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Volume 11 Number 4
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Columns 4
Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP
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Progressive Day Camp A unique way to entertain neighborhood kids this summer.
Common Sense Media Easy tips to manage TikTok and keep your kids safe.
Kids Health Watch sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
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Everything in Between
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Common Sense Media
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Dave Says Dave Ramsey
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Get This! Gerry Paige Smith
A Day for Dad
Ideas for making this Father’s Day one he’ll remember.
Suddenly Working From Home With Kids
Tips from a mom who’s been there.
Departments 6
Bits and Pieces
On The Cover Chuck and Christine Cooper of Auburn are both educators in the Auburn City School system. They have three sons: Hudson, Samuel and William. This fall, Hudson will be an 8th grader attending Auburn Junior High, Samuel will be in 5th grade at Pick Elementary and William will be attending Kindergarten at Cary Woods. As a family, they love anything outdoors, especially hiking in Glacier National Park in Montana.
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School Bits
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Publisher’sNote After what seemed like the (virtual) school year that would never end, we finally made it and can now celebrate Summer 2020! With final exams taken, iPads turned in and yearbooks picked up, my children are ready to put all the studying aside for some fun in the sun. Summertime means long days by the water, picnics in the park, overnight and day camps, s’mores by the fire and fireworks on the 4th of July. Sweet summertime is here! As we slowly emerge out of quarantine and into Summer 2020, we have to ask ourselves, “How will this summer be different than those of the past?” Will our kids get to enjoy the carefree days of summer that we reminisce about now? How will we adapt to our new normal of summer, all the while, remaining hopeful that it will still bring with it simple joys and happiness? I have been pondering these and many other questions about summer for my kids. What I am definitive about is that we will not be sadden by the things we are going to miss out on this year. Instead, I have chosen to recreate and approach our fun in a different way. One of those summer must-do items is summer camp. While most camps have researched and adjusted the way things will run, in order to open and offer youth programming, some have decided to remain closed this season and plan for a grand reopening in 2021. So what’s a mom to do to make sure none of the summer fun will be missed? In this month’s feature article, Progressive Day Camp: A Unique Way to Entertain Kids This Summer, the author suggests a great idea that might interest your children and neighbors. If the kids can’t attend their favorite local day camps, then why not bring the summer camp to the neighborhood? Figure out how many children would be interested in participating in a neighborhood day camp experience, where the group ‘progressively’ moves from house to house, and each stop is a different activity. The activities can be like similar camp highlights such as arts and crafts, science projects, water and relay games and hiking/nature trails. Parents in the neighborhood would host a different camp stop and coordinate the activity of the day for the kid campers. At the end of camp, celebrate this new summer adventure with a community cookout and bonfire. Summer camp may not be what they hoped it would, but with creativity and neighbors working together, Summer Day Camp 2020 might be the best memories made all year. Don’t forget to grab dad and get him involved. Dads are great bonfire builders and sticky, s’mores makers. With Father’s Day in just a few short weeks, let’s not forget to celebrate your special dad, grandfather or favorite uncle. If you need some new ideas, check out the article, A Day for Dad: Make This Father’s Day One to Remember. One idea is to plan a Father’s Day Feast that includes all of his favorite foods. Another great tip is to hand craft a gift that shows dad how much he is loved and appreciated. Better yet, include in the neighborhood’s progressive summer day camp, at the arts and crafts table, a project just for dad! Maybe help the campers make a picture frame that reads ‘World’s Best Dad’ or paint a canvas art piece, with the kids’ handprints on them, to hang on dad’s office wall. It’s finally time to pull out all the swimsuits and sun block for another summer on The Plains. From one parent to another, this summer, try on the camp counselor hat and see how well it fits. We got this!
Kendra
kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com
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Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source
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 Kimberly Blaker Janeen Lewis Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Pam Molnar Dave Ramsey Gerry Paige Smith Katie Wolter, MD Cover Photography Simple Joy Photography www.simplejoyphoto.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 2020 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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TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP
Mr. Rogers Had It Right It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...and it was a beautiful day sitting on my couch, snuggled up with my kids, watching what feels like movie number 2,074 during this quarantine. And that’s when I heard those wise words come straight from the mouth of Mr. Rogers – “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.” And there it was. Such a profound way to ground us in this time when we are all feeling all the feelings about our current reality. “When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary,” he said. Yes, Mr. Rogers. Yes. If he ever needed a career other than children’s reality show host and master of all puppets in the fictional kingdom of The Neighborhood of Make Believe, then he absolutely could have been in the world of psychology. You see, he gets it. Mr. Rogers understood that internalizing stress and worry and anxiety and uncertainty breeds stress and worry and anxiety and
Auburn Opelika Parents I June 2020
uncertainty. But mentioning them – which essentially means communicating them – breeds management – it breeds problem solving and eases concern. It brings about a sense of burden sharing with those around us. And as great as that feels as adults – this effect is even more magnified in our children. But in our own parental humanity, we often tend to negate the feelings of our children. Even in love we can be quick to just give a quick pat on the head and say, “Don’t worry, it will be fine,” without actually ever stopping and stooping and leaning in to hear what their little hearts are saying. Think of it this way – have you ever been upset about something and someone near you almost immediately says, “Calm down!” Does that, in any way, make you want to be calm in that moment? I’m guessing no. Instead, what helps you feel calm is when someone stops what they are doing, makes eye contact with you,
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sits near you and really hears your heart. They listen. They lean in. They understand that you are struggling, and because they care for you, they take time to invest in you in that moment. It doesn’t actually matter whether they have the answer to your problem, they were present. This is the difference. This is the way we move away from a culture of pith and trite remarks, empty of any value to us, and toward authentic, deep, relational engagement. As Mr. Rogers would sing to all of us at the end of every show, he understood that, “…You’ll have things you want to talk about…I will too.” So grab your cardigan from the closet by the front door, change your shoes, and be intentional to hear what your little (and big) ones are saying around you. It will make for a beautiful day in your own neighborhood. Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.
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World Giraffe Day at the Zoo
Ogletree Village. Tickets are now available for the 2nd annual Auburn Food and Wine Festival benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County on Saturday, June 6 from 5 – 9 p.m. Community. Food. Wine. Fellowship. Connecting the community through food, wine & fellowship in hopes to raise awareness, funds & encourage the campaign of The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Lee County & their efforts. General admission tickets include all samples of food and wine. Food-only tickets are also available. Ogletree Village. 5:009:00 p.m. www.auburnfoodandwinefestival.com.
The Montgomery Zoo. World Giraffe Day is an exciting annual event initiated by Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) to celebrate the longest-necked animal at the Montgomery Zoo (and on the planet), Saturday, June 20. Learn about the plight of giraffes in the wild and steps to increase their numbers. This is also a conservation fundraiser to raise support, create awareness, and shed light on the challenges giraffe face in the wild, with proceeds going back to the Global Giraffe Foundation. By supporting World Giraffe Day, you directly help save giraffes in the wild, in Africa. With only approximately only 111,000 giraffes remaining in the wild, the time is right to act NOW! It is our goal that this year, we will be able to contribute over $2,000 to this very worthwhile cause. www.montgomeryzoo.com
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SummerNight Downtown Art Walk
Downtown Auburn. The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk is a FREE arts festival that transforms downtown Auburn into its very own arts district, featuring the work of local and regional artists, live musicians, street performers, great food and children's activities. Each year, the Auburn Arts Association, City of Auburn, Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center (JDCAC) and Auburn Downtown Merchants Association host this event to highlight the many talented artists in our community in addition to promoting our unique downtown area. The SummerNight Downtown Art Walk will be held June 12 from 6 - 10 p.m. along with the Starting Line Party and Strawberry Strut Parade which will be at 5 p.m. at Pebble Hill. Entertainment will kick off at 6:15 p.m. at Toomer's Corner with Tony Brook!
City Market
June 6, 13, 20, 27, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 City Market is back for the summer season. Auburn Parks and Recreation invites the community, growers and consumers alike, to join us Saturdays through August at Town Creek Park, from 8-11 AM. The market will host local farmers, growers, and artists to sell their produce and products. Farmers, growers, and artists who are interested in participating in the City Market must complete an application and submit their Grower’s Permit to the Market Coordinator. Materials may be submitted in person at the Harris Center (425 Perry Street) or via email to the Market Coordinator. For more information visit www.auburnalabama.org/citymarket. Follow us on our Facebook page @CityMarketAuburnAL for updates and announcements.
The Alexander City Sun Festival
July 31-August 8, Sun Festival is a week-long community event of 40+ individual events offering something for every age including children and senior activities, art, exercise, a scavenger hunt and more, all culminating in Jazz Fest weekend. Visit www. alexandercitychamber.com or follow us on Facebook at Sun Festival Alexander City for up to the minute information. Auburn Opelika Parents I June 2020
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Science on Saturday “Medicinal Plants” at Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
No matter where you live, there are healing plants underfoot and towering above. We live in a veritable sea of medicine. Imagine your medicine chest filled with homemade, herbal tinctures, salves, and syrups; and a pantry brimming with culinary preparations, conjured up with your own herbal flair! Immerse yourself in the art of traditional herbalism with our experts and guest speaker, Tia Gonazales – horticulturist and botanist. You’ll become familiar with some of the most common edible and medicinal wayside plants. Come and learn to forage! Presented by Southeastern Raptor Center, Saturday, July 18, 10:00-11:30 a.m. This is a one-hour, lecture-style program that will provide the opportunity to see and interact with live animals. Admission is $5 ($4 for members); children 3 and under are free. Cancelled in the event of rain. This program will be held at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center unless otherwise noted. The nature center is located at 2222 N. College Street near the AU Fisheries and Hwy 280. For more information, visit auburn.edu/preserve, email preserve@auburn.edu, or call 334-844-8091.
Teen CPR Class
CPR certification for ages 13+. Class is free, but space is limited to 8 students per session. Dates to choose are July 7, 15 or 22. Registration IS REQUIRED. You need only attend one date to take this class and earn your CPR certification card. Opelika Public Library, 2-4 PM. library@opelika-al.gov
Splash Bash Summer Games
Music, bingo, trivia, contests, snacks and prizes. Bring the whole family! All ages welcome. Opelika SportsPlex Splash Park. June 11, June 25, July 16 and July 30. 4:00-6:00 p.m. www.opelikasportsplex.com
Distinguished Young Women Competition going Virtual
The Distinguished Young Women National Final is going digital. One of the Mobile’s signature events won’t be another casualty of the coronavirus. The Distinguished Young Women will still honor the top high school representative from each state — as it has since 1958 — and award more than $100,000 in scholarships during its culminating events, June 25-27. Due to the new rules for public gatherings, the Distinguished Young Women has had to find a way to engage through screens and speakers. Traditionally, the participants arrive in Mobile two weeks before the climactic two-day preliminaries and Saturday finale, where they compete in categories that measure scholastics, self-expression, physical fitness, talent and interviewing skills, but this year the young women will submit videos for each National Finals category. The DYW will broadcast the three-night virtual showcase on its website free of charge. The website address: distinguishedyw.org.
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KidsHealthWatch
Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn
Fireworks, Insects, and Playground Safety Tips As we begin to engage in more community activities after being mostly at home during COVID 19, we need to do our best to stay safe while having fun. Some of those enjoyable activities include fireworks and more playground time. Although this leads to more fun and increased physical activity, it can also lead to injuries. Unfortunately, along with more outdoor time comes more exposure to insects. It is therefore imperative that our children remain as safe as possible while participating in these activities. Below are some safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) designed to create a protective environment and minimize injuries:
FIREWORKS SAFETY
• Fireworks can result in severe burns, blindness, scars, and even death. • Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders. • Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home. • The AAP recommends prohibiting public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet.
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BUG SAFETY
• Avoid areas where insects nest or congregate, such as stagnant pools of water, uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom. • To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail. • Combination sunscreen/insect repellent products should be avoided because sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied. • Use insect repellents containing DEET when needed to prevent insectrelated diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitoes can transmit West Nile, Chikungunya Virus and other viruses. • The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age. • When outside in the evenings or other times when there are a lot of mosquitoes present, cover up with long sleeved shirts, pants and socks to prevent bites.
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PLAYGROUND SAFETY
• Make sure children cannot reach any moving parts that might pinch or trap any body part. • Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, leashes, or similar items to play equipment; children can strangle on these. • Make sure children remove helmets and anything looped around their necks. • Metal, rubber and plastic products can get very hot in the summer, especially under direct sun. • Make sure slides are cool to prevent children’s legs from getting burned. • Do not allow children to play barefoot on the playground. • Parents should supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe. © American Academy of Pediatrics, June 2015
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
National School Breakfast Week at Wacoochee Elementary
March 2-6 was National School Breakfast Week and Wacoochee Elementary celebrated in style! On Monday, the Columbus Lions Mascot (Leo) visited the school with former Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway and former Marion County punter AJ Wells. The Ladies' Soccer Team visited Tuesday, had so much fun, they came back Wednesday and brought Smitty along with them! The cross country runners came on Thursday and Mayor Bubba Copeland visited on Friday. What a week!
Teacher Appreciation Week at Auburn Early Education Center May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week! We love our teachers this week and always! Thanks to PTO for a yummy lunch today from Bow & Arrow!
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E Pre-Graduation at Auburn HS
Our seniors participated in a pre-graduation effort at Auburn High School! Equipped with personal protective equipment, AHS administrators and staff were on hand to greet students with waves and kind words as they collected school-issued iPads and carried out a coordinated distribution of cap and gowns. While this was not the way anyone foresaw an event like this occurring, the weather was perfect for safely reconnecting and wishing students well before they take the next step in their lives. Congratulations Seniors! Auburn City Schools celebrates you!
Good morning Opelika City School students—We miss you! Ribbons of Hope
With gratitude for our community of healthcare providers, frontline professionals, first responders and for the families of Auburn City Schools, these Ribbons of Hope symbolize optimism and the unity among us.
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Principals’ Day at Yarbrough Elementary School
May 1 was School Principals’ Day. Happy Principal Day to our fearless leader! Dr. Forster, you are always quick to share a fun story, a fist bump, and a good book. Thank you for all you do for everyone in the Yarbrough family.
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National School Nurse Day at Pick Elementary
May 6 is National School Nurse Day. So today, we celebrate the BEST Nurse in the world, Nurse Becky! Thank you, Nurse Becky for taking care of our Pick Elementary School Leaders!
National Assistant Principals’ Week, April 6-10
We want to celebrate Creekside’s assistant principal, Mrs. Harling, and all that she pours into our school! She is a support to our school in many ways and always works to uphold our mission statement to help students to achieve their fullest potential. Thank you Mrs. Harling for helping us all SOAR! 11
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Autauga County Schools
Lee-Scott Seniors Prepare to Graduate
Senior cap and gown pickup today on campus! We are enjoying seeing members of the class of 2020 as they finalize senior checklist items, clean out their lockers, and complete alumni info sheets. Thank you, class of 2020, for your leadership, courage in the face of adversity, love and care for each other and our LSA community, and most importantly the legacy and new traditions we were able to establish this year because of you! Thank you for the opportunity to invest in your lives. Congratulations, Seniors! Once a Warrior, always a Warrior and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for these new alums of LSA!
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Senior Rhetoric Presentations at Trinity Christian School
Congratulations to this incredible Senior Class for extremely successful Senior Rhetoric Presentations! We are grateful for you and your ability to speak the Truth of God's Word with such clarity! Soli Deo Gloria!
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Last Day of School at St. Michael
It's the last day of school! Our Zoom meetings have been wonderful but we really wanted to say goodbye in person, so we held a socially distanced drive through! Teachers and staff lined up in the parking lot this morning to wave goodbye and happy summer to our students. It felt so good to be together again at our school! We love all of the SMCPK families and wish you health and peace this summer!
ACS by the Numbers
With heartfelt gratitude for the MANY people supporting our students in this time of distance learning, we wanted to share today’s data with you! • 8,889 students learning • 904 family meal boxes distributed • 902 WebEx sessions • 676 certified teachers teaching remotely • 424 gallons of milk provided • 420 staff members supporting students • 389 learning packets prepared • 13 principals leading the way • 5 board members guiding • 1 connected community
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Autauga County Schools
Lee County Schools Elementary Teachers of the Year
Congratulations to all of the 2019-2020 Elementary Teachers of the Year! In picture order: • Beauregard Elementary, Dawn Weatherly • Beulah Elementary, Emily Sheffield • East Smiths Elementary, Jamie Clay • Loachapoka Elementary, Dr. Marian Carter • South Smiths Elementary, Tracey Robinson • Wacoochee Elementary, Julie Eldred (District Elementary Teacher of the Year) • West Smiths Elementary, Amanda Carter.
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Lee County Schools Secondary Teachers of the Year
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Congratulations to all of the 2019-2020 Secondary Teachers of the Year! • Beauregard High, Shane Lake • Beulah High, Jeffrey Lamb • Loachapoka High, Hope Felton • Sanford Middle, Lynn Bailey • Smiths Freshman Center, Robert Pickard • Smiths Junior High, Cathy Wade (District Secondary Teacher of the Year) • Smiths Station High, Shana Johnson
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Thank you, Yarbrough PTO THANK YOU to our amazing PTO for the amazing Teacher Appreciation treats! The tacos, jewelry, socks, and gift cards were fantastic!
Beulah HS ACT Boot Camp Juniors from Beulah High are participating in ACT Boot Camp in our Board room.
Chambers Academy Holds Annual Skeet Shoot
We would like to congratulate all of our winners from Chambers Academy’s annual skeet shoot! • Top Shooting Team: Callaway Blue L & E Dist. • Top Individual Shooter: Zack Langley • Top Youth Shooter: Dylan Williams • Long Bird Gun Drawing: Steve Oliver • Broken Arrow 50/50 Split: Alivia Brown. Huge shoutout to all of our sponsors for helping make this event a success!
• Locally owned & operated small business & food truck with an Asian-fusion & Island flair. • Gourmet tacos, salads, sliders, & nachos, made-to-order & made fresh daily. • We can fit all your needs: catering, special events, office, neighborhood, & birthday parties, showers, weddings, to name just a few! • Gluten-free, keto-friendly, vegan-friendly, & we source local ingredients as the season allows. Book at drivebytacos@gmail.com, www.drivebytacos.com, or 334-203-4178 today!
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Lee-Scott Students Selected to AISA AllState Academic Team
Congratulations to Mary Kathryn Lamb and Jack Terry for being selected to the AISA All-State Academic Team as representatives of LeeScott Academy! This
award is presented annually by AISA and is awarded to the Top 25 senior students in AISA member schools. Way to go!
Autauga County Schools Principal Appreciation Day at Creekside
Happy Principal Appreciation Day to our very own Mrs. Daniel! She brings a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, experience, quality relationships and joy to Creekside! The faculty, staff, and families appreciate you and all that you do to make Creekside such a wonderful learning environment.
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Pick Teacher Wins Class Act Award
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Congratulations, Mrs. Leigh Green, WSFA’s Class Act Award winner for this week! We are so proud of you! Thanks for all you do to help our Pick Elementary School Leaders grow!
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Mr. and Ms. Chambers Academy
Chambers Academy is pleased to announce that Ms. Peyton Lamb and Mr. Braxton Allen were selected from the Class of 2020 as Mr. and Ms. CA for the 2019-20 school year. Peyton is the daughter of Bryan and Kris Lamb of LaFayette. Peyton maintained an impressive 95.24 numeric GPA while completing a challenging college prep diploma track. Her overall GPA was a 3.9 for her four years in high school. Additionally, she earned an Ambassador Scholarship to further her studies at Southern Union Community College. Peyton set the bar high working hard in both academics and extracurricular activities without sacrificing her academics. She served on CA’s varsity cheer squad for two years, Peyton also served in CA’s BETA Club for her academic accomplishments. She was also chosen by her peers to serve as the senior class President for the 2019-20 school year. She also served as the voice of CA for morning daily announcements for students and staff. During her junior year, Peyton finished second in the state in the AISA’s technology competition. Peyton was involved in the community serving as local Junior Ambassador for the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Finally, Peyton serves as the Alabama State Representative for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Braxton Allen is the son of Clint and Jennifer Allen also from LaFayette. Braxton also maintained outstanding grades. Braxton served as the President of CA’s BETA Club for as part of his recognition for his academic accomplishments. Braxton maintained an impressive 93.07 numeric GPA while completing a challenging college prep diploma track. His overall GPA was a 3.7 for his four years in high school. Additionally, he earned a scholarship to further his studies at Southern Union Community College. Braxton also earned multiple varsity letters at CA as a three sport athlete on the football field, basketball court and baseball team. In football he was selected as an AISA all-star for his senior season. He was also recognized by the OA News for his accomplishments on the football field and named as a scholar athlete of the week by WLTZ-TV-38 from Columbus.
Lee County Schools Attends School Nutrition Conference
Leaders from our Child Nutrition Program attended the Alabama School Nutrition Association conference in Montgomery. Lots of fun was had while plenty of knowledge was gained
1204 OGLETREE VILLAGE LANE AUBURN, AL 36830 • (334) 887-0099
Congratulations to the Liles Smiles no cavity winners!
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ANTHONY MCCALL ANTHONY UPSHAW ARDEN BALLARD ARI BROGDON ARI`YANA HARVEY ARIANA STORY ARIANNA HEMMATI ARIE QUINN ARMIAH CHILDS ASHLAN DRAKE ASHTON TORBERT ASIAH CORE AUBREE SHAVERS AUBREE STORY AUBREY VOYNICH-WARREN AUBRY MCCARLEY AUDREY BLERSCH AUDREY NOWLAND AUDREY SEGREST AUDREY TIIMOB AUTUMN FLORENCE AUTUMN DOWNING AUTUMN HOWARD AVA ALLEN AVA BATTS AVA CORE AVA MACHEN AVA MCGOUGH AVA PERRY AVA WILLIAMS AVERY FISHER AVERY GATES AVERY MCCARLEY AVERY PARMER AVERY WARE AVERY WILLIAMS AXEL EILAND AYCE COURTNEY AYDEN BODY AZARIA MILFORD BANKS BERRY BAYLOR ANGLIN BECKETT BERRY BELLA GRACE KIMBRELL BENJAMIN AZIZ BENJAMIN BARNES BENJAMIN WILSON BENJAMIN HEARD BENNETT GREEN BERKLEY PETERS BERNARD CRENSHAW
BETHANY BERDEAUX BIANCA COLE BLAIR PELHAM BLAKE KELLY BONNIE RANGE BOYD CALDWELL BRADEN MCDANIEL BRADLEY INABINET BRADLEY WILSON BRADY REEDER BRAIDEN BETHEA BRANSON RAY BRANTLEE KALTREIDER BRANTLEY MASON BRANTLEY DOWNING BRAXTON ALVAREZ-RIOS BRAYLEE HADAWAY BRAYLEN SWEET BRENNAN HARRISON BRENNAN SKIPPER BRENTLEY ROBINSON BRETT BOWERMAN BRIAN CASH BRICE WALKER BRIEN BERDEAUX BRIGGS MANN BRODIE ARNETT BRODY SANDERS BROOKLYN BERRY BROOKLYN BRACKNELL BROOKLYN FLURRY BROOKLYN TOSTI BROOKS ANGLIN BRUNO GARCIA BRYCE JOHNSON BRYSON MCGLYNN BRYSON MILLER BRYSTAL CULLIGAN CADE EDWARDS CADE WHITE CADENCE HALL CAILYN HUTCHINSON CAITLYN BECKON CALEB KENT CALEB THORNTON CALI MCCLENDON CALI PHILLIPS CALI RAIFORD CAMAURI RUSSELL CAMDEN BASS CAMDEN DUNSON
CAMERON PARRISH CAMERON SANDERS CAMYAH CORE CARA GRIFFITH CAROLINE HICKS CAROLINE VOCINO CAROLYON LAMBERT CARRIE BANKS CARSON FISHER CARSON HUNT CARSON MCCLENDON CARTER BURNEY CARTER GOODEN CARTER OLIVER CARTER WILLIAMS CARTER YOUNG CASEN ANDREWS CASH REIF CATARINA SEBASTIANFRANCISCO CATHRYN SIMS CAYLEE ADAMS CHADWICK BURNS CHANCE MILLAR CHARLEIGH DRIVER CHARLES HALL III CHARLES HAM CHARLES SANDA CHARLES SNODDY III CHARLES STONE CHARLES PLACEK CHASE CAIN CHASE EDWARDS CHASE MORGAN CHELSEA TINSLEY CHINA WHITE CHLOE ARNETT CHLOE GROSS CHRISTIAN AZIZ CHRISTIAN DUGGER CHRISTIAN MCCLENDON CHRISTIAN ROWSER CHRISTINA DUGGER CHRISTOPHER MASON CLAUDIA LAZZARINI CLAYTON FLURRY CLAYTON RENNER CLAYTON BURNS CODY THAGGARD COLE RENNER COLIN ROBINSON
CONNOR CARDWELL-KITT CONNOR REEDER CONTEH WARREN JR COOPER BARBER COOPER MIMS COOPER TAYLOR CORDE` ASKEW CORDERO CORE COURTNEY POWELL CRISTIAN FERNANDEZ DAKARI JOHNSON DALLAS DAVIS DANIEL WILDER DANIELLA VEGA DAVIAUNA HODGES DAVID FLANNAGAN DAVID MACKEY DAVID MILLER DAVION LAMB-LEONARD DAVIS FISCHER DAVIS INABINET DAVIS JACKSON DAXON DYE DAXTON STONE DAYLEN MILLS DE`ANDRE ARNOLD DEONTAVIOUS WRIGHT DERRICK STURKIE DESTINY HAMILTON DIEGO VEGA DONOVAN AZIZ DYLAN GROSS DYLAN MCCLELLAND DYLAN WHITE EDEN REECE EDITH CHISM EDWARD AKINS EILAND JOHNSON ELI SEALES ELIJAH BROWN ELIJAH FOSTER ELIZA TAPLEY ELIZABETH COTTRELL ELLA ESPARZA ELLA HENNIGAR ELOISE KELLY EMBERLEE HARPER EMERSON ARTHUR EMILIA TAN EMILY CAMPBELL EMMA BARBER
EMMA BLERSCH EMMA BROWDY EMMA CHILDS EMMA CHISM EMMA MANN EMMA VOSS EMMA CLAIRE HUNT EMMALYN LEE EMMELISE AONO EMORIE CAUDLE EMORY ALLEN ENRIQUE MONTIEL EPHRAIM THORNTON ERIC WILLIAMS ERICA BULLOCK ERICA NORMAN ESMERALDA PEREZ ESTES GOLDEN EZRA GARTRELL FINNEGAN COLLINS FORD BARBER FRANCES TAPLEY FRED GRIFFIN III FULLER LAWLER GABRIEL FORTE GABRIEL GARCIA GABRIEL HARRIS GABRIEL WHITE GABRIELLA JACKSON GABRIELLAH BOZEMAN GAEUN JANG (ERIN) GAVIN HUDNALL GAVIN LEE GAVIN WHITE GENESIS ARNOLD GENTRY CRAFT GEORGE ESPARZA GRACIE DAVIS GRAHAM HANKINS GRANT PERRY GRANT YOST GRAYSON MICHAUD GRAYSON THROWER GREYSON HILL GUNNER BRYAN GWYN YOST HADLEY WAITES HALEY DORN HALEY MONTOYA HALEY YARBROUGH HAMED ALMAGHRABI HANNAH COTTRELL HANNAH HILL HANS TUJUAN HARPER THROWER HAYDEN HICKS HAYDEN LEDBETTER HAYDEN NIGGEMEIER HAYDEN PRICKETT HAYNES WILSON HEAVEN NELMS HENLEY BOOS HENRY BEVARD
HENRY COCHRAN HENRY KINGSTON HENRY TURNER HOWARD ANDRADE HUDSON LEE HUDSON MCLAUGHLIN HUDSON WALLS HUDSON HILL HUNTER SIMS HYATT NICHOLS IAN FOREMAN IAN TREADWELL IMAAD ASIF INDIAH WILLIAMS ISABELLA MACK ISABELLA VALLEZ ISAIAH CHUNG ISAIAH DAVIS ISRAEL TIIMOB ITZEL TUJUAN JA`KYRIAH SEAWRIGHT JA`MYA MADDEN JA`NAVIA PENDLETON JA`NOAH SLAUGHTER JABRIA TAYLOR JACK CONRADSON JACK DUNNIGAN JACKSON BRYAN JACKSON FULLER JACKSON GREEN JACKSON HILL JACKSON MELTON JACOB CLANTON JACOB MACHEN JACOB PARKER JACQUELYN LUGO JACUELINE GODINEZ JADA PETERS JADERRIOUS AVERY JAGGER WILLIAMSON JAHZELL WHITE JAKE MORIN JAKIAH WILSON JALUNEE MUONGKHOT JALYRICA MURPH JAMES BRAND JAMES MOORE JAMES OMASTIAK JAMES TAN JAMES GRANT JAMETRIUS JOHNSON JAMIE FULLER JAMIE WILKERSON JAMISYN MASSEY JAQUAVIOUS ADAMS JARA MUNOZ JASON HUNT JASON JACKSON JASON MCMANUS JASON STROUD JATAVION WHEELER JAVON JONES JAXON MARTIN
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JAXON WHITCOMB JAYCE DUNN JAYDEN DERAMUS JAYDEN PHILLIPS JAYDEN SHAVERS JAYDON HARTIN JAYLAN PETERS JAYLEN CARLTON JENERAL GRINER JENNA KENNEDY JEREMIAH COLEMAN JEREMIAH POORE JEREMIAH RAY JEREMIAS DIEGO JEREMY FOXX JERICUSE COLEMAN JESSE PARK JESSEY FULLER JIWOO JUN JOCELYNN MERRITT JOHN BOSWELL JOHN COOPER JOHN EDWARDS JOHN FREEZE JOHN HARRIS JOHN MARTIN JOHN MCDONALD JOHN NIMMO JOHN WALTERS JOHN HOWARD JR JOHN BERRY UPTON JOHN EVERETT SPRINGER JOHNATHAN COOPER JORDAN PETERS JORDAN JOHNSON JOSEPH KO JOSEPH LEE JOSEPH SIZEMORE JOSHUA CLARDY JOSHUA PAREDES JOSHUA PERRY JOSHUA RUDD JOSIAH SHIVER JOSLYN STEELE JOURNEE JONES JUDE TATUM JULIA JOHNSTON JULIANA MILLER JUSTICE JOHNSON JUSTIN PARK KA`RIYAH WILLIAMS KADEN BOWEN KADEN WARE KADON HALL KAI DRAKE KAIDAN GRIFFEN- BEATTY KAITLYN BECKLEY KAITLYN DEWBERRY KALEB MILLER KALLAN THORNE KALLIE LEMONS KALON FOSTER KALYN LE
KAMDEN KIRBY KAMDYN WYCKOFF KAMERYN MAYTON KAMRI FLOWERS KAMRYN WASHINGTON KARLIE BARNES KASHTON HEARD KATELYN FRAZIER KATELYN MENEFEE KATELYNN HARRIS KATERINA MAUMAOTEGA KATHERINE JACKSON KATHERYN BARNES KATHRYN STEEN KATIE FAHRINGER KAYDEN QUINN KAYLAN DOWDELL KAYLEB HARRIS KAYLEE STROUD KAYLEE TISDALE KAYLEIGH HOBBS KELLER THROWER KENDRICK PETERSON KENNADY MARSHALL KENNEDY CRANDALL KENNETH BOWERSOCK KENNETH JONES KENYION STEPHENS KENZLIE DAY KEVIN FLANNAGAN KEYMONIE FIELDS KIMANI CALLOWAY KIMBER ERDMANIS KINGSTON WHITLOCK KINZLEE FOSTER KLEE FIELDS KODIE SIMMONS KOLTON KIRBY KOLTON WARE KYLE WILSON KYLEE POGUE KYLENE NIMMO KYLIN MAPLES KYNLEE MASON KYNSLEIGH CAMPBELL KYNZLEY AVERY LA-BRINA HARDNETT LAKELYN LANDRETH LAMERIYAH HARRIS LANDON GOLDMAN LANDON RILEY LANE WEBB LANEY SLAGLEY LATRELL WILLIAMS JR. LAUREN CREWS LAWRENCE BETTS JR LAWRENCE HOWELL LAYONNIE HOWELL LEDGER WILLIAMSON LEIGHTON MOSS LEILA TATUM LESLIE SMITH LEVI KYLES
LILAH STRICKLAND LILEIGH RHODES LILLY HEWITT LILY BODINE LILY BRADY LILY ALLEN LINCOLN WINE LITZY MONTOYA LONDON KELLARD LORELEI HAGLER LOUISE HAYNIE LUCAS BALDWIN LUCILLE LAZZARINI LUCY RECKTENWALD LUKE BUTTS LUKE MITCHELL LUKE PERRY LYLA HODGES LYLA PATTERSON LYNDSEY JOHNSON MACILEIGH WEBB MACK KARKOSKA MACKENZIE DAVIS MADALYNN TALLY MADELYN HIXON MADISON GRAVES MADISON GULSBY MADISON MCCLELLAND MADISON MCCULLOUGH MADISON VOCINO MAGGIE BEVARD MAGGIE GRACE GULSBY MAHOMAD DOUMBIA MAKILAH PENDLETON MAKIYA RANDOLPH MALACHI HARRIS MALONI MCCALL MARELY VEGA MARGIE GRACE WILDER MARLEE ANDREWS MARLEE EDWARDS MARLEE TISDALE MARLEY GOLDEN MARTIN WILDER MARY VICKERS MARY KENSLEY NIMMO MARY RACHEL RUDD MARY RYAN MANN MARYAM ESFANDIARY MASON BAILEY MASON SMITH MATSON STONE MATTHEW DAVIS MATTHEW POWELL MATTHEW PETERSON MATTHIAS POUNCEY MCQUEEN MURFEE III MEGAN WILSON MEMPHIS MARTIN MESHAAL ALMAGHRABI MICHAEL DUBOSE MICHAEL GARCIA MICHAEL MCDONALD
MILES FOREMAN MILES NORMAN MILLER REED MISHA MCCULLOUGH MOLLIE SIMS MOLLYANN SASSER MORGAN GULSBY MORGAN HARRISON MORGAN MCCURDY MORGAN MILLER MORIAH ARNOLD MORIAH CULLIGAN MOSES PENDLETON MUKHTAR DARAWAD NAKYNLEE COVINGTON NANCY KELLY NATALIE JOHNSON NATALIE WILSON NATALIE ELLIOTT NATHAN ROBINSON NATHAN SCOTT NICOLE CHEN NIKOLAI KITCHENS NOA STROUD NOAH APLIN NOAH BUTTS NOAH HUNT NOAH PONCE NOAH TAPLEY NOAH WILDER NOELLE BULGER NOLAN ROBERTS NOLAN TOSTI NORA MCBRIDE NYASIA REEVES OLIVER GOLDEN OLIVIA ROBINSON OMARION JACKSON OMAURI THOMAS ORLIYAH STOKES OWEN HOLLOMAN PAIZLEY WOODY PARKER KEESHAN PARKER PERRY PATRICK ALLEN PATRICK SALATTO PAXTON NORRIS PAYDEN HALL PEDRO PRADO PENELOPE FREEZE PEYTON BRANNON PEYTON NORRIS PRATHER REAVES PRESLEY BRANNON QUINZAVION JOHNSON RAELAN WHALEY RAELYNN MINIX RAYVON JOHNSON REBECCA CARBAJAL RENLEE MILLER REYNOLDS BALLARD RHETT RAVILLE RHODES HAND
RIA KANG RILEY WILBANKS RIPTAVIOUS JOHNSON ROBERT EVANS ROBERT PACK ROBIN WYATT ROXIE RICHARDSON RUSSELL WILSON KELLY RUT DIAZ RYAN BIRCHFIELD RYAN CALDWELL RYAN MOORE RYELEE MOSS RYLAN KELLEY RYLEIGH CANNON SADIE BODINE SADIE DAWSON SAMIYA FLOYD SAMUEL TOWNLEY SANIYA BULGER SARA CHURCH SARAH SCHNUELLE SARAH BARNES SARAH MURFEE SAVANNAH GEIGER SAVANNAH PRITCHETT SAWYER ARTHUR SAWYER JACKS SAWYER KATE DEASON SEBASTIAN JONES SEDERIEN CARTER SEDRIEN CARTER SERENITY MILBOURN SERENITY O`FIELD SHAKEIRA SMART SHAMIYA OLIVER SHANIYA VANN SHELBY THOMPSON SHILOH CULPEPPER SILAS HYPPOLITE SIMONE BEASLEY SINDI COLLEY SKYLAR BASS SKYLENN HOLLEY SOFIA OEDING SOPHIA HENNIGAR SOPHIA SIMS SOPHIE LEE STACEY MATTHEWS STELLA RAVILLE STIRLING WILSON STORM REIF TALLIE BETHEA TALLULAH ADAMS TANNER RUSHING TATUM DYE TAYLOR CHUNG TAYLOR STEEN TERRANCE WHITE THOMAS FOSTER THOMAS HILL THOMAS RHODES THOMAS STEEN
TIMOTHY DUNNIGAN III TRAVIS JOHNSON TRAVON MATTHEWS TRENT REED TRENTON CLAYTON TRESHUN PHILLIPS TRIPP SPRINGER TROY POWELL TUCKER MCLAUGHLIN TUCKER WEBB TURNER SMITH TYJAH SMITH-OWENS TYLER BECKON TYLER MACHEN TYQUAVIAN WILKES TYRA PITTS TYRESE PITTS VALERIA REYES VANESSA FLYNN VANESSA LOA VICTORIA PORTER VIRGINA HEFELFINGER VIRGINIA GRANT VIVIANNE PAYNE VIVIENNE MATTHEIS WALKER MELTON WALTER NIMS WAYLON BARNETT WELLER ROLLING WESTON SANDERS WESTON MATHIS WHITMAN HAWKINS WILLIAM BRYAN WILLIAM GREEN WILLIAM JACKSON WILLIAM MCCARLEY WILLIAM NEIGHBORS WILLIAM PACK WILLIAM RAFFERTY WILLIAM ROBINSON WILLIAM TUCKER WILLIAM MADDOX WILLIS GOLDEN WILLOW HYPPOLITE WILLOW MESSER XAVIER MICHAUD XZYIAH WHITE YANRU XUAN ZACHARY EVANS ZANIYAH BAILEY ZARIAH RANDOLPH ZAYVIAN JAMES ZIAH RAY ZIYEASHA RAY ZOE AKINS ZOEY RICHARDSON ZOEY TOLBERT ZOYA AYDAROVA-ROUE ZYDARRIEN JACKSON ZYLIE HODGES
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Autauga County Girl Scout Uses Schools Gold Award Platform to Promote Positive Self-Esteem!
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) is honored to present Daleya Scaife with the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest recognition for achievement in Girl Scouting for girls in grades 9 through 12. Daleya designed a program that promotes positive changes to hygiene. To do this, she partnered with the Auburn High School Junior Civitan Club for a toiletry drive. Her motivation behind this was to help teens have positive self-esteem. After distributing the products, she taught lessons on how to improve your view of yourself and feel empowered. “It’s scientifically proven that taking care of your hygiene impacts your mental, physical, and emotional health,” said Daleya. “We’re all created with a purpose, and are beautiful in our own way. I want these young girls to love themselves, and to realize your situation doesn’t define you.” By earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, Daleya has become a community leader. Her accomplishments reflect leadership and citizenship skills that set her apart. “Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place,” GSSA CEO Karlyn Edmonds said. “Daleya has made her corner of the world a better place, and I am beyond proud to say she is a Girl Scout from southern Alabama. We can’t wait to see the amazing things she accomplishes in the future.”
Lee County Schools SAMUEL Training
Teachers and staff from around our region have been participating in SAMUEL training at our Central Office provided by the Alabama State Department of Education the last two days. As always, it is our pleasure to host these trainings. SAMUEL, School Assistance Meetings for Understanding English Learners, trainings are offered by the ALSDE Federal Programs Department EL team. This professional development opportunity is provided for educational personnel, to disseminate updated information concerning effective educational interaction with EL students and their families. Administrators, EL Coaches/Teachers, EL Paraprofessionals, Classroom Teachers, and other personnel are generally invited to attend these meetings.
Lee-Scott Academy Loves its Moms!
Happy Mother's Day to all of our Lee-Scott Academy moms! Thank you to our fourth grade students for this special message to share with our families. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
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AEEC Students of the Month
Congrats to AEEC's April Students of the Month. We are so proud of you all. Keep working hard! Don't forget to take a pic of your Student of the Month with their yard sign! • Lucas Paz • RJ Bertie • Liam Allison • Michael Morawo • Matthew Gaither • Nash Beck • Ben Christian • Trey Hunt • Will Sheffield • Val Reddit • Molly Cox • Ellie Nonemaker • Riwoo Woo • Seongjun Bae • Davis Hadley • Melissa Gomez • Cadyn Moore • Iyla Thomas • Hamada Kanan • Chace McCray • Sylvie Jane Burkey • Hank Cochran • Ainsley King • Mason Yates • Emma Lillebo • Susanna Jolly • Janice Yoon • Samiya Bennett • Levi Strand • Jina Jeong • Cayden Lim • Elijah Lim • Desirae Watts • Isaac Strand • Reynolds Phillips • Garner Weeks • Harper Wetzel • Claude Lee • Azariah McClinton • Skylar Cobb • Payton Satterwhite • Hannah Hovis • Holley Fetner • Abby Blackwell • Christian Watkins • Jonathon Summers • Parks Palmer • Jinseong Bae www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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OCS School Lunch Hero Day
Today is the 8th Annual School Lunch Hero Day! We want to take a minute to celebrate our cafeteria staff for working so hard to prepare nutritious meals for our students each day. Since March 23, OCS has distributed more than 23,226 meals to children 18 and under. Thank you for feeding our kids every day!
Auburn City Schools Nutrition Program Continues
Through the partnership of the Auburn City Schools Child Nutrition Program and generous partners, ACS continues to distribute breakfast, lunch, and family meal boxes for students. Special thanks are extended to all who help make this weekly distribution a service to our community.
Please send your school news to: kendra@auburn opelikaparents.com.
Lee-Scott Student Receives Lamar Triplett Scholarship Congratulations to Lee-Scott’s Sam Kinsaul who has been awarded Phi Beta Mu’s Lamar Triplett Scholarship!
School Nurse Day at Creekside
HAPPY NATIONAL SCHOOL NURSE DAY to Nurse Alina! She cares for our students, teachers, and staff each and every day! Her kindness, knowledge, and compassion are such a blessing to our Creekside family!
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Creekside Teacher Appreciation
Autauga County Schools
Creekside teachers were surprised with a special delivery on their mailboxes to close out Teacher Appreciation Week. On behalf of all of the Creekside faculty, we’d like to thank our fabulous PTO, students, and parents for making us feel so special and loved this week.
Message from AEEC’s Mrs. Byrd
I am beyond blessed to be a member of our AEEC family! I love and miss our students, faculty and staff! Stay Happy, Healthy and Safe! Love you to the moon! ~Mrs. Byrd
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Message from AEEC’s Mrs. Hagler I miss my AEEC family. The students, teachers, aides and administrators make AEEC a magical place! Can’t wait til we can all be together again! ~Mrs. Hagler
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Please send your school news to: kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com.
Auburn City Schools Teamwork
Auburn City Schools administrators have been working diligently together to keep the education, safety, and basic needs of students as their top priorities. While navigating our Distance Learning Plan has presented some challenges our principals, teachers, and students have risen to the occasion, and with that positive momentum we look forward to a strong finish of this school year in the coming weeks. We want to thank everyone for their commitment to ACS during these unprecedented times.
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United Way Expresses Appreciation for Fundraiser
Kimberly Myers from Lee County United Way @ UWLeeCounty presented our own Gina Ivey with a plaque of appreciation for leading the District's 2020 fundraising campaign. Auburn Opelika Parents I June 2020
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Creating Learning Targets for Lee County Schools
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Pictured is Brad Estes from AMSTI @ amstiAUsome working with some of our math teachers to create updated learning targets for the new 7th grade math standards.
Opelika City Schools Teacher Appreciation
OCS Teachers,we hope you enjoyed your treats during Teacher Appreciation Week!
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Alabama Transition Conference 2020
Our Lee County Schools Transition and Job Coach, Lauren Moseley, and Auburn University's Vanessa Hinton presented at the Alabama Transition Conference 2020!
For over thirty-five years, Trinity has been committed to a biblical Christian world-view, and its classical educational philosophy has been proven through thousands of years of learning experience.
A Classical and Christian Academy 745-2464
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Summer camp is a win-win situation for families. It gives parents the child-free time they need to work or care for younger children, while keeping their older children occupied with fun activities. If you are looking for a budget friendly way to achieve some of the benefits that a day camp provides, you might want to consider a progressive neighborhood camp. Other than camp supplies, the only cost for a neighborhood progressive camp is an hour of the parents’ time each day. The parent counselors take turns providing one hour of structured entertainment in the form of games, crafts and other activities. When the hour is up, the children move on to the next house, leaving that parent the rest of the time to do their work childfree.
How it works: Choose the number of participants based on the number of children and their ages. The number of families, not the number of children, will determine how long your camp is each day. For example, if you have five families, your camp is 5 hours long. If you have a large number of children, you can enlist the help of a babysitter who will move from house to house with the children and act as an assistant camp counselor.
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Planning: Choose the activities that you will include in your camp. Some suggestions include outdoor games, arts and crafts, music and dance, gardening, cooking and baking, science projects, storytime and, of course, lunchtime. Other options include teaching a new skill like how to sew on a button or inviting a guest speaker to come. If your group is small, www.auburnopelikaparents.com
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lunch for a large group, consider 9:00 to 10:00 having Arts and Crafts at Smith House each child - Make marshmallow shooters bring 10:00 to 11:00 a sack Cooking and Baking at Yu House lunch. - Make homemade ice cream If 11:00 to 12:00 you plan Outdoor games at Johnson House to send - Playing horseshoes, water gun the kids shooting gallery, rope the horse, home with sack races a trinket 12:00 to 1:00 each day, Lunch and Storytime at Brown House consider - Serving wagon wheel pasta and pigs in a blanket, plus homemade ice cream something Reading: Cowboy Camp reusable by Tammi Sauer like relay 1:00 to 2:00 race water Music/Dance time at O’Malley House bottles - Learning to square dance from the dollar Keep the costs store. Other inexpensive ideas include a DVD down: You will find craft of the music video they made or an supplies at OrientalTrading.com, which is egg carton full of the seedlings they a goldmine for inexpensive kids’ crafts planted. and game prizes. Instead of serving you might also consider a short field trip. Parent camp counselors can chose which activity they host based on their skill level or tolerance for mess. Using a daily theme for your camp will help to tie the activities together. Theme ideas include pajama day, beach party, super hero, patriotic, decades day, sports jersey day and Wacky Wednesday. Work as a group to determine a budget after factoring the number of children and the supplies needed for each activity. An example itinerary for a Wild West theme can be found in the sidebar.
Example Progressive Camp Today’s Theme: Wild West
Putting it all together: All the kids will meet at the first house at the start of camp. The camp counselor should be prepared to start the activity as soon as the kids arrive. Each session should end five minutes before the next hour so the counselor (or babysitter) can walk the kids to the next house. At the end of the day, each parent will pick up their child at the last house. Capture the memories: Take a lot of pictures of the kids at camp. You can find inexpensive photo booth printouts online and at Etsy or snap candid shots of the kids in action. Make a slide show of the photos to share with the campers on the last day and give everyone a copy. The best thing about a progressive day camp is that you can host a weekly camp or just one day each week for the whole summer. Unlike other camps, these parents will be a part of their child’s camp experience, an advantage that is priceless. AOP Pam Molnar is a freelance writer and mother of three who believes it takes a village to raise children. She is forever grateful to the many moms and dads who have created so many memories for her family.
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Growing Room Opelika - 334-748-9020 1755 Thomason Dr, Opelika, AL 36801
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TikTok Safety Tips
Make sure tweens use their real age to create an account.
Manage TikTok with These Easy Settings
If you’re going to allow your tweens to join TikTok, insist that they register with their actual birth date. The app offers a limited experience for users under 13 where they can watch videos and create their own clips for private viewing, free from the data tracking the company collects on users over 13. However, access to that area of the app only requires the user to enter a birth date -- and there’s nothing to prevent older users from joining as an under-13-year-old.
The wild-and-wacky short videos of TikTok continue to gain popularity among kids, adults, and even celebrities. But the app has had some problems, such as illegally collecting data on users under 13, notoriously inappropriate comments, and awkward settings that can leave you with unwanted followers. Still, its viral “challenges,” creative tools, and just-plain-fun features mean your kids are probably going to want it. Tik Tok users sign up with a phone number, an email address, Facebook, or Instagram. Once logged in, you can search popular creators, categories (comedy, animals, sports), and hashtags to find videos. Or you can use your phone contacts or social media followers to find friends already on the app. Many kids on Tik Tok like to create videos, but plenty of people don’t post themselves -- they just use the app to find and follow content creators. While TikTok videos are mostly harmless, creative fun, there are real concerns about kids using the app. As with any social network, you have to use privacy settings to limit how much information you and your kids are sharing. Kids can post stuff without reviewing or editing it first. There have even been reports of online predators using the app to target younger users. And in 2019, TikTok paid millions to settle with federal regulators who charged it violated children’s privacy law. Common Sense recommends the app for age 15+ mainly due to the privacy issues and mature content. TikTok requires that users be at least 13 years old to use the app. Anyone under the age of 18 must have approval of a parent or guardian -- but there are plenty of young tween users. If your younger kid or tween wants to use the app, the account should belong to an adult who can monitor what younger users are browsing and sharing. There’s also the section of the app mentioned above that’s meant for kids under 13 that restricts access to mature content and comments, but since entering a false birthdate is easy, it’s still best for older teens. That being said, here are some tips to keep your younger kids safe if they are on TikTok: Auburn Opelika Parents I June 2020
Have fun using the app together with younger kids.
It’s a great way to spend quality media time together. Plus you can supervise them and advise them on responsible use so they have good habits when they get older. The following settings are located in the Privacy and Settings section. To get there, go to your kid’s profile page and click the three-dot icon (“...”) on the top right.
Make your kid’s account private. TikTok accounts are public by default, meaning anyone can see your videos, send you direct messages, and post comments. Help kids turn on privacy settings so only people they know can interact with their videos or message them on the app. Select Privacy and Safety. There, toggle the switch for “Private Account.” Limit comments. TikTok comments can be inappropriate. Restrict the audience that can post comments on kids’ videos to Friends only -- or turn them off entirely. Again, select Privacy and Safety. Review the settings, including: Who can send you direct messages; Who can comment on your videos; and Comment filters. Limit time and inappropriate content. TikTok offers features to help limit kids’ time on the app as well as videos that may be inappropriate. You can protect these settings with a passcode so kids can’t change them back. Alternatively, you can download the TikTok app and use the Family Pairing feature to manage your kid’s account from your phone. Select Digital Wellbeing next to the icon of an umbrella. There you’ll see settings for Screen Time Management, Restricted Mode, and Family Pairing. 24
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Pay Taxes Now or Later? Q. My husband and I owe $3,500 in federal taxes, along with $3,000 in state taxes. We’re both still working during the pandemic scare. Would it better to wait until the new July 15 due date to pay taxes, and pay off other debt in the meantime, or go ahead and pay state and federal taxes now, and take care of our other debts with what we have leftover monthly? A. If you’re talking about back taxes, I’d say pay them now. You don’t want to play around with the IRS, because they can really mess you up if they decide they’re coming for you. But if you’re talking about taxes for 2019, I’d go ahead and include them in your debt snowball. If you need to move them up in your debt snowball in order to pay them on time, that’s fine. Whatever you do, don’t pay them late. Sit down
Use Savings to Pay Credit Card Debt? Q. I feel truly blessed. Even with everything that is going on these days, I still have a steady job and a good income. I’m thinking about taking some money out of my savings account in order to completely pay off my credit card debt. How do you feel about this idea? A. It’s not a bad plan if you’ve come to a point where you understand a few things. The credit card and the debt aren’t the real problems. They’re symptoms of buying things you probably don’t need with money you don’t have. You need to take
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SAFER AT HOME
SUMMER CAMP
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We are working hard to develop unique take-home art projects with virtual instruction from local artists and educators for your child. Whether your child already has a love of art or is just getting started, everyone will enjoy art-camping.
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We look forward to sharing details soon, learn more at mmfa.org/camp.
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Support for Safer at Home: Summer Camp is by Susan and Bob Runkle.
One Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL Open Tuesday–Sunday; Free Admission
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a long look in the mirror, because the person who’s looking back at you is the real problem. If you can accept this, and are committed to changing yourself and your financial habits, I’d say go for it. Just don’t wipe out your savings in the process. Leave plenty of cash in there, especially right now when so many things are uncertain. Also, make sure you cut up that credit card, close the account, and make a promise to yourself that you’ll never use those things again. Once you do all this, and start living on a written, monthly budget, rebuild your savings as quickly as possible. Saving money is always a good thing. And everyone needs an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses for the unexpected stuff life throws at you!
together, and lay out a game plan that includes paying your taxes—and all your other debts—on time!
mmfa.org | @MontgomeryMFA
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It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was. -- Anne Sexton Fathers play a significant role in kid’s lives. They’re important role models, influence children’s self-esteem and school performance, and make great coaches and fun-loving playmates. Father’s Day is just around the corner, so don’t be caught scrambling for the perfect way to show you care. Try some of these ideas to show your dad just how important he is to you. Auburn Opelika Parents I June 2020
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or garage? Give him a gift of shelving materials and brackets, wall racks and ceiling hooks, and storage crates. Then spend the day helping him to get it organized while catching up on old times.
Video Surprise – Make a “World’s Best Dad” video he’ll treasure for years to come. Put on your brainstorming cap for your own ideas, or try some of these ideas for your video. Share special memories of your dad, sing to him, read him a poem, or do skits. Get the whole family involved and conduct interviews with each other with Dad as the main topic. Don’t forget your props such as a banner or collection of his prized possessions, including sports trophies or equipment to add a personal touch. Most importantly, be sure to let him know just how much he means to you in your video.
World’s Greatest – Let dad know that he’s the greatest 365 days a year! Give him a “World’s Greatest Dad” coffee mug, t-shirt, book cover, bookmarker, wallet card, or another trinket that he’ll see or use regularly.
King for the Day – It isn’t every day your dad gets waited on hand and foot. Offer to be his loyal servant for the day. Bring him coffee and toast in bed; fetch his newspaper; lay out his clothes, bath towel, and mat; be host or hostess and serve him beverages and snacks; clean up after him and anything else to give him the royal treatment.
Sports Buff’s Surprise – Take your dad for a sporting good time. Play a game of golf, tennis, or basketball, go fishing at the river’s edge, or enjoy a paddle around a lake. If being a spectator is more his thing, buy tickets to his favorite sporting event such as a baseball or soccer game, boxing match, or auto race.
Memories of Dad – Purchase a scrapbook, and create a
other on a camping trip for two. Either rough it in a tent or rent a mini cabin at a state park. Spend your weekend enjoying nature hikes, sightseeing, fishing, boating, playing cards, and taking it easy together.
Weekend Getaway – Get in touch with nature and each
record of memories about you and your dad. Include photos of special outings, events, and holidays you’ve had together. Also include other memorabilia such as concert or sporting event ticket stubs, postcards, and brochures. Next to each photo or item, describe your memories of those special times with your father.
Father’s Day Feast – As the old adage goes, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So treat dad to a mouthwatering meal on the barbecue. Fix him his favorite: steak, ribs, chicken, burgers, or chops for starters. Don’t forget the grilled potatoes or squash, garlic bread or rolls, fresh green beans or asparagus, sweet corn, potato salad, and last but not least, his favorite dessert.
A Man to Remember – Get your creative juices flowing, and write a poem for your dad. You don’t need to be a poet to come up with a few thoughtful words to say how much he means. Describe the impact he’s had on your life, how he’s helped you to become the person you are today, and what he means to you. Then print it on stationary, matte and frame it.
Pamper Him – What better way to show your appreciation for all his hard work than to indulge him? Give your father a gift certificate for a professional massage, which will be sure to please.
Musical Moment– Take your father to see his favorite band or performing artist, enjoy a jazz or blues festival, or pack up some lawn chairs, and enjoy a local concert-in-the-park.
Just the Two of Us – Put together a photo collage of
Togetherness Takes Two – Has your dad been put-
you and your father. There are many ways to do this. Find instructions at your nearby craft store and create a Decoup-
ting off the dreaded task of cleaning out his attic, basement,
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age photo collage. Keep it simple with a multi-photo frame, or purchase a unique 3D photo collage frame. These are available and art and craft supply stores and online.
Take a Stroll – Enjoy a peaceful walk in the park or the country together. Better yet, gather your bikes or roller blades, hit a scenic bike path, and enjoy the fresh summer air. Certificates of Appreciation – Show Dad you appreciate his hard work by returning the favor. Make coupons that say: “In appreciation for all that you do, Dad. Redeem this certificate for a hassle-free car wash by me!” Other favors include sweeping out the garage, mowing the lawn, or any other task he normally handles.
Catch a Flick…..or two – Treat your dad to a movie fest. Rent a couple newly released videos or some of his longtime favorites. Or head to the cinemas for a double feature. Whether you take the movies in at home or the theater, don’t forget the hot, buttered popcorn, candy, and soft drinks. Get in Touch with His Soft Side – Give your dad a book of poetry specially written for fathers. Try one of these: Fathers: A Collection of Poems by David Ray and Judy Ray Father’: Collected Poems by Ken Koprowski Thoughts to Share With a Wonderful Father: A Collection of Poems by Blue Mountain Arts Collections
A Gift of Giving – Does your dad have a favorite cause or charity such as the Humane Society, the Nature Conservancy, or American Cancer Society? If so, why not give him a membership or make a donation in his name? Remember small donations add up and are always appreciated. AOP
Kimberly Blaker is a professional lifestyle and parenting freelance writer. She also does B2C and B2B copywriting. Find her at www.kimberlyblaker.com.
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Suddenly You're Working at Home with Kids:
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TIPS
from a Mom Who's Been There by Janeen Lewis When my children were small, I was a freelance writer and homeschooling mom. When they were older, I went back to teaching and they went to school. Now that we’re on an indefinite hiatus, it feels like slipping into a familiar pair of worn jeans.
Here’s some wisdom I gleaned from my stint as a work-from-home parent.
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1. Designate a quiet work zone.
Once you envision your work space, it will help you fill in the blanks. Create a work area with access to electronics and a door you can shut so you can concentrate for a specified, uninterrupted amount of time while your spouse is in charge or kids are napping. This space is for work that needs your most focused attention. Do not feel guilty about shutting the door. These are unprecedented times. A tip for parents of babies through fiveyear-olds: You’re an exception to the closed door. Your children may have to play next to your desk. Still, keep a designated quiet zone for those times when you can work alone.
2. Move around with a laptop desk.
Purchase a lap desk online and have it delivered. This has been crucial in allowing me to work in any room in the house. When my kids were little I answered emails, made work to-do lists, researched on the web and jotted notes while they played on the living room floor or watched “Sesame Street.” I wrote on my laptop at the kitchen table while they ate.
3. Plan realistic schedules.
Make a schedule that is different than it would’ve been two weeks ago. If you’ve limited screen time in the past, give more now.
Make time for reading, physical exercise, unstructured play and chores. Don’t introduce any activity that you can’t live with indefinitely or that is too rowdy while you work. Give the schedule time. Kids are suckers for routine.
4. Work at weird hours.
Get up as early as you can, but tiptoe because, no lie, kids hear every creak and cough and they will get up with you even if it’s 4:30 a.m..! Stay up late if you’re a night owl. If your spouse can care for kids in the afternoon, make those your new office hours. When I’ve done this, it allowed me to separate work time and kid time and they got to have all of me instead of me on a computer.
5. Create busy bags or boxes.
Every evening make sure your children have bags or boxes with items for them to keep them busy the next day. Include books, coloring books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, worksheets, educational games, arts and crafts. Include kids in choosing, so they have lots of items they’re interested in.
6. Pull out that old fridge box.
Grab empty Amazon boxes, or if you saved that refrigerator box, now’s the time to reveal it to your kids. When my son Andrew was six and my daughter Gracie was 3, they built an elaborate “cave” system from old
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moving boxes in our den. It kept them busy for hours, and I got lots of work done.
7. Reward them.
If your kids let you work for a specified amount of time during the week, reward them with a special activity like a game night or cooking or baking lesson.
8. Admit you need help.
There is no shame in saying “I can’t do this alone.” But how can you get help with social distancing? Why not let a relative or friend Face Time or Skype with your kids for chunks of time while you work?
9. Be kind to yourself.
At some point everything will derail while you’re on an important conference call. Keep doing the best you can. That’s all you can do.
10. Embrace the positive.
None of us were expecting to work and parent at home indefinitely, but there is a bright side. I’m getting to enjoy more time with my kids. My 13-year-old and I played a kiddie board game one day and laughed the entire time. Keep positive and use this unexpected time to make memories. AOP Janeen Lewis is a mom, writer and teacher. She has been published in several parenting magazines across the country.
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High Score for Arcade Games
Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
First appearing in the early 1900’s as part of the midway attractions at amusement parks, games of chance and skill have claimed their permanent space as part of the arcade experience. While flashy video games took over much of the gaming space in later years, traditional mechanical games held their ground and remain fixtures in arcades today. These more tactile traditional games are also ones that kids cut their arcade teeth on, with their simplicity and easy access. The following games are new versions of old favorites that bring classic arcade superstars right into the home.
by Gerry Paige Smith
Skee-Ball Classic Arcade Game
Whac A Mole (Catch Star)
(Buffalo Games)
A familiar game to any kid who’s visited an arcade, the game of Skee-Ball is more storied and complex than most folks know. Entertaining players since 1908, Skee-ball even has its own lingo with terms like ‘rook skee’, ‘hundo’ and ‘bombshell’ that describe different plays. The Skee-Ball Classic Arcade Game from Buffalo Games is the officially licensed version of this vintage sport. Crafted with quality, durable materials, Skee-Ball Classic includes a wooden base, game rules, five balls and four scoring hoops. This game can be played by 1 to 4 players with multiple competitive variations that add new twists and challenges to the traditional scoring. Skee-Ball Classic is super portable and can be set up in an instant on any tabletop or flat surface. Just add players and this arcade favorite is ready to go!
Recreating the game that stormed arcades in the 1970’s, Whac a Mole from Catch Star brings this energetic favorite into the home with a miniature version. The game base (with suction cups for anchoring) features colorful ‘moles’ with cheery expressions that light up in random order. The hammer handle is plastic, but the head is crafted with durable squishy foam protecting little fingers and the moles from unintended damage. With the goal of ‘whacking’ moles as quickly as possible when they light up, kids learn to focus their attention on the board as they race to pound the lights out. With sound features in English, Spanish and Music modes, there’s also an option for muting the sound. Ideal for building handeye coordination as well as relieving stress, this fast-paced arcade game pops its head up for active arcade play, right at home!
Giantex 27” Tabletop Foosball
Pop-a-Shot Dual Shot Sport Basketball
Take the field old-school with a whole team at your fingertips. The twist and turns, the slam and jam of foosball are ready to clear the table - right at home. With a whole team at your fingertips, this versatile foosball setup is ideal for play on most sturdy flat surfaces. Each team’s side features a goalie rod (goalie, two defenders), midfield rod and attacking rod (three players each). The rod grips are ergonomically designed for concise handling and energetic control. Both sides have abacus scoring and ball return (balls sold separately). Because it’s designed to take advantage of existing surfaces, this foosball game is easy to store under a bed or in a closet when not in play. Ideal for rec rooms, as well as game nights and playdates, kids and adults will love taking the field with this smaller version of the arcade foosball favorite!
Made from sturdy steel tubes with a powder coating to eliminate rusting and chipping, the Dual Shot Sport Basketball can withstand years of frequent use. An easily accessible panel control on the front accesses 10 total games, from the classic 1-on-1 competition to individual skill challenges; audio with 3 different music selections, sound effects (crowd noise and basket “swishes”) and an announcer who calls the game for you. The Dual Shot Sport includes an AC adapter so you can power the game via plug-in with the option of battery-powered play. This full-sized arcade fixture requires some dedicated assembly time, but the final result guarantees an addictive game play experience.
(Giantex)
(Pop-A-Shot)
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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I thought this was the place where we came to clean up? - Trystin, 6th grade
For more information visit AlabamaHealthyTeens.com