Auburn Opelika Parents April 2018 by KeepSharing

April2018 34

Volume 9 Number 2

Columns 2

Publisher’s Note Kendra Sumner

Living With Children John Rosemond

Power Down the Parent Pressure

How and why you should stop micro-managing your kids’ goals.

An Insider’s Guide to Choosing Child Care

8 things to consider when deciding where to place your child.

Kids Health Watch

sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Get This!

Gerry Paige Smith

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Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

Child Care Guide

Our comprehensive listing of Lee County daycares, preschools, and MMO programs.

10 Survival Tips for Single Parents

Plan ahead, resolve guilt, make time for yourself, and more ideas.

On The Cover Jasmine Huo is the 3-year-old daughter of Hongchao Ji and Nan Huo. She was born in Montgomery and resides in Auburn now. She is in the preschool program at University Daycare. Jasmine likes to read stories, build puzzles, swim, ride her bike and play with her friends. She is an Auburn fan and enjoys watching football games with her parents. Jasmine can speak Chinese and English fluently, and she enjoys both English and Chinese stories. Her favorite story is ‘Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!’

A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith

Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces 10

School Bits 50

Family Calendar 56

Movie Reviews www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Publisher’sNote

Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source

It’s time to come out of hibernation and bask in the sunshine! Now that winter is behind us, we can get outside and enjoy the spring weather and family events in Auburn and Opelika. This month’s Family Calendar is full of must-do fun, so take a look and plan some time out and about this spring. One of the biggest events in East Alabama will be the 2018 Auburn Parks and Recreation’s City Fest on April 28. There will be live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors and a children’s activity area. Another huge event in the local parks is “A Rocket in a Railroad Town” documentary premier. On April 14, Opelika Parks and Recreation will be celebrating the return of the Rocky Brook Train to Municipal Park and will feature a film documentary and free train rides. It will be a day of learning some great local history, coupled with fun for the whole family! Of course, what is spring on The Plains without a day dressed in orange and blue while cheering on our Auburn Tigers at this year’s A-Day game? Mark your calendars for April 7th. The day will begin with the A-Day Autism 5K, then grab your animal loving kiddos for a visit to AU Veterinary’s Open House and finish the day shaking your pom-poms in Jordan Hare Stadium. Does your family like to hike and bike? Don’t miss this year’s Bike Bash on April 21 or explore the nature preserve on April 10 and learn about the wonders of water. Your spring days will fill up quickly with plenty of outdoor adventures to enjoy! Now that you have planned for all the fun that East Alabama has to offer this spring, it’s time to think about the upcoming summer and next fall’s after school plans. Once school lets out in May, many parents will be turning to local child care and summer programming to help meet their family’s needs. In East Alabama, you will find that most child care and preschool programs start registration as early as spring and will fill up quickly. Choosing the best environment for your children to spend their days while you are at work can be a stressful endeavor. In this month’s feature article, Choosing the Right Daycare, find great advice on how to narrow down your child care options in choosing the best fit for your family. Our 2018 Child Care Guide follows this article and lists local daycare centers and preschool programs with details about each. Often at the top of many family’s lists is the discussion of cost. Start by listing centers that will fit into your monthly budget. (There are many resources in our community that can help such as scholarships and sliding scale.) Once you determine the cost, decide and rank what is most important to your family. Is it location, teacher to student ratio, curriculum and teaching style, policy and procedures or overall cleanliness? Then, call and make an appointment to meet with the director and tour the center. Have a list of questions ready and be very observant while taking the tour. For example, if procedures are high on your priority list, make sure you find out about their open door policy, their intruder drills and the security of doors and windows. On the other hand, if you are searching for the best preschool program, ask about the curriculum, kindergarten readiness goals and any testing and evaluation processes. After all, these early years are very important in childhood development and are stepping stones toward overall school success. I’m excited about all the spring events and fun that our area has to offer! Make plans to get out and enjoy the warming days and blooming trees and flowers. Find some family fun in our parks and neighborhoods. Here’s to longer afternoons in the sun and kids exploring and playing the days away. Happy Spring!

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Mark Gregston Christa Melnyk Hines Carolyn Jabs Christina Katz Rachael Moshman Dave Ramsey John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith Katie Wolter, MD

Cover Photography Candy Avera www.pictureperfectbycandy.com

President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303. Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2018 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond

Is There a Cure for Lying? Parents of children who habitually lie can breathe a huge sigh of relief – The New York Times says that budding Pinocchios are more intelligent than kids who tell the truth (“Is Your Child Lying to You? That’s Good,” Alex Stone, January 5, 2018). The Grey Lady’s announcement is based on studies done in the 1980s in which young children who disobeyed an instruction and then denied having disobeyed were discovered to have higher IQs than those who admitted disobedience. A subsequent study found that most adults cannot tell when children are lying, a finding that seems – on the surface, at least – to confirm the previous study. The question, of course, becomes: Does perfecting the art of lying make a child smarter or does being smart lend itself to lying? Which comes first, dishonesty or a high IQ? Your author will not attempt to unravel that puzzle. I will, however, mention that people who habitually lie are known as sociopaths. As adults, a fair number of them spend time in prison for doing such things as embezzling from their employers

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

or conning elderly people out of their life savings. So, whereas the NYT sees it as good news that some children become inveterate liars at an early age, teaching a child to lie in the hopes he or she will become smarter as a result is not recommended. Unfortunately, today’s parenting culture seems to put a higher premium on a high IQ than it does morality. Consider that one regularly sees bumper stickers advertising children’s academic achievements – you know, that “My Child Is an Honor Student at Cutabove Academy” thing, but none that publicize children’s moral sturdiness, as in, “My Child May Not Be the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer, But She Is Polite and HardWorking.” How many parents do you know who have enrolled their kids in after-school tutoring in manners? It would appear that a good number of today’s parents are more concerned with achievement than character. The New York Times piece also mentions research finding that punishment does not deter, much less rehabilitate, most childhood liars. That’s consistent with

my experience. The thrill of getting away with a lie seems to greatly outweigh any possibility of negative consequences. The same researchers recommend what they term positive messaging – emphasizing the benefits of honesty rather than threatening punishment. That certainly won’t hurt, but I’m skeptical of its long-term value. I don’t think any one solution fits all kids, but here’s an interesting story: Two parents once told me they successfully fought fire with fire. They began lying about everything and anything – what was for dinner, what movie they were going to, that they were going to raise his allowance – to their nine-year-old aspiring sociopath. No morality lectures, mind you, simply lie after lie after lie. This went on for several weeks before he “got it” and begged them to stop. They did, promising more of the same if he relapsed. He’s been lie-free for three years now. Your great-grandparents called it “reverse psychology.” They were right about most things parenting. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

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Garden in the Park

Garden in the Park is Keep Opelika Beautiful's fundraiser for community project. The event is an arts and craft festival in the Opelika Municipal Park. Garden in the Park is Saturday, May 5 from 8 AM to 3 PM. Throughout the day, a variety of vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment will be showcased. All items sold are handmade or homegrown. Children enjoy inflatables, Rocky Brook Rocket rides, planting a tree seedling, Farmer Brown Party Animals and Home Depot building kits. Live entertainment is provided by local schools and dance groups. Delicious food is sold throughout the day. There is no charge for admissions into Garden in the Park. Food donations will be collected for the East Alabama Food Bank. Garden in the Park is a rain or shine event. We do ask that personal pets be left at home.

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Auburn Football A-Day

Plan your spring game festivities accordingly, Auburn fans. The annual A-Day spring game on Saturday, April 7, will kick off at 3 p.m. CT from Jordan-Hare Stadium. The intra-squad scrimmage will conclude Auburn’s spring practice schedule, which is slated to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 27. It’s the earliest the team has begun practicing under sixth-year head coach Gus Malzahn, and A-Day is a day earlier than it was a year ago. The school is allowed to conduct a total of 15 practices during the spring. The Tigers are expected to return 12 starters, six on offense and six on defense, from a team that won the SEC West, beat both Alabama and Georgia during the regular season and played in a New Year’s Six bowl. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased online or call (855) 282-2010. Auburn students get in free with a valid Ignited Card. www.auburn.edu.

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Azalea Season at Callaway Gardens

Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play

Each Spring, Callaway Gardens explodes with one of the world’s largest displays of native and cultivated azaleas – more than 20,000 of them! – plus fresh blooms of Dogwoods, Crabapples, Daffodils, Tulips, and more. These sweeping floral vistas provide a stunning backdrop for invigorating recreational pursuits, fascinating educational experiences, and special events designed to celebrate the grandeur of the season. A series of themed weekends, known collectively as Celebrate Spring!, feature special activities and events for families and friends to share against the backdrop of these dazzling surroundings. www.callawaygardens.com.

An apocalyptic event has occurred and the world has lost all electric power. Out of the literal darkness, survivors gather together to tell stories, find loved ones, and create community. In search of a common cultural language, people find solace and sustenance in a certain yellow animated family. Anne Washburn’s brilliant play combines music and text to argue for the enduring power of storytelling and the vital role it plays in telling our history and creating our future. April 12 – 22, Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn University. Want to learn more about the show or give us your opinion? Join us after the April 19 performance on “Talkback Thursday” for a discussion with the director and company members. www.auburn.edu.

Family Discovery Hike: Water Wonders, April 10

Join us as we take a quick hike while learning about water and how important it is to our landscape, ecosystem and way of life. Explore the preserve and learn something new each month about plants, wildlife and nature with a trained naturalist who will offer your family fun opportunities for hands-on learning, exploration, and exercise! Discovery Hikes are offered the second Tuesday of each month from 3:30 – 4:30 PM For families with children ages 5 to 12. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion. Guided tours are free. Donations are welcomed. Cancelled in the event of rain. Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 PM.

Auburn CityFest 2018: Native Alabama

Auburn’s largest free outdoor festival will be held on Saturday, April 28, 9:00 - 4:00 PM. Live music, arts & crafts and fine arts vendors, children’s activities, food, and more! CityFest is FREE to the public and is a rain or shine event. Kids, grab your parents and tell them you're heading to the Children's Imagination Station (CIS) at Auburn CityFest! All activities in the CIS are FREE to the public! We invite you to join us and let your imagination run wild! Also, don’t miss the ‘Medical Tail Singers’, ‘Georgia Irish Frisbee Dogs’, ‘Lew-E the Clown’, ‘Adam Lowe, stilt walker and juggler’, ‘Korea Fest’, and much more! Also, live music and entertainment, food vendors and arts/crafts. Kiesel Park, Auburn. www.auburncityfest.com.

Wing Fling: A-Day Weekend

Are you going to be in town for A-Day? Come out to the Southeastern Raptor Center on Friday April 6 at 5 PM for an educational presentation featuring owls, hawks, falcon, vultures, and eagles! After the presentation, we will bring several of the raptors back out for photo opportunities! Cost of admission: $5; children 3 and under are free. Please note that this presentation will start at 5:00 PM! Gates will not open until 4:15 PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance. www.auburn.edu/raptor. Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Rocky Brook Rocket Documentary “A Rocket in a Railroad Town”

The Rocky Brook Rocket miniature train first came to Opelika in 1955 and has a long history of providing entertainment and rides to the citizens of Opelika. It also has a long history of defective parts, temporary fixes and decommissions. The train was sent to Oxnard, California in August of 2015 for a total renovation, with the hopes that the train would come back ready to operate for 60 more years. The train returned to Opelika in November 2016 with a new engine, new break system and complete restoration of the body. Opelika Park and Recreation is celebrating the return of the Rocky Brook Rocket with the premiere of the “A Rocket in a Railroad Town” documentary. The 45-minute film tells the story of the Rocket’s history and the restoration process that brought it back to its current condition. Community members can be among the first to see the film at its premiere on Saturday, April 14, at 5 PM at Monkey Park. Prior to the event, Opelika Parks and Recreation will give free train rides to the public from 3 - 4:45. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to City Hall. The film was written, photographed, and edited by Rex Roach and narrated by Bob Howell. It outlines the history of the Rocky Brook Rocket miniature train as well as a brief history of the City of Opelika and why it is called a “railroad town”. 334.705.5567

Trolling: An Evening with George Hardy

Auburn Parks and Recreation and the Davis Arboretum are back again, on April 13, with Trolling: an Evening with George Hardy. Released in 1990, “Troll 2” was the completely unrelated sequel to “Troll” (1986). There are no trolls, only goblins...goblins who want to gobble up the unsuspecting family who happens to sign up for a house swap in the town of Nilbog. The film has achieved unprecedented fame as the best worst movie of all-time and, at one time, held a 0% rating on the film-rating website Rotten Tomatoes. Over the years, the movie has developed a cult following and inspired a documentary entitled “Best Worst Movie.” Join the Davis Arboretum and Auburn Parks and Recreation as we host Dr. George Hardy – a 1977 Auburn graduate and native resident of Alexander City, Alabama, actor, dentist and cast member of “Troll 2” – as he discusses his experiences working on the film, subsequent fame and everything in between, and then stick around for screenings of “Troll 2” and “Best Worst Movie.” Additionally, this event has been designated an Alabama Bicentennial event, as we “Honor Our People” in the year of 2018. This event is free and open to the public. Dr. Hardy will provide a brief introduction at 6 PM, with “Best Worst Movie” beginning at 6:30 PM. There will be a Q&A session following the movie from 8:15 – 9 PM and “Troll 2” will begin at 9 PM. (334) 501-2948.

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Getting to Know Your Child’s Friends As children get older, they become more independent and develop more relationships outside of the home. These relationships are very important to your child and they can reveal key information about your child. Many times a child’s friendships significantly influence his/her decision making. Also, a child’s choice of friends reflects their likes and dislikes therefore getting to know their friends may help you find out important details about your child. This can lead to stronger bonding between you and your child. There are numerous ways to build relationship with your child and his/ her friends. When his/her friends call, you can spend a few minutes talking to them and getting to know them. You can make an effort to meet them at the onset of a playdate/event. Also, you can ask them what they like to do with your child to learn what types of activities your child and his/her friends engage in. Another way that you can get to know your child’s friends better is to communicate an open door policy to your child.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Create a warm, inviting atmosphere for your child and his/her companions to help encourage them to spend time at your home instead of outside of the home. Children will stay where they feel safe and comfortable, but also where they have a certain degree of autonomy in decision-making. If they do decide to spend time together elsewhere, ensure that an adult will be present. Also, ask what they plan to do and with whom. In addition, it is always important to discuss and review what things are important to you. Some examples would be to never play with guns, what are appropriate things to watch on television or what video games are appropriate to play, to stay away from alcohol or other drugs, etc. It is also possible to learn more about your child’s friends by getting to know his/ her parents. Establishing a relationship with them leads to an open line of communication regarding the activities your child will be engaging in and what type of

environment they will be in. This will also give you a chance to voice your guidelines and expectations regarding time spent together with friends and can help build trust among you and the friend’s parents. While it can be challenging to navigate the dynamics of your child developing relationships outside of the home, it is also an exciting time for them and gives you a chance to see their personality blossom. Part of helping them cultivate those friendships is to actively participate in their interactions and to make your child’s friends feel valued and appreciated. Communication with your child’s friends and their parents is key to continuing to nurture your child and to foster good choices in friendships for years to come. (Source: Getting to Know Your Child’s Friends: Tips for Parents, www.healthychildren.org)

Dr. Katie Wolter is board certified in Pediatrics and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Lee County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, and the American Medical Association. She is passionate about breastfeeding medicine and is currently working on becoming an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). She is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Dr. Wolter is married to her husband, Jeremy, and has four sons. She loves to spend her free time outdoors with her family and friends.

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Autauga County Schools

OCS Board Honors Carly Parker

Opelika City Schools honored the family of Carly Parker with a resolution at the February Board Meeting. She passed away in December 2017. Carly was an outstanding student who was very involved with her school. While at OHS she served as "Lika" the OHS mascot, a part of FFA for 4 years, and created beautiful artwork that won at the local and state level. Carly was a beloved student to all that met her.

Kindness Tree at Southview Primary

Southview Primary School students created a Kindness Tree by doing random acts of kindness at home and in the community during the month of February.

K.I.S.S. Day at Wrights Mill Road

Wrights Mill Road hosted hundreds of special guests for Kids Invite Someone Special days in February. Each grade level had their own day to invite special parents, friends, and neighbors for lunch and book fair shopping. We always love spending time with our WMR family!

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Auburn HS Mountain Biking Wins First Place at Feud at the Furnace

Congratulations to AHS Mountain Biking! They won first place in their first race of the year, The Feud at the Furnace! GO AHS! AHS's Will Goodling and Aeden Bird shared the trophy with our Dr. Shannon Pignato!

Teachers Get Training in Virtual Reality Exploration

Check out some of our ACS folks participating in professional development for â&#x20AC;&#x153;Virtual Reality Explorationâ&#x20AC;? with teachers at Opelika Middle School. From the tip top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean floor and even the far regions of outer space , imagine being able to take field trips anywhere and everywhere without having to even leave the classroom!

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

East Samford Rehearses with World-Renowned Conductor

Max Harden and Connor Hawthorne, East Samford Choir students, with world renowned composer and conductor Dr. David L. Brunner, are pictured in rehearsal for the Alabama All-State Choir performance at Samford University!

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Richland Celebrates Black History

Here is look at the second annual Black History Program at Richland Elementary! A special thank you to Alabama State University's Dr. Cordelia Anderson for sharing her talent as an opera singer and to RES music teacher, Mr. Joseph Rowser, for putting the program together for students, staff and parents.

Auburn Basketball Player Speaks to Drake Breakfast Club

A special thanks to @auburnmbb forward Anfernee McLemore for inspiring and challenging the Drake Middle School Breakfast Club students! We can all take that next small step toward personal improvement as we set and work toward goals. Thank you for serving and inspiring us all!

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Leaders on Tour

The 2017-2018 Leadership Lee County class spent the day on Auburn High’s campus learning all about public education in our area including culinary arts, televisionproduction, athletics, academics, graphic design, photography, JROTC, health sciences, and so on. Thank you to the superintendents from Lee County, Opelika and Auburn for joining us for the Q&A panel as well as Becky Alexander from the Eagle Center for Leadership for leading the “Make a Difference” seminar.

The Oaks

TAKE YOUR SWING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

SCHOOL

Grand National is offering golf clinics this summer for junior golfers, ages 7-17, taught by PGA Certified pros. The clinics will be held in four, Monday–Thursday sessions from 8:30-11:30 a.m. SESSION 1: June 11-14 · SESSION 2: June 25-28 SESSION 3: July 9-12 · SESSION 4: July 23-26 $100 PER SESSION Lunch and a free Par 3 round are included each day.

Now Enrolling

» FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, CALL 334.749.9042. «

The Oaks School is a new Pre-K through 10th grade church school coming to the Auburn-Opelika area in the Fall of 2018. The Oaks School will offer a four day school week with strong academics, spiritually dynamic chapel services, limited homework, and an encouraging family atmosphere that empowers students to become creative, high-impact leaders.

THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT GRAND NATIONAL

TheOaksSchool.org 334-887-9947

3000 Robert Trent Jones Trail · Opelika, AL 36801 facebook.com/rtjgrandnational · rtjgolf.com

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Autauga County Schools

Third Graders Visit Auburn University Engineering Department

The third grade classes had a great day on the campus of Auburn University as guests of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering! They explored the engineering department and visited the Lego Lab. Thanks for hosting our students and giving them this unique learning experience!

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Pick Elementary Performs “The Lion King Kids”

Pick Elementary has transformed their multipurpose room into the Pride Lands of the African Savannah with students putting on performances of Disney's “The Lion King Kids” this week! From young Simba's impatient desire to be King, to "Hakuna Matata" with Timon and Pumbaa, and the closing number of "The Circle of Life,” this production is a crowd-pleaser from start to finish! A special thank you to Mr. Caleb Doster (director and PES music teacher), the hard working PES staff members, the PES Parent-Teacher Organization, and the countless community partners that made this show possible.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Auburn HS Golfer Places 1st at Yellow Jacket Invitational

The Auburn High Girls Golf Team came in first place at the Yellow Jacket Invitational at the Silverlakes Robert Trent Jones course! There were 21 schools competing with more than 90 golfers and AHS's Elisabeth Preus won first place overall after shooting two under par!

www.ChildrensAL.org/concussion

2018 SGA Officers

Congratulations to those students chosen to serve as SGA Officers for the 2018-19 school year: Senior High SGA Officers President: Garland Grace Welsh; Vice President: Jessica Ethridge; Secretary: Mary Kathryn Lamb; Treasurer: Riley Faison. Junior High SGA Officers President: Maddie Burdette; Vice President: Jackson Welsh; Secretary: Emma Curry; Treasurer: Sumner Lane. We are so proud of these students!

KNOW what to do in case of suspected concussion

A concussion is an injury caused by a blow to the head in which the brain moves rapidly and may collide with the inside of the skull. Even a minor fall or collision may be of concern, so be alert to symptoms such as headaches, unsteadiness, confusion or other types of abnormal behavior. Any athlete with a suspected concussion: n.....Should be IMMEDIATELY

REMOVED FROM PLAY/ACTIVITY n.....Should be evaluated right away

SPORTS MEDICINE

by a doctor/healthcare professional n.... Should not be left alone n.....Should not drive a motor vehicle

SPORTS MEDICINE

For a Concussion Clinic appointment, call 205.934.1041 In case of medical emergency, call 911 or go directly to your local ER SPORTS MEDICINE

SPORTS MEDICINE

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Autauga County Schools

OHS Senior Football Banquet

Congratulations to Jamias Presley for being named the recipient of the Mike Spain Award and to the Captains: Hank Brown, Jordan Stevenson, Keyshawn Dowdell, and Jamias Presley. Academic Athlete Awards were presented to: Melvin Billingsley, Hank Brown, Keyshawn Dowdell, Taylor Jones, Bruce King, Turner Powers, Jamias Presley, and Justin Whitlow. OHS is proud of this Senior Class and what they have accomplished on and off the football field. This class finished with an overall record of 54-9-2 (7-12th grade).

Learning is Always Sweet at WMR!

Wrights Mill Road students in 4th grade created unique Valentine boxes that integrated math and lots of sweet treats. Students paraded their beautiful boxes and practiced their measurement skills to find the perimeter and area of their creation.

Wrights Mill Road Teacher Named Class Act Teacher

Wrights Mill Road is so proud of Mrs. Laura Collard, who was named the WSFA Class Act Teacher Award winner. The WSFA news crew visited her classroom to do a special video presentation and present her with a plaque. Mrs. Collard has been teaching 18 years and believes that relationships between teachers, students, and parents are a key to success. Congratulations, Mrs. Collard. WMR loves you!

Our Opelika location is now enrolling! Our children enjoy a curriculum focusing on language development that includes the study of math, science, social studies, phonics, sign language, art, music, self-help skills, emotional growth and character. Ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Video Security â&#x20AC;˘ Healthy Meals Character Education â&#x20AC;˘ Summer Camp Low Child:Teacher Ratios Growing Room Auburn - 334-501-2044 644 North Dean Road Auburn, AL 36830 Growing Room Opelika - 334-748-9020 1755 Thomason Drive Opelika, AL 36801

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Lee-Scott Varsity Baseball Wins Championship!

Congratulations to the varsity baseball team for going undefeated in the annual Border Wars Tournament! Landon Nutter pitched a complete game with no errors to win the championship. Way to go!

Dentist Visits St. Michael Kindergartners

Dr. Greenleaf came to visit St. Michael Catholic Preschool and Kindergarten. We learned about why it is important to take care of our teeth and even were able to practice brushing on his monkey!

St. Michael Catholic School Teacher Feature

This month’s Classroom Teacher Feature is Miss Lauren Lindsey. She graduated from Auburn University in May 2017, and has almost completed her first year of teaching with SMCP&K. Miss Lindsey loves teaching kindergarten, and her favorite subject is science. She plans fun experiments and investigations with the students. Pictured here are Miss Lindsey and her class celebrating “Read Across America” and “Dr. Seuss’s Birthday.”

2018 AUBURN CITY POOLS

SUMMER AQUATICS PROGRAMS

Aqua Zumba Learn to Dive Swim Lessons Swim Team Scuba Diving Water Aerobics more information at auburnalabama.org/aquatics

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Autauga County Schools

OHS Culinary Students Place 2nd in Jr. Chef Competition

Yarbrough Elementary Field Trip

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Opelika High School culinary students placed 2nd in the first annual Jr. Chef Competition hosted by the school program staff at the Alabama Department of Education Child Nutrition Program. Each of the four competing students won a $10,000 scholarship to Sullivan University. Pictured (l-r): Chef Judy Eldred-OHS Culinary Instructor, Marquavious Green, Takia Reid, Maleah Upshaw, and Creston Canady.

Yarbrough Elementary third graders are enjoying their field trip to the Raptor Center!

Miss BES Pageant Winners

On February 10, 71 young ladies competed in the Miss BES Pageant sponsored by Beulah Elementary School. 2018 Miss BES: The 2018 Miss BES is Brynn Pike. She is the daughter of Jon & Ashley Edmondson and Matthew & Shandi Pike. 2018 Miss BES Ambassador: Selling over 300 sponsorship tickets, Peyton Harris was named 2018 Miss BES Ambassador. She is the daughter of David Harris and Eddie & Paige Windsor. 2018 Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice: Receiving the highest number of crowd votes, Candice Kite was named 2018 Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice. She is the daughter of Jeff & Norma Kite. 2018 Tiny Miss BES (photo, left center): 2nd Runner-up is Skylar Andrews. She is the daughter of Shane & Brittany Andrews. Tiny Miss BES is Aubrie Lazenby. She is the daughter of Drew Lazenby and Jarrod & Ashley Holmes. 1st Runner-up is Maylie Kelley. She is the daughter of David & Lacie Kelley. 2018 Petite Miss BES (photo, left bottom): 1st Runner-up is Gracelyn Blanton. She is the daughter of Jacob & Jessica Blanton. Petite Miss BES is Kacy Harper. She is the daughter of Quinton & Fetula Harper. 2nd Runner-up is Isabella Gardner. She is the daughter of Richard & Tiffany Gardner. 2018 Young Miss BES (photo, bottom center): 2nd Runner up is Danika Taylor. She is the daughter of Steve & Janice Kelly. Young Miss BES is Halayna Sykes. She is the daughter of Billy & Ashley Sykes. 1st Runner-up is Ashlynn Taylor. She is the daughter of Steve & Janice Kelly. 2018 Preteen Miss BES (photo, bottom right): 1st Runner-up is Kalli Taylor. She is the daughter of Steve & Janice Kelly. Preteen Miss BES is Ashlynne Sluder. She is the daughter of Kevin & Brandi Sluder. 2nd Runner-up is Clara Burke. She is the daughter of Lee & Julie Burke.

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Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Science and Engineering Fair Winners

Best in Fair Junior Division winners at the Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair: First Place - Arnav Srivastava (7th Grade ESS), and Second Place - Grace Greer (8th Grade AJHS) and Mary Lou Ewald COSAM Outreach Director.

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OHS Students Win at HOSA Leadership Conference

334.705.8655

Congratulations to Opelika High School HOSA students Katie Epperson, Tiffany Boutdy, Sara Hollis Smith T, and Lydia King! Katie Epperson placed first in Dental Science and the team of Boutdy, Smith T, and King placed second in the HOSA Bowl at the

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Alabama HOSA Leadership Conference. Next stop for these winners is Dallas, Texas to compete at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in June! Pictured together: Sara Hollis Smith T, Lydia King, and Tiffany Boutdy. Single photo: Katie Epperson. 17

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Autauga County Schools

OHS Lady Dawgs Compete in Final Four

Congratulations to the Opelika High School Lady Dawgs basketball team for competing in the Final Four in Birmingham!

Please send school news to: Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

National Technical Honor Society Inductions at AHS

More than 140 Auburn High Students were inducted into the National Technical Honor Society! The students are a part of the Career Tech Education programs at AHS including areas of specialty including advertising/graphic design, JROTC, Machining, Health Sciences, Finance, Aquaculture, Dietetics, Mass Media, etc. The seven attributes these students possess are skills, honesty, service, responsibility, scholarship, citizenship and leadership.

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Local Student Wins $10,000 Scholarship

The winner of the 2018 Debbie Rice Memorial Scholarship is Luke William Gregson of Auburn! The Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology (ALET), a professional association made up of those who lead and support technology in Alabama schools, awards the $10,000 college scholarship each spring. The scholarship is named for the late Debbie Rice, a longtime leader in the organization who served as the Technology Director for Auburn City Schools until 2014. Luke is the son of Craig and Lori Gregson of Auburn. He graduated from Auburn High School in December 2017 and is now enrolled in Southern Union State Community College. His long term- plan is to complete a Bachelors of Science Degree in Forestry at Auburn University. This year ALET received 130 applications for the scholarship. The applications are evaluated by a panel of six judges who work in various professions and who are not members of ALET. Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s application stood out due to his strong academic performance and his long record of community service. A member of the Boy Scouts since 11, Luke achieved the rank of Eagle Scout just 4 years later. His Eagle Scout project involved planning an outdoor classroom for Pick Elementary School and then building it with the help of fellow scouts. In addition to working at the local food bank and helping to build wheelchair ramps at a home for senior citizens, Luke traveled to Baton Rouge, LA and Jacksonville, FL to help those affected by recent hurricanes and floods. Luke graduated from Auburn High School early, while also earning a Career Technical endorsement for AgriScience.

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D i s T i n c T i v e s

Comprehensive Trinity offers a complete K â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 classical, Christian education, including many enriching activities such as sports, band, choral ensemble, performing arts,

Morris Avenue Spelling Bee Winner

and various student organizations.

Congratulations to Morris Avenue Intermediate School's Spelling Bee Winner! His winning word was 'marmalade'. He went on to place in the top ten for Lee County.

A Classical and Christian Academy 745-2464

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Autauga County Schools

Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair Participants

The following Auburn City School students competed at the Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF). Grade 6: Thermodynamic Insulation Box, Sara John - Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Mathematics (Junior Division). Grade 7: Lipid Digestion: Does the volume of Lipase enzyme affect the rate of lipid hydrolysis?, Arnav Srivastava - Medicine and Health Sciences (Junior Division). Grade 7: The Most Effective Way to Kill Meat Bacteria, Naeim Mahjouri - Medicine and Health Sciences (Junior Division). Grade 7: Behavioral Factors of White and African American Elementary School Children Increases Childhood Obesity, Shivani Babu - Medicine and Health Sciences (Junior Division). Grade 9: Energy Harvesting from Radio Waves, Ashraf Mansour - Earth and Environmental (Senior Division). Grade 9: Can Pistachio Shells Be Used to Improve Composite Strength?, Benjamin Davis - Physics and Astronomy (Senior Division). Grade 9: Biomechanical Effect of 3d Printed Passive-Elastic Knee Brace During Gait Cycle, Brayden Noh - Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics (Senior Division). Grade 8: Three Factors Affecting the Voltage, Grace Greer Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Mathematics (Junior Division). Grade 9: Efficiency of Different Metal Oxides at Blocking Out UV Rays in Sunscreen, Jaeyoung Lee - Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Materials Science (Senior Division). Grade 8: Track Attack, Sydney Hamilton - Engineering, Computer Sciences, and Mathematics (Junior Division). Grade 10: Noise Insulation Offered by Porous and Semi Porous Materials, Nikitha Sridhar - Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Materials Science (Senior Division). Grade 10: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria as Antibiotics/Antifungals for Phytopathogens, Sejal Srivastava - Animal and Plant Sciences (Senior Division). Grade 11: The Effect of Sleep on Academic Performance in High School Juniors, Amy Fan - Behavioral and Social Sciences (Senior Division). Grade 11: The effect of elderly’s auditory capabilities on their psychological, social, and qualities of life. Anuraag Patel - Behavioral and Social Sciences. Grade 11: Egg Shell Derived Calcium Carbonate for the Formulation of Mouth-Dissolving Tablets, Hariteja Ramapuram - Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Materials Science (Senior Division). Grade 11: Predicting Molecular Energy Using a Novel Deep Neural Network Approach, Jane Fan - Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics (Senior Division). Grade 11: Silver Nanoparticle-Based Active Packaging for Foods, Janna Oh - Cellular, Molecular Biology, Microbiology (Senior Division). Grade 11: Influence of pH on Ice Nucleation Activity of Plant Associated Bacteria, Jiho Lee and Suma Ejantkar - Animal and Plant Sciences (Senior Division). Grade 11: Development of Innovative Strategies to Protect the Aquatic Environment from Household Plastic Microfibers, Noel Lange - Earth and Environmental (Senior Division).

Auburn’s Largest FREE Outdoor Festival!

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FeAturing: the mediCine tAil SingerS, the georgiA iriSh FriSbee dogS, And lew-e the Clown pluS: Over 100 Art Exhibitors, Children’s Activities, Musical Entertainment, Great Food & More!

SAtuRdAy, April 28, 2018

Community SponSor

9am – 4pm • Kiesel Park • Auburn, Alabama

Come Rain or Shine! Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Random Acts of Kindness at Dean Road Elementary

Northside Intermediate Leadership Live Museum

Students at Northside Intermediate School presented information on historical figures and the "Seven Habits" during the Leadership Live Museum. Presentations were made during the school day to classmates and in the evening to parents and friends.

Students at Dean Road learned from Dr. Suess' Horton the Elephant and completed their own Random Acts of Kindness!

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Science Olympiad

Congratulations to our PES Science Olympiad Teams for their outstanding performances! We are so proud of you! A big shout out to team #25 for placing 3rd overall! We had so many students who placed in their individual events! This took weeks of practice, hard work and dedication to your team! Thank you for representing PES as LEADERS!

DRAWING, PAINTING, SCULPTURE, PRINTMAKING, AND MORE!

SUMMER ART CAMP *Rising 1st Graders & up *M – F 9am to 12pm *Students will complete 4 works of art. *Tuition includes all supplies and a snack. The Art Studio provides high quality art instruction taught by experienced artists and educators. We value collaboration, creativity, and community in order to provide the highest quality learning en environment. We oﬀer camps, classes, and workshops in a variety mediums and techniques.

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Autauga County Schools

AHS Students Participates in Youth Legislature

Morris Avenue Intermediate Reading Pep Rally

Andi Hawthorne (Andrea), participated in the YMCA Alabama Youth Legislature in Montgomery at the Alabama State House representing Auburn High School! Hawthorne met students and faculty sponsors from all over Alabama and spoke in the Senate Chambers on several bills while also hearing from politicians such as Doug Jones, Senator Gerald Dial and Chief Justice Lyn Stuart. This was a great learning experience for Andi as a member of the AHS Debate Team and Debate Team Secretary.

Students at Morris Avenue Intermediate School participated in a reading pep rally to celebrate Read Across America Week. Winners of the 100+ Accelerated reader contest (pictured) were recognized and the Auburn Cheerleaders and Tiger Paws came to the event as well.

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

Yarbrough Wax Museum

Lee-Scott All-State Choir Nominees

Congratulations to Jessie Lien, Lauren Smith, and Olivia Wilbanks who were selected to attend the Alabama Music Educatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association (AMEA) All-State Choir!

Take a trip into the past with Yarbrough Elementary's Wax Museum of famous folks from Alabama! Pictured is Emmylou Harris! Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Opelika HS Gets New Head Football Coach

Congratulations to the new Opelika High School head football coach, Erik Speakman! Go Dawgs! 22

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AHS Debaters Place in Statewide Speech and Debate Tournament

Cade McGlynn and Carter Crum placed third overall with Gabe Atkinson and Yousra Omer placing in the quarter finals and Jake Evans placing in the semi-finals of the Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate during the Statewide Speech and Debate Tournament at Auburn High School! AHS played host to more than 350 competitors from 29 different schools over a two-day period. During the Statewide Debate Tournament at Auburn High, John Pace won second place in the Sons of the American Revolution State Level Oratory Contest, which comes with the prize of a $750 scholarship!

Auburn High School Students Earn FEMA Certificates

Students in AHS's Mr. Anthony Caldwell's Health Science classes proudly show their FEMA Incident Command System 100 and Incident Command System 700 certificates! These classes are required for all public servants in the United States and in order for any department or agency to qualify for federal grant funding, all employees must successfully complete these courses. These Emergency Services students are now ahead of the game!

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Lee-Scott Warrior of the Week

Congratulations to Jordan Tucker, upper school "Warrior of the Week!" Students are nominated throughout the week by teachers for noticeably exceptional behavior. All students nominated are recognized during the Friday morning announcements, and all nominees are entered into a drawing to be selected as the "Warrior of the Week!" Way to go, Jordan!

Autauga County Schools Feeding Auburnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Students

Auburn City Schools Child Nutrition recently hosted the District VII meeting for the Alabama School Nutrition Association. Auburn High's very own Jessica Baeder, Miss America's Outstanding Teen, shared her experiences in working with hunger in Alabama. It is always a good day of learning when CNP staff are together from our regional area to support each other in feeding kids in Alabama!

Yarbrough Elementary Special Olympians

Yarbrough Elementary Schoolâ&#x20AC;Ś We are so proud of our Special Olympians! They had a blast bowling!

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Lee-Scott Warrior of the Week

Congratulations to Maddie Singleton who was recently named Lee-Scott lower school "Warrior of the Week!" Students are nominated throughout the week by teachers for noticeably exceptional behavior. All students nominated are recognized during the Friday morning announcements, and all nominees are entered into a drawing to be selected as the "Warrior of the Week!" Way to go, Maddie!

Golfers Place 1st and 2nd at Smiths Station Invitational

Players from the varsity and junior varsity golf team competed in the Smiths Station Invitational on March 8 at Lakewood Golf Course in Phenix City. Varsity placed 2nd and Junior Varsity finished 1st!

Dean Road First Graders Take Field Trip to Montgomery

Dean Road Elementary first graders enjoyed a Field Trip to the Scientific Circus and the Montgomery Riverwalk!

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Autauga County Schools

Mr. and Miss CA (Chambers Academy)

Board of Education Honors Katy Parrent Leonard

The Opelika City Schools Board of Education honored Katy Parrent Leonard at the February meeting. Mrs. Leonard has served on the BOE since 2005 and retired this month. Thank you, Katy Parrent Leonard, for your dedicated service to our schools and to the children of Opelika!

Blake Sheppard and Tori Harmon were recently selected by the faculty and students of Chambers Academy to be this year’s Mr. and Miss CA. This honor recognizes two top seniors to represent the values that Chambers Academy was built upon. Congratulations Tori and Blake!

Cary Woods Gets Additions to Playground

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Cary Woods Elementary students are excited about the new additions to their playground! Thank you to the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) fundraising that made this a reality.

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

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Holidays in Auburn just mean more at The Hotel at Auburn University Easter Brunch April 1

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Mother’s Day Brunch May 13

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FACES Awards 70 Grants to Auburn Schools

The Foundation for Auburn's Continuing Enrichment in Schools awarded 70 grants within Auburn City Schools! The highest scoring grant was presented to Auburn High's Dr. Blake Busbin, who was named the Carol Pittard Award winner for his grant "Land of Freedom: The Civil Rights Movement in East Alabama" and the Dianne Wilson Award was presented to Auburn High's Dr. Betty Schiffer, Julie Wentworth, Lauren Ozment, Julie Echols, and Jessica Meade for their grant "Tiger Mochas Squared." FACES is a group of community citizens and business partners who have joined together to support and enhance the educational program of all Auburn City Students. The mission of FACES is to promote innovative opportunities that enrich the educational experiences of students in Auburn City Schools. The Foundation provides funding of mini-grants, up to $600, to teachers promoting classroom enrichment through creative programs. These programs encourage and recognize outstanding classroom teaching through its Awards of Excellence program. The Foundation is administered by a board of 16 Auburn community volunteers and is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.

East Samford Student to Participate in State Geography Bee Competition East Samford's Saylor Jordan qualified for the state-level competition of the National Geographic Bee. The Alabama State Bee will be held next month at Samford University.

Ogletree Wins First Place at Science Olympiad Regional Science Olympiad at Auburn University Ogletree won first place!

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Autauga County Schools

Read Across America at Carver Primary

Read Across America at Jeter Primary School

Ms. T. Williams and reader Captain Corey Welch!

Students at Jeter Primary School showed off their favorite Dr. Seuss book during Read Across America Week.

Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.

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Celebrating Suess’ Birthday at Cary Woods In honor of Dr. Suess on his birthday, students at Cary Woods Elementary dressed up as their favorite book characters! Porter Sumner, in Ms. Milner’s 2nd grade class, is ‘hoppy’ about the day’s celebration, which featured a Storybook Character Parade, crazy sock day, hat day and reading café.

Read Across America at Southview Primary School

Read Across America at LeeScott

Lee-Scott Academy celebrated “Read Across America” week in the lower school with dress-up days, fun lessons using Dr. Seuss books, and special times to read!

The students at Southview Primary School enjoyed having Mrs. Gayle Holladay read to them during Read Across America Week.

Read Across America at West Forest

West Forest Intermediate students enjoyed having guest readers during Read Across America Week!

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C’mon Kids! Let’s Get a Move On

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

In the age of handheld devices, it’s getting harder and harder to pull youth away from their screens. While the electronic landscape is a wonderland of entertainment, encouraging active engagement through active play is equally important to kids’ physical and emotional growth. Finding the right toys and resources that generate enthusiasm and energy are key to getting children and teens off the couch and into physical recreation. From products that inspire freeform creative movement to toys that offer directed challenges, the following recommendations are perfect picks for encouraging kids to get a move on.

by Gerry Paige Smith

Capture the Flag Redux

Little Tikes Pogo It (Little Tikes)

The ultimate combination of athletics and electronic gaming, Little Tikes Pogo It brings kids off the couch and into a full body experience. Beginners use balance and physical energy to keep the music playing as they jump, twist, bounce or turn on the ball platform. When the movement stops, the game resets for new challenges. Once kids master the basics, the ball platform flips over for a different kind of game play. Following the Pogo’s voice commands, the player must jump in specific directions to score points. Improved coordination, better balance, and muscle development are added benefits that come with this physically engaging play resource. Little Tikes Pogo It is an outstanding toy for both the child who needs more activity as well as the kid who need to burn off their extra energy.

Adding a whole new level of energy to a familiar team activity, Capture the Flag Redux introduces an illuminating option for this competitive game play. The kit includes glowing components (lighted orbs, jail markers, LED bracelets) that amp up the challenge between groups scrambling for victory on field. With updated instructions and alternative games, the lighted elements create an extra layer of excitement as players pursue lights through the darkness. The shadows of a community greenspace, a front yard at dusk or a dim gymnasium transform into a proving ground for kids as they seek out the opposition’s glowing targets. Combining the best of tag, ‘keep away’ and a high-octane Easter egg hunt, Capture the Flag Redux is a shining addition to the game shelf for exciting neighborhood play and team-building at group events.

SoundMoovz Musical Bands

All Surface Pro Swingball

Moving to the music is one thing. Turning movement into music is another experience entirely and an exciting next step for active listeners. Through a pair of matched bands (worn on wrists or ankles), Soundmoovz translates movement into music and special effects sounds. Using Bluetooth technology the wearer can generate over 400 sounds through their motions and gestures. Various modes like Musical, Instrumental, Robot and Karate help direct the theme of the soundscapes. Their physical compositions can be broadcast to speakers expanding the audience for each original performance. It’s the ultimate demonstration of creative energy expressed as sound. Ideal for the kid who moves to their own beat, SoundMoovz turns motion into music and opens an audible world of active possibilities!

Creating a nexus that joins tennis, racquetball, and tetherball, All Surface Pro Swingball offers dynamic game play with new energetic challenges. Using checker bats to strike a tennissized ball tethered to a steel pole, players cultivate their aim, strength and strategy as they work on their swing. The smaller ball target and added racquet challenge encourage stronger hand-eye coordination and motor skills. With a pole base that’s stabilized with water or sand, the swingball set is easily erected on surfaces ranging from grass to pavement. It’s also handily disassembled and portable in the included case for picnics, playdates and parties. Challenging fun for both solo and paired players, All Surface Pro Swingball puts a fresh spin on a beloved playground favorite.

(Capture the Flag Redux)

(Swingball)

(Cra-Z-Art)

Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com

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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston

Parents of Teens Must Adapt Trying to understand how to help your teen in a world that is constantly changing is like trying to hit a target that constantly moves. Just when your aim is right on target, things change — your kids change. Parents are often bewildered when trying to keep up with the always-changing world of teens. It’s like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hydrant, or holding a fistful of sand. Knowing how to set the right standards and enforce the right discipline can be overwhelming, and may seem impossible. The key to success in this arena lies in learning to adapt your parenting style to be more fluid, more accessible. As your child develops into a teen, you no longer have the luxury of making demands and expecting things to remain the same. Whether you like it or not, things change, and you must be able to understand and move with the culture, and set appropriate boundaries. I’m not saying you should stop caring about your family rules and beliefs. What I am saying is that how you enforce the rules must change. Otherwise, your child will be unprepared to cope with a culture that is constantly changing. They won’t develop healthy relationships. They will remain immature and irresponsible, because all of the decisions have always been made for them.

Change The Boundaries

Adapting your style must include learning how to set appropriate boundaries for their newly acquired behaviors, and giving them the choice for the direction they need to go. A good example of how this works comes from the time I spend training horses. When I put a fence around a horse, I am setting up boundaries. The horse can go anywhere it likes within those fences. If a problem develops, I move the Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

fences in a bit, and reinforce the boundaries. The same can be true with your teen. Set boundaries, and allow your teen to choose his direction within those boundaries. If a problem develops, or things change, move the boundaries in. Examine their world, and put some thought into what needs to be done. Kids today often engage with one another without really interacting or developing any kind of real relationships. The lack of interaction doesn’t help them hone their maturity or grow in their social skills. It’s your job to help them grow. So set the boundaries that help them do more than just engage with others – they need to learn how to interact. Let them choose the direction they want to go. Allow them to experience the consequences of choosing poorly. Help them to see that poor choices and crossing healthy boundaries will take their relationships in directions they don’t want to go, and choosing well will help them build good relationships.

Change Your Aim

Changing your parenting style for the teen years means you change your focus from punishment and discipline to training and character building. The focus of the boundaries you set should become more about obedience, respect, and honesty, which are the top three qualities necessary to build relationships. Respect, more than anything else, allows all others to fall into their proper place. Conversely, disobedience, disrespect, and dishonesty destroy relationships, and need to be addressed when they appear also. Dishonesty, more than anything else, destroys trust in relationships. Hold your teen responsible for the direction they choose, and cause them to own it. They will make some mistakes, but that’s alright. If they lay the blame on you, however, remember to put the responsibil32

ity clearly back on them. Tell them, “This is not about me, or my mistakes, this is about you. I will never be a perfect parent, but if you don’t change things, this will hurt you in your relationships in the future.”

Change Your Attitudes

Changing your style of parenting teens in order to meet the demands of today’s world also means that you refocus your own attitudes and behavior as well: • Move from lecturing to discussing. • Move from entertaining to experiencing something together. • Move from demanding everything, to asking them their ideas about everything. • Move from seeking justice to giving grace. • Move from seeing everything that’s wrong and finding more of what’s right. • Move from spending time always telling them to more time listening. • Move from giving your opinion to waiting until you are asked. It is difficult for teens today to grow up and move on. They tend to like their immaturity, and don’t feel the need to grow in their responsibilities. Teaching them to grow and own their attitudes and choices is one of the most important character qualities we can help them develop. So, don’t just tell them they need to be responsible, or that they need to be mature. Instead, carefully identify what is going on in their world, and begin to set out boundaries that give them responsibility and cause them to act upon them. And when the next new thing comes along, learn to adjust the boundaries in ways that help them continue to recognize their need to be mature, responsible, and own up to the consequences of their choices. Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.

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Keep Your Money in Your Own Pocket Q. I just filed taxes, and it looks like I’ll get a pretty big refund this year. A friend of mine told me I should adjust my withholding, so I don’t get a refund. This seems pretty dumb to me. Why would I change my withholdings when I’m getting money back? A. The only reason you’re getting a refund is because you had too much taken out of your paychecks in 2017. Let’s say your refund is $3,500. Basically, you loaned the government $3,500 of your own money, interest-free. A refund isn’t a gift or reward, James. It’s your own cash that you get back because you paid in too much during the previous year. In

your case, that adds up to almost $300 a month! Instead of loaning the government money that you worked hard to earn, wouldn’t it be better to keep it in your pocket?

Debt and Income Crisis Q. I received a call the other day from a company saying it could negotiate the balance on my credit cards to a lesser amount. The caller also said they could get me a zero-percent interest rate until the debts were paid off, and then the accounts would be closed. I’m kind of starting over again financially, because I sold a company I had run for almost 15 years, then got into real estate and lost almost everything. I’m making just enough to squeeze by, and my credit card debt totals $40,000. Would this be a good idea? A. No, this is not a good idea. You’re looking at two major problems with a company

such as this one. One, they will absolutely destroy whatever credit you may have. Their plan is to take your cash, and spend some time beating down the credit card companies until they agree to accept a lesser amount. Then, they use your cash to settle loans you will have — by that time — defaulted on. This will put you in a situation very similar to if you had filed Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Stay away from these people. You have an income crisis, in addition to a debt crisis, at this point. For starters, I want you to start living on a tight, written, monthly budget. I’m talking rice and beans, no vacations, and no eating out until you pay off this debt. Where your income is concerned, maybe you should consider getting back into the kind of business you ran previously for a while. Look for a managerial or supervisory position in that area, at least until you’re able to get back on your feet and save some cash. Finally, cut up the credit cards, close the accounts, and put as much money as you can spare toward paying off that debt using the debt snowball system. Never go back into debt again!

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Teaching our kids to have goals, do their best, and leverage personal momentum to succeed are all good ideas. However, there is a difference between supporting a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts to reach goals and taking control of the results we deem the best possible outcomes. Parents who habitually steamroll their kids rob them of personal experience on multiple levels. When parents over-step, kids can lose their point of view, their self-esteem may go down, they may feel confused, anxious or depressed, and may focus too much on pleasing parents instead of honoring their own desires.

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Don’t let your children miss out on opportunities to learn from their own life experiences. Healthy kids are not confused about who they are and what they want. In fact, a lack of assertiveness and self-expression in children may be a signal to parents that they push too much and may need to back off and give kids a chance to assert themselves. If you tend to push too much, what are you so afraid of? If you are afraid your kids will set goals differently than you, don’t worry. This is the way it should be! Insecurity and poor boundaries are two reasons parents take over their children’s goals and make them their own. So what’s a well-meaning parent with some teeny-weeny control issues to do? Plenty. You can foster healthier relationships with yourself, with your child, and with other family members, so each person in your family can focus on setting and achieving goals without interference. Then, when each of you inevitably succeeds, you will all have something to genuinely celebrate. Here are 10 ways to detach from your kids’ goals.

1. Accept.

Your kids are unfolding individuals-in-process and you are a unique person-in-process, as well. People are stories. We have beginnings, middles, and ends. As long as we are here, our story is still in progress. Sometimes progress is messy, and we are never done growing, until we are done living. So if we can allow each other to be unique works in progress, we don’t have to put quite so much pressure on ourselves to achieve everything right this very minute.

2. Distinguish.

You are not your child and your child is not you. So maybe it’s time to ease up on comparing and contrasting family members. Who says parents and

children have to be anything alike? Maybe every single person in your family is a unique individual and you all have varied perspectives on any topic. This is likely true. Forget pressing for family groupthink. You can’t make your kids into you, nor should you ask them to be you. All you can do is be yourself and let them be themselves.

3. Moderate. Be a good enough

parent, not a perfect parent. If you have to be a perfect parent, then everyone in your family has to be perfect too, and this is exhausting for everyone. If you put unrealistic pressures on yourself and your family members, stop. Try not judging your family by appearance. External indicators are not the measure of internal happiness, anyway. Truth: you are imperfect, you make mistakes, you do the best you can, and this is all good enough. You can only feel like enough if you can let yourself and others embrace imperfection.

4. Strive.

Have your own goals, not just goals for each of your children. Do you have a vocation or avocation beyond mothering and fathering? If not, you really need to get one or several. Parents who put all their identity eggs in one parenting basket are destined for a big fall, once children grow up and leave home. Because, yes, parenting is a full time job; but it’s not supposed to be your only identity in life. If you cling to your parenting role too much, ask yourself what other life challenges you might be trying to avoid. Chances are good, you are anxious about stretching your own wings. Focusing on your own goals and taking pride in each baby step will make you feel better than staying stuck.

5. Reach out. Get your own emotional needs met, rather than using your children for inner fulfillment. You may not realize you are doing this, but if you have unresolved childhood issues you have not yet faced, it is probably time to heal your past. The emotional work you are not willing to do can have long-term negative effects on your children. So don’t try to sort everything out without assistance. If you are aware of a family history of addiction, neglect, mental illness, divorce, narcissism, abuse or control issues, then you are likely going to need professional input to sort it all out and get yourself on a healthy emotional track. Don’t put this off, for your family’s sake. 6. Let go. As the wife of a high school

theater director, I have witnessed parents of aspiring thespians bartering for their children’s advancement on more occasions than I care to remember. After moving into the district, it took us a couple of years to realize that many of our new overly enthusiastic friends were actually looking to secure a future leading role for their child. Why do parents do this? Apparently they believe that trading favors is better than letting their kids compete with their peers on an even playing field. But how long are mom and dad going to be able to smooth the way for successes? And if you asked the child, wouldn’t he say that he would rather earn the role rather than having mom and dad nab it for him?

7. Allow.

Acknowledge your fears and insecurities in life and express them in front of your kids occasionally. You may think your children can’t handle seeing you struggle, but by hiding your negative emotions you won’t provide healthy examples of how to process

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feelings with trusted others. Life is full of highs and lows. Trying to keep the emotional tone unnaturally high at all times is more detrimental than helpful. Kids need to see parents as regular old human beings who both thrive and falter. So set the example of how to experience a full range of emotions in your home and you’re children will learn how to move through negative emotions.

8. Join in.

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Help your kids create momentum in arenas they love, while still acknowledging the rest of the team. If your child always has to be the star for your sake, she will have trouble fitting in with the rest of the kids. If you can’t settle for anything but the best for your child, check your attitude for entitlement. Believing your child is superior to others is detrimental to social development. So take her down off the pedestal and get to work figuring out why you need to put her there in the first place. Chances are good it has more to do with your low self-esteem than what your child wants and needs. If you can join groups without having to be the best or the leader, your child can learn to appreciate the value in connecting for it’s own sake, too.

9. Aim high. Toddlers don’t usually

walk across the room on their first attempt, and you won’t hit every goal on the first try either. But if you don’t set goals beyond your ken, then how are kids going to learn how to do the same themselves? Of course, this means sometimes you won’t succeed and your children will witness your inevitable failures. But, if you come up with ways to bounce back from life’s disappointments, your children will learn to do the same. And that’s great because then you are teaching them that aiming high is a challenging learning experience, not just an opportunity for guaranteed applause.

10. Relax. Home is supposed to be a sanctuary for the whole family, not a place where kids come to get probed, lectured, and controlled. If your home is not a place where each family member can retreat and find some peace and quiet, why isn’t it? Maybe a parent is spending too much time alone worrying about how each child can get ahead rather than getting out and contributing to the community. Don’t be a pushy parent. You may feel like you are making strides for your children in the short run, but you are robbing each of them of developing an organic identity at their own pace. Create a restful home, full of divergent opinions, healthy debates, and spontaneous selfexpression. AOP Author, journalist and writing coach Christina Katz is proud to say that her daughter is nothing like her and is under no pressure to become her any time soon. Playing Christina Katz is a role that has already cheerfully been taken.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Getting the Inside Story No one loves a good story as much as a child. As little ones listen to books read aloud to them, they receive their first introduction to basic story elements like characters, settings and plot. Children’s literature often benefits from simple story structures so that new readers can learn traditional storytelling components and styles. But kids don’t always have a window into what it takes to actually build a story from the ground up. The following titles explore the evolution of a story with tongue-in-cheek humor and characters who all have their own tale to tell.

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by Caron Levis, Illustrated by Andy Rash (Farrar Straus Giroux / Macmillan) The alphabet letters on the refrigerator want to work together to tell a story. The letter ‘C’ suggests the story should be about cats. Letter ‘K’ counters that the story could be about a kangaroo or a king. Soon ‘C’ and ‘K’ are in an alphabetical war of words as each advocates for their own special words to take precedence in the tale. The other letters are rightfully concerned when ‘C’ and ‘K’ storm off leaving them without the means to spell ‘duck’, ‘socks’, ‘luck’ and many other important words. Only a very special story with just the right words can bring ‘C’ and ‘K’ back into the tale. Gently introducing phonetic sounds and basic spelling, beginning readers will get more that just a story from these delightfully animated letters of the alphabet.

I Want to Be in a Scary Story

by Sean Taylor, Illustrated by Jean Jullien (Candlewick Press) Little Monster is asking to be in his own scary story. Breaking the fourth wall, this title follows an implied conversation with the storyteller as Little Monster asks for new elements to be added to his tale. The level of scary adjusts up and down as Little Monster seeks just the right amount of scary in their story. After a string of spooky additions and changes, the story is still not exactly right for Little Monster. Sometimes what a good story needs to become great is simply a change in perspective. Featuring a bordering-onbold Little Monster who just wants to move from scared to scary, this is a great read-aloud conversation for every storytelling partnership.

Amy the Red Panda is Writing the Best Story in the World

by Colleen AF Venable, Illustrated by Ruth Chan (Greenwillow / HarperCollins) With a simple announcement, Amy the Red Panda begins writing the best story in the world. But as soon as Amy’s first sentence begins to form, letters of the alphabet begin to rain from the sky and friends arrive to help her story development. Her tiny friends insist that smaller animals make better stories (hippos and giraffes disagree). Digger friends suggest digging stories and flying pals offer flights of fantasy. Amy’s vision for her tale goes farther and farther off course as she’s beset with everyone’s diverging ideas about what makes a good story. Left with a chaotic alphabet and her original story in tatters, Amy discovers a new story emerging from her experience. Underlining the ability to make your own happy ending in the wake of unexpected changes, this title is a cheerful celebration of storytelling. Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.

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What Does It Mean? How to Translate Texts Most parents know that LOL means Laughing Out Loud. You may even know that 420 refers to marijuana. But you may not know that 53X means sex. That worries Brian Bason, CEO at Bark, a new monitoring app. Their website includes a list of popular texting slang terms (tinyurl.com/gqp9tex). For $9.99 a month, they promise to alert parents when kids text something risky. Of course, slang is nothing new. Parents have been scrambling to keep up with it for generations. Using freshly minted words that adults won’t understand appeals to kids for two reasons. First, it helps kids establish and reenforce a social identity. People who understand the same secret language are likely to be part of the same tribe. Slang establishes an in group that understands and out group that seems hopelessly out of touch. Second, slang allows kids to fly under adult radar, talking about things that might be forbidden if the adults could translate what they were saying. Siblings often develop this kind of secret language—winks and whispers and even special words that let them communicate about things that Mom and Dad might not appreciate. Messaging, of course, has added a new dimension to all of this. Keyboards are tiny. Attention spans are short. Acronyms and emojis make it possible to crowd a lot of information into a small space. As a result, messages have become more and more cryptic and difficult for parents to decipher. Much of the new slang being used online is harmless and even creative. Some of the better acronyms enter the language. Pretty much everyone knows about FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), IRL (In Real Life) and BRB (Be Right Back). Other very useful acronyms include Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

JSYK (Just so You Know), SMH (Shaking My Head), TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read) and YOLO (You Only Live Once). Still, parents need to be alert. The kinds of speech that would be unacceptable IRL should also be off limits in texting. In particular, parents will want to monitor texting for: Sex. Most teens seem to have gotten the message that sending nude photos isn’t a good idea. That doesn’t mean teens aren’t texting about 53X. Even emojis may have a double meaning – an eggplant can stand in for male genitals; a peach may refer to someone’s backside. It’s perfectly natural, of course, for young people to take an interest in sex, but parents need to chaperone, watching for behavior that is too adult or partners who may be predatory. Substances. Slang has always been part of drug and alcohol culture. Using coded language is a way to evade legal authorities as well as parents. Keeping up with the current terminology isn’t easy, especially since it often varies from place to place. Talk to other parents and even school parents. And remember that drug terms sometimes have more than one meaning. Dabbing, for example, is both a dance craze and a way to use cannibas. Lit can mean getting high or simply having a good time. Hate. Texting and social media are often used to bully and abuse other people because of their gender, race, ethnic origin or disabilities. Be clear with your child. A slur is a slur, and you won’t tolerate abusive language in any setting. Bad Language. If you don’t want your child to say the F word, you will probably want to discourage the use of acronyms like WTF or AF. Even NSS may not be acceptable. The best way to know what an acronym means is to ask the child who used it. The 38

security company, McAfee, also produces a list of common terms, conveniently subdivided into categories for drugs, sex and bullying. Wiktionary also has a long list of acronyms in an Appendix (tinyurl.com/mab7snn). Another way to educate yourself is to visit databases that try to keep up with slang as it’s created. Here are several of the most complete collections: Slang it.com is family friendly website (they also have free apps for Iphone and Android). When you enter a slang term, you get a clean and accurate definition. They also have a daily quiz question that might be a conversation starter at the dinner table. Noslang.com has been keeping track of net slang since 2005, They offer a text slang translator and a reverse translator that turns English phrases into acronyms. In their articles section, there’s a helpful essay called “What Every Parent Should Know.” Internet slang.com also allows parents to look up acronyms. Their Trending Terms section helps parents zero in current terminology. Acronymsandslang.com has an enormous list of acronyms, organized into categories. With over 20,000 entries in the Internet category, they are likely to supply an explanation for almost any acronym. The Urban Dictionary also has a very complete list of slang of all kinds. The definitions are crowd-sourced so they are generally irreverent and often obscene. The site is not suitable for children, but may be useful to parents because it’s regularly up-dated by its users. Of course, trying to keep up with adolescent slang is like playing Whack-a-mole. As soon as a term is widely understood by adults, it loses its value for kids and they will move on. That’s why parents have to reinforce that idea that kids shouldn’t say anything online that they would say IRL (in real life). With that in mind, you might also want to introduce an acronym of your own – WWGmaS (What Would Grandma Say?) Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2018, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.

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F Choosing a daycare is one of the most important decisions parents make for their infants and toddlers. Your child will spend most of his waking hours there, so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to find an environment that is safe and nurturing physically, emotionally, and academically. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked in the field of early childhood education for decades. Here are my top 8 things to look for when searching for the right childcare.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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Convenience

Consider the following: Do the program’s hours work for your schedule? Is it near your home or office? How long will it take you to get there if there’s an emergency during the day?

Cost

While it’s crucial to find a program that fits into your budget, that doesn’t mean you should scrimp on quality. If your dream daycare is too costly for you to manage, ask about scholarships. Many communities have programs to help working parents with the cost of childcare.

First impressions

Drop in unannounced to get a feel for a place. Pay close attention to how you’re greeted and what’s going on. Is it chaotic? Did you walk right in without anyone noticing you? Do the children look happy and occupied? Notice the teachers: Are they warm and caring? Do they seem to genuinely like children?

Recommendations

Ask other parents and caregivers who currently use the daycare as well as former

families about their experiences there. Also check with the local Better Business Bureau. A quick online search never hurts, either.

Cleanliness

Sure, with dozens of small children, it’s tough to keep a building clean, but it is imperative to keep everyone healthy. Do you notice any foul smells? Teachers should wear gloves for diapering and wash their hands before and after. Procedures should be in place for sanitizing all equipment and toys throughout the day.

Ratios

In Alabama, one teacher is allowed by law to be alone with eight two-year-olds. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recommends a one-to-six ratio for the same age group. The lower the ratio, the more attention your child will receive. The ratio varies depending on the age group. If your daycare is NAEYC-approved, find out the appropriate NAEYC ratio for your child’s age. Check the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to learn your state’s health and safety recommendations.

Turnover

Once you’ve found the perfect teacher, you want some assurance that she won’t leave two weeks after you enroll your child. Find out the program’s turnover rate. If teachers frequently leave, they may be unhappy about the way they’re treated or about something happening at the school, which is cause for concern.

Policies and procedures

Confirm the school is up to date on licensing standards by contacting your local department of children and families. Ask to see the school’s policy and procedure handbooks. They should have plans in place for dealing with a wide variety of issues from lice outbreaks to power outages. Ask about the center’s safety procedures. Choosing a daycare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In the end, trust your instincts. AOP

Rachael Moshman is a full time freelance writer and has been published in a wide assortment of parenting and family magazines and websites across the U.S. and abroad.

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128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn Transportation from Schools available; Licensed by the State of Alabama; Nationally Accredited through National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs/ Association for Early Learning Leaders (NAC); Theme-based Lesson Plans and Curriculum. The Child Development Center is a ministry of Auburn First Baptist Church in which we provide safe, loving, quality care for children in a Christian environment. We strive to provide the best in early education by providing hands-on learning so that each child may develop to his or her highest potential cognitively, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Now Enrolling Summer Camp. Hours: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-5:30pm Ages: Infant through 6 years and After School care available grades K - 5 Contact: Milissa Clowers 334-821-8125 afbcdc@gmail.com www.auburnfbc.org

Auburn Parks and RecreationLittle Learners Preschool Program 307 South Dean Road, Auburn Quarterly tuition $525. Join us for a fun-filled quarter of arts & crafts, storytelling, and creative learning. This program reinforces preschool readiness and promotes socialization skills. Field trips may be offered. Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday; 7:30-11:30am Ages: 3-5 years (must be potty trained) Contact: Dana Stewart 334-501-2930 dstewart@auburnalabama.org www.auburnalabama.org/parks

Growing Room Child Development Center ad on page 14

644 North Dean Road, Auburn Give Your Child the Growing Room Experience! More Informed Parents Choose Growing Room! “On Our Block”-language based curriculum, Character Education programs, A Beka Phonics, nutritious warm meals, superior security and an outstanding playground with safe, solid rubber surfacing. Extracurricular programs include JumpBunch & Dance. We offer before and after school care to most Auburn City Schools. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Laura Smith 334-501-2044 hautrey@grauburn.com www.growingroomusa.com/auburn

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334 www

Lee Scott Academy- Preschool

St. Michael Catholic Preschool

1601 Academy Drive, Auburn To provide a safe and pleasant atmosphere in which students may develop socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Our goals and objectives are carefully geared toward the needs and developmental stages of the individual pupil. We are committed to a low-key readiness plan for this age group, using familiar teaching vehicles to introduce language skills and number awareness. The program is lightly structured, based on our persuasion that four-year-olds thrive and learn in an atmosphere that stresses “fun with a purpose,” or learning by playing. We follow a thematic approach. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool-Kindergarten

1100 North College Street, Auburn St. Michael Catholic Preschool accepts the challenge to participate in Jesus’ teaching mission by offering opportunities for active faith life, providing quality educational programs, promoting the growth and development of the whole person, accepting diversity of all people, while sharing the learning experience with parents as active partners. St. Michael Catholic Preschool will provide a quality education based on Catholic values and traditions. We will nurture the whole child through a safe, creative, and spiritual learning environment. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool 3-4 years - Kindergarten Contact: Cindy Wilton

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334-821-2430 info@lee-scott.org www.lee-scott.org

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Parkway Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten

The Little HAPIE Tree Preschool

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766 East University Drive, Auburn Christian based preschool consisting of biblical and instructional curriculums. Instructional curriculum is Handwriting Without Tears®. The curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for our classrooms. The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning. Weekly Chapel, monthly lunch bunches, extracurricular tumbling classes, and more! Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12pm & 8:30am12:15pm Ages: 6 weeks through Kindergarten Contact: Dawn Woodrow 334-321-0537 dawn.woodrow@parkwayauburn.org www.parkwayauburn.org/parkway-preschool

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Auburn Early Education Center 721 East University Drive, Auburn An “inclusive” educational programs serving children with developmental challenges alongside their typically developing peers. Programs focus on teaching readiness and perquisite skills to prepare the children for primary school. We utilize strategies based on the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in teaching our children. We also offer speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy as needed. The primary focus of intervention is language acquisition but additional areas such as self-care skills, play skills, social skills, and pre-academic skills in preparation for kindergarten are also important. Our teachers plan developmentally and age appropriate lessons and utilize thematic teaching. Additional teaching procedures used are not limited to the following: discrete trial teaching, incidental teaching, least-to-most prompting

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sequences, most-to-least prompting sequences, shaping, reinforcement and differential reinforcement. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool 3-5 years Contact: Jessica Zevac 334-887-4958 jzevac@learning-tree.org www.learning-tree.org

Auburn City Schools After-School Programs Programs located at and all Elementary Schools Individualized tutoring, participation in creative activities, and interaction with peers. Tuition prices are on a sliding scale based on lunch status. Activities such as art, sports, computer, music and movement, and other clubs added throughout the year help children interact socially and physically with children of all backgrounds in their community. Tutoring allows individualized instruction tailored to student’s learning styles and levels of understanding therefore improving grades and self-esteem. Hours: After school until 5:30pm Ages: Kindergarten to 5th grade 334-887-2100 www.auburnschools.org

Auburn Day Care Centers

Central Office: 410 Boykin Street, Room 14 Founded in 1964 to meet the needs of low-income, working families, ADCC is an accredited, full service daycare for infants through “afterschool” age 12 with fees based on a sliding scale. All families of any income level welcome. Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snacks, Quality developmental and school readiness programs, Transportation services from public schools to centers, Speech, hearing, and vision screening with follow up as needed. Fees are determined on a sliding scale, based on income and family size and/or eligibility for Family Guidance subsidies. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Ethel White 334-821-4060 auburndaycarectr@bellsouth.net www.auburndaycarecenters.org

Auburn United Methodist ChurchChildren’s Day Out

Creative Discovery Child Development Center

137 South Gay Street, Auburn Children’s Day Out provides a safe place for children to learn age appropriate ways to develop: Spiritually, Emotionally, Physically and Socially. Everyone is welcome! $12.00 per child | $3.00 for each additional child in the same family with an $18 cap per family. Payment is due on a daily or weekly basis. Hours: Monday-Thursday; 9:00am-12:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to 4 years Contact: Allison McNeely 334-826-8800 allison.mcneely@aumc.net www.aumc.net

Auburn United Methodist ChurchDiscovery Club After-School Program

137 South Gay Street, Auburn Students can be picked up at their schools and transported by bus to the church for homework, snacks, crafts, cooking, recreational activities, devotionals and mission projects. Hours: Monday-Friday; afterschool until 6:00pm Ages: Kindergarten to 7th grade Contact: Lindsey Middleton

1675 Shug Jordan Parkway, Auburn “Where discovery leads to learning!” Daily schedule includes free choice of time spent in learning centers, group time for circle time, creative movement, music, storytelling, and dramatization. Learning centers include creative arts, literature, science, pre-math, dramatic play, and cognitive and small motor development. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack provided. After school pick up at Auburn City Schools, Lee Scott, and Indian Pines. School Age summer camp, preschool summer camp, Scholastic Book Fairs, lots of special activities throughout the year for family involvement. Security hand-scan doors, closed circuit cameras throughout. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Staci Greene 334-887-5730 kidscreative7@gmail.com www.creativediscoverycdc.com

Foundations Preschool at Cornerstone Church 2123 Hamilton Road, Auburn Foundations Preschool is an exciting, fun-filled Christian based learning experience for children. Features include worship time, music class and summer preschool classes. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:50am Ages: 6 weeks to 4K Contact: Amy Baxter

334-826-8800 lindsey.middleton@aumc.net www.aumc.net

Auburn United Methodist ChurchWeekday Preschool

137 South Gay Street, Auburn The curriculum of the preschool provides children opportunities for growth intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually by including developmentally appropriate themes, experiences, and Christian education. With a low pupil to teacher ratio we can provide a safe, nurturing experience for every child. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 2-4 years Contact: Debbie Bagwell

334-887-1152 amy@cornerstonebuzz.org www.cornerstonebuzz.org/kids/foundations-preschool/

God’s Glory Daycare

1500 Bruce Avenue, Opelika Upholding Christian morals and values, God’s Glory Child Development Center exists to train children in the way they should go, so that when they are old they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). GGCDC nurtures the whole child – intellectually, physically,

334-826-8800 DebbieB@aumc.net www.aumc.net

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and spiritually with hopes of each individual growing in God’s light and walking in the path of righteousness. 334-737-0443

Grace United Methodist Church Preschool

950 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn A thematic curriculum and related activities are utilized, addressing the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual domains of early childhood education. “Hands-on” learning experiences: Art, Manipu-

Joyland Child Development Center

410 Boykin Street, Auburn A safe educational and happy environment, with loving and caring staff. Activities that progress children. Free nutritional breakfast, lunch and snack. Transportation to and from public school. One-onone tutoring and homework help. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 2 years to 12 years 334-821-7624 joylandcdcinc@yahoo.com www.joylandcdc.com

develop mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially through a planned curriculum. It is the intent of Lakeview Preschool Adventures to provide an opportunity for preschoolers to socialize and learn with peers in a Christian setting. Christ-centered, focusing on Scripture memory, Bible stories, social interaction, letter and number recognition. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 1-4 years Contact: Holly Hutto 334-321-4905 www.lakeviewbaptist.org

The Children’s House-Auburn Montessori

231 East Drake Avenue , Auburn The Children’s House to preserve a home away from home that nurtures the love of learning, values ambition, and fosters the spirit of peace, love and kindness in every child. The curriculum includes: art, craft, culture, grace and courtesy, foreign language, field trips, gardening, gymnastics, language, mathematics, movement, music, outdoor and indoor play, practical life, Reggio Emelia Project instruction, sensorial, and science. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: School aged students Contact: Charlene Kam 334-209-2513 amstchori@gmail.com www.auburnmontessorischool.org

36849 Auburn University Early Learning Center

latives, Science, Dramatic Play, Chapel and Field trips. Snacks provided and lunch bunch available. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:30am Ages: 1 year-PreK Contact: Leslie Carter 334-877-5981 info@gracepreschoolauburn.com www.gracepreschoolauburn.com

Indian Pines Country Day School

1742 Saugahatchee Road, Auburn Program includes themed units, language, math, science, social skills, phonics program and more. Lunch bunch, gymnastics, and art classes offered. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 3-5 years Contact: Stacy Jackson 334-821-7786 sccijackson@yahoo.com www.ipcds.org

Jacob’s Ladder Early Learning Center 954 Opelika Road, Auburn Ages: 3 weeks-12 years old 334-821-5100

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Learning Zone

1221 Commerce Drive , Auburn Fall and Summer programs available. After school program, drop off and pick up available, full and part time offered. Hours: Monday-Friday; 5:15am-6:00pm Ages: 3 weeks-12 years old 334-821-1127 theskatecenter@aol.com

Auburn Campus, 210 Spidle Hall, Auburn University Nationally accredited laboratory preschool is available to any child in the community. Head teachers generally hold advanced degrees in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and the teaching assistants are graduate students working on advanced degrees in Human Development and Family Studies. The teaching philosophy is “learn by doing”. The facility also maintains a research mission and is designed to maximize opportunities to conduct developmental research on children and their families. Hours: 8:30-11:30 or 12:30-3:30. Ages: 3-5 years 334-844-4696 chshelp@auburn.edu www.humsci.auburn.edu/ hdfs/earlylearn-main.php

Milestones Learning Center

1811 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn “Believes Childhood is a Journey, not a Race”. High/Scope Curriculum. Children learn through direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events, and ideas..Tumbling, Kindermusik, Summer Camps and more. Fall registration in June. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to PreKindergarten 334-887-4391 milestoneslc@gmail.com www.milestoneslc.com

Preschool Adventures at Lakeview Baptist Church

1600 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn Our most important tasks are to help children

36854 The Fig Tree Childcare and Learning Center 44 Lee Road 380, Valley A Christian based child care center offering the best available, age-appropriate learning tools and a well-trained, enthusiastic and dedicated staff. Offers full time, part time, after school and drop in care; School pick up service available. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years 334-741-9216 gwen@figtreechildcare.com

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Opelika (36801) Bonnie’s Kids Childcare Center

school care to most Opelika City Schools. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Laura Smith 334-501-2044 www.growingroomusa.com/auburn

ad on page 29

2314 Enterprise Drive, Opelika Conveniently located across from Tiger Town. “Where children grow.” Closed circuit monitoring; computer & dance programs; pick up from school for Beauregard, Opelika & Auburn, and Trinity Christian for after school programs, and summer camps. We are licensed for up to 200 children / DHR Licensed for 26 years with qualified staff that have been at the center for over 15 years. Summer activities program for school age children; Breakfast, lunch, & snack provided (USDA Food Program), Premier Spirit Academy, field trips include swimming, bowling, parks, Callaway Gardens, Auburn University and movie theatre; art and music classes offered at the center. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-5:30pm Ages: 4 weeks to 10 years Contact: Tammie Long 334-745-6248 bonnieskids@aol.com www.bonnieschildcare.com

Growing Room Child Development Center ad on page 14

1755 Thomason Drive, Opelika Opening Soon!!! Give Your Child the Growing Room Experience! More Informed Parents Choose Growing Room! “On Our Block”-language based curriculum, Character Education programs, A Beka Phonics, nutritious warm meals, superior security and an outstanding playground with safe, solid rubber surfacing. Extracurricular programs include JumpBunch & Dance. We offer before and after

The Oaks School ad on page 11

2201 Executive Park Drive, Opelika The Oaks School is a new Pre-K through 10th grade church school coming to the Auburn-Opelika area in the fall of 2018. The Oaks School will offer a four day school week with strong academics, spiritually dynamic chapel services, limited homework, and an encouraging family atmosphere that empowers all students to become creative, high-impact leaders. Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00am-3:00pm Ages: Offering Pre-K for 4 year olds and Kindergarten for 5 year olds. 334-887-9947 www.theoaksschool.org admin@theoaksschool.org

University Daycare Child Care Center ad on page 21

2900 Waverly Parkway, Opelika Our mission is to provide a safe, clean and loving environment in which each child may develop emotionally, socially, physically and intellectually. We want every child at our center to have a positive daily experience. We focus on preparing children for kindergarten and then continuing to support them once they become school age. Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 6 weeks-12 years Contact: Debbie Holley 334-203-1234 hello@UDCAuburn.com www.udcauburn.com

A.C.H.R. Child Development Center-Darden 601 South 4th Street, Opelika Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-5:30pm Ages: 3 weeks-12 years old 334-821-8336

Bright Beginnings at First Baptist Church

301 South 8th Street, Opelika Christian- based curriculum. Lunch bunch, Chapel, Music, Spanish, extracurricular activities and more! Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 11 months (and walking ) to Kindergarten Contact: Marsha Teel 334-364-2784 marshat@fbcopelika.com www.fbcopelika.com

By His Grace Daycare & Learning Center

311 South 6th Street, Opelika Our mission is to provide exceptional quality childcare in a compassionate learning environment. We strive to meet each child’s spiritual, physical, social, emotional & intellectual needs. GOD’S mercies are new everyday Hours: Monday-Friday; 5:00am-12:00am Ages: 3 weeks-13 years old 334-750-0309 byhisgracedaycare@charter.net www.byhisgracedaycare.com

Child Care Resource Center

2015 Gateway Drive, Opelika Our Services: Training and professional development for childcare professionals; Assisting parents with locating quality child care; Financial assistance for childcare; BRIDGES After-School and Summer Programming for 10-14 year olds; AmeriCorps Program within 2 counties. Work within child care centers to promote quality childcare (STEPS). 334-749-8400 www.ccrc-alabama.org

Childcare Network

702 Second Avenue, Opelika HighReach Learning Curriculum, Bright Babies

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NOW ENROLLING FOR FALL 2018 (Infants - Kindergarten)

Infant Curriculum, Adventure Summer Camp for School Age, USDA Approved Free Meals & Snacks, Keyless Entry for Security. free meals and snacks with family style dining, before and after school pick up for most Opelika City Schools Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Michelle Abernathy 334-341-5042 www.childcarenetwork.net

First Step Learning Center

1600 Toomer Street, Opelika Childcare provided and afterschool care Hours: Monday-Friday; 5:30am-11:30pm. 334-737-6464

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Hours of Operation:

8:30am – 12:00pm (Infants - 2s) 8:30am – 12:15pm (3s and 4s) 8:30am – 12:15pm (Kindergarten)

Contact:

Parkway Baptist Church Preschool

334-321-0537

Holy Trinity Day School

100 Church Drive, Auburn Christian atmosphere; Units in math, social studies, science, art, music, literature, poetry, & field trips. Weekly chapel, Bible lessons, music and prayers. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:45am Ages: Preschool-Kindergarten Contact: Kathrine Isreal 334-821-98 dayschool@holytrinitychurch.info www.holytrinityepiscopaldayschool.info

dawn.woodrow@parkwayauburn.org • www.parkwayauburn.org

Opelika Extended Day

Opelika City Schools, Opelika Each day includes: snack, tutorial and homework time, crafts & activities, and physical play time. Hours: Monday-Friday; afterschool until 5:30pm Contact: Scarlett McAllister 334-745-9700 scarlett.mcallister@opelikaschools.org

Providence Baptist Church Child Development Center

2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika Child-centered curriculum that helps children grow mentally, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Provides breakfast, lunch and snack. Hours: Monday-Friday, Half-day and full days available; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years Contact: Mandy Steward 334-745-0547 director_mandy@yahoo.com www.providencealive.com

Trinity United Methodist ChurchChildren’s Day Out- Opelika

800 2nd Avenue , Opelika The purpose of Trinity’s Children’s Day Out Program is to give parents the time they need to go to an appointment, run errands, grocery shop, or Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

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just have some time for themselves. We provide a safe Christian environment for your children to learn social as well as academic skills and to have fun. Children’s Day Out is an outreach ministry for our community as well as a ministry for our Trinity United Methodist Church family. Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-1:30pm Ages: 3 months through Pre-K (Summer—ages 3 months—children entering 3rd grade) 334-745-2632 www.tumcopelika.org/connect/kids/childrens-day-out/

36801/36830 Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County

400 B Boykin Street and 1610 Toomer Street, Auburn and Opelika Club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. Offering transportation from schools, homework assistance, tutoring, mentoring, games, field trips, prevention services, sports, arts, and more! Hours: Monday-Friday; 2:30-6:30pm. 334-745-2582 www.bgcleeco.org

Miss Deanna’s Childcare

1901 Corporate Drive and 1745 East University Drive, Opelika and Auburn After school transportation and care, School age summer program, High Reach learning curriculum, CPR and First Aid Certified and State Licensed. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years

Enroll them in Kumon today!

334-745-7139 and 334-821-0066

36868

• Summer is the perfect time to accelerate your child’s math and reading skills.

Care A Lots Child Development Center

1515 Lee Road 298 and 3825 Highway 80 West, Smith Station and Phenix City Our center uses the A BEKA curriculum. We are constantly updating our curriculum but maintain basic methods that we believe nurture children’s learning. Our methods are exemplified in the activities we do with the kids. Our activities are in the fields of: reading, art, movement, music, outdoor play and sense related activities. We like kids to learn by doing things themselves and provide them with an endless amount of enthusiasm as well as tools to explore with. Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years 334-297-1041 www.caralots.net

Home Daycare A to Z Home Daycare- Auburn

Quality care when you’re not there! Child Development degree. Meals and snacks provided, homework help offered, in home computer lab, monthly field trips. Located just 5 minutes from Auburn University Exit 51. Hours: day and evening care available Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Belinda Dowdell 334-821-3292 AOP

• Many Kumon Students are studying above grade level. • For more than 50 years, Kumon has benefited millions of kids around the world.

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Start giving your kids all the advantages of Kumon. To learn more, we invite you to schedule a Free Placement Test today.

Kumon Math & Reading Center of Auburn - Opelika 1550 Opelika Road, Suite 36, Auburn, AL 36830 334.501.8586 • kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al

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thin in a across North America. “Sometimes all you need to do is talk about it, but there may be someone in the group who has gone through something similar.”

Parenting is hard. Parenting kids without a partner to help can be grueling. From finding the right support to setting realistic limits, you can feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Here’s how:

Manage your finances. Many hardworking single parents struggle to make ends meet. If you qualify, numerous non-profit and government organizations are available to provide assistance. Also, eliminate unnecessary bills or contact the company to see if refinancing is an option. “One of the worst things to do is to let the kids think that the only thing that has changed is that mommy or daddy has left,” Gallinati says. “Explain that this is now a one-income family and cuts need to be made.”

Tap emotional support. A positive support network is instrumental for stress management. If you don’t have access to close family or friends, seek support from single parent or mothers’ groups. “We have discussion groups that discuss topics pertinent to single parents,” says Janet Gallinati, president of Parents without Partners, an international non-profit organization, with chapters Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Set limits. Say no to requests that will cause undue strain on your wallet or your time. Also, resist the urge to say yes to every activity your child wants to participate in. Make reasonable choices according to what works with your hours and available support. 48

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Seek flexibility. If possible, negotiate work hours or find a job that better accommodates you and your children’s needs. “Finding flexible work is realistic if you are clear about what you need, how you can be successful and matching that with the business need,” says Laura Wildman, a staffing consultant with Mom Corps, which helps match professionals who are raising young families with companies that offer flexible work conditions. As president of Mothers & More, a national organization that provides community, support and programming for mothers, single mom Jill Gaikowski, says she works in the evenings and on the weekends when she doesn’t have her child. “I’m happy to make the trade-off because before becoming a single parent, I was a stay-at-home mom. I am lucky to have this option,” Gaikowski says. Resolve guilt. Are you haunted by feelings of guilt, inadequacy and resentment in the midst of juggling parenthood and a career? Realize that you are doing your best and focus on remaining optimistic. “You will get that important email that comes while you are at your kids’ game and you will get that call from school when you are working, but your mindset and flexibility can make it all work,” Wildman says.

Ask for help. Without adequate emotional and practical support,caregiving can deplete your energy making you more susceptible to illness and depression. Utilize available resources and take advantage of any help that is offered by family and friends, says life coach Kristin Dunn, owner of From the Ground Up Life Coaching. Also, find a reliable sitter, trade babysitting with a friend or check out area drop-in day cares.

Commit to self-care. Engage in activities that nurture and energize you like meditation, reading or exercise, even if that means waking up a few minutes earlier than usual. Use your lunch hour to connect with a friend. “Don’t underestimate the power of human touch,” Dunn says. “Schedule a massage or a pedicure. Human contact is really helpful in releasing bottled up energy and emotion that may not otherwise have an outlet for release.” Plan ahead. Include personal time on the calendar. “Do something for yourself once a week. You will see how it makes you better in all other areas of your life,” Gaikowski says. Integrate fun. Spend time with your kids cooking meals together, playing board games, bike-riding or watching a movie. Also plan playdates or outings with other families to build a sense of community.

Involve your kids. Assign age-appropriate responsibilities which helps children grow more self-confident and independent. “If you over-function by doing things for your children they could be doing for themselves, you’re teaching them to have unrealistic expectations for themselves and others,” Dunn says. Although single parenting isn’t easy, remember that when you manage your stress and focus on creating a stable, loving home for your kids, you’ll not only survive, you and your family will thrive. AOP Freelance journalist, Christa Melnyk Hines, is the author of Confidently Connected: A Mom’s Guide to a Satisfying Social Life, which helps moms connect with their tribe, while creating a social life they love. To connect with her, visit www.christamelnykhines.com.

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FamilyCalendar Monday, March 26 Story Time Opelika Public Library, Opelika. Join us for an interactive and engaging preschool program that is sure to delight and entertain. They won’t even know they are learning! Meets weekly. Ages 0-5 years. 10:00 a.m. library@opelika-al.gov.

Tuesday, March 27 Monthly Market Visit the Harris Center from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to find the best produce, jams, jellies and bounty of Lee County! Vendors will be set up in the lobby and Activity Room during warmer months to prevent products from becoming overheated and the Market may move outdoors in cooler months for space. This event is FREE and open to the public. www. facebook.com/cityofauburnal Baby Time Auburn Public Library. Babies and their favorite adults enjoy 20 minutes of stories, songs, bounces, and tickles during Baby Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages birth - 24 months. 9:3010:00 a.m., 10:00-10:30 a.m. or 1:00-1:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library.

Wednesday, March 28 Performance by Mosaic Theatre Company Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12:30 p.m. The primary purpose of MTC is to foster dialogue about diversity through performance. You will not want to miss this thought-provoking, dynamic presentation by Auburn University students. www. jcsm.auburn.edu. Toddler Time Auburn Public Library. Toddlers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Toddler Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! Ages 18 months-3 years. 9:30-10:00 a.m. or 10:30-11:00 a.m. or 1:00-1:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/ library. STEM Story Lab Auburn Public Library. Preschoolers - 2nd grade children and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime on Saturday mornings that is all about STEM. 3:30-4:30 PM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math This storytime will focus on these concepts in a fun, interactive, story-driven format Please note: Some activities may involve messy fun! (334) 501-3296.

Thursday, March 29 Flashlight Egg Hunt Moore Stadium, Opelika. 7:30 p.m. Ages 3rd-5th grades. Hunt for eggs in the dark. Bring a flashlight and basket. Look for special prizes and golden egg. 334-705-5560. A Little Lunch Music Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 12:00 p.m. An informal, come-and-go performance presented by JCSM and coordinated by Patrick McCurry. It features national and international performers as

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

well as professionals and students from Auburn University and the surrounding areas. www.jcsm. auburn.edu. East Alabama Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony Auburn High School, 6 p.m. Join us this upcoming National Vietnam Veterans Day as we celebrate, honor, and reflect on the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans in East Alabama. Guest speakers, Vietnam veterans will be presented with the official 50th anniversary lapel pin and certificate, choral performance, light reception and Vietnamera military vehicles on display. Those wishing to participate are encouraged to RSVP by emailing Blake Busbin atwbbusbin@auburnschools.org. Out of the Box: Artist Talks Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 6 p.m. Hye Yeon Nam, who received an honorable mention at the juried outdoor sculpture exhibition Out of the Box, will be the featured speaker at the final installment in a series of public lectures shedding light on the evolution of their work, their studio practice, and the conceptualization of the work. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Code Club Opelika Public Library, Opelika. 4:30 p.m. Code Club at the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library is going to teach your kids how to make website, apps, and games in a fun environment. Bring your own laptop if you have one, but it is not required. Meets Thursdays. library@opelika-al.gov. Preschool Time Preschoolers and their favorite adults enjoy 30 minutes of interactive stories, songs, movement rhymes, and a fun craft during Preschool Time. Stay afterwards to socialize and play! 3 – 5 years. 9:3010:00 a.m., 10:30-11:00 a.m. or 1:00-1:30 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Gamers Society Auburn Public Library. The Programming Room will be open every Thursday, 4:00-5:00 p.m. for Yu-GiOh, Pokemon, and video games Gamers must bring their own materials The Auburn Public Library will provide materials for video game play. Games must be rated E, E10, or T; no rated M games. Ages 10-18 years. www.auburnalabama.org/library. Brick Builders Opelika Public Library, Opelika. 3:30 p.m. All ages. If you love creating with Lego bricks, then this is the place to be! Open to all ages, but geared towards school-aged children, your creativity will take the spotlight as you build whatever you can imagine. Lego bricks provided. library@opelika-al.gov.

Friday, March 30 Story Time and Craft Opelika Public Library, Opelika. 10 a.m. Ages 0-5years. The story time you know and love, with a craft! Each week you will hear a new story with a related craft. Meets weekly. library@opelika-al.gov. Underwater Egg Hunt Opelika SportsPlex Pool. 6 p.m. Ages 6-10. Free for members, $4 per guest. 334-705-5560.

Saturday, March 31 Easter On the Square Downtown Opelika. Ages 2nd grade and younger. 10 a.m. Easter Egg-tivities, 10:40 a.m. Easter Bonnet Contest, 10:45 a.m. The Ultimate Parade and 11 a.m. Super Spectacular Egg Hunt. 334-705-5560.

37th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Sponsored by Wells Fargo Kiesel Park, Auburn. 10:30 a.m. More than 35,000 eggs hidden over a four-acre area. Musical entertainment, free sodas and balloons, and a chance to meet and take pictures with the Easter Bunny! Egg Hunt start times will be staggered by age group. Ages 12 and under. Rain date is April 1, 2:00 p.m. (334) 501-2930. www.auburnalabama. org/parks. Young Eagles Day Columbus Airport, 3250 W. Britt David Road, Columbus, Ga. 8:30-11:30 a.m. (weather permitting). All kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a Free airplane ride over Columbus! Most flights last 20 minutes. The goal is to provide a fun and educational aviation experience. 706-324-2453. Saturday STEM Storytime Auburn Public Library. Preschoolers–2nd grade children and their caregivers are invited to join us for a storytime on Saturday mornings that is all about STEM. 10:00-11:00 a.m. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math This storytime will focus on these concepts in a fun, interactive, story-driven format Please note: Some activities may involve messy fun! (334) 501-3296. Legomania Auburn Public Library. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Show off your engineering skills and join us at the Auburn Public Library every Saturday for Legomania! Bring your friends, and build anything your imagination can invent! All ages. Crazy 8’s Math Club Auburn Public Library. Grades K-2. 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Join Bedtime Math’s® Crazy 8s Club®, where you’ll build stuff, run and jump, make music, and create a mess… it’s a totally new kind of math club! Join us as we explore, create, and learn! Register early! Space is limited to 16 participants per age group Please register by emailing libraryevents@ auburnalabama org. Auburn Azalea Festival Davis Arboretum, Auburn. The Donald E. Davis is proud to present the Second Annual Auburn Azalea Festival from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come shop our native plant sale featuring our Auburn Series Azaleas with our special azalea expert on site to answer ALL of your azaleas questions. Enjoy the live music while you check out some of the best local artists and makers from the area. www.auburn.edu/cosam. Studio Kids Saturday Art Club The Art Studio, Auburn. 10:00 AM. Studio Kids is a Saturday art club for ages 5- 13 that gives children an opportunity to engage in art exploration with a variety of materials, and ideas and techniques. Parents can enjoy dropping their artist off to run a few errands, take a break at the coffee shop, or stay at the Studio watching their artist at work. $20. www.theartstudioauburn.com.

Monday, April 2 Scale Back Alabama Weigh-Out Week April 2 - 8. The weigh-out is for participants of Scale Back AL as they end the 10 week program. A detailed list of times for each of these locations will be listed at https:// www.auburnalabama.org/parks/ and on the Scale Back Alabama-Lee County Facebook page. 334-501-2940.

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FamilyCalendar Young Writer’s Club Auburn Public Library. 3:30 PM. Do you love to write and tell stories? Join the Young Writers Club at the Auburn Public Library. We will do one hour of fun writing exercises and sharing our work in a safe environment. Join us to stretch your writing skills. This program is for writers in grades 2-5. (334) 501-3296

Wing Fling Southeastern Raptor Center, Auburn. An educational presentation featuring owls, hawks, falcon, vultures, and eagles! After the presentation, we will bring several of the raptors back out for photo opportunities! Cost of admission: $5; children 3 and under are free. 5:00 PM. Gates open at 4:15 PM. www.auburn.edu/raptor.

Story Time Opelika Public Library, Opelika. Join us for an interactive and engaging preschool program that is sure to delight and entertain. They won’t even know they are learning! Meets weekly. Ages 0 - 5 years. 10:00 AM. library@opelika-al.gov.

ATO Lutzie 43 Powder Puff Football Tournament The event features a 32-team double-elimination tournament which takes place at the Auburn Indoor Practice Facility on April 6 and 7. Games start promptly at 3:00 pm on April 6th. The championship game will take place in Jordan-Hare. Sign up at www.classy.org/event/2018-atw-lutzie-43powderpuff-game/e151829.

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Becoming the Beloved Community Talk and Vigil Pebble Hill, Auburn. “The Beloved Community” is a term the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., popularized when he addressed Civil Rights supporters at the end of the Montgomery bus boycott in 1956. From 1 – 2 p.m., Sarah CollinsRudolph, the survivor of the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham and sister of Addie Mae Collins, one of the four little girls killed in the bombing, will be at Pebble Hill to lead the lecture, “Fifty Years Later: 1968 - 2018 Race and Faith in the U.S.” Beginning at 5:30 p.m., there will be a march from Haley Center to Langdon Hall. Collins-Rudolph will host a conversation, and then she will join students and community residents for a candle light vigil in front of Samford Hall. Toddler Time See March 28 for details. STEM Story Lab See March 28 for details.

Thursday, April 5

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Gamers Society See March 29 for details. Preschool Time See March 29 for details. Brick Builders See March 29 for details.

Friday, April 6 Adaptive PE Field Day Duck Samford Park, Auburn. The Lutzie 43 Foundation will be hosting the inaugural Alabamabased Adaptive PE field day in Auburn with participation from Lee, Macon & Montgomery county and Auburn & Opelika city school systems. They are still signing up teams in the Auburn area; email them at mike@lutzie43.org if you are interested in participating or volunteering.

Glowga Party 90 minutes of relaxing, stretching and fun! Yoga instructors from Auburn, Opelika and the surrounding areas will take turns leading participants in various styles and levels of yoga poses with this yoga marathon. The event will include segments of black light yoga--wear your neon! Children ages 12 & older welcome with parent participation. FREE to the public. 7 – 9 p.m. Whitney Morris • (334) 501-2948 • activeauburn@auburnalabama.org Ceramic Lunch and Learn: Film Friday! Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. On the first Friday of March, April and May, visit the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center to preview instructional films from Ceramic Arts Daily. Bring a brown bag lunch. FREE and open to the public and complimentary beverages will be provided. Noon – 1 p.m. Cari Cleckler • (334) 501-2944 • ccleckler@ auburnalabama.org.

Annual Ozark Crawdad & Music Festival in beautiful downtown Ozark, AL! www.ozarkalabama.org. Auburn Football A-Day Jordan-Hare Stadium. The stadium games open at 11 a.m. and the game starts at 1 p.m. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased online or call (855) 282-2010. Auburn students get in free with a valid Ignited Card. www. auburntigers.com. ATO Lutzie 43 Powder Puff Football Tournament See April 6 for details. 53rd Annual Eufaula Pilgrimage See April 6 for details. Classic Albums Live: Led Zeppelin RiveCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. The world’s greatest classic rock albums performed live on stage. Note for note. Classic Albums Live performs Led Zeppelin II, an album that defined the sound of ‘70s hard rock and one of the best selling albums of all time. www.rivercenter.org. Saturday STEM Storytime See March 31 for details. 2018 Piney Woods Arts Festival Enterprise. Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Enterprise State Community College (at the running track) in Enterprise. Juried arts and crafts show, children’s fun center, food and entertainment, Civil War Living Display and Weevil City Cruisers Car and Truck Show (Saturday only). Free admission. Call 334-406-2787 or visit www. CoffeeCountyArtsAlliance.com.

53rd Annual Eufaula Pilgrimage Eufaula hosts Alabama’s oldest tour of homes and has more than 700 structures listed on the National Register. Each spring, visitors can take guided tours of homes and sites and also enjoy an art show, concerts, wax museum and more. www. eufaulapilgramage.com.

Sunday, April 8

Story Time and Craft See March 30 for details.

2018 Piney Woods Arts Festival See April 7 for details.

Saturday, April 7

53rd Annual Eufaula Pilgrimage See April 6 for details.

Auburn/Opelika Gun and Hunting Show Village Event Center, Opelika. www. gunshowalabama.com. Entry is $10 for ages 10+. Open for general admission on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. General Admission is $10.

Auburn/Opelika Gun and Hunting Show See April 7 for details.

A-Day Autism 5K Downtown Opelika. Be a champion for Lee County Autism Resource & Advocacy (LCARA) and join us on A-Day to support the families affected by autism in Lee County. All proceeds from the race go directly to our families in the form of events, educational programs, outings and free camp. 12th Annual Ozark Crawdad and Music Festival Grab a chair and listen to the sounds of wonderful music while biting into savory delights! Crawfish! Shrimp! Cheese Steaks! Come and celebrate the 12th

Monday, April 9 Young Writer’s Club See April 2 for details. Story Time See April 2 for details.

Tuesday, April 10 Family Discovery Hikes - Water Wonders Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve, Auburn. 3:30 p.m. We will take a hike throughout the preserve learning how the outdoors are beneficial to your overall health. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for families with children ages 5 to 12. Groups meet at the pavilion. Guided tours are free. Donations are welcomed. Cancelled if raining. Baby Time See March 27 for details.

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

FamilyCalendar Wednesday, April 11 Kaleidoscope RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. Experience the passion of 230 talented music students in an exciting 70-minute, full spectrum musical performance! Featuring large instrumental and vocal ensembles, chamber music, and individual performers, Kaleidoscope offers an electrifying variety of repertoire from classical to jazz, from exuberant to refined! www.rivercenter.org.

native resident of Alexander City, actor, dentist and cast member of “Troll 2” (which achieved unprecedented fame as the best worst movie of all-time) – as he discusses his experiences working on the film, subsequent fame and everything in between, and then stick around for screenings of “Troll 2” and “Best Worst Movie.” This event is free and open to the public. Dr. Hardy will provide a brief introduction at 6 p.m., with “Best Worst Movie” beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be a Q&A session following the movie from 8:15 – 9 p.m. and “Troll 2” will begin at 9 p.m. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.

STEM Story Lab See March 28 for details.

Story Time and Craft See March 30 for details.

Toddler Time See March 28 for details.

Opelika High Theatre Society presents “Kiss Me Kate” See April 12 for details.

Thursday, April 12 DIY@ Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art 5:00 p.m. Wire Sculptures: You will find plenty of inspiration for sculpture in our galleries and on the grounds. Use wire to create your own art creation, and try learning something new! www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Stuffed Animal Sleepover Drop off your fuzzy friends by 6 p.m. for a library sleepover they’ll never forget! Pick them up the following day at 10 a.m. story time and you might be surprised by what they got into when you weren’t around. Photos of library shenanigans will be posted to the Lewis Cooper Jr. Memorial Library Facebook page. For more information, call 334-705-5380 or visit www.cooperlibary.com. Opelika High Theatre Society presents “Kiss Me Kate” April 12, 13, 14 at 7:00 p.m. April 14 and 15 at 3:00 p.m. Admission $10. Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 LaFayette Parkway, Opelika. For more information, email ohts@opelikaschools.org. A Little Lunch Music See March 29 for details. Code Club See March 29 for details. Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn. JCSM brings in contemporary filmmakers to meet with students and museum guests for a special screening of their film. Alexandre Phillipe has directed several narrative and documentary films including “The People Vs George Lucas”, “Doc of the Dead”, and “The Life and Times of Paul the Psychic Octopus”. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Gamers Society See March 29 for details. Preschool Time See March 29 for details. Brick Builders See March 29 for details.

Friday, April 13 Trolling: An Evening with George Hardy Dr. George Hardy – a 1977 Auburn graduate and

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Saturday, April 14 “A Rocket in a Railroad Town” Documentary Premier 5 p.m. Municipal Park, Opelika. Opelika Park and Recreation is celebrating the return of the Rocky Brook Rocket miniature train with the premiere of the “A Rocket in a Railroad Town” documentary. The 45-minute film tells the story of the Rocket’s history and the restoration process that brought it back to its current condition. Prior to the event, Opelika Parks and Recreation will give free train rides to the public from 3-4:45. In the event of rain, the event will be moved to City Hall. Dufner Dash 5K Plainsman Park, Auburn. Run, walk or jog the streets of Auburn University and cross home plate to help finish childhood hunger in Lee County. www.jasonduffnerfoundation.com.

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Story Time See April 2 for details. Show and Tell Book Group Auburn Public Library. 4 PM & 6:30 PM. This book group meets every third Monday of the month to discuss books. This is a show and tell book group, so everyone is free to read any book(s) fiction or nonfiction and present it to the group. A lively discussion ensues! (334) 501-3296.

Tuesday, April 17 Baby Time See March 27 for details.

Wednesday, April 18 Toddler Time See March 28 for details. STEM Story Lab See March 28 for details.

Thursday, April 19 Wine Tasting Christine’s Unlimited, Auburn. Wine Tasting $20 per person plus tax. Enjoy light hor-douvres and 5 wines. www.christinesunlimited.com. A Little Lunch Music See March 29 for details.

6th Annual Chewacla Classic Camper Rally Chewacla State Park, Auburn. Open house from 1-4 p.m., a group photo at 5 p.m., a potluck dinner at 5:30 p.m., door prizes and more (all times CDT). This is a BYOB event. The group photo and potluck dinner will be held at the Pavilion in Loop 2, John’s Circle. Make your reservations now by calling the Park Office at 334-887-5621.

Third Thursday Poetry Series Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. 6:30 PM. The spring semester group of poets visit JCSM for the spring 2018 installment of the Third Thursday Poetry Series. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

Second Saturday at Pioneer Park Loachapoka. On the second Saturday of every month, a group of history re-enactors gather at the LCHS Museum in period attire to demonstrate their arts and crafts. The Whistle Stop Pickers dulcimer group meets at the Museum at 1 PM. www.leecountyhistoricalsociety.org.

Preschool Time See March 29 for details.

Second Saturday at Columbus Museum 1251 Wynnton Road, Columbus. 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Free Admission. Drop by the art cart with your children and grandchildren each month to explore various mediums of art, enjoy art related stories, and participate in gallery hunts at the Museum. www.columbusmuseum.com. Opelika High Theatre Society presents “Kiss Me Kate” See April 12 for details. Saturday STEM Storytime See March 31 for details.

Sunday, April 15 Opelika High Theatre Society presents “Kiss Me Kate” See April 12 for details.

Code Club See March 29 for details.

Brick Builders See March 29 for details. Gamers Society See March 29 for details.

Friday, April 20 On the Tracks Spring 2018 Downtown Opelika. On The Tracks draws hundreds to Historic Downtown Opelika to enjoy a fun night on the town enjoying all that Opelika has to offer. Food vendors line the streets as live music is performed from a stage in the middle of Railroad Avenue. Purchase individual tickets or tables by visiting www.onthetracks.org.

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FamilyCalendar Story Time and Craft See March 30 for details.

the current exhibit and explore an art activity. www.lagrangeartmuseum.org.

The Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe 10:30 AM & 3:30 PM. Join the Auburn Public Library Puppet Troupe for shows full of laughs, wonder, and puppets sure to delight every one of all ages! All ages. libraryevents@auburnalabama org. (334) 501-3296.

Saturday STEM Storytime See March 31 for details.

Saturday, April 21 19th Annual Bike Bash Richland Elementary School, Auburn. 8:00 a.m. Bicycle rides of varying distances will be offered, along with great live music, bicycle inspections, helmet fittings, exhibits, activities for children, and a cookout. Visit www.bikebash.org for more information. 334-501-2940. Alpha Psi Rodeo 2018 Ingram Farm, Auburn. Rodeo is an all-day party that starts at the crack of dawn! Once you get to the property, there will be professional bull riding and other rodeo activities. You can even ride a bull! The opener will kick off the concert at around sunset. After that, the headliner wraps up the night with a kickass show under the stars! www.alphapsirodeo. com. 18th Annual Old 280 Boogie Waverly. www.standarddeluxe.com. Multi-Cultural Music & Arts Festival. Royalty Run 5K USA Town Center, Opelika. 7:30 a.m. www.auburnrunning.org/races. Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris Opelika Sportsplex. 9:00 a.m. A family-friendly Walk/Run raising awareness of diabetes, and an opportunity for participant fundraising efforts to make it possible for kids to attend Camp Seale Harris for kids and families living with diabetes. Events held in Birmingham, Mobile, Auburn/Opelika, and Dothan or be a “virtual walker” to support diabetes awareness and Camp Seale Harris! www. auowalkforcsh.swellgives.com. Mosaic Tile Workshop Krehler Preserve and Nature Center, Auburn. Join Kay Stone and Jennifer Lolley to learn the basics of making mosaic art. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the mosaic workshop, attendees will help create a piece of mosaic art for the KPNC and make a take-home trivet. $20/ person (supplies included). www.auburn. edu/preserve. (334) 707-6512 • preserve@auburn. edu. Sip and Paint Workshop LaGrange Art Museum. Local artists will walk you through the painting process to create your own masterpiece. All art materials are provided. Bring a bottle of wine and your favorite snack. You must be at least 21 years of age with proper identification to consume alcohol. Painting begins at 7:00 p.m. Please arrive at 6:30 to park, check-in, & get smocked! $30. www.lagrangeartmuseum.org. Super Saturdays at LaGrange Art Museum 112 Lafayette Pkwy, LaGrange, Ga. 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Free family art day! Spend the afternoon at the Museum. Families, neighbors, and friends can tour

works for this competition. FREE to the public. The Auburn Arts Association will accept submissions for the show through mid-April. Download an application at auburncityfest.com and submit your piece today! 5:30 - 7:30 PM. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.

Monday, April 23

Code Club See March 29 for details.

Young Writer’s Club See April 2 for details.

Preschool Time See March 29 for details.

Story Time See April 2 for details.

Urban Bush Women - Hair Stories 3.3 RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. The dance, music, and history of the African Diaspora comes to RiverCenter when Urban Bush Women takes the stage performing Hair and other stories, a multidisciplinary, evening-length work that addresses matters of race, gender identity, and economic inequality through the lens of hair – primarily that of African American women. www.rivercenter.org.

Tuesday, April 24 Marie/Lepanto: Living Room Show Concert Waverly. This show is happening in zip code 36879. You will receive the full address after completing your purchase. Living Room Shows are private shows hosted by fans in spaces such as, living rooms, basements, lofts, recording studios, yoga studios, bike shops, screen printing shops, clothing stores, coffee shops, cafes, churches, etc. For each show we try to find the best space based on the acoustics of the room, proximity to parking and public transportation, restroom access, available seating, and when possible ADA accessibility. We’re trying to create intimate shows that will be a positive and memorable experience for guests and artists. www. undertowshows.com. Monthly Market See March 27 for details. Baby Time See March 27 for details.

Wednesday, April 25

Saturday, April 28 Auburn CityFest Kiesel Park, Auburn. Auburn’s largest free outdoor festival with live music, arts & crafts and fine arts vendors, children’s activities, food, and more! CityFest is FREE to the public and is a rain or shine event. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. www.auburncityfest.com. TroyFest Fine art & craft festival for the central Alabama region. The weekend long show draws upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Troy to celebrate the arts. Art, food, entertainment and activities will be offered for people of all ages. www.troyfestarts.com. Bo Bikes Bama Auburn Arena. Mark your calendars for the 7th annual Bo Bikes Bama! www.bobikesbama.com. Symphony on the Sand Callaway Gardens, Ga. A night beneath the stars, your toes in the sand, and a glass of wine in your hand, while sounds of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra mingle with an evening lake breeze. www.callawaygardens.com.

Toddler Time See March 28 for details. STEM Story Lab See March 28 for details.

Thursday, April 26 East Alabama Arts: “Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder” Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. Opelika. Getting away with murder can be so much fun… and there’s no better proof than the knock-‘em-dead hit show that’s earned unanimous raves and won the 2014 Tony Award® for BEST MUSICAL www. eastalabamaarts.org. Spring Community Night Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Auburn. Join us for our first Spring Community Night! Artist Laura Murray will share her work as an illustrator and talk about her coloring book, Amazing Alabama. Expect to run into some critters you will find pictures of in the Audubon exhibition, enjoy tasty treats and more. www.jcsm.auburn.edu.

Young Eagles Day Columbus Airport, 3250 W. Britt David Road, Columbus, Ga. 8:30-11:30 AM (weather permitting). All kids ages 8-17 are invited to take a Free airplane ride over Columbus! Most flights last 20 minutes. The goal is to provide a fun and educational aviation experience. 706-324-2453 Gamers Society See March 29 for details. Saturday STEM Storytime See March 31 for details.

A Little Lunch Music See March 29 for details.

Monday, April 30

Brick Builders See March 29 for details.

Young Writer’s Club See April 2 for details.

14th Annual Auburn CityFest Juried Art Preview Show & Reception Enjoy a Preview Reception held at the Historic Nunn-Winston House on the grounds of Kiesel Park. Artists across the Southeast are invited to submit

Story Time See April 2 for details.

Alabama Avenue at Spring Sundown Concert Town Creek Park, Auburn. Everyone is encouraged to

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FamilyCalendar bring a blanket or lawn chairs, a picnic supper, and friends! Bring the family and come sing and dance with us! It’s a FUN night! www.alabamaavenue.org.

May May 3, 10, 17 and 31: May Concert Series Town Creek Park, Auburn. Grab a lawn chair, family, and friends and go enjoy live music at Town Creek Park. Bring the family, a picnic, and your lawn chairs and enjoy a free, relaxing evening of entertainment. Every Thursday evening in May! FREE to the public. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. May 5: Garden in the Park Opelika Municipal Park 8 AM - 3 PM. Opelika’s Annual Festival Showcasing Homegrown and Handmade Arts and crafts. Free admission. Food donations will be collected for the East Alabama Food Bank.Please leave pets at home. www.facebook.com/keepopelikabeautiful May 5: 10th Annual Kentucky Derby Auction & Dinner Storybook Farm, Opelika. Don extravagant hats, sip mint juleps, enjoy cuisine from the finest restaurants from Opelika/Auburn, and watch the Kentucky Derby. Be inspired by distinguished guest speakers, Tim and Kim Hudson, and get your game-face on for the live auction and giveaways! With support from events such as the Kentucky Derby Dinner and Auction, Storybook Farm is able to continually provide equine assisted activities for more than 1,000 children annually at no cost to the participating families. www.hopeonhorseback.org. May 8: Family Discovery Hikes: Bluebirds Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, Auburn. We will enjoy a hike looking for bluebirds and their habitats! 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. for families with children ages 5 to 12. Groups meet at the pavilion. Guided tours are free. Donations are welcomed. www.auburn.edu/preserve. May 10 - 11: S’more Fun with Mom Kreher Preserve and Nature Center, Auburn. Purchase your tickets for Lee County’s annual mother and son adventure, S’more Fun with Mom. This special event is co-hosted by the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center and the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. Ticket on sale at auburn.edu/preserve and are only available online. The cost is $30 per mother/ son duo and $10 for each additional son. The event is offered on two evenings: Thursday, May 10, and Friday, May 11, from 6-8 p.m. Evenings will include a hike, cookout, s’mores and storytelling. There is also a craft station available to create a keepsake with a 5 x 7 portrait to commemorate this special night. Rain dates for the event are Thursday, May 18, and Friday, May 19. 2222 N. College St. For additional information or questions, contact Jennifer Lolley at (334) 707-6512 or at preserve@auburn.edu. May 10: Downtown Auburn Family Supper Auburn. Don’t miss out on this new event featuring fine dining establishments in downtown Auburn, on May 10! There will be a large table set up downtown for guests to enjoy a family-style supper. Tickets prices and more details to come. www.downtownauburnonline.com. May 12: Bark in the Park Kiesel Park, Auburn. Calling all dog lovers! Bark in the Park, an event celebrating responsible dog ownership, 2 p.m. at Kiesel Park. www.auburnalabama.org/parks.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

May 12: Auburn Running Festival Toomer’s Corner, Auburn. The 2018 Auburn Running Festival, also known as Finish on the Fifty, is a half marathon, 10K, 5K, and fun run. Due to construction in Jordan-Hare, the races will not finish in the stadium in 2018. The courses will still showcase the Loveliest Village on the Plains! www.runauburn.com. May 12: Play in the Park Kiesel Park, Auburn. Bring your pooches and the entire family out to Kiesel Park from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dogs can enjoy activities like the costume contest, Doggie Olympics and pooch-related vendors. Fly kites, enjoy music, play with Frisbees and participate in field dayrelated games and activities! FREE to the public. Dogs must be leashed at all times (unless within the Kiesel Dog Park fence). activeauburn@auburnalabama.org. May 13: Tri Chewacla Triathlon Chewacla State Park, Auburn. Join Tri Auburn for the 4th Annual Tri Chewacla Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlon at Chewacla State Park in Auburn. Tri Chewacla offers both a Sprint and Olympic Distance option. Olympic Distance participants will simply be doing 2 loops of each the swim, bike and run courses. www.triauburnal.com. May 15 - 24: Early Bird Recreation Swim Auburn Parks and Recreation. Come join us for some pre-season swimming! Lane ropes will be available for those wanting to swim laps. Early Bird Recreation Swim will be held Tuesday – Thursday in May beginning May 15. Admission is FREE for Splash Pass holders and children ages 1 or younger OR $2/person. (334)501 – 2957 • auburnalabama.org/pools. May 18 - 20: Fresh Air Market Family Fun Day Chewacla State Park, Auburn. May 19: 26th Annual Fishing Rodeo Auburn Technology Park South, Auburn. 7 - 11 a.m. The first 150 children will receive a FREE rod and reel courtesy of Evans Realty and Auburn Parks and Recreation will supply the bait. There will be door prizes as well as awards. The cost is $5 per child and can be paid at the event in the form of cash or check. Checks can be made payable to COA. There is a limit of five fish per child and parents must stay with their child at all times. www.auburnalabama.org/parks. May 19: 44th Annual Old Car Show USA Town Center, Opelika. Dash plaques awarded to first 50 entries. Judged classes thru 1998. 334.742.0326. May 19: Family Studio: The Dramatic Museum Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art, Auburn. Family Studio is recommended for children kindergarten through sixth grade and their families, but older and younger children are always welcome. Parents and guardians are asked to participate with their child during the program. A five-dollar suggested donation to the museum is appreciated in continued support of our programs. www.jcsm. auburn.edu. May 28 - June 3: Bluegrass on the Plains University Station RV Resort, Auburn. The festival will begin on Monday, May 28 from 2 - 10 p.m. Bluegrass fans will be gathering together on the Auburn Plains to hear music, eat from the many food vendors, and celebrate the Memorial Day week. Tickets are $105 for a seven-day pass if purchased

before Tuesday, May 25. U.S. veterans will receive a $25 discount. www.bluegrassontheplains.com.

Ongoing Audubon’s Last Wilderness Journey: The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America Jan. - May 26. Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. The three-volume set of the Viviparous Quadrupeds consists of 140 hand-colored lithographic prints produced by J.T. Bowen in Philadelphia between 1845 and 1849. www.jcsm.auburn.edu. Expressions of a BraveHeart Program A fine arts program for teens and young adults with special needs (ages 11–21), sponsored by Opelika Parks and Recreation, utilizing Auburn University faculty and students, as well as community volunteers. Two 30-minute sessions of art, dance/ creative movement and music will be offered and participants will select 2 of the 3 classes. Expressions meets every 2nd and 4th Monday twice a month for 1.5 hours. Opelika Sportsplex, 334.705.5560. www. opelikasportsplex.com. Live Jazz at Ariccia Trattoria March 30 - 31, April 6 - 7, 13 - 14, 20 - 21 and 27 28. Auburn. Join Piccolo within the Hotel at Auburn University every Friday and Saturday evening for live jazz from 8-11 p.m. www.auhcc.com.

Performances AACT Presents the Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Abridged May 10 - 13. Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center, Auburn. Three adult actors will portray the Bards characters from 37 plays in 97 minutes! $10/Adults, $8/Students and Seniors. Tickets can be purchased and reservations made at auburnact.org. Ticket info. line: (334) 332-0881. TennMartins@gmail.com. “Driving Miss Daisy” April 4 - 7, 11 - 14. Springer Opera House, Columbus. When Daisy Werthan, a widowed, 72-year-old Jewish woman living in midcentury Atlanta, is deemed too old to drive, her son hires Hoke Colburn, an African American man, to serve as her chauffeur. What begins as a troubled and hostile pairing, soon blossoms into a profound, life-altering friendship that transcends all the societal boundaries placed between them. www.springeroperahouse.org. “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” April 27 - 29, May 3 - 6, 10 - 12. Springer Opera House, Columbus. Barney Cashman is an awkward, overweight, middle-aged married man who decides to have a fling before modern life passes him by. He arranges three seductions – Elaine, a frenetic bundle of nerves, Bobbi, a kooky actress and Jeanette, a depressed housewife. As a red hot lover, Barney is a complete bumbling failure. But in a tender, moving conclusion, Barney rediscovers the enduring fulfillment of true love – with his wife. www. springeroperahouse.org. “The Miracle Worker” April 27 - May 6. Montgomery. This classic is based on the true story of Anne Sullivan and her student, blind and mute Helen Keller, who grew up in Tuscumbia, Alabama. www.asf.net. Mr. Burns, a post-electric play Aptil 12 - 22. Telfair Peet Theatre, Auburn University. An apocalyptic event has occurred and the world has lost all electric power. Out of the literal darkness, survivors gather together to tell stories, find loved ones, and create community. Want to learn more

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about the show or give us your opinion? Join us after the April 19 performance on “Talkback Thursday” for a discussion with the director and company members.www.auburn.edu. “Perfect Arrangement” April 12 - 14, 19 - 22. Springer Opera House, Columbus. This laugh-out-loud comedy blows the cover off of the very serious government witchhunt of the 1950s, led by the zealous Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Payne’s sit-com-style play spotlights the period in which McCarthy’s “Red Scare” spun off an even more sinister offspring – the “Lavender Scare” – the government search for “sexual deviants.” The comedy focuses on four gay State Department employees who struggle to keep their secrets in the closet – literally. www.springeroperahouse.org “The Sound of Music” April 17-18. RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, Columbus. 7:30 p.m. www.rivercenter.org. “Twelfth Night” April 20 - May 5. Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery. “If music be the food of love, play on!” So the love-struck Duke Orsino moons over Lady Olivia, who is in turn struck with love for a handsome youth. Little does she know, her “youth” is actually a disguised Lady Viola, who is in love with Orsino. Recommended for ages 12+. www.asf.net.

Support & Parenting Groups A2Z Local Homeschooler’s Association For homeschooling families in the Auburn/Opelika Lee County area of Alabama. A2Z Loop is an all-inclusive support group open to all homeschool families in the Auburn/Opelika area regardless of differences in beliefs, cultures, nationality, race, religion, or method of home schooling. For more information call 334-7281162 or email: momofpnk@gmail.com. Alabama Mentor’s Foster Parent Training Classes Offered in the Opelika Auburn area. Call 334-705-8877 x 18 to register or email: Deanna.Hand@thementornetwork.com. Auburn UMC Children’s Day Out Program Every Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.–12 noon. $10 per child for the entire morning, $2 each additional child. Attendance will be on a first come-first served basis. Contact Barbara Dawsey at 826-8800 for more information. Auburn United Methodist Church. Auburn Mommies, a fun group of moms in the Auburn/Opelika area that meet weekly for playgroups and Mommy and Me walking twice a week. We also have a Mommies Night Out once a month. Http:// groups.yahoo.com/group/auburnmommiesinalabama/. Auburn Mommy and Me Big Dog Running Co, Auburn. 10–11 a.m. Social time, story time, music/movement, arts & crafts. Ages 9 months–3 years. Free! 334-209-2580. Auburn MOPS 1st Wednesday of each month, September-May. 9–11:30 a.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, Opelika. Meetings open to moms with preschool children ages 5 years and under. $5 per meeting; childcare $5 per child. $25 yearly membership dues. Weekly playdates, monthly moms night out, resources, and more. www.facebook.com/ AuburnOpelikaMOPS; AUMOPS@yahoo.com. Bible Study Fellowship Parkway Baptist, Thursdays 10 a.m., (334) 546-1386.

Bosom Buddies (a breast cancer support group) Meets at The Health Resource Center the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. (334) 528-1260. www.eamc.org. Breast Feeding class meets the second Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon on EAMC’s third floor. Call 528-1260 to register. Caregiver Support Group Caring for a family member or friends can be rewarding, but it’s not easy. Whether you are the caregiver for your parents, spouse or a dependent child, this group is for you! Learn ways to cope with every day stresses of caring for someone you love. Gain tools and resources to help you on your journey. This program is supported by the Opelika Sportsplex, Lee-Russell Agency on Aging and HomeInstead Senior Care. This group is open to the public. Meets the last Monday of each month at 12:30 p.m. at Opelika Sportsplex AAC. Instructors are: Valeri White (Sportsplex), Bridgette Sager (Home Instead Senior Care), Lisa Askew (Lee-Russell Council of Gov). Food Allergy Support of East Alabama The Food Allergy Support of East Alabama group offers support through the sharing of information and resources. We are also working to increase awareness of food allergies in the state of Alabama. For more information, visit our website at www. foodallergysupporteastal.org or call Barbara at 334826-3082; bkg2007@bellsouth.net. GRACE - Post-Abortive Support Group Are you struggling with feelings of regret or sadness from having a pregnancy termination in your past? Women’s Hope Medical Clinic wants to help you! You are invited to take part in our GRACE abortion recovery group. This confidential group gives you the opportunity to process the grief of your termination in a safe and non-judgmental setting. If you would like more information about the times, dates and location for this group, call or e-mail Sherry at Women’s Hope: 334.502.7000 or sherry@womenshope.org. La Leche League, a support group for nursing moms, meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. @ Cornerstone Family Chiropractic, Airport Plaza, 323 Airport Road Suite E, Auburn. For more information call LLL of Auburn/Opelika, Leader, Josie Ettinger (h)334257-3950 or (c)334-740-8780. Lee County Department of Human Resources Now recruiting foster/adoptive families. To learn more about fostering and adoption please call our office at 334-737-1100. Please join us in this endeavor to help our foster children. Lee County Parents of Chinese Children helps children understand, see and grow up with other families that look like their family (white parents/Asian child). The group is 100% free! We try to eat out at Asian establishments monthly and have playdates. Families that are waiting to adopt are welcome! We accept any families with adopted children from all Asian countries. Contact Melody at mmhilyer@bellsouth.net for more information. Miracle League To volunteer or for more information, www.miraclefield. org or eamiracleleague@gmail.com. MOMS Club of Auburn, a group of stay-at-home moms that meets about twice a week to provide support for each other and fun interaction for kids. New website is www.auburnmoms.com. MOPS of Auburn We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at Auburn United Methodist Church from 9:30 - 11:30. Childcare is provided, although we ask that you make reservations if possible. Meetings are open to mothers

with children ages 5 and under. www.facebook.com/ mopsofauburn mopsofauburn@gmail.com. Opelika-Auburn Newcomers Club A club for new women in town which offers fun social activities, meets for lunch on the 3rd Thursday of every month. Call Joan at 501-4974. Parent Educational Workshop - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy. 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 800 2nd Avenue, Opelika. Parent Support Group - Autism Lee County Autism Resource and Advocacy meets the 1st Monday (unless national holiday), 9:00-11:00 a.m. and the next evening (Tuesday) from 6-7:30 p.m. Visit www.leecountyautism.com for complete information. Email info@leecountyautism.com or call 334-740-0716. Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama Single Moms Outreach of East Alabama offers 2nd Saturdays, group classes, and more. Contact Penny Messer at 334-444-6827. Email smoea@bellsouth.net. Website www.smoea.vpweb.com or find us on facebook. Teen Moms (for moms under 20) is a ministry that connects trained adults with pregnant girls and teenage moms. Support meetings, classes, job preparation, devotions and games. Call Laura Fuller at laura@ insideyfc.com or 334-501-5637. www.insideyfc.com. Therapeutic Foster Care Program Foster a Child’s Future Today - Become a Therapeutic Foster Parent! Certification classes are free. Please call Joanna Fisher Champagne at Lee County Youth Development Center’s Therapeutic Foster Care Program. (334) 749-2996, Ext. 311 - You can make an eternal difference in a child’s life! Trinity UMC (Opelika) Mom’s Morning Out Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:45–12. $15 per child, $5 each additional. Trinity United Methodist Church.

Sports Auburn Baseball March 30, 31. April 1, 2, 13, 14, 15, 17, 24. Auburn Tennis March 25. April 6, 8, 13, 15. Auburn Softball March 25. April 4, 6, 7, 8, 20, 21, 22. Auburn Track and Field April 13, 14, 20, 21.

Please send your calendar events to Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com! www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

A Wrinkle in Time

I Can Only Imagine

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: BViolence: BSexual Content: AProfanity: AAlcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated A Wrinkle in Time PG for thematic elements and some peril. I went into the screening of A Wrinkle in Time with great expectations. The movie is based on a best-selling novel by Madeleine L’Engle that was one of my favorites as a youth, and one that I read to my own children. Although it was obvious from watching the trailer that the filmmakers were putting their own touches on the classic tale, I was open to seeing where that interpretation would go. Directed by Ava DuVernay, whose other work focuses on African American themes (Selma, 13th), it should have come as no surprise that she would add racial diversity to what was originally an all-white story. While this casting pallet really doesn’t color the intent of the characters, the difference in agenda between L’Engle and DuVernay really does change the themes painted in the plot. In the movie, Meg Murray (Storm Reid) is a gifted student, yet struggling to deal with the disappearance of her dad (Chris Pine). Four years ago he vanished while experimenting with space and time travel. During his absence, her mother (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who is also a scientist, has tried to keep hope for his return alive. But the mocking and bullying of her classmates has seriously injured Meg’s self-esteem. And when they also pick on her younger, brilliant brother Charles Wallace (Deric McCabe), she lashes out against the ringleader (Rowan Blanchard) by throwing a basketball at her face. Two things happen at this point of despair: A smart and popular boy from school named Calvin (Levi Miller) shows up wanting to befriend Meg and Charles Wallace, and three ethereal beings (played by Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Oprah Winfrey) appear offering to help the trio find Mr. Murray. After hesitantly accepting the invitation, Meg, her brother and their new pal find themselves wrinkling time, traveling through space, and on a dangerous rescue mission. The quest will challenge the talents and faults of each individual as they try to combat the dark forces of the universe. The set-up is similar in both book and film, however, the lessons that are learned on the journey vary. L’Engle wrote an allegory that tries to balance science and religion, focuses on the bonds of family, and enshrines the strength of love. DuVernay and the screenwriters (Jennifer Lee and Jeff Stockwell) use her framework to promote girl power and reprimand fathers. And it won’t just be fans of the novel that find the film lacking. The pacing is flawed, spending too much time frolicking in fantasy worlds, and not enough time building tensions and resolving conflicts. This makes it hard for the audience to engage in the emotions that should accompany scenes of peril, moments of triumph, depths of disappointment and realisation of joy. Nor does it help that the other-worldly characters are so ham-fisted in imparting their moral messages. Thankfully, content issues focus mostly on some non-graphic violent depictions that are best suited for older children and teens. Still, the greatest reason for regret in this expensive Disney production is the way an exceptional story, and a capable cast and crew, didn’t manage to iron out the wrinkles in their execution. Instead, all they have turned out is a mediocre adventure yarn.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: A Violence: BSexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AThe MPAA has rated I Can Only Imagine PG for thematic elements including some violence. I Can Only Imagine became a hit for the Christian band MercyMe in 2003. While much of the public is familiar with Bart Millard’s song, not as many are aware of the inspiration behind it. This movie, which bares the same title, attempts to change that. Telling the story in flashbacks, we meet young Bart (Brody Rose) and learn of his life in a dysfunctional family where he is abandoned by his mother (Tanya Clarke), and regularly beaten by his father (Dennis Quaid). When hostilities continue to escalate at home, the teen finds chasing a music career provides a convenient escape route from the abuse. When a respected mentor (Trace Adkins) suggests he face his past demons, Bart reluctantly returns to his father’s house. But the man who greets him there is not the same as the one he feared and fled. Instead his Dad is a broken creature, desperate to make amends for past mistakes. Despite the seriousness of the situations, the moviemakers use restraint with their portrayals. Parents should be aware that some of the domestic violence is depicted. These scenes, plus some medical emergencies and verbal bullying, may be too frightening for little viewers. Despite being a small budget production, the film beautifully shares the rich rewards of family love and forgiveness.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2018

Midnight Sun MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: ASexual Content: CProfanity: B Alcohol / Drug Use: C The MPAA has rated Midnight Sun PG-13 for some teen partying and sensuality. Highly contrived and engineered to pull tears from teens, Midnight Sun adequately accomplishes this goal with no violence and few profanities – but there is a great deal of kissing, cuddling and near-skinny-dipping under the moonlight. Working with a well-used template, Katie (Bella Thorne) is a high school senior imprisoned in her home by xeroderma pigmentosum, a rare disease that makes any exposure to sun lethal. When she finally meets Charlie (Patrick Schwarzenegger), the young man she’s been swooning over for the many years as he’s passed by her bedroom window, a romance ignites and pulls Katie out of her darkened shelter. Their relationship is depicted in a montage of moments with Katie jumping into Charlie’s truck and passionately kissing him. But for all the canoodling and a late night swim in their underwear, what’s missing is an important item of truth: Charlie still isn’t aware of Katie’s serious illness. Midnight Sun walks a path so predictable that it’s almost more surprising that there isn’t a twist to this sad tale of romance. For adults, this may make for a tedious plod to a tepid conclusion. For teens, especially those young enough not to have been exposed to the many Boy In The Plastic Bubble variants (like Bubble Boy) prior to this one, Katie’s journey may be a novel watch. 56

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THE ADVENTURES IN

Math & Science

2018 Summer Camp Sessions

Hosted by the Alabama School of Math and Science

Launch a Rocket Kayak in Mobile Bay Build a Robot

Solve a Crime Prepare for the ACT

June 4-8, June 11-15, & June 18-22 Located in Mobile, AL

Day & Overnight Camp

Grades 6-10

Register Online Early to Save! Register by April 1: $360 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $260 Day Camp (includes lunch) Register after April 1: $385 Overnight Camp (all inclusive), $285 Day Camp (includes lunch) Cost to stay weekend between a session is an additional $185 (includes trip to water park)

COURSE SAMPLING ACT Prep, Algebra Review, Exploring Inner Space, Marine Biology, CSI: Mobile, Phun Physics, Using Java, Robotics, Field Biology, Psychology, Math Puzzles, Labs of Doom, Rocketry, Origami, Speak Up, Light Metals and Enameling, Apps for Smart Devices, and many more. Applications, more information, and course descriptions are online at WWW.ASMS.NET.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MAY 1, 2018

1255 Dauphin St. • Mobile, AL 36604 • 251.441.2100 • www.asms.net • aims@asms.net

Help Alabama

Shine!

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!

“Happy to be part of this survey.”

“Thank you for checking on us!”

Actual comments from survey responses.

Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set! Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, genetic information, and other federal, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, Tel. 334-206-5226, o r email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.