February 2023 Child Care Issue

FromThePublisher

I am unsure why I reacted so dramatically this time but watching them pull out of our driveway crushed me. My emotions caught me off guard, as I was totally fine during the fall move-in. Why was this so different? Maybe it was because move-in was so stressful. We all ultimately got on each other’s nerves. I for sure know my daughter was ready for us to leave. This visit, however, was wonderful. We had such a fun time together, and I just didn’t want it to end. Of course, it probably didn’t help when we pulled out old photos the night before they left and shared stories of when they were toddlers.

Seeing my older kids spread their wings reminds me so much of how it felt to send them to daycare. In each instance, you are entrusting your kids will be safe, happy, and thrive in a new environment. I don’t know about you, but my search for childcare started almost immediately after finding out I was pregnant. I was worried there might be waiting lists and wanted to get a jump on things. Touring centers and asking questions was fun while walking around with her safe and sound in my belly. I was so comfortable and excited about the center we chose and could not wait to meet the other moms, make play dates on weekends, etc. However, all that changed once she arrived, and it was time for me to return to work. How would I leave this dear sweet gift with a total “stranger” all day? I quickly learned that the caregivers at the center were not there to replace me during the day, but to help me. After all, they had way more experience than I did. They taught me all kinds of tips and tricks and not only took care of my sweet girl, but helped me be a better mom.

The comfort of having excellent connections and complete confidence in your daycare provider is immeasurable. Finding the perfect spot for your family does take some research, visits, and questions. As you begin your search, I encourage you to flip to check out this month’s feature, How to Find a Safe, Quality Daycare by Kimberly Blaker. Once you put together a list of what you are looking for in a provider and are ready to start touring centers, this year’s Child Care Guide will come in handy. The directory includes a list of all the fulltime and part-time daycares, Mom’s Day Out programs, and preschools we could find in the area. As I say every year, childcare is not one-size-fits-all. Everyone needs and wants different things in a center, so do your research, take tours, and listen to your gut.

Whether you are watching your little birds spread their wings or just getting settled into the nest, it is important that we teach our kids age-appropriate independence. One area we can all work on no matter what age our children are, is modeling a healthy lifestyle. This month Cheryl Maguire has some helpful information for us in 7 Ways to Promote Your Child’s Healthy Lifestyle.

Speaking of healthy lifestyles, there is plenty to help foster healthy family time in the February Family Calendar. We are excited to share all the local activities, Mardi Gras festivities, charity cook-offs, local music/drama productions, and much more! I hope you find many fun things to fill your February calendar and heart with beautiful memories!

Lynn

lynn@greaterpensacolaparents.com

Publisher Lynn Knighton

lynn@greaterpensacolaparents.com

Editor DeAnne Watson editor@greaterpensacolaparents.com

Research Editor Lucy Green

Contributing Writers

Kimberly Blaker

Kristi Bush, LSW

Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

Cheryl Maguire

Dave Ramsey

Cover Photography

Naomi McIntosh Photography Facebook.com/NaomiMcIntoshPhotography @naomimcintoshphotography

President Jason Watson

Advertising Sales

Lynn Knighton ads@greaterpensacolaparents.com

(850) 426-6222

Ad Design

Greater Greater Pensacola Visit us at www.greaterpensacolaparents.com

Tim Welch 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 2023 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.

by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

Helping Your Child Handle “Big Emotions”

How can I help my child and myself handle big emotions? The clinical term for “big emotions” is emotional dysregulation, which is the inability to control or regulate emotional responses.

The process of emotional regulation is complex and lifelong. Theoretically, we learn this skill first, the skill of relating to others second, and the ability to reason last. But, unfortunately, the skill of regulating is often not developed.

Think about the last time you lost your keys or cell phone. A family member asked, “Where did you have it last?” and you blew up. That person ap proached you with reason, but you responded without regulat ing your emotions. When dealing with difficult emotions, we must ensure regulation first, relation second, and reason third. Every time…In that order… Every time!

As we grow, emotional regulation skills

monkey bars, bouncing, throwing, and dancing. This rhythmic cycle starts when parents begin pacing or rocking to calm their crying infant. However, parents must continue to teach and model rhythmic motion skills to teach their children emotional regulation. In my opinion, this is where toddlers’ use of handheld devices is most detrimental to development. If the child is given a phone to “help him calm down,” instead of being held and rocked or encouraged to engage in rhythmic motion, he is not learning how to naturally self-soothe. Instead, your child is learning to distract himself from difficult emotions. As parents, we all need to intentionally incorpo rate rhythmic movement into our daily lives: running, walking, dancing, etc. We need to say to children, “I am really angry about something that happened at work today, so I am going for a walk to help my brain and body calm down.” Parents must model that

they are not overwhelmed by their big emo tions. As children grow older, they will imitate what we model.

We model the skills of relating by show ing empathy. The best way to relate through empathy is by telling stories. In younger children, we talk about what just happened. For example, “You grabbed the cookie, and I would not let you have it, so you started to cry.” We relate to older children, teenagers, and adults by talking about a time we went through the same thing. Do not “one up” the other person just to say, “me too”. Remember, it is alright for them to feel big emotions! They will continue to experience them throughout their life. They just need to know that they are seen, heard, and understood.

We attempt to reason only after ensuring regulation and relation have successfully occurred. The step of reason usually occurs minutes, hours, or sometimes even days after the emotional dysregulation occurs. If we wait until our children can reason, their brains are optimized for the learning process.

Truthfully, the most common error I observe is that parents model emotional dysregulation. Therefore, your children’s ability to manage difficult emotions is directly related to YOUR ability to manage their uncomfortable feelings. Before reacting, make sure you are regulated, have spent some time compassionately relating to yourself or another person, and are fully able to reason.

Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology

CLA graduates experience challenging academic content and have the knowledge to be successful in an ever-changing world.

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CLA graduates are responsible citizens of the greater community understanding that they are an integral part of the success of the world around them.

CLA is an accredited independent school 3 years old - 8th grade NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2023

SCHEDULE YOUR TOUR TODAY!

The Maynard 4 Foundation Presents the Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageantry Program

Registration is now open for the 2023 Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageantry Program through March 1st. This national program is open to young ladies ages 13-18 is a 3-day educational program designed to build confidence that also consists of workshops ranging from public speaking, college and career exploration, financial literacy and much more! This program will be hosted at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa located in beautiful Mobile, Alabama from June 16-18, 2023! Paper registration form and information may be found at www.missjuneteenth.org. Online registration via Google Form at https://bit.ly/TM4F_2023MissJuneteenth. Limited scholarships available to cover registration fee. Pictured: First Runner Up 2022 Teen Miss Juneteenth, Mia Hardy, from Pensacola, FL

Mardi Gras Beads

At The Arc Gateway’s Pollak Industries, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities sort, sanitize and package beads that are donated after local parades. Not only does this provide vocational training and job opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but also, The Arc Gateway supports our community’s effort to recycle and reuse materials instead of generating waste. Mardi Gras beads are collected at The Arc Gateway’s Administration building (3932 N. 10th Avenue) and at our Pollak Industries Center (2313 Truman Avenue) and can be dropped off Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Arc Gateway is proud to partner with Pensacola Parade People – the exclusive retailer of our recycled beads. Krewes and other community organizations may purchase beads from our friends at PPP, helping support our agency, a local, family-owned business and our environment. Please visit https://arcgateway.org/product/mardi-gras-beads/ for more information.

Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Fun Run/ Walk and Pet Parade Festival Navarre Beach

The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is excited the present the Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Fun Run/Walk and Pet Parade Festival. The fun will kick off with the 3rd Annual Shamrock Stroll 5K Fun Run/ Walk/Pet Parade/Costume Contest at 8am on Saturday, March 18th. Please visit https:// runsignup.com/Race/FL/Navarre/ShamrockStroll for more information.

Cirque Spectacular

Join us February 11, 2023, 7:30pm at the Saenger Theatre for Cirque Spectacular. Fusing elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance and contemporary theatre, Troupe Vertigo joins with the Pensacola Symphony to take you on a spellbinding journey through the world of artistic movement and the thrilling cinematic music of John Williams, Michael Giacchino, Elmer Bernstein, Henry Mancini and more.

Pensacon

Pensacon is an allinclusive event that encompasses many genres of the fan community. Expect Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, Comics, Anime and much more. Pensacon 2023 will take place from Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26, 2023. The primary convention venue, the Pensacola Bay Center, is where ticketing, celebrity autographs and photo ops, and the vendor floor will be located. Other official venues include the Rex Theatre, the Pensacola Cultural Center, Voices of Pensacola, and UWF Historic Trust Bowden Building, Voices of Pensacola, and De Luna Event Space, among others. Most official events and activities will take place from 1-8pm Friday, 10am-6pm Saturday and 10am-5pm Sunday. Please visit https://pensacon.com/ for more information.

Ballet Pensacola

Military Appreciation Gala

Join Ballet Pensacola on February 10-12, 2023 at The Center to honor the dedication and bravery of the United States Military. This performance will feature Artistic Director Darren McIntyre’s original choreography “Lights Will Guide You Home,” along with other creations such as “Fleet Week,” “Spartacus,” and more to celebrate our men and women in uniform. Please visit https://www.balletpensacola.org/ for more information.

Flora-Bama Beach Run for American Warriors

FloraBama’s 9th Annual Beach Run/ Walk for America’s Warriors will be the best run of the year and will be held on March 18, 2023. The start point is at the Flora-Bama and we run entirely on the beach. 100% of the registration fees will go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. The Special Operations Warrior Foundation ensures full scholarship grants as well as educational and family counseling to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty and immediate financial assistance for severely wounded special operations personnel and their families. Please visit https://www.florabama.com/ beach-run to register.

Women’s Empowerment Awards

The Junior League of Pensacola invites you to join us on March 8, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Museum of Commerce as we celebrate our local women in leadership. The Junior League of Pensacola Women’s Empowerment Awards for mally recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of women and young ladies in the Pensacola area. These awards honor exceptional women of all ages, of diverse cultures and roles, celebrating the power of individuals to spark change and improve their community and beyond. Whether your candidate is well known or an unsung heroine, we want you to tell us the inspirational stories of women whose extraordinary achievements empower others. The event will honor the women who will receive a Women’s Empowerment Award. The purpose of these awards is to build up women in the community who display the traits of what it truly means to be a woman leader in the Pensacola community. The winners will be announced during the annual Women’s Empowerment Awards. For more information please visit http://www. JuniorLeagueofPensacola.org/ or email empowerment@juniorleagueofpensacola.org.

Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest

The First Annual Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest will be at Community Maritime Park on February 19, 2021. This event will be held from 10:00am – 6:00pm. We will have food trucks and vendors selling Chocolate and Cheese items as well as other vendor and menu items, bounce house, contests and more. Please visit https://apexshowsandevents.com/chocolate-and-cheese-fest for more information.

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival

Join us March 4-5, 2023, at the Santa Rosa Fairgrounds in Milton for the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival. Hours are from 10:00am-6:00pm. Come see Jousting Knights from History Channels Full Metal Jousting, Sword fighters, Jesters, Jugglers, Firebreathers, Musical Minstrels, Gypsy and Exotic Belly Dancers, Fal conry, Magic, Pirates, Conquistadors, Wild West Gunslingers from Six Gun Territory, Al Capones Roaring 20s Gangsters, Swing Dancing, Joe Oc chipinti’s Swing Band, Civil War demos, petting zoo, food, drink, games, rides and much more fun. Please visit http://gcrf.us/ for more information.

Pure Imagination Chocolatier Charity Event

Join us on February 11, 2023, from 10:00am-3:00pm at Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center for a chocolate charity event to benefit the Parks and Recreation Al Condon Scholarship Program. Surround yourself in pure imagination as you walk through a ballroom full of confectionary delights. A chocolate themed vendor event that will put a smile on every face. Local entertainment, raffle baskets and prizes will also be part of the fun.

Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity welcomes families, food lovers, adventure seekers, and Pensacola Habitat supporters to its annual food truck festival in support of our mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Join us February 25-26, 2023 at Community Maritime Park. This event features a diverse mix of food trucks featuring their signature dishes, live entertainment, a Food Truck Tasting Competition, and more! All ticket proceeds from this event directly benefits Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and the families and individuals they serve in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. Please visit https:// pensacolahabitatfoodtruckfest.org/.

ERIC ROBERTS

CATHERINE TATE JOHN BARROWMAN

HENRY THOMAS • ROBERT M NAUGHTON DEE WALLACE • MATTHEW DE MERRITT

CURTIS ARMSTRONG • DON GIBB ROBERT CARRADINE • BRIAN TOCHI

BILLY WEST FUTURAMA

DANTE BASCO AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

GREY DELISLE-GRIFFIN AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER

Autauga County Schools ECPS Selects Sunshine State Scholars

Every year, each of Florida’s school districts selects their top 11th grade students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM). Each scholar, along with their parents, will travel to Orlando in April for an extraordinary program designed to bring together scholars from around the state, connect them with employers that specialize in the STEM fields, and create a networking opportunity between the scholars and schools from Florida’s College and State University System. The two-day program honors each scholar for their significant academic accomplishments and celebrates the potential they represent for our communities and state. In addition to the honor the scholars receive from the Commissioner of Education, the Senior Chancellor and representatives from Florida’s colleges and universities meet with the students to discuss higher education opportunities available to them in Florida. This includes workshops for college applications and informational sessions on college funding for students and their parents.

2023 Escambia County Sunshine State Scholars:

Synoma Perea from Tate High School

Ge’Khiya Brown from Booker T. Washington High School

Alternate: Nolan McCrory from West Florida High School of Advanced Technology

Other nominees: Malcoln Chaney from Pine Forest High School

Dressing Up for a Cause at Montessori School of Pensacola

Montessori School of Pensacola’s Fun Day before school let out for Winter Break invited students to dress up as animals. It was in conjunction with a collection of items for the animal shelter. Students and staff, from age 3 through 8th grade, love these special “fun” days. Part of One of the focuses of Montessori education is realizing one’s place in the bigger world and how giving back through service projects helps the community.

Kingfield Elementary STEM Night Fun

Reflecting on Kingfield Elementary’s Fall STEM Night. The theme was board games and our teachers, staff, and volunteers based all STEM activities on large versions of classic board games. We had a great turnout and it was a great event for the kids to play, learn and get parents involved.

Lessons & Carols at St. Paul Catholic

St. Paul Catholic School’s First through Eighth Grade came together to give a performance of Lessons and Carols on the last school day before Christmas break. Families attending enjoyed student band, orchestra and piano performances, along with songs and lessons focusing on the true reason for the season. Kindergarten made a special appearance reciting a poem written by Sister Anne McGoldrick. Students played and sang beautifully and all who came left feeling the joy of the Christmas season.

Jacqueline Harris Prep Academy Student Publishes Book

Alisabeth Rackley, a 3rd grade student at Jacqueline Harris

Preparatory Academy, along with her grandmother, has created and published a book a journal for kids that is now available for purchase on AMAZON. As found on the website, Becoming A Sparkle: An Affirmation Journal for Kids is a beautiful book filled with motivational affirmations for kids, ages 8 - 15. Alisabeth is described as full of life with a beautifulspirit, and a very positive attitude that she wants to share with other kids her age. This journal will be a blueprint for healthy, happy, and positive kids who deserve to live in a “light” of happiness. Along with motivational messages, there’s a prayer, self-care tips, yoga exercises, and more. To purchase your copy visit Amazon.com and type Becoming A Sparkle: an Affirmation Journal for Kids in the search bar.

PRESENTS

THE KING’S SINGERS have represented the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s most prominent stages for over fifty years. This British ensemble is renowned for their unrivaled technique, versatility, skill, and consummate musicianship.

Warrington Elks Provides Outdoor Learning for Navy Point Elementary

On Friday, November 4th, the Warrington Elks, Lodge #2108, oversaw the installation of new outdoor learning spaces for Navy Point Elementary School thanks to a donation of $3,700. This continues the Elks’ donations towards outdoor learning, with a total so far of $7,400. The first school to receive a donation was Bellview Elementary, which also resulted in outdoor learning space installations.

The group plans on granting more to other area schools for similar installations. The spaces consist of thermoplastic outdoor grids:

A multiplication grid

A number line

2 hopscotch games

A 4-square grid

The grids were manufactured by the company, EduMarking USA, which specializes in colorful, educational games that are durable, safe, and promote outdoor learning. These new spaces will help the students to:

Build social and conflict resolutions skills

Use their imagination and spark creative play

Bring the classroom outdoors

Learn while at play

The Warrington Elks have a passion for increasing educational opportunities for area children and are thrilled that this new installation will give them new avenues to engage and use their minds.

ECPS Hosts Event for Employees and Their Families

Escambia County Public School employees and their families en joyed a Family Movie Night at the Blue Wahoos Stadium on Friday, December 2. This outstanding event was sponsored by the ECPS Foundation for Excellence, made possible through generous dona tions from several of our area business partners. Families received two complimentary tickets and enjoyed free popcorn, hot chocolate, soft drinks, and assorted holiday goodies. This gesture was a small token of appreciation for the hard-working employees in this district! Send

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at Montessori School of Pensacola

From a young age, students at Montessori School of Pensacola are taught about the importance of recycling. At the Montessori Drive campus, the Upper Elementary class collects cans to turn in for funds they put toward their gardening supplies. The students even built a can crusher. The Kindergarten students on that campus walk across the street to the Upper Elementary side weekly to turn in their recycling.

Autauga County Schools

Pensacola Catholic High Students Receive Scholarships for Athletic Talent

Pensacola Catholic High School is proud to announce that since the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, a total of 11 students have signed Athletic Scholarships for their respective sports based on their athletic talents coupled with their performance in the classroom. The following students signed to play their sport for institution indicated: Volleyball – Kayla Balfour, Stetson University and Jaiden Rodgers, Gulf Coast State College; Golf – Asher Nissim and Robert White both for Jefferson State College; Lacrosse – Brinley Christiansen, Reinhardt University; Tennis – Justin Lyons, Florida State University; Baseball – Will Barter, Tulane University and Zach DeJesus, Santa Fe Community College; Football – Tim Gulley, Arkansas State University and Ja’Bril Rawls, Florida State University. Congratulations goes out to all of these Senior Crusaders and others who will be signing additional athletic scholarships soon!

St. Paul Catholic School

3rd Annual Fish Bait Competition

SPCS Middle School Schole Scholars worked all semester creating an innovation and/or invention. They wrapped up the class by presenting to a panel of judges from the Escambia and Santa Rosa County community!

Pensacola Catholic High School Crubotics Team Begins New Project

The Crusader Robotics Team, a.k.a. Crubotics, at Pensacola Catholic High School is excited to be working on a new project for the MATE ROV Regional competition hosted again at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This year’s team has 30 members comprised of 12 Seniors, 8 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, and 7 Freshmen with a total of 16 new members; enough members to compete in two different divisions! The team is motivated by the achievements of last year’s team that competed in Long Beach, California at the MATE ROV World Championship where they placed 17th in their division against 26 other teams. The 2022-2023 team is looking forward to the competition that will hopefully earn them a qualification to compete at that level again and they are very grateful for their sponsors and the faculty/parent support they receive all year! The team is also looking forward to stimulating Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) more into the community by volunteering at community events and schools.

Special Birthday Celebrations at Montessori School of Pensacola

Birthdays are meant to be special, yet often the true meaning gets lost in all the presents and festivities. Montessori schools have a meaningful and educational tradition for children. The Montessori School of Pensacola celebrates this in its classrooms. The Montessori birthday celebration is a celebration of life. It gives a concrete way for young children to understand the months of the year and the earth’s revolution around the sun each year. It also is a way for children to feel special and to connect with their place in the world. Families fill out a birthday timeline questionnaire that describes highlights from each year of the child’s life. The teacher reads this timeline as the child walks around the sun carrying a stuffed Earth. Classmates sit around the celebration and help clap along the number of years, making it very interactive. At the close of the ceremony, the child blows out a candle and also gets the chance to share an item they have brought from home with the rest of the class.

Autauga County Schools

Winter Holidays, Multi-Species Celebration at Creative Learning Academy

Creative Learning Academy’s Winter Holiday Musical, a multi-species celebration, was a huge hit and the first winter program performed at CLA in over two years! The musical program was a family-friendly celebration of various Winter festive traditions from around the world, presented by all students in preprimary through 5. The young performers brought a joyous energy to the stage as they sang and danced to a mix of traditional holiday songs. There was drama, singing, dancing, instruments and lots of fun had by all. The program showcased the talent and hard work of the students, who were clearly having a great time on stage, and highlighted the celebrations of Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, Las Posadas and Lunar New Year.

The show’s choreography, created by our students, was impressive, with each grade level showcasing their own unique routines. The costumes were also noteworthy, with each class dressed in coordinating outfits that added to the festive atmosphere of the performance. This year’s Winter Holiday Musical was a great way for the school community to come together and celebrate the holiday season. Overall, it was a delightful and heartwarming event that left our community audience feeling uplifted, embracing the holiday spirit.

ReadyKids! and Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County Offer Free Family Resource ReadyRosie ReadyKids!

is a local nonprofit on a mission to maximize children’s potential through increased school readiness. It’s an interactive family engagement resource offering age-appropriate weekly tips, activities, and resources for families with young children aged 0 - 9 years. ReadyRosie inspires unique ways to learn and engage with your child at home or on the go built into your everyday life with no special skills or supplies needed! Create learning experiences out of everyday moments using what you already have on hand. Register for free access to resources and weekly Modeled Moments videos that are designed to bring valuable and engaging lessons into real life.

Visit www.ReadyKidsFL.org.

Happy Birthday, EDS! Episcopal Day School of Christ Church

is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Founded in 1952, EDS has grown from a school with no designated building, no playground, and no Middle School to a bustling community with 430 students, 2 campuses, modern classrooms, 5 playgrounds and over 60 faculty and staff members. The last 70 years have seen much growth and many changes. But, our mission to educate and excite children regarding character formation and excellence in education have remained consistent over the decades. To celebrate the 70th year, on December 2nd - the 70th day of school - all students, faculty and staff dressed in their best 70s gear and grooved to songs from the past. We can’t wait to see what the next 70 years will bring.

Pensacola Catholic High School - Academic Honors for First Semester

Students at Pensacola Catholic High School returned to campus after the Christmas break on January 4 to begin the Second Semester of the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Students were excited and ready to get “back to work”! 388 students were awarded

Honors are given to students attaining an unweighted GPA between 3.429 and 3.82. The recent honors bestowed were broken down by class year as follows: Freshmen –First Honors 58, Second Honors 50; Sopho mores – First Honors 39, Second Honors 55, Juniors – First Honors 44, Second Honors 43, and Seniors – First Honors 70, Second Honors 29.

Autauga County Schools

St.

Paul

Catholic Middle House Tournament

St. Paul Catholic middle school students let loose and enjoyed an afternoon of fun competition to finish off the fall semester! Students grouped into their houses and battled it out in a variety of challenging games!

East Hill Christian Lady Eagles Shine at Cheerleading Championship

This January the Lady Eagles from East Hill Christian School competed at the National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. After a weekend of fierce competition and Christian fellowship, the Eagles walked away with awards for Best Showmanship and Choreography and Best Stunts and Pyramids in the Novice JV and Novice Varsity divisions. In addition to these skill based awards, the team was awarded the Loyalty Award for being a part of FCC for 29 years. As East Hill strives to support the development of the whole student, both inside and out of the classroom, we love to see our students shine in athletic settings. Way to go, girls!

Emerald Coast Writers Annual Youth Writing Contest

Emerald Coast Writers (formerly West Florida Literary Federation) is holding their annual youth writing contest and have added art to the mix! This year’s theme is “When Darkness Falls.” What do you do when you experience dark times in your life? Is there a dark time you have through that you want to share? Do you have an idea about a fictional piece that takes place somewhere with no light, a story about someone with a fear of the dark or do you want to write a poem about nighttime creatures or something that goes bump in the night? Are you inspired to draw or paint a scene that portrays the darkness in the world or a way out of it? The (dark) sky is the limit! We can’t wait to read your poetry, short stories and see your drawings, paintings and photography! The contest is open to all public, private and homeschooled Escambia and Santa Rosa County students in grades K-12. An awards ceremony for winning students and their families will be held in the spring. Monetary prizes will be given out and winners will receive a copy of an anthology with their work later in the year. The deadline for entries is March 20th. See https://wflf.org/news-details/post_detail/2023-youthwriting-contest for guidelines and how to submit your work. Email charline.burga@gmail.com with any questions.

St. Paul Catholic School Sixth Grade Visits Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Sixth Graders from St. Paul Catholic School enjoyed a field trip to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in December. Care of God’s creation, one of the 7 themes of Catholic Social Teaching, is a way of showing respect for the Creator. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creations. That begins by educating our children and inspiring awe and wonder for all of the amazing creatures! What better way to do that than by spending a day at Dauphin Island Sea Lab and getting out into nature to see His creatures up close!

It’s essential to keep our kids as healthy as possible to prevent illness. Maintaining good overall health in children is important, so they grow and develop appropriately. A child’s health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being. My grandfather used to

say, “if you have your health, you have everything.”

If you and your child are healthy, you will have more energy, lower medical costs, and improved moods. Here are some ways to promote healthy habits within your child:

Create a Bedtime Routine and Regular Bedtime

Sleep helps the brain function properly, which improves learning. Studies show sleep deficiency increases the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Receiving the proper amount of sleep promotes proper growth and development, improves social interactions, and increases immunity against diseases.

NIH recommends school-age children and teens should sleep for 9-10 hours per night. Bad sleep habits will affect both your physical and emotional health. One way to ensure your child receives enough sleep is to create a scheduled bedtime based on when they need to wake up in the morning. If you maintain the same bedtime every night, it will be easier to fall asleep and create a healthy habit.

Another way to help your child receive the proper amount of sleep is to have a bedtime routine beginning a half-hour before the expected sleep time. This routine will help your child relax, leading to falling asleep more easily. Some suggested bedtime routines are reading, a warm bath, drawing, listening to soothing music, or other calming activities.

Read Food Labels

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1970. Childhood obesity has short- and long-

term effects on a child’s physical, social, and emotional health. For this reason, a child needs to maintain a healthy weight.

Reading and understanding food labels is a way for a child to determine if food is healthy. The food label will demonstrate the number of calories, sugar, and fat content and also break down the recommended daily intake percentage to help create a balanced diet. It also helps to become more aware of what you are eating since you might think a food is healthy only to learn it isn’t after reading the food label.

Exercise with Your Kids

The CDC recommends that children and teens be physically active for 60 minutes daily. Physical activity should include aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities. If you exercise with your child and select something you both view as fun, you will be more likely to do it. Some suggested family activities are walking, running, hiking, dancing, biking, and a workout class or video. Create a weekly scheduled routine to incorporate the movement into your lives, which would create a healthy habit.

Limit Screen Time

Screen time consists of watching television, playing video games, or using electronic devices. When a child is in front of a screen, they are typically sedentary and not interacting with others. A research study at UCLA found that kids with too much screen time have difficulty understanding other people’s emotions. In addition, Dr. Leonard Epstein studied the effects of limiting screen time in obese children. The findings demonstrated that the children consumed 300-1500 fewer calories when screen time was limited. Both of these research studies illustrate the importance of limiting screen time to help your child socially interact with others, eat fewer calories and be more physically active.

Encourage Social Interactions

It is essential to encourage your child to develop healthy relationships with peers and adults. Problem-solving, managing friendships, and understanding emotions are necessary for

a child’s positive mental health. These skills will also enable a child to learn more effectively in the classroom.

Discuss Physical and Emotional Safety with Kids

According to the CDC, car accidents are one of the leading causes of death in children. One study found over 600,000 chil dren did not use the proper car seat or seat belt, which could prevent death during an accident. Other accidental deaths include drowning, fire/burns, guns, poisoning, and suffocation. To prevent injuries and death, it is important to discuss safety issues regarding all of these potentially dangerous situations. Children and teenagers may be in situations where they are offered drugs or subjected to physical or sexual abuse. Discuss with your child healthy and appropriate relationships.

Be a Healthy Role Model

Children and teens model their parent’s positive and negative behaviors. Research conducted at Duke University found kids were more likely to eat well and exercise if their parents modeled those behaviors. If you model a healthy lifestyle, your child will most likely lead one as well.

Cheryl Maguire holds a Master of Counseling Psychology degree. She is married and is the mother of twins and a daughter. Her writing has been published in The New York Times, Parents Magazine, AARP, Healthline, Your Teen Magazine, and many other publications. She is a professional member of ASJA. You can find her at Twitter @CherylMaguire05.

Is Your Child Talking to a Stranger Online (Part 2)

Last month we discussed the reality that your child may be talking to a predator online. This month I want to teach you the behavior signs you may see in your child and also what to look for when checking their devices.

First, let’s discuss the behavior signs. Internet Safety 101 does a wonderful job with the following list. Pay attention if your child becomes secretive about online activities, obsessive about being online, angry when they can’t get online, receives phone calls from people you do not know, or makes calls to numbers you do not recognize. Also, if they begin receiving gifts, mail, or packages from someone you do not know, withdraw from family and friends, change screens or turn off the computer when an adult enters a room, and/or download pornography online.

Clearly, some of these behaviors can be labeled “normal” or “typical” teen behavior. What is important to note is when some of these behaviors escalate. For instance, take note if you have a rule in your home that you do random device checks, and your child/teen begins to give you pushback. It is also great to start open conversations about why they do not want you to check their devices.

Predators will target youth through games. They may establish a relationship with your child by promising to buy them things, either within the game or physical items, to send to your home. If your child begins receiving items at home that you have not purchased, this is time to have a very serious conversation, as it means the predator now has your address and access to your home.

What should you look for online when doing your random device checks? Predators will often tell their target they are the same age so their target will trust them. They almost always want to chat privately with your child. If they “meet” your child during a game, they will ask your child to move to a private chat through another app. Please teach your child NEVER to leave the app they are on to chat with someone in a private message on another app. Predators will try to get personal info from your child through subtle comments.

When checking your child’s info, be wary of anyone who has asked where your child lives, birthday, school info, neighborhood info, anything that gives away where they live, and out and go to school. Predators will also work hard to make your child feel special by telling them how beautiful, amazing, smart, etc., they are. After relationships have been

established (via grooming), predators will then ask for pictures, videos, etc. Often, these requests are followed up with threats to the child/teen and/or their friends and family if the child doesn’t want to cooperate.

What can you do? Talk to your child. Consistently. Regularly. About predators and what that behavior looks like. Talk to them until they are tired of hearing it. Then talk some more. The one thing I have learned is that as much pushback as kids give us about social media safety chats, they DO hear us. Maybe not always, but many times they do listen. And as a parent, it is our job to try our best to educate and protect them from online dangers. So keep having these talks and doing your random device checks. They are your very best first line of defense.

***Please note that if a predator has contacted your child, immediately report it to your local police. No matter how “small” you think the incident may be. There may be much bigger incidents with other children involving that predator. The police will lead you in the right direction regarding who to speak with and the appropriate follow-up.

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.

Finding safe, suitable daycare is one of the more stressful undertakings parents of young children face. You have to contend with the logistics, such as the convenience of location and hours of operation, and of utmost concern is the safety and development of your child.

National statistics on abuse and neglect by daycare providers aren’t readily available. But some experts estimate approximately 5% of child abuse and neglect cases occur in daycare homes and facilities. The following steps will help you ensure your child’s safety and give you peace of mind knowing you’ve taken the necessary precautions.

There are several things you should do and ask before sending your child to a new daycare.

Is the daycare licensed?

Licensing is required in most states when a caregiver isn’t a relative, and the care isn’t provided in your home. Check the website of your state licensing and regulatory affairs department to look up daycare homes and facilities to ensure their license is current.

Is the daycare in compliance?

On your state’s website, also look up the requirements for daycare homes and centers. Then keep this information handy when you tour a home or facility, so you know whether the daycare complies.

The Daycare Tour

A tour of the daycare home or facility is vital to ensuring your child’s safety. So don’t be shy, and ask for a full tour. Think of it as an inspection, and pay attention to the following:

• Are all areas used by or accessible to children thoroughly childproofed?

• Are there safety plugs in all electrical outlets?

• Are stairways securely blocked off?

• Do kitchen and bathroom cabinets have child locks?

• Do exterior doors have safety locks up high?

• Is there a pool or hot tub in the area? If so, is it entirely fenced off with a childproof gate?

• Is there a fenced outdoor play area?

• Is the home or facility tidy aside from a reasonable amount of toys?

• Are the bathroom and kitchen sanitary?

• Is the heating or cooling set at a comfortable temperature?

• Are there adequate toys and equipment for the number and ages of children?

• Do cribs, playpens, and other baby equipment meet safety standards?

• Is the number of children present within the daycare’s license capacity? Does the daycare also meet the appropriate ratio of caregivers to children?

• Does it smell clean? Or do you smell neglected diapers or cigarette smoke?

• Are the children happy and content?

• Is there ample play space?

• How does the staff interact with the children?

The Daycare Interview

Take this list of questions with you and

add yours as well. Childcare providers expect parents to have many questions, and a good provider will be happy to answer them.

• What is the maximum number of children in your care at any time?

• What are the age ranges of children in your care?

• What types of activities do you do with them?

• Are meals and snacks provided? If so, what do they consist of? Also, what time do the kids eat?

• Can I drop in unannounced?

• How do you handle discipline?

• Do you ever take children in the car? If so, are there enough child seats and seat belts for each child?

• Are there other members living in your home or outside staff who will care for the children? If so, who are they and what are their ages?

• How are naps handled?

• What is the experience or education of the daycare provider and staff?

• What is your policy when a child is sick?

• Can I talk to the parents of other children in your care?

• Is video available so I can peek in at my child on my computer or phone?

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, specializing in search engine optimization and SEO content, at kbcreativedigital.com.

Cantonment

Gonzalez UMC Child Enrichment Center

2026 Pauline Street, 32533

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am -6:00pm, After School Program (K-5th), VPK 8:30am-11:45am

Ages: 1 year - 4 years

850-968-6245 www.gonzalezmethodist.org/childenrichment-center

Century

Camp Fire - Century Youth Learning Center

6031 Industrial Boulevard, 32535

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: 1 year - 12 years

850-256-0953 info@cfgulfwind.org www.campfirekidsfl.org

Gulf Breeze

Beach Kids Learning Center

ad on page 8

5 Hoffman Drive, 32561

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 4:30pm

Ages: 18 months - VPK , PK and After School Care through 2nd grade

850-934-9665 beachkidslearningcenter@gmail.com www.beachkidslearningcenter.com

Childcare Network - Oriole Beach (#150)

1269 Oriole Beach Road, 32563

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-932-1669 wwww.childcarenetwork.com

Children’s Place Preschool at Gulf Breeze UMC

67 Nightingale Drive, 32561

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am-1:00pm (early and aftercare available 7:30am-4:30pm)

Ages: 1 year - 5 years

850-932-1647 mwelch@gbumc.org www.gbumc.org/childrens-place

Coastline Christian Academy

1122 Oriole Beach Road, 32563

Hours: 3 year olds: (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) 9:00-1:00; VPK: (Monday-Thursday) 9:00-1:00; Preschool After Care 1:00pm-2:45pm; Elementary: (Monday-Friday) 8:30pm-2:30pm; Elementary After Care 2:30pm-3:30pm

Ages: 3 years - 3rd grade

(850) 565-5118 info@coastlinechristian.com www.coastlinechristian.com

Connect Christian Academy

4115 Soundside Drive, 32563

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm, PartTime: 9:00am-1:00pm, VPK Instructional Hours are 9:00am–12:00pm Ages: 8 weeks-4 years 850-916-7496 www.clc.life/connect-christian-academy/

Good Shepherd Lutheran School

4257 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 32563

Hours: Monday - Friday Ages: VPK - 4th Grade

850-932-9127 goodshepherdlutheranschool.1@ gmail.com FB: GoodShepherdLutheranSchoolGB

Gulf Breeze Community Preschool

100 Andrew Jackson Trail, 32561

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm, VPK

Monday -Thursday Ages: 3 years - 4 years, Extended Care available 7:30-9:00 a.m. and 1:00-4:30 p.m.

850-375-2173 glessk@santarosa.k12.fl.us sites. santarosa.k12.fl.us/communityschool/gbprek.html

Kids Discovery 5

2800 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 32563

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-932-4409 www.kidsdiscovery.com

Paradise Child Development Center

113 Joachim Drive, 32561

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-932-0722 paradisecdc@gmail.com Find us on Facebook!

St. Ann Discovery School

100 Daniel Street, 32561

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 8 weeks - 5 years

850-932-9330 fulmer@stanngulfbreeze.org www.stanndiscoveryschool.org/

St. Paul Methodist Church Preschool

4901 Gulf Breeze Parkway, 32563

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 12:30pm, Extended Care Hours: 7:30am - 8:30am & 12:30pm - 1:30pm Ages: 2 years - 5 years

850-932-0692 (Ext 113) preschool@stpaulmethodist.org www.stpaulmethodist.org/preschool

Milton West Florida Baptist Academy

ad on page 27

5621 Highway 90, 32583

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:00am - 4:00pm, Wednesdays 8:00am - 2:00pm

Ages: PreK3 - 12th grade

850-623-9306 School@wfbacademy.org www.wfbacademy.org

A Touch of Love Children’s Center, Inc.

3762 Gardenview Street, 32571

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 1 year - PK

850-994-5111 www.atouchoflovechildrenscenter.com

Berryhill Child Care

5762 Berryhill Road, 32570

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:15am - 6:00pm

Ages: 1 year - PK, After School Care for school age M-F from 1:30pm-6pm during the school year and M-F, 6:15am-6pm during the summer

850-623-4509 berryhillchildcare@gmail.com www.berryhillchildcare.com

Capstone Academy Milton Child Care

5308 Stewart Street, 32570

Hours: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 5:30pm

Ages: Infants - 5 years: VPK & School Readiness

850-626-3091 jbroussard@capstoneadaptivelearning.org www.capstoneacademy.org

Children’s Learning Center

4540 Chumuckla Highway, 32571

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: infants - 5 years

850-476-0630 clcstaff@yahoo.com w ww.facebook.com/clc2004/

Kids Discovery 6 5753 Highway 90, 32583

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-623-4800 www.kidsdiscovery.com

New Beginnings Preschool Center 4645 School Road, 32571

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Ages: 2 years - 4 years

850-995-4936 nbpreschool@bellsouth.net Find us on Facebook!

Santa Rosa Christian Learning Center 6331 Chestnut Street, 32570

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:30pm, 1/2 day 6:00am-12:00pm Ages: 2 years - 4 years

850-623-4607 school@santarosachristianschool.com www.santarosachristianschool.com/learning centerdaycare

Pace

First Steps Christian PreschoolImmanuel Baptist Church

4187 Highway 90, 32571

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Ages: 1 year - 5 years

850-994-6092 jkimbro@ibcpace.com www.ibcpace.com/firststepschristianpreschool

L.E.A.D. Academy Classical School

7121 Chumuckla Hwy., 32571

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm

(Grades K4-K5 8:15am - 2:00pm), morning and after school care available Ages: K4-12th grade

850-889-7080 contact@leadacademylions.com www.leadacademylions.com

Pensacola

Creative Learning Academy ad on page 5

3151 Hyde Park Road, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 3:30pm

Ages: 3 years - 8th grade

850-432-1768 admissions@creativelearning academy.org www.creativelearningacademy.org

East Hill Christian School

ad on page 16

1301 East Gonzalez Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Ages: Pre K - 12th grade

850-438-7746 info@ehcseagles.com www.ehcs.org

Episcopal Day School, Hilton-Green Campus

ad on page 13

601 North Palafox Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: Pre K2 - 1st grade

850-434-6474 info@edscc.org www.edscc.org

Little Flower Catholic School

ad on page 18

6495 Lillian Highway, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:40am - 2:55pm

Ages: K4 - 8th grade

850-455-4851 info@ptlittleflower.org

Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool

ad on page 25

6205 North “W” Street , 32505

Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30am – 6:00pm

Ages: infant - 3 years, after-school care for K5 through 5th grade

850-479-1605 www.marcuspointechristian.org

Marcus Pointe Christian Preschool at Beulah

ad on page 25

8300 Beulah Road, 32526

Hours: Monday – Friday 6:30am – 6:00pm

Ages: 1 year - 3 years

850-607-9170 www.marcuspointechristian.org

Montessori School of

Pensacola

ad on page 32

1010 North 12th Avenue (Suite 138), 32501

4100 Montessori Dr., 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: 18 months - 8th grade

850-469-8138 www.montessoripensacola.com

Pensacola Christian Academy

ad on page 36

4100 Montessori Dr., 32504

10 Brent Lane, 32503

Hours: Days and Hours for K4-K5 are Monday - Friday: 8:30-12:30 (Extended school day hours are available for an extra fee).

Ages: Pre K - 12th grade

850-478-8483 www.pensacolachristianacademy.com

St. John’s Children’s Center

ad on page 10

401 Live Oak Avenue, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 3 years

850-453-9076 sjcc@stjohnspensacola.org stjohnspensacola.org/st-johns-childrens-center

St. Paul Catholic School

ad on page 17

3121 Hyde Park Road, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 3:00pm

Ages: PreK3 - 8th grade

850-436-6435 school@stpaulcatholic.net www.stpaulcatholicschool.net/

Aletheia Christian Academy

1700 Woodchuck Avenue, 32504

Hours: Kindergarten: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 2:40pm, VPK: Monday - Thursday 8:00am12:00pm ( wrap around option available Monday – Thursday from 12:00pm - 3:00pm)

Ages: K4 - 12th grade

850-969-0088 secretary@acalions.org www.acalions.org

Amazing Grace Christian Preschool

6601 North 9th Avenue, 32504

Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 1:00pm (extended hours 8:00am-2:00pm) Ages: PK

850-505-7735 graceprek@bellsouth.net www.gracepensacola.org

Beulah’s Pre-K and Learning Center

1505 West Avery Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:45am - 5:30pm

Ages: 2 years - 12 years

850-435-6943

Big Lagoon Learning Center

5655 Bauer Road, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 1 year - 11 years

850-696-2352 mebranigan@gmail.com

www.biglagoonlearningcenter.com

Blessed Star Montessori Christian School

9151 North Davis Highway, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: PreK - 12th grade

850-476-9208 Blessedstar.mcs@gmail.com

www.blessedstar.com

Brite Start Learning & Child Care

Center, LLC

5000 Mobile Highway (Suite 9), 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 2 years - 12 years

850-457-0096 britestartkids@gmail.com

Camp Fire - Pensacola State College

Child Development Center

1000 College Boulevard (Building 24), 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 1 year - 12 years

850-484-1525 info@cfgulfwind.org www.campfirekidsfl.org

CAP Head Start

Several Locations,

Hours: Hours vary by location

Ages: Ages vary by location. (6 weeks - 5 years)

844-356-8137 capc-pensacola.org/head-start/

Carden Christian Academy

3290 Bauer Road, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:45am - 5:00pm

Ages: PK - 12th grade

850-492-4873 cardenpensacola@gmail.com www.cardenchristianacademy.com

Child Discovery Center of First Presbyterian Church

33 East Gregory Street, 32502

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 5th grade

850-433-2463 www.fpcpensacola.com/childdiscovery-center/

Childcare Network - Bowman (#141)

9441 Bowman Avenue, 32534

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-477-9508 www.childcarenetwork.com

Childcare Network - Creighton (#112)

4079 Creighton Road, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-477-1451 wwww.childcarenetwork.com

Childcare Network - Fairfield (#113)

7525 Fairfield Drive, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-455-4864 wwww.childcarenetwork.com

Childcare NetworkWest Fairfield (#111)

2623 West Michigan Avenue, 32526

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-944-5491 wwww.childcarenetwork.com

Childcare Network - West Michigan (#113)

7525 West Fairfield Drive, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-445-3096 wwww.childcarenetwork.com

Christ Church Mother’s Day Out

18 West Wright Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 4 years

850-436-4631 mdo@christ-church.net

www.christ-church.net

Cokesbury Methodist Children’s Center

5725 North 9th Avenue, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm, VPK

8:30am - 12:30pm Ages: 6 weeks - 4 years

850-476-5847 www.cokesburychurch.com/ childrens-center

Curious Apples Early Learning Center

2716 Highway 87 South, 32566

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:45am - 6:00pm

Ages: 2 years - 5 years, VPK, After School Care

850-936-4663 www.curiousapples.com

Deliverance Tabernacle Child Development Center

1780 West Detroit Boulevard, 32534

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-969-1903 www.dtchilddevelopment.com/

Destiny’s Child Learning Academy

2525 North Tarragona Street, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 1 year - 12 years

850-791-6552 funandlearningchildcare@yahoo.com

Escambia Christian School

3311 West Moreno Street, 32505

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm, extended care available Ages: K3 - 8th grade

850-433-8476 ecs@escambiachristian.org www.escambiachristian.org

First Baptist Church Christian Preschool

500 North Palafox Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Ages: 5 months - PK

850-433-0063 preschool@fbcp.org www.fbcp.org/preschool

Grace Child Development Center 7181 Pine Forest Road, 32526

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: infants - 12 years

850-944-5140 gracecdcenter@gmail.com www.gracechilddevelopmentcenter.net

Greater Little Rock Preschool

901 North A Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-433-9476 www.glrockbc.org/greater_little_ rock_pre_school

Hillcrest Church Mother’s Day OutNine Mile Campus

800 East Nine Mile Road, 32514

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Ages: 1 year - 4 years

850-476-2233 zhestres@hillcrestchurch.com

www.hillcrestchurch.com/ministry/preschool

Holly’s Adventurers Learning Center

4508 Twin Oaks Drive, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: infants - 12 years

850-434-3937

Jacqueline Harris Pre-K

8190 Pensacola Boulevard, 32534

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 2:30pm, VPK

9:00am-12:00pm, Aftercare: 12:00pm-2:30pm, Extended Care: 2:30pm-5:00pm Ages: 2 - 4 years

850-432-2273 www.jhpacademy.org/prekvpk

Jubilee Christian Academy

5910 North “W” Street, 32505

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 2:30pm, VPK

8:00am - 11:15am, Extended Care available

Ages: K2- 8th grade

850-494-2477 info@jcakids.org www.jcakids.org

Kid’s Place Learning Center

9490 Pensacola Boulevard, 32534

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: Infant - PK

850-473-8912 Kidsplacepensacola@gmail.com www.facebook.com/kidsplacelearningcenter

Kinder World 2000 Toni Street, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:45pm, VPK

Monday - Thursday 8:00am - 12:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 11 years

850-477-7080 kw@world.gccoxmail.com www.mykinderworld.com

Knowledge and Fun Learning Center

596 North Fairfield Drive, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-456-4133

La Petite Academy, Inc.

9601 Pickwood Drive, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm,

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-478-6772 7372@lapetite.com www.lapetite.com

Little Inspirations Learning Academy

9318 Pensacola Boulevard, 32534

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: 2 months - 12 years

850-478-5733 littleinspirationslearning academy.com

Little Red School House

3785 East Olive Road, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 5:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 2 years - 11 years

850-477-2773

Loving Hearts Child Care Center

227 North Old Corry Field Road, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks -12 years

850-453-2342

Methodist Children’s Academy

6 East Wright Street, 32501

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:50pm

Ages: infant - 5th grade

850-438-6761 www.methodistchildrensacademy.com

Ministry Village Early Learning Center

1724 East Olive Road, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Ages: infants - 5 years

850-378-8044 info@ministryvillageelc.org

www.MinistryVillageELC.org

Miss Kathy’s Early Learning Center

2275 East Johnson Avenue, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm, VPK

8:00am - 11:15am Ages: 2 years - 5th grade

850-479-6031 pksherwin@cox.net

www.misskathys.com

Miss Kathy’s Pre K and Discovery Center

8721 Chemstrand Road, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm, VPK

8:00am - 11:15am Ages: 6 weeks - 5th grade

850-476-8320 pksherwin@cox.net www.misskathys.com

MY Little Explorers Learning Academy

2406 Langley Avenue, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-432-4100

Myrtle Grove Baptist Preschool

Learning Center

5920 Lillian Highway, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:30pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years

850-455-3352 plcadmin@mgbc.church www.facebook.com/myrtlegrovebaptistplc

Northeast YMCA at the Vickrey Center

2130 Summit Boulevard, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday afterschool care - 6:00pm

Ages: 5 years -12 years

850-478-1222 www.ymcanwfl.org

Olive Baptist

1836 East Olive Road, 32514

Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am1:30pm Ages: 1 year - 4 years

850-476-1932 info@olivebaptist.org www.olivebaptist.org/kdo

Our Time at Capstone Academy

4901 West Fairfield Drive, 32506

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: Infants - 5 years: VPK & School Readiness

850-458-7735 ailano@capstoneacademy.org www.capstoneacademy.org

Pentecostal Temple Learning Academy

6550 North Palafox, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm

Ages: 2 years - 12 years

850-378-8390 ptlearningacademy@gmail.com

Redeemer Lutheran School

333 Commerce Street, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday Ages: VPK - 8th grade 850-455-0330 www.redeemerschool pensacola.org

Redwood Blue Angels

10271 Sorrento Road, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm, VPK

8:00am - 11:30am or 12:00pm Ages: 1 - 5 years

850-456-9501

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

1603 North 12th Avenue, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 3:30pm

Ages: PreK - 8th

850-436-6440 admissions@shcs.ptdiocese.org www.shcs.ptdiocese.org

Scenic Preschool Daycare and Learning Center, Inc.

945 Scenic Highway, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:15pm

Ages: 2 year - 12 years

850-438-2692 scenicpreschool@bellsouth.net

Scholars Academy, Inc.

2610 West Michigan Avenue, 32526

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm, VPK

8:00am -12:00pm Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-944-5580

St. James Early Learning Center

219 East Johnson Avenue, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 5:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 12 years

850-549-4771

St. John the Evangelist Catholic School

325 South Navy Boulevard, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:45am - 3:00pm

Ages: PreK3 - 8th grade

850-456-5218 www.stjohnschoolpensacola.com/

St. Luke UMC Preschool

1394 East Nine Mile Road, 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 1:00pm, extended care 8:00am-9:00am, 1:00pm-2:00pm

available Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years

850-477-9299 Preschooldirector@stluke-umc.org

www.stluke-umc.org/preschool

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool

4600 North 9th Avenue, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 2:00pm

Ages: 1 year - 5 years

850-438-3805 www.stpaulpensacola.church/ preschool.html

Treehouse Learning Center

3912 Barrancas Avenue, 32507

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00am - 6:00pm, VPK 8:30am - 11:30am Ages: 1 year - 12 years

850-453-4598

Trinity Learning Center

3400 Bayou Boulevard, 32503

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm, half day option 8:30am-12:30pm

Ages: infant - 4 years

850-435-7829 info@trinitypcola.org

www.trinitypcola.org/about/trinity-learning-center/

UWF Educational Research Center for Child Development

11000 University Parkway (Building 99), 32514

Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: 6 months - 5 years

850-474-2195 www.uwf.edu/childdev

Hillcrest Church DaycareSpanish Trail Campus

3960 Spanish Trail Road, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks - 5 years

850-434-6612 www.hillcrestchurch.com/ministry/ preschool

Potential Preschool Academy

3351 Creighton Road, 32504

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am - 5:30pm

Ages: K2 - 5th Grade

954-434-1550 admissions@ilovepca.com

www.ilovepca.com/pensacola

Should We Wait to Buy a House?

Q. Is it even worth it to buy a house these days? I’ve always been told buying a house is the adult thing to do and that it’s a great investment, but I can’t find anything decent and livable in my area for less than $350,000. My wife and I are debt-free, and we’re expecting our first baby in January. I was hoping to get your advice.

A. I can understand how things might feel a little hopeless in your current situation. You’re probably feeling the weight of the responsibility a new life brings to the picture. Things are getting real really fast, aren’t they? Believe me, I get it.

The truth is you may not be ready to buy a house today. And that’s okay. Having a new baby on the horizon doesn’t mean you have to run out and buy a home. That little boy or girl isn’t going to

know the difference between a house and an apartment for a long time. Right now, giving your child a safe, loving environment is the most important thing.

a home for another two or three years? Home buying should always be done with patience and wisdom.

There are two or three things that make buying a home a great long-term investment versus renting your whole life:

1) Rents go up every year. If you lock in a good, fixed-rate mortgage, that payment will stay the same.

2) The value of your home will increase. When you rent, you don’t own your residence, and you won’t benefit from the value of it going up.

Now, looking down the road, is owning a house worth it? Yes. But it’s not worth doing it at the wrong time or in a stupid way. You first need to make sure the income is there. Then, you need an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses in place along with a strong down payment. So, what if you don’t buy

3) Our study of 10,000 millionaires showed that most say two things were integral parts of their ability to build wealth: Good retirement investments and a paid-off home.

A house is a great wealth-building tool, and it can also stabilize the biggest line item in your budget—housing.

We have a Podcast!

Listen and learn about the resources that support you and the education of your children — four-year FREE college scholarship, career training, mentoring, Parent University and more. Hear about stories of student, parent and teacher impact in Escambia County as well as how to add your voice.

Do your kids complain about being stressed?

How do you help them cope with it?

Experts agree on the following points:

Listen to Them: What’s Going On? How Are They Feeling?

It’s important to sit your kids down and ask them what’s happening and how they feel. Then, listen calmly and nonjudgmentally to what they have to say. “Children learn (and take cues) from the adults around them,” says child psychologist Dr. Lyn O’Grady, “so adults need to be mindful of how they approach stressful situations.” If you overreact to what they are telling you, they most likely will overreact, too. But if you stay calm and collected, you will have a much easier time helping them cope with whatever they are dealing with. As clinical psychologist, Dr. Barbara Greenberg succinctly puts it, “No child wants to talk to a parent who is losing her cool.”

Child psychotherapist Katie Hurley, The Happy Kids Handbook’s author, says that “knowing that you will listen and help them empowers them to work through their stress, instead of stuffing it down and potentially making it worse.” Remember that your kids are not looking for you to solve all of their problems once and for all. Instead, they are looking for you to truly listen to them as a way for them to work through their issues independently. “Sometimes,” says child psychologist Dr. Jamie Howard, “parents avoid having conversations with kids because they’re worried they won’t say the right thing or they won’t know how to answer their questions.” But the truth is that there is no such thing as the one correct answer. Failing to make yourself available to your kids when they need you the most is the only wrong thing.

Reassure Your Kids That They Are Strong and Capable

Listening to your kids is an important first step, but you also need to reassure them that they are strong and capable of coping with whatever stresses them out. Experts agree that you should try to convince your kids that it’s better to confront their stressors head-on than to shy away from them. “If a child faces his or her fears,” says professor of child psychology Dr. Amy Przeworski, “the child will learn that the anxiety reduces naturally over time.”

Dr. Przeworski says it’s also important to cultivate a positive outlook since stressed kids tend to get lost in negative thoughts and self-criticism. She explains,

“They may focus on how the glass is half empty instead of half-full and worry about future events. The more you are able to focus on your child’s positive attributes and the good aspects of a situation, the more that will remind your child to focus on the positives.”

It’s helpful to give your kids some perspective by reminding them of how they dealt with similar situations in the past, which turned out all right. When confronted by a stressful situation, it’s easy for kids and adults to lose perspective and forget the previous times they faced a similar situation and that the outcome was not so bad after all.

Help Your Kids Experiment With Various Coping Techniques

Once your kids are reassured that they can handle stressful situations, try to experiment with various coping techniques. A one-size-fits-all strategy for dealing with stress doesn’t exist, but specific, time-tested techniques have proven effective. One useful coping technique is to have your kids write down what’s causing them to be stressed. It teaches them to articulate what’s bothering them instead of bottling it up and helps them work through the problem and what to do about it. Mrs. Hurley suggests that they write down their stressors “on a piece of paper, read them to you, and then tear them up and throw them away for the night. This helps kids express their worries and let go of them.”

Another coping technique is to aim for balance in your kids’ lives. Instead of insisting they do well at school at all costs, emphasize that to be happy and stress-free, kids also need time for play and physical exercise. Dr. Greenberg suggests that par-

ents sit down with their kids “and come up with a well-balanced schedule that includes all three of these important aspects of life.” When engaged in play or physical exercise, kids have the time to let their minds be free to come up with creative solutions to their sources of stress.

Make Sure Your Kids’ Physical Needs Are Met

Finally, make sure your kids’ physical needs are met. As Dr. Greenberg puts it, “none of us at any age can deal with pressure effectively if we’re exhausted and hungry.” This advice applies to you as much as it does to your kids. You need to be well-rested and satisfied to listen to and support your kids.

A PLACE TO LEARN & GROW

BUILT FOR LEARNING

From our playgrounds to the library and large music suite, PCA is built to encourage growth, exploration, and enjoyment of learning.

Children at PCA learn to stretch their creative abilities, find new things to love, and grow their confidence through music, art, and speech and drama.

50% OFF REGISTRATION on new enrollment for all military personnel!

Tanni Haas is a Professor in the Department of Communication Arts, Sciences & Disorders at the City University of New York – Brooklyn College.

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FamilyCalendar

Wednesday February 1

UWF Chamber Music Concert (Free)

12:00 PM Old Christ Church , 405 S Adams St Pensacola, FL, 32502 The talented pianists from the studios of Dr. Hedi Salanki-Rubardt and Mr. Blake Riley will perform a program including works by Mozart, Schubert, Ginastera, Albeniz, Bartok, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, as well as others. http://ems.uwf.edu/MasterCalendar/EventDetails. aspx?EventDetailId=13196

Thursday February 2

ConnectHER: A Women’s Event

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 1500 Bayshore Dr. Pensacola, FL, 32507 The Inaugural ConnectHER event is for women attendees to connect directly with influential women in all sectors of the Greater Pensacola community. https://business.pensacolachamber.com/

Radio Live ($10)

5:00 PM Museum of Commerce, 201 Zaragoza St Pensacola, FL, 32501 Join us on for music from The Whispering Tree, Ben Bedford, The Sea The Sea https://www.wuwf.org/radiolive

Saturday February 4

Pensacola Double Bridge Run

7:00 AM Maritime Park, Pensacola, FL One of the premier 15K races in the country, the course carries runners over two bridges, across Pensacola Bay and Santa Rosa Sound. It will run from downtown Pensacola with a tour that includes the historic district, and picturesque Bayfront Parkway, a run through Gulf Breeze, and onto Pensacola Beach. The 5K invites both runners and walkers to travel from Gulf Breeze to beautiful Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island and the Gulf Islands Seashore. https://pensacolasports.org/doublebridgerun/

The Bremen Town Musicians

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM, Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave Pensacola, FL, 32504 Set to music of Verdi, Offenbach, and more, The Bremen Town Musicians celebrates the idea that friendship, cooperation, and respect for others is far better than facing problems alone. This interactive, 40-minute production is sung in English and features full sets, costumes, four professional opera singers, and a pianist. There are also opportunities for a few helpful student volunteers—and one brave teacher or adult—to be a part of the action! www.pensacolaopera.com

Milton Mardi Gras Parade

4:00 PM Milton, FL https://www.kreweofairshippirates.com/

Mozart Madness

7:30 PM First United Methodist Church, 6 East Wright Street Pensacola, FL, 32501 This chamber orchestra concert features the composer’s Oboe Concerto with the PSO’s own Matt Fossa as soloist. https://pensacolasymphony.com/product/mozartmadness-2023/

Eddie B.’s Teachers Only Comedy Tour ‘23

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Eddie B.’s Teachers Only Comedy Tour ‘23 https://www.pensacolasaenger.com/events/eddie-b.steachers-only-comedy-tour-23/

Sunday February 5

Free Yoga in the Park

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Bayview Park, 2001 East Lloyd Street Pensacola, FL, 32503 Free one-hour yoga

classes will be held in Bayview Park or Community Maritime Park on the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Classes are open to all ages and levels of experience. Certified instructors from Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center will provide instruction. The class is free, but you will need to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat) and any other accessories you would like to use. www.cityofpensacola.com

Clint Black featuring Lisa Hartman Black with Lily Pearl Black

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 https://www.pensacolasaenger.com/events/clint-blackfeaturing-lisa-hartman-black-with-lily-pearl-black/

PAW-DI GRAS

602 West Lakeview Ave Pensacola, FL, 32501 We are looking forward to getting the Pensacola Community together for a family & furry event as part of Pensacola’s already amazing Mardi Gras line-up! https://www.wolfgangparkandbrews.com/pawdigrasregistration

Tuesday February 7

Coffee with the Artist: Lyn Gentry

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Perdido Key Visitors Center, 15500 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, FL, 32507 Come have coffee with local artist and owner of Hot Sands Glass; Lyn Gentry.

https://business.visitperdido.com/events/calendar

Thursday February 9

Communi-Tee Cup

Every spring, we host our annual Communi-Tee Cup mini golf tournament and fundraiser. The 18-hole event benefits Our Corner’s education programs, including classroom visits and demonstrations materials for the upcoming year.

https://www.ourcornerescambia.org/communi-teecup-event

Friday February 10

Ballet Pensacola Military Appreciation Gala The Center, 400 S. Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502

https://www.balletpensacola.org/performances

Valentine’s Parents Night Out

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Gull Point Resource Center, 7000 Spanish Trail Pensacola, FL, 32504 (850) 494-7360

Saturday February 11

Ballet Pensacola Military Appreciation Gala

The Center, 400 S. Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502 https://www.balletpensacola.org/performances

Pure Imagination Chocolatier Charity Event

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 S I St Pensacola, FL, 32502 www.cityofpensacola.com/

Flora-Bama Super Chili Bowl Cook-Off

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Flora-Bama , 17401 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL, 32507 A Fundraiser for Relay For Life and The American Cancer Society https://www.facebook.com/events/5222745347847840/

Navarre Beach Mardi Gras Parade

1:00 PM Navarre, FL

https://www.navarrechamber.com/events/details/ navarre-beach-mardi-gras-parade-22718

Kids and Kritters Parade

2:00 PM Casino Beach Parking Lot, Pensacola, FL

The twelfth annual Kids and Kritters Parade is set for Saturday, February 19 at 2 p.m. in the Casino Beach parking lot across from Sidelines on Pensacola Beach. https://www.visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-calendar/

The King’s Singers A Cappella Vocal Ensemble

7:00 PM Crowne Centre on the campus of PCC, Presented by Pensacola Christian College. The King’s Singers have represented the gold standard in a cappella singing on the world’s most prominent stages. The British ensemble is renowned for their unrivaled technique, versatility, skill and consummate musicianship. Ages 6 and above may attend.

850-969-1692 www.pcci.edu/Singers

Cirque Spectacular

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Enjoy the magic of orchestral music and the breathtaking skill of cirque-style acrobats and contortionists.

https://pensacolasymphony.com/

Sunday February 12

Ballet Pensacola Military Appreciation Gala The Center, 400 S. Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502 https://www.balletpensacola.org/performances

Monday February 13

Glenn Miller Orchestra

5:30 PM National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd Pensacola, FL, 32508 Join us on for an evening concert with the most popular and sought after big band in the world today. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is considered to be one of the greatest bands of all time.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/glenn-miller-bandtickets-471171866737

Tuesday February 14

Homeschool Field Trips ($10)

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Pensacola Mess Hall, 418 E Wright Street Pensacola, FL, 32501 Your knowledge of math will grow exponentially as you explore doubling through a variety of hands on games and activities. An interactive show will set the stage, and participants will rotate through hands on stations to explore mathematical reasoning. Recommended ages 6+. https://pensacolamesshall.org/

Mania - The Abba Tribute

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Mania - The Abba Tribute https://www.pensacolasaenger.com/events/maniathe-abba-tribute/

Wednesday February 15

Table Talks at the Trust

12:00 PM Voices of Pensacola Multicultural, 117 E. Government Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 Join us for a monthly lunch and learn series! Program is free--just bring your lunch and enjoy a casual opportunity to learn about a variety of topics. February 15, 2023: Carter Quina, Architecture and Historic Preservation in Pensacola. historicpensacola.org/plan-your-visit/calendar-of-events

Friday February 17

Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade

7:30 PM Palafox St, Pensacola, FL www.visitpensacola.com

FamilyCalendar

Saturday February 18

Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade

2:00 PM Palafox St, Pensacola, FL www.visitpensacola.com

Sunday February 19

Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Community Maritime Park , 301 W Main St Pensacola, FL, 32501 The First Annual Pensacola Chocolate and Cheese Fest will be at Community Maritime Park, downtown Pensacola. We will have food trucks and vendors selling Chocolate and Cheese items as well as other vendor and menu items. apexshowsandevents.com/chocolate-and-cheese-fest

Free Pilates in the Park

10:30 AM Community Maritime Park, 301 W Main St Pensacola, FL, 32501 Free one-hour pilates classes will be held in Community Maritime Park on the third Sunday of each month www.cityofpensacola.com

Krewe of Wrecks Mardi Gras Parade

2:00 PM Via de Luna and Avenida 10 to the Gulfside Pavilion, Pensacola, FL The parade rolls at 2 p.m. from Via de Luna and Avenida 10 to the Gulfside Pavilion. The Krewe of Wrecks parade features approximately 50 units, oversized floats with generous riders, marching units and Wrecks royalty.

https://www.visitpensacolabeach.com/whats-happening-calendar/

Tuesday February 21

Brown Bag Opera (Free)

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM, 75 S Tarragona St Pensacola, FL, 32502 Take a lunch break with the opera, and pair your sandwich with an aria! Grab a sack lunch—or just yourself—and join us downtown for Brown Bag Opera, a free, monthly performance featuring our Jan Miller Studio Artists. www.pensacolaopera.com

Wednesday February 22

Pensacola Sports Annual Awards Banquet

6:00 PM Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 S I St Pensacola, FL, 32502 The Pensacola Sports Annual Awards Banquet is one of Pensacola Sports’ most high-profile events in the community. Each year we honor the finest athletes our area has to offer.

https://pensacolasports.org/annualawards/

Thursday February 23

Planetarium Special Feature: Stars & Stories of Africa ($8-12)

6:00 PM Emerald Coast Science Center, 31 Memorial Parkway SW Ft Walton Beach , FL, 32548 Celebrate Black History Month with a special planetarium event! We’ll travel the cosmos to learn more about the ancient Kush people, exactly what the Kenyan Borana Star Calendar was, and identify the Swahili names for the planets. You’ll get to hear African folklore stories and even discover how enslaved African Americans were able to follow the stars to freedom in the north.

(850) 664-1261 http://ecscience.org/events

Friday February 24

Pensacon

Various locations, Pensacola, FL Pensacon is the Gulf Coast’s premier pop culture convention celebrating the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books, cosplay, animation, video games, books and much, much more. The three-day event draws tens of thousands to downtown Pensacola and takes place across multiple venues including the Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola Cultural Center, Rex Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Commerce and the De Luna Event Space.

https://pensacon.com/

Cardiovascular Symposium

7:45 AM Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 South I Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 This day-long educational event includes speakers and experts from Baptist Heart & Vascular Institute as well as other top health care professionals in the industry.

https://www.ebaptisthealthcare.org/heart/symposium

Saturday February 25

The Bremen Town Musicians

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM, Bellview Branch Library, 6425 Mobile Hwy Pensacola, FL, 32526 Set to music of Verdi, Offenbach, and more, The Bremen Town Musicians celebrates the idea that friendship, cooperation, and respect for others is far better than facing problems alone. This interactive, 40-minute production is sung in English and features full sets, costumes, four professional opera singers, and a pianist. There are also opportunities for a few helpful student volunteers—and one brave teacher or adult—to be a part of the action!

www.pensacolaopera.com

FamilyCalendar

Verdi Requiem Dress Rehearsal ($5)

1:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Join us for a working dress rehearsal of Verdi’s Requiem. https://pensacolasymphony.com/

50th Anniversary Celebration of the Navarre Chamber

6:00 PM St Sylvester Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway Navarre, FL We would be honored for you to make plans to join us on Saturday, February 25, 2023 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce. https://www.navarrechamber.com/events/ details/50th-anniversary-celebration-of-the-navarrechamber-23188

Verdi Requiem

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 With soaring moments of joy and dramatic fanfare, Verdi’s Requiem is one of the most treasured choral works of all time. In a special artistic collaboration, the orchestra will join forces with four celebrated soloists and more than 120 voices from The Hattiesburg Choral Union for Verdi’s Requiem Mass, a monumental masterpiece of joy, hope, and passion. https://pensacolasymphony.com/

I Pink I Can Run Race

17401 Perdido Key Dr Pensacola, FL, 32507 All proceeds from this event benefit The Keeping Abreast Foundations’ mammography and breast health programs.

https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Pensacola/IPinkICanRun

Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival Community Maritime Park, 301 W Main St Pensacola, FL, 32501 This event features a diverse mix of food trucks featuring their signature dishes, live entertainment, a Food Truck Tasting Competition, and more! All ticket proceeds from this event directly benefits Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and the families and individuals they serve in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

https://pensacolahabitatfoodtruckfest.org/

Pensacon

Various locations, Pensacola, FL Pensacon is the Gulf Coast’s premier pop culture convention celebrating the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books, cosplay, animation, video games, books and much, much more. The three-day event draws tens of thousands to downtown Pensacola and takes place across multiple venues including the Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola Cultural Center, Rex Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Commerce and the De Luna Event Space.

https://pensacon.com/

Sunday February 26

Pensacola Habitat Food Truck Festival Community Maritime Park, 301 W Main St Pensacola, FL, 32501

This event features a diverse mix of food trucks featuring their signature dishes, live entertainment, a Food Truck Tasting Competition, and more! All ticket proceeds from this event directly benefits Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and the families and individuals they serve in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

https://pensacolahabitatfoodtruckfest.org/

Pensacon

Various locations, Pensacola, FL Pensacon is the Gulf Coast’s premier pop culture convention celebrating the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, horror, comic books,

cosplay, animation, video games, books and much, much more. The three-day event draws tens of thousands to downtown Pensacola and takes place across multiple venues including the Pensacola Bay Center, Pensacola Cultural Center, Rex Theatre, Pensacola Museum of Commerce and the De Luna Event Space. https://pensacon.com/

Monday February 27

Music Hall Artist Series

7:30 PM Rolfs Music Hall at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, 82 Service Rd Pensacola, FL, 32514 The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music will present our Music Hall Artist Series with School of Music Dr. Hedi Salanki-Rubardt and Scott Kluksdahl, cellist CD Release on Monday, February 27 at 7:30 p.m. https://ems.uwf.edu/

Tuesday February 28

Perdido Key Area Chamber Brown Bag Lunch Series

12:00 PM Perdido Key Area Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 15500 Perdido Key Drive Pensacola, FL, 32507 Pack a lunch and join Chamber members and staff for a FREE training for Chamber Members, $5 for Non-Members. Each month will feature a different seminar designed to help your business be more successful!

https://business.visitperdido.com/events/calendar

Saturday March 4

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Santa Rosa Fairgrounds, Milton, FL, 32583 Come see Jousting Knights from History Channels Full Metal Jousting! Swordfighters, Jesters, Jugglers, Firebreathers, Musical Minstrels, Gypsy and Exotic Belly Dancers, Falconry, Magic, Pirates, Conquistadors, Wild West Gunslingers from Six Gun Territory, Al Capones Roaring 20s Gangsters, Swing Dancing, Joe Occhipinti’s Swing Band, Civil War demos, petting zoo, food, drink, games, rides and much much more fun.

http://gcrf.us/

Pensacola Childrens Chorus presents One World, Many Voices

3:30 PM First Baptist Church , 500 N. Palafox St. Pensacola, FL, 32501 Pensacola Childrens Chorus presents One World, Many Voices https://www.pensacolasings.org/

Sunday March 5

Free Yoga in the Park

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM, Bayview Park, 2001 East Lloyd Street Pensacola, FL, 32503 Free one-hour yoga classes will be held in Bayview Park or Community Maritime Park on the first Sunday of each month at 9:30 a.m. Classes are open to all ages and levels of experience. Certified instructors from Breathe Yoga and Wellness Center will provide instruction. The class is free, but you will need to BYOM (Bring Your Own Mat) and any other accessories you would like to use. www.cityofpensacola.com

Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire and Pirate Festival

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Santa Rosa Fairgrounds, Milton, FL, 32583 Come see Jousting Knights from History Channels Full Metal Jousting! Swordfighters, Jesters, Jugglers, Firebreathers, Musical Minstrels, Gypsy and Exotic Belly Dancers, Falconry, Magic, Pirates, Conquistadors, Wild West Gunslingers from Six Gun Territory, Al Capones Roaring 20s Gangsters, Swing

Dancing, Joe Occhipinti’s Swing Band, Civil War demos, petting zoo, food, drink, games, rides and much much more fun

http://gcrf.us/

Tuesday March 7

Coffee with the Artist: Lyn Gentry

1:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Perdido Key Visitors Center, 15500 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, FL, 32507 Come have coffee with local artist and owner of Hot Sands Glass; Lyn Gentry.

https://business.visitperdido.com/events/calendar

On Your Feet - The Story of Gloria Estefan

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 This is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage, and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

www.pensacolasaenger.com/

Wednesday March 8

Women Mean Business Leadership Day Luncheon

11:30 AM Grand Lagoon Yacht Club, 10653 Gulf Beach Hwy Pensacola, FL, 32507 The first annual Women’s Leadership Day is an opportunity for emerging female leaders to network with established leaders; established leaders will identify, support, and mentor emerging leaders. Attendees will build bridges across professional sectors and generations.

https://business.visitperdido.com/events/calendar

On Your Feet - The Story of Gloria Estefan

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 This is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage, and two people who believed in their talent—and each other—to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan.

www.pensacolasaenger.com/

Thursday March 9

Homeschool Field Trips ($10)

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, Pensacola Mess Hall, 418 E Wright Street Pensacola, FL, 32501 Explore our solar system and beyond! Investigate how scientists study our universe and the new discoveries they are making about exoplanets and more.

https://pensacolamesshall.org/

Song and Poetry

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Old Christ Church, 405 S Adams St Pensacola, FL, 32502 The Experience UWF Downtown Lecture Series, in partnership with UWF’s Music Hall Artist Series, presents ‘A Stór Mo Chroí, O’ Love of my Heart,’ an evening of Irish song and poetry with Irish brothers Mícheál & Owen Ó Súilleabháin

www.visitpensacola.com/

Friday March 10

Get The Led Out

8:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Get The Led Out is a group of professional musicians who are passionate about their love of the music of Led Zeppelin. It’s been their mission to bring the studio recordings of “The Mighty Zep” to life on the big concert stage.

www.pensacolasaenger.com/

Friday March 17

Pensacola Opera presents Carousel

7:30 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Closing our 40th Anniversary Season, this musical of operatic proportions comes to Pensacola in a visually stunning production from Virginia Opera and set designer Erhard Rom. Richard Rodgers’s timeless score is full of favorite tunes, including If I Loved You,

FamilyCalendar

June is Bustin’ Out All Over, and You’ll Never Walk Alone. Carousel will be helmed by newly appointed Music Director Cody Martin, leading members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and Pensacola Opera Chorus. https://pensacolaopera.com/

Pensacola Little Theatre’s The Addams Family

7:30 PM Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 Pensacola Little Theatre presents The Addams Family https://www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/

Saturday March 18

Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Fun Run/Walk and Pet Parade Festival Navarre Beach

8:00 AM Navarre Beach Multi-use path, Navarre, FL, 32566 The Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is excited the present the Shamrocks & Shenanigans 5K Fun Run/Walk and Pet Parade Festival. https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Navarre/ShamrockStroll

Pensacola Humane Society Fur Ball

5:30 PM Pensacola Yacht Club, 1897 Cypress St Pensacola, FL, 32502 80th Anniversary Gala-Seated dinner, Puppy Parade, Yappy Hour, Raise Your Paw auction. pensacolahumane.org

Bayou Hills Run

7:00 AM Bayview Park, 2001 E. Lloyd St. Pensacola, FL, 32503 The Bayou Hills Run is one of Pensacola’s oldest running events and is partnered with the City

of Pensacola to make it the Official Pensacola 5K and 10K City of Pensacola Championships. https://pensacolasports.org/bayouhillsrun/

Pensacola Little Theatre presents The Addams Family

7:30 PM Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 Pensacola Little Theatre presents The Addams Family www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/

Flora-Bama’s Beach Run-Walk

Flora-Bama, 17401 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, FL, 32507 Flora-Bama’s 9th Annual Beach Run/Walk for America’s Warriors will be the best run of the year. https://www.florabama.com/beach-run

Sunday March 19

Pensacola Opera presents Carousel

2:00 PM Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Pl Pensacola, FL, 32502 Closing our 40th Anniversary Season, this musical of operatic proportions comes to Pensacola in a visually stunning production from Virginia Opera and set designer Erhard Rom. Richard Rodgers’s timeless score is full of favorite tunes, including If I Loved You, June is Bustin’ Out All Over, and You’ll Never Walk Alone. Carousel will be helmed by newly appointed Music Director Cody Martin, leading members of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and Pensacola Opera Chorus. https://pensacolaopera.com/

Pensacola Little Theatre presents The Addams Family

2:30 PM Pensacola Little Theatre, 400 South Jefferson Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/

Through February 23

Empowering Expression: Giving Dimension to Disabled Voices

Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 South Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502 The Arc Gateway is proud to partner with the Pensacola Museum of Art to present a collection of artwork created by the agency’s program participants, all of whom are individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This exhibit aims to highlight the many talents and abilities our clients possess, thereby challenging the flat, one-dimensional depiction of those with disabilities as being defined primarily by limitations. Instead, through the display of their original pieces, we want to help shape the perspective about those we serve, and provide a clearer picture of who they are as creative, productive and contributing members of our larger, diverse community. www.pensacolamuseum.org

Every Tuesday

Story Sprouts @Ever’man Co-op (Free)

10:00 AM Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe, 315 W Garden St Pensacola, FL, 32502 Children ages 3-5 are invited to do arts & crafts, make a snack and have story time.

www.everman.org

Every third Thursday

What’s Cooking with Baptist

12:00 PM Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe, 315 W Garden St Pensacola, FL, 32502 What’s Cooking

NOW ENROLLING FOUNDING FAMILIES!

Kids ages 5-14 yrs

CODE NINJAS CREATE Limited Spots

CODE

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NINJAS PENSACOLA

FamilyCalendar

with Baptist will be held every third Thursday. www.everman.org

Every other Friday

Art Academy for Autism - Ages 16+

4:00 PM Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 South Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502 Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Ages 16+ -Alternating Fridays from 4:00 p.m.5:30 p.m. www.pensacolamuseum.org

Every third Fridays

Gallery Night

5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Downtown Pensacola, Pensacola, FL, 32502 Gallery Night is an all-ages community arts and culture event which happens on the third Friday of each month from 5-9 p.m. www.gallerynightpensacola.org

Every Saturday

Palafox Market

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 100 N Palafox Street Pensacola, FL, 32502 Shop for farm-fresh produce, plants, baked goods and more at the event that’s consistently voted “Best Farmers Market” and “Best Free Thing to Do.” www.palafoxmarket.com

Children’s Storytime in the Lighthouse

11:00 AM Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe, 110 E. Intendencia St. Pensacola, FL, 32502 Join us every Saturday at 11 AM for our Children’s Storytime in the Lighthouse at Bodacious Bookstore & Cafe. We look

forward to reading some lovely stories with you and your little ones. www.bodaciousbookstore.com/cafe/

Every first Saturday

Body, Mind, Spirit Market

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Ever’man Cooperative Grocery & Cafe, 315 W Garden St Pensacola, FL, 32502 Local vendors, artisans, holistic practitioners, speakers, children’s activities and more.This is an inside and outside event for the entire family www.everman.org

Every first and third Saturday

Hwy 87 Market

9:00 AM - 2:00 PM, Sand Dollar Plaza, 1900 Hwy 87 Navarre, FL, 32566 Enjoy a wide variety of booths, offering food items, art, decor, and so much more. 850-368-9500 www.facebook.com/sanddollarsaturdays

Every other Saturday

Art Academy for Autism

1:30 PM Pensacola Museum of Art, 407 South Jefferson St Pensacola, FL, 32502 Art Academy for Autism is an arts education initiative designed for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Ages 5-9-Alternating Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ages 10-15-Alternating Saturdays from 1:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. www.pensacolamuseum.org

Last Saturday of the month

Trash-Bash

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM, Sand Crab Pavilion, Navarre, FL, 32566 The Trash-Bash is a citizen-science program

for community members of all ages held the last Saturday of every month from 8:00-10:00 am. Sign in at the Sand Crab Pavilion (look for the “Giving Sea Turtles More Tomorrows” banner). There will be a limited supply of gloves, buckets and pickers-you are welcome to bring your own!

www.navarrebeachseaturtles.org

Every Sunday

Sunday Market on Palafox

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM, N Palafox St between Chase and Gregory Streets Pensacola, FL, 32502 Outdoor & Fresh Air Shopping. Local artists, crafters, makers, cottage bakers and farmers in Downtown Pensacola. www.facebook.com/palafoxmarkets

Various Dates

Ice Flyers

7:05 PM 201 E. Gregory St. Pensacola, FL, 32501 Visit our website for more information. www.iceflyers.com

Please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still accurate and up to date.

Please send your calendar events to lynn@greater pensacolaparents.com.

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

Dog Gone

Women Talking

Drifting at the end of college, Fielding impulsively deicdes to adopt a puppy , who he names Gonker. Fielding’s parents are initially taken aback by the rambunctious dog, but eventually succumb to his charm. When Fielding goes missing panic results. The beloved dog suffers from Addison’s disease and if he doesn’t get his next scheduled injection in three weeks, he will die. Earnest and sweet, this movie deliv ers plenty of messages about love and cooperation mixed in with photogenic pooches. The actors are thankfully better than the mediocre s cript and the dogs are the best of all. Photo ©Netflix

The women of a remote Mennonite colony have been drugged and raped and now their abusers are in temporaily in prison – but religious leaders are bailing them out and ordering the women to forgive them or be banished. A group of women are appointed to make a different decision: leave by their own choice or remain and fight. Despite the harrowing topic, this film lacks graphic violence. It’s still disturbing but it also contains inspiring and thought-provoking discussions about faith, hope, forgiveness, support, friendship, courage, and self -respect Photo ©United Artists

Unwanted by her parents, Matilda is sent off to school where the fearsome headmistress, Ms. Trunchbull , does her best to make her as miserable as possible. Luckily, Matilda’s brilliant young mind has been fortified by years of reading and she also benefits from the support of her new teacher, Ms. Honey. This adaptation of the classic novel enjoys a stellar cast with remarkable child actors and a distinctive soundtrack. There are moments of peril and cruelty that will be too much for some youngsters but fans of the book will likely enjoy it. Photo ©Netflix

A Man Called

His wife’s death has left him achingly lonely, so Otto Anderson methodically plans his own suicide – but every time he tries to kill himself one of his neighbors needs his help. Suicide attempts on the big screen will deter some viewers but this movie’s themes focus on love, kindness, neighborliness, and emotional resilience. It’s a heartwarming, inspiring story that showcases Tom Hanks at his best and he’s well matched by the other appealing characters in the story. Photo ©Sony Pictures

Entertainment Motion Picture Group

Desperate to help her orphaned niece recover from the loss of her parents, toy designer Gemma completes work on M3GAN, an android designed to befriend and protect her owner. What she doesn’t expect – but audiences will – is that M3GAN will develop ideas of her own, some of which are homicidal . The “rogue robot” story is familiar but here it’s told with wit and polish. There’s some blood and gore but far less than normal for a horror flick, making it suitable for teens who want to test out the genre. Photo ©Universal Pictures

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical Netflix

Otto