserved seating does not necessarily mean front row. Location of your seats is dependent on the event and the church layout. Please check in with the YQL volunteers the night of the event by 7:50pm – seats will be released after this time. The deadline to reserve seats is Tuesday at 1pm of event week. Good News Church / 573 West Twincourt Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32095 / youthquakelive.com City Wide Prom May 8, 7pm to 10:30pm The Murray Hill Theatre is committed to having their Annual City Wide Prom. The Citywide Prom is an alternative to the traditional prom and is open only to high school students ages 15 to 18 only, including those who are home schooled or attend public or private schools. This annual event offers a positive environment for students who may not enjoy the atmosphere of their own high school’s prom. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 day of event. Doors open at 6:30pm. Murray Hill Theatre / 904-388-7807 / 932 Edgewood Ave. S, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / www.murrayhilltheatre.com Tour of St. Johns River State College May 10, 17, 24, 10am and 3pm St. Johns River State College hosts tours of their St. Augustine campus. The school is located near State Road 16 and historic downtown St. Augustine. Students will enjoy the conveniences of campus life with access to a bookstore, library, and a computer and Mac lab. In addition to SJR State's online and on-campus classes associated with the Associate in Arts degree, the St. Augustine campus is home to the Criminal Justice Academy and seven degree/certificate programs, including the Florida Corrections Officer Academy and Florida Law Enforcement Academy programs. The state-of-the-art Health-Sciences building is designed to simulate a real hospital and is home to the Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care, and LPN to RN Bridge programs. Masks are required. Tour participants must also be prepared to take a health assessment upon arrival. Social distancing will be observed with six feet apart between students and those assisting in the campus tours. Two tour times are available. Be sure to register in advance. St. Johns River State College / 386-312-4033 / 2990 College Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.sjrstate. edu Insider’s Guide to College Admissions Tests May 11, 6pm College admissions tests are important. They do more than just help your child get into college. They can help your child win merit-based scholarships, and a good score never hurt anybody’s college application. It can even be the deciding factor between being granted admission or not. This does not just include the SAT® and ACT® exams. AP® Exams and IB® tests are college admissions tests too. In this free webinar, a Revolution Prep team member who’s helped hundreds of high school students get into college shares insider tips and tricks and gives an overview of each test so you can develop a test-prep plan with your child. This webinar is free and held online. Register in advance to get the link. Revolution Prep / 877-738-7737 / answers@revolutionprep.com / www.revolutionprep.com

Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Teen events.

Things to Do

PETS

How to Socialize a Dog or Cat

aybe you just got a new kitten or puppy and M you want to make sure they grow up to be happy and well-adjusted animals. Or maybe you have an older pet and they’re… well… not exactly the most outgoing of animals. Your cat flips out at the pizza guy or your dog freaks out every time a dump truck drives by. The trick to raising confident happy pets is socialization. Here’s how to socialize a dog, cat, puppy or kitten!

When to Socialize a Puppy or Kitten Socializing your pet is introducing them to a variety of people, places and things so that they are brave and happy animals in a variety of situations. The easiest time to socialize a dog or cat is actually when they are still puppies and kittens. This way they grow up to be confident pets. Start socializing kittens between three and nine weeks of age. During this time you’ll want to still keep them close to their mother. As for puppies, start socializing them between three and 20 weeks. Don’t despair if your animal is grown up and still not socialized. It is still possible to grow your pet’s confidence with patience! Introducing People One important part of socializing your pet is making sure they’re comfortable around new people. Introduce your pet to a wide range of people of all genders, ages, sizes and races. Make sure you also include people with beards, wheelchairs, crutches, and hats, as sometimes these can seem scary to pets who have never seen them before.

and tail and reward them with treats for good behavior. Introducing Places As with introducing your pet to new people, it’s also good to take things slow when introducing your animal to new places. When you first take your animal home, give them a small space to call their own. For dogs, this might be a bed or crate. For cats, this might be a closed-off room. This smaller space makes them feel safe. Then slowly expose them to more space around the house. When they’re comfortable in your home, try going for a walk somewhere quiet or going on a trip to a friend’s house. Introducing Things You’d be surprised what can scare an unsuspecting pet. Introduce your animal to a wide range of objects. Again, take it slow and don’t introduce them to too many things at once. Otherwise, they’ll go into sensory overload. Play music for your pets or turn on the TV or vacuum. Any objects that present your animal with new sounds, sights or smells are useful learning experiences. Introducing Other Animals Lastly, you’ll want to introduce your pet to other animals. Choose animals that you know are good with cats and dogs so your pet’s social experience is a positive one. When introducing two dogs, have them meet on neutral territory, such as a sidewalk. Have them go on a leashed walk together before letting them stop and sniff each other. When introducing cats, have them start in separate rooms. If they’re on opposite sides of the same door, they can adjust to one another’s scent without directly interacting. Then crack open the door. If either cat reacts with aggression or fear, shut the door and try again later. Again, reward pets with treats for good behavior! j

When introducing your cat or dog to a new person, take it slow. Bonding with a cat or getting a dog to like you takes anywhere from a couple seconds to a couple weeks. Let the animal approach you, not vice versa, and use plenty of treats to encourage a positive interaction. Once your pet is comfortable around people, it’s time to make them calm while being handled. foundanimals.org This skill is important for grooming, trips to the vet and cuddling. Touch your animal’s ears, paws

Dunkin' Donuts – May 2, 16, 30, 12:30pm to 1:30pm ShotVet / 407-792-0384 / info@shotvet. com / www.shotvet.com Bruster's Ice Cream / 12224 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 Pet Food Bank Distribution Tires Plus / 13162 Atlantic Blvd, JacksonBy Appointment ville FL 32225 Due to COVID-19, until further notice Starbucks / 13315 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonthe FCN- MHP Pet Food Bank will be by ville, FL 32225 appointment only for qualified recipients. Ace Hardware / 2771 Monument Rd, JackAs their supply is very low, each client will sonville, FL 32225 be limited to receive enough pet food for PDQ Restaurant / 3260 Hodges Blvd, Jacktwo dogs and two cats. Be sure to bring sonville FL 32224 a container to put each pet's food in. In Cure Pharmacy at Publix / 7001 Merrill Rd order to qualify for food, you must bring #13, Jacksonville, FL 32277 Proof of Spay/Neuter for Each Pet, Proof of O'Reilly's Auto Parts / 4124 Emerson Street, Income Qualifications, Photo Identification, a Jacksonville, FL 32207 completed Terms of Agreement – First Time Lowe's / 8080 Philips Hwy, Jacksonville, FL Receivers Only, and a completed Food Bank 32256 Application – First Time Receivers Only. Chili's / 13891 Old St Augustine Rd, JackCassat Regional Hospital / 904-507-4425 / sonville, FL 32258 464 Cassat Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 Dunkin' Donuts / 12709 Bartram Park Blvd, / www.fcnmhp.org Jacksonville, FL 32258

Pet Events

National Pet Week 2021 May 2-8 National Pet Week® celebrates the pets that enrich our lives and encourages responsible pet care every day of the year. Created by the AVMA and the Auxiliary to the AVMA in 1981, it's observed during the first full week of May each year. National Pet Week® celebrates the bond of pet and person and encourages pet owners to be certain to provide their best friends with everything needed for a happy, healthy life. Each day of pet week features a different topic, with tips and videos pertaining to each subject. Topics include Sunday: Choose well: Commit for life, Monday: Socialize now: New doesn't have to be scary, Tuesday: Nutrition and exercise matter, Wednesday: Love your pet? See your vet!, Thursday: Travel with care, Friday: Emergencies happen: Be prepared, and Saturday: Plan for their care: Give them a lifetime of love. American Veterinary Medical Association / 800-248-2862 / www.avma.org ShotVet Pet Clinics May 2, 8-9, 16, 22-23, 30 Low-cost pet vaccinations; given by licensed veterinarians. No appointments are necessary. Bruster's Ice Cream -- May 9, 23, 12noon to 1pm Ace Hardware -- May 8, 22, 8am to 9am Tires Plus -- May 8, 22, 10am to 11am Lowe's -- May 8, 22, 12noon to 1pm Starbucks -- May 9, 23, 2pm to 3pm PDQ Restaurant – May 9, 23, 4pm to 5pm Cure Pharmacy at Publix – May 9, 23, 10am to 11am O'Reilly's Auto Parts – May 9, 23, 8am to 9am Chili's – May 2, 16, 30, 3:30pm to 4:30pm

National Dog Moms Day Extravaganza May 8, 4pm to 8pm Kanine Social hosts a National Dog Moms Day Extravaganza. There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, and more. Also, the back turf will be set with splash day fun for some added fun for all of the four-legged friends. Kanine Social / 904-712-6363 / 580 College Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / www. kaninesocial.com Paint Your Own Pet, Ponte Vedra May 12, 6pm to 9pm Painting With a Twist Ponte Vedra hosts a Paint Your Own Pet event. Attendees need to email a picture of their pet to the studio as soon as you register. Pictures need to be received at least one week before the class. This event is a Fundraiser for Nemour's Animal Assisted Therapy Program. Cost is $60 for a 16x20 canvas. Painting With a Twist Ponte Vedra / 904687-4307 / 268 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.paintingwithatwist. com Who Let the Dogs Out! Celebrating Your Dogs for National Pet Month May 15, 10am to 7pm Bring your fur friend out while you walk the around the Walk of Champions. There will be vendors, Dog Pic Opportunities, Doggie Treats for your Fur Buddy, and more. World Golf Hall of Fame / 904-940-4123 / 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / www.WorldGolfHallofFame.org

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

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 21

THINGS TO DO

MOTHER'S DAY EVENTS Painting With a Twist Paint With Mom May 7-10 Painting With a Twist San Marco hosts four days of Painting With Mom events. Prices for each event range from $30 to $45. May 7, 11am -- Rainbow Giraffes May 8, 8:30am -- Mommy and Me Love Trees Set May 8, 1pm -- Elephant Mama and Baby May 8, 4pm -- A Pink Bouquet May 8, 7pm -- Love Surf at Sunset May 9, 10:30am -- Mommy and Me Giraffes Set or Solo May 9, 1pm -- Hummingbird Love May 9, 4pm -- Vibrant Spring Flowers May 9, 7pm -- Whimsy Sunflower May 10, 7pm -- Bursting Blooms Painting With a Twist, San Marco / 904-399-8399 / 1525 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.paintingwithatwist.com Sur la Table: Make & Take: Baking Cookies for Mom May 7, 1pm Sur la Table hosts a Baking Cookies for Mom class. In this hands-on class, participants will learn how to transform puff pastry into crispy palmier cookies, then bake and decorate beautiful stained glass window cookies. At the end of this class, you will package up your sweets to take home and share. Cost is $79/seat. The class is for ages 14 and up; a paying adult must accompany ages 17 & under. Sur la Table / 904-719-7597 / 4713 River City Drive, Suite 109, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.surlatable. com Mother's Day Brunch To Go at Jax Cooking Studio May 8, 9am - 6pm or May 9, 7am and 9:30am Jax Cooking Studio offers a Mother's Day Brunch To Go. The menu includes Breakfast Strada with Homemade Chicken Apple Sausage and White Cheddar Streusel, Black Forest Ham, Spinach and Feta Quiche, Vegan Heirloom Tomato Tart, Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns, Strawberry Buttercream Layer Cake, Lemon-Filled Macarons, Chocolate Cappuccino Mousse with Whipped Cream, and more. Prices vary, depending on items ordered. Meals come cooked and ready to be warmed in your oven. Jax Cooking Studio / 904-379-6220 / 14035 Beach Blvd #6, Jacksonville, FL 32250 / jaxcookingstudio. com Mommy & Me: Butterflies May 8, 10am to 12noon Painting With a Twist hosts a Mommy & Me: Butterflies painting event. This can either be done as a set, or you can choose which side to paint. Cost is $37 for a 12x12 canvas, $39 for a 16x20 canvas, or $40 for a framed 16x20 canvas. For ages five and up. Painting With a Twist, Ponte Vedra / 904-687-4307 / 268 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www. paintingwithatwist.com Color Me Mine Paint With Mom May 8, 5pm to 6:30pm Color Me Mine hosts a Paint With Mom event. Choose from a variety of ceramics including plates, platters, picture frames, I love mom mugs, vases, and more. Receive a complimentary gift for Mom with reservation, plus 50% off studio fee for Mom only. Reservation fee starts at $15 plus the cost of the ceramic you choose to paint. Color Me Mine / 904-338-9333 / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / jacksonville. colormemine.com

Mother’s Day Yoga and Surf Session May 9, 9am to 11:30am Moms are invited for a Mother’s Day Yoga and Surf Session. No experience is required and all abilities welcome. Cost is $80, which includes a 45-minute yoga class, followed by break and refreshments, then 1.5 hours surfing. Bring a water bottle sunscreen, yoga mat, and swimsuit. Sign up in advance. Happy Waves / 904-295-8571 / 3721 Coastal Hwy, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.happywaves.surf Mother's Day Brunch at Publix Apron's Cooking School May 9, 12noon Publix Apron's Cooking School hosts a Mother's Day Brunch. This is a demonstration-style cooking class. Sit back, relax, and let the chefs do the cooking. Enjoy all of the menu items and ask questions as they walk you through each recipe. The menu includes Warm Potato-Leek Soup, Poached Egg & Chive Pesto, Italian-Style Baked Egg with Creamy Pepperoni Tomato Sauce & Grilled Ciabatta, HerbRubbed Grilled Turkey Cutlets with Citrus Hollandaise, and Poppyseed-Blueberry Scones with Lemon Glaze. Cost is $50/person. Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com Jax Cooking Studio: Mother’s Day Brunch May 9, 1:30pm to 4pm Families are invited to celebrate Mother's Day at Jax Cooking Studio. Create a Monte Cristo sandwich and have tasty treats with mom. Complimentary orange juice, coffee, and mimosas will be served during the cooking experience. The menu includes French Toast Style Monte Cristo Sandwiches with House Made Brioche, Blueberry-Pineapple Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing, Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns, and Chocolate Dipped Strawberries. Cost is Adults and teens over age 14- $65 per person; bring a child up to age 14 with a registered adult for $40. (Max of two child tickets per registered adult, please). Adults registered with a child will make one recipe together. If you and your child would like to each make your own full recipe, please register for two adult tickets. Jax Cooking Studio / 904-379-6220 / 14035 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / jaxcookingstudio.com Big and Little Chef: Breakfast in Bed May 16 and May 22, 10am Dad's bring your child or children and help them learn how to create a no-muss, no-fuss breakfast in bed for Mom's special day. Big Chef, Little Chef series classes are designed specifically for a guardian/ parent, older sibling (18 or older), etc. paired with a young chef. Each pair will work together (along with the rest of the students) to create delicious recipes that are appropriate for adults and kids alike. Big Chef must be 18 or older, and the Little Chef age range should be 5–12 years old. The menu features Cream Cheese-Stuffed French Toast with Fresh Strawberry Compote & Citrus-Scented Whipped Cream, Bacon & Egg Cups, Brown Butter-Toffee Blondies, and Fizzy Orange Juice with a Strawberry "Rose". Cost is $75 for each parent/child combo. Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 22

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May the 4th Be with You-Star Wars Themed Dinner May 4, 6:30pm to 9pm Join JAX Cooking Studio on May 4th for a Star Wars inspired feast. Dress as your favorite character, if you wish, for a chance to win prizes. Wine will also be served during the cooking experience. The menu includes Endorian Roasted Chicken Salad, Kaadu Sticky Ribs with Roasted Vegetables, Vader Taters- Goat Cheese Smashed Potatoes, and Oi-oi Puffs- Raspberry Cream Puffs. Cost is $65 per person. This is an adult-only event. Jax Cooking Studio / 904-379-6220 / 14035 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / jaxcookingstudio.com Ladies Night Out at Color Me Mine Thursdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, 12noon to 6pm Thursday is Ladies Night Out at Color Me Mine. Ladies will receive $5 studio fees all day. Color Me Mine / 904-338-9333 / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / jacksonville.colormemine.com Friday Night Picnic at the Cummer Gardens Fridays, May 7, 14, 21, 28, 5pm to 9pm Wind down and decompress while enjoying the historic Cummer Gardens. Guests will enjoy al fresco dining with a picnic and access to seating throughout the Museum’s 1.45 acre property. Guests can also bring their own blanket if preferred. Cost is $25 Tote for one or $40 Tote for two. Prices include admission. The menu includes Oven-Roasted Turkey & Homemade Pimento Cheese Wrap, Steakhouse Potato Salad with Cheddar Cheese and Applewood Smoked Bacon, and a New York Style Cheesecake Brownie. A vegetarian option is available: Roasted Seasonal Vegetable & Homemade Pimento Cheese Wrap with Vegetarian Potato Salad. Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens / 904-356-6857 / 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / www. cummermuseum.org Ayurveda 101 May 7, 6pm to 7:30pm Join Chelsea to learn about Ayurveda, the sister science to yoga. Although the two can be practiced separately,

when intertwined they can provide you with maximum health and wellness benefits. Starting with a mindful, meditative practice (accessible to all to include chair yogis) participants will then journal, talk about what is Ayurveda, take a Dosha quiz, chat about what your Dosha discovery means for you, and discover ways to incorporate ayurvedic practices into your daily life. Each participant will receive a dosha-specific lifestyle guide to take home. The wearing of comfortable clothing that you can move gently in is encouraged. Required items are yoga mat, bolster (or pillow) to sit on, journal, pen/pencil, and water. Cost is $35. Yoga Nook Northside / 904-587-2362 / 13453 North Main Street Suite 205, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www. yoganooknorthside.com Momma's Rough Day Painting Event May 8, 4pm to 6pm Ages 21 and up are invited for a Momma's Rough Day painting event. Participants can choose from a 16x20 canvas for $39, framed 16x20 canvas for $40, or a 12x12 canvas for $35. Painting With a Twist, Ponte Vedra / 904-687-4307 / 268 Solana Rd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www. paintingwithatwist.com Vintage Market Days: "Bloom" May 14-16, 10am to 4pm Vintage Market Days of Jacksonville hosts a market with interior designers, decorators, and over 100 dealers with unique vintage & antique goods, handmade treasures, clothing & jewelry, and more. There will also be food trucks and vendors selling home-baked goodies, popcorn, and other goods. Children 12 and under admitted free of charge. The market is in a covered equestrian arena, so the event will be held rain or shine. Tickets range from $5 to $10. Friday is an early buying event, with general admission on Saturday and Sunday. Clay County Fairgrounds / 480-296-4178 / 2497 State Rd 16 W, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / vintagemarketdays.com

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Toytopia at MOSH Thru May 16 Toytopia satisfies the curiosity of toy lovers with beautiful, compelling, fun, and informative displays, and offers an immersive experience in which to explore the history of toy making. This family-oriented exhibition invites children of all ages to engage in play with some of the world’s most iconic toys. Guests will learn about the evolution of toys throughout the 20th century, witness a giant K-NEX ferris wheel, and discover a variety of unique interactives, from working arcade games from the 1970s and 80s to a life-size dollhouse. Photo opportunities abound with both the world’s largest Etch A Sketch and a life-size Monopoly car token to snap a selfie in. Participatory experiences include a giant piano keyboard you can play with your feet and oversized versions of Connect 4 and Battleship. Guests will also discover why some toys succeeded and some failed, and which toys have become collector’s items and why. They will learn about the origins of toys, who made them, and why they are so fun and so dear to us. The museum is limiting the number of guests each day to maintain appropriate social distancing. Ticket sales are online only and are required for all non-Member visitors, who must purchase tickets in advance. Tickets are only valid for the date and time specified. A digital confirmation and timed tickets will be emailed. Guests please bring your printed or digital ticket at your SELECTED time. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, military and seniors (55+), $12 for children 3 to 12, and free for children under 2. The Museum is closed to the public Monday — Wednesday. Museum of Science and History / 904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / themosh.org Chicken Dance Thru May 2021 FSCJ Artist Series - School Performances presents a virtual school time show. Chicken Dance is a full-length, 52-minute video and bonus videos for all ages. Performed by ArtsPower. Chicken Dance's virtual program includes a full-length performance of Chicken Dance on video, grade-specific Study Buddy educational guide that provides a full complement of literacy-building and visual arts activities for your students, song and dance instructional videos, interviews with the author of the Chicken Dance book and the musical’s set designer, and a Student Gallery page where your students can post their artwork and videos. Cost is $300 per School per Grade Level, $15 per Homeschool Group Household, or $6 per Ticket. FSCJ / 904-632-5050 / groupsales@fscjartistseries.org / www.fscjartistseries.org Once Upon A Spring at Gaylord Palms Resort Thru May 16 Gaylord Palms Resort hosts Once Upon A Spring. Events include an all-new interactive live show – Paint Me A Fairytale, Spring-inspired scavenger hunts, art activities, cookie decorating, live entertainment, and more. The evenings at Gaylord Palms feature a Springtime Light Display. Blooming flowers, bunny rabbits scurrying, shooting stars, and spring-colored kaleidoscopes will come to life across the atrium sky once the sun goes down. Gaylord Palms Resort / 407-586-0000 / 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746 / www.marriott. com Doktor Kaboom! It's Just Rocket Science Thru May 26 FSCJ Artist Series presents a virtual performance of Doktor Kaboom! It's Just Rocket Science. Doktor Kaboom uses the excitement of rocketry to present Newton’s Laws of Motion in multiple, over-the-top, demonstrations. Each of Newton’s three laws is clearly explained, comically demonstrated, and followed by a DIY project that students can do as a class, in groups, or individually. The show is presented online. Video 1 features The Law of Inertia, Video 2 demonstrates The Law of Acceleration, and Video 3 covers The Law of Action and Reaction. The website has Educational Companions designed to

enhance the learning experience, including an educator's resource guide, lesson plans & guide for each of the three videos, It's Just Rocket science glossary, and practice math problems for use with Video 2. A viewing link will be emailed when the program goes live. The link can be shared within your group to view with ease in a classroom, home, or on a mobile device. Cost to view the presentation is $6 per Individual, $15 per Homeschool Group Household (3-6 students), $75 per Classroom (15-40 students), and $300 per Grade Level of a School (100 or more students). FSCJ Artist Series / 904-632-5050 / groupsales@ fscjartistseries.org / www.fscjartistseries.org Kids Bowl Free Thru October 15 Registered kids can bowl two free games every day all summer. Age limit and lane times vary by location. Shoe rental not included; standard shoe rental rates apply. Discounted family passes are also available. Anastasia Bowling Lanes - May 11 thru September 30 // Daily, Open to Close Putnam Lanes - May 11 thru September 30 // Daily, Open to Close Batt Family Fun Center - May 15 thru October 15 // Mondays thru Thursdays, 10am to 9pm; Fridays-Saturdays, 10am to 6pm; Sundays, 11am to 9pm Alley Gatorz - May 11 thru September 30 // Daily, Open to Close Palm Coast Lanes - Thru August 31 // Mondays, 12noon to 1pm; Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 12noon to 10pm; Thursdays-Fridays, 12noon to 5pm; Saturdays, Open-6pm; Sundays, 9:30am to 12midnight Kids Bowl Free / kidsbowlfree.com Anastasia Bowling Lanes, 3245 A1A S, St Augustine, FL, 32080 / 904-471-3565 Putnam Lanes, 3834 Reid St, Palatka, FL, 32177 / 386325-8795 Batt Family Fun Center, 1838 Cassat Ave, Jacksonville, FL, 32210 / 904-389-2360 Alley Gatorz, 2606 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32609 / 352-373-0708 Palm Coast Lanes, 11 Old Kings Rd. North, Palm Coast, FL, 32137 / 386-445-4004 Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts May 1-15 Romanza Festivale of Music and the Arts features 35 events and exhibits by dozens of independent nonprofit organizations and talent. From Saturday, May 1, until Saturday, May 15, daily concerts, plays, dance showcases, art exhibits, opera, wine events, and more will be featured. Many events are free of charge and open to the public, while some do have an admission charge. Events are held at locations throughout St. Augustine. Downtown St. Augustine / 914-980-3051 / kathvan@ comcast.net / www.romanzafestivale.com Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection Events May 1 and 15, 9am to 3pm The City of Jacksonville offers citizens opportunities and events that promote appropriate disposal of waste and other debris. This effort includes the Solid Waste Division’s Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Electronic Waste (e-waste) Mobile Collection events, where residents can take items, like chemicals and small appliances, to locations throughout the city to be properly discarded. The May 1 event will be held at Jacksonville Beach Public Works Department, and the May 15 event takes place at Ed Austin Regional Park. City of Jacksonville / 904-630-2489 / www.coj.net Jacksonville Beach Public Works Department, 1460 Shetter Avenue, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 Ed Austin Regional Park, 3450 Monument Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Norfolk Tides May 4-9 The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp take on the Norfolk Tides. Single game tickets start at $5, with multi-game and group packages available. Section 108 F-Q is a

designated Family Section, with no alcohol allowed. May 4, 7:05pm -- Opening Night; post-game fireworks May 5, 1:05pm -- Super Secret Promotion May 6, 7:05pm -- National Nurses Day-Join the Jumbo Shrimp to celebrate National Nurses Day by playing childish games with walkers, bedpans and Jello May 7, 7:05pm -- Red Shirt Friday-fans who wear red save $1 on a ticket at the box office; Adopt a plastic flamingo fundraiser; Friday Night Fireworks May 8, 6:35pm -- 80's Night Jersey Auction; Saturday Night Fireworks May 9, 3:05pm -- Youth Sports Day; Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday-Kids can feel like the pros after each Sunday game by running the bases; there will also be free face painting and balloon animals 121 Financial Ballpark / 904-358-2846 / 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / jaxshrimp.com

Mousse, and Sparkling Apple Cider. Cost is $60/child. Jax Cooking Studio / 904-379-6220 / 14035 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32250 / jaxcookingstudio.com St. Augustine Ballet: The Wizard of Oz May 22, 1:30pm and 6:30pm Saint Augustine Ballet presents a performance of The Wizard of Oz. There will be two shows, one at 1:30pm and one at 6:30pm. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, seating is limited in Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College. Tickets will be sold in groups of two (2), three (3), or four (4). These are the only denominations available. Ticket prices range from $35 to $50. Flagler College Lewis Auditorium / 904-810-5670 / 14 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.saintaugustineballet.com

Make & Take Craft Day Thursdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27, 10am to 5pm Children's craft kits are available to make in the library or take home. New crafts will be available every Thursday. While supplies last. Clay County Public Library, Green Cove Springs Branch / 904-284-6315 / 403 Ferris Street Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 www.claycountygov.com Evening with the Stars May 7-8, 14-15, 7pm and May 9 and 16, 2pm This original musical production will be staged like a variety show with guest celebrity performances that include some of the entertainment world’s most popular stars. This year, the show will be hosted by Lucy and Ethel personalities. Ricky Ricardo is expected to make an appearance as well. The show will feature 22 celebrity look- and sound-alike performances. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Show times are Friday-Sunday. Theatre by the Trax / 912-729-1103 / 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 / www.stmaryslittletheatre. com Movies in the Park - Palm Coast May 14, 8:15pm The City of Palm Coast's Parks and Recreation Department and Flagler Schools proudly present Movies in the Park on the second Friday of each month. The movie begins at dusk and admission is free. A different family feature is shown on the big screen in the stage area at the main entrance to the park. Movies in the Park will take place at Central Park. To ensure attendees remain at a safe social distance, chalk markers will be placed, showing where each group may sit. A hand sanitizing station will be available. Masks are not required while eating and drinking, while in your family circle, or while observing an appropriate social distance of six feet; otherwise, the wearing of masks or face coverings is required. All moviegoers should bring blankets, chairs, picnic baskets, and bug spray and make plans to come early with your family, friends and neighbors. This month’s movie is Sonic the Hedgehog. Central Park / 386-986-2360 / 975 Central Ave, Palm Coast, FL 32164 / www.palmcoastgov.com Dining Etiquette for Children May 15, 10am to 12:30pm Nothing says more about a person than his or her table manners. Whether dining at a fine restaurant, at home, or at a friend’s house, knowing proper manners and customs will make the experience much more enjoyable. In this class, children will learn and practice proper manners as they are served a chef-prepared meal. Some lessons include how to properly set a table, how to use each utensil, how to introduce themselves and their friends, how to shake hands, the importance of good posture, contributing to the conversation, cell phone usage at the table, replying to an invitation, and sending thank you notes. This class is intended for children between the ages of 8-14. The menu will include Chilled Strawberry Soup, Dinner Roll with Butter, Mixed Greens Salad with Assorted Dressing Options, Grilled Chicken with Herb Pan Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Chocolate

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp vs. Durham Bulls May 25-30 The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp take on the Durham Bulls. Single game tickets start at $5, with multi-game and group packages available. Section 108 F-Q is a designated Family Section, with no alcohol allowed. May 25, 7:05pm -- Two for Tuesday-Tickets are 2-for-1 at the box office for Community First Credit Union members using their CFCU credit or debit card May 26, 7:05pm -- Office Chair Olympics-Join the Jumbo Shrimp for night full of proper lumbar support as they embark on a five-wheeled journey with Office Chair Olympics. They will race them, hoist them, throw them, roll them and more May 27, 7:05pm -- Military Appreciation Night-free tickets (subject to availability) to all active, retired, veterans and former military members and their dependents. May 28, 7:05pm -- Red Shirt Friday-fans who wear red save $1 on a ticket at the box office; Food drive; T-shirt giveaway; Friday Night Fireworks; National Hamburger Day May 29, 6:35pm -- Lantern Giveaway and Hurricane Awareness Night; Saturday Night Fireworks May 30, 3:05pm -- Baptist Health Sunday Family FUNday-Kids can feel like the pros after each Sunday game by running the bases; there will also be free face painting and balloon animals 121 Financial Ballpark / 904-358-2846 / 301 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / jaxshrimp.com Free Admission to MOCA May 28 MOCA Jacksonville is giving Jacksonville Public Library card holders free admission to the museum the last Friday of each month to increase literacy in Duval County by expanding access to art. All Jacksonville Library card holders—including residents, educators, students, military and those who hold active non-resident cards—are eligible for this benefit. Library card holders simply need to show their Jacksonville Public Library card on the last Friday each month at MOCA Jacksonville's museum to be admitted for free. Jacksonville Public Library customers may show their physical card, key tag or virtual card available through the Library's mobile app. Duval County Public School students can give their student ID number, which serves as their Library card. Museum of Contemporary Art / 904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / mocajacksonville.unf.edu Jacksonville Symphony: Patriotic Pops May 28-29, 7:30pm The Symphony commemorates Memorial Day and honors those in the U.S. military who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the freedom we cherish. Sing along to your favorite patriotic selections from The Star-Spangled Banner to the themes of the great branches of the military. Concerts begin at 7:30 PM. Performances are expected to last between 60 and 75 minutes and there will be no intermission. Masks must be worn at all times. Tickets range from $25 to $75. Robert E. Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water St., Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony. org

MAY 2021 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 23

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