Jax4Kids October 2018 by Jax4Kids

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In this issue: Your Guide to Educational Resources

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October 2018

Page 2 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers,

LIVING WELL

ith each issue we strive to bring you valuable information you can put to use in raising your children. This month, our focus is on Education – perhaps the second most important topics of interest to parents next to health and safety. On pages 15 – 23 you’ll find articles about available scholarships, study skills, vocabulary strategies, books to teach and help children and much more. The original educational television series, Sesame Street, brings their Sesame Street Live stage show to Jacksonville on October 28 and we have arranged for a discount for Jax4Kids’ readers. Use the code J4KSSL when you order your tickets in advance at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000 and you’ll save $4 on each ticket (limit 8). See page 12 for more about the show. On the topic of health and safety, when Bolles graduate Nim Shapira was 7 years old, he nearly drowned. Nim went on to swim in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and has recently opened Aqua Swim School in Jacksonville. He is passionate about drowning prevention - so much so that he offers FREE lessons to all babies between the ages of 6 months and 2 years. Turn to page 10 for more information. Have your kids outgrown their shoes? Somewhere in the world there is a child who can’t attend school because they don’t have a pair of shoes. Soles4Souls will take the shoes you no longer use and get them to those who need them. Read more about this wonderful organization on page 4. Another non-profit we are happy to bring to your attention is ORGANize (see page 7). Their mission is save the lives of those who need an organ transplant by improving the organ donation

October 2018 Community Profile: Soles4Souls ��4 Mom’s Night Out Events ��4 Mountain Biking League Comes to Florida ��5

EATING WELL

Fall Food Drive ��6 After-School Snacking, What’s a Hungry Kid to Do? ��6

HEALTH & SAFETY

Top 5 Tips for Choosing Safer Personal Care Products for Kids ��7 First Get in the System ��7 Things To Do: Health & Safety ��8 system nationwide. Among the ways they are accomplishing their mission is by creating a central registry, rallying every state in the Union to recognize social media posts as evidence of intent to be an organ donor, and working with Facebook to create a tool to help match patients with donors. If you haven’t registered as an organ donor yet, you can register in less than a minute at ORGANize.org. We’ve arrived at that great time of year when pumpkin patches are sprouting up around the city and there are fall festivals everywhere. Turn to page 29 – 30 to find one near you and visit us online at www.jax4kids.com for an always updated list of fall festivals, pumpkin patches and Halloween events. Enjoy! Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor

Follow us... Alison Peters-Carlson Editor....................................... editor@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer......................................linda@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer........................................... tim@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager........................................judi@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales.................................... beth@jax4kids.com Donna Paunetto Advertising Sales.............................. donna@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager............................... mary@jax4kids.com Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2018. 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.

NATURE

Bat Facts from the Nature Conservancy ��9 Things To Do: Nature ��9

INFANT & TODDLER New Swim Club Offers FREE Lessons ��10 Let’s Talk About Art ��10 Things to Do: Infant & Toddlers ��10 Nutrition for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms ��12

SPECIAL NEEDS A Special Needs Child Adds To Emergency Plan Challenge ��13 Things To Do: Special Needs ��13 Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk ��14 Ruby’s Rainbow ��14 Most Common Questions About a Child’s Speech ��14

EDUCATION

Conquering Tests with Empowering Study Skills �� 15 Accelerate Education Goals, Sign Up for Dual Enrollment �� 15 Florida Prepaid Enrollment Begins �� 16 Step Up To Bright Futures �� 16 Parent Academy Scholarship Available �� 17 Jax Sports Council Scholarship �� 17 Get Help Paying for College �� 17 Scholarship Available for Students Pursuing a Career in Finance �� 17 Understanding Dyslexia �� 18 Schools for Children with Dyslexia �� 18 Costs of Early Childcare Causing Inequality �� 19 Books to Teach and Help Children �� 20 Green Team Youth Corp �� 21 Parent Academy October Courses �� 22 Vocabulary Key to Reading Comprehension �� 23 Things To Do: Education �� 23 Duval County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year Nominees �� 24 Clay County School News �� 25 St. John’s County School News �� 26

TEENS

The Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2018 ��27 Things To Do: Teens ��27

PETS

Puppy Training Games �� 28 Things To Do: Pets �� 28 Animal Rescue Spotlight: Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue �� 28

THINGS TO DO

Fall Events and Pumpkin Patches �� 29-30 October Events ��31 OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 3

LIVING WELL

Community Profile:

Give New Life to Your Old Shoes, Donate Them to Soles4Souls

processing. The product is sorted and made oles4Souls disrupts the cycle of poverty by creating sustainable jobs and providing relief ready for distribution. through the distribution of shoes and clothing Registered nonprofit partners such as churches, around the world. shelters and disaster relief organizations work with Soles4Souls to receive much-needed shoes and clothing.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, the organization repurposes product to supply its micro-enterprise, disaster relief and direct assistance programs. Since 2006, it has distributed more than 30 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes in 127 countries. Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator, (97 percent of funds goes to the needy). Nearly a billion of the world’s people live on less than $2 a day, unable to afford the barest necessities. Meanwhile, U.S. landfills are overflowing with used shoes and clothes that could be repurposed. 90% of the 20 billion pairs of shoes manufactured each year and about 21 billion tons of textiles end up in landfills. Every day children are prevented from attending school, adults are unable to work. Walking becomes unbearable. A new pair of shoes provides relief in many developing nations around the globe, in times of disaster, and helps bridge the economic gap in the United States and Canada. A good pair of shoes can help someone step out of poverty. When someone doesn’t have shoes, it’s not just their feet that suffer. They are: • Vulnerable to disease – Every day millions are exposed to unsanitary conditions that can lead to sickness, even death. • Unable to attend school – Children often don’t meet uniform requirements in order to attend school and are unable to receive an education. • Discouraged by the loss of dignity – Without something as basic as a good pair of shoes, people often feel hopeless and discouraged.

The donated product is distributed to those who need it most. The gift of new shoes and clothing help men, women and children live healthier, happier lives. Used Shoes equal new opportunities. Your new and gently-worn shoes help individuals start and sustain small businesses to lift themselves out of poverty. Donated shoes are a viable resource to help entrepreneurs provide crucial necessities for their families. They accept any and all types of shoes, new and worn including overstock, out of season, returns, defects and factory seconds. The sale of one pair of shoes can provide five meals for Marie-Ange and her family in Haiti. Twenty pairs of shoes can provide a year’s worth of shelter for Ginette and her family in Haiti. Thirty pairs of shoes can provide a year’s worth of schooling for Tracy’s daughter in Honduras.

Publix Aprons Cooking School Open House October 4, 5pm to 8pm Meet chefs, sample food and beverage pairings from upcoming Featured classes, and discover all that Publix cooking school has to offer. Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com Strike - Women’s Self-Defense Workshop October 10, 7:30pm to 9pm A Strike Women’s Self Defense Workshop is a great way to be safer and better prepared. This 1-hour workshop combines self-defense education and hands-on practice using one of the easiest and most practical self-defense tools on the market. The Munio Designer Self Defense Keychain is a unique, attractive and effective personal safety accessory. Working hands-on in simulated attack scenarios, you will learn and practice easy and natural ways to use a Munio that can rapidly disable an attacker so you can escape. Learning to use the Munio can make your keychain a highly effective self-defense tool that’s right in the palm of your hand. Each student will receive a Munio Keychain of your choice with this class. Ages 14 and over. Cost is $55 each. The Women’s Defense Company / 904-655-7772 / 13241 Bartram Park Boulevard #405, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / womensdefensecompany.com See the Girl Summit 2018 October 18, 8am to 5pm and October 19, 8am to 4pm The purpose of the See the Girl Summit is to challenge participants to see how they can shift and shape the ways in which girls are treated, elevate the voices of girls, and those who identify as female, through research, advocacy and programming. Participants include juvenile justice professionals, mental health professionals, advocates, education system, child welfare system, students, health care professionals, researchers, philanthropists, parents/

caregivers, volunteers, and concerned citizens. The summit is building community through highlighting innovative programming, advocacy, and research that challenges individuals to shift how they respond to girls. They will offer their signature workshop: Girl-Centered Principles in Practice. Three core principles of girl-centered practice are explored: girls as experts, mutuality and honoring the lived experiences of girls. Join this discussion-based workshop to learn how to implement the key elements of girl-centered practice in day to day interactions with girls. Registration is $199 and $99 for students. Jessie Ball duPont Center / 904-240-4550 / 40 E Adams Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.seethegirl.org Southern Women’s Show Jacksonville – Girls Night Out October 19, 5pm to 8pm Annual show featuring fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and more. Friday is Girls Night Out, from 5pm to 8pm, when admission is just $5 after 5pm. The Prime Osborn Convention Center charges a parking fee of $5 per car. Prime Osborn Convention Center / 1-800-849-0248 / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / southernshows.com Manic Monday at Painting With a Twist: Happy Hallo-Wine Manic Monday at Painting With a Twist: Happy Hallo-Wine October 22, 7pm to 9pm Painting With a Twist hosts a Manic Monday ‘Happy Hallo-Wine’ painting event. This adult class is perfect for a mom’s night out. Participants will create a 16x20 Canvas Painting to take home. Cost is $25/painter. Painting With a Twist, San Marco / 904-399-8399 / 1525 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.paintingwithatwist.com

Visit soles4souls.org to find out how you can become involved and where and how to donate shoes or money. You can also become a fundraiser for Soles4Souls to help Wear Out Poverty, and you’ll help your friends feel good about doing good! They show how starting a fundraiser is easy to do. They’ll give you all the tools you’ll need to make a difference. With your help we can help people find their path out of poverty. To help, they have provided a template to help you get started. Feel free to tweak these suggested messages or write your own to promote your fundraiser in your own style. Once your page is done it will be submitted to the campaign administrator for approval. You’ll hear back via email if any changes are needed or that the page is active and ready to accept donations.

Together, we can help people get back on their feet.

After your page is up and running, they’ll also provide some templates you can use to reach out to your friends and family about your fundraising efforts and to thank those who donate. j

Here’s how it works:

Soles4Souls.org

Soles4Souls procures new shoe and clothing donations from retailers and manufacturers. Shoes and clothing are sent to Soles4Souls for

Page 4 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

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.

LIVING WELL

Mountain Biking League Comes To Florida

“W

hen I first heard of the program I timing, course preparation and risk management guarantee every participating student athlete is didn’t think it was possible for Florida. And then I met Maxwell Gledhill and knew given a fun and fast environment. it was only a matter of time,” said Becky Afonso, For many student executive director of the Florida Bicycle Associaathletes, tion. “Mountain biking is alive and well in Florida, mountain biking even without the mountains. As a member of is a new sport. three different mountain biking clubs in Florida Even the and seeing the progress of off-road natural experienced surface trail-building across the state, the timing riders can learn couldn’t be better for a league. This is a great something new at opportunity for students to embrace mountain a NICA rider camp and clinic, biking as a team building and healthy outdoors which emphasport. Mountain biking in our school system as a sizes proper skill, competitive sport is going to be so much fun.” technique and a healthy approach to riding and racing. Certified coaches and assistants provide The Florida Interscholastic Cycling League was founded in 2018 as a non-profit project league of spot-on training for students of all skill levels. the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) to facilitate the development of high school There are two types of teams. School-based teams are comprised of full-time students from and middle school teams/clubs for grades 6-12 and provide the education, training, licensing, and the same middle or high school, public or private. While it is not necessary that the person who insurance for coaches and volunteers. The plan initiates the club be a school “insider” (teacher or is to produce high-quality mountain bike events and races that emphasize the value of participa- administrator), this can be very useful. Schooltion, camaraderie, positive sporting behavior, and based teams can be “official” or “unofficial”. well-being over competition. Composite teams are made up of full-time The Florida League is currently headquartered in students from more than one middle or high school within the same district or other geoTallahassee. In addition to the efforts of the graphic proximity. Composite teams are intended founding board, NICA Florida needs individuals to be temporary solutions toward building passionate about creating quality opportunities school-based teams. If a composite team has 5 for youth (note: mountain biking skills are not required). Volunteer opportunities exist for coach- or more students from the same school, those ing, event and logistical support, fundraising, and students will be scored separately from the rest more. Interested individuals are invited to contact of the composite team unless a petition to do otherwise is approved. League Director, Maxwell Gledhill at maxwell@ floridamtb.org for more information about Don’t have a team to race with? That’s ok. volunteer opportunities Students can compete as an independent rider with the Florida League. Independent riders are The focus for 2018 and 2019 will be on coach training, NICA GRiT (a program to increase female unaffiliated with a specific school or team. participation by 10% over the next five years) and Home-schooled and online students who are enrolled in a Florida online virtual school or is development of a race series. The first race season will commence during the spring of 2020, home schooled are welcome. with team practices starting Dec. 2019. To understand the rules about which team to join, please refer to the league rule book @ NICA-sanctioned races provide student athletes nationalmtb.org. If you’d like to register an arena in which to set and accomplish competitive goals, to achieve their personal best. for the Florida League, get in touch: Most NICA leagues have a 4- or 5-race schedule, maxwell@floridamtb.org j held in the Spring or Fall depending on the floridamtb.org regional climate. Professional race promotion,

CHILDREN’S ART CLASSES now in Jacksonville! This program of ART for your child was developed in the Southwest, and has taken Children’s Art to an entirely NEW level! Your child will learn and achieve, and will be given recognition for this achievement at his/her very own Annual Art Show! Art classes are available to children ages 3 and up, and will meet once a week. 7 year curriculum. Tuition is $89/month. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! Give your child this gift of Art! Class size is limited so register TODAY! Call for further information or visit us online at www.childrensartclasses.com to view details and print out your own REGISTRATION FORM. Register Online! Upon registration, you will receive confirmation and registration packet.

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r Registe Now!

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” – Ralph Marston

904-612-7557 • www.childrensartclasses.com OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 5

EATING WELL

Fall Food Drive Kid-Friendly Self Storage is collecting food for A tlantic Northeast Florida families as a partner with Recipe Farm Share during October.

With each donation of 4 or more items, you can enter for a chance to win one month of free rent for your storage unit (up to $200). Simply donate and submit your name to the on-site manager. [One winner per district.] Food drive contributions can be dropped off at the office of your local Atlantic Self Storage facility. See below for a list of requested donation items. Donations Shopping List: • Canned meats • Canned seafood • Canned vegetables and fruit • Canned chili and soup • Canned meals • Dry pasta • Boxed mac n’ cheese • Peanut butter For questions, please contact office@atlanticselfstorage.com. Farm Share’s mission is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition by recovering and distributing fresh and nutritious food to those who need it most. Farm Share, using inmate labor and volunteers, re-sorts and packages an abundance of surplus food and distributes it to individuals, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, churches, and other organizations feeding the hungry in Florida — free of charge.

Taco Chicken Chili Ingredients • 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • 1 package taco seasoning mix • ¾ cup diced onion • 14 oz can diced tomatoes (with or without chiles) • 15 oz can black beans • 15 oz can white kidney beans • 15 oz can red or pink kidney beans • 15 oz can vegetarian baked beans • 15 oz can corn (drained) • Optional toppings: sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese • Directions Add all (except optional) ingredients to a 6-quart slow cooker in order listed. Do not rinse or drain beans. Do not stir. Cover and cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours. Remove chicken to a plate and shred. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker and stir all the ingredients together. Serve warm and top with a spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkle of cheese if desired. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Adapted from Fall Family Recipes Sponsored by

For a list of current distribution sites see farmshare.org j

Introducing new location in Ponte Vedra Located in the Sawgrass Village Shopping Center 340 Front Street Ste 770

After-School Snacking, What’s a Hungry Kid to Do?

ll children, regardless of age, tend to get hungry every few hours during the day. Why? Because not only do they need energy for basic daily functions like you and me, but they also need extra nutrition to grow. School-aged children (5-12 years) grow an average of 2-2 ½ inches per year and gain around 6 pounds per year. The adolescent child (13-18 years) can grow much more rapidly depending on his/her growth pattern and eventual adult height – some boys may gain up to 4-5 inches in one year alone! What does all that growth add up to be? Bigger kids with bigger appetites! It is not unusual for a child to come home from school feeling hungry. Some kids have lunch early at school, say around 11:00. By the time they get home, it may be 4-5 hours later. An after-school snack can bridge the gap between school and dinner, and provide the energy needed to focus on after-school activities such as homework or sports.

and portion size. Make sure the snack is at least 2 hours before dinner, if possible. If you are planning on having dinner around 6:00, then a snack between 3:30 to 4:00 is not unreasonable. But only you know your child and what they can handle. One child may eat a small snack at 5:00 and still be ready to eat dinner at 6:00. It all depends on their growth at the time. The key is to provide a small portion – just enough to satisfy their hunger and not be full – to assure that they will be ready to sit down and share the family meal. My child likes convenience foods such as canned pasta and frozen pizza. Are they considered appropriate snacks?

Many families rely on quick meals or snacks, such as canned or pre-packaged meals/snacks, frozen convenience sandwiches or other convenience food items, many of which are available in individual serving sizes and are handy for busy families, especially if your child is home alone after school. However, as filling and as tasty as they can be, many are loaded with salt, What type of snacks are healthiest for my child? It is always best to provide “nutrient-dense” foods saturated fats and preservatives. Read the Nutrition Facts label with older children to help if possible – in other words, those foods which them understand that these foods are not always provide a good source of nutrients (vitamins/ the healthiest choices. Instead, buy sliced apples, minerals/proteins) in a lower number of calories cheese, crackers, yogurt, hummus, sliced veggies - vegetables, fruits, whole grain, low-fat dairy and peanut butter available. Teach older children foods, or meat/meat alternatives. The opposite how to make their own smoothies using frozen would be “empty-calorie” foods which provide a lot of calories in the form of sugars and saturated fruits, almond or cow’s milk and Greek-style yogurt. Even an energy bar, such as the Larabar fats while providing very little nutrition. These would include chips, soda, cookies, donuts, juice brand (made from nuts and unsweetened fruits) can provide just enough energy to keep your drinks, French fries, etc. Nutrient-dense snacks young one satisfied until dinner time. would include Greek-style yogurt, Whole grain cereal with skim or soy milk, almonds or nut Talk to your children about healthy eating after butters, hummus, fresh fruit, raw vegetables with school and let them choose nutrient-dense foods dip, or a homemade smoothie. when at the grocery store. Together you can snack smart! j How can I give my child a snack, yet not fill then up before dinner? Aurea Thompson MSH, RDN, CSP, LDN The key to giving your child snacks is the timing Wolfson Children’s Hospital

No time to cook?

(904) 473-0600 Or you can visit our Baymeadows location at 8355 Bayberry Road

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Page 6 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

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Find where Kids Eat Free on Jax4Kids.com

HEALTH & SAFETY Top 5 Tips for Choosing Safer Personal Care Products for Kids

rom shampoo to lotion, from baby oil to body wash, we apply personal care products every day to our skin, hair and nails. Many contain troubling ingredients, including ones linked to harm and many that have not been assessed for safety. Learn how to choose safer products for your family and reduce harmful chemicals in your bodies with these tips from Environmental Working Group (EWG). 1. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE BUYING Learn as much as you can about a product before you purchase it. Read labels and pay attention to ingredient names. Help is available: Research more than 70,000 products in EWG’s Skin Deep® Cosmetics Database to see if your products contain any hazardous ingredients.

ingredients can cause skin sensitization and allergies. Ingredients include DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, among others. • FRAGRANCE The term “fragrance” is shorthand for a complex mixture of scented ingredients and ingredients that make a scent last on skin. Some ingredients are irritating or allergenic, and others can disrupt the body’s hormone systems. Although some forward-looking companies are starting to disclose ingredients in their fragrances, for many products, shoppers don’t know what’s hiding behind the label “fragrance.”

The Environmental Working Group’s mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action. It is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment.

• AVOIDING SCENTED PRODUCTS. The term “fragrance” may include ingredients that cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. • SKIPPING BABY POWDER. Just like auto exhaust or secondhand smoke, tiny airborne particles can damage a baby’s delicate, developing lungs. • SOOTHING DRY SKIN WITH A FOOD OR MASSAGEGRADE OIL RATHER THAN LOTIONS. Try almond or coconut oil, but avoid olive oil. 4. GET A GOOD SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR KIDS AND TEENS

Here are five worrisome ingredients in body care products for kids:

• RETINYL PALMITATE AND OTHER TOPICAL RETINOIDS This form of vitamin A can be used in sunscreens, lotions and lip products. Look out for retinyl palmitate and other retinyls, such as retinyl acetate. When exposed to the sun on skin and lips, retinyls can break down and damage skin.

Shade and protective clothing provide the best protection from the sun, but a good sunscreen can help save you from serious sun damage. Look for active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with SPF 15 to 50; then apply whenever you go outside. Read tips for kids in our Sun Safety Guide for Children, ewg. org/sunscreen.

• PARABENS These hormone-disrupting preservatives are in many types of products. Avoid products with propyl-, butyl-, iso-propyl, and iso-butyl parabens.

3. KEEP IT SIMPLE FOR BABIES

5. IGNORE MARKET CLAIMS

Babies’ tiny bodies are especially vulnerable to harsh, toxic chemicals. Protect your baby by:

Many products on the market carry labels such as “natural,” “safe,” “gentle,” “hypoallergenic” and “green”—yet such claims may mean very little. The Food and Drug Administration does not approve labels before products are sold, and manufacturers often use these terms just for advertisement purposes. Making smart, informed choices about the products you bring into your home is an essential step toward protecting your family from harmful or irritating personal care products.

2. INGREDIENTS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN KIDS’ PRODUCTS

• ISOTHIAZOLINONES These preservatives can cause serious skin rashes and are banned in other countries, yet they are still in products— even those advertised as “hypoallergenic.” Look for and avoid products with “methylisothiazolinone” or “methylisochlorothiazolinone” on the label. • FORMALDEHYDE RELEASERS The preservative

• AVOIDING BABY WIPES WITH THESE HARMFUL OR IRRITATING INGREDIENTS: parabens, methylisothiazolinone, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, and fragrance. • CHOOSING ZINC-BASED DIAPER CREAMS, and avoiding those with BHA and boric acid.

In about 47 seconds, our registration form will help you register as an organ donor. Not bad, huh? We think it could be even easier. We’re working hard to get every state in the Union to embrace social media as a way to communicate your donor wishes.” In 2004, Greg Segal’s dad, Rick, was placed on the waitlist for a heart transplant. Five long years later, his condition only got terrifyingly worse. While he and his family were driving to end of life counseling, they got a phone call—a heart was finally available, and just in time. Rick took the heart, and it took to him. And now he’s doing great. During those five years, Greg spent a lot of time wondering how the organ donation system could be improved for everyone—from procurement organizations to recipients and potential donors. Together with Jenna Arnold, Greg co-founded ORGANIZE. ORGANIZE, a lean non-profit, has created America’s first central registry, and is currently working hard to get every state in the Union to recognize social media posts as evidence of your donor wishes. Today, they’re continuing toward their goal of transforming the organ donation space in just five years—the same time it took to find Rick’s new heart. They also started other projects.

Give & Live is a collaboration between ORGANize, University of Chicago Medicine, and Microsoft to create a centralized, anonymous, non-directed living donor database. The goal is to provide world-leading information about living donation to individuals interested in opportunities for live donation while enabling transplant centers to find better matches, to orchestrate longer kidney chains, and to start, one day, a first ever liver chain. Give & Live was launched at the White House Organ Donation Summit in June 2016. DONOR is a tool built with Facebook that helps patients find their potential living kidney or liver donors. DONOR was announced at the White House Organ Donation Summit and received a $1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Initial testing at Johns Hopkins University found that patients who used DONOR were six times more likely to find a match than those who didn’t. ORGANize created the concept of a social declaration, which refers to statements made on social media that indicate your intent to be an organ donor. These posts often include a relevant hashtag like “I want to be an #OrganDonor” and are a helpful way to start the conversation with your family. j ORGANize.org

More than two decades ago EWG set out to answer these questions. From households to Capitol Hill, EWG’s team of scientists, policy experts, lawyers, communication experts and programmers has worked to make sure someone is standing up for public health. Through its reports, online databases, mobile apps and communications campaigns, EWG is educating and empowering consumers to make safer and more informed decisions about the products they buy and the companies they support. In response to consumer pressure, companies are giving up potentially dangerous chemical ingredients in their products and improving their practices. j

ewg.org

ADD/ADHD without MEDICATIONS

First Get In The System...

“

Do you know what’s in your tap water? What about your shampoo? What’s lurking in the cleaners underneath your sink? What pesticides are on your food? How about the farms, fracking wells and factories in your local area? Do you know what safeguards they use to protect your water, soil, air and your kids? Which large agribusinesses get your tax dollars and why? What are GMOs? What do they do to our land and water?

For more than 10 years, Grace House Counseling Center has provided hope and encouragement to thousands of hurting individuals and families on Florida's First Coast. 2 convenient locations: Orange Park/Fleming Island & North Jacksonville 904.269.0886 www.gracehousecounseling.org

The American Academy of Pediatricians has given neurofeedback the highest grading of effectiveness for ADD/ADHD. Provides a non-drug approach for diagnosing and treating ADD/ADHD, Learning disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders and it is based on research that has been widely replicated all over the world.

Other benefits include: • Overcoming academic difficulties • Progress is maintained once program is completed • Better social skills • Improvement of the emotional climate at home

BIOFEEDBACK ASSOCIATES

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OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 7

HEALTH & SAFETY

Things to Do Health & Safety

Pink Up The Pace 5K October 6, 8am to 11am Pink Up The Pace is a 5K run/walk fundraiser held in St. Augustine. Money raised from the event is used to help fund imaging services to detect breast cancer. Pink Up The Pace raises money to assist the uninsured and underinsured in the early detection of breast cancer and increase public awareness of the importance of early detection and provide support to survivors and their families. Registration for the 5K ranges from $15 to $35. There will also be a free fun run for ages 6 and under. Sign up for the fun run on race day at Francis Field. Francis Field / 29 West Castillo Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.pinkupthepace.com

for Dudes program. Following the race, there will be a family-friendly post-race celebration. Participants will receive shirts, free food, and the opportunity to connect with others who are impacted by prostate cancer. Zero is proud to partner with Kasraeian Urology to end prostate cancer. The funds raised from 2018 ZERO Prostate Cancer Run/Walk - Jacksonville are invested around the country to provide research for new treatments, free prostate cancer testing, and educate men and families about prostate cancer. Intuition Ale Works / 929 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / support.zerocancer.org

Kids Beach Yoga October 19, 4pm to 4:45pm Kids ages 5-12 can practice yoga with certified Cosmic Kids Yoga Instructor. This class will be held at the Pier Pavilion in St. Augustine Beach, as a partner program with SJC Parks and Rec. Learn to relax your mind and body with some simple, kid-friendly stretches, exercises and activities. Arrive early, class starts promptly. In order for participants to achieve a calm, fun practice certain steps are followed and program must be allowed to proceed without disruption. Please wear loose clothing and bring your own towel or mat. Registration is required, as space is limited. St. Augustine Pier Pavilion / 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org

single session will provide you with the skills that can turn a life threatening situation into a lifesaving one. Cost is $30. Please register online in advance. Y Healthy Living Center Riverside / 904-202-5338 / 221 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.baptistjax.com

EverGreen Pumpkin Run 10 Mile & 5K October 28, 8am to 11am The annual Evergreen Pumpkin Run returns to Evergreen Cemetery. The part of the course inside the cemetery is lined with pumpkins and the majority of the course is shaded. All miles and turns will be marked, with digital clocks at Pink Army 5K Run and 1 Mile Pet Friendly most miles. A $50 1st Place Sports gift card Walk will be given to the runners wearing the best October 14, 7:45am costume in the following divisions: Scariest The Florida Hospital Flagler Foundation is hosting Family and Friends CPR Class Costume, Funniest Costume, and Best Overall a Pink Army 5K Run and 1 Mile Pet Friendly October 20, 9:30am to 12:30pm Costume. All participants will receive a finisher Walk. Proceeds raised will benefit Breast This American Heart Association course “Friends medal, and will get to take home a pumpkin. Cancer awareness, education and screening. and Family CPR” will give you hands on practice Entry fees range from $25 to $40. Evergreen Cemetery / 904-353-3649 / Registration fees for the 5K range from $25 to for CPR/AED (automatic external defibrillator) 2018 Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk $35, with discounts for students. The Nonand choke-saving skills for infant and child. Adult 4535 N Main St, Jacksonville, FL 32206 / October 6, 9am 1stplacesports.com Timed 1 Mile Fun Walk (pet friendly) is $25. CPR will also be demonstrated by instructors. The 2018 Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk In addition to CPR, this class will cover injury Florida Hospital Flagler / 386-986-2323 / 60 Jacksonville features a 5K run/walk, 1 mile walk, prevention tips and child safety. Whether you are Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Memorial Medical Parkway, Palm Coast, FL Kids’ Superhero Dash for Dad, and virtual Snooze a parent, grandparent, babysitter or friend this 32164 / racesmith.com Health Events.

Page 8 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Things to Do

NATURE

Bat Facts From The Nature Conservancy T

here are 1,100 species of bats worldwide, making up a quarter of the world’s mammals. There are 40 species of bats in the United States alone! Bats can live more than 30 years and can fly at speeds of up to 60 mph. Bats can find their food in total darkness. They locate insects by emitting inaudible high-pitched sounds, 10-20 beeps per second and listening to echoes. Many bats eat insects. Bats can eat up to 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour and often consume their body weight in insects every night, helping keep bug populations in check. Other bats eat fruit or nectar and can play an important role as pollinators. There are only three species of “vampire bats”—bats that live off the blood of animals. None of those species lives in the United States. More than half of the bat species in the United States are in severe decline or listed as endangered. In addition to loss of habitat, one of the most dire threats comes from white nose syndrome, a disease that has decimated bats in the U.S. and Canada.

Some bats migrate south for the winter, while others hibernate through the cold winter months. During hibernation, bats can survive in freezing temperatures, even after being encased in ice. Most bats have only one pup a year, making them extremely vulnerable to extinction. Bat mothers can find their babies among thousands or millions of other bats by their unique voices and scents. Bat droppings, called guano, are one of the richest fertilizers. Bat guano was once a big business. Guano was Texas’s largest mineral export before oil! Austin, Texas, is a seasonal home to North America’s largest urban population of Mexican free-tailed bats, which live beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. Approximately 1.5 million bats reside there! The world’s largest bat is the “flying fox” that lives on islands in the South Pacific. It has a wingspan of up to 6 feet. The world’s smallest bat is the bumble bee bat of Thailand, which is smaller than a thumbnail and weighs less than a penny. j nature.org

Nature Events

Reddie Point Preserve Cleanup with Duval Audubon Society October 14, 8am to 11am Duval Audubon Society is partnering with St. Johns Riverkeeper and the City of Jacksonville to clean up Reddie Point Preserve. Reddie Point is a prime spot for migrating warblers in the fall, so they want to make sure it’s beautiful for wildlife and people alike. Please wear closetoed shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Bags, gloves & grabbers will be provided. Be sure to bring water, a hat, sunglasses, and a signed waiver (if you are under 18). Reddie Point Preserve / 904-256-9571 / 4499 Yachtsman Way, Jacksonville, FL 32277 / www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org Family Day & Camp Out Under the Stars October 20, 3pm This year’s Family Day will feature live entertainment, rides, petting farm, face painting and more. Wrap up the evening with movie and popcorn in the park. The movie will be Incredibles 2. Camping overnight is available with pre-registration. Tent sites are $15 and include use of fire pit (wood included) and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning. A whole block of sites if available for $60. Jack Russell Park / 904-803-7213 / 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / www.coab.us

Rising Tides: McCoys Creek Cleanup October 21, 10am to 12noon The St. Johns Riverkeeper hosts a monthly cleanup at McCoys Creek. Meet at Mixon Studios at 10am. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle, hat, sunglasses, and wear closed toed shoes. Rain boots, work boots, or waders are extremely helpful. Gloves and bags will be provided by City of Jacksonville and Keep Jacksonville Beautiful. Mixon Studios / 904-563-5160 / 2385 Corbett Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / \ www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org Spooktacular Science Camp - October 27th 9am-4pm Taking care of animals at the Zoo is a lot of fun, a lot of hard work, and a whole lot of science. Did you know that zookeepers have to study how the animals move, behave, eat, and play in order to keep them healthy and happy? While we might not quite be ready to train an elephant at the end of the day, we can definitely do some science of our own. And since it’s Halloween, it’s only natural that our science is just a little bit spooky. Limited spots are available for Grades K-5th. Member Pricing: $40 Non-Member Pricing: $45 Register online at www.jacksonvillezoo.org/ zoocamps

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

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 9

INFANT & TODDLER

New Swim Club Offers FREE Lessons W

hen he was 7, Nim Shapira, who didn’t know how to swim, almost drowned.

for swimming,” Shapira “It was my grandfather’s 60 birthday party, and I said. “At remember everything so vividly,” Shapira said. “I AQUA, we was accidently pushed by a man into the pool... always look he had not noticed I fell. I remember swallowing a for more lot of water and trying to move my hands as fast ways to educate and engage with children to as I could, trying to raise myself above water. make sure they are safer in and around pools.” Now I know that by doing that, I actually sunk faster.” “There are 10 drownings in the U.S every day and drowning is found to be the biggest cause of Despite this unpleasant beginning to Shapira’s death for children under 5,” said Shapira. “We are relationships with swimming pools, he immediso passionate about teaching swim safety that ately started swim lessons with his local swim we offer free lessons to all babies between the instructor. Ten years later, Shapira became an ages of 6 months and 2 years with their caregivOlympic swimmer at the 2008 Beijing Olympic ers.” Games. The Bolles High School grad’s dream became a reality as he finished his main event, Founded in 2013 AQUA Swim Club has already the 200-meter freestyle, at the semi-final level, been selected as the top 200 swim programs in placing 15th at the Olympic Games! America. Shapira knows that the education the families receive in AQUA programs, will decrease Now Shapira, founder and owner of The Aqua the drowning incidents. “At the time, my dream Swim School in Michigan, has opened a branch of was to be an Olympian,” said Shapira. “Now, my the school in Jacksonville at 3993 San Jose Park dream is so much more important, as I feel I can Drive. make a change and save lives with every child His vision is to prevent the next possible disaster. that acquires swim skills at AQUA.” j “Children love water, but it can be a deadly environment if they don’t have the essential skills Jackie Morrison, AquaSwimClub.com

Things to Do

Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic features favorite Sesame Street pals Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Grover, Rosita and Count von Count in a new adventure live on stage. There will be three performances, on October 28 at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts Art For Tots at the Cummer Museum of Art & Moran Theater. Tickets start at $15. Ages One Gardens and older must have a ticket. There will be a preOctober 18 and 20, 9:30am to 10:30am show experience before two of the shows. During The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens hosts the Meet and Greet, guests can meet and take Art For Tots. This class is for children 24-36 photos with Elmo and two (2) of his friends before months and an accompanying adult. The the show; walk on stage and experience Sesame program is designed to help develop a child’s Street; participate in a scavenger hunt and receive sensory and motor skills through art, movement, a special prize upon completion; and experience music, and storytelling and takes place in the an up-close magic trick from a roaming magician. galleries, garden, and studios. Entry is through The Meet and Greet will be held at 9:30am for the Art Connections. Class size is limited. For 10:30am show, and at 1:30pm for the 2:30pm further information, please email education@ show. There will not be a Meet and Greet for cummermuseum.org or call 904-355-0630. Cost is $10 per pair. Registration is required. The class the 5:30pm show. Attending the Meet and Greet requires a separate ticket. is offered on two days/month. This month will Times Union Center for the Performing Arts focus on Mythical Beasts. - Moran Theater / 1-800-745-3000 / 300 Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens / 904-355West Water St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www. 0630 / 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL sesamestreetlive.com 32204 / www.cummermuseum.org

Infant & Toddler

Happy Halloween! Preschool Storytime Class October 25, 10:30am to 11:15am Today’s special Preschool Storytime Class will include an abbreviated Storytime, a Halloween Trick-or-Treat parade, (including candy) around the inside of the Library, and a “Pun-kin” Patch photo station in the PGA Tour Media Room. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org Sesame Street Live! Make Your Magic! October 28, 10:30am, 2:30pm, and 5:30pm

Mini Monster Mash at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens October 31, 10am to 2pm The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens hosts a trickor-treat party for the youngest guests. Families are invited for a scare-free day on the Great Lawn. There will be music, games, and candy. Kids who come dressed in costume will get in free. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / jaxzoo. org

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

Let’s Talk About Art I

magination develops early in life, laying the foundation for a lifetime of creativity. There are many wonderful ways you can encourage children to get creative – whether it’s through painting, drawing, building, or pretend playing! Whatever your child is creating, it’s important to focus on the process rather than the final product. One way to do this is by talking, asking questions, and telling stories with your children as they engage in creative activities.

Here are a few simple art activities for young children and tips on how you can build their language skills: Finger painting is a fun way for young children to learn about colors. When your child finishes his art project, ask questions like: “Can you tell me about the colors you used?”

Go on a nature walk. Parks and backyards are filled with natural materials that can be used for art projects! Ask them to describe the things they’ve found, “What do you see? What does it feel like? Smell like?” Imaginative Play Imaginative play is a great way to combine fun and learning! It helps children take different perspectives and learn to empathize with others. It can also teach children how to think outside the box - a critical ingredient for strong problemsolving skills! Here are a few ideas on how you can encourage imaginative play:

• Let’s play a guessing game! Play an imaginative guessing game. You can say: “I’m imagining my own costume. It’s going to be red. I am going Help your little one create shapes and patterns to wear a hat and carry a hose. I will ride on a red with playdough. It’s a great way to introduce early truck. What am I?” Let your child guess or ask math concepts. Ask, “What shapes and patterns more questions to figure it out. Then see if your can we make?” child can give you clues so you can guess the costume she is imagining! Let’s draw! Provide your child with crayons to scribble or draw on paper or all around a • Let’s rhyme! Make up fun rhymes together. Ask cardboard box. When she’s done, encourage her your child: “What rhymes with “zoo”? Moo! Boo! to talk about what she drew by saying, “Tell me Soo!” j about your picture.” talkingisteaching.org

Page 10 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

The ©

It’s Fun. It’s Free. And It’s Just For Kids.

JOIN PEARL and all the kids who have already saved a lot of clams! Hey kids, I’m Pearl. My friends and I are called The Sandtastics, and we hope you’ll join the thousands of kids who are already doing a sandtastic job of saving in The VyStar Kids Club. You’ll see that your dollars add up quickly. So you can save for a new video game, some cool shoes, college, or the latest fashions! Kids age 12 and under get all this stuff when they join:

MOMs and dads, stop by a branch AND sign your kids up today! *Important Note: Kids Club is open to children age 12 and under. To open an account, you will need a child’s birth certificate or certified copy AND social security card or state identification card.

904-777-6000 • 1-800-445-6289 OPEN YOUR KIDS CLUB ACCOUNT TODAY!

vystarcu.org

1/19/18 10:12 AM

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 11

INFANT & TODDLER

Nutrition for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Moms

and bananas. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in the formation of a baby’s red blood cells, as well as brain development and function. Vitamin B12 is ealthy pregnant or breastfeeding women salmon. While fat is necessary in any healthy diet, only found in animal products like meat and eggs, need to get between 300 to 500 additional it’s important to limit fat intake to 30% or less of so it’s important to speak with your doctor about taking a B12 supplement during your pregnancy calories per day to meet their energy needs and your daily calorie intake. and while breastfeeding if you’re vegetarian or support the healthy growth of their baby. Iodine vegan and don’t plan to eat animal products. During pregnancy or while breastfeeding your Iodine helps the body’s thyroid gland make Good sources of vitamin B12 include lean meats, baby, be sure to eat a variety of healthy foods. hormones that help with growth and brain poultry, and fish, and fat-free and low-fat milk. What Nutrients Do Pregnant or Breastfeeding development. Not getting enough iodine during Vitamin C Women Need? pregnancy can put a baby at risk for thyroid Vitamin C plays an important role in tissue growth problems and cognitive delays, some of which The essential nutrients below will help you and and repair, and in bone and tooth development. your baby thrive. They’re found in fresh fruits and can be severe. Pregnant or lactating women Vitamin C also helps the body absorb iron. Good should use iodized salt in their cooking and eat vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, dairy sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, broccoli, foods high in iodine, like seafood and dairy products, and lean meats. tomatoes, and fortified fruit juices. products. They also should take a daily prenatal Calcium vitamin that includes 150 micrograms of iodide (a Vitamin D source of iodine that’s easily absorbed by the Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth, and Vitamin D aids in the body’s absorption of calcium plays an important role in the healthy functioning body). If your prenatal vitamin doesn’t have for healthy bones and teeth. Good sources of of the circulatory, muscular, and nervous systems. enough, talk to your doctor about taking an vitamin D include fortified low-fat or fat-free milk, additional supplement. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should get fortified orange juice, egg yolks, and salmon. j 1,000 mg of calcium a day. Healthy sources of Iron calcium include low-fat dairy products, calciumEating a diet rich in iron and taking a daily iron kidshealth.org fortified orange juice and cereals, and spinach. supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding Carbohydrates helps prevent iron-deficiency anemia. Women who don’t get enough iron may feel tired and are Eating carbohydrates helps provide energy to at risk for infections. Good dietary sources of iron support the growth and development of a baby include lean meats, fortified cereals, legumes and, after delivery, breastfeeding. The best (beans, split peas, and lentils), and leafy green sources of carbs are whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, which also are good sources of fiber. vegetables.

Fiber

Protein

Fiber is a nutrient that can help ease the constipation commonly associated with pregnancy. Whole grains (like whole-wheat bread, whole-grain cereals, and brown rice) and fruits, vegetables, and legumes (beans, split peas, and lentils) are good sources of fiber.

Protein helps build a baby’s muscles, bones, and other tissues, especially in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The recommended protein intake during the second half of pregnancy and while breastfeeding is 71 grams daily. Healthy sources of protein include lean meat, poultry, fish, beans, peanut butter, eggs, and tofu.

Folic acid Folic acid helps the healthy development of a baby’s brain and spinal cord. It’s also needed to make red blood cells and white blood cells. Women who get 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy can reduce the risk that their baby will be born with a neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord). Good sources of folic acid include fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beans, and nuts.

At The Florida Theatre

Friday, December 7th 8 pm Saturday, December 8th 1 pm & 7:30 pm

www.jaxnutcracker.org

Vitamin A Vitamin A helps develop a baby’s heart, eyes, and immune system. Prenatal vitamins should not contain more than 1,500 micrograms (5,000 IU) of vitamin A and pregnant women should not take vitamin A supplements. Both too little and too much vitamin A can harm a developing fetus. Good sources of vitamin A include milk, orange fruits and vegetables (such as cantaloupe, carrots, and sweet potatoes), and dark leafy greens.

Healthy Fats

Vitamin B6

Healthy fats (unsaturated fats) are used to fuel a baby’s growth and development. They are especially important for the development of the brain and nervous system. Healthy fats are found in olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados, and

Vitamin B6 helps form a baby’s red blood cells; breaks down protein, fat, and carbohydrates; and is needed for normal brain development and function. Good sources of vitamin B6 include poultry, fish, whole grains, fortified cereals,

Page 12 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

2 0 1 8

Redeem offer in advance at Veterans Memorial Arena Box Office or Day of Show at Times-Union Center Box Office, Ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.

SPECIAL NEEDS

A Special Needs Child Adds To Emergency Plan Challenge

hen disaster strikes, you might be at home or at a number of other places. This can make it difficult for your family to follow an emergency plan. Packing emergency supplies and information in an emergency kit can make it easier to prepare and respond during a disaster, especially if you have a child with special healthcare needs. For families of children with special needs it can become even more difficult. Planning how you will respond is critical. It means extra attention to details and needs that typical families may not have to worry about. We need to take care of equipment, medication, go to special shelters, and notify doctors just to name a few. Lauren was with her daughter, Stephanie, in the intensive care unit at a local hospital when Hurricane Sandy hit. Stephanie has autism and had recently undergone a kidney transplant, which required her to have refrigerated medicine and to be in a climate-controlled environment at all times. When they returned home, there was no electricity or heat, and the family soon realized that they would need a generator to help care for Stephanie’s medical needs. “We first thought of a generator before her kidney transplant, but it took being without electricity to realize we really needed it,” says Lauren. Fortunately, the local fire department stepped in to store Stephanie’s medicine and offered to find her a cool, dry place to stay. Now Lauren keeps a “go” bag in case of emergencies, which can easily be carried in a car, in case she is away from home during an emergency. She keeps essential items in her “go” bag so that she can have everything ready in case she needs to leave quickly. A “go” bag might include: • Personal items (toothbrush, soap, and other items used daily) • Diapering supplies • Medications used daily • A list of daily medications and their dosage • Medical records • Cold packs It is important for families to keep available medical supplies packed in multiple places in case of an emergency because “you don’t have time to pack when it happens,” says Lauren.

drug allergies. He has sensitivities to changes in temperature and barometric pressure. Therefore, she always made sure they had a week’s worth of supplies and medicine ready when it was time to evacuate. “There is a very delicate medical balance,” she said. “When he has an issue, the dominos tend to fall quickly.” As communities around the Gulf braced for Katrina, Julie’s family left New Orleans for Baton Rouge with their one week reserve of Zac’s medical supplies including catheters, feeding tubes, and special medications. But like most families facing the devastation of this hurricane, they ended up being gone for much longer. “It was a very challenging time for so many people, but especially for families of children with special healthcare needs, like ours,” said Julie. “Zac is a unique guy who needs a lot of support.” “Now, we always keep a one month supply of Zac’s supplies in our emergency kit,” she said. “It’s critical. It’s life and death for us.” Her insurance pays for this stockpile of emergency supplies. She also keeps a document of Zac’s daily needs and medical history in print and electronic format. Other items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit may include: • Pet food and extra water for your pet • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container • Cash or traveler’s checks and change • A first aid book • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. • Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. • Fire Extinguisher • Matches in a waterproof container • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items • Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, • Paper towels • Paper and pencil • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Julie thought she was ready. She always had an emergency kit prepared because her son Zac needs medical supplies and equipment to keep him happy and healthy. Zac And an item no one thinks of until it is needed: A has spina bifida, a major birth defect of the spine; can opener. j hydrocephalus, which means he has extra fluid in and around the brain; and, a number of food and cdc.gov

Things to Do Special Needs Events

CARD/FDLRS Satellite Clinic – St. Johns County October 2, 9am to 3pm The UF-Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and the UFJacksonville Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System Multi-Disciplinary Center (FLDRS-MDC) offer clinics to outlying counties in order to more effectively serve their constituents. Sign up for a consultative appointment with clinicians who specialize in child psychology, behavior therapy, academic interventions, Autism Screeners, Transition, and more. Appointments are at no cost to the family. Cunningham Creek Elementary / 904-633-0816 / 1205 Roberts Rd, St. Johns, FL 32259 / cardusf.fmhi.usf.edu Make Money Work: Financial Literacy Workshops October 2, 5:30pm to 6:30pm Make Money Work is a series of financial literacy workshops for students ages 15-20 who want to learn about money management and how to develop a healthy banking relationship. The Make Money Work program is designed for students who want to learn about the value of money, developing a healthy banking relationship, wise borrowing and spending, and protecting oneself from identity theft and fraud. There are a limited number of spots available. These workshops are open to students with various disabilities, as well as existing CARD constituents. Free, but please register so they know how many to expect. This month’s workshop is Borrowing Money -- Financial literacy workshop for students ages 15-20 who want to learn about money management and the basics of borrowing money. Students will learn about the benefits and drawbacks to different types of loans. UF Developmental Pediatric Center / 6271 St. Augustine Rd., Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / hscj.ufl.edu CARD/FDLRS Satellite Clinic – Flagler County October 8, 9am to 2:30pm The UF-Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and the UFJacksonville Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System Multi-Disciplinary Center (FLDRS-MDC) offer clinics to outlying counties in order to more effectively serve their constituents. Sign up for a consultative appointment with clinicians who specialize in child psychology, behavior therapy, academic interventions, Autism Screeners, Transition, and more. Appointments are at no cost to the family. Rymfire Elementary / 904-633-0816 / 1425 Rymfire Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32164 / www. hscj.ufl.edu Fall Back to Basics: Toilet Training October 9, 10am to 12noon A Training Series for Parents of Minimally Verbal Children with ASD and/or IND and Related Disabilities. Join our Lead Clinician Elise Summa, M.A., BCBA for this three-part series

covering basics of behavior for early learners. The trainings are for caregivers only and will be held at the UF Developmental Pediatric Center. Reserve your spot by e-mailing Elise Summa at elise.summa@jax.ufl.edu. UF Developmental Pediatric Center / 6271 St Augustine Rd #1, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / hscj. ufl.edu Special Needs Gaming Party at Microsoft October 13, 9am to 10am The Microsoft Store hosts a Gaming Party for kids with special needs. XBox One consoles will be set up in the theater space for gaming. While the children are gaming, the parents have a breakout session on internet safety and parental controls. Register online in advance, here. This event is open to families with children with special needs and their siblings. 40 spots are available on a first come first serve basis. Microsoft Store / 4791 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.eventbrite.com Girls’ Circle Support Group October 16, 5:30pm to 6:30pm Girls Circle is a support group and informational session, facilitated by Anne Wilson and Audrey Bringman, designed to engage young girls ages 14-19 with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The sessions will include discussions of topics such as personal grooming and hygiene, self-esteem, healthy friendships, social media safety, nutritious eating, and more. This group will be a forum to learn valuable independent living skills and to enhance social skills. They will also invite guests from partner agencies to offer advice, training, model good practices, and provide helpful tips. Girls must be active CARD Constituents. A minimum of 3 girls will be required to hold each session. Parents will be notified on the Friday before the group is scheduled if there are not enough constituents registered. If parents are not going to remain in the wait area, please leave a good contact number with the front office and please return promptly at 5:15pm to pick up your child. Contact: Anne Wilson at Anne.Wilson@jax.ufl. edu or Audrey Bringman at Audrey.Bringman@ jax.ufl.edu. Free. UF Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities / 6271 Saint Augustine Road, Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / www.eventbrite.com Autism Speaks Walk October 28, 8am Autism Speaks Walk is the world’s largest autism fundraising event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. Powered by the love of parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives, and supporters, the funds raised help ensure people of all abilities have access to the tools needed to lead ‘their best lives’. Participants are encouraged to start a team, join a team or come on your own. Walk and fundraise together to enhance the lives of people living with autism. Event will be held at the VisionWorks Entrance. Avenues Mall / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / act.autismspeaks.org

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

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 13

SPECIAL NEEDS

Down Syndrome Association Buddy Walk

• Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition. Approximately one in every 700 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome – about 6,000 each year • Down syndrome occurs in people of all races and economic levels • The incidence of births of children with Down syndrome increases with the age of the People with Down syndrome and their loved ones mother. But due to higher fertility rates in can spread awareness about Down syndrome by younger women, 80% of children with Down going to their local Buddy Walk. syndrome are born to women under 35 years of age The Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville’s • People with Down syndrome have an increased 16th Annual Buddy Walk is slated for 12:30 pm risk for certain medical conditions such as Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Jacksonville Beach Sea congenital heart defects, respiratory and Walk Pavilion. Registration opens at 10am, party hearing problems, Alzheimer’s disease, continues to 3 pm. childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions. Many of these conditions are now treatable, so For additional assistance, please email buddymost people with Down syndrome lead healthy walk@dsaj.org or by calling (904) 353-6300. lives See dsaj.donordrive.com to register and donate. • A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are: low muscle tone, small stature, Down syndrome fact sheet: an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. • Down syndrome occurs when an individual has • Life expectancy for people with Down syna full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. drome has increased dramatically in recent This additional genetic material alters the decades – from 25 in 1983 to 60 today course of development and causes the • People with Down syndrome attend school, characteristics associated with Down synwork, participate in decisions that affect them, drome have meaningful relationships, vote and • There are three types of Down syndrome: contribute to society in many wonderful ways trisomy 21 (nondisjunction) accounts for 95% of cases, translocation accounts for about 4%, j and mosaicism accounts for about 1% ctober is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a chance to spread awareness. During the month of October, we celebrate people with Down syndrome and make people aware of their abilities and accomplishments. It’s not about celebrating disabilities, it’s about celebrating abilities.

Ruby’s Rainbow

uby’s Rainbow is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization inspired by a little girl named Ruby who was born with an unexpected, 21st chromosome. Finding out she had Down syndrome did not change her family’s expectations for her future, and they vowed to give her every opportunity they could to learn, grow, flourish and become an important contributor to society and the community. Through these expectations came the desire to help others “rockin’ that extra chromosome” on their journey toward higher education and independence. The goal and mission at Ruby’s Rainbow is to grant scholarships to adults with Down syndrome who are seeking post-secondary education, enrichment or vocational classes, helping them achieve their dreams of higher education while spreading awareness of their capabilities and general awesomeness.

2019 scholarship applications will open up in January 2019. Scholarships are available to adults age 18+ with Down syndrome who have a high school diploma or equivalent and possess the desire and intent to enroll or continue enrollment in a class, workshop or program that will enhance thier life through employment, independent living or life skills, or interest in any other area. Programs must be located within the United States at this time.

more about Ruby’s Rainbow at rubysrainTo date, Ruby’s Rainbow has granted $643,000 in Learn bow.org scholarships to recipients from coast to coast!

Page 14 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Most Common Questions About a Child’s Speech

ommunication and speech is often a parent’s number-one concern when a young child is diagnosed with autism. With so many interventions available, how can families be sure they’re choosing the best option for their child? The book “Let’s Talk” provides practical knowledge that you need to evaluate communication therapies and treatments—and make sound decisions rooted in evidence-based practice. Many parents are unsure of what questions they should be asking their speech language pathologist. To give you an idea of what many parents ask, here are five of the most popular questions and their answers. 1. My toddler isn’t talking, should I be worried? What can I do at home to improve my child’s speech? It’s a good idea to get a referral from your pediatrician for a hearing test, and they may also recommend other professional evaluations if there are other questionable behaviors. At home, you can find lots of ways to support language development through everyday activities and routines. And you don’t have to set aside a special time to do it; use all the repetitive caretaking you do as language modeling opportunities. For example, during bath time, you can name the toys in the tub, name the actions you see (splash, wash, kick) and comment on the ongoing activity with simple words such as up, down, hot, cold, and use routine language to create expectations by, for example, saying “ready, set, out” when the bath is over.

and tell me again.” You don’t need to worry about sucking causing poor speech; there’s no evidence that it does. For most children learning to talk will reduce the need to regulate themselves with other means because they can say directly what they want and need. While some children do persist in sucking, it generally does not result in language or speech difficulties. 3. Do you know of any toys that can help develop speech and language? Any toy or activity can be used to develop language, but what really matters is interaction. We learn to talk from other human beings because talking is a social experience. So if there’s a toy your child likes to play with, join in! Talk about what you are doing and what the child is doing. Use short simple sentences and wait to give your child a turn to talk or communicate in his own way. 4. Should I “force” my child to use words?

It is usually not a good idea to “force” a child to communicate. But parents may want or need to encourage a child’s spoken language by offering choices or prompting by giving a model of what the child should say (“Say hello to Auntie Donia”). When you use these techniques, it’s important to give the child time to use your input, by waiting (a good 10 seconds), repeating the model, and giving lots of praise when they attempt to speak. If the child refuses or fails to use the model, it is fine to accept a nonverbal answer, but give the Late-talking is very common, over 15% of 2-year- spoken model again. They may use it next time. olds show delays in learning to talk, but research This way the child will have positive associations and feelings about communicating. has shown that 75% of these go on to develop normal language by the end of preschool. So 5. My child with Autism Spectrum Disorder late-talking should not be a big concern if you talks just fine. Why does he need a speechdon’t see other worrisome behaviors and you language pathologist? know your child can hear. For the majority of late-talkers, some extra language stimulation, as Parents often wonder why children who either we have described, will do the trick. don’t talk at all or talk at high levels are referred 2. How do thumb sucking and pacifiers affect to a speech-language pathologist. Spoken language is just one type of communication. What my child’s speech? pathologists do with children who don’t talk or Pacifiers and thumb-sucking are perfectly normal those whose language is well-developed but who have trouble with social interaction, is work on and adaptive for children under the age of two. the other elements of communication. These They help develop the ability to soothe and regulate themselves and their emotions. Once a include how to talk politely, how to talk differently to different people, knowing what to say and child begins talking, we do want to encourage when to say it. j them to have an empty mouth when talking, so they can be understood. If your child talks to you with a pacifier or thumb in the mouth, it is fine to friendshipcircle.org say, “I can’t understand you. Please take it out

EDUCATION

Conquering Tests with Empowering Study Skills

Accelerate Education Goals, Sign Up for Dual Enrollment

oday’s educational system is becoming increasingly competitive for students, as schools are being required to increase their standards. Consequently, we see a stress epidemic amongst students. They must learn as much as they can, and learn it effectively. Unfortunately, in school there isn’t a class that teaches how to manage these pressures forcing students to “deal” with it all. Tests are one of the biggest causes of stress for students. How can they “deal with it?

tudents can accelerate educational goals by simultaneously earning both high school and college credits for a single course.

•

Self-questioning is a must! It will increase comprehension and retention. Ask yourself these questions when checking for understanding.

How were ___ and ___ the same? Different? What do you think would happen if___? What do you think caused ___ to happen? What other solution can you think of for the problem of ___? What might have prevented the problem of ____ from happening? What is important about ______?

In my conversations with students they say they are going to study or review for a test. What does that mean though? Teachers tell students to study Reducing Test Anxiety or review a particular chapter or section. However, students are not taught how to study or review material. Most students read over the text- 1. Breathe! Relax. You have survived all the tests you’ve taken. This is just another test. book or their notes again and don’t interact with Stretch your legs and arms out. If you are the material. In order for our brains to truly learn feeling nervous take three slow breaths. and retain the material we need to do something Picture yourself at one of your proudest with what we have read. When students learn to moments. Begin again. prepare for tests this way, take ownership of their learning, they will be ready for the next step in 2. Plan a reward for yourself when the test is their future. done. It will be a great positive motivator. Tips to help students successfully “retrieve” 3. Know when to stop studying. Set a time information for tests: limit. Too much studying will NOT create retention. • Be specific! Stop using the words, study and review. How will you study or review for a 4. Exercise! It has been proven that just 20 test? For example, I will make flashcards for minutes of exercise each day can improve Spanish class, or I will quiz myself for math memory. by completing practice questions. 5. Sleep! Get enough sleep before the test. • Two heads are better than one! Form or join Don’t cram the night before. a study group where you can quiz your friend(s). Everyone make up 5 test questions, 6. Energize yourself the following morning with exchange, and discuss them. a healthy breakfast. Don’t study! Listen to music. Create a power playlist. Chill. • Take notes in a format where you can quiz Breathe. yourself later. Cornell Notes are great. Find a note-taking format that works for you 7. Use ALL the given time during the test. Do though. track your time. Don’t get nervous when students start handing in their test. There’s • Read your notes out loud. Recording yourself no reward for finishing first. is helpful too. 8. If allowed use a small fidget tool to focus like • Make information stick with mnemonic a bracelet, stress ball, eraser, scented dough, devices like a song, rhyme, acronym, or a putty, etc. phrase so you remember the material. 9. Don’t forget to breathe. You got this. • Create and answer your own quiz. Quizlet or GoConqr are helpful. No matter what challenge you are up against I • Have a whiteboard at home? They are great wish you courage and success. Reach for the for quizzing yourself or ”brain dumping.” stars! j Mind maps are fun to draw and help with the retrieval process. Melanie Black, Student Futures StudentFutures.org • Relate the information to something you 904-487-8269 already know, something in real life.

College at Jacksonville. All Duval and Nassau County district schools have such an agreement, as well as numerous private schools. Duval and Nassau County home schools must be registered What is dual enrollment and how would it help with their district school board. me? A student must have a designated level cumulaDual enrollment can help a student accelerate his tive GPA, achieve a designated level on an or her educational goals, eliminate duplication assessment test, have a minimum of four high between high school and college course content school credits and turn in all the requested and increase the rigor and challenge of course paperwork. offerings while in high school. How do private schools obtain an articulation Dual enrollment enables high school students to agreement? simultaneously earn both high school and college credits for a single course. For example, a Contact (904) 632-3261 for additional informastudent who successfully completes the college tion. course AMH2020 United States History From 1865 to the Present will earn both a half high How do I get started? school social studies credit and three college credit hours in social science. Some courses Begin by contacting your high school guidance earn even more high school credit. An example of counselor or one of the Campus Dual Enrollment this would be MAC 1105 College Algebra which Coordinators listed below. earns the student a full credit of high school mathematics as well as three college credits. After establishing your eligibility, you will complete a dual enrollment program form and Where are the courses offered? supply other documentation. You must also submit the dual enrollment student contract with The courses are offered at all college campuses your application packet. and centers, online and in various high schools. High school courses are only available to students What are the deadlines? who are enrolled at the high school. Each term, it is advised that dual enrollment What kind of courses are available? applications for students wishing to take courses at a college campus be submitted to the Students can take academic college-level appropriate campus dual enrollment coordinator courses and/or career and technical courses. by the deadlines shown below. Students who Depending on educational and career goals, submit their applications to the campus after the students can earn college credits that are deadlines will not be able to enroll in on-campus transferable to any public college or university classes for that semester. within the state of Florida and to most other public and private schools. Students looking to Fall, August 1 go into a career field more quickly can take Spring, December 1 courses toward one of Florida State College at Jacksonville’s many associate in science degrees Contact the Dual Enrollment coordinator whose or career certificates. campus is closest to your school. What does dual enrollment cost? Tuition and academic fees are free to high school dual enrollment students. District school students are provided textbooks by the district; home and private school students pay for their own textbooks. Special fees, such as art supplies, aviation flight fees, culinary equipment, health care uniforms, automotive tools, etc., are paid by the student. Students will have to pay a one-time Dual Enrollment Records and Processing fee of $25 and $5 for each official transcript requested. What are the eligibility requirements? Students must attend a high school covered by an articulation agreement with Florida State

Downtown Campus (904) 633-8184 Kent Campus (904) 381-3707 North Campus (904) 766-6588 Deerwood Center (904) 997-2509 South Campus (904) 646-2141 j fscj.edu

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 15

EDUCATION

Florida Prepaid Enrollment Begins

he Florida Prepaid plan open enrollment begins this month.

The Florida Prepaid College Plan is the largest prepaid college program in the nation. Florida families are encouraged to lock in future college tuition costs by signing up for one of six guaranteed and affordable Florida Prepaid College Plans. Open Enrollment is the only time each year that A Prepaid Plan allows families to start saving families can purchase one of the Florida Prepaid early so their child’s college tuition is ready and College Board’s five prepaid tuition plans and pre- waiting for them. paid dormitory plans. If a child attends an out-of-state college or “Families can find financial peace of mind with a private college, a Prepaid Plan will pay the same Prepaid College Plan because it allows them to amount as it would pay at a public college or lock in a monthly payment that will never go up, university in Florida. Every Prepaid Plan is so they can get started saving for college now,” guaranteed by the State of Florida, and a child said Board Chairman John Rood. “As we continue has up to 10 years after high school graduation to to see today’s college students graduating with use a plan. debt, we hope families see that it’s simple and affordable to start saving for college today to To provide Florida families with an affordable avoid that student loan debt later.” means to save for their children’s future college education, the Florida Legislature created the Student loan debt continues to be a growing Florida Prepaid College Program in 1987. The first problem for many college graduates, totaling Florida Prepaid College Plans were sold in 1988, more than $1.4 trillion nationally. According to the and were augmented with the addition of the latest figures from the Pew Research Center, Florida 529 Savings Plan in 2002. among adults ages 18 to 29, 37% say they have outstanding student loans for their own educaSee myfloridaprepaid.com to sign up. j tion. And state data shows that on average, Florida college graduates with student loan debt myfloridaprepaid.com owe $24,000.

Step Up To Bright Futures

tep Into Your Future! The Florida Bright Futures completed, error-free Florida Financial Aid Scholarship Program has helped more than Application (FFAA) during your last year of high 725,000 Florida students attend a postsecondary school by graduation. institution. Know your responsibilities….apply, meet the Bright Futures awards include: Florida Academic requirements before graduation & throughout your Scholars award (FAS), Florida Medallion Scholars college career. (Requirements are subject to award (FMS), Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholars change with each Florida Legislative session. award (GSC) and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award (GSV). Office of Student Financial Assistance website: www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org Customer The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is Service: 888-827-2004 Email: OSFA@fldoe.org j created to establish a lottery-funded scholarship program to reward any Florida high school graduate who merits recognition of high academic achievement. The graduate must enroll in a degree program, certificate program, or applied technology program at an eligible Florida public or private postsecondary education institution. Step One: Go to https://www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org/ SAPBFMAIN/SAPBFMAIN to find out how to qualify for a Bright Futures Scholarship.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2018 – JANUARY 6, 2019 CREATED BY:

THEMOSH.ORG

floridastudentfinancialaid.org

Step Two: Go to https://www.FloridaStudentFinancialAidsg.org/SAPHome/ SAPHome and submit a

Page 16 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

SPONSORED BY:

EDUCATION

Parent Academy Scholarship Available

he Parent Academy of Duval schools, a free family resource that promotes parental involvement, enhances student achievement and supports a caregiver’s need for personal and individual growth and offers courses are offered in schools, libraries, community centers and faith-based institutions throughout the community, is awarding a $1,000 scholarship in May of 2019.

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Letter of recommendation from a schoolbased employee

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An essay using the following prompt: “Why is parent/guardian involvement important to student success?”

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Proof of at least 3 Parent Academy Courses attended by your parent/guardian during the 2018-2019 school year

Students must submit the following: •

Proof of enrollment in a Duval County Public School for the 2018-19 school year Official high school transcript with a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.5 Documentation of at least 25 hours of community service.

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Proof of acceptance into post-secondary institution

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Letter of recommendation from community member

Please visit duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy or email ParentAcademy@duvalschools.org for more details. j duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy

• Pledge to remain drug-free, alcohol-free and tobacco-free; • Exhibit exemplary behavior, thereby being a good role model for peers; • Attach 1 Letter of Reference. The following factors will be considered in selecting the scholarship recipients:

To be eligible to receive the JAXSPORTS Charities Award of Excellence scholarship, the applicant must: •

Be a senior in high school;

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Maintain a 3.0+ GPA (on an unweighted 4.0 scale) from an accredited high school in Florida’s First Coast area;

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Participate in a junior varsity or varsity sport or its equivalent (dance, gymnastics, etc.);

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Participate in extra-curricular activities through church, school and the community;

ill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. There is no charge to do this, and everything is online.

•

The U.S. Department of Education gives more than $120 billion in aid to more than 13 million college students annually. To be eligible for these funds, students must submit a FAFSA.

The first step in the process is to create an FSA ID. Go to studentaid.ed.gov/fsaid

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Scholastic record;

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Community service;

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Sports participation;

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Involvement in extracurricular activities;

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Leadership qualities;

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Short answer question & essay

Deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 12 JAXSPORTS Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship recipients will be selected by Dec. 15, 2018. The scholarship will be presented at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Dec. 31, 2018. Recipients will receive (4) tickets to the 2018 TaxSlayer Bowl and will be recognized on-field during a quarter break. j

available from private entities. Become eligible for work-study programs that help fund an education and build a resume at the same time.

After you create an FSA ID, fill out the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov.

Recipients can: •

Qualify for a federal grant, which does not have to be repaid.

•

Obtain access to grants and scholarships offered by numerous other organizations and If you need help with any part of the process, call institutions that require the FAFSA as part of 1-800-433-3243.j an application. fafsa.ed.gov Take out loans with lower interest rates and more consumer protections than those

Application and supporting documents are due on or before Friday, May 10, 2019. The application may be found via a link on the Parent Academy website in the spring. •

Jax Sports Council Scholarship

he JAXSPORTS Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship consists of a one-time gift of $2,500 that is given out to four senior student-athletes for use at any accredited university or college.

Get Help Paying for College

The application window for the 2019-2020 FAFSA opens Oct. 1.

Scholarship Available for Students Pursing a Career in Finance

he BadCredit.org Wealth Wise Scholarship was recently launched for children who intend to pursue a career in finance or a related industry upon graduation. The scholarship is open to US undergraduate and graduate students. A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded based on academic merit and submission of a short essay . To qualify for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements: • Minimum GPA of 3.5 • Major of study must support a career in the finance industry (e.g., finance, business, accounting, mathematics, management, and other related majors) • Must be a US resident • Must send in an official transcript • Must be a current or future college student (e.g., high school senior) • Scholarship must go to tuition purposes (will be paid directly to the university/college)

Must also complete an essay on the topic “How the US Credit Scoring System Can Be Improved.” This essay will explore current issues in today’s credit landscape and various ways to offset the negative implications that affect many Americans’ ability to access capital. It should be 500-900 words. Any resources should be carefully noted and cited appropriately using the MLA format. Any plagiarism or fabrication will disqualify the applicant. Submit it in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced with 1-inch margins. Submissions are due December 31. The winner will be announced January 21 and awarded January 31. Send material to BadCredit.org, attn: Wealth Wise Scholarship, 15 SE 1st Ave., Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32601

badcredit.org

If your child's grades are not where you want them to be, it's time to act. Sylvan students see up to two times more growth than other students. Sylvan will develop a personalized learning plan to get your child back on track. Get started by scheduling a Sylvan Reading and Math Skills Assessment for only $95.

jaxsports.com/scholarship OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17

EDUCATION

Understanding Dyslexia

Schools for Children with Dyslexia

yslexia is a lifelong condition that makes it difficult for people to read. It’s the most common learning issue, although it’s not clear what percentage of kids have it. Some experts believe the number is between 5 and 10 percent. Others say as many as 17 percent of people show signs of reading issues. The reason for the wide range is that experts may define dyslexia in different ways.

The DePaul School Jacksonville’s DePaul School is a full-time private day school for grades 2-8 that helps students of elementary and middle school age who have dyslexia. Students are taught in small classes and are grouped by ability rather than grade to maximize effectiveness. Specialized techniques include multisensory teaching methods along with structured, individualized direct instruction. The emphasis is on basic academic remediation. Enrichment opportunities are offered in art, drama, music, computers and physical education.

Dyslexia is mainly a problem with reading accurately and fluently. Kids with dyslexia may have trouble answering questions about something they’ve read. But when it’s read to them, they may have no difficulty at all. Dyslexia can create difficulty with other skills, however. These include:

are related. In some kids, dyslexia isn’t picked up until later on, when they have trouble with more complex skills. These may include grammar, reading comprehension, reading fluency, sentence structure and more in-depth writing.

One potential sign of dyslexia is when kids avoid reading, both out loud and to themselves. Kids may even get anxious or frustrated when reading. This can happen even after they’ve mastered the An intermediate program is offered for older basics of reading. Signs of dyslexia can look different at different ages. Here are some examples of signs of dyslexia:

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Reading comprehension

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Spelling

Preschool • Has trouble recognizing whether two words rhyme

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Writing

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Math

Struggles with taking away the beginning sound from a word

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Struggles with learning new words

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Has trouble recognizing letters and matching them to sounds

People sometimes believe dyslexia is a visual issue. They think of it as kids reversing letters or writing backwards. But dyslexia is not a problem with vision or with seeing letters in the wrong direction.

Grade School • Has trouble taking away the middle sound from a word or blending several sounds to make a word

It’s important to know that while dyslexia impacts learning, it’s not a problem of intelligence. Kids with this issue are just as smart as their peers. • Many people have struggled with dyslexia and gone on to have successful careers. That includes • a long list of actors, entrepreneurs and elected officials. • If your child has dyslexia, she won’t outgrow it. But there are supports, teaching approaches and strategies to help her overcome her challenges.

A key sign of dyslexia in kids is trouble decoding words. This is the ability to match letters to sounds and then use that skill to read words accurately and fluently. One reason kids have difficulty decoding is that they often struggle with a more basic language skill called phonemic awareness. This is the ability to recognize individual sounds in words. Trouble with this skill can show up as early as preschool. Read about how phonological awareness, phonemic awareness and phonics

Quickly forgets how to spell many of the words she studies Gets tripped up by word problems in math

Middle School • Makes many spelling errors

DePaul School of N.E. Florida was founded in August 1980 by a group of Jacksonville parents who realized Jacksonville needed a school for kids affected by dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, visual and auditory processing disorders, and other learning differences. That school would teach the way their kids learned: It’s classrooms would be filled with skilled, creative teachers who make lessons an immersive, multisensory experience for the kids; It would have hands-on teaching, creative projects, innovative clubs, free play, and lots of variety; It would teach research-based material and curriculum to mastery;

The school is located at 3044 S. San Pablo Road. See www.depaulschool.com for more information.

•

Reads at a lower academic level than how she speaks

Greenwood School of Jacksonville Greenwood School of Jacksonville recognizes that no two students are the same and neither are their learning styles. Therefore teachers use multi-sensory teaching methods: hands on, auditory and visual. Since 1985, children with reading disabilities, memory deficits, and other learning differences have found success at Greenwood School.

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Doesn’t read at the expected grade level

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Strongly prefers multiple-choice questions over fill-in-the-blank or short answer.

Students with dyslexia, for example, learn through hands-on and auditory exercises, while those with working memory deficit might benefit from Dyslexia doesn’t just affect learning. It can impact performing actions instead of listening to lectures. everyday skills and activities, as well. These By implementing a variety of teaching styles and include social interaction, memory and dealing with an average of 12 students per class, Greenwith stress. wood School strives to ensure that each student learns and achieves grade level standards in a Visit www.understood.org for resources, tools and challenging environment that is supportive and welcoming. videos from experts to help your child with

dyslexia. j

understood.org

Page 18 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Through a solid core curriculum, an understanding of learning differences, and attention to personal growth, Greenwood School provides the tools and knowledge necessary for developing skills for a lifetime. The middle school and high school curriculum is developed with the Florida Standards and Florida Council of Independent Schools requirements as guidelines. The school is located at 9920 Regency Square Blvd. See greenwoodjax.org for more info. GRASP Academy The GRASP Academy is a Duval County public school for students in grades 1 through 8 that meet criteria demonstrating unmet potential and signs of dyslexia.

Offering a unique learning environment designed for the dyslexic learner with enriched programs, structured language intervention, hands-on learning, and multi-sensory instruction are core components of the school programming. Each GRASP Academy classroom is within Duval class size ranges and is similar to other at-risk student class sizes It utilizes Since its inception, DePaul has educated children with learning differences such as auditory and visual general education teachers, para-professionals, prescriptive interventionists and ESE teachers as processing disorders, attention deficits, dyslexia, appropriate in order to maximize the individual and memory processing disorders. The goal of the approach for each student. The school serves a DePaul program is to teach children the way they diverse student body including gifted students, learn so they can succeed in education, and eventually, in fulfilling their life’s work as a member students with IEPs, students with 504 plans, and general education students. of the community.

Frequently has to re-read sentences and passages

High School • Often skips over small words when reading aloud

By shaping teaching techniques to the learning styles of middle school and high school students with dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, short-term memory deficits and other learning difficulties, Greenwood School students receive the education they need in a way that makes sense for each student.

It would play to each child’s strengths, and give each student the tools needed to address areas of weakness; and it wouldn’t overload students with excessive homework, or leave them behind in daily lessons.

•

Dyslexia Signs and Symptoms Dyslexia impacts people in varying degrees, so symptoms may differ from one child to another. Generally, symptoms show up as problems with accuracy and fluency in reading and spelling. But in some kids, dyslexia can impact writing, math and language, too.

Often can’t recognize common sight words

students to help prepare them for transitioning to high school.

Greenwood’s graduates continue on to an institution of higher learning.

All graduating seniors at Greenwood School earn a standard high school diploma, and two-thirds of

Students on average have demonstrated 1.5-2.0 years of academic growth during each academic year. Applications for the GRASP Academy will be reviewed to identify students that may learn in a similar manner of a student with dyslexia, dyscalculia and/or dysgraphia and would thrive in our type of instructional model. The application process begins when the parent completes the GRASP application. Seating is limited but, they continue to accept applications even for grade levels that are full, in order to have a waiting list to utilize if seats become available. Transportation is provided free of charge to the GRASP Academy through Duval County Public Schools. The stand-alone school is located at 3101 Justina Road. See dcps.duvalschools.org/grasp for more information. j

EDUCATION

Costs of Early Childcare Causing Inequality

mid the continually rising cost of tuition, the idea of free college has received growing attention over the past few years. For instance, from 2014 to 2017, 35 states took up 80 bills related to free college. Early care and education has also received attention, but it could be given more, especially when you consider how child care for infants costs more than tuition at four-year public colleges in 28 states. Similarly, child care for 4-year-olds costs more than public college tuition in 15 states. The reality is that child care in America is expensive and out of reach for many families. Whether center-based or family child care, the average cost of child care nationally exceeds $8,600 per year. By comparison, that is more than double the estimated average net tuition and fee price of $4,140 paid by full-time in-state students at public four-year institutions in the 2017-18 academic year.

recent years, five states have passed laws to create paid family leave programs. Both universal preschool and paid family leave programs are important for promoting children’s development. But what warrants much greater investment and policy attention is the gap between age 8 weeks – when parental leave ends – and ages 3 or 4, when preschool begins. Learning Gaps Start Early High-quality care during the infant and toddler years is particularly important when you consider the research that shows the most rapid period of learning and brain development takes place during the first three years of life. There is growing evidence that the gaps in test scores between children from low-income and highincome families begin well before students enter kindergarten. Decades of research show the many benefits of high-quality early care and education. Right now, unequal access to high-quality child care is exacerbating social and economic inequality.

Labor Costs And Salaries So how is it that it costs more to drop your baby or toddler off at day care than it does for your young adult child to attend college? It’s not that child care teachers are paid generously. The median hourly wage for child care workers was only $10.18 in 2016 – less than the median Further, child care lacks the financing options, hourly wage of $10.45 for parking lot attendants. such as loans and grants, that many middle-class Many earn salaries so low they are eligible for or families use for college costs – and this despite receive public assistance. the fact that parents don’t have years to save for child care like they do for college. Additionally, But it is still the cost of teachers that makes child child care costs are typically highest during care cost more than college. The majority of child families’ lowest earning years. care expenses cover labor costs. That’s because child care teachers – for numerous health, safety For low-income families, public early care and and developmental reasons – are only permitted education programs provide limited benefits, but to be responsible for small groups of children. the system is underfunded. For example, only 40 The allowable child-to-teacher ratios vary from % of 4-year-olds from poor families attend Head state to state. For example, early head start Start and only 4 % of infants and toddlers from programs require ratios of four infants to one poor families attend Early Head Start. In 2012, caregiver and cap class sizes at eight children. only 25 % of eligible children received child care subsidies. In 2016, 20 states had waiting lists or Simply put, many ordinary business principles frozen intake for child care assistance, and many – such as increased productivity among workers low-income families remain confused about or economies of scale – simply do not apply in eligibility requirements and the application the world of child care. j process. Taryn Morrissey, Associate Professor of Public What results is that families with children aged 5 Administration and Policy, American University School of Public Affairs. years or younger spend an average of 10 % of theconversation.org their income on child care. Families that live in poverty spend 30 % of their income on child care. Over the last decade, several states and cities have created public preschool programs that serve children from low- and higher-income families. Georgia and Oklahoma were the pioneers on this front, beginning their universal prekindergarten programs in the 1990s. Also in There are other good reasons why child care affordability should get just as much attention as college affordability, if not more. For starters, families typically use child care for five years per child – a year longer than earning a bachelor’s degree is supposed to take.

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OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 19

Books to

Teach and Help

Children

The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires

Train Your Dragon to Accept No! by Steve Herman

Lou and her friends are BRAVE adventurers. They run FASTER than airplanes. They build MIGHTY fortresses. They rescue WILD animals? But one day, when they’re looking for a ship to play pirates in, Lou’s friend has an idea? Up there! The tree can be our ship!? ? Ummm ... says Lou. This is something new. Lou has never climbed a tree before, and she’s sure she can’t do it. So she tries to convince her friends to play a not-up-a-tree game. When that doesn’t work, she comes up with reasons for not joining them – her arm is sore, her cat needs a walk, you shouldn’t climb so soon after eating. Finally, she tells herself she doesn’t want to climb the tree. But is that true, or is this brave adventurer just too afraid to try?

Having a pet dragon is very fun. But your dragon can get very angry and upset when you tell him “NO!” He can burn your house down to the ground and everything you own! What do you do? You need to teach your dragon how to accept “No” for an answer! Get this book now and learn how. Fun, cute and entertaining with beautiful illustrations, this playful book will teach kids how to handle disagreement, emotions and anger management.

Aubrey, Evan and the Hurricane by Jennifer Bauer Aubrey, Evan, and the Hurricane, tells a story about two kids who evacuate with their parents during a storm. They’re scared, worried and sad when they discover parts of their home and some of their favorite toys were destroyed. But they quickly learn what’s really important: their safety! Author Jennifer Bauer and her family evacuated their Florida home when Hurricane Irma threatened the area in September, 2017. She was worried and unsure how to talk to her kids about the uncertainty of the pending storm; Bauer looked for a book to help start the conversation but couldn’t find one. So, she wrote one. Bauer wants “Aubrey, Evan, and the Hurricane” to help parents make a scary conversation easier. Hopefully, it will also ease the fears and prepare other kids who find themselves in similar situations.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn’t mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.

Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? Author Beth Ferry makes a memorable debut with a warm, rhyming text that includes a subtle anti-bullying message even the youngest reader will understand. New York Times bestselling illustrator Tom Lichtenheld imbues “Stick and Stone” with energy, emotion, and personality to spare.

Strictly No Elephants! by Lisa Mantchev When the local Pet Club won’t admit a boy’s tiny pet elephant, he finds a solution – one that involves all kinds of unusual animals in this sweet and adorable picture book. Today is Pet Club day. There will be cats and dogs and fish, but strictly no elephants are allowed. The Pet Club doesn’t understand that pets come in all shapes and sizes, just like friends. Now it is time for a boy and his tiny pet elephant to show them what it means to be a true friend.

Jilly’s Terrible Temper Tantrums: And How She Outgrew Them by Martha Heineman Pieper When Jilly, a happy little kangaroo, has a series of Terrible Temper Tantrums, her parents lovingly help her through them. Children will be very familiar with the frustrations that trigger Jilly’s upset feelings, and will applaud her dawning understanding that seeking help and a hug is far superior to the misery of a temper tantrum.

Don’t Laugh at Me by Steve Seskin For anyone who’s ever been bullied – or been a bully themselves – it’s time to change your tune. This is not a book for whiners, but a new language that will give you the words you need to take charge and stop the cycle of teasing. Filled with inspiration and celebration, “Don’t Laugh at Me” is the anthem for a new bully-free world. Read it, sing it, and cheer!

Page 20 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead Friends come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. In Amos McGee’s case, all sorts of species, too! Every day he spends a little bit of time with each of his friends at the zoo, running races with the tortoise, keeping the shy penguin company, and even reading bedtime stories to the owl. But when Amos is too sick to make it to the zoo, his animal friends decide it’s time they returned the favor.

What If Everybody Did That? by Ellen Javernik If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place? Using humorous illustrations rendered in mixed media, these questions are answered in a child-friendly way and show the consequences of thoughtless behavior.

If I Had Eleven Toes by Jill D. Clark I’m happy I’m exactly ME! Travel alongside the imaginative little girl in this silly, whimsical, poetic, laugh out loud children’s book as she considers the “what ifs.” What if I had a giant extra toe? Would I swing like a monkey in a zoo? Jump higher than a kangaroo? Outswim a dolphin in a pool? Or outrun all the kids at school? Would that little piggy go to the market (or eat roast beef)? Would my socks still fit? This silly, yet meaningful, picture book reminds us that our bodies are created the way we were meant to be (no matter how many toes we have), and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Now it’s time to celebrate it!

What Should Danny Do? by Ganit and Adir Levy 9 Stories in 1! What Should Danny Do? is an innovative, interactive book that empowers kids with the understanding that their choices will shape their days, and ultimately their lives into what they will be. Written in a “Choose Your Own Story” style, the book follows Danny, a Superhero-in-Training, through his day as he faces choices that kids face on a daily basis. As your children navigate through the different story lines, they will begin to realize that their choices for Danny shaped his day into what it became. And in turn, their choices for themselves can shape their days, and ultimately their lives, into what they will be. Boys and girls both love and relate to Danny, while enjoying the interactive nature of the book--they never know what will come next! Parents and Teachers love the social-emotional skills the book teaches through empowering kids to make positive choices while demonstrating the natural consequences to negative choices

The Color Monster by Anna Llenas One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Caregivers will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.

Grumpy Monkey by Suzanne Lane Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can’t understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it’s SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can’t take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? This picture book is an excellent case study in the dangers of putting on a happy face and demonstrates to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings (though they should be careful of hurting others in the process!).

EDUCATION

Green Team Youth Corp Works on Emerald Necklace of Trails

fter the fire of 1901 that destroyed much of downtown at the time, Henry Klutho came to Jacksonville to help rebuild the city. Klutho, the famed architect responsible for numerous historic structures in downtown and Springfield, including the St. James Building—now City Hall—gave Jacksonville another gift as well. He envisioned what he called an Emerald Necklace of trails, greenspace, parks and waterways that encircle the urban core and link many historic neighborhoods and downtown.

Groundwork Jacksonville, a non-profit organization specifically created to restore our urban creeks, connect our urban neighborhoods and convert neglected and contaminated land into parks, playgrounds, trails, and other public greenspace, is working to make this century-old dream a reality within the next ten years.

Trail has the potential to provide significant social and economic benefits from encouraging healthy lifestyles and promoting public safety, to spurring economic growth and neighborhood revitalization. As part of its mission to build the Emerald Trail, Groundwork Jacksonville is working to restore Hogans and McCoys Creeks, two of the shimmering jewels of the Emerald Necklace. Both suffer from years of contamination, development, flooding and neglect. Groundwork is currently working with the City on a McCoys Creek restoration plan to address flooding, restore the natural environment and uncover the creek’s recreational potential. The plan will impact approximately 142 acres including about 2.8 miles of McCoys Creek and surrounding land, as well as two parks abutting the creek—Hollybrook Park and Brooklyn Park. Sign Up For Youth Corp Groundwork is also busy building the next generation of environmental stewards and community leaders with the Green Team Youth Corps summer apprenticeship. Each year, approximately 20 teens spend the summer improving the S-Line Rail Trail, exploring and helping to maintain our city and national parks, and leading community improvement projects in the urban core.

The teens also experience a variety of recreational and enrichment activities exposing them to kayaking, fishing, science, art, environmental This past spring, Groundwork began working with justice issues, financial literacy, resume building the PATH Foundation a non-profit that has helped and more. to build more than 260 miles of trails throughout The program is open to youth ages 13–18, who Georgia including the Atlanta BeltLine. Together, Groundwork and PATH have collaborated with the live in, work, worship or attend school within one City of Jacksonville, key neighborhood stakehold- of Groundwork Jacksonville’s impact neighborhoods along the Emerald Trail. The teens earn an ers and business leaders to bring Klutho’s vision education stipend and community service hours to life. A steering committee meets monthly to for their work on various community and design the trail, neighborhood connections, signage, and amenities and to prepare the master environmental improvement projects. Nominations are accepted January – March. plan to be presented to city council in October. According to Groundwork, the next step is to raise the funds to build a “Model Mile” so that residents can experience the trail first-hand and truly embrace the potential of this recreational destination. When complete, Jacksonville’s Emerald Trail will encompass more than 30 miles of trails, greenspace and parks that will link at least 14 urban neighborhoods and downtown to Hogans Creek, McCoys Creek, the S-Line Rail Trail and the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks. It will include planting trees, installing public art and creating a linear park for recreation, transportation and community.

To learn more about Groundwork Jacksonville, the Emerald Trail, the Green Team and how you World-class cities have signature parks and green can get involved, visit www.groundworkjacksonville.org or follow Groundwork on Facebook spaces where residents can safely walk, bike, https://www.facebook.com/groundworkjax/. j recreate and connect with their city and with each other. The Emerald Trail will be Jacksonville’s signature recreational destination. Like the groundworkjacksonville.org Atlanta Beltline, which is credited with creating more than $3 billion in economic development to the neighborhoods along the trail, the Emerald

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THE PARENT ACADEMY OCTOBER COURSES All courses are free of charge, and open to parents, caregivers and community members. Visit www.duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy for program descriptions, locations and to register. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Sat. 10/20/18

FAMILY SYMPOSIUM: CONFRONTING TABOO TOPICS

Darnell-Cookman Middle-High School

9:15 - 1:45 p.m.

Mondays in October

HOMEWORK HELP FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS (COMPUTER & INTERNET ACCESS)

The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Tues. 10/23/18

WHAT DOES INCLUSION LOOK LIKE?

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Thur. 10/04/18

EXPLORING ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICAL MODELS

Southside Estates Elementary School

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Parent Services FDLRS/Child Find Exceptional Education DCPS

Thur. 10/25/18

BABY UNIVERSITY

Wed. 10/10/18

PRIORITIZING MILESTONES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Ortega Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Sat. 10/13/18

OVERCOMING THE FEARS OF PUTTING THOUGHTS TO PAPER

Bethel Baptist Institutional Church (Historic Dining Room)

9:15 11:45 a.m.

Tues. 10/30/18

BE SMART WITH YOUR KIDS’ SMARTPHONE

New Berlin Elementary School

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Mon. 10/15/18

UNDERSTANDING THE FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT: ELEMENTARY WRITING (GRADES 4-5)

Cedar Hills Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 10/16/18

PREPARING FOR THE FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT: STRATEGIES FOR MIDDLE/ HIGH SCHOOL READING AND WRITING

Young Men’s and Women’s Leadership Academies

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/17/18

WOMEN IN I.T.

Citi Campus

8:30 - 9:30 a.m.

Thur. 10/18/18

EXPLORING ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICAL MODELS

Venetia Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Thur. 10/18/18

MIDDLE SCHOOL MATHEMATICS: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS

Twin Lakes Academy Middle School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Mon. 10/22/18

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

William M. Raines High School

8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Every Tuesday in October

ROSETTA STONE: LEARN ENGLISH/SPANISH

West Riverside Elementary School

4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/24/18

THE POWER OF YET

Richard L. Brown Elementary School

3:15 - 4:15 p.m.

Mondays in October

PRIORITIZING MILESTONES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Highlands Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary

10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.

Thur. 10/25/18

THE IMMIGRANT GUIDE: WHAT EVERY IMMIGRANT NEEDS TO KNOW/ ROSETTA STONE

Mon. 10/29/18

UNDERSTANDING THE FLORIDA STANDARDS ASSESSMENT: ELEMENTARY READING (GRADES 3-5)

Waterleaf Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Every Tuesday in October

MAKING A DIFFERENCE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The Magnolia Project (Pearl Plaza)

3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Mon. 10/29/18

WOMEN IN I.T.

Citi Campus

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Every first and VISION KEEPERS third Thursday in October

Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Tues. 10/02/18

SPEAKING WITH CONFIDENCE

One Love Christian Center

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tues. 10/02/18

WELLNESS RX

Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building

Tuesday 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Sat. 10/06/18

NTSZ URBAN FARM-ACY

Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building

8:30 11:30 a.m.

Thur. 10/11/18

DAD ALL DAY (D.A.D.)

Edward Waters College Center for Prevention Health Disparities Building

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Fri. 10/12/18

WOMEN’S CIRCLE

The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary

10:00 11:30 a.m.

Mon. 10/15/18

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Edward Waters College Health Disparities Building

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Thur. 10/18/18

AMERICAN HISTORY EMERGENT COURSE/US CITIZENSHIP PREPARATION TEST

The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary

12:00 1:30 p.m.

Sat. 10/27/18

WELLNESS RX

Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building

Saturday 10:00 11:00 a.m.

PARENTING & ADVOCACY Thur. 10/04/18

CREATING SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS/BULLY FREE

Reynolds Lane Elementary School

5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Tues. 10/09/18

HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL FAMILY

First Baptist Church of Oakland

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tues. 10/09/18

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE: A SOLUTION-FOCUSED APPROACH TO BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS IN YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION

Duval County Public Schools (District Building)

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Thur. 10/11/18

HOW TO RAISE TODAY’S TEENAGERS TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS

Duncan U. Fletcher High School

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Tues. 10/16/18

CREATING SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS/BULLY FREE

Chimney Lakes Elementary School

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/17/18

BREAKFAST LEARNING SERIES

Edward Waters College Schell Sweet Community Center

9:00 10:30 am. Continental breakfast starts at 8:30 am.

Wed. 10/17/18

IT’S A GREAT IDEA!

Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center

5:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Wed. 10/17/18

LEGISLATION IN EDUCATION: HOW LAWS SHAPE YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Duval County Public Schools (District Building)

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Thur. 10/18/18

HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY KIDS

Victory Pointe Housing Community

5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Page 22 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

PERSONAL & INDIVIDUAL GROWTH Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in October

ROSETTA STONE: LEARN ENGLISH/SPANISH

The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary

Mondays 10:00 a.m. 12:00pm Tuesdays 10:00 a.m. 12:00pm; 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.; and/or 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Thursdays 10:00 a.m.12:00 p.m.

Visit www.duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy or call 904-390-2960 to register. Dates/times are accurate at time of publication.

EDUCATION

Vocabulary Key to Reading Comprehension

n my practice teaching language arts classes in both public and private schools, I’ve found that students make large reading comprehension gains when they learn and use vocabulary strategies.

Learning Greek and Latin Roots Learning Greek and Latin roots helps students find smaller words within larger words. For example, the word malfunction means a “failure to function properly.” If a student knows the Latin root -mal means “bad,” he or she can figure out the meaning of malfunction.

If you’re looking for resources to provide reading practice for your students, please check out Newsela.com or ReadWorks.com. Both sites offer numerous texts at varying reading levels. The sites also provide word lists for students to learn while they read. You may also wish to check out a few books at the library for your students. You can either read them aloud to your kids or encourage them to read them independently. Exposure to new words and phrases is key in expanding a reader’s vocabulary.

Lists of Greek and Latin roots are readily available online or in certain vocabulary textbooks. I recommend starting a study of Greek and Latin roots by fifth or sixth grade, continuing it as your students progress through middle and high school. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your kids will build their vocabulary.

Using Reference Materials Like me, you may remember defining vocabulary words using a dictionary when you were in school. Due to our culture’s frequent use of technology, some of today’s students lack the ability to find words in reference books, such as a dictionary or a thesaurus.

In my experience, students enjoy learning roots and building their vocabulary in this way.

If your kids have trouble with this skill, just bring out the dictionary (or buy one for a dollar at a thrift store) and show your kids how to find entries and definitions using the guide words at the top. In my classes and in my family, I have made up dictionary-based games. Students love them, and they build their vocabularies at the same time. j

Looking for Context Clues Hopefully, students learn to pay attention to context clues, or hints provided by an author in a text, in the early elementary grades. Young readers can pick up on vocabulary words, tone, foreshadowing, figurative language, and many other text features by heeding context clues.

Nancy Lee Bethea

Things to Do Education Events

FIELD TRIPS Lightwire Presents The Ugly Duckling October 1, 10:30am Lightwire Theater brings a classic tale to the modern stage in an unforgettable theatrical experience. Lined with electro-luminescent wire, the beloved story of The Ugly Duckling plays out on stage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology and dance. Tickets are $19 each. Family 4-packs are available; buy 3, get 1 free with code 4Pack at checkout. Thrasher-Horne Center / 904-276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www.thcenter.org Theatreworks: The Magic School Bus October 22, 10am and 12noon Theatreworks presents a new musical adaptation of The Magic School Bus, based on the original book series published by Scholastic. Admission is $8.50 per person, and the show is best suited for children in grades K-5. School groups, homeschool families, and individuals are welcome to attend. The Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.theatreworksjax.com Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly October 23, 10:30am Thrasher-Horne presents the Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly. The show is best suited for ages 5 and up. General admission tickets are $19 each. School tickets are $10 for groups of 12 or more. Thrasher-Horne Center / 904-276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www.thcenter.org Theatreworks: We the People October 26, 10am and 12noon We the People is a musical revue that brings American

Civics lessons to life. Students will learn about the three branches of government, the First Amendment, presidential elections, democracy, the judicial process, and more. Best suited for students in grades 4-8. School groups, homeschool families, and individuals are welcome to attend. Admission is $8.50 per person. Florida Theatre / 904-353-3500 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.theatreworksjax.com EDUCATOR EVENTS Educator Appreciation Days• October 6 - 14 PreK through 12 educators and homeschooling parents save up to 25% on classroom and personal purchases, 10% on CDs and DVDs and 10% in the Café during Educator Appreciation Days. Bring your educator discount card or ID. You can also save online. Sign up at www. barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-educators. Barnes & Noble / 904-928-2027 /10280 Midtown Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32246 Barnes & Noble / 904-886-9904 / 11112 San Jose Boulevard Suite 8, Jacksonville, FL 32223 Barnes & Noble / 904-826-0722 / 1930 U.S. 1 South St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.barnesandnoble.com Educator Open House at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens• October 9, 4pm to 6pm The 2018-2019 Educator Open House will be Tuesday October 9, 4pm to 6pm. Mix and mingle with fellow teachers while gathering information to help you plan great experiences for your students. Teachers can also meet some of the education program animal ambassadors while viewing the Zoo’s Education Campus, receive 10% off a Zoo Membership with valid school ID, visit with other local educational organizations to learn how they can enhance your school year, and more. Food and drink will be provided. This event is free but registration is required. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / www.jacksonvillezoo.org

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

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 23

Principals in Duval County’s public schools have announced their school’s Teacher of the Year, nominating 182 outstanding educators for the Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year. The Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), which facilitates the Teacher of the Year awards, recommends that principals select their school’s teacher of the year through a standard process, including a vote by the teacher’s colleagues, responses to a series of questions, and a final determination by a school committee. However, each principal has the discretion to customize the process. Both charter and traditional public schools are invited to participate.

Leadership. “We’re looking forward to elevating and empowering them throughout the school year.” The full list of teachers honored is below. Know a teacher on the list? Help us celebrate them by sharing this news on social media with the hashtag #JaxThanksATeacher.

“This is a huge honor. These teachers are selected by the professionals who know their work the best, who see them improving the lives of kids and young people each and every day,” said Zak Champagne, JPEF Director of Teacher

A. Philip Randolph: Latoya Murray Abess Park Elementary: Robert Kennedy Alden Road Exceptional Student Center: Janelle Wiggins Alfred I. duPont Middle School: Rachel Duff Alimacani Elementary School: Patricia Kirkham Andrew Jackson High School of Advanced Technology: Ebony Bozeman Andrew Robinson Elementary School: Latanya Capers Annie R. Morgan Elementary School: Jamie Myers Arlington Elementary: Erika Alexander Arlington Heights Elementary: Patreace Northrup Arlington Middle School: Melissa Mitchell Atlantic Beach Elementary: Corinne Case Atlantic Coast: J. Thomas Son Baldwin Middle-Senior High: Mindy Jones Bartram Springs Elementary: Andre McArthur Bayview Elementary: Tiffany Dowling Beauclerc Elementary: Shavonna Cross Biltmore Elementary: Nigeria Cunningham Biscayne Elementary School: Brenda Byard Biscayne High School: Ellanne Cohen-Loos Brentwood Elementary: Monica Kirkland Bridge to Success Academy at West Jacksonville: Jasmine Lewis BridgePrep Academy of Duval: Kimberly Cobb Brookview Elementary: Jessica Daniel Carter G. Woodson Elementary School: Nzinga Richards Cedar Hills Elementary School: Cynthia Oliver Central Riverside Elementary: Lisa Bond Chaffee Trail Elementary School: Viola Murray Chets Creek Elementary: Cheryl Dillard Chimney Lake Elementary School: Jennifer Thompson Crown Point Elementary School: Kimberly Hickox Crystal Springs Elementary: Shannon Manns Darnell-Cookman Middle/High School: Alyssa Halliday San Jose Elementary: David Johns Dinsmore Elementary: Alena Cravey Don Brewer Elementary: Paul Robinson Douglas Anderson: Rhonda Stampalia Duval Virtual Instruction Academy: Stacie Bogan Edward H. White: Terri Taylor Englewood Elementary School: Aaron Garvin Englewood High School: Daniel Reed Enterprise Learning Academy: Letonia Shingles First Coast High School: Kenyatta Pollock Fishweir Elementary: Britni Mayo Fletcher High School: Mary Kate Healy Fletcher Middle School: Henry Colado Florida Cyber Charter Academy: Melissa Stusek Fort Caroline Elementary: Melissa Floyd Fort Caroline Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts: Judith Roscoe Frank H. Peterson: Susan Dougherty Garden City Elementary: Meshellia Hughes George Washington Carver Elementary School: Amber Moore Global Outreach Charter Academy: Mekdes Getahun Grand Park Education Center: Adriene O’Neal GRASP Academy: Emily Schieben Greenfield Elementary: Lisa Vincent Greenland Pines Elementary School: Traci Gunston Gregory Drive Elementary: Ferres Joshua Hendricks Avenue Elementary: Jennifer Reid Henry F. Kite Elementary School: Emily Fisher Highlands Elementary School: Charlene Chatman Highlands Middle School: Alecia Gelsey Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary: Joshua Diaz Holiday Hill Elementary: Missy Vann Hospital Homebound: Rebecca Geary Hyde Grove Early Learning Center: Lashawn Hamp Hyde Park Elementary: Caroline Craft J. Allen Axson Montessori School: Kathy Bear Jacksonville Beach Elementary: Tracy Chin Jacksonville Heights Elementary: Lynn Hendon

Page 24 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

James Weldon Johnson College Prep Middle: Amanda Swearingen Jean Ribault High School: Priscilla Allen Jean Ribault Middle School: Andrea Chaouloff JEB Stuart Middle School: Daryl Spann Jefferson Davis Middle School: Leslie Mayberry John E. Ford PK-8 Montessori School: Michelle Chambers John Love Elementary: Sylvia Waters John Stockton Elementary: Ashlyn Cogswell Joseph Finegan Elementary: Chantal Price Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership: Sharhonda Walker Julia Landon College Preparatory: Daniel Geary Kernan Middle School: Amber Norris Kernan Trail: Kim Kirton Kings Trail Elementary: Joan Ramos-Morales KIPP Impact MIddle School: Evelyn Harding KIPP Jacksonville Elementary: Octavia Sloan KIPP VOICE Elementary School: Misty Dickson Kirby-Smith Middle School: Rebecca Hartsfield Lake Forest Elementary: Barbara Wright Lake Lucina Elementary: Nina Felton-Peeks Lake Shore Middle School: Zandra Bryant Landmark Middle: Patricia Baker LaVilla School of the Arts: Kathyrn Ford Lone Star Elementary School: Michelle Foran Lone Star Mycroschool: Chandra Washington Long Branch Elementary: Melanie Jackson Loretto Elementary: Brittany Turner Louis Sheffield Elementary: Sara Edwards Love Grove Elementary: Mathew Bunnell Mamie Agnes Jones Elementary School: Patricia Raymer Mandarin High School: Alissa Kester Mandarin Middle School: Terrel Campbell Mandarin Oaks Elementary: Cez Generoso Marine Science Education Center: Bobby Joe Viers Martin Luther King: Kyria Johnson Matthew Gilbert Middle School: Nakiesha Tinsley Mattie V Rutherford Middle School Alternative Education: Joann Walker Mayport Coastal Sciences Middle School: Miranda Romano Mayport Elementary Coastal Sciences Academy: Tina Farrell Merrill Road Elementary: Alessandra Ramos Mt. Herman Exceptional Student: Jeffrey Bellamy Neptune Beach Elementary: Brittney Meissner New Berlin Elementary: Kathleen Burns Normandy Village: Zachary Bridges North Shore Elementary: Toni Daniels-Lee Northwestern Middle School: Cadijha Anderson Oak HIll Academy: Megan Stewart Oceanway Elementary: Crystal Jefferson Oceanway School: Jeffrey Horton Ortega Elementary: Kristen Johnson Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center: Maurice Thomas Parkwood Heights Elementary: Kelly Neil Paxon School for Advanced Studies: Emma Marquis Pickett Elementary: Jhordan Speed-Johnson Pine Estates Elementary: Patrice McConnell Pine Forest School of the Arts: Janice Elkins Pinedale Elementary School: Julia Trombetta R. V. Daniels Elementary: Steven Stumpff Ramona Elementary School: Angela Collins Reynolds Lane Elementary: Ashley Ridlen Richard Lewis Brown: Kayla Aris River City Science Academy: Hikmet Durmus River City Science Academy Mandarin: Danielle Hellyer River City Academy Elementary: Adrienne Barnhill River City Science Academy Innovation: Aaron Leatherbarrow Robert E. Lee High School: Monique Bell Rufus E. Payne Elementary School: Angela Doss Ruth Upson Elementary: Christina Corrie Rutledge Pearson Elementary School: Felicia McLaughlin S.A. Hull Elementary: Waquita Pearson

Sabal Palm Elementary: Emily Kline Sadie T. Tillis Elementary: Sarah Pasion Saint Clair Evans Academy: Leezola Smith Sallye B. Mathis Elementary: Aleshia Davis SALTech Charter High School: Janice Bates Samuel Wolfson High School: Jessica Fessenden San Jose Academy: Scott Marquardt San Jose Preparatory High School: Bethany Kisser San Mateo Elementary: Kristen Kimery San Pablo Elementary: Jamilah (Jami) McCann Sandalwood High School: Michael Cecere Seabreeze Elementary: Jennifer Szarmack Smart Pope Livingston Elementary: Sharlane Talbert Somerset Academy Elementary Eagle Campus: Mary Breanna Fulginiti Somerset Middle: Robbie Keuchler Somerset Preparatory Academy Elementary School: Ashley Wilson Southside Estates Elementary: Katrina Byrd Southside Middle School: Scott Wise Spring Park Elementary School: Nicole Orr Stanton College Preparatory School: Steven Ingram Stonewall Jackson Elementary: Latashia Taylor Susie Tolbert: Crystal Jefferson Terry Parker High School: Bradley Lucas The Bridge to Success Academy at West Jacksonville (High): Matthew Michel Thomas Jefferson Elementary: Selina Armstrong Tiger Academy: Sherri George Timucuan Elementary: Lee Heller Twin Lakes Academy Elementary: Caralyn Mbowe Twin Lakes Academy Middle School: Nadira Edwards Venetia Elementary: Karen Anderson Waterleaf Elementary: Taheerah Shahid Waverly Academy: Marva Alexander Wayman Academy of the Arts: Santrice Redding West Riverside: Tanya Scharps Westside High School: Caitlin Murphy Westview PreK-8 School: Leslie O’Brien Whitehouse Elementary School: Meaghan Wilkes William M. Raines High School: Danesha Love Windy Hill Elementary School: Alma Welnetz Woodland Acres Elementary: Lauren Cherry Youth Development Programs: Tyesha Ray YWLA/YMLA “The Leadership Academy”: Natasha Pachecker

Davina Parker and Nicole Orr (teacher) from Spring Park Elementary School

www.duvalschools.org

Clay County School News

Clay County Bullying Hotline Opened All-Star Athletes The school district has opened a “bullying hotline” so parents and students can anonymously

Beginning in September, coaches at the various schools will nominate one male and one female from each school as Athletes of the Month. These nominees are exemplary students and athletes who represent their schools and the district in a positive light. These nominations represent the following criteria: • Outstanding athletic accomplishment(s) • Great sportsmanship (during games and practices) • Strong work ethic and leadership • Perform at a high level in the classroom (3.0 GPA or higher) Out of these nominations, the district will select one male and one female. September All-Star Athletes of the Month

Bullying is unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has potential report this behavior. The number is 904-336to be repeated 6799. over time. In announcing this effort Superintendent This includes Addison Davis said: “Clay County District actions such as Schools is proud to continue its efforts to making threats, ensure a safe and respectful environment spreading for our students to achieve academic rumors, attacksuccess. This year, we are launching ing someone a Bullying Hotline that is designed to physically or provide an anonymous format to report verbally, and concerns with bullying and harassing excluding behaviors. This format gives a voice to someone from those who wish to remain private but still a group on feel a responsibility to “speak up.” The purpose. We Addison Davis hotline provides a clear line of communi- hope that this cation between the district and school so platform will serve to encourage all of our stakethat all reported concerns are appropriholders to take a role in helping us help others,” ately addressed in a timely manner. The he said. Connect with us! hotline will be answered live during work day hours; voice messaging will be available after hours and responded to during the next business day.

Take Stock in Children Needs Help Stock in Children’s founder. “We were looking to be transformative.”

Emily Loose, Junior, Keystone Heights High School

When you are thinking about giving, consider the gift of time, talent and your experience! Take Stock in Children, a state-wide mentoring program for low-income public school students, is in need of adult mentors in Clay County. Take Stock in Children, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, working in every county throughout Florida. Its mission is to break the cycle of poverty for low-income, academically qualified students by providing opportunities for a post-secondary education. It offers college scholarships to students, provides caring volunteer mentors, and instills hope for a better life, beginning in middle school, continuing through high school, and the students’ transition into college and career.

Alexander Warner, Senior, Oakleaf High School

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

The organization was founded in the early 1990s to combat a troubling and persistent dropout rate that plagued the public school system in Tampa. Created by a local education foundation with the backing of concerned community leaders, the initiative sought to give high-potential, lowincome students the resources they needed to graduate from high school, go to college, and “set their course of life,” said Don Pemberton, Take

From the outset, the program was elegantly simple. It recruited participants in middle school, early enough in their lives to make a difference; it provided scholars with adult mentors; and the program carefully monitored students’ progress. Take Stock in Children emphasized responsibility and accountability among students, their parents and mentors. For volunteers the time commitment is approximately one hour per week in a public school during the regular school year. Interested? Call (904) 272-8144 or go to www. takestockinchildren.org for more information. Take Stock in Children’s program partner is the First Coast YMCA (firstcoastymca.org). The address in Clay is: Barco Newton YMCA, 2075 Town Center Boulevard Fleming Island FL, 32003 Phone: (904) 278-9622

Fax: (904) 272-8957 The staff for Clay County includes: • Ciarra Gray - College Success Coach, (904)336-4404, cgray@firstcoastymca.org • Maria Aristizabal - Executive Director, (904)731-2006 x306, maristizabal@FirstCoastYMCA.org • Leslie Cook - Student Services Coordinator, l 904-272-4304 x308, lcook@FirstCoastYMCA. org

School Calendar Thursday, Oct. 4............................................. End First Grading Period Friday, Oct. 5..........................................Planning Day/Student Holiday Monday, Nov. 12................................................Veterans’ Day Holiday Monday, Nov. 19 thru Friday, Nov. 23.....................Thanksgiving Break Friday, Dec. 14.......................................... End Second Grading Period Thursday, Dec. 20 – Friday, Jan. 4...........Christmas/New Year’s Break Monday, Jan. 7......................................Planning Day/Student Holiday Tuesday, Jan. 8..........................................................Classes Resume Monday, Jan. 21..................................Martin Luther King Day Holiday Monday, Feb. 18............................................. Presidents’ Day Holiday Friday, Mar. 15.............................................. End Third Grading Period Monday, Mar. 18 thru Friday, Mar. 22.............................. Spring Break Monday, Mar. 25................................... Planning Day, Student Holiday Tuesday, Mar. 26........................................................Classes Resume Friday, April 12........................................................... Fair Day Holiday Friday, April 19......................................................Good Friday Holiday Monday, May 27................................................Memorial Day Holiday Wednesday, June 5.................................................Last Day of School Thursday, June 6 & Friday, June 7..........................Last Day, Teachers OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 25

St. Johns County School District News

Big Wins for Creekside The Creekside High girls team won the University of North Florida Cross Country Invitational last month with 25 points, 55 points ahead of second place, Mandarin High. In her junior year debut, Claire Openshaw finished second overall with a time of 19:06. Claire had help from Elizabeth Iliff (19:16), Blake Petrick (19:52), Lauren Bolnick (20:37), and Hannah Jacobbe (20:46).

Field Pre-Season Classic where he ran a time of 17:30. At the Spikes and Spurs Classic in August, Benavides dropped his time by 16 seconds. Seniors Matthew Ortiz (17:13.21), Preston Rose (17:14.29), Todd Nichols (17:26.55) and Spencer Lee (17:37.79) helped give Creekside the win.

On the boys side, Creekside had a 39 point lead over second place, Fleming Island. Freshman Jesse Benavides ran a personal best (16:53.98) to lead his team to victory. Gradually improving, Benavides had his first cross country race at the Cecil

2019 Graduation Schedule

The school district announced the schedule of 2019 graduation ceremonies for St. Johns County high schools and First Coast Technical College. Friday, Jan. 11 5 p.m.

First Coast Technical College

FCTC, Bldg. C

Tuesday, May 14 4:30 p.m.

St. Johns Virtual School

FCTC, Bldg. C

St. Johns Technical HS

St. Augustine High School Auditorium

Pedro Menendez High

St. Augustine Amphitheatre (SAA)

Bartram Trail High

University of North Florida (UNF)

St. Augustine High

SAA

Allen D. Nease High

UNF

2 p.m.

Ponte Vedra High

UNF

7 p.m.

Creekside High

UNF

First Coast Technical College

FCTC, Bldg. C

Wednesday, May 15 7 p.m.

Student Count Show Growth This year’s student count shows an increase of 1,656 students, or 4.43 percent, over last year’s second-day number of 37,339. St. Johns County continues to be one of the fastest growing school districts in the state.

Academy over the summer and had a headcount of 918. The elementary school population totaled 11,449. This count only includes approximately 50 percent of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a fourday period. Another 419 students are enrolled at the district’s alternative, charter and Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) schools.

The high school student count was 12,102 with 2,616 students at Bartram Trail High School; 2,255 at Creekside High; 1,252 at Pedro Menendez High; 2,521 at Allen D. Nease High; 1,767 at Ponte Vedra High and 1,691 at St. Augustine High. There were also 275 students in attendance at St. First Coast Technical College has 362 students enrolled in its adult education programs at the Johns Technical High School. St. Augustine, Palatka, Barge Port and North Middle school attendance totaled 7,468, with stu- campuses. This number does not include those dent headcounts ranging from 690 at Sebastian students enrolled in night programs. Middle to 1,431 at Pacetti Bay Middle. The other figures were Alice B. Landrum Middle with 1,214; “The hard work and dedication from administraFruit Cove Middle with 1,234; R. J. Murray Middle tion, teachers and support staff to make opening day and the days that follow the very best with 710; Gamble Rogers Middle with 887 and resulted in happy students eager to learn and Switzerland Point Middle with 1,302. greeting their friends,” said Superintendent Tim The district’s K-8 schools totaled 7,282. Liberty Forson. “I am so proud of our students and staff Pines Academy had a second-day headcount and it is wonderful to be out in the schools to of 1,514; Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,370 and share in welcoming our students this year.” Valley Ridge Academy with 1,343. Two new K-8 schools also opened; Freedom Crossing Academy SJCSD staff will continue to monitor attendance numbers, balance classrooms and refine bus with 949 and Palm Valley Academy with 1,188. routes throughout. Mill Creek Elementary transitioned to Mill Creek

College Bound

Secondary students and their parents had the opportunity to meet with more than 80 representatives from colleges, universities, technical schools and other organizations during our school district’s annual College and Career Night last month.

Wednesday, May 22 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23 7 p.m. Friday, May 24 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25

Tuesday, May 28 4 p.m.

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

Page 26 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Things to Do

TEENS

The Best Cell Phone Parental Control Software of 2018 Best Cell Phone Monitoring: Qustodio

sites, such as those that deal with pornography or drugs, or blacklist specific websites and apps so your child can’t access them. The program also has a whitelist where you can add sites and programs you are okay with them using.

Qustodio lets you monitor chat app use as well as text and email messages without rooting or jailbreaking your child’s phone, which keeps the device secure and any warranties intact. It monitors an impressive amount of activity on your child’s smartphone, including newly added contacts, images sent from or to your child, and photos and videos your child takes. Its detailed reports let you see exactly where your child has been and what they accessed using their device. From the parent portal or mobile app, you can adjust settings, including blocking access to web browsers and specific webpages.

In addition, you can block phone numbers you don’t want your children sending or receiving texts or calls from. Net Nanny also alerts you if your child searches for certain keywords using their cell phone’s internet browser.

The program comes with a minimum of five licenses, so you can protect multiple devices at once. It also runs invisibly on your child’s cell phone, and it gives you the power to remotely lock the device. Budget Cell Phone Tracking: WebWatcher

WebWatcher is a budget cell phone monitoring program that helps you track your kids’ smartphone activity to make sure they aren’t viewing inappropriate content or talking to dangerous people. You can view basic activity, such as calls and texts, along with the apps they have installed and their GPS location and history. The program also shows you low-resolution versions of any photos taken with the device. A single license costs much less than other, similar cell phone trackers. Mobile App Blocking: Net Nanny

Net Nanny lets you track your kids’ internet activity as they browse on their smartphones, and it has powerful tools to block apps and websites. The software makes it easy to limit the kind of content your child has access to thanks to its built-in filter. You can block certain categories of

Older Device Compatibility

Mobistealth is a good choice if your child uses an older cell phone model since it is one of the few programs that is compatible with iPhones, Android and BlackBerry cell phones. It also works with all major cell phone carries. This means your child can use an old hand-me-down cell phone instead of the newest and most expensive model, but you also don’t have to worry about purchasing another program if you do upgrade. You need to purchase a separate license for each phone you track, but you can monitor them all on one parent control dashboard on the Mobistealth website. As a parent, you do your best to raise your children and prepare them for adulthood. Along the way, you can get a little extra help from cell phone monitoring software. It can help you teach them responsibility and time management while also protecting them from inappropriate content.

toptenreviews.com Editor’s note: Top Ten Reviews continually updates their reviews. Log on to toptenreviews. com for updated reviews on tech, home and other products.

Teens Events

Youth Quake Live October 5, 8pm to 10pm The doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins at 8pm. Admission is free, but a donation is collected during the show to cover production fees. YouthQuake Live offers reserved seating for all events. For $3 per seat, youth groups & families have the opportunity to sit together & enjoy the event without worrying about the crowds. Reserved seating does not necessarily mean front row. Location of your seats is dependent on the event and the church layout. The Deadline to reserve seats is Tuesday at 1pm of event week. Church of Eleven22 / 651 Commerce Center Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / www.youthquakelive.com Argyle Branch Teen Volunteer Orientation October 6, 1pm to 2:30pm This orientation is for teen volunteers, in addition to any that are interested in participating in the Argyle TAB and / or reading Buddies program. This orientation is a requirement for participation as a volunteer or reading buddy participant. Library staff will go over requirements to volunteer, expectations while volunteering, and branch volunteer schedules. They will also review goals and guidelines for reading buddies. All volunteer positions are based upon available space and assignments. New volunteers must attend a mandatory orientation on before beginning service. Reserve your spot online in advance. This is for applicants ages 16-18 only. Jacksonville Public Library - Argyle Branch / 904-573-3164 / 7973 Old Middleburg Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32222 / www.jaxpubliclibrary.org Test Prep at UNF October 6, 8am to 12noon In order to encourage academically talented Duval County Public School students to be successful with their college applications, the University of North Florida is offering free standardized test (SAT / ACT) preparation. High school juniors and seniors are welcome to sign up for one of these events to ensure they score the highest possible score on the standardized tests that are often a college or university requirement for admission. Sign up in advance. When the class is full, they will close the section for registration. Please note, this Test Prep event is for Duval County Public School students only. The event will be held in the John E. Mathews Jr. Computer Science Building (Building 15). University of North Florida / 904-620-5555 / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.unf.edu Explore UNF Event October 6 and October 20, 9am to 1:30pm When choosing the right university for you, it is vital to consider the teachers, programs and experiences that will prepare you for the career you want to begin when you graduate. To give you a head start, high school juniors and seniors are invited to attend an Explore UNF event series at the University of North Florida. Teens interested in attending, must RSVP online in advance. During the Explore UNF events, students will be able to meet faculty, staff and students, while attending a resource fair, taking a tour of the campus and learning from information sessions on topics like study abroad, campus life and the Hicks Honors College. October 6, 9am to 1:30pm - Explore UNF - College of Computing, Engineering and Construction October

20, 9am to 1:30pm - Explore UNF - College of Education and Human Services University of North Florida / 904-620-5555 / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.unf.edu Teen Halloween Party October 9, 5:30pm to 7:30pm All middle and high school students are invited to celebrate Halloween at the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library. There will be a DJ, dancing, pizza, sodas, candy, and raffle prizes. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Great costumes will earn you two raffle tickets instead of one. Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org Jacksonville National College Fair October 13, 9am to 1pm Students and parents are invited to dive into the college search process at the Jacksonville National College Fair, at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. The event, sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and hosted by the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC), is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from public and private colleges and universities, including some international institutions. Both two- and four-year schools will be featured. Participants will receive tips on how to navigate the college-selection process, and learn more about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings and campus life. Free and open to the public. Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center / 703-8362222 ext. 14 / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / www.nacacfairs.org Safe Sitter Class October 19, 9:30am to 4:30pm Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. Students learn life-saving skills such as how to rescue someone who’s choking, and helpful information like what to do if there’s severe weather. The lessons are filled with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students even get to use CPR manikins to practice CPR or choking rescue. Upon completion of the course, each student will receive a certificate indicating they completed all course requirements as a Safe Sitter. Cost is $50/student. Class Requirements: Students will be kneeling on the floor for some sections of the course, so please don’t wear anything too short or tight. Y Healthy Living Center Mandarin / 10415 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www.baptistjax. com Paranormal Investigations October 23, 5pm to 6pm Join PFC Paranormal for a presentation on evidence of the paranormal and demonstrations of essential investigation equipment. A question and answer forum with the presenters will immediately follow the presentation. Free and open to the public. Jacksonville Public Library - Westbrook Branch / 904-384-7424 / 2809 Commonwealth Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32254 / www.jaxpubliclibrary.org

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

OCTOBER

2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 27

PETS

Puppy Training Games

hen you think of the term puppy training the word fun probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But what if I told you there are some games you can play that will help train your pup? Well it’s true, and the best part is they’re all pretty simple to play. The “Come Here” game Now I know what you’re thinking — how is teaching my dog to “come here” a game? The truth is teaching your dog to reliably come when called can be a challenge, but turning it into a game can help reinforce the behavior. How to Play: • Sit on the ground with a few treats or a toy. • Tell your pup to “come here.” • When they reach you praise them like crazy and give them the treat/toy • Wait for your dog to walk off and repeat steps 1-3. The come here game is easy to play, and the best part is it’s a nice way to teach your dog that good things happen when they “come here.”

• •

treats. Practice a few times until your dog understands what “find the treats” means Start placing the treats further away and repeat steps 3 & 4 Start placing the treats in more challenging places that are out of sight such as under a rug or on a chair and repeat steps 3 & 4

Hide & Seek Hide and seek is another favorite puppy training game. It’s fun, it’s mentally stimulating, and it’s a great way to practice your dog’s recall. How to play: • Have your dog sit in a stay position (or have a friend hold onto your dog). • Find a hiding spot. • Call your dog. • Praise your dog like crazy when they find you. To avoid frustration remember to keep it simple for your dog by hiding in some easy spots at first.

The “Which Hand” game This is a mentally stimulating nose work game that’s good for teaching your dog some basic manners. The only thing you need to get started is some dog treats. How to play: • Place a treat in one of your hands. • Close your fists and hold them out in front of your dog. • Let the dog choose which hand it’s in. • When your dog sniffs or paws the correct hand open it up and give them the treat. When it comes to the last step it’s up to you to decide what sort of signal you prefer from your dog — whether it’s a gentle sniff or paw.

Tug Of War When it comes to puppy training games tug of war is a favorites. It’s great physical exercise, it’s mentally stimulating, and it’s great for teaching some basic impulse control and manners. And since it doesn’t require a ton of space you can play it indoors. And contrary to what people say it will not make your dog aggressive, nor will letting them win will not make them dominant. Letting your dog win actually makes the game more fun for your The “Find The Treats” game dog, and it will encourage them to keep on playing. Nose work games such as “find the treats” are a Research has even found that dogs who play tug of great way to stimulate your dog’s mind and help war with their owners tend to be more obedient them hone in on their natural sniffing abilities. It’s a and exhibit higher confidence. Now when it comes great game for puppies because it’s mentally and to playing tug with your puppy there is one basic physically stimulating, it helps build their focus, rule to keep in mind — the game stops if their and it can help boost their confidence by teaching teeth touch your hand. I usually stop the game for them a new skill. 30 seconds and try again, and I’ll usually give my dog a few chances before the game is put away How to play: completely. It’ll take a few times before your dog • Grab some treats and have your dog sit in the understands that “the game is over when my teeth stay position. touch my person.” j • While your dog is sitting put a few treats on the ground around them. puppyleaks.com • Release your dog and tell them to “find the treats.” • Encourage them as they start picking up the

Page 28 • Jax4Kids.com • OCTOBER 2018

Things to Do Pet Events

Yappy Hour in the Courtyard Every Wednesday, 6pm to 9pm Doggie Pools, Homemade Dog Treats, $1 off Beer and $2 off House Wines. Come on out and let your pup cool off in the Courtyard at 200 First Street Southern Grounds & Co. / 904-853-5473 / 200 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / www. sogrocoffee.com Pars Fore Paws October 1, 1pm Clay Humane is sponsoring the 12th Annual “Pars Fore Paws” Golf Tournament. There will be a shotgun start at 1pm at the Eagle Landing Golf Club. The format will be Captain’s Choice. All proceeds support Clay Humane. Registration entry fee includes 18-holes of golf with cart; bag service, complimentary driving range balls; lunch; dinner; and prizes. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place scores; Longest Drive; Longest Putt; and Closest to the Pin. There will be drawings for prizes, a 50/50 Raffle, and a Putting Contest. Individual registration is $100, or $360 for a group of four. Eagle Landing Golf Club / 904-276-7729 / 3973 Eagle Landing Parkway, Orange Park , FL 32065 / www.clayhumane.org Repticon Jacksonville October 6, 10am to 5pm and October 7, 10am to 4pm The Repticon show returns to the Morocco Shrine Center. Repticon Jacksonville is one of Repticon’s fastest growing shows and will be packed with a great selection of reptiles and exotic pets, pet products, reptile themedmerchandise, and reptile-related fun. One day tickets are $12 (Adult), $5 (Ages 5-12), ages 4 and under are free. Two day tickets and online VIP Tickets are also available. Morocco Shrine / 3800 St. Johns Bluff Rd. S., Jacksonville, FL 32224 / repticon.com

Barks & Brews at Graffiti Junktion October 6, 11am to 2pm Graffiti Junktion hosts a Barks and Brews pet event, featuring pet vendors, merchandise, treats, food specials, and more. Graffiti Junktion Jax Beach / 904-372-9985 / 265 5th Avenue North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / graffitijunktion.com Yappy Hour HOWL-o-Ween October 7, 2pm to 5pm The Yappy Hour HOWL-o-Ween Bash features Halloween themed activities and vendors. Please make sure your pup is up-to-date on their shots and have the appropriate identification tags. Jacksonville Landing / 904-353-1188 / 2 W Independent Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jacksonvillelanding.com Family Pet Fair and Blessing of the Pets October 13, 10am to 2pm St. Philip Neri Church hosts the annual Family Pet Fair and Blessing of the Pets. There will be vendors and food trucks with goodies for pets and people, a silent auction, adoptable pets, free doggie nail trims, canine disc demonstrations, laundromutt charity dog wash, and more. Fletcher Park / 1652 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / nerichurch.org It’s A Dog’s Life! October 21, 1pm to 4pm Pet lovers are invited for an afternoon filled with local pet professionals who support healthy and natural healing for our animals. There will be information, samples, demonstrations and one on one time will be available all afternoon. Bring your social pup and enjoy local food and drink while learning healthy alternatives for your four legged kids. All donations will be graciously accepted by The Shih Tzu and Furbaby Rescue who will be present with dogs looking for forever and foster homes. Bull Memorial Park / 716 Ocean Blvd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / www. consciouscaninecounseling.com

ANIMAL RESCUE SPOTLIGHT Foster - Adopt - Donate - Help a Dog in Need Fawn’s Family Small Dog Rescue www.fawnssmalldogrescue.org Emergency Hotline - 904-773-3553 FFSDR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible.

FALL EVENTS AND PUMPKIN PATCHES Scarecrow Building Contest at Rype and Readi Through October 13 Rype & Readi is holding a Scarecrow Building competition. This contest is open to registered groups from September 21 through October 13. Judging will take place the last week of October. The Scarecrows will stand prominently around their Downtown Farm Market property until November 1st. A pole, clothes, straw, tools, and fasteners will be provided. Use your creative talents and accessories to represent your school, club, group or theme. Expert assistance from their scarecrow techs will be available. Feel free to bring your own “addons” to customize your scarecrow. Scarecrow Building Fee is $10 per Scarecrow. Building Time Reservations are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am12:30pm. Be sure to reserve your time online or email manager.rypeandreadi@gmail.com for alternate date/ time reservations. Judging: Pictures of all Scarecrows will be posted on the Facebook page and website. Visitors to the sites can vote on their favorite and points will be tallied on Tuesday October 30th. Prizes will be awarded to the best in these categories: Best in Show, Most Creative, Scariest, Most kid friendly, Funniest, and Rype & Readi Staff Pick. Rype & Readi Farm / 904-429-3070 / 115 La Quinta Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / rypeandreadi.com

payable at the door. Priority tickets are available online in advance. Rype & Readi Farm / 904-429-3070 / 115 La Quinta Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / rypeandreadi.com

Pumpkin Patch on Penman—Christ UMC Through October 31 The Christ United Methodist Church hosts their annual pumpkin patch through the month of October. Christ United Methodist Church / 904-249-5370 / 400 Penman Road, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / www. christumcnb.org

Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres • October 6, 13, 20, 27 Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres Fall Maze is open for the season on Saturdays through October 27 from 10am to 6pm without reservations. Admission: 0 to 23 months – Free; 24 months to 4 years old - $12.15 - plus tax; 5 years old and up - $14.95 - plus tax; 65 years and up $12.15 plus tax. There are some activities not included in admission. Be sure to bring cash for those additional activities and for the pumpkin patch. October 6, 10am to 10pm - Back to the Farm Ag Expo - There will be old fashioned country fair farm games, exhibits, crafts, demonstrations, and more. There will also be nighttime wagon rides and flashlight maze at dark. October 13, 10am to 10pm - Sweet Corn Festival & Hillbilly Olympics - Games begin at 11am and include Corn on the Cob Eating Challenge, Cow Patty Corn Hole Toss, Hog Calling, Egg Toss, and more. Entry fee applies to each event. There will also be nighttime wagon rides and flashlight maze at dark. October 20, 10am to 10pm - Celebrate America Day - Today Conner’s honors our Military as well as Police Officers, Fire Fighters, and EMT personnel with Free Admission with proper ID. Regular Admission applies to the general public. All farm activities available during daylight hours. There will also be nighttime wagon rides and flashlight maze at dark. October 27, 10am to 7pm - Fall Family Fun Fest - Day of family fun, featuring treat bags, scavenger hunts, costume contest, and more. October 27, 7pm to 10pm - Bloody Butcher Cornfield and Haunted Trail - Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres / 904-879-5453 / 19856 County Road 121, Hilliard, FL 32046 / www.conners-amaize-ing-acres.com

Rype & Readi Pumpkin Patch • Through October 31 Rype & Readi will have their annual pumpkin patch through October 31. The patch will be open daily, from 9am-6pm. There will be a wide mix of pumpkins available for purchase. Kids can paint their pumpkin for a $3 fee, (plus the cost of the pumpkin), on Saturdays from 9:30am to 12noon. No reservation required. Rype & Readi Farm / 904-429-3070 / 115 La Quinta Place, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / rypeandreadi.com Our Lady of Good Counsel Pumpkin Patch 2018 October 2 thru 31, 2pm till 7pm The annual Pumpkin Patch will be open at Our Lady of Good Counsel. In addition to plenty of pumpkins, they will also have hay rides. Our Lady of Good Counsel / 904-295-9199 / 5950 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / olgc-church.org Haunt Nights • October 5-6, 12-14, 18-21, 25-31 As Northeast Florida’s premier Haunt since 2009, Haunt Nights at Adventure Landing offers haunted house enthusiasts and North Florida residents a thrill they won’t forget. Haunt Nights, featuring four haunted attractions, starts the first weekend in October and runs through October 31st with select operating dates and hours. Not intended for children 12 and under, or the faint of heart. The event features four haunts: Pinehurst Asylum, Dark Fables, Descent, and Payn Manor. Combo Haunt tickets are $26.99. Adventure Landing, Beaches / 1944 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / hauntnights.com

Amazing Grace Crop Maze Fridays and Saturdays, October 5 thru October 27 Amazing Grace Crop Maze provides family fun on the farm in Clay County. Attractions include hayrides, cow train, duck races, corn crib, barnyard ball zone & more. Hours are Fridays: 5pm to 10pm and Saturdays: 10am to 10pm. Admission is $15.95 for ages 3 and up. Includes farm admission, and access to all attractions. Amazing Grace Crop Maze / 904-284-2949 / 2899 Wisteria Farms Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / agcropmaze.com Mandarin United Methodist Women’s 29th Annual Fall Craft Festival • October 6, 9am to 4pm Mandarin United Methodist Church hosts their 29th annual Fall Craft Festival. There will be 100+ crafters, clothing, jewelry, concessions, seasonal gifts, baked goods, children’s shop, country store and more. Kids can visit Santa from 12noon to to 2pm. Mandarin United Methodist / 904-268-5549 / 11270 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32223 / www.mumc.net

Room on the Broom in IMAX October 6, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28 The World Golf Village IMAX hosts the seasonal favorite, Rype & Readi Haunted Barn and Not-So-Scary Nights Room on the Broom, playing every Saturday and select Sunday throughout October. The show is adapted from October 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 26, 27, 7pm to 9:30pm a book by Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel October 19 and 28, 6pm to 8:30pm -- Not-So-Scary Scheffler. Tickets are $5 per person. Visit website for Nights for kids under 12 show times and tickets. Rype & Readi hosts their annual Haunted Barn. The World Golf IMAX / 904-940-4133 / 1 World Golf Place, St. event will be held on Friday and Saturday nights in Augustine, FL 32092 / www.worldgolfimax.com October. There will be strobes, flashing lights & jump scares. This event is recommended for ages 13 and Flashlight Maze and Nighttime Wagon Rides up; younger children should plan on coming on a “not so scary” night. The Not-So-Scary Night will be a Trick- October 6, 13, 20 Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres hosts nighttime wagon rides or-Treat opportunity to tour through the Haunted barn and a nighttime trip through the maze. Be sure to bring with no scaring. These events are a canned food drive your own flashlight. Children 16 and under must be – Each night of the event will benefit a different charity. accompanied by an adult. No reservations are required. Please bring 2 cans per person, plus $5 entry donation,

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FALL EVENTS AND PUMPKIN PATCHES The last hayrides leaves at 9pm. Admission is $14.95 for ages 5 and up; and $12 for ages 2 to 4. Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres / 904-879-5453 / 19856 County Road 121, Hilliard, FL 32046 / www.conners-amaize-ing-acres.com Sykes and Cooper Farms Corn Maze October 6th thru November 4th Admission tickets include the following attractions: Corn Maze, Hayride, Playgrounds, Cow Milking Station, Duck Races, Cow Train and Farm Animals. Pumpkins, Sunflowers, and any other items from the pumpkin barn sold separately. Hours are Friday: 6pm to 10pm, Saturday: 10am to 10pm, Sunday: 10am to 5pm. Admission is Children 2 & under: Free, General Admission (ages 3 to 64): $13, Senior Citizens (65+): $11, Military (with ID): $11. Sykes and Cooper Farms / 904-692-1370 / 5995 Brough Rd, Elkton, FL 32033 / www.sycofarms.com Shores United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch October 6 – 31 Shores United Methodist Church hosts their annual Pumpkin Patch through October 31. The hours of the Pumpkin Patch are Monday - Saturday 12noon to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 7pm. There are minipumpkins, pie pumpkins and larger pumpkins of all sizes. The Pumpkin Patch supports the local outreach ministries of the church. Shores United Methodist Church / 904-797-4416 / 724 Shores Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.shoresumc. org Jacksonville Oktoberfest at Anheuser-Busch Brewery • October 12, 6:30pm to 9:30pm; October 13, 12:30pm to 11:30pm Fall festival featuring live music, food, Yodeling Contest, Barrel Racing, Tug of War, and more. There will also be face painting, pumpkin bowling, and pumpkin painting. Some activities require a donation to a charity to participate, but most are free. Tickets start at $15. Kids 12 and under are free. Anheuser Busch Brewery / 904-232-3001 / 111 Busch Drive, Jacksonville , FL 32218 / oktoberfestjacksonville. com Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens October 12-14, 18-21, 26-31, 6:30pm to 10pm Spooktacular is a safe and exciting Halloween adventure for kids of all ages. Celebrate Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens with specials, activities, candy, and more. Tickets are available online or at the gate. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / spooktacular. jacksonvillezoo.org Jacksonville Pumpkin Patch at Isle of Faith UMC October 13 thru 31 Pumpkin Patch Open Daily October 13 thru October 31. Saturdays, 10am to 8pm, and Sundays-Fridays, 12noon to 8pm. Free admission to the patch. Pumpkins are sold by donation. Suggested pricing is posted for the pumpkins, but you’re welcome to donate whatever you want for the pumpkins you take home with you. Jacksonville Pumpkin Patch at Isle of Faith UMC / 904221-1700 / 1821 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / iofumc.org Julington Creek KinderCare Fall Festival October 13, 9am to 2pm Julington Creek KinderCare hosts a fall festival with a bounce house, petting zoo, face painter, vendor show, games and activities, food, ice cream, cotton candy, and more. Free and open to the community. Julington Creek KinderCare / 904-287-3211 / 200 N. Ridgecrest Lane, Saint Johns , FL 32259 / www. kindercare.comz

Asbury UMC of Orange Park Fall Festival 2018 October 13, 9am to 3pm Asbury UMC of Orange Park hosts their Fall Festival 2018. There will be craft booths, activities and more. Asbury UMC of Orange Park / 904-272-0110 / 16 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / asburyop.com Isle of Faith UMC Fall Festival October 13, 10am to 2pm Isle of Faith UMC hosts a Fall Festival to kick off the opening of their annual pumpkin patch. Activities will include face painting, bounce houses, games, photos opportunities and more. Free to the public. Isle of Faith UMC / 904-221-1700 / 1821 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / iofumc.org Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church Pumpkin Patch • October 14-31 The Pumpkin Patch is held at a 40-acre wooded lakeside location. In addition to the selection of pumpkins, there will also be plenty of photo ops and a maze for kids to play in. Admission is free. Proceeds from the pumpkin patch go directly to support missions – not the church budget. Pumpkin Patch hours are Monday - Friday 9:30am - 12noon & 3pm - 7pm, Saturday - 10am 7pm and Sunday 11am - 7pm. Shepherd of the Woods, Lakeshore Location / 904-6418385 / 6595 Columbia Park Ct, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / www.sotwjax.com Pumpkin Jam at Mandarin Presbyterian Church October 14, 2:30pm to 5pm Mandarin Presbyterian Church hosts a Pumpkin Jam at their Loretto Road Campus. Activities include hay rides, face painting, cotton candy, cookie decorating, carnival games, popcorn, snow cones, “bouncy things”, Applewood Forest and a Trunk or Treat. Admission is free and you’re encouraged to dress up for this event. Please consider bringing a non-perishable or canned food item for donation to MPC’s community food bank, the Daily Bread Food Pantry. A Shuttle Bus will be provided to assist with the demand in parking. The Shuttle Bus will begin at 1:30pm from the Mandarin Road Campus (11844 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223) and run continuously between campuses until 5pm which will be the last run. If possible, please utilize the Mandarin Road Campus parking lots and take the shuttle. Mandarin Presbyterian Church / 904-680-9944 / 2501 Loretto Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223 / www. mandarinpres.com Homeschool Field Trips Day at Amazing Grace Crop Maze • October 16, 1pm to 3pm Homeschoolers can book trips to the farm on October 16. The price will be $8 for ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under are free. Homeschool families can enjoy the farm at their leisure from 1pm to 3pm. Please email info@agcropmaze.com to get your group on the list. Amazing Grace Crop Maze / 904-284-2949 / 2899 Wisteria Farms Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / agcropmaze.com The Haunted Brewery Live Action Zombie Hunt October 19-20, and October 26-27 Jacksonville’s Anheuser-Busch Brewery hosts a Haunted Brewery Live Action Zombie Hunt. There will be seven unique haunt experiences—including a zombie maze, zombie firing range and first-person laser tag hunts inside the brewery. There will also be food trucks, live music, a zombie paintball adventure, games, the Zombie Film Festival, and more. There are activities and games throughout the day that are fun for all ages. The HOPocalyptic Zombie Hunt is the only attraction that is for ages 18+. Individual tickets range from $15 to $35. Gates open at 5:30pm each night. Jacksonville’s Anheuser-Busch Brewery / 904-2323001 / 111 Busch Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / thehauntedbrewery.com

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Halloween Express Train Rides October 20 and 27, 10am to 4pm Ride the rails to the Monster Ball where you will get to vote for your favorite monster to reign over the train trip. Tickets are $20 adults, $14 kids 12 and under, kids 2 and under ride for free. St. Marys Railroad / 912-200-5235 / 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 / www.stmarysrailroad.com Lord of Life Church Family Fun Days • October 20, 10am to 4pm and October 21, 11am to 4pm Lord of Life Lutheran Church hosts their annual Family Fun Days on October 21 and 22. There will be activities for all ages, including a bounce house, face painting, and more . Pumpkins will also be for sale in their pumpkin patch. Lord of Life Lutheran Church / 904-285-5347 / 276 N. Roscoe Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.lordoflifepvb.org Town of Orange Park Fall Festival October 20-21, 10am to 5pm The Town of Orange Park Fall Festival is Clay County’s oldest and largest arts and crafts festival. The two-day festival has over 200 artists & vendors and two stages packed with entertainment from regional and local artists. There will be a kids zone with inflatables, rock wall, pony rides, bungee jump and Aqua Bubbles. There will also be a wide variety of food for purchase, over 200 artists & vendors, and live entertainment. Park at Moosehaven and catch the free shuttle over to the festival grounds. Admission to the festival is free, but some activities do have a fee. Town Hall Park / 904-264-2635 Ext 209 / 2042 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 / opfallfestival.com Hidden Fields Pumpkin Patch October 20, 21, 27, 28, 12noon to 5pm Hidden Fields Private Stable hosts a Pumpkin Patch event. Activities include one pumpkin per child to carve or decorate, Scarecrow Building (bring your own clothes, straw will be provided), S’mores & Apple Cider, and a Pony Ride for each child. Cost is $35 Admission includes 1 child and up to 2 adults. Additional adults $5. Additional Pony Rides $5. Concessions will be available. This is an RSVP event. Please RSVP to receive $35 admission price; price is $45 without advance registration and subject to availability. Payment due at entry, not at registration. Cash, Checks and Cards accepted. Hidden Fields Private Stable / 904-254-5058 / 2259 Forest Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www. hiddenfieldsjax.com Annual Halloween Doors & More: May the Doors Be With You • October 20, 2pm to 7pm The Annual Halloween Doors & More is a festive land of fantasy and make-believe for the whole family. Attendees are asked to come in costume. There will be candy, toys, food, interactive experiences, live characters and more. Attendees can dance in the Troll Family Disco, get a spooktacular make-over at the Booutiful Salon or enjoy the gourmet food. Tickets are available in advance. Proceeds benefit children with complex illnesses served by Community PedsCare, the pediatric palliative and hospice care program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Jacksonville Fairgrounds / 904-886-3883 / 510 Fairground Place, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / hdm. communityhospice.com St. Patrick’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Festival October 20, 3pm to 7pm St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church hosts the 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Festival. There will be food, games, contests, prizes, and more. Admission is free and open to the public. Proceeds benefit local children’s ministries. Please bring non-perishable food items for the food drive. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church / 904-612-7657 / 1221 SR 13, St. Johns, FL 32223 / www.stpatricksepiscopal. org

2018 Fall Festiv’All at Our Lady of Good Counsel October 21, 11am to 4pm Our Lady of Good Counsel hosts a Fall Festiv’All, with games, inflatables, Filipino & festival foods, music, entertainment, a sports tent, car show, and more. Our Lady of Good Counsel / 904-295-9199 / 5950 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / olgc-church.org Trick or Treat at the Jacksonville Flea Market October 27, 8am to 5pm The Jacksonville Flea Market hosts trick or treating with ‘Flash the Flea’, as well as a costume contest at 12noon. Free, and all ages are welcome to attend. Jacksonville Flea Market / 904-930-4149 / 11041 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / jaxfleamarket.com Haunted Halloween Gingerbread House Decorating October 27, 28, 10am Families are invited to decorate your own fiendish haunted house. One adult is required for each family group; children should be at least 4 years old. Price is per family up to 4 participants, add one seat per family to the cart. Cost is $60. Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-262-4187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / www. publix.com Isle of Faith UMC Trunk-or-Treat • October 28, 6pm Isle of Faith UMC invites families to participate in Trunkor-Treat. This is a safe alternative to trick-or-treating in the middle of the school week without missing out on the goodies. Open to public to attend and participate (keep it family friendly, not scary). To participate as a trunk, contact Teresa Friley (call or text) 330-319-5024. Isle of Faith UMC / 904-221-1700 / 1821 San Pablo Road S, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / iofumc.org Palm Coast Hall of Terror XIV • October 30, 7pm to 9pm and October 31, 7pm to 10pm Hall of Terror takes those who dare through a haunted house and show, with volunteer characters, many of whom are firefighters and other City employees. Admission is free. Recommended for ages 10+. Palm Coast Fire Station 21 / 386-986-2300 / 9 Corporate Drive, Palm Coast, FL 32137 / www. palmcoastgov.com Shores United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat October 31, 5:30pm to 6:30pm On Halloween night, Shores UMC hosts Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot from 5pm to 7pm. This is a fun safe place to bring children for trick and treating. Shores United Methodist Church / 904-797-4416 / 724 Shores Blvd, St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.shoresumc. org Halloween Trick or Treat at Moosehaven October 31, 5:30pm to 8:30pm Providing a safe and family oriented tradition for many families, Moosehaven hosts an annual Trick or Treat event as part of the Heart of the Community program. The gates open at 5:30pm. Families are invited for Trick or Treats, a ghoulish haunted house, food, and an outdoor movie. Free admission. Moosehaven / 904-278-1200 / 1701 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.moosehaven.org St. Paul UMC Trunk or Treat – Follow The Yellow Brick Road • October 31, 6pm to 8pm St. Paul United Methodist Church hosts a Trunk or Treat event. This will be a safe place to bring your children for activities, food, and of course “The Treats” and the fantastically decorated “Trunks”. There will be awards for the best decorated “Trunk”, awards for best costumes, and free hot dogs, chips and a coke for all. Held in the rear large parking lot behind the church. St. Paul United Methodist Church / 904-724-0022 / 8264 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211 / stpauljax. org j

THINGS TO DO Scouting Sign-Up Nights October 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 25 Scouting is now for the whole family. Attend one of the Sign-Up Nights at your local school. Duval County: River City Science Academy Innovation Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 6:30PM, Cafeteria Crystal Springs Elementary Thursday, October 4, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Jacksonville Heights Elementary Monday, October 8, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Twin Lakes Academy Tuesday, October 9, 2018 at 6:30pm, Cafeteria Ruth N. Upson Elementary Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Venetia Elementary Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Kings Trail Elementary Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6:30pm, Cafeteria Spring Park Elementary Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Hyde Grove Elementary Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Stonewall Jackson Elementary Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Normandy Village Elementary Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6pm, Cafeteria Beauclerc Elementary Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6:30pm, Cafeteria Love Grove Elementary Thursday, October 25, 2018 at 6:30pm, Cafeteria Nassau County: Callahan Middle Wednesday, October 10, 2018 at 6:30pm, Cafeteria St. Johns County: Gamble Rogers Middle Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 6:30pm, Media Center Boy Scouts of America / www.nfcscouting.org TNT Gymnastics Ninja Night October 5, 6pm to 8pm Join TNT Gymnastics for a night dedicated to any Ninja’s in training. The first Friday of every month from 6pm to 8pm is Ninja Night at TNT Gymnastics. Cost is $15 (members) $20 (non-members). The evening includes a warm up, form training, climb training, obstacle training, and pizza & juice. TNT Gymnastics / 904-998-8681 / 2683 Saint Johns Bluff Rd. South #107, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / tntgymfit. com TNT Gymnastics Tumbling Clinics October 12, 6pm to 7:30pm TNT Gymnastics has a tumbling clinic every second Friday of the month. This is a walk in event for ages 5 and up. $20 (members) $25 (non-members). TNT Gymnastics / 904-998-8681 / 2683 Saint Johns Bluff Rd. South #107, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / tntgymfit. com St. Augustine Greek Festival October 12, 4 pm - 10pm; October 13, 11am - 10pm; October 14, 11am - 5pm The St. Augustine Greek Festival celebrates all things Greek - food, dancing, music, and heritage. There will be homemade Greek foods, traditional Greek dancing, music, and outdoor marketplace, and a Kids Center with carnival rides, games and activities. Admission is cash at the gate: $5 for adults; children 16 & under are free. Active Duty US Military and their families with Military ID presented at the gate are also free. Francis Field / 904-479-6729 / 25 W Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / stauggreekfest.com Flatley Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games October 12, 8pm Flatley Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games is an allnew world tour, produced by Riverdance creator Michael

Flatley. This show will feature technology and dancing robots performing alongside world champion acrobats and 34 of the world’s greatest Irish dancers. Tickets start at $36. Florida Theatre / 904-355-2787 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com Festival of Flight to Benefit Angels for Allison October 13, 10am to 2pm Intuition Ale Works hosts a fundraiser to benefit Angels for Allison. Activities include crafts, face painting, giant board games, a dunk tank, bounce house, music from the 77Ds band, food, and more. Angels for Allison provides financial aid for families who are suffering the tragic loss of a child. Intuition Ale Works / 904-312-9490 / 929 E. Bay Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.angelsforallison.org Golf Fest October 13, 11am – 3pm The Golf Festival at World Golf Village celebrates what makes the game great. The event is free to the public. It will feature interactive activities with something for golf fans of all ages, including free admission to the Hall of Fame and putting, a Demo Day at the Slammer & Squire Golf Course, golf clinics, a kids’ zone with The First Tee, Bounce House, Face Painting, Italian Ice and more. Plus, have a chance to win a car with the Hole-in-One Contest at the Challenge Hole! Food and beverages will be available for purchase. #WGVGolfFest World Golf Village / 305 WGV Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32092 / 940-4120 The Florida Ballet presents “La Boutique Fantasque and Other Works” October 13, 7pm and October 14, 2pm This mixed repertoire performance includes “La Boutique Fantasque” also known as “The Magic Toyshop,” a charming, family-friendly presentation that tells the story of a famous toymaker who creates beautiful dolls to sell. Rounding out the performance will be excerpts from “Appalachian Spring”, a modern interpretation based upon the original work of Martha Graham, and “Clans & Flings”, an original work choreographed by The Florida Ballet’s founder, Laurie Pinich-Byrd will be presented. Tickets range from $22.50 to $47.50. University of North Florida / 904-353-7518 / 1 University of North FL Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / floridaballet. myboxoffice.us World of Dance Live Tour October 14, 4pm The World of Dance Live Tour will feature dancers from many genres. Tickets start at $50 for general admission, with VIP tickets and Meet and Greet packages also available. Thrasher-Horne Center / 904-276-6815 / 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32065 / www.thcenter.org Children’s Author Visit: Dan Yaccarino October 17, 11am and 3pm The Friends of the Ponte Vedra Beach Branch Library are proud to bring acclaimed children’s author Dan Yaccarino to the Library. He is the author/illustrator of many popular picture books, such as The Lima Bean Monster, Oswald the Octopus (also a Nickelodeon animated series), and chapter books like Class Pet Squad. Children ages 4 and up and their families are invited to hear Dan talk about how he draws and writes such funny books. Some of Dan’s books will be available for purchase at both events. No registration is required. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org Baking History Series October 17, 4pm to 5:30pm This fall marks 100 years to the end of World War I and

in Baking History, there will be a series of workshops on that subject. Classes are for ages 8 and up. Durbin Crossing residents, call for information about a discount for residents. Payment is on the day of the event. To register, call or text 904-923 8274 or e-mail yiffiebakinghistory@gmail.com . This month’s class is A New World Pizza and the League of Toppings. Cost is $22 per student, $40 for a team of two family members, $55 for three family members, or $70 for a family of four. Durbin Crossing / 904-923-8274 / 145 South Durbin Parkway, Saint Johns, FL 32259 / bakinghistory.org Southern Women’s Show Jacksonville October 18: 10am-7pm; October 19: 10am-8pm; October 20: 10am-7pm; October 21: 11am-5pm Annual show featuring fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and more. Friday is Girls Night Out, from 5pm to 8pm; admission is just $5 after 5pm; Saturday is Mother-Daughter Day, and Sunday is Teacher Day - All teachers attending the event are invited to stop by the Florida Lottery in space 101 for a free gift. Must show your school ID to collect your free gift. Teachers who visit the Show Office (Room 104) on Sunday will receive a free ticket to the show. Must show your school ID to collect your complimentary ticket. Admission is Adults: $12 at the door, $10 online in advance; Youth (6-12): $6; Under 6: Free with Paying Adult. Discount tickets are available at Walgreens. The Prime Osborn Convention Center charges a parking fee of $5 per car. Prime Osborn Convention Center / 1-800-8490248 / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / southernshows.com Jacksonville Icemen vs. Orlando Solar Bears October 19, 7:30pm The Jacksonville Icemen, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose, were recently awarded an ECHL membership. They return with the 2018-2019 season. Games will be played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Single game tickets are available, or packages can also be purchased. The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena requires children that have reached their 2nd birthday by the date of the game to have a ticket for entry. There will be a Magnetic Schedule Giveaway. This is also Girl Scout Night. Veterans Memorial Arena / 904-602-7825 / 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www. jacksonvilleicemen.com Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans October 21, 1pm Jacksonville’s NFL team, the Jacksonville Jaguars, take on the Houston Texans at TIAA Bank Field. Single game tickets, as well as season ticket options, are available for purchase. New this season, tickets will available via Stadium-wide Mobile Ticketing. Newborns to age three are invited to join the Jaguars Cub Club. TIAA Bank Field / 904-633-6000 / 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaguars.com Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Free Auditions October 23, 6pm Dancers ages 6 to 18 are invited to audition for Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker. Auditions are free, and the student dancers that are in the cast will be performing side-by-side with the full Russian company. There are as many as 60 roles for young dancers including party children, mice, snowflakes, snow maidens and variations. The casting fee is $50 and the rehearsal fee is $50. Dancers must be available for rehearsals October 23rd to the 25th with the Russian Audition Director. Regular rehearsals at the Host Studio will be scheduled for every Saturday afternoon until the day of the show. Additional rehearsal may be schedule at the discretion of the company and the Host Studio.

Alius Dance School / 904-374-3430 / 14181 Beach Blvd, Suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32250 / www.nutcracker. com Jacksonville Icemen vs. Atlanta Gladiators October 25, 7pm The Jacksonville Icemen, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose, were recently awarded an ECHL membership. They return with the 2018-2019 season. Games will be played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Single game tickets are available, or packages can also be purchased. The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena requires children that have reached their 2nd birthday by the date of the game to have a ticket for entry. Tonight’s game is a Florida/Georgia Weekend special: Following the Icemen game on Friday, stick around to for more hockey as the University of Florida and the University of Georgia club hockey programs battle in a prequel to the Florida/Georgia football game. Veterans Memorial Arena / 904-602-7825 / 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www. jacksonvilleicemen.com Jacksonville Icemen vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits October 26, 7:30pm The Jacksonville Icemen, proud affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose, were recently awarded an ECHL membership. They return with the 2018-2019 season. Games will be played at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena. Single game tickets are available, or packages can also be purchased. The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena requires children that have reached their 2nd birthday by the date of the game to have a ticket for entry. Tonight’s game is a Florida/Georgia Weekend special: Following the Icemen game, stick around to for more hockey as the University of Florida and the University of Georgia club hockey programs battle in a prequel to the Florida/ Georgia football game. Veterans Memorial Arena / 904-602-7825 / 300 A Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www. jacksonvilleicemen.com 2018 NAS Jax Air Show October 27-28 The NAS Jax Air Show, Birthplace of the Blue Angels, will take place October 27-28, 2018 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville. The gates will open at 9am and the show will begin at 10am. The show will feature military and civilian aircraft displays, food and beverage booths, a kid zone, and will conclude each day with a performance by the Blue Angels. The free kids zone will feature a rockclimbing wall, bounce houses, and more. Admission and parking are free; food and beverages will be available for purchase, cash only. Attendees can bring chairs, as long as they are not in a carrying bag. The Blue Angels will close the show each afternoon. Naval Air Station Jacksonville / 6801 Roosevelt Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32212 / www.nasjaxairshow.com Kidz Bop Live! Jacksonville October 28, 4pm The No. 1 music brand for kids performs at the Florida Theatre. Tickets start at $29.50. There are also VIP tickets and Meet and Greet packages available. Florida Theatre / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com

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

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2018 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 31