Greater Pensacola Parents August 2020 by KeepSharing

Strong, Healthy, and Ready to Learn!

Get your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school physical and immunizations now and enjoy the rest of your summer. School physicals and immunizations are available through the Florida Department of Health in Escambia County. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment call 850-595-6500, option 2.

Find more information at www.EscambiaHealth.com or follow us on @HealthyEscambia 1

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

August2020 14

16 24

Volume 5 Number 6

Columns 4

Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

No Means No

Common Sense Media Answering the question: Should you read your kid’s texts?

Advice for training your child to accept your ‘no’ the first time.

16 Parenting, Media &

Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Dave Says

Dave Ramsey

Get This! Gerry Paige Smith

Using a School Planner

Keep your kids (and yourself) calm and balanced by using a planner.

After School Activities Sign your kids up for afternoon sports, learning and enrichment.

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces

On The Cover Alexis Cathryn Coleman (Lexi), age 9, daughter of Tim and Misty Coleman

School Bits 32

Family Calendar

and little sister to Becca, Andrew and Blake. Proud grandparents are Frances Coleman and Jim and Annette Dudley. Bass fishing is at the top of her hobbies and she loves hitting the golf ball, swimming, and playing with friends.

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

FromThePublisher

Greater Pensacola Greater Pensacola’s Foremost Parenting Source

Traditionally, in mid-July of each year, the girls and I schedule a “Back to School” shopping trip. We make a whole day of it. We start the night before making lists of much needed school supplies, and the next morning we head out to our first destination. Typically, that means perusing the school supply aisles trying to find those specific plastic three-prong folders with pockets in just the right colors, along with many more items. We take a break and eat out for lunch, then keep shopping for school clothes, shoes, and backpacks. This year was a little different. First off, I had to assess how comfortable I was getting out and shopping. I did make up my mind that if it was too crowded, we would just turn around and go back home and wait for another time. Secondly, my girls are older now, so trying to find all of those hard to find folders is no longer an issue (yahoo!!!), but what school supplies will be needed this year? We decided to head out with our masks and sanitizers and keep the tradition... focusing on the basics of jeans, tennis shoes, etc. We did not go many places, but I was surprised how few people were in the places we visited. Maybe it was just the timing or maybe others were like us, getting in and out as quickly as possible. Either way, this year’s back-to-school shopping trip was certainly not the casual “Girls Day Out” we normally experience, but we made the most of it and still enjoyed our time together. Whether you are attending school in person, distance learning, or homeschooling, a planner is a must! This is the one school supply that all of my girls get excited about. Because it is not just the planner, it is the color-coding highlighters, sticky tabs and other accessories they use to make these planners works of organizational art that would make even Marie Kondo proud. They get so excited to put in their activities and assignments, making it a colorful display of daily to-dos. If your children are at the age when they can start using a planner, I highly recommend you try it out. There are many benefits as outlined in Sandi Schwartz feature, How A School Planner Can Help Your Child Stay Calm And Balanced. There are also plenty of videos and Pinterest examples kids can watch to help them come up with a plan they can get excited about and keep up with. My girls prefer a hardcopy planner, but there are several apps that can be used. You just don’t get all the fun accessories with an app. After school activities are usually one of the first things that get added to the planner. Making sure there is no overlap between clubs, sports, etc. is a must. While the pandemic has certainly changed a lot, there are still opportunities for your children to participate in if you desire. You will find a list on page 22 in our After School Activities Guide. Most businesses we spoke with have new safety protocols in place, so make sure to ask about their new policies and make your decision based on your comfort level. Yes, heading back to school is definitely different this year, but keep your head up and model the behaviors you hope to see in your kids. Stay safe and healthy!

Lynn

Publisher Lynn Knighton lynn@greaterpensacolaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Contributing Writers Sarah Lyons Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Dave Ramsey Sandi Schwartz Gerry Paige Smith Cover Photography Naomi McIntosh Photography Facebook.com/NaomiMcIntoshPhotography @naomimcintoshphotography

President Jason Watson Advertising Sales Lynn Knighton ads@greaterpensacolaparents.com (850) 426-6222 Account Manager Eleanor Williams Ad Design Tim Welch

Visit us at www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

lynn@greaterpensacolaparents.com

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

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

Greater Pensacola Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: PO Box 6241 Pensacola, FL 32503. The phone number for voice and fax is (850) 426-6222. Greater Pensacola Parents is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in Greater Pensacola 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.

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

ource

d on rse, nity. munity ss.

We care for kids the way Bubba plays golf. With all heart. Our specialized doctors and care teams provide world-class heart, bone, joint, ear, nose and throat care, and more. From an ER designed just for kids, to the region’s most advanced NICU, we’re here for families like yours — the tiniest babies, growing teenagers and everyone in between.

a Find

FamilyChildrensHospital.com r e d u t S at ialist c e p s

.com

ed : mber

Keephole nions are the rse-

1 Bubba Watson Drive, Pensacola, FL 32504

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

TherapeuticParenting by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

The Impact of Your Words and Your Walk You know that one day when you were driving to work, steaming cup of hot coffee in hand, conversation with a client on your Bluetooth in your ear, and your brain only slightly registered the stop sign in front of you? Yeah. That was me yesterday. That stop sign is only about two miles from my house. I see it and obey it pretty well every day as I come and go…except yesterday. Mid sip of coffee and mid conversation with that client, I looked both ways and proceeded out into the intersection. No sooner had I completed that turn did I see those familiar flashing lights and sirens behind me. You see, that stop sign – in my distracted brain – simply meant be safe, look for cars, but don’t necessarily come to a complete stop. Whoops. (Fun fact: stop signs mean stop.) As our friendly neighborhood trooper started walking toward my car, I rolled down my window, smiled and said, “I completely did not stop at that stop sign!” He laughed, took my license and registration and promptly came back with a ticket. I shook his hand, and drove off calculating how much this was going to cost me.

I tell you that story to say this: if we want our kids to take responsibility for their actions, it starts with us. How often do they bear witness to us blaming a co-worker for an error on a team project? How often do they silently stand by while we attempt to argue our way out of a ticket? How many times do they see us deflect or defer blame for an uncompleted task in our homes? If we are honest – often. Ouch. Guilty, party of one over here. It is exceedingly important to remember that we cannot simply attempt to imprint important concepts upon their little hearts with proclamations of, “Why don’t you just take responsibility for your actions?!” when they simply don’t see it being lived out from the one they look to most. It takes an immense amount of transparency and vulnerability to admit you made a mistake, to admit you messed something up and certainly to humbly ask for forgiveness when you hurt someone’s feelings. These concepts are not innately present in our children. Instead, their hearts are pre-wired for defensiveness, deflection of blame and they are masters of eluding responsibility.

In order to override that, these concepts have to be taught and nurtured, and above all else, modeled by those they are closest to. There are two main themes that are ever present in my home bursting with boys: 1) See a need, meet a need. And 2) Take responsibility for your actions. Am I careful to speak these truths into them... yes? But it doesn’t stop there. It’s a two-sided coin of both verbalizing what it is I need from them, but also demonstrating how these conceptual principles are lived out. With that being said I leave you with two reminders. Always come to a complete stop at stop signs, and always realize and remember just how impactful your words and your walk are in the lives of your children. Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF PENSACOLA CREATING LIFELONG LEARNERS SINCE 1977 MSP Entry Level & Preschool Programs Offer:

• Daily Playime • Montessori certified teachers that are caring and experienced • Age appropriate and stimulating environment • Low student-teacher ratios • Spanish, Sign Language, Art, Music & More! 850.469.8138 • www.montessoripensacola.com Accredited by AMS, AdvancED, & NCPSA

OW br en Th 8/ at Ca

FOL Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

a t -

l s

râ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s n he

tor

and

OWA is everything you love about the summer. Cool down with the high-speed breeze on one of more than 20 rides. Stroll through Downtown OWA for great dining, entertainment and shopping options. Save even more with $5 drink specials on Thirsty Thursdays, 4-9 p.m. in Downtown through 9/3. Come back on Fridays through 8/7 for Downtown on Tap which features a different brewery each Friday, 5-7 p.m. at participating Downtown restaurants. See our calendar for all events including Caribbean Day, 8/1 and Community Safety Day, 8/22!

FOLEY, AL | 7 MILES FROM THE BEACH | VISITOWA.COM | 251.923.2111 5

THRILL, THEN CHILL. www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Black Jacket Symphony @ The Saenger

Northwest Florida Kidney Walk

August 1 * Check-in: 8:30 a.m. * Start time: 10 a.m. Pensacola Blues Wahoo Stadium Free event, but donations are accepted. Kidney Walk is the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest walk to fight kidney disease. Held in nearly 100 communities, the event raises awareness and funds lifesaving programs that educate and support patients, their families and those at risk. For more info, call (904) 885-0043 or visit http://donate. kidney.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=9315.

Black Jacket Symphony, previously scheduled in April, will perform Pink Floydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Wall Friday, August 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets purchased for the earlier event date will be honored for the new one. For more info on this or future events, visit www.pensacolasaenger.com/ or call (850) 595-3880.

2020 Gulf Coast Summer Jazz Fest

Milton Riverfest

Saturday, Sept. 5 & Sunday, Sept. 6 1:30-10:30 p.m. Community Maritime Park, 301 West Main Street Bring coolers, lawn chairs and umbrellas. No beach umbrellas allowed. For info, call (850) 393-3028 or visit www. gulfcoastsummerfestjazzedition.com/.

September 5 @ 10 a.m.-dark. The Santa Rosa County Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Riverfest Celebration along the Milton Riverwalk. Fireworks will be launched from south of the train trestle. Enjoy arts and craft vendors, food, live music and so much more. For more info, call (850) 623-2339.

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

b a t r i p a p G d t

t e s a c c n

p t i t

Gulf Coast Culture Fest Offers Free Family Fun

Pensacola MESS Hall Offers Science IRL This Fall

Enrich your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homeschool or virtual learning this fall with the Pensacola MESS Hallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new program, Science IRL. This is a once per week (for four weeks) drop-off series for 1st-8th grades. Ages 3 through kindergarten may choose single sessions or the full series of Science Story Hour. Registration will be available soon. Topics and subjects explored will include: Life Science: biology (both plants and animals), organ systems, genetics and health Earth and Space Science: astronomy, exoplanets, geology, water cycle, fossils and weather Physical Science: forces and motion, properties of matter, chemistry, engineering and origami Dates and times for 1st-5th grades (choose one day per week) will include Tuesdays (September 8, 15, 22 & 29) OR Thursdays (September 10, 17, 24, & October 1) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 6th-8th grade programs will be available Fridays (September 11, 18, 25, & October 2) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Science Story Hour for ages 3 through kindergarten will be held Wednesdays (September 9, 16, 23 & 30) from 9-9:45 a.m. Sign up for the full month or individual sessions. Four-week sessions for 1st-8th grades will be $120 for members/$150 for non-members. Science Story Hour single sessions are $8 for members/$10 for non-members. Registration will be available soon. For more info, call 877-YES-MESS (937-6377) or visit www. pensacolamesshall.org.

Gulf Coast artists, businesses, vendors and citizens will come together August 22 for a rejuvenating and unifying day of music, dance, poetry, theater and visual art! FORC3 Studios, LLC proudly announces its first Gulf Coast Culture Fest at Seville Square and Bartram Park in downtown Pensacola from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission is free to the public. Gulf Coast Culture Fest will be a day where the entire community can come together and be empowered and enriched with many different cultures. The event will offer something for the entire family. It will also allow artists from all across the Gulf Coast to showcase their talents in the visual, cultural and performance arts, while uplifting and unifying the community. A community-wide film festival will take place the night of the festival. The arts have been scientifically proven to transform physiological and emotional states and perception. Art positively changes brain wave patterns and transforms fear into inspiration! Gulf Coast Culture Fest is encouraging everyone to come out and share their gifts and cultural traditions. For more info, visit https://www.gulfcoastculturefest.com/.

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Autauga County Schools

AK Suter Elementary Improves Energy Use

Shout out to A.K. Suter Elementary School and Roger McGraw, P.E., mechanical engineer for Escambia County School District Facility Planning, for the very detailed article about efforts to create a comfortable learning and working environment for students and staff despite our local weather (especially our “air you can wear” humidity). Read all about it here: https://www.esmagazine.com/articles/100573-school-solves-complexenergy-and-comfort-problems-by-using-the-right-hvac-variables Here is a peek at just one of the points made in the article: McGraw was delighted to see new A.K. Suter Elementary School finish at the top of the class from an energy and comfort standpoint. “The yearly energy use for old elementary schools in ECSD is over 0.080 MBtu per square foot,” he said. “I was hoping the new A.K. Suter Elementary School would drop at least 50% to below the elementary school average of 0.045 MBtu. The performance is really stellar — just 0.024 MBtu per square foot — far below any public elementary or high school in Escambia County. That level of performance can be achieved with state-of-the-art building design and HVAC technologies. We learned valuable lessons in efficient air and fluid flows from Danfoss we look forward to applying in other schools.” They brought the MBtus down from 0.080 past the average of 0.045 to 0.024! That is fantastic news!

St. Paul Ends Successful Year with eLearning

Students at St. Paul Catholic School spent the last quarter of the 2019-20 school year participating in eLearning due to COVID-19. Everyone was engaged and continued to learn until school let out in May. SPCS heard many positive comments from parents.

t A p

o t c

s r

e l s

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

Teachers, Scientists Partner to Develop Science Lesson Plans Rooted in Current Research

K-12 science teachers from across Florida spent four days this summer immersed in a virtual research lab experience as part of a professional development workshop hosted by the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute’s Scientist in Every Florida School Program titled “The Nature of Science.” Escambia County School District was represented by Chris Norris from Ransom Middle School and Karen Bruening from Pensacola High School. From July 6-10, forty teachers representing 10 counties (Alachua, Broward, Clay, Escambia, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Marion, Palm Beach and St. Lucie) selected from a pool of more than 90 applicants assisted scientists with ongoing research projects. Throughout the week, the teachers worked with scientists to develop lesson plans that help students better understand what’s known in education as the “nature of science,” or the tools, theories and skills scientists use to carry out research. It’s a win-win, said Brian Abramowitz, K-12 education and outreach coordinator for SEFS. “Through this workshop, teachers will not only be able to actually do the science and build connections with the scientists, but they will also be able to develop practical and relatable lesson plans that fit into their curriculum and meet state learning standards,” Abramowitz said. “Additionally, scientists build their K-12 teaching skillset, which can help them better communicate with the general public.” Due to COVID-19 precautions, the workshop took place entirely online using videoconferencing technology like Zoom. Abramowitz added that providing the training this way also helped equip teachers with virtual teaching tools should classes continue online come fall. Ten laboratories from the University of Florida, University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University have agreed to host a small group of teachers for the week. The scientists’ research interests range from wildfire ecology and oceanography to natural hazards infrastructure engineering. In addition to hosting teachers for the workshop, the scientists agreed to make at least one virtual visit to the teachers’ classrooms this fall. “During the classroom visit, students will be introduced to current scientific research as well as science role models and careers,” said Stephanie Killingsworth, K-12 education and outreach coordinator for SEFS. “We really want to bridge the gap between academic research and K-12 classrooms through this and future collaborations.” This is the second time SEFS has hosted a workshop of this kind. Last year, 34 teachers traveled to the University of Florida for similar in-person lab experiences focused on the biosphere. Jonathan Greene, a K-5 teacher at Liberty Park Elementary School in Palm Beach County, was one of the participants at the inaugural program, and will be returning this year. “The workshop expanded my community of likeminded people who believe in the importance of critical thinking skills that science education fosters,” Greene said. “Working with scientists through SEFS has inspired me to create and share engaging standards-based lessons that foster an application of knowledge in real-world situations that become memorable experiences instead of a lesson that will soon be forgotten.”

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Autauga County Schools

Scenic Heights Student Wins Essay Contest

Kyla Paxton, a fifth-grader at Scenic Heights Elementary School, was the 2020 Escambia County winner of the annual essay contest sponsored by Florida Retired Educators Association (FREA) and EREA. Students were asked to describe a meaningful experience with a grandparent. Paxton’s essay is titled “Learning To Play Guitar with Papa” and begins this way: “Strum! That’s the sound of me playing the guitar. Playing guitar wouldn’t be possible for me if I didn’t have my papa. This experience has provided a lot of opportunities for me. I’m grateful for it, and it was fun.” As the winner of the contest, Paxton received $50 and a framed certificate from EREA. She would have been honored at the group’s May luncheon had Covid-19 not interfered. One of the highlights of that luncheon would have been a reading of the essay by Paxton herself. The essay went on to win second place in District One. She is pictured with her teacher, Julie Mayo.

Pine Forest Track Athletes Sign College Scholarships

Eight Pine Forest High School track and field athletes signed college scholarships recently. There were two NCAA Division 1 signees, five division two signees and one NCCAA signee. Unfortunately, Rondale Weaden could not attend because he was in quarantine.

Please email news and photos to editor@ greaterpensacolaparents.com each month!

East Hill Christian School l

Educating udents Morally and

Intellectually

in a lovinggChristian environmentt

Grades VPK-12

www.ehcs.org | 1301 E. Gonzalez St. Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

Call 850.438.7746 to schedule a tour 10

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

S 8 jo c

M g w M a d c

St. Paul Alumna Pays Virtual Visit

St. Paul Catholic School alumna and current college student Emma Parrish visited our 8th-graders as they wrapped up eLearning in May. She spoke to them about her faith journey through high school and offered advice and inspiration as they go off to their next chapter in life!

Summer Reading With Brentwood

Brentwood Elementary School’s Summer Reading Camp went great. The children were so happy to be with other children and teachers.

MSP 8th Graders Graduation Ceremony is Socially Distanced

MSP decided to postpone the 8th grade graduation ceremony from its usual date in May. Last month, 8th grade students and immediate families, along with their teachers, celebrated their move into high school, while 7th graders and others tuned in via Zoom. Despite the difficult times in which their graduation came, MSP wanted them to feel acknowledged and accomplished. Congratulatory signs with the students’ photos and balloons lined the driveway as a surprise for students. Each student also received a special cookie decorated with the school sand dollar logo and their name. The speeches that 8th grade graduates historically present were filmed and shown on large video screens, as well as to the Zoom attendees.

ONE CO-OP TWO STORES 1000 E Nine Mile Road 315 W Garden Street

$5OFF$25

Limit one coupon per customer. Coupon applies to Ever’man Cooperative Grocery and Cafe. Present coupon at time of purchase. Not valid with any other discount. Not redeemable for cash or gift cards. Void if reproduced. Consumer pays any sales tax. Coupon cannot apply to any previous purchases. Expires 9/30/2020

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Autauga County Schools

Lower Elementary Students “Moving Up” Ceremony

Third graders at Montessori School of Pensacola were honored at a ceremony last month as they moved into MSP’s Upper Elementary. The students will now be joining a class of 4th-6th graders (as Montessori classrooms are multi-aged). Oldest children, as they are called at MSP, still got to participate in a special occasion to mark their “moving up”, despite the times of uncertainty in which school was closed back in March. Students, parents, and staff all followed safe practices while together.

MSP Has Outdoor Hand-Washing Stations

At Montessori School of Pensacola, the health and safety of children is a priority. Therefore, MSP has completely reconfigured classrooms, class sizes, and schedules to prepare for the coming year. For the month of July, small sized groupings are attending for a summer session. Groups of children use the playground at different times and now have outdoor hand washing stations. The importance of hand washing is talked about and modeled often. Children love the new stations.

Join Our Semester-Long Studio Classes

AT THE PENSACOLA MUSEUM OF ART

UPCOMING CLASSES INCLUDE: •AFTERSCHOOL ART CLUB •NEXT GENERATION HOME SCHOOL

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

a ss f ps r ut

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

ga sc to se

situ mo

“no of I th un yo ca int yo en

rem ch are pe mo tak an

im mi thi kn wil pe an

thi old yo de Le cis su fut do thi the

“Can I have a piece of candy?” my daughter asked me one morning, right after breakfast. I replied, “No, we aren’t going to have candy right now. It’s too early.” Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

it is ca tes rai is w

Sar 150

What followed was not my best mom moment. My child began to ask repeatedly for candy. I repeatedly said “no” and the scene ended with my daughter trying to climb onto the counter to reach the candy. I took her to her room where she cried for several minutes and we both ended up tired and frustrated. How can one avoid this scene, or at least improve the situation? Getting your child to accept your answer of “no” and move on can be easier with some time and training.

Give a short explanation

Your child will better understand your reason for saying “no” to them if you give them a reason. Amy Cameron, mom of three says. “When I tell them ‘no’ I usually give them a why. I think they’re more likely to accept my answer when they understand.” Make sure your answer is short and to the point. If your child asks for a new toy the answer can simply be: “No, we can’t afford to buy a new toy today.” Be careful not to get pulled into back talk or responses like: “All my friends have one.” Keep your response short: “I said no.” And if your child continues to engage, walk away and do not look back.

Be consistent

The key to training your child that your answer stands is to remain consistent. Once you have decided to say “no”, do not change your mind. By giving in after you have said “no” you are teaching your child that you can be worn down if they are persistent enough. “Consistency is key,” says Janelle Waldron, mom of five. “If I say no, I don’t change my mind. I also try to take my time answering. That way I don’t say ‘no’ too quickly, and I can make a better decision.”

Talk later

Talking about your rules and expectations is particularly important to do when your child is calm and you are not in the middle of discussing whether or not your child can have something they asked for. After the fact, sit down and let your child know that when you have made a decision, it is final, and you will not change your mind no matter how much pleading and pestering they do. If the begging continues you will walk away and will not discuss the topic further. This is also a good time to explain why you say no to things. Typical reasons are: the activity is not safe, they are not old enough, you cannot afford it, it is not healthy, it goes against your family beliefs or values. These are not reasons that are debatable. Keep your discussion calm and listen to your child. Let them know you understand why they are upset with your decision, but that you will not be changing your mind. Give healthy suggestions that can help your child deal with their anger in the future. Some ideas could include going to their room to calm down, taking a walk, screaming into a pillow, or doing something they enjoy like reading, drawing, or building Legos. Keep the discussion positive, and if it starts to get heated, walk away. It is easier to start the training process at a young age, but it is not impossible to start at any stage of parenting. Training can take months or years as your child pushes the limits and tests you for inconsistency. Parenting is always a challenge, but raising a child that understands healthy boundaries and safety is worth it. GPP Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in more than 150 parenting publications.

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Should You Read Your Kid’s Texts?

• It lets you know when they’re ready for more responsibility. The better they manage their online lives, the more you can loosen the reins. If they’re following your rules, such as asking for permission before downloading apps, not hacking your parental controls, and overall conducting themselves responsibly, the spot checks can become less frequent—and maybe you can ease up on other restrictions they’ve proven they can handle.

You’re sitting there minding your own business when a nearby phone buzzes. U up?, it says, beckoning you closer. Only, it’s not your phone—it’s your kid’s. Do you pick it up? Do you “accidentally” swipe the screen for a closer look? If you’ve made up your mind— yes, you read your kid’s texts, or no, you don’t—more power to you! But if the question prompts a cascade of conflicting emotions, selfserving justifications, and guilt, we can help. Reading your kid’s texts is part of responsible parenting. But there’s only one scenario (described below) where we think it’s OK to do it without telling your kid. Most kids view their phones as their personal property, and it can become a proxy for their blossoming independence. So don’t sneak. Maintaining trust—especially in the vital years leading up to the teens—is critical to a healthy relationship (and it goes both ways). Your kids may not like it, but they’ll respect you for being honest. They’ll also understand your point of view better if you explain why you want to see what’s on their phone:

What are the downsides of reading my kid’s texts?

It’s just one piece of the puzzle. As much as we’ve been told that our kids are living online, they also very much live in the real world. The contents of their phones will give you some clues—but they could be misleading, taken out of context, or misunderstood. Yes, it can be hard to get your tween talking sometimes, but keep making the effort. An effective way to engage them is by asking what their friends are playing or doing on social media, instead of asking them directly about themselves. You’re going to discover stuff you won’t like … and need to figure out what to do about it. You’ll have to determine for yourself what constitutes typical tween stuff (swear words, cringey ideas, exploration of mature content) and what may be signs of deeper issues (inappropriate photos, hate speech, risky apps, troubling search terms such as “suicide” and “drugs”). Pick your battles: Use the minor issues as an opportunity to discuss your values, and give consequences for serious infractions. If you’re worried about something, do a more in-depth check of your kid’s well-being in person (we recommend the HEADSS assessment). If your kid’s having a bumpy time or hiding stuff, you can use a phone-monitoring app such as Bark or other parental control tools to receive notifications of alert words and off-limits activities. You may invade someone else’s privacy. Sure, you have the right to keep tabs on your own kid, but digging around on their phone will inevitably uncover something about their friends. Knowing private information can put you in a really awkward spot. Use your best judgment: If you think anyone is unsafe, you should do what you can to protect them. But if it’s just something you wish you could “unsee,” keep it to yourself.

It helps to keep them safe. Since so much of kids’ lives happens on devices, we need to keep tabs on whether their relationships are healthy, whether the content they’re seeing is age-appropriate, and even when they’re using their phones (such as when they’re supposed to be sleeping or in school). If you’ve already established the routine of spot checks, your kid should be expecting them. If not, make it clear it’s for their safety and that keeping them safe is part of your job. It reinforces your media rules. How can you tell they’re following your rules if you can’t see the evidence? You need to make sure they’re texting with people they know and that their relationships and activities are mostly positive. Tell your kid what you want to peek at and what you’re looking for. A few examples: • Texts show you whom they’re talking to and at what times. They’ll also provide a sense of whether the interactions are mostly beneficial. • Apps show you their online activities: what they’re reading, playing, listening to, and sharing. • Settings, including the ones on the phone and in individual apps, show you how they’re protecting their privacy, whether they have location services on or off, and even how much time they’re spending in their apps. Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

A word about sneaking: The only situation that warrants spying is if you suspect something is seriously wrong. When your Spidey sense kicks in and you notice any signs of behavior change, declining grades, poor sleep, major hostility, withdrawal, or secrecy, you have a solid reason to check the phone without your kid knowing. And if you don’t find anything? Consider coming clean. Your kid may be upset at first, but if you use it as a chance to discuss what’s going on and how you might help them feel better—they’ll most likely forgive you. 16

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

pl co th yo bu m yo to ho th

so pa es no ior we de

an ic-

s, e g

ues

us re

Examining the Debt Snowball Q. What exactly is the debt snowball, and why is it such an important part of your plan?

A. The debt snowball is Baby Step 2 of my plan for getting out of debt and gaining control of your finances. Specifically, it’s the part of the plan where you sit down with your budget, and look at all the money you owe. Then, list your debts from smallest to largest—except for your home—and pay them off in that order. I know, there are all sorts of arguments about paying off the ones with the highest interest rates first. But this is psychology class, not math. Personal finance is 80% behavior, and 20% knowledge. Besides, if you were so great at math you wouldn’t have debt, would you? Pay off your debts from

smallest to largest, unless there’s a huge emergency, such as you’re facing foreclosure, or the IRS is banging on your door. The reason we pay off debts from smallest to largest is to build confidence and enthusiasm by notching quick wins. If you go on a diet and lose weight in the first week, you’ll probably stay on that diet. If you go on a diet and gain weight, or go weeks with no visible progress, chances are you’ll quit. When you start the debt snowball, and in the first few days pay off a couple of debts, it lights a fire underneath you, and you start to believe you really can do it. After you list the debts from smallest to largest, pay the minimum payment to stay current on all the debts except the smallest. Every dollar you can squeeze

out of your budget goes toward the smallest debt until it is paid. Once the smallest one is paid, the payment from that debt— plus any extra “found” money—is added to the next smallest debt. Then, when debt number two is paid off, you take the money that you used to pay on number one and number two, and you pay it on number three. When three is paid, you attack number four and so on. A lot of folks get to the bottom of the list, and find they can pay well over $1,000 a month on a student loan or a car. At that point, it won’t take long to bust out and be debt-free except for your home. The main elements that make the debt snowball so powerful are budgeting, getting current before you start the debt snowball, the smallest-to-largest pay-off, sacrifice, discipline, and focused intensity. If you think the debt snowball is just another trick, or something you might kind of try, it won’t work. You’ve got to go all-in to win!

ne ate

an ,”

if e

ea ou t at ow

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Ke ha wo so on ing no ad co ad me no stu Plu me it’s

Ma rem wh an wa by ca ful ch ba

Ever feel overwhelmed by your children’s busy schedules? How do you keep track of it all? Many of us rely on our own planners, but have you ever considered pushing some of that responsibility onto your children? In second grade, my son’s school distributed school planners to each student to track their homework and upcoming exams. Having a planner has been incredibly helpful to my son (and me!) to make sure he doesn’t miss any assignments and so he can schedule time throughout his week to study for quizzes and tests. In fact, planners offer so much more than just a place to write down homework. Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

Be sp foc cre aw wh on do ap to to mi eff eff

Se are Ma wr the Ie pla ad to yo the the ye

He ca se ye

Benefits Of School Planners Keep track of all commitments. Kids have hectic schedules between homework, tests, extracurricular activities, social outings, and family time. By having one place to write down all of the moving parts, your kids will stay on track and not get overwhelmed by their to-do list. In addition, Dr. Maggie Wray, success skills coach and mentor for teens and young adults, explains how writing down assignments in real time as the teacher announces them makes it so much easier for students to remember their assignments. Plus, it takes the pressure off of having to memorize what the teacher said because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right there in black and white. Manage time. Planners offer a visual reminder of tasks that can be crossed off when finished to help our kids stay on task and get things done in a more productive way than trying to remember everything by heart. The daily, weekly, and monthly calendar features can be especially helpful so students can see an overview of a chunk of time to help them better plan and balance their commitments. Be more mindful. Planners help free up space in our kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; brains so they can focus on other important things like creativity or critical thinking skills. Having a written plan frees up working memory, which makes it easier for them to focus on the task at hand. When students jot down their assignments and activities in a planner, their brains can stop struggling to keep track of everything they have left to work on. Instead, they can be more mindful, pay closer attention, learn more effectively, and complete their work more efficiently. Serves as a journal. Today, planners are so much more than just a calendar. Many include inspirational quotes and writing prompts so students can record their thoughts, feelings, and memories. I especially love journals that include a place to list what we are thankful for on a daily basis since gratitude is so critical to a happy, healthy lifestyle. Encourage your older children and teens to use their planners as a journal and to keep them so they can look back at them years from now. Helps your child achieve goals. Planners can guide your children so they can easily set and achieve their goals throughout the year. From small goals like finishing their 19

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

daily math homework to larger goals like making honor role, their planner will help bring their dreams to fruition. Set aside time each month with your children to review their goals using the SMART goal approach and help them track their steps for each goal by using their planner. With each milestone they check off their list, they will feel a major sense of accomplishment. The acronym SMART represents goals that are:

for them, they will not gain anything from the experience and may possibly fail and be stressed over what we expect from them.

• Specific: The more specific we are, the more focused we can be in reaching a goal. When your children say they want to do better in school, ask questions to guide them in identifying a more detailed goal. For example, which subject would they like to do better in? What grade are they hoping to achieve?

Tips For Using a Planner Effectively

• Measurable: It is important that we help our children identify how they will know they reached their goal, so it is clear what they are working towards. Is it an award, a grade, a project, or a skill they are looking to end up with in the end? • Achievable: Goals should be challenging within reason–not impossible. It is best to encourage our children to take one step at a time and not to make things too difficult for themselves. They will be happier if they reach a few easier goals than struggling to attain a really difficult one. • Relevant: Goals need to mean something to the children. They need to be excited and passionate about what they are working towards. If we set the goals

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

• Timely: If we don’t identify when we hope to achieve a goal, we are unable to succeed. Ask your children to determine a realistic time frame for meeting the goal. Be sure to consider other obligations and interests when choosing the estimated finish line.

The teachers at my son’s school require parents to review and sign the school planner everyday so we are engaged in the process, which I think is a wonderful idea. Here are some other tips to make sure your kids are using their planner effectively: • Ask them to keep their planner with them at all times, such as in their backpack. • Create a habit of looking at their planner as soon as you and your children get home after school. It may also be helpful to look at it again in the morning before school to see what is coming up on the agenda. • If your teachers do not require a planner, work with them to make sure they are on board with your efforts. • Use a paperclip, bookmark, or other marker to keep the previous weeks’ pages of the planner together so it always opens

to the current week. This will reduce confusion and frustration hunting for the right page. • Always use positive reinforcement regarding our child’s organizational efforts. Be sure to point out progress when you see it. • Teach your kids to check their calendar in the planner before agreeing to appointments or tasks.

Choosing The Best Planner For Your Kids It can be overwhelming trying to decide which school planner to buy for your kids. Look for ones that have a daily homework list, daily action or to-do list, tabs or bookmarks, monthly calendar pages, a place to write down long-term goals, and a place to track grades. Also, ADDitudeMag contributor Susan Kruger, M.Ed., suggests purchasing a simple, thin, spiral-bound planner that uses a weekly layout with a separate space for each day. No matter which type of planner you choose for your kids, you will be on your way to improving your hectic after school time and minimizing the fights with your kids about forgetting to do their schoolwork. Plus, you will be teaching them organizational skills that will prepare them for the rest of their life. GPP Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.happysciencemom.com and www.sandischwartz.com. Get her free course on raising happy, balanced kids at bit.ly/2i53TDV.

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

ts.

o, r,

u r ol

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

400 Re 3d Tec istr

850 clas

After School Care

Woodland Heights Resource Center After School Program

dents is August 8th at LaBelle from 10am - 2pm.

111 Berkley Drive Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for after school program information.

Pensacola Museum of Art

ad on Inside Back Cover

Cobb Resource Center After School Program ad on Inside Back Cover

601 East Mallory Street Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for after school program information. 850-436-5192 pjenkins@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

Fricker Resource Center After School Program ad on Inside Back Cover

900 North F Street Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for after school program information. 850-436-5195

www.playpensacola.com

Gull Point Resource Center After School Program ad on Inside Back Cover

7000 Spanish Trail Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for after school program information. 850-494-7360

www.playpensacola.com

Montessori School of Pensacola ad on page 4

Location 1: 4100 Montessori Dr. Pensacola, FL 32504, Location 2: 1010 North 12th Avenue Pensacola, 32501 Our programs offer band, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Spanish, art, ballet, yoga, tennis and more. Ages 4 and up. Please call for program registration. 850-433-4155 or 850-469-8138 admissions@montessoripensacola.com www.montessoripensacola.com/learning-at-msp/ after-school-programs

Play Pensacola After School Programs ad on Inside Back Cover

Please contact our center directly for team sports information. 850-436-5672

www.playpensacola.com

Vickrey Resource Center After School Program ad on Inside Back Cover

2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for after school program information. 850-478-1222 astephens@ymcanwfl.org www.ymcanwfl.org

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

850-435-1750 rsmith@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

“The Rec” After School Program ad on Inside Back Cover

Gulf Breeze Community Center, 800 Shoreline Drive Gulf Breeze, 32561 Food, Games and Friends! Monday - Friday, 1:30pm - 5:30pm during the school year. Ages 6th8th grade. Registration available online. 850-934-5140 gbccstaff@gulfbreezefl.gov www.cityofgulfbreeze.us/parks-and-recreation-department

Camp Fire Gulf Wind, Inc.

Multiple locations. See description, Pensacola Led by skilled, caring adults using a proven curriculum. Sign up for Camp Fire Afterschool at Pensacola State College Child Development Center, Century Child Development Center, Longleaf Elementary, Scenic Heights Elementary. 850-476-1760 info@cfgulfwind.org www.campfirekidsfl.com

Five Flags Dance Academy

8084 N Davis Hwy (Suite F-1) Pensacola, 32514 After school care until 6:30pm. Elementary school only. Call for details and registration. 850-484-0648 abarnettdance@gmail.com www.fiveflagsdanceacademy.com

Little Prodigies Music and Arts Center

1308 West Nine Mile Road (Suites 1 & 2) Pensacola, 32534 Paint parties for children of all ages! Academic and creative arts programs for students in preschool and up. Homeschool and virtual learners are welcome! 850-332-6462 dreamteam@prodigiesonline.com www.prodigiesonline.com

YMCA - Northeast Branch

2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32503 We build muscles while building character! Teamwork, sportsmanship, coordination and fun. Call for more information about our after school programs! 850-478-1222 astephens@ymcanwfl.org www.ymcanwfl.org

850-944-5650 info@labelleperformingarts.com www.labelleperformingarts.com

ad on page

407 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, 32502 Make the museum part of your arts education! Join us for Afterschool Art Club or Next Generation Homeschool each week. In these semester long studio classes, students will develop their artistic skills through engaging in the creative process from planning to creation. Each class adheres to National Visual Arts Standards. 850-432-6247 ccooney@uwf.edu www.pensacolamuseum.org

After School Art Lab

First City Art Center, 1060 North Guillemard Street Pensacola, 32501 Hands-on art class for students ages 9-14 years. Art Lab is offered as a 4, or 8 week program. Participants have the option to attend Tuesdays and/ or Thursdays. Registration is available online. 850-429-1222

www.firstcityart.org

Ellen’s Art

1265 Oriole Beach Road Gulf Breeze, 32563 Painting classes for all ages. Drawing, watercolor, acrylic, mixed media, clay and varying 3D projects with step by step instruction. Visit us online for class descriptions. 850-934-8538 Ellmcgaug@aol.com www.ellens-art.com

Time To Shine Center for Performing Arts

4375 Woodbine Road Pensacola, 32571 Professional instruction in dance, music, acting and art. Programs in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, hip hop, acrobats, art, acting, voice, piano guitar, flute and violin. 850-994-5678 info@timetoshineflorida.com www.timetoshineflorida.com

Bowling Cordova Lanes ad on page 6

2111 Airport Boulevard Pensacola, 32504 Learn a sport that lasts a lifetime! Youth Leagues begin in September for ages 5 -18 years. Ask about other programs for kids and families. 850-477-2300 info@cordovalanes.com www.cordovalanes.com

Art

DeLuna Lanes

LaBelle Performing Arts ad on page 25

8253 Chellie Road Pensacola, 32526 Registration for returning students is August 7th at LaBelle from 4pm - 7pm. Registration for all stu-

590 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, 32514 Recreational, competitive leagues, tournament bowling, video arcade, and pool tables at Peter B’s Sports Grill. We offer something for everyone! 850-478-9522 info@delunalanes.com www.delunalanes.com

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

289 Sta ing Ba

850 ww

Gu Da

700 Ple

850 ww

825 Re LaB den

850 ww

eet

s. ard/

Dance

A Time to Dance

Ballet Pensacola ad on page 15

400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, 32502 Registration is now open! Ballet Pensacola offers 3 divisions of dance training; Children’s Division, Technical Division, and Community Division. Registration available on our website. 850-432-9546 classes

www.balletpensacola.org/academy/

Bernice’s Starrstep Dance Studio ad on page 17

2895 West Scott Street Pensacola, 32505 Starrstep Dance Studio is in its 91st year of teaching dance to ages 3 and up. Classes offered in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical,and Pointe. 850-438-2010 info@starrstepdancestudio.com www.starrstepdancestudio.com

Gull Point Resource Center Dance Classes ad on Inside Back Cover

7000 Spanish Trail Pensacola, 32504 Please contact us for dance program information. 850-494-7360 aboydquina@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

LaBelle Performing Arts ad on page 25

8253 Chellie Road Pensacola, 32526 Registration for returning students is August 7th at LaBelle from 4pm - 7pm. Registration for all students is August 8th at LaBelle from 10am - 2pm. 850-944-5650 info@labelleperformingarts.com www.labelleperformingarts.com

7020 Navarre Parkway Navarre, 32566 Providing dance training to students ages 2 years and up from beginning to pre-professional. We help develop confidence and self esteem in a caring supportive environment. Fall registration online. 850-450-6919 help@atimetodance.org www.atimetodancenavarre.com

Broadway Lights

5668 Gulf Breeze Parkway (Unit B11) Gulf Breeze, 32563 We instill self-expression, discipline, and passion for the arts. Dance for fun or train to be a ?professional! Located in Midway plaza across from Gulf Breeze Zoo. Fall registration available online.

850-932-5555 broadwaylightsdancecenter@gmail.com www.broadwaylightsdancecenter.com

Dance Academy of Santa Rosa

6564 Caroline Street Milton, 32570 Professional dance and performing art instruction in jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, lyrical, pre-k, and more. Ages 2 and up, beginner - advanced. Registration: August 14-15, 2020. 850-983-6900 danceacademyofsr@gmail.com www.danceacademyofsantarosa.com

Emerald Coast Dance Conservatory

419 East Gadsden Street Pensacola, 32501 Dance instruction in various styles for ages 3 & up by professionally trained and qualified staff. Classes offered for recreational through preprofessional levels. Visit our website.

850-512-9191 ms.ursula@emeraldcoastdance.com www.emeraldcoastdance.com

Five Flags Dance Academy

8084 N Davis Hwy (Suite F-1) Pensacola, 32514 Professional dance instruction for ages 2 years Adult. Recreational, Competition Team, Mini Team

and Ballet Company. Stop by or visit our website to register. 850-484-0648 abarnettdance@gmail.com www.fiveflagsdanceacademy.com

Five Star Dance

5636 Woodbine Road Pace, 32571 Offering Ballet, Pointe, Lyrical, Contemporary, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop, Creative Movement, Cheerdance, Barre, Stretch and Conditioning as well as Private Lessons for children and adults. 850-748-2383 info@fivestardancecentre.com www.fivestardancecentre.com

In His Steps Dance Studio

6231 North “W” Street Pensacola, 32505 Dance lessons for ages 2.5 - adult. Classes available in Ballet, Pointe, Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Contemporary and Pilates. We also offer voice, piano and guitar lessons. 850-474-4922 missamysdance@hotmail.com www.inhisstepsinc.com

The P.A.C.E. Studio

4634 Lori Lane Pace, 32571 Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Acrobatics, Hip-Hop, Modern, Pointé, Musical Theater, Acting, & more! Preschool through advanced levels. 850-994-1875 pacestudio@live.com www.pacedance.org

Time To Shine Center for Performing Arts 4375 Woodbine Road Pensacola, 32571 See listing info under Art Category.

850-994-5678 info@timetoshineflorida.com www.timetoshineflorida.com

Victory Performing Arts Academy

5783 Rolyat Road Pace, 32571 A private Christian School offering academic courses and dance classes in a variety of styles. Visit us on Facebook for updates. 850-776-7555

www.dancevictory.com

or, cts

od-

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Gulf Coast Gymnastics

1844 Cowen Road Gulf Breeze, 32563 Offering a variety of classes for all ages, special events, camps, and more! Please visit our website for info. 850-934-3990 gulfcoastgym@bellsouth.net www.gulfcoastgym.com

Salute Gymnastics

9245 North Palafox Street Pensacola, 32534 Recreational & competitive gymnastics, tumbling and after school training. Preschool classes 18 months - 6 years. Ages 6 years and up. Beginner and intermediate. 850-969-9111 info@salutegymnasticsacademy. com www.salutegymnasticsacademy.com

The FUNPLEX of Gulf Breeze

Equestrian Aubrey Hill Equestrian

2729 Ten Mile Road Pace, 32571 English riding program for ages 3 years - Adult. No experience necessary. Horses, ponies and helmets are provided. Riders learn the basics of English riding and jumping. 850-396-3102

www.aubreyhill.com

Crazy Acres Ranch

3030 Highway 90 Molino, 32577 Programs available for all levels of experience. Lessons for horsemanship, riding, grooming, speed event competitions and obstacle riding. 850-206-8113

www.facebook.com/CrazyAcresRanch

Rustic Trail Stables

4645 Rustic Trail Milton, 32570 Lessons, boarding, shows, clinics, horse care and stable management. Our goal is to provide the community with the skills needed and encourage a love for horses. Find us on Facebook! 850-324-7682 rustictrailstable@gmail.com www.rustictrailstable.com

Gymnastics / Cheer Cheer Omega

3123 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 After School Program available to rising Kindergarteners (5 by September 1st) and up. Homework time, open bounce, open gym and recreational classes. Transportation from most area schools.

850-932-2297 gulfbreezegym@gmail.com www.gulfbreezefunplex.com

Martial Arts 9th Jiu Jitsu Martial Arts School

7201 North 9 Ave (Suite A4) Pensacola, 32504 9th Jiu-Jitsu Academy hopes to share the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in a welcoming and family-oriented environment. 850-485-5559 9thgraciejj@gmail.com www.9thjiujitsu.com

Abercrombie’s Tiger-Rock Academy

9409 US Highway 98 #80 Pensacola, 32506 Offering Counter Aggression Training for Adults, Traditional TaeKwonDo for kids, and Tiger Cubs for 4 & 5 year olds. Programs for all ages. Visit us on Facebook!

850-453-8400 tigerrock@bellsouth.net www.facebook.com/AbercrombiesTigerRockAcademy

Colbert’s Taekwondo Academy

8042-A North Palafox Street Pensacola, 32534 The best personal protection program that develops social skills, confidence, self-esteem and self-defense. After school classes are available for preschool age children, juniors, teens and adults. 850-476-1188 calvin@calvincolbert.com www.calvincolbert.com

380 Lurton Street Pensacola, 32505 All Star Cheerleading, Tumbling, & Stunt Classes in beautiful 15,000 SQ ft facility with 3 full size floors!

Core Martial Arts

First City Gymnastics

850-585-0950 coremartialartsflorida@gmail.com www.coremartialartsflorida.com

850-542-7003 cheeromegagym@gmail.com www.facebook.com/CheerOmegaGym

65 East Olive Road Pensacola, 32514 We offer a clean and active After School Programs at Pace and Pensacola locations. 850-474-1068 info@firstcitygymnastics.com www.firstcitygymnastics.com

First City Gymnastics

4360 Floridatown Road Pace, 32571 We offer a clean and active After School Programs at Pace and Pensacola locations. Call or come by to get signed up! 850-736-8024 info@firstcitygymnastics.com www.firstcitygymnastics.com

Flippin’ Out Gymnastics

4062 Avalon Boulevard Milton, 32583 Gymnastics and fun activities. After-school care Monday - Friday until 6pm and extended hours. Pick up from Santa Rosa County schools. 850-983-1410 flippinoutmilton@gmail.com www.flippinoutgym.com

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

3483 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 Offering Hapkido, Krav Maga, MMA, Muay Thai and CoreFit Kickboxing. Open to ages 4 years adult. Self defense school combining martial arts with physical fitness.

Falbo’s Family Karate

3031 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 Helping your child gain self esteem, discipline and confidence. After school programs run Monday Friday for ages Kindergarten - 6th grade. 850-934-7977 info@FalbosFamilyKarate.com www.falbosfamilykarate.com

Gracie Downtown Jiu-Jitsu

106 South Palafox Street Pensacola, 32502 Specializing in self-defense. Conditioning, technique, and sparring. Our curriculum is designed to ease students into a training regime and application of technique. 850-503-0340 baker@graciepensacola.com www.graciepensacola.com

MAA Family Karate

4050 Avalon Boulevard Milton, 32583 Programs for youth including after school karate,

self-defense, stress-management and more.

850-983-0870 info@maafamilykarate.com www.maafamilykarate.com

Pensacola ATA Martial Arts

6247 North Davis Highway Pensacola, 32504 We offer programs in Kids Martial Arts, Adult Martial Arts, Krav Maga, Summer Camp, and Birthday Parties. Ages 4 to adult. 850-791-6777 pensacolaata@gmail.com www.pensacolaata.com

PTSDA After School Karate Program

2500 West Nine Mile Road Pensacola, 32534 We offer traditional karate classes, Tiny Tiger classes, After School Programs and camps. Our goals are discipline, respect, and fun with purpose. 850-478-0680

www.ptsda.com

Sexton’s Tiger Rock Taekwondo

3235 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 Providing health, skills and fitness training for all ages. Our programs enrich their personal and professional lives in many ways. Ages 3 years to adult. 850-932-2248 sextonstigerrockgb@gmail.com www.tigerrockmartialarts.com

Tiger Rock Martial Arts Pace/Milton

3981 US Highway 90 Pace, 32571 Self-defense skills and fitness training through Martial Arts for all ages. Programs teach respect, self control, self defense, discipline and confidence. 850-994-8610 tigerrockgulfcoast@gmail.com www.tigerrockgulfcoast.com

Tiger Rock Martial Arts Pensacola

1151 Office Woods Dr (Suite E) Pensacola, 32504 Self-defense skills and fitness training through Martial Arts for all ages. Get in shape, learn self-defense and programs with discipline and self-control. Register Today! 850-484-2644 tigerrockgulfcoast@gmail.com www.tigerrockgulfcoast.com

Miscellaneous Greater Pensacola Figure Skating Club ad on page 7

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 East Gregory Street Pensacola, 32502 Coaching for all levels and Learn-to-Skate packages for beginners. Private or semi-private lessons. Ages 4 - adult. Season runs October through April. Visit our website for registration. Skaters from Mobile, Al across the coast to Panama City, FL. Follow us on Facebook & Instagram!

850-525-6177 president@pensacolafigureskating.com www.pensacolafigureskating.com

Escambia County 4-H

3740 Stefani Road Cantonment, 32533 4-H is open to boys and girls ages 5-18. Opportunities include community clubs, workshops, day camps, residential camps, school enrichment programs, state and national programs. 850-475-5230 EscCounty

www.facebook.com/UFIFAS

380 Ful for boa etiq

850 ww

825 Re LaB den

850 ww

637 Ins Aco ins equ

850 ww

309 Am Gu

850 Fin

Blu

657 Pri inc Se

850 ww

Gu Pia inte pop

850 ww

192 Les sch

850 ww

5C Ins Str com wit

850

Pensacola Cooks Kitchen

850-456-0743 info@pensacolacooks.com www.pensacolacooks.com

850 ww

3670 Barrancas Avenue Pensacola, 32507 PCKids offers seasonally themed cooking and baking labs for children to adults. Call for information about classes and activities. Find us on Facebook!

812 Lea boa Fac

Pensacola Mess Hall

Jin

116 North Tarragona Street Pensacola, 32502 Explore math, engineering, science and stuff with the MESS Hall. See our website for visitation info, in-person and virtual programs during school year. 877-937-6377 info@pensacolamesshall.org www.pensacolamesshall.org

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

Pe Les dru we

850 ww

aray

sss

oult.

arf

504

am!

, nt

ak-

th o, ar.

Waterboyz

380 North 9th Avenue Pensacola, 32502 Full service board shop with skate park. Lessons for beginner and intermediate in surfing, skateboarding and skimboarding. We teach the basics, etiquette and knowledge. 850-433-2929 help@waterboyz.com www.waterboyz.com

Music LaBelle Performing Arts ad on page 25

A Joyful Noise Music Store

6377 Highway 90 Milton, 32570 Instrument repairs and private music lessons. Acoustic, electric guitars, bass, amps, pianos, folk instruments, ukuleles, and string instruments. Sound equipment, insturment repairs, rentals and sales. 850-983-3008 david@ajoyfulnoisemusic.com www.ajoyfulnoisemusic.com

ARC Music and Sound Inc.

3094 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 A music retail & repair store. Lessons for students in Guitar, Bass, Violin and Piano. Find us on Facebook. 850-932-2578 arcmusicandsound@gmail.com Find us on Facebook

Blues Angel Music

657 North Pace Boulevard Pensacola, 32505 Private music lessons for a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, bass, drums and more. Serving Pensacola and surrounding areas. 850-457-7557 info@bluesangelmusic.com www.bluesangelmusic.com

Cathy Crawley Piano Lessons

Gulf Breeze Piano lessons for all ages based on individual interests. Learn music from jazz and blues to popular and classical.

850-934-1237 cathycrawleypiano@hotmail.com www.pensacolapianolessons.com

Garyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guitar Lessons

1921 Creighton Road Pensacola Lessons for guitar and bass. Contact Gary for scheduling and pricing. 850-454-9067 garyguitarlessons@gmail.com www.facebook.com/Guitarlessonspensacola

Gulf Breeze School of Music

5 Center Road Gulf Breeze, 32561 Instruction available in Piano, Guitar, Voice, Strings, Winds, Percussion. Zoom lessons from comfort of your home for safety and convenience with our fabulous teachers! 850-261-8824

www.gulfbreezeschoolofmusic.com

Gulf Coast School of Music

812 East DeSoto Street Pensacola, 32501 Learn how to play guitar, bass, drums, piano, keyboards, synthesizer, and/or sing. Call or visit us on Facebook or our website. Ages 7 to adult. 850-207-9795 jim@gulfcoastschoolofmusic.com www.gulfcoastschoolofmusic.com

Jinks Music Universe

Pensacola and surrounding areas Lessons tailored to the individual. Guitar, bass, drums, music production and more. Visit our website for more information. 850-712-6481 jinksmusicuniverse@gmail.com www.jinksmusicuniverse.com

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

the joy of making music on the piano!

850-898-0368 krysten.skutt@gmail.com www.pensacolapianostudio.mymusicstaff.com

Pensacola Symphony Orchestra

205 East Zaragoza Street Pensacola, 32502 The PSO offers a wide spectrum of engaging educational experiences for all ages. Information about our educational programs on our website. 850-435-2533 info@pensacolasymphony.com www.pensacolasymphony.com

Ron Kaye’s Music Instruction

4696 Kimberly Drive Pensacola, 32526 Drum, guitar, bass, piano, voice lessons, banjo, mandolin, violin, ukulele, and more. Many students become multi-instrumentalists!

850-453-9966 info@musiclessonspensacola.com www.musiclessonspensacola.com

Time To Shine Center for Performing Arts 4375 Woodbine Road Pensacola, 32571 See listing info under Art Category.

Minds on Music

3206 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze, 32563 Music lessons for all ages. Mom & Me (ages 3 months-3 years) Piano, voice, guitar, drums, and more. Computer lab and private instruction. Our curriculum makes learning music fun! 850-203-1775 info@mindsonmusic.net www.mindsonmusic.net

Ms. Tammy’s Music Treehouse

conveniently located in NE Pensacola , Offering innovative group and private piano instruction, as well as Let’s Play Music & Sound Beginnings classes for younger students and even toddlers! Ask about my “Safe Studio” policies. 850-308-1905 tammy@musictreehouse.net www.facebook.com/mstammysmusictreehouse

Music Lessons with Rodney Brown

850-261-7689 rodneybrown@me.com www.musicbyrodneybrown.com

46 E Chase Street Pensacola, 32502 Audition appointments can be scheduled online. Financial aid available for qualified families. We provide music education and performances in classical choral training and musical theater. 850-434-7760 admin@pensacolachildrenschorus.com sacolachildrenschorus.com

www.pen-

850-572-9249 homeschoolbandandstrings@gmail.com www.homeschoolband.com

Scouting American Heritage Girls

A faith-based leadership and character development program for girls ages 5-18. Badge programs, service projects, leadership, and outdoor experiences. www.americanheritagegirls.org

Boy Scouts - Gulf Coast Council

9440 University Parkway Pensacola, 32514 Scouting for Boys and Girls. Cub Scouts (ages 7-10), Boy Scouts (11 - 17), Venturing (14 - 20) and Explorers (14 - 20).

Girl Scouts of Gateway Council

4585 Isabella Ingram Drive Pensacola, 32504 Girls prepare for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure! Visit our website to join or volunteer. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ GirlScoutsEscCoFl

877-764-5237 customercare@girlscouts-gateway.org www.joingsgc.org

A Christ-Centered, outdoor Leadership Ministry for boys and young men ages K - 12th grade. Troops are chartered by area churches.

contact@traillifeusa.com

Pensacola String Academy

Comprised of the Navy League Cadet Corps (NLCC) for ages 10 - 13 years and Naval Sea Cadet Corps (NSCC) for 13 - 17 years.

www.pmta.info

4880 Peacock Drive Pensacola, 32504 Private string lessons in violin, viola, cello, and string bass. We welcome all students, beginner to advanced, ages 3 years to post retired. Find us on Facebook.

850-525-2553 Pensacolastringacademy@gmail.com www.pensacolastringacademy.com

Pensacola Studio of Piano

Belle Meadow Boulevard Pensacola, 32514 Quality, affordable piano instruction for students of all musical levels. Contact us today and discover Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

850-377-1862

www.alphaomegaperformance.com

Ninja Life

1211 Rainbow Avenue Pensacola, 32505 After school programs for specific elementary schools. Open to homeschool groups and other school drop offs. Visit our website or Facebook page for school list. 850-287-1717 info@ninja-life.com www.ninja-life.com

Basketball Boot Camp

Several performance groups for both wind & string instruments. Weekly instruction, concerts, community outreaches. All-State/County opportunities, solo and ensemble competitions. Ages 8 - 18 years.

Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties Music classes and lessons in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Northwest Florida. Visit our website for a list of music teachers. pmta.pensacola@gmail.com

490 East Heinberg Street Pensacola, 32502 Our youth classes make exercising healthy, fun, and safe for ages 13 and below. Workouts include bodyweight exercises, speed and agility training, and strength gains. Find us on Facebook!

West FL Home Education Music Association

Trail Life USA

Pensacola Music Teachers Association

Alpha Omega Performance Training

Team Sports

850-476-6336 william.egan@scouting.org www.gulfcoastcouncil.org

Pensacola Children’s Chorus

954-274-5963 mike@oneononekickingcamps.com www.oneononekickingcamps.com

850-994-5678 info@timetoshineflorida.com www.timetoshineflorida.com

513-771-2025

105 North Palafox Street Pensacola, 32502 Lessons for saxophone, clarinet, bass, jazz improv and beginning flute and piano.

punters, and long snappers. Grade school, high school, college and professional leagues.

www.traillifeusa.com

U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps

703-243-6910

www.seacadets.org

Sports Training One on One Kicking ad on page 7

Pensacola Catholic High School, 3043 W Scott Street, Pensacola, 32505 We are the top-rated training facility for kickers,

ad on Inside Back Cover

Fricker Resource Center, 900 North F Street Pensacola, 32502 Please contact our center directly for team sports information.

Ro 213 Ple info

850 ww

Ple info

lgrif

Re Ba

Fric Pe Ple

850 ww

Tig Ac age Ba affi

850-436-5195 lgriffin@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

850 ww

Basketball Camp

ad on Inside Back Cover

Cobb Resource Center, 601 East Mallory Street Pensacola, 32502 Please contact our center directly for team sports information. 850-436-5192 pjenkins@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

Bill Bond Baseball and T-Ball ad on Inside Back Cover

Roger Scott Athletic Complex, 2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for team sports information. 850-912-4103 billbondbaseball@gmail.com www.billbond.org

Pensacola Girls Youth Volleyball ad on Inside Back Cover

Vickrey Resource Center, 2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32501 Please contact our center directly for team sports information. 850-912-4056 cfox@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

165 We mu ma

850

551 An fair prid

850 ww

490 Co thro pet reg

850 ww

Ac av Ch and

Pensacola Youth Basketball

850

Please contact our center directly for team sports information.

Gu soc and

ad on Inside Back Cover

850-912-4109 cfox@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

Pensacola Youth Cheerleading ad on Inside Back Cover

Please contact our center directly for team sports information. www.playpensacola.com

Pensacola Youth Football ad on Inside Back Cover

Please contact us for team sports information. www.playpensacola.com

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

850 ww

555 Vis Pa

850

Foo bas spo

850

de ,

all

Pensacola Youth Soccer

Terry Wayne Park, 1620 West Jackson Street Pensacola, 32501 Pensacola HYPE Athletics is a Non Profit Youth Mentoring Program offering football, cheer, baseball, and basketball.

850-937-0111 dwerdung@panhandle.rr.com www.pensacolayouthsoccer.com

850-382-4130

Pensacola Youth T-Ball

Pensacola Bay Center, 201 East Gregory Street Pensacola, 32502 Bringing youth ice hockey to the Northwest Florida area. Registration available at http://www.jriceflyers.com/Registration/.

Roger Scott Athletic Complex, 2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32503 Please contact our center directly for team sports information.

ad on Inside Back Cover

Please contact our center directly for team sports information. lgriffin@cityofpensacola.com

www.playpensacola.com

info@jriceflyers.com

www.jriceflyers.com

Fricker Resource Center, 900 North F Street Pensacola, 32502 Please contact us directly for team sports info.

850-390-3867 lacrossepensacola@gmail.com www.pensacolalacrosse.com

ad on Inside Back Cover

850-436-5195 lgriffin@cityofpensacola.com www.playpensacola.com

Bayside Dynamo - Soccer

Tiger Point Park, Gulf Breeze, 32563 A competitive and fun environment that encourages development of technical and tactical skills. Bayside Dynamo FC is an FYSA and US Club affiliated soccer program. 850-567-3963 baysidesfcsocial@gmail.com www.facebook.com/baysidedynamofc

Bear Levin Studer Family YMCA

165 East Intendencia Street Pensacola, 32502 We believe that sports help build character and muscles! We encourage teamwork and sportsmanship while improving coordination. 850-438-4406

www.ymcanwfl.org

Boys and Girls youth lacrosse teams grouped by age and skill. Instruction offered at all levels, for fun and competitive play. Visit us on Facebook.

Perdido Bay Youth Sports Association

2020 Bauer Road Pensacola, 32506 Education and development in community youth through organized sports. Our league offers baseball, basketball, lacrosse, football, softball, cheerleading, and kickball. www.pbysa.org

Southern Youth Sports Association

1320 West Gregory Street Pensacola, 32502 Basketball, cheerleading, baseball, football and tutoring programs. The program is administered by local community leaders & Volunteers. Fall registration online now. 850-438-6233 or 850-777-0165 www.sysatigers.org

may_t@bellsouth.net

Ensley Youth Sports Association

West Florida Waves Volleyball

850-530-4765 or 850-378-1325 www.ensleychiefs.org

850-502-9147 wfwaves19@gmail.com www.westfloridawaves.com

551 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, 32514 A non-profit organization dedicated to teaching fair play, sportsmanship, work ethic & community pride to youth ages 5-14.

info@ensleychiefs.org

Gulf Breeze Futbol Academy

4901 Gulf Breeze Parkway Gulf Breeze Competitive soccer. Improve individual skills through practice sessions and games at competitive, age-appropriate levels. Visit us online to register for competitive and recreational season.

Gulf Breeze Sports Association

Pensacola Junior Ice Flyers

Pensacola Lacrosse Association for Youth

ard

www.facebook.com/phypefootball

Recreation League Youth Basketball

850-602-7540 ayalavic06@aol.com www.gulfbreezefa.com

Pensacola Hype Athletics

ad on Inside Back Cover

A community volunteer organization providing a variety of sports teams. Baseball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Football, Lacrosse, Softball, T-Ball and Volleyball. Visit our website for registration. 850-934-5140

www.gbsasports.com

Gulf Coast Texans Soccer Club

Gulf Coast Texans Soccer club is a premier youth soccer club in Northwest Florida. We offer Spring and Fall seasons for ages 5 - 15 years.

Pensacola, Gulf Breeze & Milton, Volleyball skill instruction and playing opportunities to junior age girls and boys in Pensacola and the surrounding areas.

Tennis, Golf and Swim

Football for ages 5 to 14 years of age teaching the basic fundamentals of the game, teamwork, good sportsmanship, discipline and leadership. 850-530-4765

www.nwfysa.org

Marcus Pointe Golf Club

2500 Oak Pointe Drive Pensacola, 32505 Contact us about junior, college and adult lessons. 850-484-9770

www.marcuspointegc.com

RG Tennis Center

Montessori School of Pensacola, 4101 Montessori Drive Pensacola, 32504 Programs available for ages 4 years - adult. Group tennis, strokes, serving, proper form and court etiquette. 209-298-3389 or 850-443-4878 rgtenniscenter@ gmail.com www.rgtenniscenter.com

The First Tee of Northwest Florida

3924 West Navy Boulevard Pensacola, 32507 Promoting character development and life values through the game of golf. 850-456-7010 operations@thefirstteenwfl.org www.thefirstteenwflorida.org

Tiger Point Golf Club

1255 Country Club Road Gulf Breeze, 32563 Private & group lessons, clinics, and junior academy programs available. Player development programs for professional instruction. 850-932-1333 tchilds@tigerpointgolf.com www.tigerpointgolf.com

Tighten Up Tennis

800 Shoreline Drive Gulf Breeze, 32561 Email Tennis Director Whitney Man for program information or visit the recreation center. Wam05c@gmail.com center.com

www.gulfbreezerecreation-

Theater LaBelle Performing Arts ad on page 25

Pensacola Little Theatre

850-912-4103

www.rogerscotttennis.com

Barracuda Swimworks - Beth Barr

Olympic Silver Medalist Beth Barr offering private lessons and stroke instruction in Cordova Park. 850-400-4010 beth@barracudaswimworks.com www.barracudaswimworks.com

British Swim School Pensacola

Greater Pensacola Aquatics Club

Northwest Florida Youth Sports Alliance

www.innerlightsurf.com

Roger Scott Athletic Complex , 2130 Summit Boulevard Pensacola, 32503 Please contact us for team sports information.

ad on Inside Back Cover

850-572-0577

www.nepball.com

850-932-5134

Roger Scott Tennis Center

Northeast Pensacola Sports League (NEP)

555 East Nine Mile Road Pensacola, 32514 Visit our website and Facebook page at NEP Ball Park for Fall registration and schedules.

655 Pensacola Beach Blvd Pensacola, 32561 Surf lessons for beginners to intermediate. Private, semi-private and group settings. Participants must be strong swimmers. Ages 6 and up.

8253 Chellie Road Pensacola, 32526 Registration for returning students is August 7th at LaBelle from 4pm - 7pm. Registration for all students is August 8th at LaBelle from 10am - 2pm.

2449 Okatie Lane Cantonment, 32533 Teaching survival in the water and swim safety training. Skilled instructors to teach confidence and no fear. We have fun while learning the importance of water survival.

850-390-3363 president@gulfcoasttexans.com www.gulfcoasttexans.com

Innerlight Surf Shop & Lessons

850-220-1619 goswim@britishswimschool.com www.Britishswimschool.com/Pensacola

1000 College Boulevard Pensacola, 32504 Year round competitive swimming, seasonal swimming (summer league & clinics) as well as group Swim Lessons. 850-484-1312 gpacswimcoach@gmail.com www.gpacswimteam.org

850-944-5650 info@labelleperformingarts.com www.labelleperformingarts.com

400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, 32502 Training & guidance for performers, writers, designers, directors, and technicians of all ages. Classes, workshops, intensives, and camps offered with a variety of educational opportunities. Register today!

850-432-2042 education@pensacolalittletheatre.com www.pensacolalittletheatre.com

Southeastern Teen Shakespeare Company

Pensacola Shakespearean contemporary teen acting company. Acting and stage combat classes, performances at fairs, festivals, and more in the southeastern region. Check our website and Facebook page for updates. 662-278-8383 setsco.director@gmail.com www.setsco.org

Time To Shine Center for Performing Arts 4375 Woodbine Road Pensacola, 32571 See listing info under Art Category.

850-994-5678 info@timetoshineflorida.com www.timetoshineflorida.com GPP

www.facebook.com/greaterpensacolaparents

Right on Target Toys As a child’s emerging ability to kick a ball, throw a toy, and loft a balloon evolves, the desire to hone their aim soon follows. In a world full of sensitive targets, offering children access to games and toys that present specific goals can save a lot of bruises, broken bowls and battered paint. Learning to hit targets through play has long been a part of kids’ growth, first as a means of teaching survival skills and later as a prelude to military training or recreational games. Acknowledged as an ideal form of play that supports hand-eye coordination, gross motor skills and an

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

understanding of strategy, the following games are recommended for kids who aim to win.

by Gerry Paige Smith

GoSports Ring Toss Set

Kubb Premium Tossing Game

With easy targets and flexible distance rules, GoSports Ring Toss Set is the ideal introduction to aiming games for children. Crafted from solid pine wood with colorful accents, the base features five scoring towers that assemble in seconds. Players can loft plastic or sturdy rope rings at the posts for varying point scores. This set fosters hand-eye coordination as well as introductory math skills for young scorekeepers. With its zip-up carrying case that conveniently holds all the game’s pieces for set-up indoors or outside, this Ring Toss set is the perfect take-along game for play-dates, camping, reunions and more. Whether it’s one player or four, everything you need for quick and easy target play is in the bag with the GoSports Ring Toss Set.

Kubb (pronounced “KOOB”) is a Swedish lawn game said to have been played all the way back in the Viking Ages. Over the centuries, Kubb has established a broad base of popularity, with competitive leagues worldwide for children and adults. Colloquially known as ‘Vikings chess’, kubb is a unique game involving strategy, skill and a bit of athleticism. Featuring ten kubb blocks, six tossing dowels, a king kubb and four corner stakes, the included rules brochure offers a quick primer for game play and the carrying case brings the fun to a variety of outdoor surfaces. Tossing the dowels underhand, the goal is to topple your opponents kubb blocks, before targeting the king. Ideal for cultivating physical effort awareness, this is a rewarding challenge that aims to educate through strategy and competitive fun!

(GoSports)

(Yard Games)

Lumber Jo Foam Axe Throwing Game

Air Storm Z-Tek Bow (Zing)

As one of humanity’s earliest representations of aiming at a target, the bow and arrow remain familiar tools in the aim-improvement toolbox. The Air Storm Z-Tek Bow is a kid-friendly design drawn from this ancient technology. The bow comes with one suction-cup arrow and two sonic whistling arrows that scream through the air when launched (Zing offers arrow refill packs as well). Featuring clip mounts for the soft-tipped arrows, the bow’s short bungees are ideal for quick reload and firing action. The projectiles’ light weight and design combine with the bow’s elastic resistance for arrow flights that can reach 100 feet! Ideal for developing hand-eye coordination as well as skills needed to improve targeting proficiency, the Z-Tek Bow from Air Storm encourages kids to aim high!

(JumpOff Jo)

Evolving from the traditional woodsman’s throwing game, with a dash of pub darts, Lumber Jo Foam Axe Throwing is a combined hit! Replacing the traditional lumberjack axe with foam replicas, this game is safe to play indoors and outdoors by both kids and adults. Each player takes turns throwing a foam axe at the simulated log stump target. Each irregular ring on the target is present its unique point value with the bulls-eye offering the highest value hit. The foam axe ‘blades’ are trimmed with hook-and-loop material that sticks to the target on contact. Experimenting with throwing styles (overhand, two-hand, underhand) will help players find the launch that works best for planting the axe on the target. As skills grow, new challenges can be introduced to keep the competition balanced on an axe’s edge.

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

Greater Pensacola Parents I August 2020

www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

GET OUT AND

PLAY PENSACOLA 2 POOLS TO ENJOY CECIL T. HUNTER 200 E. BLOUNT ST. ROGER SCOTT 2030 SUMMIT BLVD.

58 PLAYGROUNDS

DISCOVER ALL 93 PARKS!

A GOLF COURSE OSCEOLA GOLF COURSE 300 TONAWANDA DR.

A SPLASH PAD PLAZA DE LUNA 900 S. PALAFOX ST.

AND MORE! CALL 850-4 36-5670 OR VISIT PLAYPENSACOLA.COM 1

www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Yourchild’s child’s success Your success is iswithin withinreach. reach.

Confused? Frustrated? Have questions? We offer virtual and phone consultations so that you can meet with an expert from the comfort of your home. Our goal at My IEP Advocate is to empower you to help your child with special needs to succeed in school! With My IEP Advocate you ... get informed, get organized, get empowered!

Consult with an expert! Schedule a consultation at: myiepadvocate.com 850-684-IDEA (4332) • amy@myiepadvocate.com

Amy Scott Lorton

Special Education Consultant & Advocate

“Helping families navigate the special education process since 2002” 1