January 23 Education Issue and Private School Guide

Choosing a School

A three-step approach to finding the right fit for your child.

Education Resources

Lee County tutors, private schools, after school lessons and more.

Emilia, kindergarten, and James, 3rd grade, are the children of Charles and Lindsay Tan. They both attend St. Michael Catholic School in Auburn.

Emilia loves drawing, singing, dancing, gaming, and being a scientist-queen-cat. James enjoys inventing, soccer, riding bikes, reading, and being a master gamer.

Now more than ever before, parents have various education options to choose from for their families. In our area, you will find many great public schools, private K-12 schools, preschools, home school programs, and online schools available to explore. The hardest part will be the decision-making process. It can be a lot to sift through, and you will likely need a plan to gather information and compare your options. The best part is that we have done some initial leg work for you and organized it into our 2023 Educational Resource Guide.

In this month’s edition, local schools, preschools, and educational support services have included what makes them unique and the programs they offer students and families in East Alabama. So start with us and then schedule to attend open houses, informational sessions, tours, or private meetings with the school admissions directors.

Before you take a tour, you’ll need to determine your why and how. In this month’s feature article, 3 Steps to Choosing the Best School for Your Child, the author says the school search begins at home. Start by asking yourself why you are looking into a preschool program or why you might be deciding between public or private schools. Is it to give your daughter a head start on reading and being in a setting with other preschoolers? Are you looking for a school system that can support advanced career tech goals or specific interests? How about a program that matches your religious beliefs and fosters an environment that includes faith formation and growth? Or does your son want to transition from traditional brick-and-mortar school days to online or homeschooling? These can be very different foundations and starting points for each family exploring, researching, and planning for a new school year in the fall. So, ask yourself to define your why and begin there.

Once you have decided on where you are leading from, formulate your needs. Tuition costs can be a significant determining factor when evaluating school options. Also, location and before or after-school care may need to be addressed. Don’t forget to consider the type of learning your children best respond to. Take time to talk, as a family, about your specific educational needs and goals, and then start your research process. Once you have narrowed your options, it is time to find the perfect fit. Call the school, schedule a tour and interview, ask the right questions and decide as a family.

For my family, it was a different plan for all four children. What started as a need to interact in a learning environment with other peers for one daughter was not the same need for my youngest son. He needed to stay with me a little longer before formal education began. Fast forward to middle school, and my oldest son thrived in his advanced courses and is now excelling in high school career tech and robotics. On the other hand, my middle two children could no longer go into the classroom daily, so they now enjoy school online, learning at home with me, and interacting with online instructors and other online students. Finding the right fit needs to be assessed as a family and considered per each child.

Getting an early start on fall registrations now would be wise. It will help bring a less stressful start to the 2023-24 school year.

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

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.

Long, PhD, LPC,

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Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 329-8073 and fax is (334) 826-7303.

Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2023 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.

When making New Year resolutions, we can be quick to place expectations on ourselves that end up sabotaging our mental health leaving us with feelings of guilt and failure that can lead to depression and anxiety.

So this year, focus on the small achievements like, journaling, lighting a candle and setting aside some "me time", decreasing your alcohol intake, replacing your cigarette with sour candy, moving your body, and unplugging from social media an hour before bed. Daily small achievements, make up a healthy mindset and a less stressed you!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

Appreciating the Differences

One of the reasons I am so passionate about my job is that I want to help other parents not make all the mistakes I made. Unfortunately, one of my greatest blunders is that I did not embrace and appreciate the differences between my oldest child and me.

I am an extreme extrovert. I love being around people, listening to people, and watching people. I enjoy humans so much that I built a career around them. I have been genuinely interested in others for as long as I can remember. I have never been afraid of strangers. My parents never had to pay for Girl Scout Camp because I always sold more than enough cookies to go for free.

My oldest child is an extreme introvert. People and social gatherings have always exhausted him. When he was a toddler, he played for hours on his own. He never wastes time on small talk. He is now 21 and

has had the same best friend since he was 8 (even though we moved 15 hours away when he was 11).

Because I value people and relationships so much, I viewed his introversion and quietness as a problem. I feared he would never be successful because he would not be able to connect with others. I started to make expectations on the number of people he spoke with at church and school. I required him to schedule social outings with friends. I have no regrets about pushing him in areas that were uncomfortable for him, and he is very thankful that I did. What I do regret is not appreciating our differences and respecting him more.

As he matured into an adult, he recognized that he needed to learn to be comfortable around others. He became a barista, a tutor, and a leader in clubs at his college, and he forced himself into situations that helped him grow in areas that he began to recognize as shortcomings. My

oldest was the first person to teach me that we grow and learn when we feel supported, not when we are forced to do so. He also taught me that we all develop in our own time. What do I know now that I wish I had known then?

1. Move at their pace. My husband made our children shake hands with and thank every service member or police officer we saw in public. He modeled this for them, practiced this with them at home, and then always did it first to break the ice. It was very uncomfortable for our children, but they always followed his lead because he moved at their speed and skill level. Over their time in our home, they learned how to do this confidently, and by the time they were teenagers, they could shake hands with and talk to anyone.

2. Recognize the difference between a lack of skill and a personality preference. We all need to know how to talk to people, but we do not all need to talk to everyone everywhere.

Your number one goal as a parent should be to meet your children where they are and encourage necessary growth. All of us have unique gifts, talents, and purposes. When you are blind to those in your own children because of your biases, you limit their potential and harm your relationship.

Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst.

Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www.worksofwondertherapy.com.

Health and Fitness Fair:

January 21

Active Auburn is teaming up with our Adults 50+ Program to bring a health and fitness fair to the community in the new year! January is the perfect time to learn about local doctors, gyms, healthy eateries, and free public programs. This free event will not only have you leaving with information on how to be healthy, but you can also take part in free health screenings to make sure you start 2023 off on the right foot! Do you want to have a booth at this year’s Fair? Contact us for more information! Frank Brown Recreation Center, 235 Opelika Rd, Auburn. Email mtoohey@auburnalabama.org

Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop

January 13 and 17, join the fight against hunger in our community and make a one-of-a-kind ceramic bowl using hand-building techniques. Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience – part of the fun is developing a new skill. The bowl you make will be donated to the 2023 Empty Bowls event on March 25th benefitting the Food Bank of East Alabama. Empty Bowls is a collaboration with the City of Auburn’s Dean Road Ceramics Studio and the City of Opelika’s Denson Drive Ceramics Studio. No previous experience necessary. $10/participant + $10 for materials fee. Auburn Parks and Recreation, Dean Road Rec Center. 5:30-7:30pm. Email edombrowski@auburnalabama.org.

Be Your Child’s Homeschooling Hero: Homeschool Day at the Caverns

Homeschooling is hard work. Take control by stepping into a safe learning adventure that offers experienced guides, immersive wonder, and fun they’ll never forget. Lead them into an educational experience they’ll never forget! We’re offering the deepest discounts to Homeschoolers and their children on January 20. Tickets may be purchased online in advance and they may also be purchased at the gate on Homeschool days, simply tell our retail host on Homeschool Day that you are a homeschooling family and we will utilize the honor system and apply your discount. DeSoto Caverns, Childersburg. www.majesticcaverns.com/homeschool-day

Jay Leno at the Gogue

Acclaimed late-night host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, lovable voiceover artist, pioneering car builder and philanthropist, it’s no wonder Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardestworking man in show business.” Grab your tickets for January 9. Having passed the torch of The Tonight Show succession to Jimmy Fallon, Leno has increased his customary busy sched ule of performances in top venues around the United States and abroad. Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Junie B. Jones Essential Survival Guide to School

Two shows on January 24, 9:30am and 11:30am at the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga. Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the on EVERYTHING you need to know? Form the bus rules and BandAids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. Visit www.rivercenter.org.

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh: January 31 and February 1

Presented at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn. In this musical adapta tion for the stage, a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood is told with stunning puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love. Featuring the Sherman Brothers’ clas sic Grammy Award-winning music with additional songs by A.A. Milne, this innovative and fresh stage adaptation is told with stunning life-sized puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love, in a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood. This production—hot off its New York premiere—is created by renowned family entertainment creator Jonathan Rockefeller, and made by Rockefeller Productions alongside Disney Theatrical Productions. Visit www.goguecenter. auburn.edu/disneys-winnie-the-pooh/ for tickets.

Campfire Cooking: Soups & Snacks

Join this fun, casual cooking class that explores tips, tricks, and recipes for cooking over an open fire, January 28. Cyndi Czerkawski (In The Garden instructor) takes a farm-to-table approach to campfire cooking using fresh, local ingredients. Whether you are experienced or you are new to open fire techniques, you are bound to get something new out of this class, not to mention the great food! Our first workshop will explore campfire cooking basics. We’ll look at how and what you can cook with a grate and aluminum foil – roasted potatoes, flat bread pizza, roasted apples, and more! Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn. Visit our website for more information: https://aub.ie/campfirecooking or email natureeducation@auburn.edu

East Alabama Arts presents Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine

January 21 at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 Lafayette Pkwy, Opelika. From the Medieval city of Lviv on Ukraine’s western border with Poland, an orchestra dares to do the unthinkable: carry a message of hope across the world during a period of war and instability. The ensemble’s resilience stands as a testament to its determination and the timelessness of the great works it performs with vigor, distinction, and artistry. Led by the dynamic Ukrainian-American conductor Theodore Kuchar, and joined by Ukrainian pianist Stanislav Kristenko, this will surely be a concert to inspire and a night to remember. www.eastalabamaarts.org/upcoming-events/2023/1/21/lviv-orchestra

11th Annual Polar Plunge at Samford Pool

Sign up, dive in on January 28, and raise money for a great cause! Brave the cold at the tenth annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, January 28th, 2023. SUPERHEROES will be the theme for this 11th Annual event. Recruit sponsors to support you as you take the plunge in support of Lee County Special Olympics. Individual and group costumes are encouraged – superhero-themed! This event is presented by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Lee County Special Olympics. Proceeds benefit Lee County Special Olympics. Email ekaufman@auburnalabama.org.

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Cornerstone Family Chiropractic

Chiropractic Forever?

“Less yackin’, more crackin’!” Homer Simpson exclaimed, frustrated at his chiropractor after having his nap on the adjustment table interrupted. This highly entertaining episode of the famous Simpsons TV show pokes fun at healthcare in numerous ways. At the start of the episode, Homer goes to see his medical doctor for low back pain. His medical doctor enlightens him, “…modern medicine has a lousy record of treating the back; we spend too much time on the front…” and “…between you, me, and my golf clubs, they [Chiropractors] are miracle workers.”

Homer goes to the chiropractor, receives his first adjustment, and things are starting to go in the right direction. Excited about the initial progress, his chiropractor then proceeds to tell him, “Now I’ll just need you to come in [to the office] three times per week for… many years.” I laughed because this was like my first personal experience with chiropractic, which led me to ask myself after a while, “Why so much?” This continues to be a subject I’m asked about regularly when going over care plans with new practice members.

Firstly, to clear the air, we do not have a “three office visits per week for many years” care plan. A care plan has

numerous factors that can weigh into it: the nature of the problem, how long the problem has been around, what is being affected (i.e., biomechanics, nervous system, muscles, ligaments), age, the spine’s condition, previous traumas (including repetitive microtraumas), and co-existing healthcare problems to name a few. A plan may start aggressively at three times per week to make changes quickly and end with coming in once every couple of weeks. A plan may start with once a week and continue to reduce over time. No one size fits all, nor a perfect answer to every situation, exists.

Secondly, based on currently available evidence, chiropractic care continues to benefit over time. We’re not talking about a particular diagnosis here (although many cases have shown to benefit). What I’m talking about is your quality of life. A long-term study by Blanks and Schuster measured 2,818 practice members’ wellness – physical state, emotional state, stress, and life enjoyment – over the periods they received a subluxation-based model of chiropractic care. Compared to no care initially, quality of life scores were higher after three months of care. Compared to three months, quality of

life scores were higher after one year of care. Compared to a year of care, quality of life scores were higher after two, then three, years of care and continued to rise beyond three years of care. The benefits never plateaued. For some context, this chiropractic approach had their practice members come into the office at least once a week.

The best investment in chiropractic is to function at your best for life. What does this look like in the long term? A study by Coulter and others concluded less chance of hospitalization or need for a nursing home, moving better, exercising better, and being less likely to use prescription drugs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of health, and chiropractic continues to show significant benefits to peoples’ quality of life.

Dr. Jordan Jensen earned his Bachleor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences at Auburn University in 2013 and earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2018. Following graduation, Dr. Jensen was accepted into the International Chiropractic Association’s Diplomate of Craniocervical Procedures postgraduate program, where his research encompasses Chiropractic’s application of advanced imaging and patient outcomes.

Autauga County Schools

our kids who worked so hard to have success in the various stages of the spelling bees this

Christmas Choral Concert 2022 Performed by

Trinity Christian

The sounds of the season was in the air at Trinity Christian School. Thank you to our friends from the Church of the Highlands for hosting our performance! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of

Dean Road’s Teacher of the Year

Dean Road Elementary School has named Angela Payne their Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Payne has been with Auburn City Schools since August 2017 and is in her 19th year of experience in public education, having served six years in Putnam City Schools in Oklahoma City and seven years in Edmund Public Schools in Edmund, Oklahoma before joining ACS. “Congratulations to Angela Payne, Dean Road Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Payne is our ESL teacher and serves many of our students. Her beautiful smile, enthusiasm for teaching, and compassionate heart are just a few of the MANY reasons her students adore her! We are blessed to have her at Dean Road!” – Dr. Jackie

Autauga County Schools

East Samford Wins 2nd Place at AMP’d

A team of seventh graders from East Samford School won second place in the 2022 Auburn Mathematical Puzzle (AMP’d) Challenge this past weekend at Auburn University! The challenge was STEM-based, and the students worked for several hours to solve

ACA students and their families enjoyed celebrating the fall during their annual Fall Festival. Students, faculty and family members enjoy playing different fall festival games and eating lots of delicious treats! PIctured is 2nd grader, Becca Urness, who enjoyed having her face painted during the festival.

Great Day for OMS Teams at AMP’D Mathematical Puzzle Challenge at Auburn University

On Saturday, Opelika Middle School had two teams compete in the AMP’D 2022 Mathematical Puzzle Challenge. The 8th grade team got highest score overall and 3rd place in final challenge! They were also first to finish the opening puzzle and received a

an incredible message reminding us the real reason for this special holiday season. Not the gifts, not the trees, not even all the beautiful lights we see this time of year...but Jesus Christ, His birth and ultimately his sacrifice for our sins on the cross is what we celebrate at Christmas. Thank you to the LSA Band for beautiful music, Mrs. Reeves & Mrs. Petrone for leading us in some classic Christmas carols and our own SRO Officer Jon for speaking about the magnitude of the Toy Drive.

Christmas Concert Presented by LSA Lower Choir

What a beautiful concert put on by the LSA Lower School Choir tonight! All the hard work and days after school paid off for Mrs. Petrone, the entire choir and all the soloists as they did a phenomenal job. They’ve certainly got us in a Christmas spirit already. They also sung

Area Schools Welcomed Students Into The Legends Club

The Hudson family, Bruce Pearl, Andy Burcham, and Aubie, along with many others, including AU Cheerleaders and the AU Marching Band, came together this morning to welcome elementary students from Auburn City Schools, Opelika City Schools, and Lee County Schools, and induct them into the Legends Club! These students were nominated for this honor by their teachers for their outstanding effort, respect, and service to others. To maintain membership among legends like Bo Jackson, students must continue to portray the positive character traits that granted them their Legends Club status. Superintendents representing ACS, OCS, and Lee County all spoke and praised the Hudson Family Foundation’s efforts to celebrate students that have, at times, faced challenges in life!

Autauga County Schools

AHS Debate Team Competes in Big Gump Classic

The Auburn High School Debate team competed in the Big Gump Classic

LSA Thanksgiving Feast

A Thanksgiving feast was in store for first graders and their parents this Thanksgiving. Pilgram hats and bonnets, sharing what they’re thankful for and hanging out with family & friends made for a fun lunchtime.

LSA Celebrates November Birthday Book Club

This week, we celebrated all our NOVEMBER birthdays registered for the Birthday Book Club!! Birthday Book Club members attend a special celebration in the media center during their birthday month (summer birthdays will be celebrated in May). Students will enjoy a birthday treat, select their book and receive a birthday goodie bag to take home. Each child’s photo will also be taken with their donated library book of choice. It is ALWAYS a fun celebration with Mrs. Moore!

Auburn Classical Kindergarten Reading Classic Books

Auburn Classical Academy’s Junior Kindergarten class read several classic story books throughout the school year, including “The Three Little Pigs”. Pictured is Margaret Shepherd Kelly building a house out of yummy snacks, hoping that it is strong enough to not be blown down!

St. Michael Awards Student’s Character in Action

We are incredibly proud of a first grader at St. Michael Catholic School, who was recognized for Character in Action by Judge Fellow. Her teacher, Mrs. Milana, nominated Audrey for a very evident kindness. She says: “Audrey makes a habit of noticing when others may need a pick-me-up and takes it upon herself to lift up people when they need it most. When a classmate was sick, she brought her a gift to let her know she was thinking about her. Audrey is constantly making cards for other students and teachers. Audrey shows her friends love when they need it the most.” Audrey is the first student at St. Michael Catholic School, which expanded to include an elementary school in 2022, to

Veterans Day at OMS

Opelika Middle School 6th grade students held a special ceremony yesterday in honor of Veterans Day. Adam Massey, a teacher, and coach at Opelika High School, was the guest speaker. Coach Massey served in the National Guard for nine years. He participated in the second year of Operation Iraqi Freedom alongside his two brothers. He also served in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. OMS students welcomed guests, recited poems, and introduced Coach Massey as the speaker. Thank you to all who participated in the program and especially to

Since 1978, we have encouraged students to glorify God through studying the Truth of His Word and exploring the splendor of His creation.

Autauga County Schools

ACS Choir Students Perform at Auburn Football Halftime

Eighty choir students from Ogletree Elementary, Pick Elementary, Wrights Mill Road Elementary, and Yarbrough Elementary performed as the AUMB Children’s Choir in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night alongside the Auburn University Marching Band during the halftime show! Performing in the special military appreciation halftime show for the Auburn vs. Texas A&M game was made possible by the invitation of Dr. Corey Spurlin, Auburn University Marching Band

Oprandy (YES) worked collaboratively to prepare the ACS Children’s

the combined

rehearsed together before joining AUMB on the afternoon of November 10 and the morning of November 12. The AUMB Children’s Choir performed two songs. The first was an arrangement of “Grand Old Flag,” and the second was the debut of an original piece titled “So We Can Be Free,” written specifically for the marching band and children’s choir by Shane and Stephanie Porter. It is a song of youthful patriotism, thanking military Veterans for their service and recognizing the freedoms they have afforded us.

Character In Action

Lee County Family Court Judge Mike Fellows honored three Auburn City Schools students yesterday with the Character In Action awards! Hunter Martin, a seventh-grader at East Samford School, was recognized as a leader among his peers.“Since the first day I met Hunter, he has been an outstanding student, friend, and gentleman. He always does whatever it takes to be respectful and kind to others, both in the classroom and out. He is dedicated to academics while also balancing athletics and other extracurricular activities. Hunter is a friend to everyone that he meets. He recognizes the power of friendship and positive leadership and is always sure to “lead in the right direction.” Hunter also goes far above what is asked of him. He is always the first to volunteer and never complains about hard work. He is a true pleasure to have in class!” – Logan Cook, a science teacher at ESS (Pathfinders). Arush Patel, a sixth-grader at J.F. Drake Middle School, was recognized for his honesty. “A student lost a $20 bill given to them by their parents to purchase items in our book fair. Arush found the money and turned it in to the front office. When the student asked me if I had seen the money in the hallway, I directed them to the office, where they were able to retrieve it. The student was so grateful to Arush for being a good citizen and helping in a time of need.” – Angela Babb, the resource teacher at DMS (all teams).

Ellie Schmitz, a Dean Road Elementary School kindergartener, was recognized for her philanthropic efforts.

OCS Named the Principal of Fox Run School

April Brock has been named principal of the new Fox Run School in Opelika. Mrs. Brock currently serves as an assistant principal at Opelika Middle School and has worked there since 2003. She began as a 7th grade history teacher and moved into the role of assistant principal in 2015. “We welcome April Brock as the new principal of Fox Run School,” stated Dr. Farrell Seymore, Superintendent. “As a veteran teacher and instructional leader in the Opelika City Schools over the past 19 years, Mrs. Brock brings a wealth of experience with a focus on student relationships, a strong grasp of learning, and a vision to move our students forward in a positive way.” Brock earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Auburn University in 2003 and her Master of Education in Secondary Education (Social Studies) in 2008. She earned her Master of Education in Administration from Auburn University in 2014. “I am very excited for the opportunity to serve as principal of the new 6th grade school,” stated Mrs. Brock. “I look forward to working with our 6th grade teachers and staff to make a positive impact on our students and prepare them for a successful future.” Mrs. Brock and her husband Anthony are the parents of Caitlyn (14) and Dallas (7). Brock will continue to serve in her current role as assistant principal at OMS until the end of the school year and assume the duties of principal at Fox Run in June 2023. Fox Run School is currently under construction and will be completed by July 2023.

Congratulations Mrs. Brock!

Director. ACS Music Teachers Caleb Doster (PES), Dr. Phil Wilson (OES), Joy Brinkley (WMR), and Tracey

Choir. Following rehearsals at each school,

choir

Books Donated to ACS to Honor Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

“September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and to honor the memory of a family friend that recently lost their battle with cancer, Ellie Schmitz had a lemonade stand to raise money for Childhood Cancer and is donating the proceeds to www. thepowerofwill. org for Childhood Cancer Awareness. The family experiencing the loss shared that Ellie is such a thoughtful and selfless child.” – Dr.

Jackie Greenwood,

received a book donation from

ACS Career and Technical Education (CTE) department! Ben Brook’s book, Stories for Kids Who Dare to Be Different, aligns with 15 CTE programs offered in Auburn City Schools. Seven copies of the book are now available at each school serving grades 3-5 and grade 6 (suitable reading level) to reach even more students interested in CTE through the school libraries. ACS CTE Director Dr. Silvia Scaife and ACS Career Coach Mr. Bill Bailey hand-delivered these brandnew books neatly wrapped in a royal blue ribbon to the media specialists earlier today at Creekside Elementary, Ogletree Elementary, Pick Elementary, Wrights Mill Road Elementary, Yarbrough Elementary, and J.F. Drake Middle School. This effort provides more awareness for Career Tech Education in ACS and helps guide students to successful career paths at an early age!

STEAM Parade at Dean Road Elementary

Student artwork was displayed as a miniature Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade while students participated in STEAM activities at Dean Road Elementary School! With the artwork as the backdrop and the assistance of Auburn High School’s Education and Training students from Mrs. Julie Echols’ class, along with Mr. Drew Morgan and Mrs. Betty Weeden from the ACS Central Office, students learned how to code robots, test the buoyancy of everyday items, and use their imagination to build Lego figures along maps of the parade route in New York City. The incorporation of art into these STEM activities sparked critical and

DRES Principal. Six school libraries

the

Autauga County Schools

ACA Celebrates Veteran’s Day

Auburn Classical Academy’s Head of School, Mr. Chris Wright, spent time near Veteran’s Day sharing the importance of honoring our past and present military personnel. Mr. Wright discussed his time deployed and some of the experiences while overseas.

ACA 1st Grade Visits

TCS Students Visit Dauphin

Island Sea Lab

Trinity Christian School’s 9th & 10th grade students visited Dauphin Island Sea Lab this week. The sea is His, for he made it, and His hands formed the dry land.

Psalms 95:5

Dean Road Students Explore Career Technology

Kindergartners from Dean Road Elementary took a field trip to Auburn High School to learn about some of the Career Technical Educations programs offered within ACS! During their visit, Dean Road students participated in various activities such as operating a camcorder, learning more about cold-weather animals, and decorating (and eating) pancakes with different freshfruit toppings. Students and teachers from four of the CTE programs led the visit and shared their knowledge in the following areas:

- Agricultural Environmental Science

- Education and Training

- Food, Wellness, and Dietetics

- Television Production

This field trip was an excellent opportunity to introduce young students to the learning possibilities waiting for them as they progress through Auburn City Schools!

Olgetree Elementary Hosted a STEAM Night

Ogletree Elementary School hosted a STEAM Night with the help of Sarah Sharman’s engineering students from Auburn High School! OES students and their family members had the opportunity to learn together with hands-on activities that included making magnetic slime, dissecting owl pellets, and learning how different chemicals react while creating pH Art. The evening concluded with Mrs. Raville and Mrs. Croley exploding pumpkins with calcium carbide and water, making acetylene gas! STEAM fields are the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics, which integrate STEM subjects with arts subjects into various relevant education disciplines. The night’s activities aimed to teach students innovation, to think critically, and to use engineering or technology in imaginative designs or creative approaches to real-world problems. STEAM programs add arts to the STEM curriculum by drawing on reasoning and design principles while encouraging creative solutions.

Autauga County Schools

Congrats to Lee-Scott Academy Scholars Bow Team

Congratulations to the middle school Scholars Bowl team for winning the AISA District Tournament yesterday! Team members include Ike Hewitt, Bain Burke, Barrett Moore, Tupper Colley, Katie Smith and Hunter Harrelson. Special congratulations go to Ike Hewitt as he was the top scorer! The team will compete next in the state tournament in

Math Night Fun at Morris Avenue Intermediate

Teachers discussed the Investigations Curriculum while parents learned new strategies and played fun Math games that reinforce basic skills. Third grade focused on multiplication. Fourth grade covered multiplication and division and fifth grade

ACS Wins MAX Life Changer Award

Patricia Oliver, Art Teacher at Auburn High School, won a MAX Life Changer Award during the AU Men’s Basketball game against Colgate! Ms. Oliver is one of nine educators from Lee County that will be presented with this award in the coming weeks. She was chosen for her ability to instill knowledge, develop, and invest time in young people to aspire to their dreams for the future. ACS congratulates Ms. Oliver and looks forward to other ACS educators receiving this award!

OHS Senior Signs

Junior Kindergarten at ACA Learns About Community Helpers

Auburn Classical Academy’s Junior Kindergarten class spent a week of school learning about different types of community helpers. Their week was wrapped by special visitors who shared with our precious students how each of their careers focuses on helping take care of the people in the Auburn / Opelika area! A special thank you to the Opelika Police Department for speaking to our Jr K class!

Auburn High Theatre Wins Superior Medals

Auburn High School students competed at the State Walter Trumbauer Festival hosted by the Alabama Conference of Theatre (AACT) at Troy University. All students earned Superior medals for their individual acting performances! Knowl Garris (junior) won State 1st Place in Musical Comedic 2014-Present for his performance of “The Ballad of Farquaad” from Shrek the Musical. Olivia Lepcyzk (junior) & Lucy Taylor (senior) won State 3rd Place in Duet Acting Comedic Pre-1900 for their performance from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jackson Wells (junior) won State 1st Place for Acting 2005-Present for his performance of “Pearls are For Ladies” from the TV Series BoJack Horseman, and State 3rd Place for Acting Dramatic Pre-1900 for his performance of Macbeth’s Monologue in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Also, these students along with others from the Advance Theatre class will present their fall production of Moliere’s Tartuffe, an adaptation translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur.

OCS Teachers Tour New Fox Run School

Our 6th grade teachers had the opportunity to tour the new Fox Run School today. We can’t wait until it opens in Fall 2023!

Thank you to Bailey-Harris Construction Co for taking us through the building. It’s going to be amazing.

Autauga County Schools

ACS Competes and Wins at Robotics Qualifier

Auburn City Schools had eight of the top ten teams at the end of the qualifying matches of the “Bots on the Mountie” competition earlier today at Irondale Middle School! Four teams from J. F. Drake Middle School and four teams made up of Auburn Junior High and East Samford School students competed in the final

Opelika High School Senior Signs Softball Schlarship

Lee-Scott Buddies Together for Holiday Fun

Senior and 1st Grade buddies got together! 1st Grade friends gave each of their senior buddies an ornament for them to hang on their own Christmas tree at home. After which, seniors had a list of questions to ask their buddy to get to know them better. Fellowship, prayer and having a good time with anyone that makes us better...that’s what we try to do at LSA! There’s plenty of evidence of that here

Auburn Jr. High Awarded Distinguished Service to Librarianship

Katie Rainer Media Specialist at Auburn Junior High School, recently received the Distinguished Service to Librarianship award at the 2022 Alabama School Library Association

Annual Conference! The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual member of the library profession, such as a current or retired school librarian, administrator, professor, or mentor, for their outstanding contribution to school librarianship and library development. Fellow ACS school librarians nominated Mrs. Rainer for serving as their department head and for having served as the state EdCamp Chair, a role in which she organized a day of professional development for librarians from around the state. Just last week, she hosted 180 librarians for a virtual EdCamp! ACS celebrates Mrs. Rainer’s dedication to students and teachers, as well as her many accomplishments locally and at the state level!

Autauga County Schools

Opelika City Students Learn Benefits of Recycling

The OCS primary schools and OCS Pre-K had a very special visitor last week. Captain about how to #RecycleRight. Each student also received a coloring book designed by Opelika High School art students. Special thanks Krehling, Caitlin Allen, our OHS art students, and Captain R20 for visiting Carver Primary School,

Mrs. Claus Reads to LSA Students

Can you believe that THE Mrs. Claus found time in her busy month to read to our students?! Thanks so much to Mrs. Cathy Walker for coordinating with Mrs. Claus to read to our students two incredible books: The Night Before Christmas and The First Christmas Night. We’re still so amazed she came!!

Jeter Primary School, Southview Primary School, and Opelika City Schools Pre-K! Remember to Recycle Right Opelika!

AHS Flag Football Team is State Champions

The Auburn High School Flag Football team has won the 2022 AHSAA State Championship game with a 26-6 victory over Oxford in Jordan-Hare Stadium! In their second year as an AHSAA-sanctioned sport, the Tigers have secured a State

Auburn Classical Academy has a tradition of creating special Christmas / WInter art work for students’ family members. Each student chooses a Christmas or winter theme and spends several art classes painting or

Is Your Child Talking to a

Stranger Online (Part One)

We all remember when our parents warned us “not to talk to strangers.”

For those of us north of 35, that mostly meant we were not to talk to someone in person we did not know. Or do not talk to someone who approaches you that your parents do not know. Today this takes on a whole different meaning. Do not talk to strangers now applies more to the “online space” than the “in-person” space. But what are the odds that your kid will talk to someone online they do not know? And how early is this happening?

Every parent worries about online predators at some point, and we must be cautious. While it is rare for our kids to be contacted by a predator, it does happen, and it is best to be prepared. While the incidence of these unwanted contacts seemed to be declining between 2005-2010, the numbers surged back up post-pandemic. This is due to many of us being isolated and on our devices more than ever, giving predators a perfect opportunity to take advantage of and manipulate new online users.

Today’s article will be the first of a two-part series. First, we will discuss how these dangerous interactions can come to be in the first place and the risks associated. Then, next month, we will discuss how to prevent it from happening and how to talk with your child specifically.

A recent survey in 2019 of almost 4000 children found that 43 percent, ages 8-13, are talking to people they do not know online. They chat either via social media or gaming platforms. Some research indicates kids as young as five are chatting with strangers. This typically happens when they get access to gaming devices. It is equally terrifying that more than half of these kids are providing their addresses and phone numbers. We will also be remiss to think these conversations happen only among young children. Teens are just as guilty, and the incidence of meeting these strangers in person rises once young kids become teenagers. Many of these meet-ups result in a teen being taken. So chatting with a stranger can have many consequences, ranging from inappropriate conversations to grooming, soliciting of pictures, and even sex trafficking.

In reality, anyone can create a fake profile and pretend they are someone else. These predators can “groom” your child into thinking they are your child’s best friend or, for older kids, someone with whom they can have a romantic relationship. Research shows that predators will wait days, months, or even years to establish a strong relationship with your child or teen before they act on any plans they have for your child. It is incredibly easy for hackers to glean information from young children and then use it to access their parents’ accounts.

With older teens, we see a disturb ing trend of predators using information to blackmail teenagers. For instance, if inappropriate pictures have been shared, the next step may be to ask for videos. If those are shared, then the predator may ask for more videos. If the teen refuses, this is when harassment and blackmail begin. This becomes a viscous, exhausting, and terrifying cycle that most teens feel they cannot escape.

Let me stop here for a second and mention that many times instead of an unknown predator asking for pictures or information, the “predator” is someone your child DOES know. More often, I see kids and teens pressuring one another for inappropriate information and pictures than I see predator activity.

As parents, we want to lead from confidence and knowledge rather than fear. Next month we will discuss what to look for specifically on your child’s devices and what conversations to have. In the meantime, your best defense is your open dialogue with your child and random device checks. It will be your absolute best way of discovering what your child is doing online.

Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate.

She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience.

She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.

As a parent, I knew of the many milestones my children would face, from learning to walk and talk to navigating relationships and exams. One I was not prepared for was applying for college. The days when getting into college were a breeze are long gone; the applicant pool is far more competitive. Schools that admitted students with less than a B average years ago now often seek an average GPA above 4.0. Because of these higher stakes, many experts recommend applying to five to eight colleges. That makes

Unfortunately, many colleges utilize the Common App so that information can be entered only once. Research which colleges use this method and talk to admissions officers; some prefer students use the school’s application. The Common App opens on August 1, so your senior should be ready to apply at this time. If admitted early, they will have first dibs on housing, and scholarship offers will roll in to help you decide which school is the best value.

What can you do to help your child through this next milestone? First, arm them with the knowledge of what to expect to see on a college application and how to make

Test Scores

To Submit or Not to Submit? Many schools have dropped the testing requirement. If the score is high, submit. If not, consider leaving it out.

Which test? Take the SAT and ACT. Some excel in only one. The science covered in the ACT really tests reading comprehension, so strong readers may prefer it.

Test early! Test when geometry is completed, even if in middle school. These skills may be forgotten if you wait! Retest in junior year, so the reading score is at its best. Register early! Sites fill quickly, and late fees are applied.

Study! Experts recommend starting 2-3 months before the test, 10-20 hours a week. Test multiple times. Scores tend to improve after the first attempt, especially if students are studying. Complete testing by the end of junior year.

Superscore me! Best subject area scores are accepted by most schools.

Activities

Types : School clubs, internships, jobs, volunteering, babysitting, etc.

Honors

Types: Local/national awards, honor societies, and other memberships

Number: Shoot for five.

Essays

Topic: Choose one of seven essay prompts on the Common App.

Optional Covid Question: Share the effects of the pandemic on grades, etc.

Supplementals: Additional writing is required by some schools. Personalize for each school; research and use observations from visits.

Time to Shine: Below average stats? Numbers do not give a full picture; personality, perseverance, and passion come through here.

Make it Personal: Lower GPA due to medical conditions or difficulties at home? Low scores because of anxiety? Schools know each student’s experience is unique; they will pay attention, so be sure to share.

The Cost of Applying

Test Registration: $55-60 for each attempt

: Colleges typically remove elective grades and add half a point to honors/full

: Colleges love to see students who challenge themselves,

Self-Reported Student Academic Record

: Most schools require this to enter courses and grades for recalculation; it can

Number : Try for ten. It is wonderful to have an athlete or musician, but that one activity takes up one of the ten lines on the Common App.

It’s not too late! Even if it is junior year, encourage your student to get involved, especially with activities related to their intended major.

Volunteering : List multiple volunteer experiences. Go beyond the number of required hours!

Test Prep: Online $100-$2,800, in-person $800-$3,600, private tutors $1,600-$8,000. Tips: Watch for free testing days at your child’s school. See if you qualify for a fee waiver. A book and index cards are not to be frowned upon! Search for free online resources (see below).

Application Costs: Average fee is $50, up to $100. Tips: Request fee waivers on the application or through the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Watch for schools without fees and free regis

tration weeks. Start filling out an application and wait; you may receive a fee waiver by email!

The Waiting Game

How long until we find out? Anywhere from days to months, the average wait time for rolling admissions is 4-6 weeks. Look for early action/decision deadlines to speed up the process (usually early Nov. or Dec.)

Helping navigate the mental health system for teens and children.

Services are FREE and confidential. Services provided by phone are not medical advice and should not be considered as such.

Services are provided via telephone by licensed mental health professionals who recommend the most appropriate mental health resources.

PIRC is available seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. PIRC is NOT a crisis or suicide hotline. Call for mental health resources.

Don’t worry!

If your child doesn’t have top credentials, don’t be discouraged. There is a school for everyone, and a college’s average GPA is just that, an average. Utilize the school’s counselor for resources and advice. Speak with admissions officers in person if possible. Some will tell you activities aren’t as important to them as grades; some value the essay above all else. If your student isn’t aiming for a top-tier school, they don’t necessarily need to apply to several. Submit early, so there is time to apply to more if needed, but one may be enough if your child knows what they want and are aware of a college’s expectations.

Once your student has clicked that submit button, sit back, attempt to relax, and know you have done your job. Your not-solittle kiddo will reach that milestone and soon be ready to face the next one on their own.

Resources

Admissions Calculator/School Rankings: www.usnews.com www.niche.com www.prepscholar.com(plus test prep, application experts)

GPA Calculator: https://gpacalculator.net/

Free/Inexpensive Test Prep: www.khanacademy.com www.act.org www.ixl.com

Charline Barger is a freelance writer who teaches high school English and Creative Writing. She also serves on the board of Emerald Coast Writers as Secretary and Youth Writers Contest Director. She lives in Pace, FL with her boyfriend, three children and a host of animals.

Out with the old and in with the new includes recipes too! The first ‘Dinner’s Ready’ feature of the New Year is Crustless Salsa Quiche, brought to you by Amanda Gray.

“Food is my love language,” said Amanda. “If I cook for you, it’s my way of saying I care.”

Amanda does most of the cooking at home, although she leaves any grilling to her husband, who she refers to as ‘The Grill Master.’ Her husband, Darrel, has been the love of her life for over two decades.

“I met my husband when we were in high school, and he worked at a local grocery store,“ Amanda shared. “I accidentally broke a syrup jar, and he had to clean it up. He called and asked me out the next day and says he’s been cleaning up my messes ever since!”

Amanda is a realtor and has been an agent with HomeLink Realty for the past 15 years. Darrel owns Gray Link Technologies, which handles all of HomeLink Realty’s IT needs.

Together they have three children. The couple’s oldest daughter, Abby, is 19 and currently working as a Special Education Aide, which makes Amanda and Darrel very proud. Blaire, who is 17, is a senior at Auburn High School and is working on earning her Private Pilots License. Their youngest, Tag, is 11 and is a ‘typical middle schooler’ according to Amanda. He loves all technology, video games, skateboarding, BMX bikes, and playing the piano.

The Gray family heads to Disney World any chance they get! Amanda shared they are there for nearly every special event,

birthday, holiday, school break, and beyond.

“We love visiting different Disney resorts and restaurants,” she shared. “Be Our Guest is one of our favorite restaurants, and we love attending the Epcot Food and Wine festival!”

Amanda loves to cook for her family. She is always trying new recipes and treasures old family recipes too.

“I come from a long line of wonderful cooks and have a lot to aspire to,” said Amanda. “My great-grandmother was in her local newspaper numerous times for her famous cakes, and my mother followed in her footsteps.”

The recipe Amanda decided to share with us is from the First United Methodist Church cookbook in Wedowee, Alabama, and was given by Mrs. Billie Burnside.

“Over time, I have tweaked it to make the recipe more of my own, and it is definitely a favorite in our house,” Amanda said. “I most recently served it at a brunch I held for some of my coworkers. It is gluten-free and can be made with bacon or ham - our family likes the hot sausage version best. You can even prepare without meat for a vegetarian option.”

Crustless Salsa Quiche

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1/2 tube of hot sausage

2 cups of grated cheese (you can experiment with different ones and change the flavors, but I typically do cheddar and then whatever else I have on hand.)

1/2 diced onion

1/2 diced orange bell pepper

1/2 container of fresh mushrooms (diced)

1/2 bag of fresh baby spinach

1 cup well drained fresh salsa (try to squeeze out all the liquid using paper towels.)

1 1/2 cups half and half (or milk or heavy cream; really anything works.)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Crumble the sausage and brown in a pan until done, then set aside. Sauté the onions, bell pepper, mushrooms and baby spinach and add to sausage. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and the half and half until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, then add salsa, cheese and the sausage veggie mixture. Pour into a greased casserole dish and bake at 375 for 35-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Gabriele has been married to her husband Daniel for 16 years. Together they have three incredible children. In addition to freelane writing, she is a full time Pink Cadillac Sales Director for Mary Kay Cosmetics.

Comparing schools is challenging because each institution offers unique programs in a unique environment. One may present a specialized science curriculum geared toward a future in engineering, while another focuses on developing cooperation and compassion through active community service. The comparisons parents must make are apples-to-oranges at best. Faced with so much detailed information about so many exciting opportunities, it’s hard to stay focused on the end goal: finding the best educational option for your student.

Approach the school-selection process with this three-step strategy to make sure your kids’ needs come first.

Step 1: Assess your Values

Start your school-selection process at home. “Ask yourself what you expect of a school and what you expect of your child, in terms of attitude, behavior, motivation and achievement,” says educational psychologist Jennifer Little, Ph.D., founder of Parents Teach Kids. You may want a school that has high cultural or ethnic diversity, or whose students and staff have religious values similar to those of your family. Clarifying your values will help you put schools’ marketing materials in context.

Acknowledge practical matters as well. Determine how far you’re willing to drive and how much tuition you can afford. Be honest with yourself about the level of involvement you will have in your child’s school. Many schools require parents to volunteer a specified number of hours. Create a personal checklist of your requirements and limitations so you don’t overlook important factors.

Step 2: Seek Info

For each potential school, collect information on curriculum, student-teacher ratio and academic outcomes. Study data that show how students scored on placement tests for math, English and foreign languages, and pay particular attention to how many students graduate and what schools they attend next. Also, pay attention to accreditation. The National Association of Independent Schools and similar state associations require member schools to uphold rigorous standards and to undergo periodic review. This makes school officials accountable to other educators who are in touch with national standards and teaching trends.

Examine course descriptions, materials and teacher preparation to evaluate the

quality of a school’s curriculum. Also, ask about choice. You want your child to have a firm foundation in primary subjects and a choice among interesting electives. Kids are motivated to learn when they can pur sue subjects they select. Learn about the availabil ity of special programs that interest your child, such as language immersion or music instruction.

Visit schools on your short list to evaluate the academic workload and environment. Ask students how much homework they do each night and attend classes to see how teachers affect learning. Do they use readings, lectures or group discussion? Do students do projects, community service or internships at local businesses or universities? A school’s instructional strategy should match up with its educational objectives and your child’s learning style, Little says. Highly competitive classes can undermine learning for some students. Others might be frustrated by a collaborative approach.

Keep in mind a school is more than its academic programs. It is a community of learners. Observe social dynamics among students and ask how teachers encourage cooperation and manage behavior problems. Kids can’t learn when they’re struggling with classroom chaos or feel left out of exclusive cliques.

Look at how adults are involved in the school. A strong parent-teacher association ensures that ideas and information flow both

ways. Involvement from alumni suggests a strong sense of pride in the institution. Find out how long teachers have been at the school and whether they receive regular professional development. High turnover may reflect bad management. It can also create a poor climate for learning.

Step 3: Focus on Fit

“Ideally, you want to match the school to the learner,” says Faya Hoffman, founder of the Washington, DC, learning concierge service, My Learning Springboard. “A school with a phenomenal reputation may not be the right fit for your child.” Be honest about whether an institution’s approach fits with your student’s interests and temperament.

If your child has an Individualized Educational Plan due to learning (or other) disabilities, find out what services are available to meet his needs. Smaller schools may not have fulltime staff to provide speech or occupational therapy or counseling services. Speak directly with staff members who provide services your child needs, so you understand how your child will get help. Knowing what to expect sets everyone up for success.

Although it may be inconvenient, Hoffman says siblings may need different educational approaches – and different schools – to learn and thrive. Focus on each student as an individual to make the best educational decisions for your family.

AOP

Heidi Smith Luedtke is a personality psychologist and mom of two. She is the author of Detachment Parenting.

After School Programs

Auburn’s Best After School and Summer Camps ad on page 13

758 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

“Parents And Kids In Auburn LOVE This Fun, Safe, And Exciting After School Program!” Includes FREE Transportation from school, Martial Arts Classes, Dance & Cheer Classes, and Fun Sports Activities! 334-329-5218 www.auburnbestafterschool.com

Auburn First Baptist Child Development Center ad on page 29

128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

Transportation from schools. Children engage in many developmentally appropriate, hands-on activities that promote learning in language, fine & large motor skills, the arts, math, science and social-emotional skills. Nationally accredited through NAC and licensed through Alabama Department of Human Resources. 334-821-8125 www.auburnfbc.org

Growing Room Auburn

ad on page 37

644 North Dean Road, Auburn, Al 36830

We believe that learning can take you everywhere. We offer language based curriculum focusing on math, science and self-help skills, character education programs, A Beka Phonics, extracurricular programs including JumpBunch, Dance, Big Green Bus and Spanish. We provide before and after school transportation and care for Auburn City Schools. 334-501-2044 www.growingroomusa.com/auburn

Growing Room Opelika

ad on page 37

1755 Thomason Drive, Opelika, Al 36801

We believe that learning can take you everywhere. We offer language based curriculum focusing on math, science and self-help skills, character education programs, A Beka Phonics, extracurricular programs including JumpBunch, Dance, Big Green Bus and Spanish. We provide before and after school transportation and care for Opelika City Schools. 334-748-9020 www.growingroomusa.com/opelika

Auburn City Schools 332 East Samford Avenue, Auburn, Al 36860

Extended day offers children K-5 the opportunity to receive individualized tutoring, participation in creative activities, and interaction with peers. Activities include art, sports, computer, music/movement and clubs. 334-887-2100 www.auburnschools.org

Bonnie’s Kids 2314 Enterprise Drive, Opelika, Al 36801 Pick up from school for Beauregard, Opelika and Auburn for after school programs. 334-745-6248 www.bonnieskidschildcare.com

Opelika City Schools 300 Simmons Street, Opelika, Al 36801

Extended day offers children K-5 the opportunity to receive individualized tutoring, participation in creative activities, and interaction with peers. Activities include art, sports, computer, music/movement and clubs. 334-745-970 www.opelikaschools.org

Homeschool

Classical Conversations is a proven Christian education program created by parents for parents. We do this through a Christ-centered and family-friendly approach to homeschooling that makes everything biblical and simple. Our program covers K-4 to College Credit and includes college degree opportunities for parents, as well. To find a program near you visit Community Search on our website. www.classicalconversations.com

Discovery Christian School

P.O. Box 2596, Auburn, Al 36831

Discovery Christian School is a ministry of The Oaks Church. Our vision is to serve homeschooling families by offering support and encouragement as a church cover school. As both teacher and parent, you have the privilege of training your child as you discover together who God has made them to be. It is our goal to be a support to you

in that process as you navigate the best educational tools and programs that fit their needs. We offer regular time for parents and children to come together for field trips, simple play dates, as well as informational meetings with tips from experienced home school moms. As a community, we hope to learn and grow together as we glean from the strengths and experiences that you each bring. 334-703-4340 www.discoverychristianschool.com

Lakeview Baptist

1600 Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

As home schooling parents, we are responsible before God for the education of our children. That education may take many forms: using books and other resources at home, taking co-op classes, hiring a tutor, enrolling in distance learning or dual enrollment classes, and many, many others. At Lakeview Christian School, we believe that the parents are the primary educators of their children. 334-887-7094 www.lakeviewbaptist.org/lakeviewchristian-school

Preschool

Auburn First Baptist Child Development Center ad

on page 29

128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

The Child Development Center is a ministry of Auburn First Baptist by which we provide safe, loving, quality care for children in a Christian environment. We strive to provide the best in early childhood education so that each child may develop to his or her highest potential in physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual growth. Children are given many opportunities in art, music, science,

home living, blocks, puzzles, other manipulative activities and large motor skill activities.

334-887-8506 www.auburnfbc.org/ministries/childdevelopment-center

Parkway Preschool and Kindergarten ad on page 21

766 East University Drive, Auburn, Al 36830 Parkway Preschool & Kindergarten offers several unique amenities for your convenience and for the Christian education of your child: Weekly Chapel time for 3-K classes, led by church staff of Parkway Baptist Church, weekly music and art classes, multiple play facilities, gymnasium, special programming from community organizations, lunch bunch and more. 334-321-0537 www.parkwaypreschool.org

Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool ad on page 22

2222 North College Street, Auburn, Al 36830 Auburn’s first nature preschool and the second nature preschool in Alabama. “Nature preschool” is an innovative educational strategy that allows your child to learn about, with, and through nature, embracing the great outdoors as their classroom. Children spend their school time exploring and uncovering knowledge in an environment where curiosity and child-led discovery are encouraged. This incredible, cutting-edge, and revolutionary philosophy combines early-childhood education and environmental awareness on a new level. Children will learn together in a multi-age, group setting. This ‘family’ style of learning encourages community and shared experiences. 334-844-8091 wp.auburn.edu/preserve/woodland wonders/

Auburn Day School

Auburn, Al 36830

Auburn Day School is Alabama’s first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Preschool. The program is a half-day, drop-in STEM preschool serving children ages 8 months5 years. Auburn Day School offers hands-on lessons in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), language, and the arts.. Rather than themes, our lessons are taught through overarching concepts, which are ideas that can apply to anyone, at any time, with any background knowledge. Our focus is on process rather than procedures. We want to help students to learn how to think, not what to think so we can help set the foundation for a lifetime of learning. www.auburndayschool.org

Indian Pines Country Day School

1742 Saugahatchee Road, Auburn, Al 36830

Indian Pines Country Day School offers a preschool program for children ages three and four. and also a kindergarten for five year olds. Our goal is to provide your child with a healthy, happy setting in which to enjoy his or her first formal learning experience. We respect each child and strive to help him or her develop as a unique individual. 334-821-7786 www.ipcds.org

Bright Beginnings Preschool

301 South 8th Street, Opelika, Al 36801

Each class has planned learning activities appropriate for the age of the children, offering a balance of quiet and active play experiences. A bible story time is included each day as well as bible verses. This curriculum is developed around themes that are designed to lay a foundation for understanding God, Jesus, and the Bible, church, self, others and the natural world. It uses hands –on learning in a learning center environment: books, art, blocks, home living, nature, puzzles

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

and manipulatives. Our Pre-k classes use the Letter People curriculum in addition to the Wee Learn Curriculum.

334-745-5715 www.fbcopelika.com/weekday-program

Farmville First Steps Preschool 3607 Al Hwy 147 North, Auburn, Al 36830

We are an outreach of Farmville Baptist Church. Our mission is to provide a comfortable, secure, loving environment where children will learn and grow under the supervision of qualified Christian teachers. The curriculum is traditional Christian teachings and activities that we have designed to deliver the physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs of early childhood. Our “hands on” learning experiences will strengthen your child’s development and prepare them for kindergarten. 334-329-KIDZ www.farmvillefirststeps.org/

Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School 100 Church Drive, Auburn, Al 36830 Pre-K and Kindergarten. At Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School, we recognize that God uniquely created each child. We understand that each child develops at a different pace and understands content through varying learning styles. Early childhood is a time of incredible and varied growth. Our talented teachers strive to meet each child where they are and help them learn, and grow so that they are ready for the next level in their education. 334-887-9506 www.holytrinityepiscopaldayschool.info

Lakeview Preschool Adventures

1600 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

As a ministry of Lakeview Baptist Church, Lakeview Preschool Adventures we strive to not only teach preschoolers the basic ABC’s and 123’s; we also strive to teach them the love of Jesus and how He would want us to treat others. We do this in a loving, secure environment. Children will have adventures in chapel, music, indoor and outdoor play, center time, group time and much more 334-887-7094 www.lakeviewbaptist.org/preschoolministry/lakeview-preschool-adventures

Private Schools

Auburn Classical Academy ad on page 9, 39

1901-B Waverly Parkway, Opelika, Al 36801 We are classical, meaning that we employ the time-tested method of the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric). Our curriculum is designed to inspire students to appreciate and understand the intellectual tradition of Christendom and the ancient world, and to see the acquisition of knowledge and wisdom as components of a lively Christian faith. Our genuine dedication to forming well-educated, academically successful students of sound character is apparent at every level of work. Students are carefully taught to think logically and express themselves well. We strive to create an environment which is conducive to study and charitable interactions between students, parents and teachers. We provide students the tools for life-long learning.

334-821-7081 www.auburnclassicalacademy.com

Lee-Scott

ad on page 31

Academy

1601 Academy Drive, Auburn, Al 36830

Lee-Scott Academy is a college preparatory school offering a quality education in an environment where students are protected, nurtured, and challenged with Christian principles that promote the development of the total person. The pursuit of excellence in academics is the hallmark of the Academy, complemented by opportunities to participate in programs that encourage student success. Our academic program, designed to equip our students for success in college and in

life, emphasizes English, mathematics, history, geography, science, foreign languages, technology, fine arts, and study skills. In addition to a challenging and balanced academic curriculum, we value the benefits of athletic programs and extracurricular activities that promote the student’s sense of character, responsibility, fair play, teamwork, and commitment.

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

The Oaks School

ad on page 41

2201 Executive Park Drive, Opelika, Al 36801

The Oaks School is a Pre-K through 12th grade church school that started in 2018 in the AuburnOpelika area. The Oaks School offers 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. 334-887-9947 www.theoaksschool.org

Trinity Christian School

ad on page 15

1010 India Road, Opelika, Al 36801

Trinity Christian School was established in 1978 as a private Christian school committed to providing a classical, biblical education to the young people of our community. With a starting assumption that education of children is the responsibility of parents, we seek to assist families in teaching all subjects in the light of God’s Word. Our goal is to provide a secure Christian environment of classical academic excellence. Trinity offers a K-12 program that employs time-tested curricula and teaching methods. Our students participate in hands-on learning about God’s creation and they practice careful articulation when expressing the truth of God’s Word; all the while, they grow to appreciate great literature and Latin as well as how God weaves science and mathematics throughout His world.

334-745-2464 www.tcsopelika.org

Chambers Academy

15048 US Hwy 431, LaFayette, Al 36862

Chambers Academy is a member of the Alabama Independent School Association and accredited by AdvancED. The Academy was established in 1969 by 15 founding members that sought excellence in academics, the arts and athletics. Their hard work, along with the efforts of dedicated parents, faculty, staff and community members, has developed a strong and thriving Chambers Academy. What began with a few grades has grown to include a year round daycare program as well as academic programs for kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and high school students. Chambers Academy’s campus also houses a licensed daycare facility for families desiring a safe and stimulating environment for their preschoolers. An extended after school day program is also available for our students.

334-864-9852 www.chambersacademy.com

Glenwood School

5801 Summerville Road, Smiths Station, Al 36877

The curriculum and instruction at Glenwood School is designed to impart to students the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in college and in any other post-secondary endeavor. Essential to the success of Glenwood School is the belief that Christian principles are the foundation upon which the school is founded.

334-297-3614 www.glenwoodgators.org

LaFayette Christian School

1904 Hamilton Road, LaGrange, Ga 30241

Lafayette Christian School strives to educate and inspire this generation to positively impact their

culture and their future. We seek to develop each student’s God given spiritual, physical, mental and social gifts to their fullest potential.

706-884-6684 www.lafayettechristianschool.com

Southern Prep Academy

174 Ward Circle, Camp Hill, Al 36850

Southern Preparatory Academy is a private military boarding academy providing the best in academics, leadership, and athletics, structured on a foundation of moral and ethical values that develop young men of integrity, competence, and excellence who are prepared for the work of life.

256-675-6260 www.southernprepacademy.org

Springwood School

1814 Cherry Drive, Lanett, Al 36863

Established 1970, Springwood School develops the mind, body, and spirit of our students in a college and life preparatory environment. Located near the Alabama/Georgia border, we serve the families of K4-12th grade students from both states, and a number of countries around the word. Our Christian environment and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools as well as AdvancED, the world’s largest community of educational professionals.

334.644.2191 www.springwoodschool.com

St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School

2020 Kay Circle, Columbus, Ga 31907

Be A Viking! St. Anne-Pacelli is a college preparatory age 1 through 12th grade school dedicated to giving children opportunities to learn in a safe, supportive environment where they can develop relationships with others and with God. St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School forms knowledgeable, faithful and responsible Catholic citizens who compassionately serve others. The core curriculum for all grade levels includes Religion, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The resource curriculum includes Technology, Music, Art, Spanish, Physical Education, and Media Instruction. Critical thinking, problem solving, cooperative work, and hands-on learning are incorporated daily into the learning experience at St. Anne-Pacelli. 706-561-8232 www.beaviking.com

St. Michael Catholic School

342 North College Street, Auburn, Al 36830

St. Michael Catholic School fosters the development of the whole child through spiritual, moral, and academic excellence. We are different where it counts! Come be a part of our community. Classes for PreK-5th grade.

334-887-5540 www.stmichaelcatholicschool.com

Public Schools

Alabama School of Math and Science

ad on page 43

1255 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Al 36604

Alabama’s only fully public and residential high school for sophomores, juniors, and seniors seeking advanced studies in math, science, and the humanities. Tuition, room, and board are free. Founded in a rigorous math and science curriculum with emphasis on responsible leadership, ASMS will develop the full potential of exceptional students from across the state of Alabama, first serving the needs of those without local access to challenging educational opportunities.

251-441-2100 www.asms.net

Auburn City Schools

332 East Samford Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

Auburn City Schools serves as the premier public school system in the municipality and community of Auburn, which is nestled in the heart of Lee County on the Plains of East Alabama.

ACS operates as a K-12 system with more than 8,800 students and as the pinnacle of educational excellence in our state, we have become a driving force for our student’s future career paths. With an increased priority on educating the whole child and an emphasis on college and career readiness, ACS stays on the cutting edge of academics, athletics, fine arts and technology.

334-887-2100 www.auburnschools.org

Lee County Schools

2411 Society Hill Road, Opelika, Al 36804

The mission of the Lee County School System is to challenge every student to pursue dreams, succeed with integrity, and contribute meaningfully to a diverse society.

334-705-6000 www.lee.k12.al.us

Opelika City Schools

300 Simmons Street, Opelika, Al 36801

Educate every child every day. All students can learn and are capable of achieving high goals. Each student is a valued individual with unique physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs. Students need to develop a deep understanding of essential knowledge and skills. They also need to develop the capacity to apply their learning, to reason, to solve problems, and to produce quality work as they become contributing members of society. A safe and supportive learning environment promotes student achievement. The development of the curriculum, the design of instructional activities, and the use of assessment measures are focused on providing learning opportunities and feedback systems that enable students to achieve success.

334-745-970 www.opelikaschools.org

Special Needs / Educational Support

East Alabama Mental Health ad on page 3

2506 Lambert Drive, Opelika, Al 36801

The ABC Program serves pre-school children ages 2 to 5 who face difficulties in the day care, pre-school or home environment due to behavioral issues and/or developmental delays. The AfterSchool and Summer Camp programs provide therapeutic services to children and youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance in a fun and safe setting. Children served through this program are in need of more intensive services due to behaviors which interfere with their success at home, at school and in the community. Counseling, daily living skills training, family support, and case management are key features of these programs.

334-742-270 www.eastalabamamhc.com

Ferguson Psychology ad on

page 15

709 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, Al 36830

Services include working with a broad range of individuals throughout the lifespan including children, adolescents, college students, and adults. Utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address a wide range of issues in psychotherapy including: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), behavior problems, social skills deficits, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety, phobias, trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depres-

sion, and general adjustment issues. Providing evidence-based treatments to assist individuals with their concerns. Interventions are tailor-made for a client’s individual needs. I enjoy providing therapy and brief assessment services to children and their parents. Utilizing a systems-based approach, I work with families to establish the ideal environmental contingencies in order to help the families reach their full potential. Services offered include parenting skills training, behavior modification, and social skills training.

334-226-7222 www.ferguson-psychology.com

Parenting 911 ad on

page 13

Opelika, Al 36801

Teach the Parents, Reach the Children. I am your Personal Parenting Coach, and Founder of FTP: Frazelma Teaching Parents. As your personal parenting coach, I equip parents using step-by-step,

proven, and personalized tools that lead to a more desired calm, organized, and amazing teaching experience. Offering a wide variety of development and training coaching programs, built on timeless principles that get results. All of our curriculum can be customized to specifically address your individual and organizational needs.

www.amazingparenting.org

Smith Group Behavioral Consulting

ad on page 4

4505 Sandhill Road and 2B Westridge Drive, Auburn and Phenix City, Al

Supporting families and educators through behavioral consultation and direct ABA services, focused on children exhibiting behaviors consistent with autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral diagnoses. Offering services in

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

two locations: Auburn and Phenix City! Services include behavioral consultation, skills assessment, functional assessment, classroom set up, social skills training, academic tutoring and more. Clinic based intervention, and if needed, intervention can take place in the home and community.

334-332-9077 www.smithgroupbc.com

All For Children

2204 Ogletree Village Lane, Auburn, Al 36830

ALL (Auburn Language and Learning) is a pediatric, private practice, offering speech, language, auditory, occupational therapy, physical therapy, literacy and math services to children of all ages. Our practice consists of speech-language pathologists, auditory-verbal therapists, special educators, and occupational therapists.

334-209-2009 www.all-forchildren.com

Auburn Therapy and Learning Center

2408 East University Drive, Suite 109, Auburn, Al 36830

Our mission is to empower and encourage functional daily living skills for all ages, specifically focusing on providing the highest quality treatment to improve those skills pertaining to communication, fine motor skills, sensory integration, and feeding difficulties. Our clinicians are fully licensed and trained to provide quality treatment in Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Feeding Therapy. We welcome clients of all ages who are in need of our therapeutic services. We specialize in the evaluation and treatment of difficulties associated with autism spectrum, downs syndrome, developmental delay, dyslexia, fine motor delay, social communication disorder, expressive language disorder and many more.

334-734-5511 www.auburntlc.com

Lee County Youth Development Center

1109 Spring Drive, Opelika, Al 36801

Our agency strives to maintain the highest standards of quality care and innovative practices with expertise in the areas of prevention, intervention and residential care. One area is in psychological services with residential treatment and out-patient.

The Educational Services Department operates five self-contained classroom divisions on its main campus in it’s state-of-the-art comprehensive educational facilities designed to engage 21st Century learners. 334-749-2996 www.lcydc.org

RehabWorks 4 Kids

2450 Village Professional Pkwy, Opelika, Al 36801

We provide comprehensive, high-quality, compassionate therapies to help each child reach his or her potential. Our pediatric rehabilitation specialists – speech therapists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists – work together to provide individualized therapy for children with a number of diagnoses and needs. Our services are provided in a colorful, family-friendly environment. Some conditions treated are autism, developmental delays, dyslexia, hearing impairments, motor coordination issues, and more. 334-528-1964 www.rehabworks.eamc.org/Kids

Tutoring / Enrichment Resources

First Baptist Church Fine Arts Academy

ad on page 19

301 South 8th Street, Opelika, Al 36801

Providing music lessons in Opelika/Auburn where

Christ is honored and students are challenged and inspired to develop their God-given talents for the glory and service of God. Lessons are offered in the areas of piano, voice, guitar, strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion and pipe organ. Music instruction is adapted to the development and progress of each student. Lessons are offered for 30, 45, and 60 minutes.

334-745-5715 www.fbcopelika.com/fine-artsacademy

Kumon Math and Reading Center of Auburn/Opelika

ad on page 23

1550 Opelika Road, Suite 36, Auburn, Al 36830

Kumon’s after-school academic enrichment program has helped children achieve success worldwide. We strive to instill in children the desire to achieve and the motivation to learn on their own. Whether your child is seeking enrichment, needs help catching up or is just beginning his or her academic career, Kumon is designed to help him or her develop a love of learning.

334-501-8586 www.kumon.com/auburn-opelika-al

Mathnasium Auburn

1345 Opelika Road, #6, Auburn, Al 36830

We help kids in grades K-12 understand math by teaching the way that makes sense to them. When math makes sense, kids leap way ahead – whether they started out far behind or already ahead in math. Our formula for teaching kids math, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids learn math for over a decade 334-329-7225 www.mathnasium.com/auburn AOP

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

Grading Family Movies: Streaming, Digital Rentals, and Theatrical Releases

Strange World

Theaters

Rating Overall Violence Sex Profanity Alcohol/Drugs PG B+ B A A A

Determined to save their mountain -encircled home, Jaeger and his son Searcher went on an expedition. Searcher found a plant that provides electricity but twentyfive years later, the plant is suffering from an unknown illness. Now Searcher and his son Ethan head off to find a cure, only to cross paths with Jaeger once again. This isn’t one of Disney’s strongest films – the plot lacks focus and the jokes are often flat – but the voice cast is stellar and the visual design is distinctive. Photo ©Walt Disney Motion Pictures Studios

Disenchanted Disney+ Rating Overall Violence Sex Profanity Alcohol/Drugs PG B+ B- A A- A

Exhausted by the reality of raising a sarcastic teenager and a baby in a crowded apartment, Giselle persuades Robert to move to a fixer-upper villa in the suburbs. When that doesn’t solve her problems, Giselle casts a magical spell, exposing her new home and the animated kingdom of Andalasia to unexpected, dangerous consequences. The first act of this film is painfully dull but once magic comes into play, the story rediscovers the screwball vibe that made the first film so much fun.

Photo ©Disney+

Devastated by the death of his son, the carpenter Gepetto sinks into despair. One night, in a drunken outburst, he hacks a boy out of wood, which is brought to life by the Wood Sprite. This is a very distinctive take on the familiar tale, darkly told and set in the early days of fascism in Italy. The stop -motion animation is nothing short of brilliant and the visual aesthetic is impressive. This is not a movie for young or sensitive viewers as it contains some scary violence and very disturbing themes.

Photo ©Netflix

childhood, Darby gained the ability to see dead people, a gift she uses to help the dead complete unfinished business and pass on to the afterlife. When her ex-friend, a cheerleader named Capri, dies in a freak accident, she appears to Darby with an unusual set of demands – and threats. This film comes with a quirky premise, capable actors, and some decent life lessons about accepting yourself and others. Sadly, it also features teen drinking and unnecessary cussing. Photo ©Hulu

It’s 2011 and sisters Sara and Yusra Mardini are championship swimmers who face a terrible choice: remain in Syria and risk death in the civil war or undertake the dangerous trek to Germany in search of asylum. Based on a true story, this is a riveting film that imparts powerful lessons about courage, loyalty, persistence, grit, and family ties. There is some fact -based negative content, but overall this is an excellent film to help teens (and adults) develp empathy for those caught up in the currents of history. Photo ©Netflix Detailed reviews available at www.pare ntpreviews.com

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Tuesday, January 3

Little Sprouts

Columbus Botanical Gardens, 3603 Weems Road, Ga Little Sprouts is a 30-45 minute lesson on a feature of the Garden and it’s connection to nature/science. The class is designed as an exposure experience in which there are three parts: sit and get either through a talk, piece of literature or a presentation; exploration through a hands-on experience which can look like a game, scavenger hunt, data collection activity; a craft which ties the two experiences together. https://columbusbotanicalgarden.org/events/littlesprouts/

Thursday, January 5

Jubilee

through Sunday, January 29, 2023 Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery, Al Playwright and director Tazewell Thompson brings an innovative and heart-stirring score to life with this uplifting a cappella tribute inspired by real life. The world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers shattered racial barriers in the U.S. and abroad, entertaining kings and queens. For more than 150 years, the bold a cappella African American ensemble born on the campus of one of the nation’s premiere HBCUs has blended their rich voices together to share a heritage of suffering, strength, and endurance. Featuring uplifting spirituals and hymns including “Wade in the Water,” “Ain’t That Good News,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” this a cappella performance will ignite audiences of every generation.

www.asf.net/jubilee-51

Saturday, January 7

The Black Jacket Symphony Fleetwood Mac Rumors

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery, Al The gong resounds, the curtain opens, and a heavenly scene is right before your eyes. Fairies emerge from a sea of billowing clouds. Mongolians ride on horseback across grasslands as vast as the sky. Classic stories of love and loss, of humor and heroic deeds, come to life. You will be amazed by how vibrant, exciting, and profound classical Chinese culture can be. www.mpaconline.org/events/

CSO- Beethoven’s Eighth RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga What did Beethoven do between his glorious Seventh and the cosmic Ninth symphonies? We have the answer! He wrote the vivacious, quirky Eighth Symphony, of course. www.rivercenter.org/event/cso-beethovens-eighth/

Monday, January 9

Jay Leno at the Gogue Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn Acclaimed late-night host, admired stand-up comedian, best-selling children’s book author, lovable voice-over artist, pioneering car builder and philanthropist, it’s no wonder Jay Leno is widely characterized as “the hardestworking man in show business.” A tireless performer, Leno loves to test his humor on audiences across the nation, performing more than 100 live shows each year. Having passed the torch of The Tonight Show succession to Jimmy Fallon, Leno has increased his customary busy schedule of performances in top venues around the United States and abroad. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Tuesday, January 10

Family Discovery Hike: Winter Habitats 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn Join our guides for an educational adventure as you and your children take in the many sights and sounds of the Nature Center. Discovery Hikes offer excellent opportunities to learn about nature and see wildlife up close, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Discovery Hikes are for families with children ages 5 to 12 and are offered the second Tuesday of each month. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion. Discovery Hikes are free (donations are welcomed) and cancelled in the event of rain. wp.auburn.edu/preserve/event/family-discoveryhike-2/2022-11-08/

Thursday, January 12

Aquila Theatre: Julius Caesar

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga In Aquila theatre’s striking new production, we are taken on a journey into a world of conspiracy and betrayal. This play reaches its climax when the two opposing sides meet in battle, where the fate of a nation hangs in the balance. rivercenter.org/event/aquila-theatre-julius-caesar/

Nature Walk: Winter Habitats

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM, Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn Join our guides for a peaceful morning walk as you take in the many sights and sounds of the Preserve. Nature Walks offer excellent opportunities to socialize and learn, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Nature Walks are for adults only and offered the second Thursday of each month. Pre-registration is not required. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion. Nature Walks are free (donations are welcomed) and are cancelled in the event of rain. wp.auburn.edu/preserve

Friday, January 13

Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop ($10/participant + $10 for materials fee)

5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Auburn Parks and Recreation, Dean Road Rec Center Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience – part of the fun is developing a new skill. The bowl you make will be donated to the 2023 Empty Bowls event on March 25th benefitting the Food Bank of East Alabama. Empty Bowls is a collaboration with the City of Auburn’s Dean Road Ceramics Studio and the City of Opelika’s Denson Drive Ceramics Studio. (334) 501-2944 edombrowski@auburnalabama.org

Auburn

Aquatics Ralph Crocker Classic

James E. Martin Aquatic Center The Auburn Recreation Swim Team is back for another season of fun in 2022! The Ralph Crocker Classic is a prelim/finals for 13 and overs and timed finals for 12 and under. This is for invited teams only. All AUB groups should participate. www.facebook.com/auburnaqutics

Pride and Prejudice

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga Jane Austin’s ultimate romantic comedy has stood the test of time. As the Bennet sisters try to navigate their way toward love and marriage, Austen humorously skewers the hypocrisies and absurdities of the English class system, and puts the thoughts and

feelings of hr women characters front and center. Filled with unforgettable characters, this sharp social satire has it all: wit, romance and lots of dancing.

rivercenter.org/event/aquila-theatre-pride-and-prejudice/

Saturday, January 14

Hi Lo Pro Rodeo

Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, Ga. 400 4th Street

For the first time ever in Columbus…Professional rodeo at the Columbus Civic Center. Hi Lo ProRodeo presents Rodeo Columbus, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associate (PRCA) rodeo will debut in the Columbus Civic Center with Bareback riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Team Roping, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Girls Barrel Racing, rodeo clowns, and much more! Watch the best cowboys compete on the nation’s top stock right here in Columbus!

www.hiloprorodeo.com

Zoo Volunteer Serve Day

The Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Blvd, Montgomery We are looking for energetic individuals who want to volunteer in a beautiful and fun place. www. montgomeryzoo.com

Tuesday, January 17

Shen Yun

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga Travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops, and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away.

www.rivercenter.org/event/shen-yun/

Wednesday, January 18

An Evening of Wine Tasting (Tickets are $40 per person and may be purchased online. ) Tony & LIbba Rane Culinary Science Center, 205 South College Street, Auburn Experience an evening of tasting exquisite wines from around the world with Master Sommelier Thomas Price. You will learn about the wine and practice tasting techniques in a fun, casual class environment. Come with your friends, your significant other, or on your own and enjoy the benefits of having the Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center in our community! Guests must be 21 or older and show proof of ID.

www.humsci.auburn.edu/hosp/communityevents.php

Shen Yun

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery Travel back to the magical world of ancient China. Experience a lost culture through the incredible art of classical Chinese dance, and see legends come to life. Shen Yun makes this possible by pushing boundaries of the performing arts, with a unique blend of stunning costuming, high-tech backdrops, and an orchestra like no other. Be prepared for a theatrical experience that will take your breath away.

www.mpaconline.org/events/

Thursday, January 19

Opelika Public Library Presents Sean Dietrich

6:30 PM Opelika Public Library, 1100 Glenn Street, Opelika Opelika Public Library presents Sean Dietrich. Author of “You Are My Sunshine”.

www.bit.ly/OPLSean

Friday, January 20

Alabama Dance Festival through Sunday, January 22, 2023, 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods Junior Boulevard, Birmingham The Alabama Dance Festival will immerse you in

master classes with world-renowned teachers, audition opportunities, teacher training, networking, performances by regional dance groups, and a guest company. Each year, the Alabama Dance Festival boasts a weekend full of performances. Participants and public alike enjoy works presented in a range of styles and traditions by schools, studios, companies, and choreographers in our annual New Works Concert and Alabama Dance Festival Showcase. www.alabamadeancefestival.org

Be Your Child’s Homeschooling Hero

DeSoto Caverns, 5181 Desoto Caverns Parkway, Childersburg Lead them into an educational experience they’ll never forget! We’re offering the deepest discounts to Homeschoolers and their children. Tickets may be purchased online in advance and they may also be purchased at the gate on Homeschool days, simply tell our retail host on Homeschool Day that you are a homeschooling family and we will utilize the honor system and apply your discount. www.majesticcaverns.com/homeschool-day

Sundilla Presents Tim Easton (Advance tickets are $20 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online. Admission at the door will be $25. )

AUUF, 450 E. Thach Avenue in Auburn The Sundilla Concert Series & Radio Hour kicks off its 30th year of bringing performers from around the country and the world to Auburn with the Sundilla debut of acclaimed singer-songwriter Tim Easton. For the first time since March 2020, a Sundilla concert will be held at their longtime home. Free coffee, tea, water, and food will be available, and the audience is welcome to bring their own favorite food or beverage. www.sundillamusic.com

Young Sherlock through Saturday, January 21, 2023 Opelika Theatre Company presents a children’s production. www.opelikatheatrecompany.com

Saturday, January 21

Health and Fitness Fair

Frank Brown Recreation Center, 235 Opelika Road, Auburn Active Auburn is teaming up with our Adults 50+ Program to bring a health and fitness fair to the community in the new year! January is the perfect time to learn about local doctors, gyms, healthy eateries, and free public programs. This free event will not only have you leaving with information on how to be healthy, but you can also take part in free health screenings to make sure you start 2023 off on the right foot! Do you want to have a booth at this year’s Health and Fitness Fair? Contact us for more information!

(334) 501 – 2940 mtoohey@auburnalabama.org

Crystal Gayle & Lee Greenwood

Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn One of the most popular and widely recognized female country singers of her era, Gayle was inspired to follow her own musical path by the success of her older sister, Loretta Lynn. Gayle’s supple voice, a flair for ballads, and cross-over-friendly country-pop style netted her several main-stream hits, beginning with her 1973 debut single, “I Cried the Blue (Right Out of My Eyes).” In 1976, “I’ll Get Over You” became the first of Gayle’s 22 numberone hits, a run of success that peaked brilliantly with 1977’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” a number one hit on the country, pop and worldwide

charts that won Gayle a Grammy for Best Country Female Performance. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

East Alabama Arts presents Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine Opelika Center for the Performing Arts, 1700 Lafayette Pkwy, Opelika From the Medieval city of Lviv on Ukraine’s western border with Poland, an orchestra dares to do the unthinkable: carry a message of hope across the world during a period of war and instability. The ensemble’s resilience stands as a testament to its determination and the timelessness of the great works it performs with vigor, distinction, and artistry. Led by the dynamic Ukrainian-American conductor Theodore Kuchar, and joined by Ukrainian pianist Stanislav Kristenko, this will surely be a concert to inspire and a night to remember. www.eastalabamaarts.org/upcomingevents/2023/1/21/lviv-orchestra

Sunday, January 22

The Temptations

Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery THE TEMPTATIONS are notable for their success with Motown Records during the 60’s and 70’s and have sold 10’s of millions of albums, making them one of the most successful groups in music history! For over 40 years The Temptations have prospered, with an avalanche of smash hits, and sold-out performances throughout the world! “The crowds are bigger, the sales are sizzling,” says one industry report. “The outpouring of affection for this super-group has never been greater”. www.mpaconline.org/events/

Tuesday, January 24

Junie B. Jones Essential Survival Guide to School RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the on EVERYTHING you need to know? Form the bus rules and Band-Aids to carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. www.rivercenter.org/event/junie-b-jones-essentialsurvival-guide-to-school-2/

Thursday, January 26

The Play That Goes Wrong through Sunday, February 5, 2023 Springer Opera House, 103 Tenth Street, Columbus, Ga The title says it all. Welcome to the production of Murder at Haversham Manor put on by the very sincere but totally inept company of actors of the Cornley Drama Society. During the performance, an avalanche of disasters befalls the cast, including the doors that won’t open, lost props, forgotten lines, collapsing scenery and actors being knocked unconscious. www.springeroperahouse.org/springerproductions/ the-play-that-goes-wrong

Riverdance

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga As you’ve never seen it before! A powerful and stirring reinvention of this beloved favorite, celebrated the world over for its Grammy awardwinning score and the thrilling energy and passion of its Irish and international dance. www.rivercenter.org/event/riverdance/

Friday, January 27

Sundilla Presents Ben Bedford (Admission at the door is $25.) 450 E. Thach Ave, Auburn The Sundilla Concert Series will welcome Ben Bedford. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online. Free coffee, tea,

water, and food will be available, and the audience is invited to bring any food or beverage they prefer. www.sundillamusic.com

Community Build-a-Bowl Workshop ($10/ participant + $10 for materials fee) 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Auburn Parks and Recreation, Dean Road Rec Center The bowl

you make will be donated to the 2023 Empty Bowls event on March 25th benefitting the Food Bank of East Alabama. Empty Bowls is a collaboration with the City of Auburn’s Dean Road Ceramics Studio and the City of Opelika’s Denson Drive Ceramics Studio. Experimentation with color, texture and pattern is highly encouraged and will be introduced along the way. Basic ceramic terminology and glazing techniques will also be covered in this class. Feel free to come with your own ideas, too! No previous experience necessary. Clay, glazes, and kiln firing cost are included in the material fee, and essential tools are available in the ceramic studio. (334) 501-2944 edombrowski@auburnalabama.org

Miss Alabama USA & Miss Alabama Teen USA

Pageant

Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn Contestants from all over the state of Alabama will compete in interview, evening gown, and swimsuit/activewear competitions. These contestants will be vying for thousands of dollars in scholarships and prizes and the ability to travel the state promoting the pageant and its charitable alliances.

www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Saturday, January 28

Campfire Cooking Soups & Snacks

Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn Join this fun, casual cooking class that explores tips, tricks, and recipes for cooking over an open fire. Cyndi Czerkawski (In The Garden instructor) takes a farm-to-table approach to campfire cooking using fresh, local ingredients. Whether you are experienced or you are new to open fire techniques, you are bound to get something new out of this class, not to mention the great food!

natureeducation@auburn.edu https://aub.ie/campfirecooking

11th Annual Polar Plunge

Samford Pool, Auburn Sign up, dive in, and raise money for a great cause! Brave the cold at the tenth annual Polar Plunge on Saturday. SUPERHEROES will be the theme for this 11th Annual event. Recruit sponsors to support you as you take the plunge in support of Lee County Special Olympics. Individual and group costumes are encouraged – superherothemed! This event is presented by Auburn Parks and Recreation and Lee County Special Olympics. Proceeds benefit Lee County Special Olympics. (334) 501-2939 Elizabeth Kaufman- ekaufman@ auburnalabama.org

Tuesday, January 31

My Fair Lady

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga From Lincoln Center that brought you The King & I and South Pacific, comes “a sumptuous new production of the most perfect musical of all time”, My Fair Lady.

www.rivercenter.org/event/my-fair-lady-2/

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

FamilyCalendar

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh through Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 S College St, Auburn Join the Gogue in their 2022-2023 Family Series! In this musical adaptation for the stage, a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood is told with stunning puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love.

www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Thursday, February 9

Nature Walk: Tree Bark

8:30 AM - 9:30 AM, through Thursday, February 9, 2023 Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn Join our guides for a peaceful morning walk as you take in the many sights and sounds of the Preserve. Nature Walks offer excellent opportunities to socialize and learn, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Nature Walks are for adults only and offered the second Thursday of each month. Pre-registration is not required. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion. Nature Walks are free (donations are welcomed) and are cancelled in the event of rain. wp.auburn.edu/preserve

Friday, February 10

Daddy Daughter Dance ($30 per couple/$10 additional daughter. Registration required by Feb 5.) Opelika SportsPlex, 1001 Sportsplex Parkway www.opelika-al.gov

Mother Son Gala ($30 per couple/$10 each additional son.) Covington Recreation Center, Opelika Parks and Rec. 213 Carver Ave Mom and Sons date night goes formal! Ticket includes a meal, corsage, boutonniere and entertainment. Registration required by Feb 3. www. opelika-al.gov

Saturday, February 11

Valentine’s Day Hike through Tuesday, February 14, 2023 Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street Fall in love with the Kreher Preserve all over again at this self-led hike through some of the most beautiful scenic spots. Enjoy the hike alone or with a loved one! This event is free – no reservations are needed, just come out and enjoy! natureeducation@auburn.edu

Monday, February 13

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts, 900 Broadway, Columbus, Ga The internationally-acclaimed hit theater show comes to Columbus. The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings to their incredible success as one of the bestselling music groups of the 60s to their split in 1970. www.rivercenter.org/event/the-simon-garfunkel-story/

Tuesday, February 14

Family Discovery Hike: Tree Bark 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM, Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, 2222 North College Street, Auburn Join our guides for an educational adventure as you and your children take in the many sights and sounds of the Nature Center. Discovery Hikes offer excellent opportunities

to learn about nature and see wildlife up close, while enjoying fresh air and exercise in our beautiful outdoors. Discovery Hikes are for families with children ages 5 to 12 and are offered the second Tuesday of each month. Each month features a new seasonal theme. Groups meet at the pavilion. Discovery Hikes are free (donations are welcomed) and cancelled in the event of rain. wp.auburn.edu/preserve

Thursday, February 16

MOMIX: Alice

Gogue Performing Arts Center, 910 South College Street, Auburn Travel down the rabbit hole MOMIXstyle, with Moses Pendleton’s newest creation, Alice, inspired by Alice in Wonderland. As Alice’s body grows and shrinks and grows again, Pendleton’s dancers extend themselves by means of props, ropes and other dancers. The Alice story is full of imagery and absurd logic—before there was surrealism there was Alice—an invitation to invent, to let imagination run and play outside.

www.goguecenter.auburn.edu/momix-alice/

Saturday, February 18

Colors for Children’s 5K (Color Fun Run) Auburn High School, 1701 E. Samford Ave Auburn High School, beginning on the track and expanding to the areas surrounding the school. Each participant will be given a white race shirt and color powders will be thrown throughout the race! Prizes will be given to the top finishers. There will be more fun activities after the race! The proceedings will be donated to the Children’s Hospital of Alabama.

https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Auburn/ColorsforChildrens

Mardi Gras Parade

3:00 PM, Downtown Auburn Krewe de Tigris was born of myth and magic. For over 5,000 years, the tiger has represented power, passion, and a fierce spirit. Magnificent in a yellow-gold coat striped with black, the tiger paces the plains of Auburn with grace. In 1808, author and poet William Blake told the tale by saying, “Tiger, tiger, burning bright in the forests of the night. What immortal hand or eye dare frame thy fearful symmetry? How powerful our God must be to fashion such a creature”.

Sunday, February 26

War Eagle Run Fest

Toomer’s Corner This new half marathon begins at Toomer’s Corner and ends in Jordan-Hare Stadium. There will be a half marathon, 5K, and kids’ 1-mile run option. Half Marathon runners will start at the iconic Toomer’s Corner, run past the Auburn University President’s House, see the Duggar Concourse, Quad Drive, Haley Concourse, and Thach Concourse before running by the Outdoor training pool on Wire Road. After running a lap on the Hutsell-Rosen Track and seeing the Intramural Playing Fields and Football Practice Fields, runners will pass the Coliseum and Auburn Arena before turning into Jordan-Hare Stadium to #flydownthefield and finish on the 50-yard line. 5K runners will stage near Toomer’s Corner and start on Thach Concourse. The 5K course will take runners past the Intramural Playing Fields, Football Practice Fields, and the Coliseum before turning into JordanHare Stadium to #flydownthefield and finish on the 50-yard line. Kids’ Mile- Limited to kids 13 years of

age and younger, the War Eagle Kids Mile will start near Jordan-Hare Stadium and let kids #flydownthefield and finish on the 50-yard line.

www.wareaglerunfest.com

The Kat & Dave Show

Gogue Performing Arts Center, 901 South College Street 16-time Grammy Award-winning musician, composer and producer David Foster and acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star Katharine McPhee are bringing their viral Instagram show on the road. Coming directly from the living room to the stage, this intimate show with the powerhouse duo will be packed with Foster’s hits from Chicago, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and more, along with McPhee’s biggest songs from American Idol, Smash and Waitress—plus some of their personal favorites!

www.goguecenter.auburn.edu/the-kat-and-dave-show/

Tuesday, February 28

Hairspray

Gogue Performing Arts Center, 901 South College Street You can’t stop the beat! Hairspray, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour!

www.goguecenter.auburn.edu/hairspray/

Every Monday

Opelika Public Library Movie Mondays

10:00 AM Opelika Public Library Movie Mondays

Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Tuesdays

Opelika Public Library Jr. Book Club

Be a part of an epic journey with Peter and Pax! Bring friends and make new ones with the Jr. Book Club as we explore with games, crafts, and reading! For students in grades 2-5.

Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Wednesdays

Opelika Public Library Baby & Me Storytime

Get the little ones bouncing and singing with colors, numbers, and shapes! Rhymes and stories will encourage them to discover the world around them! And there is always time to crawl and play! For ages 0-2 years old.

Library@opelika-al.gov

Walk This Way Walking Club

Join Anita at our Story Walk Trail to walk and talk about everything from community happenings to family, to good books, and anything else you want to talk about. All ages are welcomed and no one gets left behind.

Library@opelika-al.gov

Every Friday

Food Truck Friday

Downtown Opelika Check out the Opelika Chamber of Commerce online to find out who will be parked where, and what’s on the menu!

www.facebook.com/opelika.chamber

Opelika Public Library Storytime Library@opelika-al.gov

Hope Is a Good Thing

Q. What is the main difference between people who follow your plan, stick with it and succeed, and those who fall off along the way?

A. I’ve walked with thousands of families through financial problems. Some of them were just speedbumps that needed to be smoothed out, while others seemed like mountains. The biggest factor I’ve noticed separating those who stick with it and gain control of their finances, from those who give up and go back to their old ways, can be boiled down to one simple word—hope.

Hope is stolen when we misunderstand failure and believe lies. One of the biggest lies that robs people of hope is the one that says failure is permanent. The moment we start seeing failures of the past as predictors of our futures, it extinguishes that ember of hope. Failure hap-

pens to all of us at times. It’s natural, and it is normal. The way to reach your goals, though, is to keep failure in its cage. And failure is caged when we begin to understand it isn’t permanent.

Winston Churchill once said, “Success is going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.”

If we believe failure is here to stay, we lose enthusiasm. And that leads to an inability to re-focus on success. People often make dumb, short-term decisions when they’re in financial difficulty. If you talk yourself into believing you’ll never be able to save enough money to pay cash for a car, you’ll

lose hope and borrow the money. Debt not only robs you of the ability to build wealth, but it’s also usually the result of losing hope.

Have you done something stupid or wrong in the past that you are still reliving daily? Is that memory haunting you, and stealing your hope? Remember, the past only has power over you if you let it have that power. Don’t get me wrong. The past can hurt, and it can be disappointing. But you can either give in to it and let it control you, or you can learn from it and make a conscious decision to keep moving forward.

The choice is yours!

Lindsay Tan

AOP: Tell us a little about you and your career of choice.

LT: I am a faculty member at Auburn University, heading up our nationally-recognized Interior Design program. I love my work, and my students are the center of my work universe. Even though I am faculty at Auburn University, I am a fourthgeneration graduate of Florida State University.

AOP: Interior Design sounds like an exciting career choice! How did you end up heading up the department?

LT:: I see design in everything we do, and I see design as a tool to improve quality of life. I have taken a rather roundabout route to my current work. Here are some unusual steps along the way:

• I was trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Swing, Interpretive Dance, Tae Kwon Do, and Kickboxing.

• I started college as a film major and have worked on a few films.

• I have worked as a Stage Manager for well-known musicians.

AOP: You love your career and are also a wife and a mom to two great kids. What do you like to do just for you?

LT:: Between work and mom life, sometimes I need a break. My hobbies are simple and relaxing activities like reading, writing, gardening, and model-building.

AOP: Your family has chosen to live in Opelika while everyone commutes to other cities. How come?

LT:: What I love most about Opelika is that it has the perfect balance of a small-town feel with the features of a big city right around the corner. Our commute, even from town to town, is much shorter than when we lived in a big city. It’s good that we love it so much because our kids have informed us we can never move.

AOP: You mentioned your family loves to be outdoors. What are some of your favorite things to do together?

LT:: Our backyard is primarily wooded, and we spend a lot of time exploring nature together - learning about the trees, insects, and lifecycles we can see there. We also have a garden with blueberries, strawberries, grapes, citrus, various vegetables, and herbs. In fact, we have so many edible plants in the backyard that I must regularly remind the kids that my flower bulbs in the front garden bed are not green onions - we don’t eat those. We also have a backyard flock - a group of chickens - that gives us fresh eggs. Our flock and garden have taught me innumerable lessons, most importantly, humility in the face of unstoppable natural forces and deep gratitude for the food on our table.

AOP: Being indoors is so common anymore. What would you recommend for families considering adding more outdoor activities to their lives?

LT:: Auburn and Opelika have great parks for the whole family. Avoid the bugs and heat - winter and early spring are great times to get out and explore. Start with playgrounds and spaces most familiar to your children, then take short walks in more naturalistic areas like garden pathways, wooded areas, and open fields. As kids get used to being back outside, they will be ready for longer walks and more involved activities in nature. Put your phone away. Turn off the music. Teach them to listen to the sounds around them.

AOP: Creativity should be cultivated. How do you do this with your children?

LT:: We joyfully craft, draw, build, dance, write, garden, sing, dig, deconstruct and investigate together. Our family also cultivates creativity daily in some unexpected ways. We devise creative ways to do everyday tasks and say “yes” to trying new thingsfood, events, and hairstyles. We also practice creative empathy by roleplaying perspectives and imagining silly what-ifs. We have fun together; family time is the best time.

AOP: Reflecting back on 2022 - what was the single best thing that happened to you or you and the family?

LT: Our kids - Emilia and James - enrolled in St. Michael Catholic School this year - the school’s very first year! What started as a big leap of faith has become an even bigger blessing. SMCS is most definitely the best thing that happened to our family in 2022.

AOP: Looking ahead to 2023 - do you have a New Year mantra?

LT:: My mantra for 2023 is “forward to normal” because pandemic life has been a hardship, but there were beautiful moments too. I want to bring everything that worked, all that we learned, forward to create a new normal for my family, life and work.

AOP: Moving into the New Year, what suggestions or tips would you give moms trying to get organized?

LT:: Let go of the fantasy of “being organized” and focus on the specific areas of chaos and disorganization that make your life most difficult. You don’t need cute containers in every drawer (although I love them, too), and you don’t need an Instagramready bedside table. Rethinking a few problem areas can be a game-changer for your lifestyle (and your sanity).

Lindsay and her husband Charles have been married for 12 years and have two children, James (8) and Emilia (5). The family enjoys spending time together outside and crafting. They love living in Opelika.