Using a lead-safe certified renovation contractor is the law. Home repairs that create even a small amount of lead dust are enough to poison your child and put your family at risk. Make sure you renovate right with a contractor that is Lead-Safe Certified.
For more information, visit alabamapublichealth.gov/lead or call 1-800-819-7544
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A Complete Education The diverse and creative achievements that Saint James students earn and
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Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Volume 24 Number 4
Columns
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8 Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LMSW
12 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Professional Pediatrics
Parenting Tips for Ages 0 to 5
Choosing a Daycare
Begin early and do your research to find the perfect child care fit for your family.
Useful tips for parenting challenges.
16 Montgomery Education Matters by Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Interim Superintendent
48 Pike Road Education Matters by Superintendent Charles Ledbetter, Ed.D.
54 Autauga Education Matters
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by Superintendent Spence Agee
58 Elmore Education Matters by Superintendent Richard Dennis
66 A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith
GUIDE
68 The College Years by Lee Gonet
2019 Child Care Guide Our comprehensive listing of daycares, preschools, and MMO programs.
Getting Your Kids to Play Outside
It’s on of the best things you can do for them.
70 Parenting, Media & Everything in Between Common Sense Media
76 Get This! Gerry Paige Smith
On The Cover Madison Grace Marshall and Charles Bryant Michael are both two and a half years old and students at Lakeview Child Development Ministry. Madison’s parents are Matthew and Sarah Marshall. Bryant is the son of Chad and Lacey Michael. Lakeview Child Development Ministry is located at 9225 Atlanta Highway in Montgomery.
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Departments 14 Teacher of the Month 18 School Bits 94 Calendar/Support Groups 104 Mom to Mom
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Editor’sNote Our patio furniture is covered in thick, yellow dust and the mosquitoes are out...but I couldn’t be happier! After a wet and gloomy winter, spring has never felt more welcoming. The longer days afford us more outside time with the family, the warm sunshine is brightening our moods and we can all smile as we see our children drawn to the outdoors. When I was growing up, indoor activity was pretty limited. Sure, we had our toys, but we didn’t have cable channels feeding us our very own shows 24/7, much less streaming videos from YouTube or Netflix. Our gaming system was pretty basic and no one really wanted to spend a whole day playing Atari. So outside we went! We rode bikes all over our neighborhoods, played front yard football, found ditches to explore and waved down the ice cream man every chance we got! Well, I’m not telling you anything you don’t know when I say, things are quite different today. It takes some serious effort to make sure our kids get outside to play when their indoor options are so appealing. But the effort is worth it! My heart has been full this past month watching our eight-year-old run around outside with friends after school. She takes her baby dolls on walks in their strollers, rides her bike, and cartwheels through the yard almost every day...and she even flagged down the ice cream man last week. While eating her treat on the porch she said, “I can’t believe I just got ice cream from my very first ice cream truck!” You gotta love that! If prying your kids off the couch is a challenge, be sure to read Sandi Schwartz’s advice in Getting Your Kids to Play Outdoors. She discusses how nature is a natural stress reliever, plus creative ideas for moving our children outside more often! With the end of the school year approaching, many parents are thinking about summer and fall care for their kids. Our April Child Care Issue is here to assist you. First, be sure to read Jan Pierce’s article, Choosing a Daycare That Works for You and Your Child. Then flip over to our Child Care Directory, which is sorted by zip code and gives you information needed to start searching for that right fit. Whether you are looking for half or full day care, or you simply need summer or after school care, we’ve got you covered! Also for those of you parenting the younger crew, Kimberly Blaker shares a helpful article, 10 Parenting Tips for Ages 0 to 5. She covers challenges most parents deal with on a daily basis, like potty training, bath time, sleep and temper tantrums, and offers great advice for moving through these stages. We’d like to say a big thank you to our sponsors, vendors and all of you who attended our first Healthy Kids Expo last month. Parents received great information for supporting the health of their families, while their kids had a blast in our fun zone area. It was a pleasure to meet so many of you who are and have been loyal readers of Montgomery Parents for many years. We hope you enjoy this month’s issue and Happy Easter!
Montgomery Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community. Montgomery Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.
Founder Marty Watson (1950-2006) Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@montgomeryparents.com
Associate Editor Alison Rouse Research Editor Wendy McCollum Contributing Writers Spence Agee Kimberly Blaker Richard Dennis David Drennan, MD Mark Gregston Robert Kennedy Dr. Charles Ledbetter Sonia Martin, LMSW Dr. Ann Roy Moore Jan Pierce Sandi Schwartz Gerry Paige Smith
Cover Photography Judy Barranco www.judybarrancophotography.com
Publisher Jason Watson jason@montgomeryparents.com
Associate Publisher Gena Hill Digital Manager Scott Davis Advertising Opportunities (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 ads@montgomeryparents.com
Ad Design Tim Welch Distribution Manager Charles Silliman
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The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source
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Montgomery Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. Montgomery Parents is copyrighted 2018 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in Montgomery Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.
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TherapeuticParenting
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by Sonia Martin, LMSW
Childish vs. Defiant Behaviors spray-painted smiley face along the path Frustrated? Aggravated? Feeling from the car to my home. defeated in this thing we call parenting? As I opened the door to my home brimAllow me take you way, way, way back ming with boys, still stunned - I managed to the year1990 and the words of Vanilla to mutter that someone had spray painted Ice – Stop, Collaborate and Listen. Stop – the carport. Without missing a beat one of take a beat, take a minute and use some my twin sons excitedly said, “I discernment to understand know! Isn’t it great! Now everyif the behavior in front of you day when you come home you is A.) A childish behavior. or have a smile waiting for you!” B.) A defiant behavior. This “Wait….wha? You did that?” I is such a fundamental step said hesitantly. “Yep!” he said, that we keep hurdling past at full of pride. breakneck speed in the name Ummmmm. Ok. I am clearly of immediately implementing winning at parenting. After all, some type of consequence as they were growing up, I fully or punishment, in an effort to covered the whole, “Don’t get correct our children. We have into a car with a stranger even if to first stop and understand they offer you a puppy or candy, what is in front of us, and The actual smiley face don’t cross the street without that should then guide our looking, and always open the door for a response. lady and offer her your seat,” but clearly I I had the…ahem… “privilege” of expeFORGOT TO MENTION NOT TO SPRAY riencing a moment that perfectly illustrates PAINT HAPPY FACES ON CONCRETE. this concept just last week. As I was pulling My point in telling you that story is to into my driveway after a long day’s work, I ask you this – Childish behavior or Defiant was both stunned and horrified to discover behavior? Which would you say it was? Is that someone had spray painted a smiley he old enough to know not to do that? Theoface at the entrance to my carport. Furtherretically. But where was his heart? What was more, as I exited my vehicle, still very much his intent? Was that action based out of a in a state of disbelief, I noticed yet another
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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“Forget you, I am going to tag your property” type attitude? No. His heart was for me. His heart was to bring me joy. His intent was to put a smile on my face everyday when I arrived home. So that’s where I begin. I shook my head, gave him a hug, thanked him for the sentiment. Then, in the words of Mr. Ice, we collaborated and listened…to some You Tube videos about how to remove spray paint. He learned. I loved. And our relationship remained connected. Had his heart been oriented toward defiance or overt disrespect, I likely would have then implemented a more punitive approach, but I took that second to assess the intent and that makes all the difference. So thanks Ice, Ice, Baby. We owe you one. Here’s a smiley face for you.
Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior, and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to help mitigate negative behaviors. She travels the state speaking at various conferences on behavior and parenting and is a therapist for Kids To Love Foundation. Sonia is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of whom were internationally adopted, and is also a foster parent.
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WE’RE HERE WHEN LIFE HAPPENS.
CARDIOLOGY CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
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EAR, NOSE & THROAT ENDOCRINOLOGY FAMILY MEDICINE GASTROENTEROLOGY GENERAL SURGERY INFECTIOUS DISEASE INTERNAL MEDICINE NEUROLOGY
OB/GYN UROLOGY VASCULAR SURGERY
DONE WITH DIAPERS? THINK AGAIN. Though Karen and Jeremy didn’t exactly expect to be expecting, they’re overjoyed to become parents again. The one thing that’s making life easier right now: having Karen’s doctor nearby at The Jackson Clinic, the area’s largest multispecialty clinic. With easy parking, great hours and lab work right on the premises, Karen will get the convenient care she needs before and after the arrival of her twins. Yes, twins.
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Autism Awareness Month Arts for Autism April 2 * 2-4:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts April is Autism Awareness Month and the Museum is offering this free event designed to honor those on the spectrum and their families. Fun activities throughout the Museum include make-and-take art projects and “ask me” docents in the galleries. For more info, visit https://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 625-4333.
YMCA Strides for Kids 5K Dash & Fun Run
Apr 13 * 8:30 a.m. 5K 9:45 a.m. Fun Run Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex, 300 Brown Springs Road, Montgomery All 5K participants will receive a dri-fit shirt. Walk-in/late registrations are welcome (but not guaranteed a shirt on race day). There will also be a 1-Mile Fun Run (no T-shirts provided with the Fun Run). Event will be held rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the Annual Support Campaign. Open to everyone from ages 6 to 80. Costs $30 for 5K; $15 for Fun Run. Contact Manny at msanchez@ymcamontgomery.org or (334) 396-9754. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Art of Baking Puppet Show
Montgomery Herb Society 22nd Annual Herb Day 8 a.m.-3 p.m. * Saturday, April 13 Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy, Grace Presbyterian Church property. Free public educational event for the family, including lectures/ demonstrations featuring experts on identifying, growing, and using herbs. Live music, children’s activities, and shopping in an open-air market. A variety of vendors will sell garden-related wares, including a huge selection of herbs and other plants, crafts, herbal teas, goat cheese and yard art. For more info, visit www.alabamaherbsociety. org or find us on Facebook.
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Crawfish Boil April 6 * Noon-5 p.m. Dreamland BBQ $35 tickets available for purchase through Serquest and at Easter Seals Central Alabama. 4,000 pounds of all-you-can-eat crawfish and sides, cold beverages, live music fea-turing local bands and more. Raffle prizes, crawfish souvenirs and fun! Proceeds support the autism services provided at Easter Seals Central Alabama. For more info, call (334) 3873256 or e-mail info@eastersealsca.org. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Autism Awareness Day April 28 * 2:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium We’ve partnered with Easter Seals of Central Alabama to form a day inclusive for fans who may not be able to attend regular Biscuits games! We will scale back the audio and visual elements for this game to create an atmosphere safe and comfortable for everyone. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483.
April 9-10 * 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. shows The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts presents this program for children ages 3-6. A bakery is run by colorful animals from different parts of the world. The characters demonstrate how everyone works together to turn the bakery’s yummy treats into art using color, shape and line. Open to the public; however, reservations are required. Call Jill at (334) 625-4359 or e-mail tours@mmfa.org.
April 26 * 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The show begins with the multi-platinumselling album performed note-for-note, sound-for-sound, followed by a full set of Journey’s greatest hits. Tickets begin at $25. For more info, visit www.mpaconline.org/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Capri Theatre Presents Napoleon Dynamite
April 18 * 7:30 p.m. Napoleon doesn’t have much going for him. He’s 16, awkward, bullied and his grandmother broke her coccyx. Deb and Pedro, who are also misfits, become Napoleon’s friends, and Pedro decides to run for class president, pitting him against one of the most popular people in school. He and Napoleon campaign, but are not, shall we say, politically gifted. But at least Napoleon can dance! For more info, visit www. capritheatre.org or call (334) 262-4858. 10
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Hampstead Food Truck Takeover
April 14 * Noon-3 p.m. 5272 Hampstead High Street Enjoy local food, great drinks, parks and play space, and a walkable neighborhood on these Sunday Fundays! Trucks may include Little Donkey, Wharf Casual Seafood Montgomery, Smokin’ Wells BBQ, Sno Ta Go, Taqueria El Campesino, Fire Meats Wood LLC, Frios Gourmet Pops - River Region, That’s My Dog Montgomery, Alabama Sweet Tea Co., Cheesecake Empori-Yum, and Dynamite Dogs. Live music. Great for all ages. For more info, call (334) 270-6730 or find us on Facebook.
Prattville Pops Host Spring Event with Chorus
April 11 * 6:30 p.m. dinner; 7 p.m. concert * Doster Center Prattville Community Chorus joins the Pops in welcoming special guests from the Prattville High School Show Choir. Cost is $25 per person and includes dinner. Space is limited and reservations are required. Call (334) 595-0854 or visit cc.prattvilleal.gov.
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Pike Road Community Yard Sale
April 27 * 7-11 a.m. at Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Rd) benefiting the Pike Road Lions Club. Complete with music, sausage biscuits and other snacks, and a huge selection of items for sale. Find us on Facebook.
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Tulotoma Art Trail
April 27 * 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wetumpka’s historic downtown transforms into the area’s liveliest art show including live music, art demonstrations, pop-up shops and store open houses. New this year is a Steampunk art contest in Merchants Alley. Visit www.thekelly.org or e-mail thekelly36092@gmail.com for more info.
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KidsHealthWatch
Soc Pla
Sponsored by Professional Pediatrics
The Sneezing Season Spring has sprung and the allergic rhinitis season has just begun! The flowering trees are exploding with pollen and many children and adults are having significant problems with the following symptoms: profuse nasal discharge and itching; protracted sneezing episodes; nasal congestion with difficulty breathing thru the nose; swollen itchy red eyes with drainage; and coughing spells from post nasal drip. Problems with sleep due to snoring and difficulty with nasal breathing are also seen and may impact school performance and behavior in children. In the southern states the tree pollen season may begin as early as late February and extend thru May. Unfortunately, the allergy experience may be intensified by the advent of the grass pollen season in June and the weed season in July. Ragweed pollen the predominant weed allergen may last until the first frost. Therefore as the spring and summer months go by the allergy sufferer may become more symptomatic and may need some medical intervention. The treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children and adults may utilize pollen avoidance and exposure reduction, various types of medication, and sometimes allergy desensitization. Moving to a different geographic area that has a different arid climate and low pollenating tree/ plant population may give temporary relief for months to years. Over time
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
however, allergic symptoms may return due to new local plant exposures. Eliminating and reducing pollen particles in the home is another important aspect of symptomatic relief. Keep windows and doors closed. Use allergy effective filters on furnaces and air conditioner units and change regularly. After outside excursions, change clothes and place them in an air tight bag. Eliminate pollen on hair and body by showering from head to toe. Make sure other house members do the same so no one is rebreathing pollen brought in from outside. Do not forget about the family dog or cat who bring in pollen on their fur coats. Vacuuming their fur may reduce your exposure. The medical treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis may require antihistamines, steroids, and possibly immunotherapy. With most localized allergic reactions to pollen involving eye, nose, and throat, there is histamine released into the tissues. Histamine causes capillaries to leak fluid resulting in tissue swelling and inflammation. Antihistamines block the receptor site of histamines resulting in less tissue swelling, inflammation and drainage. Antihistamines can also treat
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allergic hives and other types of allergic reactions. Side effects are mainly sedation and interaction with other medications depending on the type of antihistamine. In children a non-sedating antihistamine that has duration of 12-24hrs is indicated. Medications such as loratodine (Claritin); cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra) are effective given once daily and can be purchased over the counter. A nasal steroid delivered as a nasal spray once daily is also very effective as a treatment of allergic rhinitis. It may require at least a week of treatment to see results. Quite often, a patient may require both an antihistamine and nasal steroid to treat the symptoms. If pollen avoidance, pollen reduction, and medication fail to relieve the symptoms and the child is worse every season, an allergy evaluation should be considered for exact identification of the offending allergens. Information may be obtained by skin and blood testing for the specific allergens. Immunotherapy with allergy shots for desensitization may help in addition to oral medication. Dr. Drennen earned his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1975 and is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He began his private practice of pediatric medicine in Loveland, Colorado. He then practiced in Ozark, Alabama before coming to Professional Pediatrics in 1998. He and his wife Rebecca have two sons. The entire family enjoys downhill skiing and beach activities.
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Jen Tuck Churchill Academy, Middle School
Jen teaches the importance of showing love to all people regardless of how unlovable they may seem. This is an important lesson she hopes to gradually, but firmly, establish in her students. “Jen Tuck at Churchill Academy is loved by all of her students, as well as the staff. She goes out of her way for her students, even outside of school hours,” says Laura Salmons. When asked how it feels to be nominated by her students’ parents/grandparents, Jen says she is both honored and humbled! She goes on to say, “The fact that they trust me with their childrens’ education and wellbeing is incredibly humbling. Being appreciated for it is more than I would ever expect or ask for. Jen shares, “At the end of the day it is about helping a student see his or her potential by giving him or her the opportunities needed to succeed. Seeing their successes gives the students the encouragement they need to make another attempt when a challenge seems too big.” Thank you, Jen Tuck, for the example and passion you bring to the classroom!
Congratulations to Jen Tuck from Churchill Academy for being our Teacher of the Month! Jen has been teaching at Churchill Academy for two years and says hers is a “dream job” because it provides her with the opportunity to love on children with unique learning abilities. “Seeing their smiles when they finally master a difficult skill or concept and knowing they trust me with important parts of their lives” are a couple of things that make teaching so rewarding for Jen. Jen had three teachers in high school who fueled her passion to become a teacher. She says, “All three of these phenomenal women taught their subjects well, but more importantly they showed me they cared through their actions and the way they interacted with me (as well as their other students).” The influence they had on Jen helped her to become the thoughtful, caring, passionate teacher she is today. “She makes sure the students are engaged and interested. She takes the time to get to know her students and has made my son feel so comfortable and welcome in her classroom. He says that he knows he can talk to her about anything,” explains Michelle Thrasher, a parent of one of Jen’s students.
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
Jen has one son, Matthew, who is in college. When she’s not in school, Jen loves to do anything outside and enjoys working with the scouts in BSA troop 20. Introducing the beauty of the outdoors to young people is very rewarding to Jen. She also quilts and feels that making something beautiful from scraps of nothing is incredibly therapeutic.
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April Showers There is a very old saying, “April showers bring May flowers” that is both a literal weather predictor and a philosophy of living. Both interpretations provide us with teaching tools for our children. Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about the weather, unless it is very bad, but it is an interesting area of science. It takes math, geology and earth science, chemistry, aerostatics (the study of gases), computer technology, human observations and a little bit of old fashion guessing based on experience to create a forecast. Meteorology is a wonderfully interesting STEM area to study. An accurate forecast serves farmers, pilots,
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
ship captains, it help all of us plan outdoor activity, and when it comes to the darkest side of our environment; save lives. Just for the record, according to weather scientist Brian Brettshneider, March is actually the wettest month in Central Alabama – it is July along the coast. That is what makes meteorology so interesting. April is only the wettest month of the year in a very, very few places in America. Explore this interesting area of science with your children. Consider investing in an inexpensive weather science kit; some are less than $15. They will provide hours of learning for your child and give you an opportunity to work with him or her on projects. There are also plans online for building your own weather station using things you likely already have around your home. Just do a search and have fun. From a philosophical standpoint, the saying suggest that we have to accept unpleasant things (rain) to help create the beautiful things (flowers). There are
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thousands of examples of that in our daily lives. If we want a clean house, we have to sweep, wash, and do work. If students want good grades they have to study. It is important that children learn it usually takes hard work to get the things we want and need. However, just like a spring shower, the work doesn’t have to be looked at as unpleasant. Playing your favorite music while cleaning house can make the tasks seem fun. Making a wind gauge from paper cups and pencils can be a lot of fun and create something to help your child study and develop a curiosity for learning. Teaching our children that working toward a worthwhile goal is worth the effort will pay off throughout their lives – come rain or come shine. Dr. Ann Roy Moore is a teacher. For more than four decades, Dr. Moore has educated the children of Alabama. From her first post as a pre-school teacher, to her administrative work as a principal, central office curriculum specialist, superintendent, and her mentoring the next generation of teachers as an adjunct professor at colleges and universities, teaching is her passion.
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Montgomery County Schools
Montgomery Catholic Names Head Volleyball Coach
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School has hired Sellers Dubberley as the new head coach for volleyball. “I’ve heard only good things about Catholic and was excited when the opportunity presented itself,” Dubberley said. “Coach Daniel Veres and the administration really did a great job of making me feel welcome from the start.” Since 2012, Dubberley has coached the Under-12 Capital City Juniors volleyball team, which remains undefeated against teams in Alabama and has made five consecutive USA Volleyball girls junior national championships appearances. From 2016 to this past season as head volleyball coach at Edgewood Academy, his teams have won two varsity state championships with one state runner-up and three consecutive junior varsity state championships. “I push players beyond the limits that they’ve set for themselves so they can see what they’re really capable of,” Dubberley said. “Watching it finally click for those kids who are willing to buy in and put in the work is what it’s all about.” A Montgomery native, Dubberley attended Auburn University at Montgomery and is a multisport athlete with a love for baseball. He and his wife Sarah have two boys: Grady, 2, and Brooks, 6 months. Sarah is also a volleyball coach with the Capital City Juniors and together with Sellers they have five consecutive Nationals appearances. The Dubberley family enjoys family time, outdoor activities and, of course, sports. Construction is ongoing at Montgomery Catholic for a 35,000 square foot gymnasium with stadium seating and capacity for 850. The gym will have two regulation volleyball courts, a weight room, concession area, offices, locker rooms and conference rooms. The new gym is projected to open later in 2019. Photo courtesy of Capital City Juniors Volleyball Club. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
Brew Tech Sends Robotics Team to VEX Worlds For Sixth Straight Year
For the sixth year in a row, a team from Brewbaker Technology Magnet High is headed to the VEX Worlds Championship. Brew Tech sent 36 students and 12 robots to the Alabama VEX Robotics State Championship at Auburn High to compete against 48 high and middle school robotics teams from around the state. The team of David Beam, Hayden Thornhill and Nicholas Reyes won the Tournament Finalist Award and qualified for the 2019 VEX Worlds Championship April 24-29 in Louisville. The team of Leo Hall, Collin Lawlor and James Beaulieu won the Judges Award and placed second in the Skills Award. This finish left the team in contention for a spot at the VEX Worlds Championship as well.
Park Crossing Band Wins Competition in Selma
The Park Crossing High band won first place in the Battle of the Bands at the 54th annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee. A couple of weeks earlier, 22 members of the Park Crossing Band were selected to participate in the Alabama State University Honor Band. 18
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Montgomery County Schools
MEA Inducts New Junior Honor Society Members
The Macon East Academy chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 14 new members at a ceremony held February 28. The ideals of the society—scholarship, service, leadership and character—were presented by this year’s NJHS officers: McKinnon Hammonds (president), Trey Matthews (vice president), Jay Moore (secretary/treasurer), and Allison Churchwell (chaplain). Members of the NJHS must maintain a 3.5 overall grade-point average and be in good standing in all areas of school life. This year’s new members are: Jameson Byrom, Kaiden Byrom, Sara Cochran, Pressley Graham, Jack Jones, Alison Magda, Ryann Moseley, Dalton Nickels, Luke Noffsinger, Jaden Rossell, Kacy Rutland, Barrett Spaeth, Tanner Surles and Anna Watson.
BTW Participates in Youth in Government
Booker T. Washington Magnet High School’s Youth in Government participated in the Alabama Youth Legislature. Delegation members Erica Luckie and Claire Harden served as committee chairs and Luckie, Harden and Allyson Merriweather were all delegates to the House of Representatives, where they debated legislation presented to the House.
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Trinity Senior Named National Merit Finalist
Trinity Presbyterian School senior Mollie Flotemersch was named a National Merit Finalist in the 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program. Flotemersch’s National Merit Finalist distinction places her among an elite group that represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors. She is an intelligent and gifted student with a cumulative grade-point average of 4.32 that includes some of the most advanced courses offered at Trinity. In addition to being named a National Merit Finalist, she was recently selected as an AP Scholar. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club, Key Club and French Club. She is also a Presbyterian College 2018 Junior Fellow Scholar and received the Sewanee Award for Excellence in Writing. Even though she maintains a heavy workload, she continues to be an invaluable member of Trinity’s Symphonic Band, the “Wildcat Pride” Marching Band, and Show Choir. Flotemersch has excelled in Trinity School’s rigorous college-preparatory environment by selecting courses that include honors and advanced placement courses, while maintaining her place on the Head of School’s List for four consecutive years. She is very active at Vaughn Forest Church, where she serves as a volunteer and also sings in youth services. In addition, she served as an intern in Trinity’s Choral and Theatre Department, where she assisted Director Jordan Sullivan, who stated, “Mollie is a thoughtful, hard-working, and proactive intern and her work ethic and passion to be a lifelong learner are unsurpassed. She continually challenges herself to grow as a musician, while maintaining a high GPA.” Band Director Russell Greene added, “Mollie Flotemersch is a student with an unbreakable spirit and relentless enthusiasm.”
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National Honor Society
This year Alabama Christian Academy inducted 33 high school students into the National Honor Society. These students exemplified character, leadership, scholarship and servanthood. The new inductees are shown with current members.
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Jeff Davis Senior Takes Gold Medal at Special Olympics World Games
Jefferson Davis High School senior Joseph Bradley performed at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi as a member of the Equestrian team. He took first place in the English Equitation event and won two bronze medals, in the English Working Trails and Dressage events. “I was crying tears like a baby — full of joy,” said his mother, Mary Bradley, after watching her middle son win. “He accomplished what he said he was coming to do.” Bradley started going to Montgomery’s Therapeutic Recreation Center at age 6. In 2011, he moved away from gymnastics and began riding horses. He was selected for the international games after winning the state’s Special Olympics in equestrian last May — marking him as the first Alabamian to be selected to attend in at least 10 years. Photo and information from Montgomery Advertiser Montgomery Parents I April 2019
MPACT Instructor, Students Help Out Tornado-Damaged Beauregard
Montgomery Public Schools students and teachers have been reaching out to help families affected by the tornado in Lee County, including by putting in some hard work. MPACT Industrial Systems instructor Carter Wilson and his wife have ties to the Lee County area, and specifically Beauregard, which was one of the hardest-hit areas. They felt they needed to help. When Wilson mentioned this to his students, it inspired two of them to pitch in as well. Students Ted Mitchell and Zachary Thompson worked hard and were enthusiastic, and they gave the tornado victims the dignity and respect they deserve. They represented MPS, MPACT, and Carver and Lanier high schools very well, MPACT Principal Marsha Baugh said. “We are so very proud of them for giving their time, their strong backs, and their hearts to help others in need,” Baugh said. 22
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STJ Participates in Ala. Youth Legislature
Saint James School students worked tirelessly to prepare and participate in the 2019 Alabama Youth Legislature. STJ high school students served in a host of roles during the conference that included holding numerous elected positions, debating bills, and documenting the highlights of the weekend. Saint James senior Trinity Hunter served as secretary of state, was selected to attend the Council on National Affairs this summer, and was awarded the high honor as the Betty Carr Award recipient for 2019. This recognition is presented to the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature delegate who gives fully to the program, exhibits excellent debating skills, works diligently behind the scenes, and stands for his/her beliefs. During the 2019 conference, Saint James sophomore Ryan Barranco was chosen as an alternate for the Council on National Affairs and was elected to serve as House Pro Temp in 2020. He was the only delegate from Montgomery elected to an office for next year. Sophomore Jeffery Ford served as assistant attorney general; senior Kat Wright served as assistant secretary of state; freshman Haley Brightwell and sophomore Tyson Eley were selected as Outstanding Members of the First Year Chamber; sophomore Makenzie Corley, freshman Kendall Hardaway, freshman Emily Headley, junior Joe Higgins, feshman Ellen Lane and sophomore Morgan Parrish all debated bills in their respective chambers; senior Lizzy Headley served on the media team that documented the entire conference. Saint James School American History teacher Kiki Hughes served as Youth in Government advisor.
Youth Legislature is a national YMCA program for high school students preparing them for moral and political leadership through training in the theory and practice of developing public policy. The Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature is a program promoted and developed through the Student YMCA and Government Clubs of the YMCA. It is an educational approach to the development of citizen participation in the democratic government by providing opportunities to high school youth to study public government through a model legislative program. From left are Jeffery Ford, Haley Brightwell, Ryan Barranco, Trinity Hunter and Tyson Eley. 23
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Holy Cross Experiences Country of Peru
Holy Cross Episcopal School kindergarten students recently studied the country of Peru in their weekly Spanish enrichment class. The class was introduced to the beautiful costumes of Peruvian dancers and learned a coastal dance called Marinera, which was declared by law the official dance of Peru in 1986. The dance is elegant and stylized to show the blend of different cultures of Peru and traditionally allows spectators to participate by waving white handkerchiefs to cheer and encourage the dancers. Spanish teacher Senora Colvin also prepared for students the official drink of Peru called Chica Morala, prepared with cinnamon, apple, lime, pineapple, cloves and purple corn, which is abundantly grown and harvested along the Andes mountains. The beverage is served as a part of celebrations throughout the year.
Eastwood Learns About Health Care
As a part of their study of the body, Eastwood Christian School firstgrade students enjoyed a field trip to the Let’s Pretend Hospital. During the visit, they were provided with friendly and age-appropriate information about what happens when someone is admitted to the hospital. As an extra surprise, the students were taught by Nurse Mary Katherine Gillis, a former Eastwood student, who was working at the Let’s Pretend Hospital as part of her training. She was with the students in the “heart” room where they listened to healthy and unhealthy heartbeats.
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WWII Vet Visits Churchill
Macon East Participates in District Science Fair
World War II Veteran and Churchill Academy great-grandparent, Corbrey Bailey, made a presentation to high school history students about his military career. Bailey spent his time as a soldier in combat in the Philippines and in Japan. 95 years old this year, Bailey also spent time talking to the students about life during the Depression era. He is the great-grandfather of Will Gilliland, Churchill Academy sophomore. Thank you, Mr. Bailey, for sharing with the students of Churchill Academy and for your great service to our country!
Each year, students in grades 4 through 6 at Macon East Academy participate in the Science Fair. With projects in either the biological or physical categories, each student must complete an essay paper, project display board, and accompanying experiment and results. Outside judges evaluate each project based on purpose, hypothesis, procedure and results. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place and honorable mention are awarded to students in each grade and category. Six students (Lalah Culpepper, Colton Lunn, Marissa Robledo, Shamiah Thomas, Peyton Underwood, and Madison Vocino) participated in the AISA District Science Fair. Macon East students proudly took three of the six awards presented at District and advanced to the State Science Fair on February 1. Vocino, top right, received a 1st-place ribbon at district for her biological project “Static Electricity and Humidity.” Lunn’s “Tongue-Tastic” entry took 2nd place at District, bottom left, while Robledo’s physical science project “Which Type of Antenna Will Allow Someone to Call for Help,” bottom right, earned a 3rd-place ribbon.
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Evangel Wins Another Championship
For the third consecutive year, Evangel Christian Academy’s boys’ varsity basketball team found itself in the state championship game. Last season, the team came up short in its attempt to win back-to-back championships. This season, with a young and inexperienced team, Evangel captured its second AISA Class A Boys’ State Championship under Coach Kerwin Washington. Assistant coach is Jay Grice. The team entered the state tournament as the Region 1, Area 2 regular season champions and received a bye in the first round. Evangel played #3 seed Marengo Academy in its first game and won 60-25. In the semifinal game, #1 seed Southern Academy presented a bigger challenge. Evangel came out and nearly doubled Southern Academy’s score in the first half 38-20. Evangel finished with a 70-45 win. Evangel played Chambers Academy in the championship game, with #1 seed Chambers leading 16-13 in the first half. In the second half, Evangel’s defense held Chambers to 6 points in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, Tyree Curry scored 10 points and Solomon Ayeni added 10 more points which included two 3-pointers. Evangel won 37-34. Three Evangel players were selected to the All-Tournament Team: Ayeni, Curry and Jordan Grice. Curry was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. The championship team included: Ronald Holland Jr., Jordan Grice, Joseph Love Jr., Solomon Ayeni, Cordarius Martin, Aaron Todd, David Werking, Jr., Paul Kornis, Tyree Curry, Dexter Holt, Jr., Jon Michael Clemons, Marcus Townsend, Jr. and Jonathan Smith.
ACA Hosts Alabama Special Olympics Basketball Playoffs
Alabama Christian Academy was honored to host the Alabama Special Olympics Basketball Playoffs. This amazing day started with a police escort for the teams who were greeted by the ACA cheerleaders, marching band and students who lined the school entrance to welcome and celebrate these incredible athletes. As the competition began, the gym was filled with music, pom poms and students cheering on the Gadsden Steelers, the Anniston Starz and the Dothan Blast as they took the court. The teams played their hearts out and the Anniston Starz walked away with the state title. One of the things that made the day so special was the excitement of the ACA student body. The administration fully supported this event and allowed the students to be integrated in every aspect of the day. As the games finished, ACA students even approached the athletes and asked for their autographs and for a photo. Many ACA students announced on social media this was the best day they have ever had. Some students even commented how they now want to pursue a career helping those with special needs. ACA looks forward to partnering again next year with the Special Olympics. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
Carver High School Holds Brighter Futures MGM Event Parents, students and community partners gathered at Carver High School March 9 for the 2nd Brighter Futures MGM event to offer resources to help improve parenting skills throughout the community. A variety of service agencies and organizations, such as the Family Sunshine Center, One Place Family Justice and the Montgomery Police Department set up table-top exhibits to provide information for attendees. Breakout learning sessions included bullying, social media, dental and vision screenings, and GEAR UP Alabama. Students from the Carver High National Honor Society, Lovely Ladies of Legacy, Mu Alpha Theta and the CHS cheerleaders were on hand to assist with registration, facepainting, and other activities for the kids. The day ended with a show-stopping performance by the Wolverine Marching Band. Brighter Futures MGM is a collaborative with the Samaritan Counseling Center, Montgomery Public Schools, the Department of Mental Health, and the City of Montgomery Mayor’s Office. 26
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Lanier Students Bring Harlem Renaissance to Life
Lanier High was transported to the Roaring ‘20s with its Harlem Renaissance Museum in honor of Black History Month. Students dressed in period attire and the library was decked out with art, fashion and cultural touchstones of the era. Students portrayed famous figures such as Langston Hughes and Sarah Vaughan and demonstrated dances of the era such as the Lindy Hop. Lanier Band Director Kedrick Gipson played jazz trumpet as visitors began to stream into the library. Other touches included a “speakeasy” area featuring a bar with non-alcoholic “cocktails,” which was where students performed as historical figures. Notable visitors to the Harlem Renaissance Museum included Montgomery County Board of Education members Clare Weil, Claudia Mitchell and Dr. Brenda Coleman, and Montgomery County Commissioner Isaiah Sankey. Visitors to the museum were even invited to join in the dancing. It was a high time fitting for a celebration of this period of African-American cultural resurgence.
Lee Senior Wins First Place in Speech Tournament
Lee High senior Asiah Thompson won first place in the Dramatic Interpretation category at the Raymond Furlong Speech and Debate Tournament. The tournament was held at Saint James School. He will now compete in the Alabama State Speech and Debate Championship April 11-13, which will be held at The Montgomery Academy and LAMP High.
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FMMS Students Visit Montgomery Zoo and Cucos Restaurant
Sra. Henley’s Spanish students at Floyd Middle Magnet School had the opportunity to visit the Montgomery Zoo on March 8. They also had lunch at Cucos Restaurant. The exploratory beginners’ class has been learning “Los Animales” (the animals) in Spanish. What better way to learn the lesson than to witness firsthand the animals and say their names in Spanish. The Advanced Spanish 1 class has been learning how to to order food in Spanish and students were also able to put into practice their verbal skills by ordering and speaking in Spanish at Cucos Restaurant. Students reinforced and furthered their knowledge by interacting beyond the classroom setting.
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Wilson Robotics Team Makes Final Round in State Championship
Wilson Elementary sent its first robotics team to the Alabama State VEX IQ Robotics Championship, and the team made it all the way to the finals round. This is Wilson’s first year with robotics, and the school had a total of four teams. Robotics instructor Heidi Casteel enlisted the help of Brewbaker Technology Magnet High engineering instructor Steve Ballard and his students to get Wilson’s program off the ground.
MEA Lower School Shares Love
Visiting Wesley Gardens retirement community at Valentine’s has become a Macon East Academy tradition. The K5-6th grade classes presented a program to the residents themed “Thankfulness and Love” using Bible verses and Christian songs. Students enjoyed visiting with the residents, and each one received a treat bag filled with Valentine cookies and personal care items. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Montgomery Academy AP Art History Class Tours New York
Led by Montgomery Academy AP Art History teacher Connie Deal, 14 students recently traveled to New York City for a six-day experiential learning trip. Students had the opportunity to visit six museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Met Cloisters, The Frick Collection, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Whitney and MoMA The Museum of Modern Art. Students were able to view works of art that they have studied in class. Other activities included views from the Empire State Building, walking The High Line, dinner at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, ice skating in Bryant Park, and four Broadway productions: “Come From Away,” “King Kong,” “Anastasia” and “My Fair Lady.” Students estimated that they walked almost 37 miles, promoting Ms. Deal’s belief, “the only way to see the city is to walk it.”
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ECA Holds Annual Art Show
Evangel Christian Academy recently held its annual art show. In the Kindergarten and First Grade Division, there were several winners: Moriah Kimbrough, Ryleigh Caldwell, Karter Favor, Blake Softley, Faith Dixon and Reese Anderson. In the Second and Third Grade Division the winners were: Karissa Brown, Julia Jennings, Laelynn Bennett, Morgan Madison, Leo Lewis, Payton Manning and Parker Humphrey. The winners in the Fourth and Fifth Grade Division were: Symone McNeil, Audrey Kate Davis, Kennedy Softley, Brooklynn Ruffin, Trynity Sorensen, L’Oreal Lewis, Carter Mothershed, Reagan Anderson, Kyndal Abner, Peyton Hall and Gabrielle Toles. The High School Division winners were: Arange Clemons, Gracie Thompson and Derek Kitchens.
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Montgomery Catholic Student Self-Taught Piano Prodigy
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Montgomery Catholic sophomore Myles Jordan has been honing his piano skills for the past nine years. Remarkably, until about a year ago, he had played only by ear. Able to pick out the subtleties of the tunes he hears, Jordan can imitate almost any song with perfect accuracy. “Starting when I was 7 years old, I would listen to recordings of Mozart, Bach and Chopin, pick out the melodies, and then go from there,” Myles said about his ability. “I would listen to the pieces over and over and build the songs from what I heard.” Being completely self-taught and having never read sheet music before, it was only after reading about the journey of world-renowned concert pianist Lang Lang that Jordan sought music lessons. He says that now, instead of just imitating what he hears, reading a score gives him insight into what the composer was aiming to do, and he feels more of a connection to each piece he plays. Also, because he does not need to hear the songs beforehand, a world of new options has opened for him. Jordan recently performed at his debut concert at Frazer Memorial Methodist Church, and now that he has had a taste of the stage he looks forward to more performances. He hopes to be able to hold a solo concert for the Montgomery Catholic community, as well as act as an accompanist for other musicians and vocalists. Although graduation is still a few years away, Jordan says he is certain about what his future holds. “I want to eventually get my doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy,” he said without hesitation. “I want to teach and develop other talented piano players. I want to inspire others in the way that my teachers have inspired me. This is my spark, my passion. This is what I love to do the most in the world.” www.montgomeryparents.com
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Holy Cross Welcomes Native American Guest Speaker
Holy Cross Episcopal School welcomed special guest speaker Emile Mattison, who came to speak to Stephanie Price’s 2nd- and 3rd-grade students. Mattison is a Native American who is one half from the Ute tribe, which is from Utah and Colorado, and one half from the Shoshone tribe, which is from Wyoming and Idaho. Mattison told the classes that his Native American name is “Standing Elk” and he is still called by his authentic name when he attends ancestral meetings during family gatherings. He explained that his ancestors were in North America long before Lewis and Clark made their way to the Northwest territory we now know as the western United States. Mattison brought with him many authentic Indian artifacts made by his ancestors, such as beautiful beaded necklaces which symbolically tell the story of their family, a tomahawk, braided baskets and cornstalk dolls crafted for Indian children. He also described what life would have been like for his ancestors in the great outdoors as they travelled back and forth from seasonal locations and how their teepees would have been constructed.
ACA Coach Goodman Receives Coach of the Year Honor
Thirty years of dedication and leadership brought Alabama Christian Academy Coach Chris Goodman an incredible honor in San Antonio, Texas. Goodman was recognized by the National Christian School Association and named Coach of the Year.
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STJ Art Students Earn District Honors
Three Saint James high school students and four Saint James middle school students were awarded district honors in the Visual Arts Achievement Program (VAAP) competition sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Through local and state recognition, VAAP offers encouragement to young artists, showcases their work to a wide audience, and offers opportunities for advanced training beyond high school. District winners from Saint James included senior Christine Choi, who was awarded first place for her drawing, Cooking Time; senior Kylie Eng was awarded first place for her painting, Afternoon Café; and Lizzy Headley was awarded third place for her printmaking piece titled Bubbly. In middle school, Saint James 6th-grader Julie Cho was awarded first place for her drawing, Shoes; 7th-grader Wendy Stombaugh was awarded first place for her painting, BlueGreen Self Portrait; 7th-grader Austin Oh was awarded third place for his drawing, The Floral Flamingo; and 7th-grader Katie Irving was awarded third place for her printmaking piece titled, The Midnight Restaurant. The artworks that earned first place will advance to the state competition for a second round of judging. Shown, Saint James senior Christine Choi was awarded first place for her drawing, Cooking Time, in the Visual Arts Achievement Program district competition.
BTW Senior Wins National Art Award
Booker T. Washington Magnet High senior Megan Myrick won a National Scholastic Art Gold Medal. Nearly 350,000 works of art were submitted for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards this year, and fewer than one percent were recognized at the national level! With the recognition, Myrick, her family and her instructor, Rachel Dudley, are invited to a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York and will view an exhibition of national winners at the Pratt Institute of Design on June 7 and 8.
Lee High GEMS Team Gives Presentation, Wins Prize at STEM Conference
The Lee High School GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) team delivered a presentation at the GEMS Expo at Southern Research in Birmingham and also ended up winning an award. The presentation was on “Solar Angles and the Unequal Heating on Earth,” and the team won first place for windmill engineering and design activity. This was the team’s first time participating in the event. GEMS is an educational program by the Alabama State Department of Education designed to involve girls in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). The GEMS Program strives to help close the STEM gender gap using teaching strategies that boost girls’ self-confidence and elevate their interest in math and science. The Lee GEMS are Alondra Rosales Barrera, Brenda Fails, Destinee Gumbs, Angelina Rosales Lopez, Gia Smith and Mercedes Thomas. The team’s sponsor is science teacher Keshia Williams, and co-sponsor is Jenae Whitfield. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Chisholm Holds Network Night
Parents, students, staff and community partners gathered to discuss issues at Chisholm Elementary School’s Network Night event. www.montgomeryparents.com
MEA Students Named to All-State Drama Cast
Macon East Academy students Jonathan Mathis and Lane Johnson were selected to the All-State Drama Cast at the AISA State Drama competition. Along with them, Rachel Sargent, Emily Brooks, Caroline Capps, Anna Claire Berrey, Jaden Rossell and Ethan Jones participated in an ensemble performance from The Crucible by Arthur Miller. The cast won third at the AISA District Drama Competition to advance to the AISA State Drama Competition in January. The Macon East Drama Club is led by Rayleen Luis.
LAMP Students Win 33 Medals at ACTE Tech Fair
Loveless Academic Magnet Program High students cleaned up at the Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education (ACTE) Tech Fair. Out of the 39 participants from LAMP, 37 qualified for the state competition. LAMP students competed in 34 events, winning 22 first-place medals, seven second-place medals, and four third-place medals.
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Holy Cross First-Grade Students Attend ‘Let’s Pretend Hospital’ at Baptist South
Holy Cross Episcopal School students received a very realistic introduction to what is involved when a trip to the hospital is necessary. Healthcare workers and educators teamed up to make it all, at least, a little friendlier with “Let’s Pretend Hospital,” an annual event held at Montgomery’s Baptist South. Holy Cross first-grade students enjoyed learning about every aspect of what it might be like to respond and care for hospital patients. Leisa Harrison’s students were allowed to see inside an ambulance, the newborn nursery, emergency room and even were fortunate enough to be taken inside an operating room and learn about all the procedures surgeons use, along with their surgical team, to perform an operation with a patient. Experts in the different divisions of the hospital explained what happens when a person might have to come to the emergency room or even need to be transported by ambulance. They learned all the procedures teams follow to make sure the doctors, nurses and staff have what they need to develop a plan for patients —from inside the ambulance, x-ray rooms, health safety rooms and all the steps taken when a patient is admitted to the hospital. Holy Cross students received real ID badges and patient ID wristbands. Security procedures and precautions were so interesting to learn and seeing “behind the scenes” helped the students learn about healthcare and how important hospitals are for us all.
Montgomery Academy Partners with Berkeley Carroll School for Unique Experience
A group of Montgomery Academy students welcomed 14 seniors and three teachers from The Berkeley Carroll School in Brooklyn, New York. The students and faculty members were visiting the area in conjunction with a course on the history of the South since Reconstruction. Upper School History teacher Dr. Scott Morris coordinated the details of the visit and MA juniors and seniors accompanied the Berkeley Carroll students to several historical sites in Montgomery and Selma, including the Edmund Pettus Bridge, The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, The Legacy Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University, the Civil Rights Memorial and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Church. This is the second year of MA’s partnership with Berkeley Carroll and is a great opportunity for students to make a positive connection with students and faculty from another part of the country!
ECA Students Celebrate Manners Of the Heart
Evangel Christian Academy’s kindergarten class recently held a special tea party. The students had learned about mealtime etiquette as part of the Manners of the Heart curriculum. The party gave the students a chance to display their good manners. They dressed in formal attire, and everyone had a great time displaying wonderful manners!
Former Saint James Head of School Joins UA Hall of Fame
Melba Richardson, retired Head of School at Saint James, was named to the University of Alabama College of Education 2019 Educator Hall of Fame recently. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Baldwin Scholars Bowl Team Headed to Nationals
The Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet Scholars Bowl Team has qualified for the National Scholars Bowl Tournament in Rosemont, Ill. The team won the district competition and came in second in the state competition. The Baldwin Scholars Bowl Team is Coach Heath Baxter, Atindrah Harishankar, Nikhil Pochana, Team Captain Jordan Lee, Amy Moore, Jordan de Jesus and Kathleen Doyle.
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Cornerstone Students Perform Macbeth Monologues
Ninth-grade students at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy channeled the Bard as they acted out scenes and presented monologues from Macbeth for fellow classmates.
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BTW Piano Magnet Students Win at Festival
Several students in the Booker T. Washington Piano Magnet participated in the Federation Piano Junior Festival. The following were winners in their divisions and recipients of gift certificates: Honorable Mention: Nydia Thomas and DeMarieo James; Excellent Rating: Jonathan Biggs, Farah Ford, Jack Gillet, Destini Kolom and Anna Moseley; and Superior Rating Earned: Nathan Biggs, Hannah Boswell, Xavier Carmichael, Miracle Carter, Marcus Daniel, Kirsten Jones, Kaitlin McGhee, Erin Otts, Nakya Scarver, Hyobeen Shin, Lydia Vaughn, Kirsten Wallace and Lydia Williams.
Park Crossing Student’s Artwork Displayed
Park Crossing High junior Jahari Foster’s artwork was chosen for display at 21 Dreams Arts & Culture’s Roots & Wings exhibit. The exhibit was at Alabama State University’s Tullibody Fine Arts Center February 1-28 before moving to other locations in the state. The exhibit features artwork depicting notable African Americans from Alabama. Foster’s artwork is a drawing of popular radio host Tom Joyner. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Montgomery Catholic Holy Spirit Students Celebrate Chinese New Year On February 5, the Lunar New Year was celebrated all over the world in places like China, Vietnam, Korea and the Holy Spirit elementary campus. Each year, the Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School elementary campuses learn about and celebrate the culture, customs, language, and food from a different country in the world. Earlier in the school year, the St. Bede campus studied Spain.
At Holy Spirit, the timing could not have been more perfect for teacher Kidd Qu, who teaches Mandarin Chinese at all Montgomery Catholic campuses through a partnership with the Confucius Institute at AUM. He helped to organize a celebration of the Lunar New Year, an important holiday in China and countries and communities influenced by Chinese diaspora.
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While the students already learn about Chinese language and culture as part of their regular enrichment, Cultural Day gave them an opportunity to experience some additional traditions that only take place during New Year celebrations. Throughout the day, the students made crafts like lanterns, masks and fans inspired by the themes around the New Year. At the end of the day, all the students gathered in the gym and sang “Xinnián Hao Ya,” a song to ring in the new year, and played games that tested their knowledge of Chinese language, hanzi characters, geography, and culture. The older students acted out a traditional Chinese wedding and presented a quick fashion show to the school. Yunjia Yang, an instructor at the Confucius Institute at AUM, demonstrated a traditional Chinese dance. To cap it all off, everyone got to take home bags with unique Chinese snacks, like puffed rice cakes, spicy peas and different kinds of candies and sweets.
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Academy Student Competes in Poetry Out Loud Competition
After finishing in second place in the Poetry Out Loud regional competition, Elle Hughes competed in the state competition held at Alabama Shakespeare Festival on February 18. She recited three poems: “A Poison Tree” by William Blake, “When You Are Old” by William Butler Yeats and “Light Shining Out of Darkness” by William Cowper. One of 14 students from across the state, Hughes was the only 9th-grader and the only Montgomery area student in the competition! Poetry Out Loud was created by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation and encourages students to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.
Wares Ferry Road Hosts Network Night
Parents wait to sign in for Network Night event at Wares Ferry Road Elementary. Topics included behavior of students after school; dumping trash after pick-up hours; and overall safety for walkers.
Holy Cross Episcopal School Students Perform Romeo and Juliet
Holy Cross Episcopal School 4th-, 5th- and 6th-grade students recently presented one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, Romeo and Juliet. Each year, Holy Cross students perform a Shakespeare play which is much anticipated throughout the year. Unlike previous years, students took on one of Shakespeare’s tragedies instead of the usual comedy. Shakespearean tragedies are much more difficult to perform and students must prepare and fully understand the message to portray the characters and capture the emotion of each character. “Since this year’s production was not a comedy, students had to work harder to understand and perform each scene,” Holy Cross 5th-grade teacher Connie MacDonald explained. “Students had lots of lines to memorize that were written in rhyming couplets, which is difficult.” The version of the play they performed was an adaptation written by Lois Burdett. Written in rhyming couplets, the plot is unveiled when the first scene opens by none other than Shakespeare himself (Su-An Kim). Narrators portrayed by 4th- and some of the 5th-grade students, provide a vital role by helping the audience understand the plot and help keep the audience progressing along throughout the production. The first scene opens with members of the feuding noble families of Capulet and Montague creating conflict in the town of Verona causing ruler Prince Escalus (Gabe Krause) to issue a stern warning to both families. Capulet (Andrew Peavy) invites guests to his annual masquerade and feast where Romeo (Stott Blancas) sees for the first time Juliet (Ava Stuart) and instantly falls in love with her. Characters vital to the progression of the plot included Count Paris (Manual Jimenez), Mercutio (Broderick Williams), Tybalt/Apothecary (Jacob Kendall), Juliet’s nurse (Emilee Alexander), Peter (Hayden Whetstone), Lord Montague (Ethan Scott), Lady Montague (Kennedy Johnson), Benvolio (Cullen Stuart), Balthasar (Hayley Whetstone), Friar Lawrence (Steadman Meadows) who agrees to marry the starcrossed Romeo and Juliet, and Friar John (Kylie Cook). Narrators who keep the story going as the play unfolds included, in order of appearance, Najji Burton, Timothy Davis, Landon Williams, Jaidin McLemore, Layla Stinson and Hayden Troy who kept the plot moving briskly. Directors and producers include 4th-grade teacher Nancy Stankard, 5th-grade teacher Connie MacDonald, and 6th-grade teacher Patricia Bye. Holy Cross has an outstanding lineup of dramatic and musical productions annually, as well as the highly acclaimed Show Choir’s seasonal performances directed by music teacher Beverly Fain. All grade levels pre-K through 6th grade perform a dramatic or musical production each year in the Chapel of the Annunciation on the campus of Holy Cross.
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Saint James School Speech & Debate National Qualifiers The Saint James School Speech & Debate team competed at the Deep South District Tournament in early March at Mountain Brook High School. The District tournament is a very important competition as the top two finalists in each event qualify for the National tournament in the summer. This year, Saint James students earned four qualifying spots to the national tournament to be held in June in Dallas, Texas. Four Saint James students broke to finals in their events at the District tournament. Senior Will Moore double qualified for Nationals in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking and Informative Speaking when he placed second in both events. Students attend Nationals under one event so Moore has chosen to compete on the national stage with his Info piece, Pleistocene Park. Junior Trevor Otis qualified for Nationals placing second in International Extemporaneous Speaking. Junior Gabe Robbins qualified for Nationals placing second in Humorous Interpretation with his piece that is a parody of Greek Mythology. And junior Joey Etheredge finaled and placed sixth in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking at the District competition. “I am so proud of these young men for working so hard all year – how inspiring to see them rewarded with a spot at Nationals,” said Lonny Harrison, director of forensics
at Saint James School. “Over the past few decades, Saint James has earned a rich legacy competing at the highest levels in Speech – locally, regionally, and nation-
refining delivery, and creating memorable stage presence; but most of all, Speech coaches are given the rare opportunity to collaborate with motivated students and
ally. That legacy evolved from hours and hours of independent research, preparation, and practice by each competitor. Coaches assist in editing original works,
teach them knowledge and skills they will use for a lifetime.” From left are Joey Etheredge, Will Moore, Gabe Robbins and Trevor Otis.
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Montgomery County Schools
Cornerstone ThirdGraders Study Judges
The thrd-grade class at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy studied and presented reports on some of the judges whom God raised up to defend the nation of Israel.
Montgomery Catholic Celebrates 51 Years in Fr. Pat Delahunty Gym With Final Hoop-Rah
ECA Celebrates Dr. Seuss’ Birthday
Evangel Christian Academy’s elementary classes had a whimsical week celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Students enjoyed several special dress-up days that centered around Dr. Seuss books. The students wore crazy socks for Fox in Socks, silly hats for The Cat in the Hat, green attire for Green Eggs and Ham, and college shirts for Oh the Places You’ll Go! To culminate the event, they dressed up as their favorite book character and ate green eggs and ham.
It was standing room-only as crowds packed into the gym at the main campus of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School for the AHSAA boys’ basketball sub-regional match against the Headland Rams, as it would be the last game that would ever be played in it. The Father Pat Delahunty Memorial Gym has hosted countless athletic events, practices, pep rallies and graduations since it opened in 1968. Students, coaches, athletes, alumni, and families from far and wide came to watch the final game. Before tip off, President Anne Ceasar and High School Principal Justin Castanza recognized the past, present and future of MCPS athletics: former athletic directors, coaches and players joined the current lineup on the court and paid the athletic complex a fond farewell. While the game did not go in the Knights’ favor, it truly was a nail-biter and the Catholic varsity boys’ basketball team fought down to the very last second. The Knights ended their season with 51 points on the board, perhaps a fitting farewell to this 51-year old facility. Many members of the Knights family came together for this historic occasion and said “hats off” to Fr. Pat Delahunty and his legacy. ADs, coaches, players, students and families stayed after to sign their names on the gym floor, forever leaving their marks. Special thanks goes out to Coach Curry and his varsity boys’ basketball team for giving us this one last opportunity in our gym. We look forward to the next chapter in Montgomery Catholic Knights athletics when we open our new, 35,000 square foot athletic complex in the coming months. Following completion of the new gym, the Fr. Pat Delahunty gym will be converted to a fine and performing arts building with band and choir classrooms, individual practice areas and a student center.
ACA Inducts National Junior Honor Society Members
2018-2019 was a huge year for National Junior Honor Society at Alabama Christian Academy. We inducted 21 new 7th- and 8th-graders this year alone. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Trinity Builds Bridges in the Montgomery Community and Beyond On February 20, Trinity Presbyterian School seventh-grade students enjoyed an in-depth view of Civil Rights history in the South with Christian school counterparts Briarwood Christian School, Restoration Academy and Valiant Cross Academy. Valiant’s Head of School Anthony Brock and his team coordinated the day’s activities, which included VCA’s “Village” prayer service, a meet-and-greet, tours of Dr. King’s Dexter Avenue Church, the Kress building, the Rosa Parks Museum, the Peace and Justice Memorial and the Legacy Museum. Seventh-grade civics instructor Kasi Parsons led the Trinity efforts in preparing for the event in concert with the seventh-grade teaching team of Terri Sullivan, Carol Jackson and Scarlett Rowe. Having partnered with Valiant Cross previously for Cyber Security and college preparation programs, Middle and Up-
per School Principal Mike Zavada said, “Montgomery becomes stronger when we build these great networks of learning. Today was a great opportunity to expand that network to Birmingham with new partners Briarwood Christian School and Restoration Academy. Today was a great day!”
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Montgomery County Schools
Montgomery Academy Students Visit Hospital
Montgomery Academy first-graders recently visited “Let’s Pretend Hospital.” Classes rotated through interactive stations that modeled a hospital visit, from being admitted to being discharged and everything in between. Thank you, Baptist Health, for having us!
Carver Band Warms Up Before Closing Out Brighter Futures Event
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The Carver High School Marching Band warms up before providing entertainment at the end of the Brighter Futures MGM event held at the school March 9. The band performed a variety of songs for 30 minutes, and the dancers and flag corps were also a part of the show-stopping set.
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STJ Earns High Math Honors: Team and Individuals
Saint James students competed on February 23 in the Alabama Statewide Mathematics Contest and earned top honors as a team and as individual participants. Students also participated in the TEAMS competition: Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics and Science; on March 6, they competed in the problemsolving component of TEAMS and took third place in the state. In the Statewide Math Competition, there were three contests: one for the geometry students, one for the Algebra 2 with Trig students, and one for any student taking a course above Algebra 2 with Trig, called “Comprehensive,” as it includes topics from all high school math courses. District VI is composed of 14 counties surrounding Montgomery—including Lee, Russell, Chambers, Lowndes, Wilcox, Dallas, etc; it encompasses a large region of central Alabama. Schools are further divided into three divisions based on size and on how many courses they offer beyond calculus; Saint James is included in Division 2. For District VI, the Saint James Geometry Team won first place; the Algebra 2/Trig Team won first place; and the Comprehensive (advanced) Team won first place! Plus, in Division 2, the Saint James Comprehensive Team placed first in state. This first-place ranking was awarded after Saint James defeated 21 other schools in the competition. There were also many individual honors earned by Saint James students during the Statewide Mathematics Contest. For District VI, in geometry, STJ took the top five places: (1) Jiyeon Paek (#7 statewide); (2) Jun Choi (#18 statewide); (3) Jay Yun; (4) Katie Thompson; and (5) Kyle Domingo. In Algebra 2/Trig, STJ took four of the top five places: (1) Jayden Lee (ranked in the top 25% in the state); (3) Zach Ohliger; (4) Chris Shiffer; and (5) Sidnee Beavers. For Comprehensive, STJ took three of the top five places: (2) Gayeon Paek (#2 statewide); (3) Janice Cho (#4 statewide); and (5) Su Yun (#10 statewide). Nayoon Kang is ranked in the top 15% in the state. Additionally, students competed in the TEAMS Competition held at Auburn University and sponsored by the School of Engineering. TEAMS has three components: a problem-solving component, an essay component, and a design-and-build component. Essays were submitted to the national TEAMS website for evaluation in early March. On March 6, students participated in the problem-solving component and the design-and-build component. Only the results of the problem solving were recognized the day of the competition. For the 9th & 10th grade division, in the problem-solving part of the TEAMS competition, STJ’s Ryan Barranco, Virginia Braswell, Makenzie Corley, Chelsey Craig, Tyson Eley, Isabelle Goulet, Jiyeon Paek and QT Warren won third place in the state of Alabama. This placement positions them at the top of the small school division. “I am so proud of each and every one of these students,” said Vicky Eichelberg, Saint James High School mathematics department chair. “Their commitment and work ethic has driven them to reach such milestones as these. Extraordinary accomplishments are ahead for these talented students!” Front row from left: Kyle Domingo, Isabelle Goulet, Izabel Cabral, Makenzie Corley, Chelsey Craig, Jiyeon Paek and Gayeon Paek; middle row: Jun Choi, Janice Cho, Katie Thompson, Alisa Chirkova-Holland, Virginia Braswell, Sidnee Beavers and Nayoon Kang; back row: Jayden Lee, Zach Ohliger, Su Yun, Tyson Eley, Quintoria Warren, Ryan Barranco, Chris Shiffer, Andrew Kellum and Jay Yun.
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Montgomery County Schools
ACA Starts Strong Softball Season
It was a great start to Alabama Christian Academy’s softball season with a 6-0 in the Sydney Cooper Tournament. ACA had victories over Geneva, Enterprise, Auburn, Northview Dothan, Hewitt Trussville and Spain Park, making them tournament champions!
Holy Cross STEM Lab Instruction Demonstrates Astronomical Units
Holy Cross Episcopal School STEM Lab instructor Krista Hamilton taught a lesson involving a college concept called dimensional analysis, which is used to break a complicated problem down into several small problems. For instance, the classes learned that the distance to the moon is approximately 238,900 miles away. If they ran a distance of 216 feet and timed it, they would be able to calculate how many years it would take to run to the moon and how old they would be when they returned to Earth.
Floyd Middle Magnet Students Win First Place in Science Olympiad
Floyd Middle Magnet students Christopher Smith and Trace Cantrell brought home medals from the Science Olympiad Regional Competition held at the University of Alabama. They won first place in the Elastic Launch Glider event. The Floyd Science Olympiad Team is led by instructor Andrea Fyffe.
A Grand Day at ECA
The elementary students at Evangel Christian Academy recently invited their grandparents to spend time with them at school. The students from the K4 class through 6th grade enjoyed lunch, a book fair, and a special chapel service with their grandparents. During chapel, Pastor Michael Rippy, senior pastor of Evangel Church and president of ECA, spoke about the importance of grandparents in today’s society. Each class sung a special song for the honored guests.
BTW Strings Magnet Particpates In ACES Competition
Booker T. Washington Strings have been very busy with performances lately. All members of the Strings Magnet competed in the ACES Competition and had the largest showing for their category (all but two students belonged to the BTW Strings Magnet). BTW played exceptionally well, and they placed as follows: Teresa Ford came in first place; Erin Jackson third; and Kobi Mosley, Honorable Mention. Along with competing and winning first place at ACES, Ford also competed and won first place at the Omega Psi Phi Talent Hunt. She will now advance to the next round of the competition. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Montgomery Catholic Heads to Worldwide Robotics Competition
Halcyon Creates Famous African Americans Wax Museum
The Halcyon Elementary third-grade class created the Famous African Americans Wax Museum in the cafeteria as part of Black History Month. Students dressed as famous authors, educators, entertainers, inventors, athletes and activists. They held poses like wax sculptures until visitors came up to them and pressed buttons on their shoulders that brought them to life. Once the buttons were pressed, students delivered presentations about their historical figures.
Three Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School RoboKnights robotics teams took their robots to the VEX Robotics Competition state competition early in March and competed against 60 teams from throughout the state. The 2018-2019 VRC challenge, “Turning Point,” requires robots to perform a variety tasks to score points, including flipping caps, picking up and placing caps onto poles, toggling flags by pushing them or shooting them with plastic balls, and climbing onto platforms. It’s a complex array of tasks that requires months of planning, building, testing and practicing to perfect. During competition, teams have two minutes to score as many points as possible, with the first 15 seconds being preprogrammed and autonomous and the remainder being driver-controlled. Montgomery Catholic has competed at the Alabama state level every year for the past three years, and this is the first time that an MCPS team has advanced to the next level. Team Lost in the Ross, comprised of senior Hunter Vaccaro, junior Arthur Murray, sophomore Aidan Cochran, and freshmen Catherine Aaron and Chris Lathram, advanced to the final round of competition, securing them a place at the upcoming VEX Robotics World Competition. Lost in the Ross is one of seven teams from Alabama, and they will compete among 580 top teams from around the world. “This experience will be eye-opening,” said RoboKnights faculty advisor Vicki Petters. “We will be interacting with students from different cultures in a common goal. Our students are fine ambassadors for our school, our city and the state of Alabama.” The multi-day VEX World Championship, which includes additional competitions at the elementary and university level, will take place April 24-27 in Louisville, Kentucky. More than 1,600 teams from 30 countries will gather to compete and collaborate.
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Montgomery County Schools
MEA’s Nyberg Awarded DAR Good Citizen
Life Lessons from Local Football Coach
Alabama State University Head Football Coach Donald Hill-Ely spoke to student participants at the third session of the Montgomery Public Schools Leadership Tomorrow Youth Forum held at Faulkner University. At least 10 student leaders from each middle and high school meet quarterly to find ways to improve the culture and environment at their respective schools. Each assembly has community leaders as guest speakers; interactive, thought-provoking activities; a talk-back session; and a working lunch. Lunch is provided by a local church. The students are encouraged to take shared ideas back to their schools and discuss implementation. The final forum for this school year will be held in May when students will share and celebrate their accomplishments in improving their school’s culture and environment.
Montgomery Academy Upper School Students Participate in Community Service Day
Montgomery Academy’s H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Eagles Are Right There) Club Upper School Community Day was a huge success thanks to the students, faculty, parent drivers and local agencies. More than 220 students went out to 23 different locations in the River Region to help however needed. These locations included Cancer Wellness Foundation of Central Alabama, Edgemont Headstart, Montgomery Habitat For Humanity, Old Cloverdale Community Garden, EAT South, That’s MY Child, and many others. We even had groups team with Adullam House for site prep work on their new playground and painting fences at YMCA’s Camp Grandview. H.E.A.R.T. is sponsored by Connie Johnson. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Macon East Academy senior Bailey Nyberg was honored as one of this year’s recipients of the Good Citizen Award presented by a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Nyberg and the other award recipients attended a luncheon held in their honor at the Montgomery Country Club. The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools and communities. These students are selected by their teachers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.
Cornerstone Holds Poetry Slam
The 6th-grade students at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy enjoyed participating in a poetry slam, presenting their original poetry. Even some of the teachers dropped a verse or two!
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Churchill Junior Awarded at ACES
Thomas Rutherford, a junior at Churchill Academy, won an Honorable Mention Award for his classical violin performance in the Artistic Competition for Exceptional Students (ACES) program held on March 2. ACES is a program for talented 6ththrough 12th-grade public and private school students in the River Region. Students audition or submit entries in eight disciplines of the arts: acting, dance, instrumental, guitar, piano, strings, visual, and voice. Art professionals judge the student’s performance or entry and determine the top participants in each discipline. Winners of each discipline are presented with a scholarship voucher to be used for supplies, equipment, or intensive summer study in the discipline in which the scholarship was presented.
Powerful Hour of Conversation at Garrett Elementary
Garrett Elementary School parents and community partners posed for a picture after a Power Hour of Conversations about common issues that impact student achievement and success. The session was held on February 28. Attendees sat in a circle and voiced concerns about a variety of issues that ranged from a lack of parent involvement, especially with dads; teacher attendance; and community support. Small groups were formed to discuss and develop workable solutions to the issues. The Power Hour is an abbreviated format of a collaborative meeting of the We CAN Network Night developed by the Montgomery Education Foundation. The Foundation partnered with the Office of Family and Community Engagement for Montgomery Public Schools to host Network Nights at several of the district’s schools.
Catholic Grad Selects U.S. Navy Ship
Navy Midshipman Sherman Grant from Montgomery participated in the 2019 spring Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) ship selection draft as a future member of the Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) community. More than 40 midshipmen from NROTC units around the country chose to serve as surface warfare officers. Each selecting midshipmen are ranked according to their grade-point average, aptitude scores and physical fitness. Grant, a 2015 Montgomery Catholic Preparatory High School graduate, has selected to serve aboard USS America. Grant is majoring in international studies at Hampton University. Upon graduation, he will receive a commission as a Navy Ensign and report aboard America as a surface warfare officer.
Alabama Dance Theatre SUMMER CLASSES, Age 3 to Professional Level Session I: May 28 - June 13
Session II: June 24 - July 11
Tutus & Tiaras! Ages 3 - 8
June 17-21
Summer Dance Seminar
July 15 - July 29
Stars on the Riverfront
July 28 & 29
at the Armory Learning Arts Center 1018 Madison Avenue
www.alabamadancetheatre.com
(334) 625-2590 Photo by David Robertson, Jr.
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April means spring is here and we are sprinting toward the finish line of another school year! As we prepare to usher in our first year as a school system with learners in every grade level, I would like to take a moment to reflect. Last month, I reached a career benchmark when my tenth anniversary as a school superintendent came. That caused me to pause and consider how blessed I am to be a part of the Pike Road community and the Pike Road School system. While starting a new school system is often hectic and meeting the needs we have takes a lot of collaboration, we live in a growing community full of people who care and are committed to building a high quality education system that
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
prepares our children for a rapidly changing future. Our community is committed to working together to find solutions that create great learning opportunities. We have the most dedicated, professional group of educators I have ever seen, and every time we have job openings we have the deepest applicant pools I have seen in my thirty years in education. We have a great thing growing here in Pike Road, and every day it gets even better! We all know April brings showers, and along with the showers comes annual state assessments. We will be slowing down just enough to show what our learners can do on those assessments as we continue to also show what our learners can do through authentic learning by solving problems and producing real things of real value. As our first class of seniors get ready to begin their upcoming senior year and apply for colleges and/or jobs, it is so important to hear from outside agents like AdvancEd (our accrediting body) and our
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strategic planning facilitators who interviewed our students recently. Both groups communicated that our students can articulate what they are learning and why they are learning it better than any students they have interviewed in many years of doing this work. That will translate into successful interviews for coveted colleges and successful interviews for quality jobs. Dirt is being moved, plans are being approved, bids are being submitted, and we are preparing for growth just like those seeds the April rains are showering. Watch what happens in May and moving forward as Pike Road Schools really begins to bloom! Chuck Ledbetter has been an educator for 28 years. He has earned a B.A. in history from Auburn University; a Masters of Education in history from AUM; and a doctorate in educational leadership from Auburn University. Chuck Ledbetter was a history teacher for 11 years, an assistant principal, a middle school principal, a high school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and for finance, and is in his ninth year as a superintendent. He is married to Kim and has three daughters, two sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.
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Robotics @ Pike Road Middle School
This has been an exciting year for Pike Road Robotics. We have expanded our robotics program, growing from three competitive teams last year to eight competitive and three noncompetitive teams this year. This year, we are extremely thankful to have received grants from Dow Chemical, Alabama State Department of Education, and Robotics Education & Competition Foundation. In addition to our teams earning a Tournament Champion Award this season, we are proudest of the way our teams excelled in multiple areas to earn a Judges Award, two Excellence Awards, a Design Award and two Sportsmanship Awards. As the regular VEX competition season came to an end, we had four middle school teams which earned their way to the VEX State Championship March 1-3. The end of the VEX Robotics competition season does not mean the end of robotics. We will be engaging in a variety of VEX STEM Labs which continue to develop engineering design principles and programming throughout the school year. Additionally, two teams of students are preparing to compete in the robotics category of the Alabama Regional Tech Fair. One team has designed and programmed a robot which plays Roboball, a game similar to basketball. The other team has designed and programmed a robot that dances to original music they created with Garageband.
PRHS Head Football Coach Selected to Represent District 3
Pike Road High School Head Football Coach Patrick Browning was selected to represent District 3 in the AHSAA All-Star North-South Football game. The football game, with team rosters comprised of graduating seniors, will be played July 18 at Cramton Bowl. Coach Browning will help coach the South team. The South roster features Mississippi State signee Collin Duncan (St. James/DB), UAB signee and reigning 1A Back of the Year Jermaine Brown (St. Luke’s/ATH), Troy signee Ricky Samuel (T.R. Miller/DL), quarterback Kyle Walker of 5A state runner-up Vigor and three-star linebacker Cortlin Martin of Blount.
PRMS Science Teacher Nominated for Award
Pike Road Middle School C7 science teacher Amanda Fuller was nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The Presidential Award is one of the nation’s highest awards for math and science teachers. Fuller is also working with the A+ College Ready program and Alabama Best Practices Center to write a science curriculum that will be used across the state. She will serve as a trainer for teachers adopting the A+ College Ready curriculum. The A+ curriculum promotes high quality instruction and high academic expectations for students in grades 6-10 and Advanced Placement classes.
PRHS Participates in State Performance Assessment
The Pike Road High School (PRHS) band performed for the very first time at the State Music Assessment and came home with a Superior rating! Unlike the athletic teams who have various games and tournaments to move onto the state level competition, this is their one and only state event. PRHS students worked for 10 months to prepare to be judged for a 10-minute performance on stage. The end result was that judges gave the PRHS Band the highest score possible at MPA. Pike Road’s next opportunity to receive a Superior rating will be at the upcoming Trills and Thrills Music Festival held in Atlanta on April 27. In other band news, Pike Road student Jessica Brown was selected as 5th chair clarinet in the District 6 All-District Honor Band. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR ME Senator Barfoot Speaks to Pike Road Middle School Learners
Pike Road Middle School C5 learners had the privilege of listening to Senator Barfoot share about Alabama’s Legislative process. His presentation enhanced their understanding of the speech project they have been working on. Learners gave speeches on bills in a mock session recently, and they enjoyed learning about what Senator Barfoot’s role is in the Alabama Legislative Session.
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Evangel Christian Academy Encouraging each child to achieve their God-given potential
AISA Blue Ribbon School “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11
3975 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36106 ecalions.org 334-272-3882
Accredited: ACTS, AISA, SACS, Advanced ED, NCPSA
PRMS Holds First Fine Arts Celebration
Pike Road Middle School Theatre and Visual Arts are joining forces to host their inaugural Fine Arts Celebration May 17-18. Come see PRMS Theatre’s Hoodie, a one-act comedy about the perils of middle school, trying to “fit in,” and learning to love yourself. Stay after for an art show presented by the PRMS Art Department, featuring self-selected exhibits from each student. Tickets will be sold in advance and at the door. Show times are at 6:30 p.m. May 17 and 2 p.m. May 18 in the Pike Road Middle School Auditorium. 51
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PRHS Track Athlete Places First
Pike Road High School 11th-grader Kann Oliver placed first in the 100 meter hurdles at the Opelika Invitational.
Pike Road Students Present at Tech Fair
Forty-five Pike Road Middle School learners presented 26 digital projects at the ACTE Region 5 Technology Fair. They competed in a variety of categories including audio production, animation, digital art, digital game design, Internet application, robotics, video production and website design. Of the 26 projects, all 26 earned 1st-, 2nd- or 3rd-place awards and 23 of the projects qualified for State.
PRHS Welcomes Guest TV Producer
Sara Kugel, an Emmy award-winning producer for CBS Sunday Morning, spoke to Pike Road High School learners who expressed interest in TV/Radio/Film production. She said she was impressed with the students’ respect, attentiveness, and ability to ask questions.
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Happy Birthday, Aubry!
On February 1, Pike Road Middle School learners from the Shine Your Light Committee celebrated the life of Aubry Houlditch by planting a memorial tree in front of the school. They wrote messages on the rocks that surround the tree, in remembrance and celebration of Houlditch’s servant heart. They celebrated the gifts we all have, dedicated the tree to honoring him and ourselves, and spent time with his family. Houlditch was a Pike Road student who lost his life last year. The Shine Your Light Committee is currently working on a drive to benefit Lynn Haven, Florida (hit by Hurricane Michael), and Reality in Truth Ministries in Montgomery that serves the homeless population in the downtown area. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Accredited K3 through 12th grade Independent College-Preparatory School
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I hope everyone enjoyed a fun and restful spring break! This is a busy and thrilling time of year, filled with testing and the anticipation of graduation. I am excited to share with you a few of the wonderful things happening in Autauga County. Building strong community partnerships is critical to the success of our students. This month I am highlighting a few community connections that have and will continue to influence student success. Prattville Junior High School (PJHS) recently hosted three community events. In collaboration with the Alabama Bicentennial festivities, PJHS welcomed over 200 displays highlighting the history of Autauga County as it also celebrates its bicentennial. More than a dozen community members
dressed in period clothing and led students in hands-on activities to include crocheting and churning butter. History walked among the student body as Daniel Pratt, the founder of Prattville made an appearance. Career day at PJHS was also a collaborative success. Multiple agencies demonstrated various career options. Among the presenters were representatives from cosmetology, robotics, and the culinary arts, along with electrical engineers, health care providers, childcare providers, and first responders. Students observed first responders in an ambulance call reenactment during a presentation sponsored by the Council on Substance Abuse (COSA). This program, conducted in partnerships with colleges, counseling services and law enforcement, encouraged students to seek positive outlets instead of resorting to negative influences. The Autauga County Technology Center (ACTC) is excited to offer three new dual enrollment courses through their partnerships with Central Alabama Community College and Trenholm State Community
College: Automotive, HVAC, and Electronics. Through a SAFER FEMA Grant received by the Autauga County Firefighters Association, the ACTC plans to offer a new Emergency and Fire Management program in August. Upon completion of the program, students will only need to take a 5-week bridge program to obtain Firefighter I & II certification. Our school system is so grateful for all of our community partnerships. I will be reporting more of our school and community connections in the future. This school year has been outstanding, but it will not be long before we are kicking off a new one. I look forward to sharing more of the good things happening in our schools with the citizens of Autauga County. Spence Agee is the Superintendent of Education for Autauga County Schools. He is a third generation educator with an ED.S. in Educational Leadership. He has 20 years of experience in the education field as well as 29 years of military experience. Agee is an active member at First Baptist Church in Prattville. He and his wife, Cesily, who is also an educator, have two daughters, Abby and Addison.
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PJHS Career Day
Prattville Sailor Serves Aboard U.S. Navy Ship
There’s a U.S. Navy ship unlike most floating in the waters of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. It’s a Navy warship that honors the name of a female who has set the standard of excellence for those who have followed. 2013 Prattville High School graduate and Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Blessing has served in the Navy for three years and works as a Navy yeoman, serving aboard USS Hopper, named for Rear Adm. Grace Hopper. It is a Pearl Harbor-based guidedmissile destroyer. Blessing credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Prattville. “I learned the very important lesson of attention to deatil growing up in Alabama,” said Blessing. “I do a lot of paperwork and it has helped me implement a meticulous work ethic while performing my job.” The sailors’ jobs aboard USS Hopper are highly specialized, requiring dedication and skill. The jobs range from maintaining engines to handling weaponry along with a multitude of other assignments keeping the ship mission-ready at all times. As a Navy yeoman, Blessing is responsible for the management, dispersal and filing of personnel evaluation reports, awards, recommendation letters and legal paperwork. Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community and career, Blessing is proudest of being a part of the ship’s Visit, Board, Search and Seizure team during their 2017 deployment. “I received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for the work we completed on that team,” said Blessing. “It was an awesome experience and always something I looked forward to. I was expecting to be forward deployed more, but it’s still been a great and positive experience in my life.” Montgomery Parents I April 2019
Several businesses and agencies participated in Prattville Junior High’s annual Career Day to expose students to a variety of possibilities after high school. CARE ambulance service provided a demonstration for students during the day. Students were able to talk with students at the Autauga County Technology Center about career paths and to local professionals from the health field to electrical engineers. As students see the relevance in their academic work, they are encouraged to put forth more effort and perform better.
Prattville Christian Academy’s Norah Winslett Signs Cheer Scholarship
Prattville Christian Academy’s Norah Winslett signed an athletic scholarship to cheer at Faulkner University in Montgomery. Winslett has cheered since the sixth grade and has been a key member of the varsity squad for three years. As a senior, her team competed at Auburn University’s Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Camp and earned first place in Overall Camp Champions, including first in Sideline and Rally Dance Routine, and second place in Cheer. She and the cheer squad also competed in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s (AHSAA) Cheer Regionals where they qualified and received a bid to compete at the AHSAA’s State Cheer Competition. “During her varsity career, Norah has grown in confidence and skills, which has been showcased on the field and court,” said Kimberly Simpson, head cheer coach. “I am very proud of Norah pursuing the next level of cheer at Faulkner University.”
PJHS Band Receives Superior Rating at State MPA
The Prattville Junior High 8th-grade band performed at MPA (Music Performance Assessment) and scored straight Superior ratings. The Cats’ band is under the direction of Kenny Hall and Ashley Williams. These teachers pour countless hours into helping students become musically acclaimed and to develop a talent for life.
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Tech Center Offers Free Dual Enrollment Classes Next Year
The Autauga County Technology Center will offer FREE Dual Enrollment classes next school year for 10th-12th grade students who meet college enrollment qualifications. This includes a 2.5 GPA. These classes will be held at the ACTC during the school year and count as both a high school elective as well as a credit for college: Dual Enrollment Welding, Dual Enrollment HVAC, Dual Enrollment Automotive and Dual Enrollment Electrical. Students must get applications at the ACTC. A minimum amount of student applicants are required for classes to be held. Email cindy.epperson@acboe.net for more info. This is application only and cannot be registered for in iNow.
Recycling Focus @ PJHS
Prattville Junior High 8th-grade science teacher Bette Cobb spearheaded a program to focus on recycling. In a week, PJHS collected the dumpster at left full of paper, plastic, aluminum and cardboard to be recycled instead of going to the landfill. We competed against several other schools to clean up our communities.
PJHS Testing Time
The teachers at Prattville Junior High were challenged to make a video for upcoming testing activities. The 8th-grade math department provided a fantastic video to get students excited about testing and have a little fun. Please look up “Prattville Junior High School Testing Video Party in the School Today� on YouTube.
PJHS Weeds Out Weed
The Council on Substance Abuse (COSA) provided a Community Action day for students and parents at Prattville Jr. High. Several agencies talked to students about the importance of strong mental health, rooting out bullying, and staying free of drugs and alcohol. Local businesses, including the Montgomery Biscuits, Launch! and Regions Bank provided door prizes including free tickets and a bike.
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With the passing of spring break, the end of the school year is in sight! Spring assessments are in progress for our 3rd – 8th graders, and high school seniors are anxiously looking forward to graduation day. Spring sports and activities are in full swing, and we have already begun planning for the 2019-2020 school year. I am excited to share some of the wonderful accomplishments of our students and activities going on in Elmore County. Holtville Middle School has started a feeding program for weekends and school breaks. They have partnered with parents, community members, PTSO, and a feeding organization, and students who were identified as needing support now receive a bag of food weekly. They have also launched a “Mental Wealth Wednesday” campaign
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for the final grading period. Each Wednesday, information is placed on the morning announcements (via closed circuit TV) that deals with mental health, but specifically how to have “mental WEALTH.” The goal is to shift students into a growth mindset rather than a victim mindset. Holtville High School DECA members recently participated in the State DECA Competition. Matthew Crews and Savannah Spain placed 2nd in Law and Business Ethics, and Catie Daniel and Hannah Daniel placed 1st in International Business Plan. Tucker Jones won 1st place in the Behavioral & Social Sciences category as well as the American Psychological Association Award at the Regional GEARSEF Science Fair in Auburn. Tucker won a monetary prize and advances to the State Science Fair Competition. Congratulations to these students on their accomplishments! Elmore County High School took seven wrestlers to the AHSAA state championship in Huntsville recently. Four of these students finished in the top six of their weight classes,
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and the team finished eighth in Class 1A-5A. It has been 10 years since ECHS medaled in wrestling, so four medals in one year is a huge accomplishment. Redland Elementary School is proud to announce that Paige Pyles and Julie Knapp both became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT) this school year. The NBCT process is costly and completing it can take from one to five years. Congratulations to these teachers for achieving this advanced certification! All our schools are doing great things with and for our students every day. Thank you to our administrators, teachers, counselors, and the entire staff for your role in making sure that every student is empowered and every student succeeds! Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.
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Elmore County Schools
Elmore County Commission Recognizes Edgewood Academy Wildcats
During the Elmore County Commission meeting on March 11, the Edgewood Academy boys’ basketball team was recognized for winning the 2019 Alabama Independent School Association Class 2A State Basketball Championship.
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Automotive Students Tour SUSCC
Elmore County Tech Center automotive students toured the technical programs on the Opelika campus of Southern Union State Community College including the automotive service program. They learned about careers and starting salary ranges for most programs as well as college financial aid opportunities.
Eclectic Elementary March Students of the Month
Kindergarten: Khloe Williams and Goldie, Summer Duncan, Lyla Moore, Tre Harris, Isabelle Bridgman and Michael Maddaloni; 1st Grade: Hardy Moore, Kenzie Hearn, Emma Williams, Gabby Wilson and Alyson Brewer; 2nd Grade: Jamie Lovelady, Bryce Allen, Baileigh Ames and Jada McBryde; 3rd Grade: Jastaveion Smith, Gabe Payne, Alex Cabrera, Levi Reinert, Demarcus Rogers and Gabby Kendrick; and 4th Grade: Baylee King, Parker Luster, Wyatt Bolt and Libby Powell.
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WHS Senior Signs Baseball Scholarship
Wetumpka High School senior Dylan Shipley has signed with LaGrange College to play baseball.
Holtville Senior Wins First Place at Regional GEARSEF Science Fair
Holtville High School senior Tucker Jones, at left, won first place in the Behavioral & Social Sciences Category and the American Psychological Association Award at the Regional GEARSEF Science Fair in Auburn.He won a total of $150 in prize money and will now advance to the State Science Fair Competition. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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WHS Seniors Win Rotary Speech Contest
From left are Wetumpka High School guidance counselors LaToya Bell and Heidi Norrell with Wells Hutsler, second-place winner of the Wetumpka Rotary Club Speech Contest; Austin McDowell, first-place winner; and WHS Principal Dr. Robbie Slater.
Reality Check for SEHS Career Tech Education
Each spring, students in CTE (career tech education) courses at Stanhope Elmore High School participate in a budgeting simulation where they are assigned a random, real-world career relevant to central Alabama and must navigate one month of expenses in their given situation. Prior to the activity, students researched their given career as well as a career of interest including educational pathways, potential earnings, and growth rate for our state.
Wetumpka Bands Score Superior Ratings
Band is strong in Wetumpka! Both the Middle School Beginning and Advanced Bands, as well as the High School Concert and Symphonic Bands, all received Superior ratings at Alabama Music Performance Assessment this year!
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Edgewood Senior Signs Football Scholarship
Edgewood Academy senior Tyler Abernathy signed with Huntingdon College recently, surrounded by his school, coaches, family and friends. Coach Darryl Free spoke at the signing and praised Abernathy for his character and the asset he was for his team. Abernathy thanked his coaches for not only teaching him and his teammates the game of football but also teaching them to be great young men in life. He will join the Hawks defense this fall at linebacker. Top row from left are Edgewood coaches Kreg LeMaster, Daryl Free and Michael Norris; and front row: Andrea Abernathy, Tyler Abernathy and Ken Abernathy.
Redland Read Across America Week
Misty Trussell and Sherrie McWaters’s reading classes celebrated Read Across America Week with several special guest readers, including WSFA Weather Meteorologist Eric Snitil, Dr. Jeff Langham from the Alabama State Dept. of Education, Stephanie Bell from the State Board of Education, RES Principal Chad Walls and other parent readers.
Holtville DECA Students Compete in Birmingham
Holtville High School had six DECA members travel to Birmingham February 20-21 to compete at DECA’s Career Development Conference at the Sheraton Hotel. DECA members across the state came and competed in various competitions. Four Holtville students placed and have the opportunity to advance and compete at the International Career and Development Conference in Orlando in April. Matthew Crews and Savannah Spain placed 2nd in Business Law and Ethics and Catie and Hannah Daniel placed 1st in International Business Plan.
Wetumpka Elementary Participates in Super Citizen Program
Wetumpka Elementary School was honored and excited to be the first school in Elmore County to begin the Super Citizen Program, thanks to Liberty Learning Foundation and sponsors! Students participated and learned many important aspects of being a great citizen such as character, history and civic responsibility. Libby Liberty visited with 2ndgrade teachers and students for the lessons about becoming great Americans. Thanks to all of our community guests that attended our kickoff! Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Go Build Alabama Features ECTC Student and Instructor in Videos
Go Build Alabama visited ECTC in January to film promotional spots with students and instructors across some of our construction programs. Pictured is Baylor Barron, a student from Elmore County High School enrolled in the Plumbing & Pipefitting program, sharing why he chose to take this course and what he plans to do with the skills he learns.
Special Guests Visit Eclectic Elementary During Read Across America Week
Eclectic Elementary School had many special readers during Read Across America Week. Chief Meteorologist Shane Butler from Alabama News Network visited Mrs. Hall’s 2ndgrade class.
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Elmore County Schools
Holtville Senior Meets U.S. Senator Shelby
Employer Showcase @ ECTC
Students enrolled in the programs at the Elmore County Technical Center were able to visit with employers from local businesses related to their programs of study. This event gives employers an opportunity to communicate the type of worker they are seeking as well as the potential future careers students can expect if they choose employment through them. Many students completed applications or began the employment process. In fact, at least one student has already been hired and started work for one of the companies!
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) attended the 57th annual U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP) reception to honor the two 2019 Alabama delegates, Catherine Lynn Daniel of Deatsville and Ariana Gabrielle Smartt of Huntsville, for their academic excellence, exceptional leadership abilities, and dedication to volunteer work. Daniel and Smartt were selected among the state’s top student leaders to be part of the 104 national student delegation for this year’s USSYP. “Catherine Daniel and Ariana Smartt are two excellent choices to represent the state of Alabama in the U.S. Senate Youth Program,” said Senator Shelby. “This esteemed program provides students an opportunity to gain a better understanding of how our government functions. The selection of Catherine and Ariana reflects their strong leadership qualities and achievements at such a young age. I applaud them for their interest in public service and devotion to hard work, and I believe they each have a bright future ahead of them.” Daniel is currently a senior at Holtville High School and served as the 2018-2019 Alabama DECA state president and Holtville High School’s DECA president. DECA is a student-led organization for those interested in becoming entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. She is also a member of the Holtville High School BETA Club and Mu Alpha Theta. Additionally, she serves as a school ambassador as well as band captain and section leader. After graduation, she plans to ultimately obtain a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Wetumpka FFA Members Advance to June Interviews Wetumpka High School Future Farmers of America member Terrance Crayton, near left, interviewed for a bid to be a state officer candidate. He placed first overall in the interviews and will advance to a three-day interview process at the State FFA Convention in June. This process will include an application, a 100-question test, an onstage introduction, a personal interview, an FFA knowledge and parliamentary procedure interview, an agricultural issues interview, a group facilitation interview, and a committee’s choice interview. It is not uncommon for one interview to last over an hour so this is definitely an intensive process. Case Edwards, far left, interviewed for a district office position and will either serve as district president, district VP, or district secretary. His office depends on how the dual candidates place in the state interviews in June. This may be the first time in Wetumpka FFA history that two FFA members in the same year have done this well in the interviews.
ARIS Celebrates Test Scores
Airport Road Intermediate School celebrated its students and teachers for making tremendous growth on their Performance Series mid-year assessment. ARIS had 467 students who exceeded or met their mid-year target gain. All students who made gains attended a Mardi Gras-style celebration and received certificates and goodie bags. Administrators crowned students who had the highest gains in the school. Several community leaders were in attendance, including Coosada Police Chief Smith, Coosada Mayor Anthony Powell and Elmore County Board Member Dale Bain. Ms. Winchester’s class had the highest gains in the building. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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WHS Seniors Receive Science Honors
Top from left, Wetumpka High seniors Nick Frith and Owen Tilley, and Haley Donovan, below right, participated in this year’s Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF), which worked with more than 80 judges to host 277 elementary, middle and high school students who completed 117 science fair projects. Students received more than $4,000 in various cash awards! Fifty-five projects qualified to compete at the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair held April 4-5 at the University of Alabama Huntsville.
Eclectic Elementary Names February Students of the Month
Kindergarten: Brooklyn Spain, Janiya Barris, Blaze Traylor, Kylar Royals, Roman Slay and Evelyn Gill; 1st Grade: Athena Burchell, Jacob Cousins, Saffiera Burchell, Ally Daniels and Aurora Burchell; 2nd Grade: O.J. Williams, Isabelle Elliott, Titus Carter and Brantley Martin; 3rd Grade: Jameson Creel, Crewe Gray, Bella Donahey, Joshua Lett, Kynslee Lausee and Mark Williamson; and 4th Grade: Jaxon Moore, Bailey Gantt, Brock Hragyil and Addi Stephenson.
Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.
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A Page in a Book Good Reads for Bad Behaviors The cautionary tale has been one of the most powerful and instructive tools of parents since the dawn of civilization. Stories of children making bad choices that led them to dire (or even deadly) consequences were memorable warnings that parents wielded in an effort to guide their kids toward better actions. While today’s tales are certainly less grim, modern storytelling still holds the power to examine misbehavior and offer lessons in how to avoid similar mistakes. Even though youthful misadventure is frustrating for parents, it’s important to remember that every wrong step also offers powerful opportunities for growth and learning. The following titles use humor (with just the right amount of gravity) to explore opportunities for redemption that can salvage errant behavior.
Oh, No, Bobo! You’re in Trouble!
by Phil Gosier (Roaring Brook Press / Macmillan) Sneaking down a tree, Bobo deftly lifts the zookeeper’s flashlight and absconds with it. Feverishly clicking the switch, he’s delighted by the power of light held right in his paws. But when a final click produces nothing, Bobo now worries that he’s done a bad thing. His Koala friend amplifies the worry with the ominous statement ‘You’re in trouble” (followed by the worse exclamation, “I’m gonna tell”). In his panic, Bobo tries hiding the flashlight. Then poking it with a stick, he breaks it even worse. Hounded by Koala as he scrambles for a solution, Bobo is forced to make some hard choices. But zookeepers know things, and sometimes knowledge and understanding are just what’s needed to turn a wrong into a right and a bad choice into a teachable moment.
The Whopper
by Rebecca Ashdown (Templar Books / Candlewick) Percy’s grandmother loves to knit. And Percy loves his grandmother. But when she gifts him with a colorful handmade sweater that is anything but his style, Percy makes a bad decision that ruins it beyond saving. Rather than telling the truth, Percy crafts a small lie about the sweater’s fate for his parents. But his lie creates a ‘whopper’, a little monster that follows him around and grows as time goes by. His parents can’t see it, but the whopper is always right there with Percy, crowding out every good thing in his day as it swells. As the whopper expands, Percy finds that only the truth will relieve the pressure and banish the burden he’s carrying. Ideal for illustrating the weight of lying, The Whopper offers gentle answers for when the truth gets a bit lost.
Prince Bertram the Bad
by Arnold Lobel (Henry Holt and Company) On the day the King and Queen gave birth to a prince, their kingdom celebrated the arrival of a child with the proud couple. As the young Prince Bertram grew, however, he soon tested everyone around him. The young prince pinched other children, pulled up the roses, and even broke his toys out of spite. His reputation as ‘Bertram the Bad’ only expanded as the naughty prince began to shoot birds with his slingshot. But when an errant stone pings a passing witch instead, Bertram’s misbehavior meets dire consequences. Only a complete transformation and a chance at redemption may put Bertram the Bad back on the path toward good. A welcome reprinting of author Arnold Lobel’s original cautionary story, Prince Bertram the Bad is a timeless fable from a beloved member of children’s literature royalty.
Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.
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Worship with us Easter Sunday April 21 Worship Schedule: 8, 9:30 and 11am. Celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with the Frazer family. With great kids programs and contemporary or traditional styles of music, our desire is to be a church where everyone feels welcome.
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Easter Sunrise Worship 6am at Blount Cultural Park
The Exchange Night of Worship April 14 Featuring the Frazer choirs, orchestra, and worship band, this evening of music for the whole community will focus on the cross where Jesus exchanged everything for us. 6pm. DOWNLOAD OUR APP | 6000 ATLANTA HWY | WWW.FRAZER.CHURCH | FOLLOW US 67
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TheCollegeYears Preparing Teens for Life Outside the Nest
by Lee Gonet
Prepare for Success A Note to Parents
This year as I anticipate my ACT prepclasses, I realize just how many of my students do not know how to study. Some register for the week-long class, expecting miracles, and then they are disappointed when their scores don’t rise very much. Don’t misunderstand me. I have seen my students’ composite scores jump 10 or 12 points, but the “miracle” is performed by the student, not by me. Ownership is the key. Students, who know how to apply themselves to a task and work hard, succeed. Students, who understand that victory results from personal sacrifice and dedication, create their own miracles.
A Note to Students
Have you ever wondered why academics for some students appear easy, or have you ever felt like you weren’t as smart as other students? The reason has nothing to do with brains and everything to do with study skills. Those students learned how to learn better than you. However, if you will apply the following advice in and out of class, you will improve not only your grades and college-entrance scores, but also your chances for success at college and future employment. Because I believe students who struggle and overcome can be more successful than others, I have written the rest of this article to you.
Ownership
Many of you believe that education is done to you. You believe that “school” is an activity you will leave behind once you graduate. If this is your mindset, you will fail at some point. You will not succeed because as human beings, we are created to learn. Our very survival depends on the growth of our minds and bodies. Never ask: “Will this be on the test?” Montgomery Parents I April 2019
or “Why do I have to know this stuff?” Make up your mind to do your best, no matter how hard the work, and you will do well in school and in life. If you want to learn, you will learn to enjoy the process. Choose to be interested.
Organization
Students who come to my classes late do not do well. Students who forget their books, pencils, or calculators do not do well. Students who don’t take notes, check their cell phones, or can’t wait for a class to end do not do well. If you really want to succeed at any endeavor, you will embrace each moment as an opportunity. You will prepare yourself. You will organize and keep-up with your tools. You will be punctual. You will take notes. You will ask questions. You will set specific study goals and accomplish them. You will not procrastinate.
Time Management
If you drive, own a cell phone, and want to succeed, you will learn to manage your time well and create your own schedule. Your mom will not have to wake you up in the morning. You will maintain an updated calendar of daily, weekly, and monthly commitments, and you will coordinate it with family events. You will no longer crisis manage your classes and obligations, but you will plan, strategize, and prepare. You will develop a consistent, daily study routine. You will not allow text messages or social media to distract you. This process takes time, patience, and dedication, but you will become more productive as a result.
Note Taking
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is a life skill. Research shows that handwritten notes are better retained than digital notes. First, writing down important points involves all the memory sensors: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Second, the practice of taking notes engages your mind with what is being taught. You must process the data before recording it, which means you must understand what you write, which causes you to ask questions about the material you don’t understand. This is called active learning. A final way to retain information is to review your notes by explaining what you learned that day to someone else. This practice will identify what you actually understand and what you only thought you understood.
Reading Comprehension
To increase proficiency in almost any area of your life, you must learn to read well, and the only way to do so is with a positive attitude and lots of practice. Begin by reading a novel for at least one hour EVERY DAY. As you get interested in the story, and the reading becomes easier, increase your time. Never skip a day. For non-fiction reading, first review chapter titles and subheadings. Second, read first and last paragraphs and summaries. If you own the book, become an active reader by underlining points and writing notes in the margins. Some excellent and very thorough study-skill guides are available on The Education Corner’s website, including tips for coping with test anxiety. I believe all of you can achieve your dreams, but you must be responsible for your own education. My ACT prep classes are available this June and July. Please check out leestestprep.com for more information. Lee Gonet is an avid learner, speaker, educator, and world traveler. She loves challenging teenagers to excel beyond what society considers possible by teaching young people to think deeply, learn intensely, and act purposefully outside the classroom box. For example, her daughter worked abroad by 16 and her son earned his Engineering Master’s by 20. Dreams do come true. If you would like to learn more about Lee or her ACT Prep Classes, go to leestestprep.com!
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How Girls Are Seeking (and Subverting) Approval Online
“no-filter” trend is prompting girls to share their true selves and accept (and even challenge) whatever feedback they receive. Under hashtags such as “uglyselfie,” and “nomakeup” girls post pics of their unadorned selves, funny faces, unretouched images, and “epic fails” (attempts at perfect selfies that went wrong). Given that adolescents are naturally eager for peer validation -- precisely when they begin to use social tools that provide it -it’s encouraging to see kids having fun with the notion of perfection. As a matter of fact, one of the Common Sense study’s most welcome findings is that social media has the potential to combat unrealistic appearance ideals and stereotypes. And, after all, kids use social media to be, well, social, and constant rejection and pressure is no fun at all. It makes you realize just how powerful social media tools can be. While they foster relationships and engagement -- and can even bolster self-esteem -- they can be both constructive and destructive. That’s why you can’t leave it all up to kids to find their way. Whether your kids are just getting into social media or are seasoned posters, it’s critical to help guide them to use Snapchat, Instagram, and other networking apps for fun and connection and not as fuel for self-doubt.
It’s not a law that you have to post a selfie before, during, and after every activity. But for kids, it’s pretty much mandatory. The resulting likes, thumbs-ups, and other ratings all get tallied, both in the stark arithmetic of the Internet and in kids’ own minds. For some -- especially girls -- what starts as a fun way to document and share experiences can turn into an obsession about approval that can wreak havoc on self-image. That kids have been comparing themselves to popular images in traditional media -- and coming up short -- is a well-researched phenomenon. But new studies are just beginning to determine the effects of social media -- which is arguably more immediate and intimate -- on the way kids view themselves. A Common Sense survey called “Children, Teens, Media, and Body Image” found that many teens who are active online fret about how they’re perceived, and that girls are particularly vulnerable: * 35 percent are worried about people tagging them in unattractive photos. * 27 percent feel stressed about how they look in posted photos. * 22 percent felt bad about themselves if their photos were ignored.
What You Can Do
Talk about the pictures they post. Experimenting with identity is natural, and it’s very common for kids to adopt provocative stances in cell phone pictures, on their social network pages, and in YouTube videos. But are they doing it only because they think others expect it of them? What pose would they strike if they could do anything they wanted? Ask how feedback makes them feel. Are they stressed out by others’ comments and feedback? Does it make them feel better to be “liked?” Why is external approval important? How do negative comments make them feel? Help them develop a healthy self-image. Body image is developed early in childhood, and the family environment is very influential on how kids view themselves. Emphasize what the body can do instead of what it looks like. Also, be careful of criticizing your own looks and weight. Rely on role models. Positive role models have an enormous effect on kids. Cultivate relationships with women your daughter can look up to. Also, point out celebrities and other famous folks who challenge stereotypes about size and beauty and seem comfortable in their own skins. Help them stop the cycle. Urge them to post constructive comments that support their friends for who they are, not what they look like.
How Kids Get Feedback
You probably know about popular apps such as Instagram and Snapchat. But the specific ways kids use these tools to get -and give -- feedback can be troubling. Here are a few examples: Instagram. The number of followers, likes, and emojis kids can collect gets competitive, with users often begging for them. Instagram “beauty pageants” and other photo-comparison activities crop up, with losers earning a big red X on their pics. Snapchat. Numerical scores display the total number of sent and received chats. You can view your friends’ scores to keep tabs on who’s racking up the most views. Lipsi. This anonymous question-and-answer app lets kids find out what others think of them. “Am I pretty or ugly?” YouTube videos. Kids -- mostly girls -post videos of themselves asking if other users think they’re pretty or ugly. These videos are typically public, allowing anyone -- from kids at school to random strangers -- to post a comment.
The Good News
Although approval-seeking and self-doubt continue to plague girls both privately and publicly, there are signs of fatigue. The Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Being the parent of a baby, toddler, or preschooler has so many rewards – and those rewards are well earned by the numerous trials parents must contend with at every stage. Let the following tips guide you through some of the challenges you’re likely to face. Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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Just one spoonful, please. Getting young children to take a spoonful of nasty, bitter tasting medicine is a nightmare most parents have experienced. So hide the taste by mixing it with yummy strawberry or chocolate syrup.
about naps and bedtime in order to have the pacifier. Once your child has had time to adjust to being without the binky during the daytime, move forward with the final step, and eliminate the pacifier altogether.
Potty training challenge. Rewards work wonders with potty
The hellacious temper tantrum. It isn’t a pretty picture, I know. As a result, parents resort to a variety of tactics to bring tantrums to a halt. But as long as you aren’t in public and your child isn’t behaving aggressively, the best choice is often to ignore it. Calmly tell your child you’re leaving the room and will return when your child calms down. Then just walk away. This lets your child know the tantrum isn’t going to help your child get
training. Fill a bowl or basket with small prizes your toddler can choose from each time your child uses the toilet or potty chair. Keep it interesting by using a variety of prizes. Some ideas for inexpensive rewards include happy meal toys, stickers, gumball machine prizes, bite-size candy bars, mini Playdough containers, markers, or anything your toddler finds intriguing.
Hair washing horrors. Most youngsters love bathtime play. But when it comes to getting their hair washed, you’d swear you’re sending them through a torture chamber. The issue is, young children hate water running down their faces. The solution is to fill the tub only 3 inches deep with water. Then roll up a rubber bathtub mat. Have your child lie on their back with the rolled up mat underneath the neck. This keeps your child’s face above water level while your child’s head is tilted back. So the water runs away from your child’s face when you rinse. Once the hair is washed, fill the tub a little more, and reward your child with playtime.
Binky battle. Are you beginning to question whether your toddler or preschooler will be heading to school with a pacifier in their mouth? Fortunately, this battle is far less challenging than parents anticipate. If your child seems really dependent on it, the best approach might be to wean your child gradually. Make a new rule that your toddler can only have it at nap time and bedtime. The bonus is your toddler may be much more cooperative
their way. It also helps you to keep your cool and prevents you from caving in to your child by removing yourself from the situation.
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You win some; you lose some. When playing games with preschoolers, it’s tempting always to let them win. No parent likes to see their child disappointed, or worse, storming away. But teaching your child to accept losing is essential to your child becoming a good sport. The next time you play a board game, allow your preschooler to lose, and teach your child to shake the winner’s hand. Tell your child ‘good game,’ and praise your child for handling the loss well.
your chair further from your child’s bed. Then, as your child grows more comfortable, say you’re going to the bathroom or kitchen but that you’ll be right back. Do just as you promised. Eventually, your child will adjust to your absence and be able to go to bed alone.
Sleep, baby, sleep. As a new parent, it’s a learning process to
figure out how to get your baby to sleep, especially after nighttime feedings. One of the best techniques is swaddling your baby because that’s what your baby experienced in your womb. Start with laying the blanket out flat in a diamond, then flap the top corner over about 4 or 5 inches. Next, lay your baby on the blanket with the base of its head at the edge of the flap. Now flap the right side over your baby. Then fold up the bottom corner over your baby. Finally flap the left side over and wrap it around, so your baby is comfortably snug.
Eek! Germs. It may seem counterintuitive, but don’t be a germaphobe around your young child. Kids need exposure to germs to build up their immune systems. This doesn’t mean you should intentionally expose your child to the flu or allow your toddler to crawl around on the dirty bathroom floor. But to a reasonable degree, allow your baby or child exposure to dirt and bacteria. Don’t panic if your toddler happens to eat a cracker that fell on the living room floor. Also, get your baby or young child out of the house for exposure to other people regularly. Studies have found children exposed to infections earlier on build immunity and are less likely to be affected by exposure as they grow.
Just one more bite of veggies, please. There’s no doubt
vegetables top the list of children’s most-unedible foods’ list. That’s because many vegetables have a slightly bitter taste in comparison to other foods. There are two ways to overcome this. First is to make vegetables more palatable by adding salt or fat. This gives veggies the flavors children, and adults, often crave. If you choose this method, just don’t overdo the added ingredients to keep it healthy. An alternative approach is to reduce the sugary, salty, and fatty foods in your child’s diet. When the palate isn’t used to these additives, vegetables tend to taste better. Keep in mind, children still need a healthy amount of fat in their diets. But by and large, the American diet, even for children, is far more fatty than necessary. mp
Can I have my bed back, please? There’s much debate over
the issue of cosleeping. But most experts agree, it’s really up to the preference of parents. There are benefits and drawbacks for children and parents alike. Often, though, cosleeping becomes a ritual parents never really intended. Once it begins, it’s a challenge to get a child back to sleeping in their own bed. To recover ownership of your bed, tell your child “you’re a big girl (or boy) now, so it’s time to sleep in your own bed.” Then, as Meri Wallace LCSW, in “6 Steps for Getting Your Child to Sleep Alone,” suggests, sit in a chair right next your child’s bed to keep your child company. Over the course of a few days, gradually move
Kimberly Blaker is the author of a kid’s STEM book, Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? containing fun experiments to help kids understand the scientific method and develop critical thinking skills.
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Eagle Scout Helps Wetumpka Troops
Wetumpka businessman and Eagle Scout Pat Whatley recently visited Boy Scout Troops 13 and 50, along with his wife Beth and twin sons, Christopher and Jack. Following the tornado in Wetumpka on January 19, Whatley began raising money through the sale of “Wetumpka Strong” t-shirts and decals to help his community rebuild. Since both Wetumpka Boy Scout units lost their meeting places in the tornado destruction, Whatley gave them each $750. If you would like to help Wetumpka through the purchase of a T-shirt or decal, visit www.we2strong.com. At right, Whatley and his sons with Troop 13 Scoutmaster Scott Rouse. At left, Whatley and his sons also visited with Troop 50, where they presented a check to, from left, Assistant Scoutmaster Gardner Perdue, Senior Patrol Leader Jacob Hutto and Scoutmaster Keith Womack.
Garrett Elementary Offers After-School Dancing Opportunities
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At left, Garrett Elementary dancers from Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection performed at the Leadership Day at their school! Delon Woods, a senior dancer at Alabama State University, and assistant Ashlyn Jennings teach the girls each week. Teaching after school on site gives many children an opportunity to grow in the arts! Special thanks to Teresa Treloar, who helps coordinate the program.
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Perfect Chemistry for Kids
Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
Kids encounter chemistry daily. The foods they eat, the medicines they take, even the toys they play with, are all impacted by natural and manmade chemicals. Cultivating a basic knowledge of chemistry helps children understand how the whole world around them works. It may even keep them safer, as they learn about the positive and negative chemical reactions they can encounter in their environments. Before the word ‘chemistry’ can evolve into an intimidating course selection in their high school years, these recommended items can introduce young scientists to chemical experimentation in fun and positive ways right in their own at-home laboratory.
by Gerry Paige Smith
Ultimate DIY Slime Kit
Mega Crystal Growing Lab
Slime is the ultimate contradiction in hands-on experience. Cool, moist and gooey, slime’s ‘yuck factor’ conversely amplifies its attraction for children’s hands, eager to manipulate it. Expanding a kid’s tactile exploration into a learning journey is easy with the Ultimate DIY Slime Kit. Featuring everything needed to make a small amount of slime, kitchen scientists can quickly whip up glow-in-the-dark, clear goo, glitter-infused, and color-changing slimes. For parents, this kit’s appeal lies in its completeness. Rather than having to round up diverse and excess ingredients to make slime from scratch, this boxed experiment offers just the right amount of materials. The included mixers, containers and storage also protect kitchen dishes from being co-opted for science. Hands-on slime science has never been so easy!
The natural formation of crystals in the earth is an absolute wonder that usually takes place slowly and hidden from our eyes. With the Mega Crystal Growing Lab children learn about crystal formation through chemistry that accelerates the process right at home. Using ‘seed’ rocks to guide the mineral growth, kids and their adult lab partners cook up solutions that foster the creations of various crystal types. Instead of millennia, these crystals only need 7-10 days undisturbed to evolve into transparent marvels. With four silicone growing chambers, this kit provides materials for eight crystal growing opportunities. When kids place their completed home-grown beauties on the included night light display, the distinctly colorful and faceted beauty of their crystals remains to illuminate the chemistry that created them.
(Ultimate Science)
(National Geographic)
Make Your Own Soap
Glow-In-The-Dark Lab
(KLUTZ)
Already familiar with the sudsy marvel they handle daily, now kids can get their hands on the process that actually creates soap. Klutz’s complete kit for crafting up to 10 soaps from scratch includes molds, bright colors, fragrance, stickers, skin-safe glitter, and everything young chemists need to soak up soap science. From melting to molding, the step-by-step instructions offer tips and tricks for goof-proof soap making. While waiting for the first soaps to harden, kids can explore additional soap-based science experiments right in their own kitchen. This particular kit from KLUTZ is ideal because the processes use safe alternatives to making soap from scratch and don’t include ingredients that may cause chemical burns. Get ready to dive into good, clean fun and learning with everything kids need to explore the science of soap.
(SmartLab Toys)
More than just a light in the darkness, the science of chemical illumination is ideal for introducing kids to the principles of fluorescence, phosphorescence and more. With the addition of some household chemicals, the Glow-in-theDark Lab offers the directions, materials and catalysts for young scientists to light up the lab. This kit includes a handheld black-light activator, measures, molds, and detailed instructions for 20 science experiments that will jump start a kids glow-in-the-dark journey through chemistry. If you’ve lost a hundred flashlights to curious kids, the Glow-in-the-Dark Lab may be just the thing to let them explore their interest in irresistible illumination, encouraging them to create their own light sources through fun and engaging experiments!
Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com
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Join us for Easter Sunday services, April 21 at 5 convenient times: Sunrise: 6:30am Traditional: 9:30 & 11:00am Contemporary: 9:30 & 11:00am Current Message Series Now - Easter
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One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.
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Begin Early Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you will need it. Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place for your child. If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an in-home provider.
Ask Those Who Know I asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring daycare options. Their input helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in. Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a churchbased or commercial daycare center. Schedule a tour of any daycare that has made it on to your final list of options. Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.
Look for a Nurturing Environment Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the facility. What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare “feel”? How do the daycare employees transition children into new rooms?
Be Comfortable with the Method of Discipline Ask how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk. I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age of twelve months for biting. I found another daycare for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!”
Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness What are the security procedures? Does the daycare follow them? 79
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Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in? Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?
Assess the Communication Style How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?
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Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa Are you expected to pay for a fulltime week over a certain number of days? How do vacations and holidays work? What hours is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?
Understand the Sick Policy Most daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child in my son’s daycare came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to daycare until a doctor said he was no longer contagious. As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well. mp
Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.
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36013 Macon East
15396 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery Curriculum: High Reach/Reading & Math for 3 & 4 year, McGraw Hill Reading & Math for Kindergarten. Plus: Extended day care and early arrival, Summer Enrichment Program. Multiple child discount. Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. Ages: 3, 4, and 5 years Meals: Hot Contact: Glynn Lot, Headmaster (334) 277.6566 info@maconeast.net www.maconeast.net
36016 New Horizons Preschool
213 S. Madison Terrace, Montgomery Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics, Wee Learn. Plus: Before and after school care offered. Special summer program. All certified teachers. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - midnight Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Cammie Thomas, Director (334) 834.9403
36043 Hooper Childcare/Early Learning Center
360 Fisher Road, Hope Hull Curriculum: A Beka Plus: Multiple child discount. Annual Registration. Call for rates. Hours: 6:45 a.m. -5:45 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 years Meals: Hot Contact: Lisa Wheat, Director (334) 288.2770 www.hooperacademy.org
36054 Cobblestone Learning Center 66 Penser Blvd., Millbrook Curriculum: Teacher Led Plus: Multiple child discounts. Hours: 6:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Sharon Plyler, Director
(334) 285.8517 cobblestonelearning@gmail.com www.cobblestonelearning.com
Cousin Jane’s Preschool
3080 Main Street, Millbrook Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Multiple child discounts. Special summer program.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. -6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Jennifer Cousins & Jane Aplin, Director (334) 285.2476
Support and Guidance. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Mary Ann McKinley (334) 361.2223 director@prattvilleacademy.com www.prattvilleacademy.com
36066 The Learning Tree Child Development Center ad on page 74
1816 Glynwood Drive, Prattville Curriculum: Full educational program. Plus: Before and After School care program offered. Summer program. Multiple Child Discount. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Tammy McLemore (334) 365.1451 Learning-tree.org
East Memorial Baptist Church Preschool
1320 Old Ridge Road, Prattville Religious Affiliation: Southern Baptist Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Registration Fee: 65.00. Please call for rates. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - K4 Meals: Snacks offered and Hot meal Contact: Lisa Montgomery, Director (334) 358-4110 www.emcawildcats.org
Journey Preschool
435 Sheila Blvd., Prattville Religious Affiliation: Christian/Non-Denominational Plus: After School Care and Summer Program offered. Multiple Child Discount. Annual Registration fee. Please call for rates. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 years Meals: Hot Contact: Danielle Tedder, Director (334) 351.9994 preschool.journeychurch@gmail.com www.myjourneychurch.com
KinderCare Learning Center
701 Sheila Blvd., Prattville Curriculum: Pre-School at KinderCare and Welcome to Learning Plus: Before and After school care offered. Multiple Child discount. Annual Registration fee. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Charlotte Hardy, Director (334) 365.0470 chardy@klcorp.com www.kindercare.com
Prattville Learning Academy
949 Wright Street, Prattville Curriculum: Child Centered Plus: Before & After school care offered. Special Summer Program. Multiple Child Discount. Family
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36067 First Presbyterian Church Kindergarten ad on page 23
211 S. Chestnut St., Prattville Curriculum: Modified Abeka Plus: Early drop-off and after school care program offered Monday-Friday until 5:30. Multiple Child Discount. Annual Registration fee. Please call for rates. Hours: 8 a.m.- Noon Ages: K3-K5 Meals: Children bring snacks. Contact: Julie Cavnar, Director (334) 491.3411 firstpreskindergarten@gmail.com www.fpkprattville.com
Little Lights Creative Learning Center ad on page 86
640 Malwest Drive, Prattville Kindergarten Preparation Plus: After School care offered. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Two snacks & lunch provided Contact: Kristie Skipper (334) 356-0422 littlelightsclc@gmail.com
First Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten
138 S. Washington St., Prattville Curriculum: Scott Foresman Language Arts Curriculum, Harcourt Math, Wee Learn by Lifeway, The Wright Skills Phonics Program and Sobut & Bogan Plus: Before school care begins 7:15, extended program offered for after hours. FBC offers Mother’s Morning Out Program. Please call for more info. Please call for rates. Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m. Ages: 3 yrs. - 5 yrs. Contact: Jamie Robison, Director (334) 361.9481 jamie.robison@fbcprattville.org www.fbcprattville.org
36092 Kiddie Kollege
202 Old Montgomery Hwy., Wetumpka Curriculum: Abeka Plus: After School care offered. Multiple Child
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Meals: Hot Contact: Chad Baker, Director
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Children’s Learning Center
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Wetumpka Preschool Child Development Center & Periscope
GUIDE Discount. Annual Registration fee. Hours: 6:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Ages: 18 mths. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Hazel Downs, Director (334) 567.4236
Sesame St. Clubhouse Preschool
815 Wilson St., Wetumpka Curriculum: Full educational program. Plus: Before & After School Care. Multiple Child Discount. Full camera system that is accessible by parents. One time registration fee. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 18 mths. - 9 yrs.
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
502 North Bridge Street, Wetumpka Curriculum: High Reach Learning, Creative Curriculum Plus: Before and After school care offered. Special Summer Program and “Periscope”. Multiple child discount. Hours: 6:15 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks-5 years (before Kindergarten) Meals: Hot Contact: Cecelia Hatcher, Director (334) 567.4689 wps502@yahoo.com www.gatewaypreschool.weebly.com
36093 Wee Ones Preschool & Beyond
305 South Perry Street, Montgomery Religious Affiliation: Christian. Curriculum: Pinnacle Faith Based. Plus: Multiple child discount offered. Activities: Computer for 4 year olds, music included, Big Green Bus every Thursday and Tonya Speed Dance every Tuesday. Annual Registration fee. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 years Meals: Hot lunch and 2 snacks Contact: Kim Herbert, Director
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Montessori Academy
1025 South Hull Street, Montgomery Curriculum: Montessori Plus: Programs available full and part time. Multiple child and Active Duty discount. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 12 months - 6 years Meals: Hot lunch (optional) or brown bag. Contact: Erin Kilgore, Director of Admissions (334) 262.8685 montgomery.montessori@gmail.com www.montessorimontgomery.com
Trinity Church Preschool
2425 Dozier Road, Wetumpka Curriculum: Carol’s Curriculum Plus: Before & after school care offered. Summer program available. Mother’s Day Out offered. Multiple child discount. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, hot lunch & afternoon snack Contact: Elana Segrest, Director
1728 South Hull Street, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka, Handwriting without Tears, Saxon Hands on Math. Plus: Early drop off and Late room available. Special Summer Program offered. Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Ages: 4 mths. - K5 Meals: Snack provided for one year olds, snack bucket for older children. Contact: Lucy Freeman, Director
(334) 478.4938 weeonespreschoolllc@gmail.com www.weeonespreschool.net
(334) 262.8830 lfreeman@trinitypca.org www.trinitypca.org
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36105 Sunnyside Child Care Center
3784 Norman Bridge Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics and Wee Learn Plus: Before and After school care available. Special summer program. Hours: 5:45 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Tracy Hill, Director (334) 612.0903
36106 Learning Tree Child Development Center ad on page 74
4120 Carmichael Road., Montgomery Curriculum: full educational program Plus: Before and after school care offered. Multiple child discount and Baptist Hospital Employee discount. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 12 mths.. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Ruby Davis, Director (334) 271.4733 www.learningtree.com
Montessori at Mulberry ad on page 19
2034 Clubview Street, Montgomery Curriculum: Each child is encouraged to reach his/ her full potential in all areas of life. The specific needs of individual children are met at each developmental level. Our curriculum, which is
challenging, interdisciplinary and real world related, provides a strong academic bridge to elementary school. Plus: Registration is open as space permits. Personal interview for testing requirement. Please call for rates. Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 12 mths.. - Kindergarten Meals: Brown Bag Contact: Terri Jackson, Director (334) 265.7733 montessori.mulberry@gmail.com www.montessoriatmulberry.com
Vaughn Park Church of Christ Mother’s Day Out ad on page 73
3800 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Varies by age Plus: Please call for rates Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Snack provided Contact: Dee Dee Nolan, Director (334) 272.2665 www.vaughnpark.com
Bethany Child Development Center
714 Cedar Street, Montgomery Religious affiliation: Seventh Day Adventist. Curriculum: Child’s World Plus: Multiple child discount. Annual registration fee. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks - 6 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Kim Griggs, Director (334) 265.5521 bethanycdceagles@gmail.com
Cloverdale Preschool Academy
608 E. Fairview Ave. , Montgomery Religious Affiliation: Christian/ Baptist.
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Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Special summer program. Call for rates. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Sharman Nall, Director (334) 265.7488 snall@cloverdalebaptist.net www.cloverdalepreschoolacademy.com
Evangel Christian Preschool
3975 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Religious Affiliation: Assemblies of God. Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Multiple child discount. Activities: ORFF, Gymnastics, computer and dance offered. Annual registration. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Catered Contact: Rosemary Hean, Director (334) 273.0730 eaoffice@aol.com www.ecalions.org
First UMC Early Childhood Development
2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery Curriculum: Child centered, Christian using spiritual enrichment learning activities to insure success. Plus: Multiple child discount offered. Development appropriate learning environment. Learn through play, making choices and guided discovery in a warm, loving environment. Gymnastics, dance, soccer, music and art offered. Annual Registration fee: call for rates. Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Vicky Moore, Director (334) 834.8964 vmoore@fumcmontgomery.org www.fumcmontgomery.org
First United Methodist First School
2416 W. Cloverdale Park, Montgomery Curriculum: Challenging, age appropriate.
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and Flip Factory available. Weekly chapel for 2-5 year olds. Registration and supply fee. Please call for rates. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Tamira Quattlebaum, Director
Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center
(334) 279.0643 www.heritagecdc.net
(334) 229.4470 shinton@alasu.edu
Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center
GUIDE Plus: Early and Late room available. Activities: Music program, weekly chapel, field trips, gymnastics, dance, art, computer and soccer. Please call for rates. Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 2 mths. to Kindergarten Contact: Beth Mantooth, Director (334) 481.0413 bmantooth@fumcmontgomery.org www.fumcmontgomery.org
Heritage Baptist Child Development Center
1849 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Star Fall and ABC Jesus Loves Me Plus: Activities: Mobile Mouse, Barber Elite Soccer
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
2703 Highland Avenue, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka and Baby Can Read Plus: Before and after school pickups. Extended care and Summer program available. All certified teachers. Please call for rates. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 14 yrs. Meals: Hot breakfast, lunch and two snacks Contact: Sandra Hill, Director (334) 832.9403
Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center, Too
2726 Highland Ave., Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Before and after school care pickup. Extended care and summer program available. All certified teachers. Please call for rates. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 2.5 yrs. - 14 yrs. Meals: Hot breakfast, hot lunch and two snacks Contact: Sandra Hill, Director (334) 832.1876
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1100 Tuscaloosa Street, Montgomery Curriculum: Saxon Plus: Extended hours and after school care available. Registration fee. Please call for rates. Hours: 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Ages: 3 yrs. - 7 yrs. Meals: Hot, Gourmet Food Services Contact: Sandra Hinton, Director
36107 Alpha & Omega Learning Center ad on page 20
1562 Ann Street, Montgomery Ages: Infants, toddlers, kindergarten, primary and middle school. Contact: Lisa Williams, Owner (334) 294.0805
36108 Central Alabama OIC, Inc.
2035 Mobile Road, Montgomery Curriculum: SMARTBOARD: Computer Based Instruction Plus: Subsidized childcare accepted. Offering SMART Board: Computer based instruction. Hours: 6:50 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 4 wks. To school age Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack Contact: Geraldine Hill, Director (334) 265.1594 www.centralalabamaoic.com
Hansel and Gretel Preschool 3010 Mobile Hwy., Montgomery Curriculum: Creative
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Plus: Before and After care offered. Special Summer program. Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 8 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Rita Faye Green, Director (334) 269.5644
Kamp-A-Demics
2308 Dillard St., Montgomery Curriculum: Pre-K, play based, and Creative Plus: Certified teachers. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 2 mths. - 12 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Contact: Vivia Gadson (334) 221.3101
New Generation Preschool
3461 Old Selma Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Before and after school care available. Special summer program offered. Multiple child discount. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 15 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Janet Long, Director (334) 263.9660 www.newgenerationpreschool.com
Peppermint Hill Learning Center
1217 Oak Street, Montgomery Curriculum: Creative Plus: Please call for rates. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 mths.. - 6 yrs. Meals: Catered, 2 snacks and 1 hot meal. Contact: Cynthia Mull, Director (334) 230.9650 ceeb57@aol.com
Southlawn Child Care Center
125 Greenleaf Drive, Montgomery Curriculum: Creative Plus: Multiple child discount. Annual Registration. Please call for rates.
Hours: 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: Infant - 15 Years Meals: Hot Contact: Elizabeth Sankey, Director
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(334) 286.1056 or (334) 286.9156 southlawn@aol.com
2815 Forbes Drive, Montgomery Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:10 p.m. (extended care from 3:10 - 5:30) Ages: 4 - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot breakfast and lunch. Contact: TaMarkus Milner, Principle
36109 Covenant Kids Child Development Center
9 Arden Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Pinnacle Faith-based Plus: Multiple child discount. Please call for rates or to schedule a tour. Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 years. Meals: Morning snack, Hot lunch and afternoon snack provided. Contact: Donna Jones, Director (334) 356.9110 covenantkids1@outlook.com
East YMCA Kindergarten & Child Care
3407 Pelzer Ave., Montgomery Curriculum: High Reach Plus: Multiple child discount. Activities: Wade pool, gym activities, music and Bible stories. Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Catered Contact: Ruth Davis, Director (334) 272.3390 rdavis@ymcamontgomery.org www.ymcamontgomery.org
Resurrection Early Child Care
(334) 265.4615 tmilner@rcmsouth.org www.rcmsouth.org
36111 Whitfield Kindergarten
2673 Fisk Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Combined Plus: Special summer program. Optional late pick at 5:30. Activities: Dance offered. Hours: 7:30 a.m. 4:15 and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. for Mothers Day Out Ages: 8 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Brown bag Contact: Jane Ruud, Director (334) 281.2470 www.whitfieldumc.org
36116 The Learning Tree Child Development Center
Eastern Hills Child Care
ad on page 74
(334) 277.5424 stacy@ehbconline.com www.easternhillsonline.com
(334) 284.5560
3604 Pleasant Ridge Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Multiple Child Discount. Activities: Music, Soccer and Big Green Bus. Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Stacy Royal, Director
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3335 Woodley Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Full educational program. Plus: Before and after school program available. Special summer program offered. Multiple child discount offered. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Malkia Mathews, Director
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Century 2000
4714 Virginia Loop Road, Montgomery Curriculum: A Beka. Plus: Before and after school care. Summer program offered. . Please call for monthly rates. Hours: 5 a.m. - Midnight Ages: 3 wks. - 15 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack. (for those staying late, dinner and snack offered) Contact: Mrs. Deramus, Director
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(334) 288.7740 www.century2000daycare.com
GUIDE Aldersgate Weekday Children’s Ministry
6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Creative Curriculum, Letter of the Week, Abeka. We teach thematic units using social studies, science, math, language, art and music through a hands-on program. Plus: Summer program offered. Surveillance System, Code entry and 3 separate playgrounds. Please call for rates. DHR licensed and inspected. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - Pre K4 Meals: Hot Contact: Lana Ward and Katie Blair, Co-Directors (334) 277.0880 www.aldersgateumc.org
JAAD’s Child Care & Development Center
4002 St. Louis Road, Montgomery Established 1996. Curriculum: Self Developed. Plus: Before and after school care available. Night care available. Please call for rates
and fees. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 4 wks. - 15 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack Contact: Theresa Hardwick, Director (334) 284.9055 jaads_inc@yahoo.com www.jaadschildcare.com
Lighthouse Christian Academy
3570 Bell Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Before and after school care available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Hours: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or full day. Ages: K2 - 9th Meals: Catered Contact: Gary Mohney, Principle (334) 271.4200 info@lcapirates.com www.lcapirates.com
Montessori at Hampstead
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5251 Hampstead High St, Unit #111, Montgomery Curriculum: Montessori. Testing Requirements: Interview, Ed Psych Test, Transcripts for students 6 and up. Plus: Activities: P.E., Music, Big Green Bus, Foreign Language, Library, art and a Farm Education program taught by a USDA-Certified Organic farmer. Elementary students also take theater, digital citizenship and robotics in the MSH Tech Lab. Please call for rates. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 12 mths.. - 12 years (6th grade). Meals: Hot meals available or brown bag. Contact: Melanie Morrison, Head of School (334) 356.1969 info@montessoriathampstead.org www. mshmontgomery.org
6000 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten use an integrated approach with literature, art, music and science to introduce readiness skills with hands -on activities. Plus: Extended school day from 7:45 a.m. - 2:45; after school care until 5:30 p.m. Special summer program. Multiple child discount available. Please call for rates. Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. Full day option available. Ages: K3-K4 Meals: Catered Contact: Ms. Andrea Harris, Principle (334) 277.8033 www.stjweb.org
Call 334-549-8955
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A great program for K-1st repeaters
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36117 Frazer Memorial Christian Kindergarten ad on page 79
6000 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Early drop off and extended day available. Activities: Music, field trips, chapel, physical education and gymnastics. Strong faculty with unwavering interest in your child. Please call for rates. Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ages: 3 yrs. - K4 & K5, Kindergarten. 6 wks. - 2 yrs., Mother’s Morning Out. Meals: Snack Bucket or Brown bag for extended day. Contact: Jill Struthers, Director (334) 279.0271 www.frazerkindergarten.com
Lakeview Child Development Ministry ad on page 41
9225 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka; Religious Affiliation: Christian Plus: Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection teaches ballet & jazz on Wednesday afternoons on site. Barber Elite Soccer teaches soccer lessons on Thursday afternoons on site. We provide all blankets and bibs and launder them on site. Hours: 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Our hours remain the same year round. Ages: 6 weeks to 4 years old Meals: 2 snacks per day. Children provide their own lunch. Contact: Lisa Kemp, Director (334) 396-3944 daycare@lakeviewbaptist.cc www.lakeviewbaptistchurch.cc/daycare_info
Memorial Presbyterian Church Children’s Center ad on page 85
2130 Bell Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka, Handwriting Without Tears & Sing, Spell, Read & Write Plus: Summer program for 2 mths.. - 3rd grade. Early and late rooms available. Chapel and music daily. Enrichment classes offered. Please call for rates. Hours: Full day and half day offered. Ages: 2 mths.. - 4 yrs. Meals: 2 snacks and lunch Contact: Melissa Cameron, Director (334) 274.1018 www.memorialpres.net
Vaughn Road Preschool ad on page 24
8790 Vaughn Road (at Immanuel Presbyterian Church), Montgomery Curriculum: Creative Curriculum; linked to the WV Early Learning Standards Framework in Social and Emotional Development, the Arts, Physical Health and Development, Mathematics and Science. Plus: Please call for rates. Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 6 yrs. Meals: Lunch and 2 snacks provided. Contact: Barbara Anderson, Director (334) 277.4815 vrpreschool@gmail.com
AUM Early Childhood Center
7051 Senator’s Drive, Montgomery Curriculum: Project based, Research driven, and thematic. Plus: Please call for rates. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday Ages: 3 yrs. - 5 yrs. (potty trained) Meals: Hot meal or sack lunch from home, two
snacks Contact: Laura Wildman Director (334) 244.3772 LWildman@aum.edu www.education.aum.edu under Early Childhood Center tab
Bo Peep Christian Child Development School
5690 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka Plus: Before and after school program offered. Special summer program available. Activities: Super Summer camp, swimming, flannel board Bible stories, games, art, puppet shows. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Christine Itle, Supervisor. Brooke Woodfin, Director (334) 271.1941
GracePointe Child Development Center
1565 Ray Thorington Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Play based, Beyond Centers and Circle Time Plus: Surveillance system, coded entry and two separate playgrounds. Please call for rates. Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks - 5 yrs. Meals: Snack provided, bring lunch. Contact: Sharon Kilpatrick, Director (334) 799.8390 gracepointecdc@gmail.com www.grace-pointe.com
Kiddie Home Daycare at Mitylene Forest 618 Silver Moon Court, Montgomery Curriculum: combined Plus: Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snacks. Contact: Leeza Beaulieu, Director
(334) 221.4446 or (334) 396.2598 lizamay1972@yahoo.com
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KinderCare Learning Center
6955 Halcyon Park Dr., Montgomery Curriculum: Early Foundations Plus: Before and after school care. Special summer program offered. Multiple child discount. Please call for rates. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Contact: Courtney Tate, Director (334) 270.5955 ctate@klcorp.com www.kindercare.com
Legacy Early Learning Center
2323 Bell Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Christian based Pre-school program Plus: Special summer program available. Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:45 Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Lunches and two snacks provided Contact: Tara Harris, Director (334) 649.4601 tara@thelegacychurch.org
Little Explorers Learning Center
181 Eastern Blvd. , Montgomery Curriculum: Bible based Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Lunch and snack for toddler and preschool Contact: Jennifer Mitchell, Director (334) 324.7103 lelc@riversedgechurch.us www.littleexplorerslearningcenter.org
St. James Preschool
9045 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Teacher developed including hands-on activities and age appropriate readiness skills. Plus: Late day offered. Please call for Registration fees and monthly rates. Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 8 M-mths.- Kindergarten Meals: Brown bag, snack provided. Contact: Leah Winn, Director (334) 277.3412 www.sjlife.com under ministries.
Taylor Road Christian Kindergarten & Mom’s Day Out
1685 Taylor Road, Montgomery Curriculum: Abeka & Handwriting without Tears Plus: Before and after school care available. Special summer program offered. Please call for rates. Hours: Kindergarten: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Three or four day options. Mother’s Day Out: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday - Thursday. Ages: Kindergarten: K3-K5. Mother’s Day Out: 6 wks. - 36 mths.. Meals: Brown bag Contact: Holly Nichols, Director (334) 271.0845 www.taylorroad.org (link to preschool)
Vaughn Forest Preschool and Kindergarten
8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery Curriculum: High Reach and Letter People Plus: Early and late offered. Certified teachers. Please call for rates. Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 18 mths.. - 5 yrs. Meals: Brown bag and snack Contact: Mary James Newsom, Director (334) 277.0362 www.vaughnforest.com under Ministries
YMCA Goodtimes Before and After School Programs
2325 Mill Ridge Drive, Montgomery Contact YMCA Goodtimes Center for additional information: (334) 279.8666 www.ymcamontgomery.org
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Lifetime Dancers Share the Stage!
Two young ladies competed recently in the Miss Montala Pageant at Alabama Christian Academy. Madison Parker, shown left, received Best Opening Number, Top Ten and was chosen 1st Runner-Up Miss Montala. Grace Bruner received the Best Interview, Best Dancer, People’s Choice Award, Top 10 and was named the winner of Miss Montala. Both of these girls have been lifetime friends and longtime dancers at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection, where they are members of the competitive dance team, DC Strutters!
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Aldersgate United Methodist Church Holy week 2019 Events Children’s Easter Egg Hunt April 13 | 9 a.m. | CAC
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All children from birth - 5th grade are invited to the Children’s Easter Egg Hunt! Please bring your own Easter basket.
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The Risen Christ: Palm Sunday Musical April 14 |10:30 a.m. | Combined Service in Sanctuary
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Easter Musical by the Chancel Choir, Orchestra and Drama Team featuring the music of contemporary Irish hymn writers, Keith and Kristyn Getty and Stuart Townend. Palm processional by children. Churchwide Covered Dish Luncheon after the Service.
Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Service April 18 |7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Run for a Mom 5K & Fun Run to Benefit Agape
A worship experience filled with reflection, drama and communion.
Good Friday Tenebrae Worship Service April 19 |7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Agape of Central Alabama’s 9th Annual Run for a Mom 5K & Fun Run will be held Saturday, May 11. The race will take place at the Vaughn Park Church and will continue through the Vaughn Meadows community. All proceeds from the Run for a Mom 5K & Fun Run will directly benefit Agape of Central Alabama and its mission to support women, children and families through foster care, adoption, and crisis pregnancy counseling. Registration is now open at www.runforamom.org.
Our Chancel Choir, Joyful Bells, Adult Ensemble, soloists and instrumentalists will be presenting special music. The service of Tenebrae presents the story of Jesus’ Passion from scripture, and as it unfolds, the symbolic candles are extinguished and the Sanctuary is darkened to dramatize the death of our Lord.
Easter Celebration Services Sunday, April 21 6 a.m. | SunRise Service | Blount Cultural Park 10:30 a.m. | Traditional Worship
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8:15 a.m. | Chapel Worship
10:30 a.m. | Contemporary
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Do you remember playing outside as a kid? It was a time to run around and let loose, use your imagination, and explore. As a child growing up in the eighties, I remember walking to school, riding my bike to the swim club or just around the neighborhood to see friends, and making up all kinds of imaginative games in the woods behind my house. Well, that doesn’t happen much anymore. Today, children suffer from nature-deficit disorder. This term was coined by Richard Louv, author of the book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network (C&NN). It refers to children having less experience with and connection to nature over the last couple of decades. Here are some facts: Montgomery Parents I April 2019
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• Only 6 percent of American children ages 9-13 play outside unsupervised, according to Frances Moore Lappe. • In a 2004 survey of 800 American mothers, 71 percent said they played outdoors every day as children but only 26 percent of them said their kids played outdoors daily. • The Outdoor Foundation surveyed 40,000 people and found an overall decrease in the amount of time children participated in outdoor activities. • A 2005 study indicated that 71 percent of adults reported that they walked or biked to school when they were children but only about 20 percent of children did in 2005. This is very true for my family. We live five minutes from my children’s schools, yet I spend about 2 hours each week in carpool lines.
Why This Is A Problem
Children spending less time outdoors has been linked to decreased appreciation of our environment, health problems including childhood obesity and vitamin D deficiency, diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties, and higher rates of emotional illnesses like anxiety
and depression. If children are no longer outside playing and enjoying themselves, then how will they naturally calm down and relax? Well, the statistics are frightening. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), it is estimated that 1 in 8 children suffers from an anxiety disorder. More worrisome, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that 25 percent of teens ages 13-18 will experience some form of anxiety. Additionally, the use of anti-anxiety medications is exploding. It increased by almost 50 percent for children ages 10-19 between 2001-2010, explained Scott Shannon, author of Mental Health for the Whole Child: Moving Young Clients from Disease & Disorder to Balance & Wellness.
with all creatures and plants in the natural world that we subconsciously seek. • Nature provides a sense of wellbeing. • The natural world offers solace and comfort unlike what we find in any manmade environment. • Spending time in nature reduces the level of human response to stress and allows us to recover from stressful situations more quickly. • Having contact with nature promotes healing. A breakthrough study in 2001 in the Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a healing garden at a children’s hospital in California had positive effects on users—about 85 percent reported feeling more relaxed, refreshed, or better able to cope after spending only 5 minutes in the garden.
How Nature Helps Reduce Stress
How Did We Get Here?
A growing number of studies from around the world show the importance of nature in our life such as improving mental health. Examples include recreation activities in the wilderness, community gardens, views of nature and/or gardens at hospitals, and contact with animals. Why is this the case? • Humans have a nature instinct known as biophilia—an innate bond we share
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Five key changes over the last 30+ years have impacted our relationship with nature: 1. How Society Developed. We are increasingly living in urban areas. According to the United Nations, almost 50 percent of all people in the world now live in urban areas, and this is projected to increase to 65 percent by the year 2030. Also, poorly
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designed outdoor spaces make it more difficult for children to play outside. 2. Fear. Richard Louv wrote: “Fear is the emotion that separates a developing child from the full, essential benefits of nature.” Since the 1980s, we live in a more fearful society hyped up by 24/7 media reporting, which was intensified after 9/11. Parents worry about many safety concerns that impact the time their children spend outside, such as traffic, crime, strangers, injury, and nature itself (e.g. skin cancer due to sun exposure, bug bites, and harmful animals.) A 1991 study of 3 generations of 9 year olds showed that between 19701990, the radius around home where children were allowed to roam on their own shrunk to 1/9 of what it was in 1970. Imagine what that statistic is today! 3. Technology. Children spend more and more time focused on screens instead of nature scenes. According to a 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study, daily media use among children and teens has risen dramatically. Today, 8- to 18-yearolds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day (more than 53 hours
a week!). Common Sense Media reports a huge increase in the use of mobile media by young children in the past couple of years. Finally, in his book, Richard Louv sadly quotes a fourth grader: “I Like to play indoors better because that’s where all the electric outlets are.” 4. Time pressures. Children are living an overly structured lifestyle involving sports teams, indoor play centers, homework, extracurricular activities, etc., that prevent them from simply enjoying free play outdoors. 5. Education trends. Unfortunately, outdoor education is not a priority, and recess time and physical education classes are being threatened in many schools.
How Can You Help?
We are all struggling to balance a million priorities and to make the best decisions for our family. Now that you know how critical it is to our children’s wellbeing for them to spend time outside in nature, you may want to take some steps: • Spend more time outside as a family. Don’t overthink this. Keep your children’s outdoor time unstructured–go for a walk,
visit a local park, garden, bike ride, or have a healthy meal in your backyard. • Plan day trips and vacations based on National Parks or other outdoor experiences. • Register your children for outdoor sports and summer camp. • Teach children to “stop and smell the roses”. In other words, be mindful of nature around you. • Lobby for your school to keep physical education and recess on your child’s schedule. • Start a nature group at your child’s school. • Get involved in a community garden or local environmental group. • Examine ways to minimize technology use in your house. Common Sense Media is a fabulous resource to explore. mp Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer/blogger and mother of two. She has written extensively about parenting, wellness, and environmental issues. You can find her at www.happysciencemom.com and www.sandischwartz.com. Get her free course on raising happy, balanced kids at bit.ly/2i53TDV.
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New Homes Starting in the Mid $200s 334.215.9215 | newparkliving.com
Between Ray Thorington Road and Taylor Road 1361 BARRET PARK WAY
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FamilyCalendar Monday, April 1
Vendor Registration for the Pike Road Community Yard Sale -- Through April 25 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Rd). The yard sale is Apr. 27 at Pike Road Town Hall. Booths are $25 each, and all proceeds benefit the Pike Road Lions Club. Payment must be received to reserve a booth. Booths are the size of a standard parking space, and vendors may not be businesses or sell food items – yard sale items only. For more info, call (334) 235-1125 or e-mail jpinegar424@ yahoo.com. Visit http://bit.ly/2VO5LlU. Wetumpka Depot Spring Youth Academy Sessions run through May 7 Do you have a budding singer, dancer or actor in your family? Sign up your young artist for the Wetumpka Depot Youth Academy. Classes are offered after school on Mondays and Thursdays for ages 8 and up, or during the day for homeschoolers on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For details, visit www.wetumpkadepot. com/youth-actors-academy.html or call (334) 868-1440.
standing feud has pitted neighbor against neighbor in a mid-20th-century American town. Shakespeare’s iconic story asks the question: What happens when a community fails its young people? Recommended ages 12+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353.
Thursday, April 4
Roman Street Live at The Capri 7:30 p.m. Roman Street is a Mobile-based jazz fusion group. Brothers Noah and Josh Thompson specialize in improvisational fusion of Classical, Contemporary Jazz, Latin, and Nuevo Flamenco. Tickets are $20 and proceeds from the show go to benefit the Capri Community Film Society. For more info, call (334) 2624858 or visit www.capritheatre.org.
This is a free, family friendly event. Outside food welcome. Bring the family and enjoy good tunes and good brews. Call (334) 676-2287 or find us on Facebook. Empowered to Connect Conference for Foster and Adoptive Parents -- Also April 6 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. First Baptist Church Opelika, 301 S. 8th St., Opelika. Come experience practical teaching in a safe and supportive community as we work to equip families, churches and professionals to better serve children impacted by adoption and foster care. Free event; light refreshments served; no childcare provided. RSVP at www.127fostercare. com.
Find a listing of Public Library Storytimes and Events at
MontgomeryParents.com!
Cloverdale Playhouse School K-12 Spring Classes -- Through May 23 The Playhouse School offers affordable, professionally-taught classes for acting students in grades K-12. No matter your experience level, we encourage you to join us to explore the fun, challenging, delightful world of theater! We’ll learn what it means to communicate, share and listen, develop characters, explore the core of the story, and develop the craft of acting. To learn more about our faculty and our program, visit www. cloverdaleplayhouse.org/ or call (334) 262-1530.
Tuesday, April 2
Arts for Autism 2-4:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. April is Autism Awareness Month and the Museum is offering this free event designed to honor those on the spectrum and their families. Fn activities throughout the Museum include make-and-take art projects and “ask me” docents in the galleries. For more info, call (334) 625-4333 or visit https://mmfa.org/.
Wednesday, April 3
Capital City Master Gardener Association Lunch and Learn Series Open to the Public The first Wednesday of each month, noon to 1 p.m. Sessions are held at the Armory Learning Arts Center, 1018 Madison Avenue, Montgomery, next to the Curb Market. Related handouts from the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service are provided each session at no cost. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunches to each event. Iced tea and water will be provided. Artful Yoga at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts -- Also April 17 & May 1 Noon-1 p.m. Does your yoga practice need a little artistic inspiration? Join us for this new program to stretch, reflect and relax. Each Artful Yoga session will draw inspiration from collections and exhibitions of the Museum. Led by instructor Nancy Beale. The class is free and suitable for all levels; beginners are welcome. Bring your yoga mats and wear comfortable clothing. For more info, visit https://mmfa.org/ discover/artful-yoga/ or call (334) 240-4333. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Romeo and Juliet -- Through April 28 Written by by William Shakespeare; directed by Rick Dildine. Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet a Capulet—“star-crossed lovers” whose families’ long-
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Spring Fling with the Bama Breeze 5:30-8 p.m. Capitol Oyster Bar 617 Shady Street Montgomery. A fun-filled evening of live music by the Bama Breeze Band, great food, BBQ, raffles, dancing, and more! $10 at the door. All proceeds go to Alabama Animal Alliance Spay/Neuter Clinic. Call (334) 239-7387 for more info. Theatre AUM Presents Arcadia -- Through April 14 7:30 p.m. performances except one 2 p.m. matinee April 14. Written by Tom Stoppard. $10 - general admission; $5 - senior citizen, non-AUM students, and military (with ID); and free - AUM students, faculty, staff, and alumni (with AUM ID). For reservations or more info, contact Katie at (334) 244-3632 or kpearso2@aum.edu. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Into the Breeches -- Through May 4 Written by George Brant and directed by Shana Gozansky. Montgomery, 1942: With the local playhouse’s director and actors off at war, the director’s wife sets out to produce an all-female version of Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V. A hilarious and moving comedy about the transformative power of art. Recommended ages 12+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353. Earth’s Heart: Connecting Cultures -Also April 11, 18 & 25 2:30-3 p.m. ArtWorks at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Explore the arts of different cultures. ArtWorks Educator Kelly Bazan will introduce young learners to the basic greetings, visual arts, music, clothing, and traditions of the country in focus (this month is Greece). Connections will also be made to works in the Museum’s galleries. Classes are limited to 25 students. First come, first serve. For more info, call (334) 240-4333 or visit mmfa.org/.
Friday, April 5
First Friday Music 6-8:30 p.m. Common Bond Brewers, 424 Bibb Street, Suite #150, Montgomery. Cameron DuBois, a singer/ songwriter hailing from right here in Montgomery, will play original and country and R&B cover songs.
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Arts and Craft Beer Festival -- Through April 7 VIP Reception 4-9 p.m. Friday; full festival day Saturday, 2-7 p.m.; and Sunday noon-5 p.m. Goat Haus Biergarten, 532 Clay Street, Montgomery. A weekend full of specially crafted brew, signature bar bites, entertainment all intertwined with the creative arts! Live music, performances, live painting, and festivities. Call (334) 625-9602 for more info.
Saturday, April 6
Autism Crawfish Boil Noon-5 p.m. Dreamland BBQ. $35 tickets available for purchase through Serquest and at Easterseals Central Alabama. 4,000 pounds of all-you-can-eat crawfish and sides, cold beverages, live music featuring local bands and more. Raffle prizes, crawfish souvenirs and fun! Proceeds support the autism services provided at Easter Seals Central Alabama. For more info, call (334) 387-3256 or e-mail info@ eastersealsca.org. Ballet on the Riverwalk 7 p.m. Riverwalk Amphitheater, 355 Coosa St. The Montgomery Ballet presents The Masks We Wear, a performance of Mardi Gras with music by Gravity. Tickets are only $10! For more info, call (334) 4090522 or visit montgomeryballet.org. Conversations at Kress: Agents of Change 10 a.m.-noon. Kress on Dexter, 39 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery. This conversation is inspired by ASF’s repertory productions of Steel Magnolias and Into the Breeches. Join our panelists for a look at the exciting work being done by women in traditionally male-dominated fields, and hear stories of leadership, mentorship and overcoming obstacles. This is a free community event. All are welcome. Call (888) 487-5181 for more info. Native American Family Day at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 1-4 p.m. This free spring event celebrates the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and their heritage in fun and interactive ways for all ages. Join us for an afternoon of dance performances, tribal drumming, and artisans demonstrating their skills. We will have handson basket weaving, medallion making, and creating in clay, all in the Poarch Creek tradition. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333.
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Old Cahawba Civil War Walking Tour 10-11 a.m. Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, 9518 Cahaba Rd, Orrville, Ala. This guided walking tour will immerse visitors in the history of Castle Morgan, the POW camp at Old Cahawba, and explore the plight of these unfortunate soldiers. Visitors will also learn of the hardships of the town’s Confederate residents who suffered while their husbands, fathers and sons were off to war, many never to return. Call (334) 872-8058 for more info or visit www.ahc. alabama.gov or www.facebook.com/oldcahawba. Admission is $8/person.
all day long, and there are other activities around the park for everyone to enjoy! Pre-register to be a part of the basketball and double-dutch competition, and you may even spot a Mustang or two. Home Depot Kids’ Workshop 9 a.m.-noon. All locations. Ages 5-12. Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. This month, you and your child can build a birdhouse. Your young birdwatcher can observe birds’ behaviors like nest building and provide them a safe place to eat without the need for expensive equipment. Once your project is built, decorate it with paint and stickers. Each child also receives a kid-sized orange apron and an achievement pin. For more info, visit http://homedepot.com/workshops/ kids-workshops.
Woodland UMC Trail Ride Fundraiser 8 a.m.-sunset. Join the community in supporting the Blackfeet Mission team’s trip to Montana. All are welcome! There will be guided trail rides, or you can go at your own pace. Lunch will be included in the $25 minimum donation. Trails are well-maintained and great for horses without shoes, beginner riders and advanced, too! Hay rides provided to those who do not bring a horse to ride and $10 lunch included with the hay ride. For more info, call (334) 318-6895 or visit woodlandontheweb.org.
Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Presents tobyMac 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $16. For tickets or more info, visit www.bjcc.org/ or call (205) 458-8400. Repticon Montgomery -- Also April 7 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Alcazar Shrine, 555 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery. Great reptile and exotic animal show with thousands of top quality animals not found anywhere else in the area. The complete experience includes interactive live animal presentations, free raffles, and shopping among all the supplies, cages, merchandise and feeders to support new pets. Admission charged. For more info, visit repticon.com/ alabama-2/montgomery/.
Wilson Pickett Music and Arts Festival 9 a.m.-4 p.m., evening concert at 6 p.m. Pratt Park, Prattville. The festival features an artist village with local and regional artists for shopping, food vendors for eating, and arts activities for the kids and teens! The stage will feature entertainment
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Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Winnie- the-Pooh -Through May 5 From the stories of A.A. Milne, dramatized by le Clanché du Rand; directed by Neil David Seibel. Join Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and friends in this charming musical adaptation of A.A. Milne’s classic stories. Winnie-the-Pooh spends his days searching for
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Guided Nature Hike at Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook -- Also May 4 Hike some of Lanark’s 5 miles of trails with an experienced ANC naturalist by your side. S aturday programs are from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Take a look around the hands-on Discovery Hall, enjoy the movie specials in the theater, and explore the trails. General admission applies: $5/person with a $20 maximum per family. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife. org/ or call (800) 822-9453.
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Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Our Town-- through April 27 Written by Thornton Wilder; directed by Bruce Longworth. Our Town follows young lovers Emily and George and their neighbors through a life journey that delivers universal truths about what it means to be human. Recommended ages 11+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353.
Michael’s Kids Club -- Also April 13, 20 & 27 10 a.m.-noon. $3 per project. Supplies included. Ages 3-8. Each session is 30 minutes. Parent or guardian must remain on premises. April 6 is Carrot
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Crafts; April 13 is Funny Bunnies; April 20 is Fuzzy Little Lambs; and April 27 is Spring Showers Art. For more info, visit www.michaels.com/.
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• Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Golf • Archery • Gymnastics • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! Choose from 1- and 2-week Sessions and Mother-Daughter Weekends!
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FamilyCalendar honey, doing his exercises, and playing with his best friends. Adventures ensue as a new animal — a kangaroo — moves to the forest! Recommended ages 3+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Steel Magnolias -- Through May 5 Written by Robert Harling and directed by Rick Dildine, this is the hilarious and heartwarming story of six Southern women who gather and gossip at the local beauty parlor. With wit, warmth and intelligence, they rise to meet whatever challenges life sends their way. Recommended ages 12+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353. Yoga on The Green -- Saturdays through June 29 The Green at Shoppes at EastChase adjacent to Pies + Pints. This free event is sponsored by Guardian Credit Union.
Sunday, April 7
Montgomery Chorale Presents Songs for the King 3-4:15 p.m. First United Methodist Church 2416 W Cloverdale Park, Montgomery. Celebrating royal music with classics like Parry’s “I Was Glad” and Handel’s coronation anthem “Zadok the Priest.” We will also present “When David Heard” by Eric Whitacre. For more info, visit www.montgomerychorale.org/ or call (334) 265-3737. Kowaliga, Music On The Deck Also April 14 & 28 4:30-7:30 p.m. Kowaliga Restaurant, Lake Martin. For more info, call 256.215.7035 or visit www.russelllandsonlakemartin.com/. April 7 musician is Clay Barker; April 14 is Jonathan Bloom; April 28 is Ella Langley.
Tuesday, April 9
Art of Baking Puppet Show -- Also April 10 9:30 and 10:45 a.m. shows. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts presents this program designed for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Children are engaged as they visit a bakery run by colorful animals from different parts of the world. The characters demonstrate how it takes everyone working together to turn the bakery’s yummy treats into art using color, shape and line. Various works of art from Museum’s collection also make an appearance during this exciting production. Open to the public; however, reservations are required. Please call Jill at (334) 625-4359 or e-mail tours@mmfa.org.
Wednesday, April 10
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Opening Night for 2019 Season/Military Wednesday 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. We’re kicking things off with the return of the Andrews Brothers Dueling Piano Show in the Club Car Bar before and after the game, along with a MAX Fireworks Spectacular! Also, every Wednesday the Biscuits thank our military men and women with discounted admission and concession prices! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball. com or call (334) 819-7483. Central Alabama Master Gardener (CAMGA) Lunch & Learn Program Noon-1 p.m. Held at the Elmore County Extension (ACES) facility on Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka, these free events for the public are held on the
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second Wednesday of each month. Attendees are invited to bring their lunch and learn. Beverages are provided by CAMGA. For more info, call 567-6301 or visit www.aces.edu/counties/Elmore/.
Thursday, April 11
Anabranch 2019 -- Through April 13 What was the one-day Alabama Book Festival will become Anabranch 2019, a three-day event that will includes a discussion panel featuring Imani Perry and Andre’ Holland at The Capri on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.; workshops at Troy University Montgomery Campus 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday; and the book festival in Old Alabama Town on Saturday featuring authors and live musicians. See the complete schedule at www. alabamabookfestival.org/anabranch-workshops-.html. Film: Inside Out: The People’s Art Project 5:30-6:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. This film is the first project from Montgomery’s Art Project. It is a people’s art project. Made by and for the people of Montgomery, created and documented in conjunction with French artist JR’s project, Inside Out, a global participatory art project. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with JR’s team. For more info, call (334) 625-4333 or visit https://mmfa. org/. Prattville Community Chorus, Pops Host ‘Dancing Into Spring’ Event 6:30 p.m. dinner; 7 p.m. concert. Doster Center. Special guests are members of the Prattville High School Show Choir. Cost is $25 per person and includes dinner. Space is limited and reservations are required. Guarantee your spot by calling (334) 595-0854 or visit cc.prattvilleal.gov. Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Presents Pride and Prejudice -- Through May 5 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. matinees April 14, 28 and May 5. The classic adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by Jane Kendall, presented by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing Company. For more info, call (334) 595-0854 or visit wobt.prattvilleal.gov. Tickets: $10 in advance; $12 at the door and can be purchased at cc.prattvilleal.gov. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents As You Like It -- Through April 25 Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Greta Lambert. One of Shakespeare’s most popular romantic comedies, this is a beguiling game of love, desire and mistaken identity that revels in the pleasure of life. Recommended ages 11+. For tickets or more info, visit asf.net or call (334) 271-5353.
Friday, April 12
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Teacher Appreciation/MGM Friday 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Enjoy a night dedicated to teachers across the River Region. Also, every Friday, we celebrate what makes Montgomery special. We’ve partnered with local leaders, influencers, businesses, schools, and more to create nights that show how special our Capitol city is. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483.
& support and encourage their parents in the homeschooling process. We typically meet the second and fourth Friday of every month year-round (except during November and December). Membership is free and is open to all homeschoolers in the tri-county area. For details, visit http://www.onlineecho.com.
Saturday, April 13
Montgomery Herb Society 22nd Annual Herb Day 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Corner of Bell Road and Atlanta Hwy., Grace Presbyterian Church property. Free public educational event for the family, including lectures/ demonstrations featuring experts on identifying, growing and using herbs. Live music, children’s activities and shopping in an open-air market. A variety of vendors will sell garden-related wares, including a huge selection of herbs and other plants, crafts, herbal teas, goat cheese, and yard art. Visit www. alabamaherbsociety.org or find us on Facebook. ART-tivism 2019 1-4 p.m. Kress on Dexter, 39 Dexter Avenue. ART— tivism was created to unify art and social responsibility. Our goal is to create a culture of change through conversations. ART-tivism is the new art! Ticket price is $10 in advance and $15 day of. Tickets include art viewing and sampling of hors d’ouevres. For more info, visit http://art-tivism.com/index.html Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Mardi Gras Night 6:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Come to the ballpark dressed in your best Mardi Gras attire and enjoy Cajun food specials, Mardi Gras-themed music, pre-game second line parade, and more! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. YMCA Strides for Kids- 5K Dash & Fun Run 8:30 a.m. 5K and 9:45 a.m. Fun Run. Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex, 300 Brown Springs Road, Montgomery. All 5K participants will receive a dri-fit shirt. Walk-in/late registrations are welcome (but not guaranteed a shirt on race day). There will also be a 1 Mile Fun Run (no T-shirts provided with the Fun Run). Event will be held rain or shine. Proceeds benefit the Annual Support Campaign. Open to everyone from ages 6 to 80. Costs $30 for 5K; $15 for Fun Run. Contact Manny at msanchez@ ymcamontgomery.org or (334) 396-9754. Reptile Rendezvous and Amphibians, Too at Alabama Nature Center Program begins at 1 p.m. and includes salamanders, frogs, snakes and alligators. A swamp hike is included in admission, but you must RSVP to mvines@ alabamawildlife.org for limited space. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call (800) 822-9453.
Open Gym at the Armory 7-9 p.m. 1018 Madison Ave., Montgomery. $10 fee. Ages 6 and up. Pre-register by April 11. For more info, call (334) 625-2789 or visit armoryathletics.com.
Riverfront Easter Eggstravaganza Kidsfest 10 a.m.-noon. Montgomery Riverfront Park. Egg hunt, facepainting, vendors, pictures with the Easter Bunny, live music and petting zoo. For more info, visit funinmontgomery.com.
Elmore County Homeschool Organization Meets, Also April 26 10 a.m.-noon at Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. Elmore County Homeschool Organization is a non-profit support group for homeschooling families. We provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children
Whole Foods Second Saturday Kids Club 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Whole Foods, 1450 Taylor Rd., Montgomery. Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Each second Saturday, Whole Foods will host fun, hands-on craft activities to teach kids about healthy eating. It’s totally free, and every participant
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gets a piece of fruit and whatever they make in the workshop! For more info, call (334) 523-2940 or visit www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/montgomery.
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Dads and Daughters Saturday (D.A.D.S) Calling ALL Fathers and Daughters for storytimes, fun and laughs, 11 a.m.-noon every 2nd Saturday at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library. There will be singing, dancing and arts & crafts. So come visit us and have an enjoyable time! For more info, visit www.facebook.com/events/1374454692792666 /?source=1.
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Second Saturday Divorce Workshop for Women Montgomery Country Club, Azalea Room, 3800 Narrow Lane Road. 9 a.m.-noon. 3-hour workshop that is offered monthly, designed to help participants explore the legal, financial, and emotional issues of divorce and gain a greater understanding of the process. Cost to attend is $20 per person and preregistration required. For more info, please call or e-mail Sommer Morris at (334) 612-1086 or sommer. morris@morganstanley.com. You may also visit www. secondsaturday.com. Second Saturdays at Old Alabama Town 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. Second Saturdays bring special programs for the whole family including crafts, music, lectures and more! For more info, call (334) 240-4500 or visit www.oldalabamatown.com/. AMC Theaters Offers Sensory-Friendly Movietimes -- Also April 27 For guests and families living with autism or other special needs, AMC partners with the Autism Society to offer unique movie showings where we turn the lights up, and turn the sound down, so you can get up, dance, walk, shout or sing! This program is available on second and fourth Saturdays (family-friendly) and Tuesday evenings (mature audiences) of every month. Please check your local theatre listings for specific showtimes, and don’t forget to share your family fun with #AMCSensoryFriendly.
Sunday, April 14
Community Easter Egg Hunt 11:45 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Woodland UMC. For more info, call (334) 272-7230 or visit woodlandontheweb.org. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Jackie Robinson Day 2:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Jackie Robinson’s legacy will be honored throughout the game, including a special pre-game sign dedication to #4. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. Hampstead Food Truck Takeover Noon-3 p.m. 5272 Hampstead High Street. Enjoy local food, great drinks, parks and play space, and a walkable neighborhood on these Sunday Fundays! Trucks may include Little Donkey, Wharf Casual Seafood Montgomery, Smokin’ Wells BBQ, Sno Ta Goband more. Live music. Great for all ages. For more info, call (334) 270-6730 or find us on Facebook. Second Sunday at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 2-4 p.m. Family Art Affair, Jazz Jams, and our popular docent-led Sunday tours are now on the second Sunday of every month. Bring the whole family for this multifaceted Museum experience Drop in anytime between 2 and 4 PM for this free offering. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333.
Wednesday, April 17
See Me: Exploring Abstractions at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 1 p.m. This program designed for students with special needs will explore abstract works in the galleries and then create mixed-media abstracts. Free and designed for ages 6 and older. To register, please contact Brandy Morrison at edsecy@mmfa.org.
Thursday, April 18
Food For Thought Noon-1 p.m. The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Bring lunch and and join us every third Thursday for these FREE lectures sponsored by Friends of the Alabama Archives. Drinks are complimentary. Today’s topic is “Crusader Without Violence: An Early Biography of Martin Luther King Jr.,” presented by Derryn Moten. Call (334) 353-4726 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Capri Theatre Presents Napoleon Dynamite 7:30 p.m. Napoleon doesn’t have much going for him. He’s 16, awkward, bullied and his grandmother broke her coccyx. Deb and Pedro, who are also misfits, become Napoleon’s friends, and Pedro decides to run for class president, pitting him against one of the most popular people in school. He and Napoleon campaign, but are not, shall we say, politically gifted. But at least Napoleon can dance! For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org or call (334) 262-4858. Pike Road School Kindergarten Open House 5-7 p.m. 500 Avenue of Learning, Pike Road. Parents, bring your rising kindergartner to meet the lead learners, peek into classrooms, register for kindergarten, purchase spirit wear, and see all that PRES has to offer your child. Come-and-go event. Visit http:// elementary.pikeroadschools.org/. ARTtalk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6-8 p.m. Join this monthly program for Museum members during which artists share one artwork apiece and receive feedback from their peers. Enjoy light refreshments and networking with other professionals in this unique program whether or not you choose to bring artwork. To register, please contact Brandy Morrison at edsecy@mmfa.org or call (334) 625-4365. Cost: $50 for the series of 12 meetings or $5 drop-in fee for single meetings.
Saturday, April 20
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt 10 a.m. Auburn University Montgomery near the gymnasium. For kids up through age 11. For more info, call (334) 832-1339 or e-mail reginawalker@ mc-ala.org.
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FamilyCalendar Still Creek Trek at Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook Program begins at 10 a.m. Come out and join us for a trek through still creek as well take a look at some of the cool things that can only be found in the creek! Be prepared to get wet! Bringing a change of clothes is suggested, shoes or sandals (chacos or tevas) are required, no flip flops. General admission applies and includes this awesome program! General admission applies: $5/person with a $20 maximum per family. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife. org/ or call (800) 822-9453. Centennial Hill Health Fair & 5K Run/Walk 6-10:30 a.m. 642 Maggie Street. Health Fair, High Blood Pressure Awareness Seminar, Free HIV Screening, Stroke Prevention Seminar, 5K Run/Walk and Toddler Dash. Highlight Tours 1-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Learn more about the works of art on view and latest exhibitions at the Museum with docent-led tours offered the third Saturday of each month. These tours are free and open to the public, no reservations required. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333.
Monday, April 22
Pike Road Annual Spring Cleanup -Through April 27 Are you ready to #pickupPikeRoad? Grab your friends, your family, your neighbors, and join us as we collaborate to beautify the Town of Pike Road. We hope to have someone picking up litter each day this week, so call (334) 272-9883 to get involved! We provide all the supplies. Visit http://bit. ly/2CdiarU. Montgomery Zoo Earth Day Safari Also April 23 9 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Educational program geared for elementaryage students (advanced reservations required). Students and teachers roam the zoo exploring realm after realm collecting valuable information using a fun and educational Earth Day Scavenger Hunt. As they answer questions, their passport is stamped at five different realm stations earning points to win a prize when completed. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo.com.
Thursday, April 25
Newcomers Club of Montgomery Monthly Luncheon All women of the River Region are invited to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Country Club. The guest speaker will be Dr. Porcia Love, of River Region Dermatology. She will show slides of the effect of some relatively simple procedures that could boost your looks. Luncheon cost is $18 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, April 22, to Cathy Donald at (225) 287-3693 or cathydonaldne@gmail.com. Visit www. newcomersmontgomery.com for more info. Poetry Slam at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6:30 p.m. Registration deadline: April 18. In partnership with youth-mentoring organization, That’s My Child, spoken word poets are invited to register to participate in the Museum’s first open poetry slam—with cash prizes up to $1,000. Poets ages 12-18 will perform
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onstage following National Poetry Slam rules. Each participant’s submission poem, which will be performed in the first round, must be inspired by a work in the Museum’s collection. Participants should be prepared to perform three additional pieces should they advance in the competition. Audience discretion advised. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333. Autauga-Prattville Public Library 3rd Annual Author Expo 6-7 p.m. at the Doster Center in Prattville. Calling all published authors! Registration closes April 19. For more info, call (334) 365-3396 ext. 17 or e-mail rparlier. appl@gmail.com. MPAC Presents Marshall Tucker Band with Jimmy Hall 7:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Tickets begin at $27. More than 40 years after forming, The Marshall Tucker Band continues to tour, performing more than 130 live dates each year. Jimmy Hall first gained notoriety as the lead vocalist, saxophonist and harmonica player for the band Wet Willie, which emerged from Mobile in 1970. For more info, visit www.mpaconline.org/ or call (334) 481-5100. Union Springs Red Door Theatre Presents Stories My Grandmother Told Me -- Through April 28 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2:30 p.m. matinee Feb. 17. Written by Ted Swindley and directed By Kim Mason, this sweet and tender play will touch the hearts of audiences who understand the strong influences that grandparents have in their lives. It is adopted from short stories and weaves a modern Southern gothic tale of a young man’s relationship with the matriarch of his family. Tickets are $15 and may be ordered at (334) 738-8687 or www.reddoortheatre.org. Millbrook Community Theatre Presents Independence Day at Happy Meadows -Through May 5 7:30 performances except for 2 p.m. matinees Apr. 28 & May 5. Written by Laura King and directed by Susan Chain. It’s the 4th of July and the women of Happy Meadows Nursing Home have independence in mind! They’re fed up with the rules, the regulations, and especially the food. When senior resident Holly receives a cry for help from her grandson, she rallies her comrades-in-arms and the women plot a break out. Call (334) 782-7317 or visit www. millbrooktheater.com/. Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Flyin’ West Through May 5 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. Sundays. Written by Pearl Cleage and directed by Sarah Adkins. Following the end of the Civil War, many former slaves, anxious to leave the South and the dangers of Reconstruction, took advantage of The Homestead Act and went West to build new lives for themselves and their families. Set in 1898, Flyin’ West is the story of some of these female pioneers who settled, together, in the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas. For more info, call (334) 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/. Wetumpka Depot Presents Bright Star: The New Musical -- Through May 11 7:30 p.m. performances except for one 2 p.m. matinee May 5. Written by Steve Martin & Edie Brickell and directed by Kristy Meanor, this Tony Award-nominated and Drama Desk Award-winning musical tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina in the 1920s and ’40s. Propelled by bluegrass melodies. For tickets, call (334) 868-1440 or visit wetumpkadepot.com.
Friday, April 26
Black Jacket Symphony Presents Journey’s Escape 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The
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show begins with the multi-platinum-selling album performed note-for-note, sound-for-sound, followed by a full set of Journey’s greatest hits. Tickets begin at $25. For more info, visit www.mpaconline.org/ or call (334) 481-5100. Montgomery Seafood & Arts Festival 5-9 p.m. Union Station Train Shed, 300 Water Street. Entry is just a $5 donation benefitting Child Protect. There will be seafood vendors and art vendors onsite as well as a cash bar and live entertainment by Wyatt Edmondson. For more info, call (334) 625-2100. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Joy to Life/ MGM Friday 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Biscuits players will take the field wearing specialty pink jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. Civil War Living History & Saturday Skirmish Also April 27 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fri. & 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat. Skirmish at 1 p.m. Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury. Activities include infantry drill & firing, cavalry horses & equipment, artillery firing, commissary and wagon, soldier’s equipment, uniforms, music, flags, civilian life, and a Civil War Camp of Instruction including tours of the barracks and other buildings. $2 admission per person, per day. For more info, call (205) 755-1990 or visit https://ahc.alabama.gov/calendar/.
Saturday, April 27
Capital City Master Gardener Annual Plant Sale 7 a.m.-noon. Frazer United Methodist Church, corner of 6700 Atlanta Highway/Burbank, Montgomery. Terrific plants at bargain prices. Plants for sale include: heirloom plants, vegetables, herbs, annuals, perennials, ground covers, trees, shrubs, succulents, shade plants and house plants. Bring the kids for fun children’s gardening activities. Our Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Beat the crowd and come early because the plants go quickly! For more info, visit capcitymga.org or call (334) 300-7135. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Harry Potter Night 6:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Grab your wands and robes and come prepared for an evening filled with costume contests, wizard-themed games, and the sights and sounds of the Harry Potter series! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. 2019 Walk of Life 5K Run/Walk 8 a.m. Tallapoosa Street at the water tower and The Alley.The separate Kids Zone will begin after race inside the Riverfront Park, in front of the stage (this year the Kids Zone is FREE for all children 8 years old or younger). The Walk of Life benefits The Joy to Life Foundation, which provides free mammograms to medically under-served women and men in Alabama. This is a family-friendly event so register your entire family and help fundraise to fight breast cancer! For more info, call (334) 284-5433. Tulotoma Art Trail 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wetumpka’s historic downtown will transform into the area’s liveliest art show. Artists will man booths downtown and sell original art. There will also be live music, art demonstrations,
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FamilyCalendar pop-up shops and store open houses. New this year is a Steampunk art contest in Merchants Alley. Visit www.thekelly.org or e-mail thekelly36092@gmail. com for more info. Alabama Nature Center Rocks! 11:30 a.m. 3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook. Ready to “Rock Out?” Come visit us to search for and paint some nature scene rocks! This program will be informal and will be good for children and adults alike. All materials will be supplied. Feel free to hide your rock around the ANC once you are done, or take it home as a souvenir. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call (334) 285-4550. Pike Road Community Yard Sale 7-11 a.m. at Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Rd) benefiting the Pike Road Lions Club. Complete with music, sausage biscuits and other snacks, and a huge selection of items for sale, you don’t want to miss this opportunity to join your neighbors for a morning of fun. Follow this link to “RSVP” and learn more on the Facebook Event: http://bit.ly/2Uo04KN. SweetCreek Farm Market Spring Chicken Festival -- Also April 28 10 a.m.-5 p.m. F 85 Meriwether Rd., Pike Road. FREE event with live music; a BBQ cookoff with sampling (Saturday only); kids’ activities; corn hole contest; hand crafted vendors; agricultural education; and free samples in our market. For more info, find us on Facebook. Fort Toulouse-Fort Jackson French and Indian War Encampment -- Also April 28 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. & 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sun. Wetumpka. This special event focuses attention on the main protagonists of the French & Indian War - France, Britain and their American Indian allies. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life will take place on Saturday and Sunday throughout the day. Re-enactors will be dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the eighteenth century. $4 admission for adults, per day. $2 admission for children. For more info, call (334) 567-3002 or visit https://ahc.alabama.gov/ calendar/.
Sunday, April 28
Flips & Food Trucks Noon-4 p.m. 201 Waters View Dr., Pike Road. Join us at The Waters’ Town Square for furniture flips, food trucks and lots of FUN – all benefiting Montgomery Habitat For Humanity! Local designers and DIYers alike will grab supplies from the Montgomery Habitat ReStore and ‘flip’ them into one-of-a-kind pieces available during the day-of silent auction. Grab lunch or a snack from one of the local food trucks, or snag a front row seat at The Square and enjoy the live music! Call (334) 272-3200 or visit thewatersal.com. Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Autism Awareness Day 2:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. We’ve partnered with Easter Seals of Central Alabama to form a day inclusive for fans who may not be able to attend regular Biscuits games! We will scale back the audio and visual elements for this game to create an atmosphere safe and comfortable for everyone. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483.
The Prattville Pops Present Annual Spring Concert 3 p.m. FREE at Doster Center. Both the concert and jazz bands will perform. Donations of non-perishable food to benefit the AICC Food Bank. For more info, call (334) 595-0854 or visit pops.prattvilleal.gov.
Monday, April 29
Equal Justice Initiative Anniversary Celebration 7:30 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Join us for this special evening commemorating EJI’s work, with performances by five-time Grammy Award winner Lalah Hathaway, three-time Grammy Award winners the Fairfield Four, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, and Angélla Christie. Learn more about the Equal Justice Initiative at eji.org. Tickets begin at $50. For more info, visit www.mpaconline.org/ or call (334) 481-5100.
Tuesday, April 30
Breakfast with the Scholars 7:30-9 a.m. Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa St. Special guest speaker is Bryan Stevenson, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. He recently opened the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Come hear him speak and support Valiant Cross Academy! For more info, call (334) 694-9200 or visit valiantcross. org/events/. 2019 MAX Sting Fest 6 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium, 200 Coosa Street. The Alabama State Hornets will face the Troy University Trojans! Troy was an NCAA Regional team last year and will carry that reputation in with them under the direction of head coach Mark Smartt. Alabama State is looking to make noise in the SWAC under head coach Jose’ Vazquez. Call (334) 323-2255 for more info.
Wednesday, May 1
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Military Wednesday 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. For details, see April 10 listing.
Friday, May 3
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Military Appreciation Night/MGM Friday 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. We salute all five branches of the armed forces in a night filled with pageantry and recognition of all active and retired military members! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center Presents Carrie Underwood 7 p.m. Tickets begin at $37. For tickets or more info, visit www.bjcc.org/ or call (205) 458-8400.
Saturday, May 4
Wetumpka Community Expo 2019 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Great exposure for your products and services. Throughout downtown streets; E. Bridge, Court, Hill & Company streets. Businesses, arts and crafts, food vendors welcome. $75 Chamber Member Booth 10x10 space. Bring your own tent, table & chairs. Car show & music! Visit www.wetumpkachamber.com/. Flimp Festival 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Includes art activities, chalk art, games, music and entertainment and food. This free Festival is rain or shine. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333.
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Capital of Dreams Triathlon 7:30-11 a.m. Montgomery Riverfront Park. Intermediate level: 1.5K Swim/40K Bike/10K Run and sprint level: 400m Swim/20K Bike/5K Run. For more info or to register, visit
Montgomery Biscuits Star Wars Night/ Jersey Auction 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Celebrate with characters from the 501st Legion, a costume contest, wookiee calling competition and all the sights and sounds from a galaxy far, far away! Biscuits players will be wearing Star Wars-themed jerseys that will be auctioned off during the game! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 819-7483. Zoo Volunteer Serve Day Summer 2019 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. We are asking volunteers to help with landscaping, trimming bushes, planting flowers, raking leaves, painting, and overall prepping the Zoo for the Summer season. Volunteers can be adults, teens, civic groups, school groups, church groups, businesses, military squadrons, and families. Volunteers ages 12-16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or a designated group chaperone. Volunteers under the age of 19 must obtain parent permission to volunteer. For more info or to register, call (334) 625-4900 or register at www.montgomeryzoo.com/.
Sunday, May 5
Capri Theatre Presents Art & Mind 3 p.m. Curator of Education at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Alice Novak will offer a brief introduction to the film Art & Mind, “a journey into art, madness and the unconscious,” contextualizing the work of the visionary artists featured in the film. Those also represented in the Museum’s collection include Francisco do Goya, William Blake, and Salvador Dali. For more info, visit www. capritheatre.org or call (334) 262-4858. Music in May -- Also May 12, 19 & 26 4-6 p.m. 201 Waters View Drive, Pike Road. Looking for a fun family event this spring? Join us at The Square for live music. We have an awesome line-up of local artists coming your way. So, grab your lawn chairs, snacks & friends for a series of great afternoons. May 5: Brett Burcham; May 12: Jason Givens; May 19: Laurel Taylor & James Keith Posey; May 26: Gypsy Cornbread.
Monday, May 6
Alabama Then & Now Bicentennial Art Exhibition Through May 17 Weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 11 in the Mezzanine of the Pike Road Town Hall. Presented in partnership by the Pike Road Arts Council and the Alabama Plein Air Artists. Visitors have the FREE opportunity to view 30 original paintings honoring Alabama’s Bicentennial. A public reception for the exhibit will be held on May 7 in the Town Hall from 5-7 p.m. Follow this link to “RSVP” and view details on the Facebook Event: http://bit. ly/2F8BUPk. 5x7 Art Show, Sale & Reception for the “Alabama Then & Now” Bicentennial Plein Air Art Exhibition 5-7 p.m. at Pike Road Town Hall (9575 Vaughn Rd) In addition to the Bicentennial Exhibition, artists
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SupportGroup from all over Alabama have been invited to create art that does not exceed 5x7 inches (excluding a frame or mat) and to offer that art for sale for only $57 a piece at this event. Follow this link to visit the event on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2CggHRB.
Classes Adoptive Parent Training Classes Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections recruits, prepares, and supports parents adopting waiting children in Alabama’s foster care. For information on adoptive parent classes or to register for classes in Alabama, contact our team at (866) 803-2722 or visit apac@childrensaid.org. Baptist East Maternity Area Virtual Tour We invite you to visit our hospital from the comfort of wherever you are. A personal tour of Baptist Medical Center East’s Maternity Area is now just a click away. This virtual tour is designed to answer any questions you may have regarding our “family-centered maternity care.” Receive an inside look at our Labor and Delivery Suites, Newborn Nursery, Post-Partum and NICU units. From admission to discharge, this video provides all of the information you and your family needs to know. Visit www.baptistfirst.org/. Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes troubleshooting common problems to establish a successful breastfeeding experience. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $15. Class schedule is subject to change, so
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Childbirth Preparation (Four Sessions on Monday Nights) This four-session class is taught by Registered Labor and Delivery Nurses on the campus of Baptist South. This class for new mothers covers topics ranging from how your body changes during pregnancy to signs of labor to the benefits of breastfeeding and what to expect during your birth experience. This class is complimentary. To register, call (334) 286-3466. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp (One Day Saturday Class) This fast-paced one day class taught by Baptist Health’s experienced Labor and Delivery Registered Nurses prepares families to welcome their new addition. All aspects of Labor and Delivery from our hospital admission process through postpartum care are covered during class. Additional topics include Cesarean sections, medication and anesthesia options along with coping and comfort measures. Breathing and relaxation techniques are also introduced. Maternity Area Tour is included as a part of this class. Class offered select Saturdays of each month. Fee: $60 per couple and includes lunch. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Cloverdale Playhouse Rep Class Series First Mondays every month from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Cloverdale Playhouse Rehearsal Hall. This is a safe space to work on your craft, develop your audition skills, share your newest piece, or just get feedback on your latest artistic endeavor. Guest panels and rotating faculty ensure constant growth and a variety of insight. Even if you don’t perform every time - you can learn a lot by observing! There will be a sign-up sheet if you would like to work. Call (334) 262-1530 with questions. CPR & First Aid The American Red Cross offers classes in adult and infant/ child CPR as well as first aid and babysitting classes monthly. Call 260-3980. Diabetes Education --Prattville Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available Wednesdays by appointment at Prattville Medical Park. Call 747-7700 Option # for more information.
please call 293-8497 or e-mail liz.owen@jackson.org to register or for more info. Breastfeeding Class This one-time class at Baptist Health provides expectant mothers with information about breastfeeding including various factors influencing lactation, advantages of breastfeeding, basic anatomy and physiology of milk production, specific techniques to promote a successful breastfeeding experience and breastfeeding equipment and supplies. Classes are taught by IBLCE instructors. Partners are encouraged to participate. Class fee: $20. Registration is required. E-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Caring For Your Newborn Taught by Baptist Health Newborn Nursery nurses, this one-time class helps new families become familiar with the basics of caring for your infant in the first six weeks after birth. This interactive class covers routine hospital newborn procedures along with bathing, diapering, swaddling and soothing, normal infant behavior, appearance and sleep patterns. Class fee: $20. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military.
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Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 747-7700 Option # for more info. Family Nutrition Classes Fun, hands-on 3 or 6-week in-person or online course developed by well-known pediatrician Dr William Sears. Classes focused towards parents of children age 3-12. The goal is to learn simple ways to improve the health of your child through lifestyle, exercise, attitude, and nutrition. Fee includes materials, activities and a snack. A 2-hour preview class is available. For more info, contact alissabethtaylor@gmail.com or visit www.Facebook.com/ LeaninCentralAL. Foster Parent Training Classes Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries sponsors foster care training classes in the Tri-County Area. For more information on foster care or to register for the classes, please contact Bobbi Olson, Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and Family Ministries, at 334430-7569 or e-mail bolson@alabamachild.org. Infant Car Seat Safety Inspection Baptist Health’s Certified Car Seat Safety Technician will help set your mind at ease. Expectant parents can register for a one-on-one car seat installation session tailored to your vehicle. Our goal is to ensure your confidence
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in a safe ride home from the hospital. Space is limited. Pre-registration required Must provide your own car seat! $10 per car seat payable at the time of inspection by cash or check. Visit www.baptistfirst.org/ or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org. Infant Safety/CPR This one-time class sponsored by Baptist Health will teach parents and grandparents the American Heart Association’s Family and Friends CPR for infants and children including care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. This class will also help parents with creating a safe environment for their child. Classes are taught by certified CPR Instructors. This class is not a certification class. Fee: $10 per person. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@ baptistfirst.org. A 10 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. Maternity Area Tour Only Baptist Medical Center East maternity area tour for expectant mothers and families not attending Childbirth Preparation Class or Boot Camp. This tour is complimentary and is offered on select Saturdays of each month. Space is limited. Registration is required. Please e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org for more info. Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Classes Includes water aerobics, step-floor aerobics and strength training. SportsFirst. Call 277-7130. Pregnancy Nutrition Classes Interactive 3-week series of classes developed by wellknown pediatrician Dr. William Sears. Classes focus on lifestyle choices, attitude, and exercise at any stage of pregnancy; optimal nutrition before, during and after pregnancy; transition from pregnancy to motherhood. Courses can be taken separately or as a series. Jump in any time! Materials and snack provided with fee. For more info, contact alissabethtaylor@gmail.com or visit www.Facebook.com/LeaninCentralAL. Prepared Childbirth Class (Understanding Birth) Jackson Hospital. Preregistration required. Topics include: pregnancy, labor, birth, options for pain management, medical procedures, cesarean birth. Note: This class is a basic overview of the labor and delivery process and does not prepare someone for “natural” or unmedicated childbirth. Cost: $25 (covers mother and support person). Class size is limited. Please try to register by the 5th month of pregnancy for the best selection of available class dates. Call (334) 293-8497 or e-mail: liz.owen@jackson.org. Preparing For A Natural Birth (One Time Class) Baptist Medical Center East. Please bring two bed pillows and a floor mat to class for breathing and relaxation exercise. This class equips expectant parents with natural childbirth options providing them with tools, techniques and coping skills for their labor and delivery experience. Participants will practice breathing and relaxation exercises along with other comfort measures. This class is most beneficial when your support person attends. Space is limited. Pre-registration required. Class fee: $20 (couple or single) payable at class by cash or check. Please email smallwonders@baptistfirst.org or call 273-4445. Tales for Tots Join us for this FREE introduction to art in storybooks and in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts galleries for young children and their families. Each time a different work of art and special story will be presented. Next classes are April 17 from 10:30-11 a.m., and 11-11:30 a.m. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org for more info. Wetumpka Line Dance Classes held at A Chance to Dance, 68 Queen Ann Road, Wetumpka. Country and Non-Country Music for All Ages! CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE: Mon. Beginner 7:15 p.m.; Wed. Beginner 10 a.m.; Wed. Senior 2 p.m.; Wed. Intermediate 7 p.m.; Fri. High Beginner/Intermediate 7 p.m. *Open Dance to follow class. For more info, call (334) 452-0293 or find us on Facebook.
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Adoption Support
Divorce Support
Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., at Vaughn Forest Church. For more info, contact Jill Sexton at 409-9477 or jsexton@childrensaid.org. Birth Parent and Adult Adoptee Support Group Children’s Aid Society hosts a free support group for adult adoptees and birth parents. This group provides emotional support for people at all stages of the life-long adoption process. Meetings held at Children’s Aid Society, 2141 14th Avenue South in Birmingham. For class dates and times, call Kathy King at (205) 943-5331 or e-mail kking@childrensaid.org.
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Panda Pals is a support group for families who have adopted or in the process of adopting children from China. We have playdates, family nights and get-togethers to talk about raising our children from China. If you would like to join our group, just e-mail PandaPals2005@yahoogroups.com or call Tracie Singleton at 395-8215.
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American Cancer Society, including Montgomery, Elmore & Autauga Counties: **To access or sign up for these programs, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Look Good…Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program in which trained volunteer cosmetologists help female cancer patients deal with the side effects of treatment. Patients are taught beauty techniques to enhance their appearance and self image during or after treatments, including ways to disguise hair loss and skin changes. Call 1-800-ACS2345 for more info. OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with survivors on a one on one basis. Free wigs and other supplies for cancer patients Free rides to treatment through our Road To Recovery program (where volunteer drivers use their cars and time to take in need cancer patients to treatment) Free lodging through the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham (if patients are sent to Birmingham for treatment) On-line cancer information classes and support group through cancer.org. Information anytime and trained specialists at 1-800-ACS-2345. Cancer Patient and Caregiver Support Group 1-2 p.m., Tuesdays, Montgomery Cancer Center, 4145 Carmichael Road. The group is facilitated by professionally trained health care providers and other members of the support care team. It’s free and open to all cancer patients and their caregivers. Call (334) 273-7000. General Cancer Support Group held at Christ Church, 8800 Vaughn Road, Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. This is an open group. For more information, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie Diemayer at 467-4578. Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 2nd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Provides education, awareness and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family
DivorceCare meets Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. at Frazer Memorial UMC. Come to the Library area. This group will provide support & guidance to assist you in working through the issues, pain & pressures surrounding divorce. For more info, call 495-6350 or e-mail jan@frazerumc.org. DivorceCare meets at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. It fosters a weekly supportive and caring environment to heal the hurt of separation and divorce. The DivorceCare experience involves a dynamic video presentation, group share time, and personal workbook exercises. Facilitators for DivorceCare are Todd Smith, Wendy Timbie and Becki Harrison. To register or for more info, call 279-5433. DivorceCare and DivorceCare 4 Kids First Baptist Church Montgomery, Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $15 (scholarships available). Contact Kathy Cooper at kcooper@montgomeryfbc.org or 241-5125. Second Saturday Divorce Workshop for Women Montgomery Country Club, Azalea Room, 3800 Narrow Lane Road. 9 a.m.-noon. This is a 3-hour workshop that is offered monthly, designed to help participants explore the legal, financial, and emotional issues of divorce and gain a greater understanding of the process. The cost to attend is $20 per person and pre-registration is required. For more info, please call or e-mail Sommer Morris at (334) 612-1086 or sommer.morris@morganstanley.com. You may also visit www.secondsaturday.com.
Grieving With Hope, St. Mark UMC, meeting weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. The group offers a place to share, care and heal from the losses of life. Facilitated by Dr. Lennie Howard and Marie Parma. Contact the church at 272-0009. Honoring Angels Like Owen, Inc. (HALO) offers family-oriented, Christian-based grief support groups that meet monthly. These groups are for families who have lost a child from 20 weeks gestation up to the age of 2 years old. Our parents’ group is for mothers and fathers. Our siblings’ group is for children ages 6-15. Both groups meet at the same time and place. HALO also offers free professional photography for families facing the loss of a child up to the age of 2 years old and needs-based financial assistance for burial. Visit www.honoringangelslikeowen.org or call (334) 328-1202. Mourning to Morning is a Christian growth group for mothers who have lost a child, from before birth through adulthood. We normally meet the last Thursday night of each month at Grace Baptist Church in Wetumpka, 304 Old Montgomery Highway. For more info, contact Alice Scarborough at (334) 4624775 or Gwen Ellis at (334) 567-8754 or e-mail us at mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook-Mourning to Morning Group. River Region Survivors of Suicide Loss meets on second and fourth Thursdays (excluding holidays) at Cornerstone Christian Church, 301 Dalraida Road in Montgomery from 6:30-8 p.m. This is an open group for those who have lost a loved one to suicide and welcomes anyone regardless of religious beliefs. Contact Cheryl Vinson at riverregionsos@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
Homeschool Support
Grief Support
Bereaved Spouses Support Group A new ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church, USA (Unavoidably Single Again) Ministries is designed to offer ongoing support, social events and fellowship to those who have lost their spouses to death. The group is open to ALL widowed individuals, regardless of age, religious beliefs, or length of marriage or widowhood. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays at the church’s building, 301 Dalraida Road. Please e-mail farauthor@aol.com for more info. Bereavement Group, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is intended to address those affected by a recent loss (0-12 months after death). Through meeting with others who are walking a similar journey, you will be encouraged to work through the complications of your loss, understand your pain, and adjust to your new reality. For more info, call 279-6677. Compassionate Friends, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, first Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. For more information about the group, call (334) 284-2721. GriefShare meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the parlor of First United Methodist Church Prattville. Led by Michael Beatty. For more info, call the church office at (334) 365-5977. GriefShare meets weekly at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. This program is non-denominational and features biblical concepts for healing your grief. Three key parts make up your GriefShare experience: video seminar; support group time; and workbook study. GriefShare will be led by Howard and Carol Payne and Jim Williams. To register or for more info, call 279-5433.
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ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. 2nd and 4th Fridays yearround from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http:// www.onlineecho.com
Parent Support
Century Strong Moms 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays. 11 Chapel Hill Street in Pike Road. At Century Church, we are dedicated to helping moms in our community be Strong Moms! This ministry is open to all moms in our community. The focus of this group is to build relationships through Bible study, play dates, and moms’ night out. Childcare is available for ages 1-5 years old. Please e-mail lifegroups@century.church for more info. D.A.D.S. (Dad and Daughter Saturdays) Second Saturdays at the Juliette Hampton Morgan Library in downtown Montgomery at 11 a.m. D.A.D.S. gives fathers and daughters an opportunity to read together to create fun, educational memories. This free event is open to the public and is sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library and Dreamland Barbeque. For more info, call Ron Simmons at (334) 777-8596. GirlTime at East Memorial Baptist Church 9:30-11:30 a.m. 2nd Tuesdays at various locations in Prattville. GirlTime is open to ladies of all ages. Visit eastmemorial.org or call the church office at (334) 365-7500 for info. Childcare is provided at the church. La Leche League of Montgomery Area has served local mothers since 1984. Women who are pregnant, interested in breastfeeding and nursing mothers are invited to attend our free mother-to-mother support meetings or e-mail with breastfeeding questions.
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SupportGroup Join us with your babies. Children of all ages are welcome. We currently have morning and evening meetings. For more info, e-mail LLL.Montgomery. AL@gmail.com or visit http://www.llli.org/groups/@ llli*group*montgomery or “like” us on Facebook. Mom2Mom is a playgroup to connect mothers of children ages birth-5 years at Frazer United Methodist Church to share fun and inspiration in our journey together, with our children, and with Christ. E-mail Mom2mom@frazerumc.org for more information.
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, Montgomery. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Are you in need of a time-out? MOPS joins mothers together by a common bond, to be better wives, moms and friends along this journey in the trenches of motherhood. Childcare is provided. For more info, e-mail vaughnforestmops@gmail.com or visit http:// vfcmops.weebly.com/.
Single Moms’ Care and Support Group, Perry Hill United Methodist Church, 910 Perry Hill Road (corner of Perry Hill and Harrison Roads). Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays from 6:15-8 p.m. Free snack supper provided to moms and children. Child care for infants-16 years. Call 272-3174 for more info. SWAK (Single with Amazing Kids), Maxwell / Maxwell Gunter AFB. This network is connecting and empowering single parents and their families through information, encouragement, and many family-oriented events throughout the year. We meet the last Wednesday or Thursday of each month. For more info, e-mail t2763@aol.com. Join us on Facebook for daily restaurant specials, area kid-friendly events, and tips/ideas for families on a budget.
Special Needs Support
Alabama Angels Pageant, a nonprofit pageant for males and females of any age with special needs. Participation is free. Visit www.alabamaangels.org and look for us on Facebook!
Moms in Prayer International is a Christ-centered interdenominational prayer ministry made up of moms, grandmothers, aunts or any woman who wants to gather to pray for their children and schools. Meets every Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. at St. James UMC, 9045 Vauhgn Road. Call Annette Jones at (850) 529-4730 or e-mail Montgomerymipac@gmail. com for more info on joining us or training to start your own group. Moms’ LIFE (Living In Faith Everyday) First Baptist Church, Prattville. Meets twice monthly from 8:30-11:45 a.m. in the chapel at First Baptist Church in Prattville August through May. For moms of all stages and ages of life. We offer a time of fellowship, Bible study, musical guests, special guest speakers and a lot of fun! Cost is $5 per meeting. Childcare provided by reservation. For more info and to reserve your spot, call Kelley Manning at 361-7919. The Montgomery Multiples Club is a non-profit organization offering support to the mothers and families of twins, triplets, and more in the Central Alabama region. They have a mom’s night out with dinner once a month. They also have a yard sale twice a year, in the spring and again in the fall. For more info, visit https://sites.google.com/site/montgomerymultiples/home. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., September through May. Moms, need a little break? We have educational speakers, great conversation, and fun activities. Free childcare is provided. Visit www.montgomeryfbc.org/ MOPS or contact Tiffany Alewine at 241-5165.
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
Pregnancy Loss/Infertility
Hannah’s Prayer, Prattville First United Methodist Church, 2nd Thursdays and 3rd Sundays. Support group for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues. Call (334) 365-5977. Post-abortion Support Group, Saint James United Methodist Church. Do you have a secret you have promised yourself “you are taking to the grave?” Come and listen to stories of others who were scared to surrender their secret. Come and find healing and peace that you never even knew you needed. Come and learn about the One who came to set you free. Join us in a study of “Surrendering the Secret” by Pat Layton and know that you are not alone! (Learner guide and digital download sessions.) For more info, e-mail annpemberton@charter.net. First Choice Women’s Medical Center conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet for one weeknight over eight consecutive weeks and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. Confidientiality is assured. Please contact Kathy at (334) 260-8010 or kkay@firstchoicewmc.com for more details and information about upcoming groups. “Take Heart,” Room 116 at Eastmont Baptist Church, first Mondays of each month at 6 p.m. Support group for women dealing with infertility and/or miscarriage. Contact Melissa at (205) 913-2667 for more information.
Single Parents Support
Single Moms Support Group, Landmark Church of Christ, Wednesday nights at 6:30 p.m. in Classroom 118. For more information call 277-5800.
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Central Alabama Autism Support Team (C.A.A.S.T.), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Hwy. 31 in Prattville from 6-8 p.m. 3rd Thursdays quarterly (Feb., May, Aug., Nov.). Visit www.easysite.com/caast or e-mail casst50@yahoo.com for more info.
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D.A.T.S. M.O.M. (Disability as an Ability Toward Success: Moms on the Move), a non-profit parent empowerment organization for parents of children on the autism spectrum (or with related special needs challenges) that focuses on inspiring, equipping and motivating parents to move their child’s disability to an ability. Follow DATS MOM on Facebook, Twitter and Periscope for live sessions and discussion. E-mail datsmom@yahoo.com for more information.
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Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 2nd Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. We have activities, speakers and special events throughout the year for the parents, siblings and children with Down Syndrome. Childcare provided. Visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome. com or visit our Facebook page (MADSOG) for more information. Contact MADSOG at montgomeryareadownsyndrome@gmail.com for more info. Montgomery Area Hearing Loss Support Group meets monthly at the Wesley Building of the First Methodist Church in Montgomery on 2nd Thursdays at 4 p.m. It is affiliated with the nationally recognized non-profit advocacy group, Hearing Loss Association of America. The purpose is to bring together all adults and parents of children who would like to know more about hearing losses, its causes and its possible corrections. Refreshments at each meeting. For more info, contact HearingInfo@earthlink.net. Traumatic Brain Injury Support, cafeteria at HealthSouth on Narrow Lane in Montgomery. 2nd Thursdays at 6 p.m. Sponsored by Alabama Head Injury Foundation for anyone with a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or related disability. For more info, contact Holli at (334) 290-0646 or e-mail: ahif_ montgomery_auburn@yahoo.com. Visit www.ahif.org.
Teens/Families Support
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Support Group for Teens with difficulties communicating with parents and friends. Contact Felicia Pressley at Pressley Counseling by leaving a message at (334) 625-0159.
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AdvertiserDirectory
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We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents. We hope this directory
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First Presbyterian Kindergarten, 23
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AL Dept. of Health, Inside Front
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O’Connor Tennis Lessons, 33
Alabama Dance Theatre, 47
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Prattville YMCA, 54
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ASU Continuing Education Camp, 87
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Jackson Hospital, 9
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The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover
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Montgomery Dermatology, 91
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MP: What is something you hope your kids will learn from you and your husband? CW: I hope my kids will learn from my husband and I to have faith, have fun, and to put family first. We love being active together. When we get free time, we try to catch a quick workout together or simply a walk around the neighborhood with the kids. When all else fails, we stay up just a little later to watch a movie together. My marriage is very important to me. It was my husband and I before we had kids, and I plan on it being that way after we raise them and they go off to live their lives. Our marriage will not only benefit my husband and me, but it will be the foundation for our kids.
Cherry Wells
MP: Motherhood can take up most of our time. What is something you enjoy doing for yourself that doesn’t involve “mothering”? MP: Cherry, how does your parenting style compare to the way you were raised?
CW: Being a mom is a heavy load and can sometimes become all-consuming. It’s a must for me to find time to be “Cherry”. Being a hairstylist and makeup artist, I use my talent to uplift, encourage, and makeover other moms who may be looking for a pick-me-up or just some “me” time. I am a firm believer that when you look good you feel good. Being able to give back through my gifts is my way of refilling myself!
CW: My mother did a great job raising me and my brother. One thing I can really appreciate is that she gave us room to be who we are. I can definitely see that in my own parenting style. I’m very big on communication. I feel that it’s so important to establish an open line of communication with my kids, even though they are still very young. I make it a point to talk to Ava-Jade but also listen to her, and I plan on doing the same with my son.
MP: What coping mechanisms have you found to be helpful in regard to lack of sleep and fatigue? CW: I don’t think I’ve had a good night’s sleep since becoming a mom! No, really, sleep is a precious commodity. If you are mom with little ones you can relate. To help with that I use food as my fuel and try to get a couple of days of exercise each week. Every week is not a success. MP: What is your favorite part of being a mother? CW: My favorite part of being a mother is watching them learn and grow. I melt every morning when my daughter says, “Good morning, Momma.”
MP: What is something you didn’t have growing up that you want for your kids? CW: I grew up in a single-parent home and my mom did an amazing job, but I am a firm believer that it takes two to make kids and it also takes two to raise kids. And, since I didn’t have both parents at home growing up, I have a strong desire for my children to have two parents at home!
MP: If you could have one night out with a free and trusted babysitter, what would you do? CW: My husband and I would get some dessert and go out to the downtown riverwalk. We’d just talk, sit under the stars and listen to the river flow.
MP: After becoming a mom, has your love increased for your mother? In what ways?
MP: What advice would you offer our readers who are expecting or are brand new parents?
CW: After becoming a mom, my relationship and my connection with my own mom grew so deeply. Our relationship went from being just mother/daughter to now being able to relate mother to mother. My love and gratitude for my mom grew so much. It’s like in a blink of an eye I understood her on a whole new level. I saw why she said the things she said when we were younger. I saw why she worked so hard. I saw so much of her sacrifice and love even clearer. Before, I didn’t always understand my mother’s point of view.
Montgomery Parents I April 2019
CW: Take it one day at a time. Do what feels right for you! Healthy and happy moms/parents make healthy and happy babies. Take a deep breath and look around, so many other people have done it! You will be able to do it, too! Cherry Wells is married to Oliver and they have two children: Ava-Jade (2) and John-Edward (9 months). She owns CherryChannelle Beauty Studio. Cherry is a makeup artist, encourager, and joy bringer!
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What do MA graduates look like? Diverse in every way, yet they share surprisingly similar qualities. The Montgomery Academy instills the kinds of qualities a young adult needs to succeed. Our programs are carefully structured and experiences are designed around creating lifelong learners who challenge themselves. Co-curricular involvement is planned to champion honor, ethics, diversity and service. We do all this—but if you talk to our Upper School students they’ll tell you that they not only study hard in the classroom, they like to play hard on the field, too. Go Eagles!
Th e M o n t g o m e r y A c a d e m y The Pursuit of Excellence in K-12 Education Contact Rachael Gallagher, admissions@montgomeryacademy.org | 334.272.8210 | montgomeryacademy.org
MA05-43300-Parents Back Cover-April 19.indd 1
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