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Discovering the World Right from the Classroom Visit our state-of-the-art campus and you will see first-hand how your child’s education is enriched through experiential science, art, music, and world language labs from Pre-K3 through 12th grade.
Saint James School FOR PRE-K3 THROUGH 12TH GRADE ADMISSIONS
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Leading the Way Since 1955 S T J w e b . o r g English as a second language (ESL) tutoring provided. Saint James School admits students of any religion, race, color, gender, creed, national, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
Recognized by Apple as a distinguished school for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence.
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Here, it’s fun being a grown-up. EVERYONE TOLD US THAT HOME OWNERSHIP WAS AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT. SO AS NEWLYWEDS, WE TOOK THAT STEP AND FOUND OUR OWN PLACE. WE JUST DIDN’T REALIZE HOW MUCH WE WOULD ENJOY THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. WE CHOSE AN AFFORDABLE NEW HOME WITH SHOPPING, RESTAURANTS AND FUN THINGS TO DO NEARBY. LIFE IS GOOD. ESPECIALLY HERE.
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NEW PARK IS A MASTER-PLANNED FAMILY COMMUNITY IN EAST MONTGOMERY • ADJACENT TO MONTGOMERY’S NEWEST ELEMENTARY,
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Volume 21 Number 9
58 Columns
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6 Editor’s Note DeAnne Watson
8 Living With Children John Rosemond
Parenting Special Needs Kids
Gentle Ways to Quiet Your Chatterbox Help your child manage her compulsion to talk, talk, talk.
7 habits of highly effective parents of special needs children.
12 Kids Health Watch sponsored by Professional Pediatrics
14 Montgomery Education Matters by Superintendent Margaret Allen
34 Autauga Education Matters
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by Superintendent Spence Agee
40 Elmore Education Matters by Superintendent Andre L. Harrison
46 Parenting Today’s Teens Mark Gregston
54 Growing Up Online Carolyn Jabs
2016 Special Needs Resource Guide
Local and national resources assist you in caring for your child.
The Misunderstood Child
Learn the ins and outs of sensory processing disorder.
On The Cover Amelia Grace Maddox (Millie Grace) is five years old and attends kindergarten at Pike Road School. She enjoys playing Miracle League t-ball and DreamCourt tennis, and absolutely loves Princess Sofia the First. Millie Grace has an older sister Mary Olive who is in 2nd grade at Saint James School. Her parents are David and Stephanie Maddox of Pike Road.
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56 A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith
74 Get This! Gerry Paige Smith
Departments 10 Bits and Pieces 16 School Bits 82 Calendar/Support Groups 96 Movie Reviews
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Editor’sNote It’s always a blessing to put together our Special Needs Issue, but this year is even more exciting! The reason? On Saturday, September 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Montgomery Parents, along with area sponsors, will host our inaugural Special Needs Expo at Young Meadows Church on Vaughn Road. It will be a free exhibition of products, support groups, therapy, recreational activities, healthcare and more for parents with special needs children. However, be sure to bring the whole family because our FunZone area will include inflatables, face painting and balloon animals for the kids to enjoy. Special needs families and the organizations that support them make up a close knit community, so come out on September 10th and connect. We look forward to meeting you there! Now on to this month’s issue, which also provides plenty of education and support for special needs families. First, Sarah Lyons shines light onto the specifics of sensory processing disorder in her article, The Misunderstood Child. SPD is characterized by children having either a hypersensitive or hyposensitive response to sensory input. Both can create strain in the home, but treatment is available through occupational therapy and learning what triggers your child and how to calm them down. Next, Judy Miller offers 7 Habits of Highly Effective Parents of Children with Special Needs . Recognizing that the job of parenting a special needs child is often extremely difficult, these habits help parents better cope with the challenges. Last, but not least, our Special Needs Resource Guide lists national, state and local organizations that exist to help families navigate parenting a special needs child. From schools and tutoring to recreation and enrichment, and much more, our guide can direct your family to the support it needs. Other topics you won’t want to miss this month include John Rosemond’s advice on being a step-parent, Mark Gregston’s tips for helping your teen grow up, and a timely article on Common Sense Rules for Augmented Reality in our Growing Up Online column. Community and outdoor events are heating up again, now that the dog days of summer are almost behind us. Check out our Bits n Pieces and Family Calendar to find plenty of family fun as we head into fall!
The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source
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 Margaret Allen Robert Coggin, M.D. Mark Gregston Andre L. Harrison Christa Melnyk Hines Carolyn Jabs Sarah Lyons Judy M. Miller John Rosemond Gerry Paige Smith
Cover Photography Lori Mercer Photography www.lorimercerphotography.com Publisher Jason Watson jason@montgomeryparents.com Associate Publisher Gena Hill Advertising Opportunities Jason Watson (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 ads@montgomeryparents.com Ad Design Tim Welch
DeAnne
Distribution Manager Chris Mitchell Member
deanne@montgomeryparents.com Montgomery Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. Montgomery Parents is copyrighted 2015 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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LivingWithChildren by John Rosemond
Advice on Being a Step-Parent Q:
The woman I’ve been dating—a single mom with two young boys—and I have decided to get married. My only reservation, and I’ve told her this, concerns the stepfather thing. I’m not clear and really neither is she on the proper role and responsibilities of stepfathers, especially in the area of discipline. She reads your column religiously and told me to ask you for advice. It would be most appreciated.
A: I happen to have extensive experience in this area, given that I grew up with a stepfather in what is today known as a step-family. Before my mother remarried when I was almost seven, she gave me some invaluable information and very good advice. The invaluable information consisted of telling me that when I was in my stepfather’s home, he was “the father.” Her very good advice was that I was to respect and obey him as well as I respected and obeyed her, which was a high standard. My mother’s little talk let me know that her primary allegiance was no longer to me; it was to her new partner, as it should have been.
The reason that the risk of divorce is higher in a second marriage where one or both parties is bringing children in tow is because my mother’s attitude is no longer the norm. In fact, even such highly respected people as Dr. Phil advise that in step-families, a parent should only discipline his or her biological children. Mincing no words (my habit), that is extremely bad advice. It sets up a situation where parenting conflicts are nearly inevitable. The problem actually begins before the second marriage. Following divorce, a single mom tends to center her life around her kids. (I realize, by the way, that there are many variations on custody and visitation, so I have decided to keep things simple and talk in terms of the most common—the mother has primary custody.) Her eventual second husband, no fool, sees what is happening and realizes he must successfully “court” both her and her kids. He tries his best to be a fun guy. In the process of all this, and on both sides of this coin, very dysfunctional precedents are being set. After the marriage, the precedents in question lead to a set of predictable difficul-
ties: the children complain to their mother when stepdad tries to discipline; mom reinforces their resentment by adopting a territorial, protective attitude toward them; and the stepfather begins to feel that he is a “secondclass citizen” in his own home. I am firm in my conviction that from the get-go, the step-parent, whether male or female, must have complete disciplinary discretion where step-children are concerned. In other words, there is no special set of rules or restrictions that apply uniquely to step-parents. When the parties involved believe that “step” is the operative word, as opposed to “parent” or “family,” that’s when the problems begin. As someone else has put it, “When you think of yourself as a step, it becomes inevitable that you will be stepped on.” By the way, most mental health professionals claim that kids resent it when they are disciplined by step-parents. My retort is, “So what?” Kids usually resent being disciplined, period, no matter who the discipliner is. Besides, kids do not know what they need; they only know what they want, and they usually want what is not in their best interests. Which is why they need parents for at least 18 years. Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions at www.johnrosemond.com and parentguru.com.
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A T T O R N E Y S A T L AW
P LAN FOR HER FUTURE. SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING
At Capell & Howard, our attorneys understand the fear of not knowing how your special needs child will be financially and physically cared for once you’re gone. We understand those fears because everyday, we talk and work with parents who are afraid for the futures of their special needs children — afraid the children will lose their government benefits, afraid they’ll make a poor medical decision, afraid they’ll one day be without a caretaker. We understand because we listen, and we listen because we want to help. That’s why we offer you a solid legal plan for your child’s future, one that’s sculpted to address your concerns and meet your child’s many needs. With your input, we develop a plan that provides for the financial and physical well-being of your special needs child — today and every day that follows. Our special needs planning attorneys: April D. Wise (334) 241-8096 April.Wise@chlaw.com
Lee “Russ” M. Russell, Jr. (334) 241-8012 Russ.Russell@chlaw.com
Sarah S. Johnston (334) 241-8030 Sarah.Johnston@chlaw.com
MONTGOMERY (334) 241-8000 | OPELIKA 9 (334) 501-1540 | CAPELLHOWARD.COM
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No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
Broadway Under the Stars The Montgomery Symphony will present its 30th annual Pops Concert September 8 at 7:30 p.m. Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome at this FREE concert of Broadway showtunes performed lakeside at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Come early and bring your lawn chairs, coolers and blankets for this family-friendly event. Call (334) 240-4004 or visit www. montgomerysymphony.org/pops-concerts/.
ASF Presents Children’s Favorite
Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Events
For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball. com or call (334) 323-2255. Auburn/Alabama Night September 1 * Start time 7:05 p.m. War Eagle or Roll Tide? Fan Appreciation Night September 2 * Start time 7:05 p.m. We thank our fans with a wide variety of giveaways throughout the game, as well as MAX fireworks. College Football Kickoff September 3 * Start time 7:05 p.m. We honor the southern tradition of transitioning betweeh the American pastimes of baseball and football. Kids Day/Bark in the Park September 4 * Start time 5:35 p.m. Bring the whole family! The kids can enjoy playing catch in the field before the game and running the bases after the game! Also, bring your dogs for free!
Alabama Shakespeare Festival presents this “timeless tale about love, loss, friendship and courage,” based on the novel by E. B. White. Dates are September 10-October 20. Charlotte’s Web shares the story of Wilbur, a lonely little pig whose life is transformed by the efforts of Charlotte, a kind and generous spider, who teaches him about the power of belief and the true meaning of friendship. Recommended for ages four and up. In addition, Alabama Shakespeare Festival will present a Family Fun Fair Sept. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This free event features a petting zoo, crafts, face painiting, games and snacks. There will also be a special appearance by Greg Taunton, the Balloon Man! Follow the event with the 2 p.m. performance of Charlotte’s Web. For more info, visit www. asf.net or call (334) 271-5353.
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MPAC Presents
Tickets may be purchased by calling (334) 481-5100 or visiting www.mpaconline.org. Black Jacket Symphony Presents The Eagles “Hotel California” September 10 * 8 p.m. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience by recreating classic albums in a live performance setting with a first-class lighting and video production. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of hand-picked musicians specifically selected for each album. Following the album and a brief intermission, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening’s artist. Tickets begin at $30.
Auditions for Wetumpka Depot Christmas Show!
Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Auditions
Monday, October 3, at 6:30 p.m. for ALL local dancers ages 6-17. This year’s performance will be December 26 at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Auditions will be held at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection, 3370 Harrison Road, Montgomery. Call 277-1098. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
October 1 and 2 * 2 p.m. Batten down the hatches! The Wetumpka Depot Players present Jingle ARRGH the Way! A Christmas Pirate Adventure. Show dates will be December 1-7 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. Based on the popular How I Became a Pirate series, this delightful show is sure to delight school audiences. A mysterious message left in the crow’s nest of their ship brings Captain Braid Beard and his pirate mates back to North Beach to seek out young Jeremy Jacob to help solve a riddle and find the Christmas treasure. Favorite characters, a rollicking story, great songs and a trip to the North Pole to find “YOU KNOW WHO!” makes Jingle ARRGH the Way a wonderful holiday show! 10
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Travis Tritt September 16 * 8 p.m. Multiple Grammy Award and CMA Award winner, Tritt has more than 27 years of platinum albums and chart-topping singles. The Southern rock-influenced artist continues to have strong music sales and sell-out shows, all while staying true to country music fans across the globe. Tickets begin at $48. www.montgomeryparents.com
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Junior League Presents 32nd Annual College and Career Night
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Magical Creatures Program at the Montgomery Zoo
September 10 from 10 a.m.-noon. Meet some of the magical animals that are featured in movies like Harry Potter and The Hobbit. Get a chance to meet them up close, learn about them in their habitats, and take home some special prizes for yourself. Geared for boys and girls, aged 4-10 years old. Advanced reservations are required. Event fee: $25 per child (ages 5-12 years old), $18 for Montgomery Zoo members. Accompanying adults (13 years old and older): $15, Montgomery Zoo members: FREE. Register online or at the Montgomery Zoo’s Admission office. For more info, call (334) 240-4909 or e-mail jhutcheson@montgomeryal.gov.
Prattville’s Anniversary
September 10 * 6-10 p.m. Heritage Park Fountain. Join us as we rock downtown to celebrate Prattville’s 177th year! The Bryan Jackson Band, a hometown favorite, will perform. Food vendors will be on site and downtown restaurants will be open. This 3rd annual event is free and open to the public. For more info, call (334) 595-0800.
September 12 * 6-8 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center at 201 Tallapoosa St. in Montgomery. Admission is free! This event is a unique opportunity for high school juniors, seniors, and their parents in the River Region to explore college and career possibilities, gather scholarship information, and learn about financial aid opportunities. Representatives from more than 100 colleges, universities, and technical, military and vocational schools from across the country will be available to answer questions. For more info, call (334) 288-8816 or visit www. jlmontgomery.org.
Ballet and the Beasts at the Montgomery Zoo
September 23 * 6-10 p.m. Enjoy the Montgomery Ballet in a FREE performance under the stars. Fun for all ages, boys and girls. Picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcome. Face painting will be available and door prize drawings will be held during intermission. Gates open at 6 p.m.; performance begins at dusk. Call (334) 240-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo.com.
Benefit for Humane Society of Elmore County
September 18* 1-5 p.m. Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. Includes a K-9 demonstration by Officer Saint of the Wetumpka Police and his K-9 partner, the Pup Parade at 2:30, a variety of children’s games; vendors; wildlife touch table; meet the breed with members of the Montgomery Kennel Club; rescue groups; and puppets. Admission is $5/person 13 years old and older. For more info, call (334) 567-3377 or visit elmorehumane.org.
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KidsHealthWatch
Sponsored by Professional Pediatrics
Weird But Common Diseases Parents are generally familiar with the common childhood diseases such as upper respiratory infections, ear infections, strep throat, gastroenteritis and others. These illnesses usually have an obvious cause and are easy to understand. However, there are others illnesses that we still see frequently that do not appear to be what they really are. Pityriasis rosea is a skin rash most commonly seen in older children and teenagers. It appears first as a large oval reddish, scaly lesion up to one inch in diameter usually on the back or chest. This is called the “herald patch.” It is followed by multiple smaller oval lesions, noticed mostly on the back. These lesions are arranged in lines that resemble a Christmas tree pattern. The cause is unknown, but assumed to be due to a viral infection. It is often mistakenly thought to be due to ringworm since it does somewhat look like ringworm, but it is not a fungal infection. There are no tests for it since the cause is unknown. The main problem is that it will take 4-8 weeks or longer to resolve on its own without treatment. Occasionally children will have some itching that can be treated with hydrating lotions or mild steroid creams. Another skin related condition is rectal strep. This sounds like a disgusting condition and it does cause significant discomfort. It is just like strep throat but affects the anal open-
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
ing. Children will get the Group B strep organism on their hands then scratch their bottom, spreading the organism to that area. They complain of rectal pain and itching. Bright red inflammation develops around the anal opening. Diagnosis is made by doing a culture the same as a throat culture. Treatment is with the same antibiotics used to treat strep throat. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a condition that is important to know about because the symptoms can resemble just a benign stomach virus or gasrtoesophageal reflux with vomiting and abdominal pain. Symptoms in school age children also include difficulty swallowing solid foods and pain in the chest when eating. Infants and toddlers can have vomiting, feeding difficulties, and poor weight gain. A typical presentation is persistent vomiting 1-2 times a day lasting for several weeks. Just like asthma can be due to an allergy in the airways, eosinophilic esophagitis is an allergic condition of the esophagus and is thought of as “asthma of the esophagus.” Allergy testing can be done to identify specific foods that could cause problems. The definitive diagnosis is made by endoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus to identify allergy cells called eosinophils. Treatment is to avoid foods that have been identified to cause problems. Also, inhaled steroids used in asthma treatment can be swallowed to reduce
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inflammatory changes in the esophagus. This can be a chronic problem requiring prolonged treatment. Another interesting disease is called
Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis, and Adenitis or PHAPA. This is an illness that usually occurs between 2-5 years of age. It consists of repeated, recurrent episodes of high fever, tonsillitis with pus on the tonsils, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, and sometimes sores in the mouth. Strep tests and other tests for throat infections are negative. The cause is unknown. These episodes are very characteristic in that they occur very regularly about once a month and last 4-5 days whether an antibiotic is given or not. This disease is not diagnosed initially until a pattern is recognized after a few months. Oral steroids may reduce the length of each episode but does not cure it. Tonsillectomy may be curative in some children. Without treatment the illness may last several years, but finally resolves without long-term effects. Dr. Coggin received his medical degree from the University of Mississippi School of Medicine and did his pediatric residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. He began private practice in Mississippi and has been in Montgomery since 1983. He has two married daughters, one in Montgomery and one in Orlando, Florida. He enjoys college sports with his wife Cathy who is an attorney.
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Get Involved! The school year has just begun and we are ready to celebrate everything from student achievement to sports and extracurricular activities. Our students are busy – which means parents are too. If you haven’t done so already, may we suggest that you add to your workload items from this suggested “To Do” list for parents. Former Arizona Governor Jane D. Hull said, “At the end of the day, the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the positive involvement of parents.” Governor Hull is right so here are a few suggestions to ensure your child’s success. First, join your school’s PTA/PTO. By joining your school’s PTA/PTO, you open
up the lines of communication between you, your school, and other parents. These organizations do so much more than sell wrapping paper and cookie dough. They work together as a team to help support schools and the teaching and learning that goes on there. It is not only a way to support your child’s education, but you can meet new friends – all with a common goal of making our schools better. Second, get to know your child’s teachers. Every teacher has an email address. If you don’t have it already, ask for it. Also, if you don’t have the Parent Portal yet, go to your school and sign up for it. You can view your child’s grades online, see any discipline issues, and follow their homework. There is no cost, just bring your ID and the staff will generate the information you need to log in. Next, talk to your child about his/her education. Parents are partners in their children’s education. You are their first teacher, and hopefully you will continue providing them with your wisdom and
experience. When your child comes home from school, ask what they learned – and don’t accept “nothing” as their answer. Ask for details about specific classes. Have your child read to you, or explain a math problem or tell you a little about what they are discussing in history or English. Children need to know that their education is important to you. Help them understand that individuals with high school diplomas and college or career goals generally have higher salaries than those without. A well-rounded education adds to not only one’s wallet, but also to their quality of life. Be involved in your child’s education; it makes a difference to their level of success. Allen began working for Montgomery Public Schools as a special education teacher in 1976. She holds administrative certification from Alabama State University, a masters of arts in early childhood, a masters of arts in early childhood/handicapped, and a bachelor’s of science in elementary education and special education – all from Auburn University Montgomery.
ChildrensAL.org/committedtoacure
THE FACE OF A CURE
The Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders is committed to finding a cure for Hannah and the more than 1,500 children who come to us for care each year. As a founding member of the Children’s Oncology Group,* Children’s of Alabama and UAB combine research and innovative therapies to help save the lives of children down the street and around the world. Although the cancer cure rate has risen from 50 to 84 percent in just 20 years and strokes in patients with sickle cell disease have decreased 90 percent through standardized screening processes, we are actively working toward a TOTAL CURE for children like Hannah. *The Children’s Oncology group is a clinical - translational trials organization with more than 9,000 experts worldwide dedicated to finding better cures and improving the outcomes for all children with cancer.
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Macon East acadEMy Knights
Learning, Growing & Belonging
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Macon East Academy is an independent, college preparatory school, committed to providing students with a safe, nurturing environment that promotes academic achievement, patriotism, and belief in God through Christian values. Our accelerated curriculum is complemented by offerings in performing and visual arts, music, foreign language, and over 20 interscholastic sports, as well as a 1:1 Apple iPad program for students in grades K5 - 12. At Macon East, our students are held to high standards in all areas of student life, and Christian values are reinforced throughout all school programs. Small class sizes and a safe, nurturing environment give every student the opportunity to excel. Macon East is more than a school; we are a family. Schedule a campus tour today, and find out why Macon East is the right school for your student.
Become a Knight Today!
MACON EAST ACADEMY 15396 Vaughn Road Cecil, Alabama 36013 Telephone: 334.277.6566 Web: maconeast.net l
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Leadership scholarship opportunities are available. 15
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Montgomery County Schools
Montgomery Catholic ‘16 Graduates Named AP Scholars
MPS Engineering Academy Students Chosen as Ambassadors
From left, Brew Tech students Aaron Bowen and Lee Turner recently were selected to serve as STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Camp ambassadors during Tuskegee University’s first-ever drone camp. During the three-week program, students learned a lot about programming apps and flying drones. At the end of the camp, 11 students were selected to return next year as STEM Camp ambassadors.
ACA Elementary Golfer On the Rise
Every year the Drive Chip and Putt, a nationwide competition, is hosted by the PGA where children aged 7-15 compete in a series of skills tests on the three elements of golf. After three years of competing at the local qualifier and winning multiple first-place awards in the driving skill, this year Julie Waldo scored higher than 18 other girls in the 7-9 age group and advanced as the first-place overall winner at the qualifier in Mobile this past June. As a result, Waldo later competed in the sub-regional qualifier in Avondale, La. at TPC Louisiana. At this competition, she was awarded one gold medal for putting and two bronze medals for driving and overall score in the 7-9 age division against 16 other competitors from all over the Southeast. Waldo has played golf since the age of 3 and competed since age 5. Her parents are Stuart and Kerri Waldo. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School students Marissa Dogan, top right, and Nadine Moussalli have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition for their exceptional achievement on AP Exams. Both students earned the title of AP Scholar by completing three or more AP Exams with grades of 3 or higher. The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP) provides opportunities for motivated and prepared students to experience college-level courses while in high school, thereby fostering critical thinking and college persistence and success. Dogan was Montgomery Catholic’s 2016 Student Leader of the Year. She is the daughter of Theresa Carlos and Jeff Dogan of Wetumpka. Moussalli was the 2016 Valedictorian. She is the daughter of Drs. Samir and Cinzia Moussalli.
July Jammin’ Summer Camp At Macon East
Each year the Macon East Academy lower school faculty hosts a fun, educational camp known as July Jammin’. The theme of this year’s summer camp was “using your senses to explore the world.” Throughout the week, the attendees enjoyed many hands-on activities engaging all five senses in the Discovery Zone. Special guests during the week included a beekeeper, horticulturist, author/illustrator, opthamologist, and furry friends from Petland. Camp activities included a scavenger hunt, making wind chimes, learning Braille, and lots more. The last day included a field trip to Lanark, where the students visited the new Nature Center and took a hike through the creek. The students are shown at Lanark.
Highland Gardens Starts New Year Together
Students in Celina Gibson’s kindergarten class at Highland Gardens Elementary started the new school year off right with an art project. The students colored pictures as they got to know one another. They also colored a picture of an owl and learned about the habits of these nocturnal birds. 16
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Montgomery County Schools
ENHANCE Initiative Leads Prayer Walk At Pike Road School
Forest Avenue Establishes New Website for Parents
The Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School PTA introduced a new website this year to enhance school-parent communications. The site offers school supply lists, important forms and policies, news about upcoming events, a complete list of school holidays and special dates, and more. Parents can also sign up to receive updates and grade-specific information right to their inbox! Check out the new site today at www.FAAMPTA.com!
The Pike Road Area Your Emergency Response Team, or P.R.A.Y.E.R. Team, hosted its second annual Prayer Walk at Pike Road School before students returned to classes last month. Local church leaders organized the community-wide event to lift up learners, lead learners and staff. Members from the community took the opportunity to reverently offer encouraging thoughts and prayers for a safe and productive school year. “We are very supportive of Pike Road School’s faculty, school board members and others involved in the school,” said Tyler Vittetoe, pastor of outreach at Saint James United Methodist Church and father of a Community-K learner. “Many of our members are directly involved in the school from parents and learners to serving as lead learners.” Additional P.R.A.Y.E.R. Team member churches that were instrumental in organizing the event included: Bridge of Life Assembly of God, Christ Community Church, The Church at Pike Road, Frazier United Methodist Church (Pike Road site), Murdock Chapel AME Church, Redemption Heights Church and Woodland United Methodist Church. The P.R.A.Y.E.R. Team is a project of the town’s ENHANCE Initiative and meets quarterly. It collaborates on projects such as creating a resource directory for residents. To learn more about or become part of this group, e-mail info@pikeroad.us or call (334) 272-9883.
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Academy Senior’s Art Chosen for National Display
Montgomery Academy senior Emily Ernest’s 12-piece artwork portfolio was chosen by the College Board to be one of the portfolios to be featured on the AP program website later this year. Each year, student samples are presented by the AP program to recognize particularly interesting work and to help other educators understand the scoring rationale. They typically choose only two or three portfolios. Ernest was the only junior in AP 2d Design last year, and she is continuing her work in art this year as well.
Holy Cross Announces New ESL Program
Holy Cross Episcopal School announces a new ESL Program for the 2016-17 school year available for all new English language learners in Pre-K through sixth grade. The entire Holy Cross student body, faculty and staff are very excited to welcome new ESL student Manuel Jimenez from Venezuela. “We are so excited to have Manuel joining our third-grade class, and we have been eagerly awaiting his arrival at Holy Cross,” said thirdgrade Teacher Kathy Black. “We are very excited about the things he is going to teach us.” Manuel is the son of Harry Stakely and Luisana Guevara. Shown, third-grader Zoe Stough enjoys encouraging and helping Jimenez in Mrs. Black’s class.
GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR ME
Evangel Christian Academy Evangel Christian Academy exists to partner with Christian parents to provide their child with a Christ-centered education. Our desire is to help each child achieve their God-given potential through providing activities designed to foster spiritual, academic and social growth.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11
Accredited: ACTS, AISA, SACS, Advanced ED, NCPSA
NOW ENROLLING K4-12 2016-2017
3975 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36106 ecalions.org 334-272-3882
For a FREE Educational Success Consultation please contact the school office
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Superintendent Allen Visits Southlawn Girls
Montgomery Schools Superintendent Margaret Allen recently visited a group of girls in Ron Ashely’s sixth-grade health class at Southlawn Middle to talk about educational, career and life opportunities for girls. Superintendent Allen listened to the girls make presentations on what they wanted to be in life before sharing her own personal story of working hard and overcoming challenges to become successful. She encouraged them to be inspired by the country’s Olympians. “Just like the Olympic athletes had a dream and worked hard and made sacrifices to achieve them, you should have a positive dream for your lives, too,” she said.
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ACA Soars Back to School
Alabama Christian Academy students flooded the halls on August 11 for the first day of school. ACA seniors and Student Government Assocation members helped greet all new students and show them to their locker and first class. Distinguished fifth-graders lined up outside the elementary building and welcomed all the elementary students back to school. ACA is looking forward to a great school year!
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Cornerstone Christian Begins 11th Year with Record Enrollment
Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy began its eleventh year of school with Opening Convocation August 11, which included a time of prayer and singing. This year’s student body, a record enrollment for Cornerstone, also heard a Bible lesson from Cornerstone’s new headmaster, Mr. Lee.
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Elko Conducts Workshop For Trinity Faculty
Trinity faculty and staff heard from legendary sports psychologist, Dr. Kevin Elko during a Professional Development workshop on August 8. Dr. Elko has consulted with many Fortune 500 companies, several successful NFL and college football teams, including the Alabama Crimson Tide. He is the author of several best-selling books, including his latest, The Sender, which the Trinity faculty and staff read over the summer. The book was inspirational and prompted several discussions during a two-day workshop, culminating in Dr. Elko’s visit. “We decided to bring in Dr. Elko to align the attitudes of our faculty and staff as we begin a new year,” commented Head of School Kerry Palmer. “Our parents are investing in a top quality education here at Trinity, and it is up to us to have our collective heads in this important game. Dr. Elko did a fantastic job of adjusting our attitudes so that we can have the best year possible. We are fired up!” From left, Lower School Principal Dr. Tami Shelley, Middle/Upper School Principal Mike Zavada, Dr. Kevin Elko, Head of School Kerry Palmer, and Academic Dean Dr. Sara Wright.
F o r E v E r y G E n E r at i o n . Prattville First United Methodist Church • 100 E. 4th Street, Prattville, AL 36067 TRADITIO NAL W O RSH IP 8: 30 AM & 11: 00 A M SUNDAY SCH O O L 9: 45 AM TH E W ELL 11: 00 AM
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Hooper Varsity Cheerleaders Win Big at UCA Camp
Hooper’s varsity cheerleading squad won the following at UCA Cheer Camp this summer: named 2016 AISA State Champions, West Small Squad Division, 1st place Home Pom, 1st place Extreme, 1st place Sideline, 2nd place Cheer, Gameday Champions, and Tradition Award Winner. In addition, Madeline Maxwell, Laura Gravely and Jessika Wallace were named AISA All Stars and two-time UCA All Americans; Gravely was a Pin-it-Forward recipient; and Maxwell a five-time Pin-it-Forward recipient.
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Pike Road First Grade Meets Class Pet
One of our awesome parents helped us get all set up with our very own bearded dragon! All the kids were able to touch and feel him and we are beginning to think about names for our new friend. We started a KWL chart which is just a way to organize what we Know, what we Want to know and what we have Learned about the bearded dragon. We can’t wait to have Mr. Henry come in and help answer our questions so that we can take good care of him!
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A K4-12 College Preparatory School
ENROLLING NOW Holy Spirit Elementary Campus, K4-6 grade
Montgomery Catholic strives to help each student reach their God-given potential—in the faith, academics, athletics, and arts.
8580 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117 334-649-4404
St. Bede Elementary Campus, K4-6 grade 3850 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36109 334-272-3033
Middle School Campus, 7-8 grade 5350 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116 334-272-2465
For more information contact vdickson@montgomerycatholic.org or call 334-272-7221 ext. 32.
High School Campus, 9-12 grade 5350 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36116 334-272-7220
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SUA Headmaster Proud to Teach Second Generation
Holy Cross Student Awarded Black Belt
Success Unlimited Academy began the first day of school with seven eager kindergarten students who were excited to meet their teachers. Amidst the hugs, tears and photo opportunities, the day was very special for Headmaster Susan Alred. “This year was especially emotional for me,” she said. “My grandson, Ethan Morgan, is starting here and just seeing him in an SUA uniform brought tears to my eyes. It is hard to believe that SUA is now providing a second generation of education for my family. All four of my daughters are successful SUA graduates and three are college graduates. My youngest daughter begins her second year at UAB this semester. But to have the privilege of educating my grandchild is beyond words.” Morgan is shown here with his grandmother and Headmaster, Susan Alred.
Catholic Welcomes New Families
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School welcomed back their families on Sunday, August 14 with a Back to School Mass and Street Party. Reverend Augusty Puthanpura, Pastor of St. Peter Catholic Church celebrated Mass in the Middle/High School Chapel and afterward students and their families were welcomed back to campus by the Marching Knights in the school courtyard before Jim ‘N Nicks BBQ was served for dinner in the Dolly Barranco Activity Center. The excitement of a new school year is always a gift for the Montgomery Catholic family. It is with great joy and prayer, that the school serves the community. While maintaining its mission, this year will have MCPS introducing new and innovative ideas at all campuses and building for the future! The Berg family (Chris Berg ‘91 and Sarah, new to the MCPS faculty) is shown with their children, Allie (8th grade), Nate (6th grade) and Samantha (2nd grade).
Holy Cross Episcopal School is proud of 6th-grader Brett Westhauser and a very special honor he has been awarded. He recently earned the highest level in Taekwondo – the Black Belt. Westhauser has been taking Taekwondo that is offered after school at Holy Cross from Master John Fleming since he was in kindergarten. Over the summer, he went several times a week to Fleming’s Martial Arts Studio and the hard work came together for this special honor for Brett. “Master Fleming is a great instructor and is always very positive as he teaches children the skills and selfdiscipline,” said Westhauser’s parents. He is shown here with Master Fleming.
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Montgomery County Schools
Montgomery Academy Juniors Volunteer At Baptist Medical Center South
Holy Cross Buddy Program Kicks Off
Caroline Kirkham, Anne Carlson Sylvest, Hannah Soloff, Taabish Arshad, Sarah Payne, Ford Cleveland, Reese Kelso, Isabel Trehern, Kate Harris, Eric Doh, Will Franklin and Ben Marquess, all juniors from Montgomery Academy, were selected from approximately 100 applicants to serve as volunteers with the Baptist Medical Center South Teen Volunteer program this summer. Students escorted patients and guests throughout the hospital; answered call lights and assisted patients and guests while shadowing clinical team members in the outpatient, postanesthesia care unit, oncology, cardiology, neuroscience and pediatrics units; assisted patients and guests at the Information Desk; served as a liaison between clinical team members and patient families in the surgery waiting room and cardiac cath lab waiting room; provided clerical assistance to the Wound Care Center and Human Resources Department; prepped patient areas and assisted therapists in the Outpatient Therapy department; and provided hospitality services such as delivering mail and newspapers to patients. This volunteer service provided numerous beneficial educational opportunities while learning to serve others in our greater community. Front row from left are Caroline Kirkham, Anne Carlson Sylvest, Hannah Soloff and Taabish Arshad; and back row from left are Sarah Payne, Ford Cleveland, Reese Kelso, Isabel Trehern, Kate Harris and Eric Doh. Ben Marquess and Will Franklin are not shown.
At Holy Cross Episcopal School, fifthgrade students pair with pre-K students to form a bond of friendship that lasts through the school year. On the morning of August 15, fifth-grade buddies joined the pre-K class to work in pairs with the buddies that had been selected for them. The first buddy project of the year was to explore the color red and have a discovery of a watermelon. The morning showcased the pre-K class as the kids began their study of a fun art project constructing a watermelon slice with their buddy, and ending with the class enjoying actually watching a watermelon cut and being able to see the red color inside. The buddies also talked about the shape of the watermelon seeds and enjoyed a tasting of small red squares of the fruit. What a fun, colorful way to begin the school year! Will Alexander, at left, and Copeland Ming are shown.
MEA Softball Team Receives Championship Rings
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The Lady Knights Softball team received their state championship rings at Macon East Academy’s annual Night with the Knights back to school event. This is the fifth consecutive state title for the Lady Knights under the leadership of coach and MEA headmaster Glynn Lott. The team lost only two seniors in the class of 2016, and are excited about another bid for the championship this spring. Paxton Searle, who plans to walk on with the Troy Trojans, was in attendance, while Jesi Garrett was unable to be there to receive her 10th state title ring (five additional for volleyball). Garrett is currently attending the College of Coastal Georgia, where she is on the volleyball and softball teams. www.montgomeryparents.com
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Forest Avenue to Hold Back to School Bash
Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School announces the winner of its annual Back to School Bash Theme Contest. At the end of every school year, students submit hand-drawn T-shirt designs for the Back to School Bash fundraiser held in September. Submissions are judged and ranked by volunteers and then narrowed down to a final choice by the Back to School Bash coordinator, PTA president, and school principal. This year’s winner is Jamie Loftin, a 4th grader in Mrs. Weaver’s class. For her creative efforts, Loftin will receive free admission to the event and a Bash T-shirt. The event will take place on September 16 from 5-8 p.m.; wristbands are available for purchase for school participants and their families through the school PTA or that night at the entrance. It will be a night filled with inflatables, games, concessions, dancing, photo booth, and many more fun surprises!
Athletic Future Bright at ACA
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Alabama Christian Academy’s baseball program is excited about the young talent headed their way. Seven ACA students played all-star baseball for AUM Ozone this summer and placed 3rd at state. The players include: Jalen Clark-8th grade, JT Moorer-7th grade, Trey Schlemmer-7th grade, Thomas Stovall-7th grade, Hayes Hunt-6th grade, Christian McNees6th grade, and Carson Horn-7th grade.
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Holy Cross Holds Orientation for Parents of New Students
The evening of August 8 offered new Holy Cross Episcopal School parents an opportunity to attend an orientation which navigated them through an overview for the upcoming school year. At the conclusion of the meeting, parents and teachers enjoyed a brief opportunity to enjoy refreshments and fellowship before the first day of school. Vendors displaying a vast variety of extracurricular opportunities and after school programs were available in the lunchroom for parents to gather more information and register their children for activities. After school programs at Holy Cross are unique and are all available on-campus to avoid the necessity of parents having to transport their children to different off-campus locations. Some of the exciting activities offered include art, dance, piano, strings, Taekwondo, Tutoring, Soccer and Basketball. Shown, Opening Chapel procession prepares to enter Melanie Kelley Hall while Principal Kathy Taylor proudly greets families and students for the new school year.
Meet the ACA Eagles 2016
Alabama Christian Academy hosted its 2nd annual Meet the Eagles night to kick off the football season. Varsity football players, cheerleaders, and marching band members were announced to the cheering crowd. Also, members of junior varsity, junior high, pee wee, and termite football players and cheerleaders shared in the excitement of the night.
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Catholic Looks Forward to New Changes
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is looking forward to an exciting new school year. We welcome Justin Castanza as our new interim middle/high school principal and Anne Ceasar, Laurie Gulley, Mary Kelley and Julie Wood as the new Leadership Team at our Holy Spirit campus. The high school campus proudly debuts a second AP computer class this year, Computer Science Principles, as well as Mandarin Chinese I & II, which is offered in partnership with AUM’s Confucius Institute. The high school and middle school will both have a new Broadcasting class offered in a state of the art studio. All campuses will offer new choral and drama electives expanding our arts department. Our Holy Spirit campus debuted its first summer day camp for students Monday-Friday all summer long. Campers enjoyed themed weeks, field trips, arts and crafts, games and even worked on summer math and reading. Finally, we are preparing to kick off our capital campaign to build a new gym and expand our performing arts classroom space at our middle/high school campus. Mindy Walski’s 2016-17 AP Computer Science Class is shown.
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Local Businessman Donates to MPS Athletics
Montgomery Public Schools would like to thank Dr. Alfred Seawright, CEO of the Medical Place, for his outstanding support of our students and our high school athletics programs. Dr. Seawright recently gave $5,000 total ($1,000 to each of the head football coaches at Park Crossing, Robert E. Lee, Jeff Davis, Lanier and Carver High schools) to support student athletes with uniforms, equipment and program needs. In addition, Seawright also gave 12 MPS graduating seniors $1,000 scholarships each to help make their dream of college attendance more affordable. Seawright was presented a special award during the district’s first-ever MPS Kickoff Classic, held August 18 and 19 at Hornet Stadium. The game featured the Park Crossing Thunderbirds vs. the Jeff Davis Volunteers, and The Lee High Generals against the Lanier Poets. The coaches were given the checks on air during Dr. Seawright’s radio program which airs on WKXN. District athletic director Brandon Dean is shown here with the coaches, along with local businessman Delbert Madison, also a supporter of MPS athletics.
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Montgomery Catholic’s Summer Track News
Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School had several members of the track team compete at the USATF (United States Track and Field) Regional Championships in Baton Rouge this summer. The competition took place at the Bernie Moore Track Stadium on the campus of LSU. Grant Walker, Amaris Tyynismaa, Isabelle Cochran, Grace Leslie, Zach Kroeger, Cameron Sercy, Patrick O’Mara, Hollis Johnson and Sam Leslie all qualified for the USATF National Jounior Olympics Championships in Sacramento, Calif. that was held July 27-31. Josh Seals, Virginia Speirs and Hugh Walker also qualified and ran in the regional meet. These Knights qualified for the following:Grant Walker (15) – 15/16YO Boys 3000m Regional Champion – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Boys 1500m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Boys 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; Amaris Tyynismaa (15) – 15/16YO Girls 3000m Regional Champion (Record) – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Girls 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; Isabelle Cochran (15) – 15/16YO Girls 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Girls Heptathlon Regional Silver Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Girls 800m Regional Bronze Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Girls High Jump Regional 4th Place Medalist – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; Grace Leslie (15) – 15/16YO Girls 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Girls 3000m Regional Bronze Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; Zach Kroeger (15) – 15/16YO Boys 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Boys 1500m Regional 4th Place Medalist – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Boys 800m – Regional Finalist; Cam Searcy (16) – 15/16YO Boys 4x800m Regional CHAMPION – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 15/16YO Boys 800m – Regional Finalist; Patrick O’Mara (18) – 17/18YO Boys Decathlon Regional Silver Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 17/18YO Boys 400m Regional Finalist; Hollis Johnson (14) – 13/14YO Boys 3000m Regional Silver Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 13/14YO Boys 1500m Regional Bronze Medal – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; Sam Leslie (13) – 13/14YO Boys 3000m Regional 5th Place Medalist – Nat Jr Olympics Qualifier; 13/14YO Boys 1500m Regional Finalist; Josh Seals (18) – 17/18YO Boys 100m – Regional Finalist; Virginia Speirs (14) – 15/16YO Girls 800m – Regional Finalist; and Hugh Walker (17) – 17/18YO Boys Javelin – Regional Finalist; 17/18YO Boys 800m – Regional Finalist. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
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Cornerstone Welcomes New Kindergartners
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Cornerstone’s new Kindergarten students were all smiles on their first day of school. The Kindergarten students have met new friends, participated in chapel with the older students, and have gone on a school-wide scavenger hunt as a fun way to learn about the important locations around the school.
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ACA Spirit Store Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening
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Forest Avenue Enjoys Zaxby’s Spirit Night
On August 11, Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School enjoyed their Back to School Spirit Night at Zaxby’s on Zelda Road. Students and their families enjoyed great food and fellowship with new and old friends. Spirit Night is an opportunity for schools to team up with local restaurants, allowing schools to benefit from a percentage of sales on a certain night.
Alabama Christian Academy celebrated the grand opening of the school spirit store at the beginning of August. Members of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, ACA board members, faculty, students, and staff and friends of ACA gathered for the special event. The spirit store will be a place where students and families of ACA can come get all of their school spirit apparel and be decked out in Eagle Pride for the next school or athletic event. The spirit store will also be a great source of revenue for the school. “We are excited to offer our families a service that they have not had before with this new spirit store,” said ACA Head of School, Dr. Misty Overman. “We feel it is important that our families be able to share their excitement by showing off their new spirit apparel to the community.”
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Montgomery County Schools
Holy Cross Holds Opening Chapel Service
Holy Cross Episcopal School opened the 2016-17 school year with its traditional Opening Chapel Service in Melanie Kelley Hall on the picturesque school campus located at 4400 Bell Road in Montgomery. Excited families gathered with their children ready and eager to be entering pre-K through 6th grade for the 2016-17 school year. The first full day of classes at Holy Cross began on August 11. Holy Eucharist was celebrated by The Reverend Robert Wisnewski, Jr., rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montgomery, and the Reverend David Peeples, Priest-in-Charge at All Saints Episcopal Church in Montgomery. A central focal point of the service was an opportunity for students, teachers and staff to come forward for a personal blessing spoken over them by Rev. Peeples and Rev. Wisnewski for the upcoming school year. After the closing hymn, Principal Kathy Taylor invited parents and their children to visit the classroom where their child would be assigned and meet with their child’s teacher for orientation and an opportunity to participate in a question and answer session. Shown, Caroline Gregory and Brett Westhauser served as acolytes for Opening Chapel Service and are excited to be entering sixth grade.
Pike Road First Grade Makes Classroom Alphabet
First-graders at Pike Road School read the book Superhero ABC and then noticed there was no alphabet in the classroom. Everyone chose one or two letters of the alphabet to illustrate and contribute to the classroom walls.
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Custom Heirloom Clothing
Beginner Sewing Classes Taught
Smocking, Monogramming, Great Selection of Fabrics, Patterns & Laces.
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Come by or Call Today! Off Hwy 231 in Wetumpka 12 Cambridge Court - (334) 567-2448 Take 231, turn left @ River Bank & Trust, then left on Cambridge Ct. in Magnolia Commons Business Park.
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Hooper Students Represent State at Cattle Competitions
Two Montgomery County 4-H’ers who attend Hooper Academy represented Alabama in Hattiesburg, Miss., at the 2016 Junior National Brangus Show in July. Junior cattlemen Ashbee Norman (9), above, and Trevor Haney (14), below, won the Junior National Brangus Herdsman Award. Not only did these two excel in the State and Team Competitions but their high goals paid off in the individual competitions – placing in the Top 6 in Showmanship and multiple Blue, Red and White ribbons placing in the top three of their classes. Two Division Champions and two Division Reserve Champions, these two future cattlemen represented the State of Alabama well.
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Forest Avenue PTA Holds Kindergarten Parent Breakfast Kindergarten parents were treated to a special “Boo Hoo” breakfast for their first day at Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School on Aug. 10. The meal included donuts, coffee, juice and, of course, plenty of tissue! The school’s PTA hosts the event on the first day of school each year for kindergarten parents overwhelmed by the special milestone in their child’s life.
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Holy Cross Back To School Pool Party Makes Huge Splash
On Sunday afternoon, August 21, Holy Cross Episcopal School hosted its annual “Back to School Pool Party” at the pool complex at Deer Creek. Approximately 100 guests attended consisting of parents, students and teachers. Even with a thunder delay, the fun was non-stop and just continued on the grounds beside the clubhouse where everyone enjoyed pizza, two cookie cakes and brownies to celebrate the occasion. It didn’t take long for the weather to clear, and then the swimming began! The children and some parents enjoyed the pool while fellowship continued with lots of splashing and so much fun for all ages. A beautiful sunset over the water brought the event to a picturesque close. Thank you to Holy Cross PTF board members Jonie Champlin, Ashley McCullough, Kristen Smith and Nicole Ferrin for organizing and planning such an outstanding event. Also a big thank you goes to Debbie Brantley for making arrangements with Deer Creek.
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
Trinity Back to School!
Trinity Presbyterian School resumed classes for the 2016-17 school year on August 9, and what an incredible first day of school it was! From meeting new teachers to the all-school assembly, energy filled the halls of Trinity as students and faculty look forward to another great year. The Class of 2017 is shown with Head of School Kerry Palmer. Send Your School News to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.
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Montgomery Academy Juniors Selected for Camp M.D.me Program
Reese Kelso, Will Franklin and Andrew Harris, juniors at Montgomery Academy, were among 18 students in the River Region selected to participate in the Southeast Alabama AHEC Camp M.D.me program this summer. Participants were selected based on grades, essays and letters of recommendations submitted on their behalf. Camp M.D.me is designed to introduce and expose talented students who are interested in careers in medicine to a “day-in-the-life” of a practicing physician (shadowing), state-of-the-art surgery equipment, and a behind the scenes look at hospitals and surgery centers. Some of the activities that Kelso, Franklin and Harris were selected to join were: a tour of the robotic surgery program at Jackson Hospital where they were able to try their hand at the da Vinci surgical robot, lab experiments, a review of the physical therapy and prosthesis programs at Alabama State University, and an overnight stay at UAB to visit Children’s Hospital, the Schools of Dentistry and Optometry, as well as the Schools of Public Health and Health Professions. They ended their week at AUM in the Hearing/Speech Lab and with a hands-on Intro to Medical Laboratory Sciences and Nursing. The Southeast Alabama AHEC is committed to expanding the health care workforce by offering creative, hands-on and innovative health care curriculum for students to explore a wide assortment of medical career possibilities. From left, Andrew Harris, Reese Kelso and Will Franklin received certificates of completion from the Southeast Alabama AHEC.
Macon East Cheer Squads Attend UCA Cheerleading Camp
The Macon East Academy JV and Varsity cheer squads attended the annual AISA East UCA cheerleading camp at Huntingdon College the week of July 18-21. The camp events began Monday with the Home Pom competition where each squad performed a dance routine that they had choreographed over the summer. Both squads had an outstanding week at camp learning lots of new material and receiving all blue and gold superior ribbons in evaluations throughout the week. The JV squad finished 2nd place overall as the small squad division camp champ runner-up, receiving trophies for home pom, Xtreme routine, cheer, sideline, and first place in overall game day. The Varsity squad received trophies in the home pom, Xtreme routine, and cheer categories. Alex Wyrosdick, Rai Pritchett and Rebecca Chapman were selected to represent the AISA East as All-Star cheerleaders at the upcoming all-star football and basketball games. Georgia Blaze, Kayla Boroff, Spencer Lindemood, Rachel Major, Isabella Fagan, Caitlin Martin, Anne Auston Wright, Annslie Gourlay and Rai Pritchett were selected as UCA All American cheerleaders. These honorees will have the opportunity to perform in the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Day Parade or London’s New Years Day parade. MEA’s cheer coach is Erica Hammonds.
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This is truly one of my favorite times of the year! The excitement of a new school year is hard to beat. Autauga County Schools had a fantastic, energy filled Institute at Prattville High School on August 1st. This year teachers from each school competed in the Autauga County Fear Factor. The Billingsley Bears, led by Micheal Blair, walked away with the 1st place trophy. Angela Landry’s Prattville Intermediate Cougars captured 2nd place, while Richard Dennis’ Prattville High Lions took the 3rd place trophy home. The fighting bulldogs from Marbury Middle, led by Jerome Barrington, took 4th place. That gym was rocking! Check out our Facebook page to enjoy the festivities. It was wonderful to see old friends and commence what we are
sure will be the best school year yet! I am thrilled to say that our administrators, faculty, and staff members are always up for a new challenge. Every year I encourage them to strive to be the best and to raise the bar, I know they will do just that. I visited each school and numerous classrooms the first few days of school, and I can report everything is moving along nicely. Opportunity is what Autauga County Schools want for all of our young people. In our ever changing job marketplace, it is great to know that we are able to send our students out into the workplace with the knowledge and skills to compete for jobs on a higher level. Autauga County Technology Center consistently evolves to afford more opportunities for students to acquire necessary skills to meet those changing demands of the workplace. ACTC is offering three new classes this year: a new welding class, Welding Fundamentals, and two new classes in the Family and Consumer Sciences Pathway, Event Planning and Interior Design.
These new course offerings will help our students prepare for a bright future. Speaking of bright futures, how many middle school students get invited to eat dinner at the White House? Lael Jefferson completed 6th grade at Daniel Pratt Elementary School in May. As if the excitement of moving to Prattville Junior High School wasn’t enough, Lael had dinner at the White House hosted by Mrs. Michelle Obama. That’s right, the White House! Lael has been named the Food Ambassador for the State of Alabama as part of the healthy lunchtime challenge. Congratulations, Lael Jefferson, what an honor! Being a part of such an outstanding school system is an honor. I look forward to reporting the many achievements of our students and staff members throughout the school year! 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 16 years of experience in the education field as well as 25 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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New friends are now best friends. New experiences are now the best times ever. No wonder it’s so easy to tell others about it and include them in the fun.
Welcome to Riverview Camp for Girls!
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Pr Autauga County Schools
Autauga Academy Holds ‘Pray for the Generals’ Event
Pray for the Generals was held August 11 on the Football Field at Autauga Academy. There were prayers for every person involved in the upcoming season, including the coaches, the families, the opponents, the school leadership, the 2016 season, the fans, and the team.
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New Hope Starts Writing Project
New Hope Academy elementary students are improving their writing skills using fun and creative methods. Mrs. Hailey is teaching her students a new game in which they describe their feelings using words and pictures. New Hope Academy accommodates all students who learn differently or need a more individualized curriculum.
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Prattville Christian Student Chosen for Exclusive Nursing Program
Prattville Christian Academy senior Colby Mayfield was selected to participate in the Rural Health Scholars Program (RHSP) this summer. Mayfield, chosen in part for his academic achievement, was one of only 25 rising high school seniors to have been selected to attend the fiveweek program on the University of Alabama’s campus. The lack of health care professionals in the rural parts of the state is an increasing issue and this program was specifically founded to teach high school students and to encourage them to return to small areas of Alabama for practice in their professions. “Being from Moundville, Ala., I know the importance of doctors and other healthcare professionals in small towns with only one red light and in most cases, only one doctor,” said Mayfield. “It was an honor to have been selected as one of the 2016 Rural Health Scholars. Despite the 2 a.m. study sessions and the intense courses, I was able to further my passion for nursing and make lifelong friends.” The Rural Health Scholars Program gives students a chance to experience college life while living on campus and taking two college courses for credit - chemistry and creative writing. They also participate in seminars and field trips as well as receive orientation about health careers. This year, Mayfield will be a part of the PCA Health Academy. The academy is designed to offer students a practical-based curriculum providing the education needed for selecting a health care profession. Similar to his time in the Rural Health Scholars Program, PCA Health Academy students learn the various aspects of health care as well as performing clinical rotations at the local hospital. “I enjoy being able to help talented and motivated students like Colby research and experience the vast opportunities in today’s healthcare industry,” said Nurse Brackins, PCA Health Academy director. “The PCA Health Academy allows students to actually see how healthcare works.”
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Autauga County Schools
Prattville Christian Academy Students Attend National Leadership Program
Current Prattville Christian Academy juniors John Beatty, Gracie Cobb, Jordan Haynes, Kelcie Junker, Trent Jorgensen and Rachel Stephenson represented the school at the Presidential Leadership Institute in York, Nebraska, this summer. The Presidential Leadership Institute is a leadership development program among Christian high schools, specifically designed for high achieving students in 10-12 grades. The weeklong program is dedicated to leadership development and character building through interactive programs, discussions and leadership industry expert speakers. More than 28 students from four different states attended the Institute, which was established after York College partnered with Strata Leadership, LLC. “Strata Leadership is the largest character based leadership company in the world,” York College President Steve Eckman said. “They have several training programs for character building and leadership. We became associated with them through the National Christian School Association, which is one of the sponsors of this program as well.” The students returned from their experience energized to become change agents at PCA and within our community. “The Presidential Leadership Institute was an unforgettable experience. Each speaker was incredibly humble about their many successes and taught us how to lead people in a Christ-like manner,” said Rachel Stephenson. “We were able to learn from other student leaders from around the country, as well as create close friendships. God has great things in store for PCA and we are excited to show everyone what we have been working on.”
B New Hope High Schoolers Create Interactive Notebooks New Hope Academy high school students are starting off their school year by creating an interactive government notebook. This will be one of many hands-on projects utilized throughout the year. New Hope Academy accommodates all students who learn differently or need a more individualized curriculum.
Send Your School News to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.
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Back to School Bash at Autaugaville School
On Saturday, August 6, Autaugaville School answered the call to return to school just a few days early. The Second Annual Back to School Bash was in full swing. First Baptist Church of Prattville hosted the event again this year. The church provided free food, school supplies and haircut vouchers for students. There were plenty of games and fun including a puppet show, games, prizes and crafts. The community turned out in force for this great event. Students began school on August 10 and this event helped everyone get off to a great start. Thank you, FBC of Prattville, for your generosity and loving kindness toward children and the community.
Foundation Collects School Supplies To Benefit Autauga County Public Schools
The Autauga Education Foundation (AEF), in partnership with the Autauga County Board of Education, Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Prattville Walmart, hosted a Stuff the Bus campaign during Alabama’s Tax-Free Weekend, August 5-7. The Foundation and its partners encouraged Autauga County residents and businesses to take part in collecting school supplies to provide relief to the administration, educators, and students in our community. On Friday, the bus was located at the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce for local businesses to drop off items. The Chamber challenged local members to get out and “Stuff the Bus.” Pictures were taken of the business and posted on the Chamber’s Facebook page highlighting the members’ commitment to education in our community. The
collection was so successful on Friday, that the Autauga County School System Transportation Department had to deliver a larger bus in anticipation for the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the big yellow bus was parked at the Prattville Walmart where shoppers could donate while out running their weekend errands. Local businesses like Marco’s Pizza and The Wharf Express donated food and drink to “thank” donors for their generosity. Buffalo Rock supplied soft drinks and water to help keep volunteers and shoppers hydrated in the extreme heat. Despite the heat, the community really rallied. Nearly 100 boxes were filled with donated supplies that will be distributed to all 14 public schools in the Autauga County District School System. Thank you to all who made this event a success! The Autauga Education Foundation helps develop and grow opportunities for our local governments, businesses, individuals and philanthropic foundations to become actively engaged as volunteers and/or investors for our county school system by implementing and uniting fundraising efforts. For more info, contact AEF at (334) 312-7047 or amy@autaugaef.org. 39
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New School Year, New Initiatives The pencils have been sharpened, the backpacks have been packed and the school bell has rung, officially starting our 2016-2017 school year in Elmore County. We are off to a great start! Many teachers in Elmore County began the year with innovative teaching methods learned in summer training institutes and workshops, challenging students, and preparing them for a year of discovery. Construction improvements and technology upgrades took place during the summer, providing our students with better facilities and faster internet connectivity throughout the district.
We are excited about introducing new programs and expanding existing ones this school year that will further this initiative. Three of our schools are piloting the CHAMPS classroom management system. The goal of CHAMPS, an acronym for Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, Success, is to create a classroom structure to develop responsible, motivated, and highly engaged students. CHAMPS helps improves student behavior, motivates students, and ultimately increases academic performance. The Prime Time Reading program will continue at Coosada Elementary School and Holtville Elementary School, and we are excited to add Wetumpka Elementary School for the 2016-2017 school year. Prime Time encourages family reading and discussion of humanities topics, aids parents and children in selecting books, and becoming active library users. Elmore County is the first
school system in the state to pilot this program in a school setting, and we are excited to partner with the Alabama Humanities Foundation to benefit our students and their families. Educating the whole child is a long-standing practice in Elmore County Schools, and these initiatives show our continued emphasis on preparing students to be responsible and productive citizens in an ever-changing world. We anticipate great results from these programs and initiatives, and we hope to replicate them for our entire district. We are thankful to have the most dedicated and passionate teachers in our schools molding our students, and we look forward to an amazing school year.
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Andre` L. Harrison has served as a teacher, acting principal, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services and Human Resources, Assistant Superintendent of Education, and the Deputy Superintendent of Education/Chief of Staff. He is married to Monica, and they have a daughter, Aundrea, who attends the UAB. They reside in Millbrook, Alabama.
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Elmore County Schools
Elmore County Technical Center Sees Increase In Enrollment & Certifications
Tallassee Teacher Uses Technology to Connect Across the Continents
Tallassee social studies teacher Billy “Chief” Green is on a short deployment with the Army Reserve in Germany. Using the audio from his Promethean Board and two MacBooks, he is able to communicate with his students in each class period… from across the BIG pond. Green has already given his students a look in to his military job, and they have even discussed some of the culture of the local people. This is a snapshot of Green’s class listening as he explains his job while he is in Germany.
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
The Elmore County Technical Center (ECTC), part of Elmore County Public Schools, is anticipating record enrollment in its programs for the 2016-2017 school year. The ECTC serves all four high schools in the Elmore County school system and provides students the unique opportunity to gain skills that will help them in the workforce or to pursue higher education. Last school year the ECTC had an enrollment of 370 students, while enrollment this year is 500 students, an increase of 51%. The program with the greatest demand is Medical Sciences. After completion of a technical program at ECTC students are trained and prepared to enter a professional field, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market. While some enter the workforce directly, others choose to further their study at a two- or four-year college, building on their technical certification from ECTC. Students are able to earn a CRI certification (Career Readiness Indicator) signifying that they are work force ready. ECTC students this past year earned 311 CRI Certifications, compared to 40 the previous year, a 677% increase. Programs offered at ECTC include: Medical Sciences, Welding Technology, Automotive Technology, Computer Technology, Pre-Engineering and Design, Construction Technology, Public Safety and Law, Hospitality and Tourism, Electrical Technology, and Industrial Maintenance. Cooking students in the Hospitality and Tourism program are shown.
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Airport Road Gets Community Support
Airport Road Intermediate School parents and the Millbrook community are really “showing out” with their level of support this year! Just in the first three weeks of school, there have been backpack donations, school supply donations, school beautification donations, book donations, and maybe the most important of all...The gift of TIME!! We have experienced parents and other volunteers giving their time to ensure that our teachers have the time to focus on their instruction. We are very excited to welcome our brandnew ARIS PTO board members. They are also busy planning for a great school year. The following community stakeholders have already volunteered to make the 2016-17 school year at ARIS a great one: Millbrook First United Methodist, TJ Maxx, Grooming by Sniffanies, Le Femmes/Millbrook American Legion, and countless parents and family members. We welcome anyone to partner with our school and invest in our children!
RES Welcomes New Principal
Redland Elementary School welcomes Chad Walls as the new school principal. Walls is a graduate of Elmore County High school with more than 15 years of experience in education; six of those have been in administration. He previously served as assistant principal at Airport Road Intermediate, Stanhope Elmore, Coosada Elementary and Eclectic Elementary.
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Redland’s Trussell Named WSFA’s Class Act Beginning her 20th year of teaching, Redland Elementary third-grade teacher Misty Trussell was recently named WSFA-TV’s Class Act. Trussell grew up in Wetumpka and attended Wetumpka schools until she graduated from Wetumpka High in 1992. Her teaching degrees are from AUM and she is currently working on an Education Leadership Degree there. “Teaching children is very rewarding for me, because I get to see each child reach goals and feel successful in school and in life!” Trussell says. Prior to Redland, where she has taught since the school opened in 2009, Trussell taught for six years at Wetumpka Elementary and five years at Robinson Springs in Millbrook. She is married to Joe Trussell, who is an English teacher at Wetumpka High School.
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Elmore County Schools
Elmore County Schools See Increase in Qualifying AP Scores
Recently released AP qualifying scores show a 4% increase for Elmore County students over last year’s scores. AP, or Advanced Placement, courses are offered at all four high schools in the system via face-to-face instruction as well as ACCESS online courses. Sixteen different AP classes are offered, including: English, History, Economics, Calculus, Statistics, Biology and Physics (to name a few). The AP curriculum, administered by The College Board, consists of standardized high school courses that are roughly equivalent to undergraduate college courses. After completing an AP class, students typically take the AP exam in that subject, where they can earn credits and accelerated placement in college. Scores from the AP test are reported on a scale of 1-5. Scores of 3, 4, or 4 are considered qualifying. Elmore County Schools had 168 qualifying scores by 130 students on one or more tests, an increase of 4% system wide. In addition, 40 students qualified as AP Scholars, meaning they received a qualifying score on 3 or more AP exams. Enrichment Placement (EP) is available beginning in the 5th grade to students based on parent request and meeting placement criteria. This summer 43 teachers attended workshops for content area and Pre-AP training, and 13 teachers attended Advanced Placement Summer Institutes.
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Redland’s First Week!
Fifth- and sixth-grade students line the halls during the first week of school at Redland Elementary. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
Holtville Elementary Starts Year with Lots of Color!
Holtville Elementary welcomes its new kindergarten students to school. To help them, color days are assigned the first two weeks of school. The entire student body joins with the kindergarten classes to support them in their new educational journey. In the picture above, the students are at PE during Red Day.
Tallassee High School Uses QR Codes for Band Camp
The “Pride of Tallassee” was back in action the week of August 1-5 for Band Camp. The band was formed in 1938 by Troy University graduate William Armagast and is in its 78th edition, making it one of the oldest band programs in Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore or Tallapoosa counties. The director is Robby Glasscock, also a Troy University graduate, and he is in his sixteenth year with the Tallassee band program. This year was very unique in that it was a “paperless” band camp. Students scanned QR codes on their iPads or cell phones, which gave them their coordinates for the marching drill. The band members learned the steps to their drill in record time without much help from any of the adult staff members or band members. The band’s show theme this year is “That’s What’s Up.” The musical selections featured include a medley of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” made famous by Diana Ross as well as Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell, and “River Deep, Mountain High,” recorded by Ike & Tina Turner. The band will also perform Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground,” and conclude with a medley of “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy and “Defying Gravity” from the Broadway musical WICKED. 2016 “Pride of Tallassee” Band Leadership Team includes: Band Captain Brady Atkins, Drum Major Arlundo Heard, Head Majorette Laura Fields, Color Guard Captain Haley Ansley, Middle School Band Director & Announcer Michael Bird, Auxiliaries Coordinator & Color Guard Instructor Brooke Barron, Music Arranger & Jazz Band Director Mike Hammonds, Percussion Instructor Ryan Dean, Majorette Instructor Vicki Baker, Fine Arts Department Chairman Jerry Cunningham, Choral Directors Jerry Cunningham, Adam Moxley & Jessica Head, Drama & Dance Director Adrian Borden, Music Department Administrative Assistant Debbie Rogers and Music Boosters President Ron Popplewell. 44
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Wetumpka High School Holds Dance and Cheer Camp
The Annual Wetumpka High School Dance and Cheer Camp was held on Saturday, August 20, at the Wetumpka High School Gym. Almost eighty girls participated, from grades K-8th. The girls showcased what they learned for the parents at the end of the camp day. Cheers were taught by the Wetumpka High School Varsity and JV Dance and Cheer Teams. The girls learned two dances, along with the band dance to Wetumpka High School’s fight song “War Path,” cheers, stunts and tumbling. The girls performed in the pregame performance August 26 at Wetumpka’s home game, after the football players had their warm-up time. The annual event was hosted by the “Spirit Boosters” as a fundraiser to support expenses for the program.
ARIS ‘Rolls Out the Red Carpet’
At Airport Road Intermediate School, students walked the red carpet August 8 as they entered the building into a brand-new school year.
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RES First Day Fun
Heather Saxman’s first-grade class at the Redland Elementary PTO photo booth on the first day of school.
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ParentingToday’sTeens by Mark Gregston
Getting Teens to Grow Up Remember Alice in Wonderland? There’s one part of the story that finds a diminutive Alice trapped in a room where everything is bigger and taller than she is. But there, at her feet, she finds a piece of cake labeled “Eat Me.” After one bite from that questionable dessert, Alice grows exponentially, transforming into a full-fledged adult in the space of a few seconds. I know many parents who would love to feed a bit of that kind of “maturity cake” to their own kids! It seems that more and more teenagers in this generation are becoming stuck in a perpetual state of adolescence. Instead of growing into healthy adults, a rising number of young people are prolonging their childhood. In fact, the American Medical Association has recently increased the age of adolescence to 27. That means we have a bunch of twenty-somethings running around behaving like kids! No parent wants his or her child stuck. Our desire is to see our kids develop into mature, responsible, and independent adults. So how can we get them to grow up?
Causes
Before we work to fix the problem, we first have to identify the cause. Now, we could blame society for this generation of childish teens. But here’s the honest truth— parents, the fault lies with us. Young people will remain kids as long as we allow them to be kids. When we entertain their every desire, cater to their every need, protect them from every threat, and fund their every activity, why would they ever feel the need to be mature or responsible? Another cause for stunted growth could be related to how we communicate with our teens. When we constantly criticize their behavior, we stop their decision-making processes and send a clear message that they can’t function on their own. As they move Montgomery Parents I September 2016
through the process of maturity, remember to transition from lectures to discussions. Parents; stop the constant correction of your kids! I realize that sometimes they need it, but communication made up entirely of criticism can stunt a child’s growth. If you want your child to grow into an adult, begin to treat him like one. If your son or daughter makes a mistake and doesn’t always listen to your advice, that’s okay. The consequences of bad decisions are often better than correction you could give.
Solutions
When your child shows no desire to hold a job, move out of the house, pursue goals, or further her life, it’s time to ask some tough questions. Are you giving too much and expecting too little? Are you nurturing a child’s inner adult or catering to an adult’s inner child? Though on the outside it looks like a maturity problem with your child, a teen stuck as a kid is really a family problem. And it needs to be corrected! Zookeepers know that you can turn a ferocious grizzly bear into a non-threatening stuffed animal by providing for their every need and limiting their freedom. But don’t make that mistake with your teens. Allow them opportunities to reach, grow, and mature, even if that means they make mistakes along the way. We want our teens to survive in the jungle, not a controlled habitat at home. Start by making a detailed plan of moving your child through maturity. It could look something like this: Age 13: Start washing his or her own clothes Age 14: Pick up more chores around the house Age 15: Get involved in helping others at church or in the community Age 16: Get a summer job Age 17: Be responsible for his or her own school career, including homework, tests, and activities Age 18: Manage personal money, including clothes budget or gas 46
These are simply examples, but you can see that the goal is to slowly nudge your children to deeper levels of maturity and growth, and lovingly train them to stand on their own two feet. Mom and Dad, start taking the emotional training wheels off your child’s bike early and often. This doesn’t mean we can’t help him steer or balance the bike from time to time. But we don’t allow our 18-year-old to keep riding around on a tricycle! No teen is past the age where you can teach maturity. Maybe you have a 19-yearold living in your basement, playing video games and contributing nothing. Now’s the time to take action and give him a big push in the right direction. Announce that you’ll be charging rent next month. However, maybe the first month you’ll cover half the payment, the second month you’ll cover a quarter, and by the third month you’ll expect a full rent payment. The ramp-up will give him time to get on his feet. Or make the decision that gas money, insurance, and clothing allowances are contingent on going to college or holding down a job. Set the rules, then don’t give in! Stick to your guns. If you don’t do anything now, two years down the road, instead of a 19-year-old living in your basement, you’ll have a 21-year-old living there! Make a decision to help your teen move forward right now, and put it at the top of the priority list. Though the American Medical Association says that 27 is the new 18, we don’t want that to be the case for our kids. It starts with us as parents. Let’s take the initiative and begin offering our teens opportunities to nibble the cake that will help them grow up. Stop the constant correction, take off the training wheels, and make a yearly maturity plan for your teen. Use these tools to get your teen moving forward into adulthood. Mark Gregston is an author, speaker, radio host, and the founder of a residential counseling center for struggling teens located in Longview, Texas. Mark’s passion for helping teens can be seen in his 40 years of involvement with families as a youth pastor, Young Life area director, and now, as the Executive Director of Heartlight, where he has lived with and helped over 2,700 teens. To find out more about Mark and his ministry to parents and teens, you can visit www.HeartlightMinistries.org or www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.
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While some kids will barely utter a word, their talkative brethren are more than happy to fill the silence. How do you know when talking has crossed from socially acceptable to problematic?
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Why kids talk and talk and talk... A child’s talking varies according to the situation. What parent doesn’t delight in the way her child’s face beams when he talks enthusiastically about something that was particularly interesting or rewarding at school?
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Often non-stop talking is age-appropriate, such as when a toddler is excitedly developing her language skills. Some kids may talk your ear off at home, but are quiet and shy at school. On the other hand, you may have a social butterfly who finds it difficult to restrain herself from visiting with her neighbors during quiet time and classroom instruction.
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“The important determining factor has to do with whether others are adversely affected,” says Dr. Richard Newman, a child psychologist. Newman specializes in working with school-aged children and adolescents who have problems that manifest in the classroom, including compulsive talking and disruption. “I think it’s important to be tolerant about talking, to carefully listen to and watch for red flags for when talking creates problems and to discuss potential problems with children,” he says. A youngster’s gift for gab becomes a concern if she constantly interrupts conversation, speaks in lengthy monologues and frequently gets into trouble at school for her talking. Worse, non-stop talking can cripple your child’s social relationships, leading to lower self-esteem and social isolation. To help your Chatty Cathy learn to moderate her talking, try a few of these gentle methods to model appropriate conversation skills:
Help your child feel heard.
Julie Hanks, LCSW, a family psychotherapist, says to reflect back to make your child feel listened to and more aware of his behavior. For example: “Hmmm...you’ve told me that story about what you did at recess three times. It must have been really important to you.”
Make eye contact.
When people don’t look at us when we address them, we aren’t sure if they’re truly listening and that can compel us to repeat ourselves. Put aside your phone, magazine, or tablet and give your child your full attention when he talks to you. “Sometimes kids repeat themselves because a parent is multi-tasking,” Hanks says.
Notice your habits.
Ever heard your preschooler pretending to be you talking on the phone? Then you know that kids learn how to communicate with others by watching how their parents handle social situations. Model reciprocal communication, which occurs through body language like gestures and nods, eye contact and through dialogue in which one person speaks while the other listens and then responds.
Establish boundaries. Teach your child self-control and self-regulation by setting boundaries. Point out times when it’s
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disruptive to talk like in the quiet space at the library or while others want to listen to a speaker or a favorite song on the radio. If you need a break from your child’s chattering, tell her you need some quiet time. Set the timer for 15 minutes and suggest that she play in her room quietly, look at a book or color.
Make listening fun.
If your child’s talking interferes with other family members’ opportunities to speak, set a limit on how long she can talk before it’s the next person’s turn. One way to practice turn-taking is to go around the table with an item like a pepper mill or an honorary spoon, which can symbolize a mic. Whoever holds the designated “mic” holds the floor, which means it’s his turn to share his news, quip or story. No interruptions, but others can ask questions of the person doing the talking to learn more about what he shared.
Nurture social signal recognition.
Some children struggle to recognize social cues like body language and tone of voice. Play charades to practice different facial expressions and body language. Acknowledge your child’s nonverbal signals and label emotions: “You’re smiling from ear to ear. Something good must have just happened!” Look at picture books and ask your child what the character is feeling. Make note of other people’s body language. For example, “That lady has her arms crossed and she’s talking loudly to the clerk. How do you think she’s feeling?” Read dialogue in books with inflection to help your child discern how the characters must be feeling based on how the dialogue is spoken. One sentence spoken in different ways can carry a variety of connotations like anger, sarcasm or gentle teasing.
Seek professional help. If you’re concerned
about your child’s constant chattering, consult with his pediatrician or a mental health professional. An assessment can determine if your child’s talking is within the normal range of behavior or compulsive, i.e., he refuses to be interrupted, focuses on worries or fears or gets extremely agitated when he can’t finish a story. mp
Freelance journalist Christa Melnyk Hines is the mom of two boys who love to talk. Her latest book is Happy, Healthy & Hyperconnected: Raise a Thoughtful Communicator in a Digital World.
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The new UAB Multispecialty Clinic at Baptist Medical Center South brings two names you trust together.
Together makes us happier, stronger, better. That’s why Baptist South has opened a brand new clinic that brings the best names in healthcare together. Nurses and staff from Baptist South will join specially trained doctors from UAB to offer advanced care in many specialties. It’s a partnership that’s going to make everyone better, including you. Call today and make an appointment at the new UAB clinic. Let’s get you better, together.
See a UAB doctor in one of these specialties UROLOGY GASTROENTEROLOGY ENDOCRINOLOGY RHEUMATOLOGY
MULTISPECIALTY CLINIC BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER SOUTH
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334.613.7070 UABmedicine-Baptist.com 2119 East South Blvd, east of the Emergency entrance at Baptist South 53
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6/13/16 11:47 AM
Common Sense Rules for Augmented Reality Pokemon GO may be the first breakthrough game to use augmented reality (AR), but it certainly won’t be the last. The boundaries between virtual and tangible worlds have been blurring for a long time, and new games fuse the two into one irresistible package. As everyone knows by now, Pokemon GO makes tiny monsters appear everywhere from museums and malls to backyards and kitchens. Entire families have cheerfully headed out into their neighborhoods and beyond to collect as many monsters as they can. So far so good. But augmented reality also creates risks. Thinking through the pros and cons of Pokemon GO gives parents a good platform for making common sense rules about the many AR games that are likely to follow. As you develop family guidelines, keep these 5 P’s in mind. Permissions. Children under 13 can’t sign up for games unless they have permission from parents. That’s a reminder that younger children need augmented supervision in augmented reality. Play together if you can. Or ask your child to walk you (literally!) through the game so you can see and comment on what’s fun and what’s risky. AR apps also ask for permissions when they are installed, and parents should get in the habit of reviewing every request. Obviously, smart phones hold lots of information— who a child knows, where she hangs out, what photos he’s taken, what social media she uses. This information may seem trivial, but it’s catnip to marketers. Even if the company that makes the app promises to use the information responsibly, tech companies often change hands. The best policy is to give each app as little permission as possible. Pokemon Go, for example, needs access to the phone’s Montgomery Parents I September 2016
camera but not contact information. To revise your choices after installation, find the Settings icon on the phone. Look for the Apps folder. Find the relevant app and uncheck as many boxes as possible. Place. AR games encourage children to explore the world. That’s terrific! But kids still need boundaries. For kids mature enough to play without direct supervision, be very clear about where they are allowed to go. In the case of Pokemon GO, monsters may very well show up outside the approved play zone. Talk in advance about how you want your child to handle this situation. (To confirm that the rules are being followed, click the Pokeball button at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of captured Pokemon and details about where they were caught.) Before turning a child loose with AR, remind them about tangible concerns. Exercise special caution near water and never cross safety barricades. Don’t trespass on private property and don’t play the game in inappropriate places like cemeteries and churches. Use sunscreen and stay hydrated. Traffic is another obvious risk. People staring at phones have bumped into things and stepped in front of cars. Some parents insist that kids set the phone to vibrate when a Pokemon is nearby so they can walk without distraction. To its credit, Pokemon GO reminds players to turn the game off while driving. The same rule should apply to other forms of transportation—bikes, scooters, skateboards. People. The best games are often social, and AR is no exception. Chatting with others who are playing in the same vicinity seems natural, and some objectives require teamwork. Most of the people your child encounters will be fellow enthusiasts. But the Pokemon GO game includes devices that 54
draw Pokemon—and their hunters—to specific locations, and that creates opportunities for predators. Remind your child that all the usual rules about talking to or going anywhere with strangers apply. Encourage kids to play with friends and reiterate the fact that, even with friends, they shouldn’t go into isolated places like dark alleys or abandoned buildings. As an extra layer of protection, consider keeping track of your child’s phone with a service like Find my Friends (Apple) or Google+ (Android). Price. Apps are seductive because they seem to be free. Still, the people who develop these things need to be paid, so something is always for sale. In the case of Pokemon GO, players can purchase Pokeballs, Pokecoins and lures that will make it easier to catch rare specimens. For parents, this is a teachable moment. Consider giving your child an in-game allowance or encouraging her to earn money for game items by doing chores. Make it crystal clear that your child needs to get approval before spending real money on virtual goods. AR games are also likely to have other costs. Because Pokemon GO depends on GPS tracking, it consumes lots of data. Show older kids how to monitor usage so they don’t incur extra charges by exceeding the family limit. Privilege. Playing any game is a privilege that can be revoked if kids don’t follow household rules. In the case of a craze like Pokemon GO, you may want to be flexible at first to see how the game fits into family life. When is it OK to play? When do you expect phones to be powered down? Are there things your child can do to earn extra time? What behaviors will result in suspending privileges? The answers to these questions won’t be the same for every family, and they may need to be hammered out in family meetings. Still, it’s always up to parents to be sure that the allure of AR is tempered with real world common sense. Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing the Growing Up Online column for ten year. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart. Available at Amazon and Cooperative Wisdom.org. @ Copyright, 2016, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved
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A Page in a Book Imaginary Reading Reading is at its best when it sparks the imagination. Kids open books with similarly open minds that are primed to discover inspiration. Their minds are ready to craft worlds of their own making, to create landscapes populated with impossible beings and unlikely events. The smallest element found between the pages of a good book can serve as a springboard for daydreams, magical musings, and original thinking that’s the sole creation of a child’s mind. When words and images from a picture book spark a journey of the mind, the highway to imagination is wide open!
The Wonder
by Faye Hanson (Templar / Candlewick) As a young boy makes his way toward school, he’s repeatedly scolded by others for having his head in the clouds. Moving through a sepia-toned landscape, he tries to focus but flashes of impossible shapes and brilliant color intrude at the corners. Once he’s at school, the boy’s distracted musings brighten up what he’s learning, even while earning him some reproach from teachers. But upon arrival in art class, the boy is offered a blank piece of paper and finally encouraged to ‘use his imagination’. With his mind unfettered, his full technicolor interpretation of his day pours forth with wild abandon. Magnificent, richly detailed illustrations throughout ‘The Wonder’ celebrate the power of imagination to amplify reality with magical results.
Tell Me What to Dream About
by Giselle Potter (Schwartz & Wade) When a little girl has trouble falling asleep she turns to her big sister asking for things to dream about, something to think of while she drifts off. The older sister offers up imaginative cues, crafting settings and characters that should captivate her younger sibling. But the suggestion of tiny animals dancing on waffles is unappetizing to the younger sister. The idea of riding through the sky on cotton candy creatures is also not comforting (heights are scary). But once two minds work together to imagine a dreamscape that works for both, slumber comes easy to sleepy siblings.
The Nowhere Box
by Sam Zuppardi (Candlewick Press) With noisy little brothers following George everywhere, he simply has nowhere to go. If only he can figure out how to get there – to nowhere. But a newly vacated cardboard box gives George the inspiration to craft his own means of escape. With a handful of craft supplies and a head full of imagination, George builds a Nowhere Box that transforms into a rocket ship, a pirate vessel, a castle and more. Fueled by his mind’s musings the box transports him on spectacular journeys and gives him the perfect escape from pesky kid brothers. But his pretend landscapes are missing enemy pirates, dragons and the opposing foils that add drama to any imaginary adventure. Luckily, George has two little guys in mind who just may be the perfect opposition everywhere in Nowhere. Find more reading recommendations at www.PageBookMedia.com.
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Many parents of special needs children appear to parent with grace, balance, and energy. In addition they also seem remarkably stress-free and organized. How, in the face of all of these challenges and more, do they keep it together? What habits do they embrace that allow them to be highly effective parents for their children?
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Habit One: They are proactive and advocate for their children and educate others.
Parents become experts about their children and their needs. They conduct ongoing research; ask questions of therapists, doctors, specialists, and other professionals; and keep an organized binder full of notes and important information. They create and add to their at-home special needs libraries. They are knowledgeable about vernacular, treatments, and services. They are well versed in the state and federal laws that regulate services for their children. Because of their knowledge parents are effective educators of their child’s faculty and staff. They are powerful advocates for treatment, services, and support-in and outside of school.
Habit Two: They maintain a sense of “normalcy” within the family.
Effective parents realize that although everyone in the family is affected by their child’s disorder, they are not defined by it. Parents work to ensure that siblings have childhoods and do not take on adult responsibilities. They encourage siblings to spend time with their friends. Parents are proactive about training other family members, friends and sitters about how to care for their child so that they can have time for themselves, individually and as a couple, perhaps going out on weekly dates. They also spend time in the company of other adult friends.
Habit Three: They take care of themselves.
Parents nurture their needs, and recognize that doing so is important for themselves as well as their children. Effective parents address themselves holistically, meaning they take care of their physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs. They eat nutritious unprocessed food and don’t skip meals. They make sure their bodies are properly hydrated. They schedule time for regular exercise, by themselves or with friends. They engage in activities that offer creative or intellectual enrichment.
The Ability Sport Network (ASN) at Huntingdon College serves youth and young adults with physical disabilities, ages 6-21, in the River Region who have a desire to participate in sport and adapted activity.
Habit Four: They manage their stress.
Effective parents are intentional about reducing stress in their lives by setting time aside each day to promote calm and centering. They adopt practices such as prayer, deep breathing and meditation to
“We are athletes, hear our prayer to play this game and play it fair, Win or lose we honor You, Giving You the glory in everything we do. Amen”
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Ability Sport Network at Huntingdon College 1500 E. Fairview Ave. Montgomery, AL 36106 Dr. Lisa Dorman, Director, (334) 833-4465 ldorman@hawks.huntingdon.edu Dr. Jared Rehm, Asst. Director, (334) 833-4073 jrehm@hawks.huntingdon.edu www.asn.huntingdon.edu
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replenish their inner reserves. Rebecca, a mom of a son who has a diagnosis of autism, says, “When in doubt I choose grace, to forgive people for letting me down or for rejecting my son, for whatever reason.” When parents lead lives that are stress-free and balanced, all family members, especially children, win. Research, by the Gottman Institute supports that children fare better emotionally, socially, and academically when parents manage their stress properly.
Habit Five: They make rest a priority.
While any parent can tire in their parenting responsibilities, parenting a child with special needs can elevate fatigue to a whole different level. Sometime parents don’t realize the extent of their exhaustion. I didn’t. My child’s physical therapist pointed this out to me. Effective parents realize the importance of getting to bed as early as possible, or taking naps to offset the sleep they lose due to their child’s irregular sleep patterns-up and down throughout the night, late to bed, and/or early to rise.
Habit Six: They surround themselves with energy givers. People are either energy zappers or energy givers. Effective parents opt to spend time in the company of people who lift them up, make them feel confident, positive, and happy. They realize energy givers help them to feel energized, inspired and motivated. Parents of special needs children appreciate and need this energy.
Habit Seven: They have a support group.
Parenting a child with special needs can be lonely, however there is no need to be alone in the journey. Effective parents are part of or have created a group of parents whose parenting journeys are similar to theirs. Christy, a single mother of a child with mental health issues shares, “I’ve found that meeting and sharing with people who have raised children with similar issues helps me. They understand what I deal with without me having to explain it. Their support helps me to be calm when I’m with my child.” mp Judy M. Miller savors time with her kids. She is a Certified Gottman Educator and the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.
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PARKS & RECREATION Montgomery Area Vaughn Road Park, 3620 Vaughn Road – Boundless Playground Ida Belle Young Park, 5400 Vaughn Road – Sight Impaired Playground Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway, Montgomery, Alabama 36110, (334) 240.4900 Montgomery Zoo is open year round with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. The zoo opens at 9:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. The Montgomery Zoo is handicap accessible. Wheelchairs are available for rental at the Zoofari Gift Shop. The play area does have handicap accessible swings. Thompson Park, 1655 Ray Thorington Road – “No Limits” Miracle Field Playground and Miracle League Ball Field. Therapeutic Recreation Center, 604 August St., 240.4595 (Frederick Thomas) one of Montgomery’s proudest accomplishments, makes recreation accessible to our city’s special population. The center offers a 26,000 square foot facility that is barrier free, and features a large gymnasium, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, weight room, game rooms, meeting rooms, locker rooms and a kitchen. Spring Prom and Special Olympic competitions are held here. Please visit Parks and Recreation at www.montgomeryal.gov for more information.
SCHOOLS/TUTORING Churchill Academy ad on pages 3 & 65
395 Ray Thorington Rd., (334) 270.4225 Churchill Academy was founded in 1996 to educate the many children in Montgomery and surrounding areas with unique learning differences that range from Attention Deficit Disorder to Learning Disabled to Gifted. We believe strongly that early intervention is essential to maximize the success of every child with special learning needs. Our youngest classroom, classroom A, identifies areas of strength and weakness in our 6 & 7 year olds and provides appropriate remedial instruction. Please visit us at www. Churchillacademymontgomery.com.
Kumon of Montgomery-Central ad on page 57
1655 Perry Hill Rd, (334) 279.1400. After school learning program for long term solution. We prepare your child to be a more independent learner in Reading and Math and developing their learning attitude. Kumon is one of the world’s largest afterschool programs. Please call or visit us at www.kumon.com/montgomery-central.
Kumon Reading and Math Center ad on page 57
8125 Vaughn Rd, (334) 649.1178. After-school academic enrichment program that helps children achieve success. The Kumon Math program develops necessary skills to help children progress from counting through calculus. The Kumon Reading program begins with basic phonics and progresses all the way through advanced reading comprehension. Please call us or visit our website at www.kumon.com. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
Mathnasium ad on page 29
3457 Taylor Road, (334) 356.1570. We specialize in teaching kids math the way that makes sense to them. We provide: Expert tutors, Custom learning plans and personalized instruction, and Homework help. Please call Monica Virgil at (334) 356.1570 or visit us at www.mathnasium.com/ eastmontgomery.
Prattville Area (334) 361.3609 Overlook Memorial , 299 Jay Street, handicap accessible, swings. Pratt Park Child Place, 460 Doster Road, handicap accessible, swings. Spinner’s Park, 390 West 6th Street, Metal slides for cochlear implants.
RECREATION & ENRICHMENT
Success Unlimited
Dream Court, Inc.
2328 Fairlane Campus, (334) 213.0803 and 4500 Vaughn Road. Success Unlimited Academy is dedicated to teaching all children. In our Special Education Achievement Class, we have provided a special place of learning for those who need more one-on-one instruction and individualized lesson plans. Please visit our website at www.suacademy.com.
(334) 414-1980. Sharing hope, changing lives. Aadaptive tennis program in Montgomery, AL for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. Dream Court provides an opportunity for individuals with intellectual and/ physical disabilities a chance to play the lifetime sport of tennis. Dream Court focuses on inclusion, active lifestyle, positive self esteem, appropriate social behavior, and having fun while learning the sport of tennis. Please visit our website at www.dreamcourt. org or find us on Facebook: Dream Court.
ad on page 27
Sylvan Learning Center ad on page 18
2640 Zelda Rd., (334) 262.0043 One on one or small group for children with learning disabilities. Study skills, (courses for credit) writing/grammar, reading, math and SAT/ACT college preparation. Also individualized tutoring. Diagnostic evaluation and tests. Students improve skills, becoming more motivated and gaining in self-confidence. Certified teachers. Huntington Learning Center 2800 Zelda Rd., (334) 277.1108 Several teachers on staff with Special Education needs. Tutoring in reading, study skills, writing, phonics, spelling, math and ACT/SAT prep, GED and exit exam. Students ages 5 - adult.
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ad on page 7
Huntingdon College Ability Sport Network ad on page 69
1500 E. Fairview Ave. Montgomery Dr. Lisa Dorman, Director, (334) 833-4465 ldorman@hawks.huntingdon.edu Dr. Jared Rehm, Asst. Director, (334) 833-4073 jrehm@hawks.huntingdon.edu The Ability Sport Network (ASN) at Huntingdon College serves youth and young adults with physical disabilities, ages 6-21, in the River Region who have a desire to participate in sport and adapted activity. Ability Sport Network at Huntingdon College. Visit www.asn. huntingdon.edu.
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3699 Wallahatchie Rd., Pike Rd. (334) 213.0909; The Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with a wide range of disabilities through safe and effective therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning activities. Please visit our website at http://maneweb.org.
SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING
Abrakadoodle Susan Parker, (334) 265.5758 Offer several enrichment programs in Montgomery’s public and private school settings as well as daycares. We offer autism and special needs classes, which are not limited by age. Please visit us at www.abrakadoodle. com/al01 or email sparker@abrakadoodle.com.
Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Access To Recreation Provides exercise and recreational equipment for people with disabilities. 8 Sandra Ct., Newbury Park, CA. (800) 634.4351. www.accesstr.com.
When Planning for a Loved One with Special Needs
Alabama Angels Pageant Renee Lantz (334) 300.9238. The Alabama Angels Pageant is a pageant specifically for individuals with special needs, both male and female of any age. The 2017 Alabama Angels Pageant will be held March 11, 2017 at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. Participation is free and it is free to come and watch. Anyone with a medically diagnosed physical or intellectual impairment is invited to participate. Participants will receive free hair and makeup and then enjoy a short rider in a limo before being dropped off at the red carpet premier.. Registration can be done online at www.angelspageantsystem.com . For more information on donations, registration, or volunteer opportunities contact Renee Lantz at (334) 300.9238 or Tanya Murphy at (334) 799.7119. Please visit our local website at www.alabamaangels.org. Armory Athletics Center (334) 241.2789, 1018 Madison Avenue. Classes offered and combined. Case to case basis upon the need of extra coaches. Please call for more information. Boy Scouts of America 3067 Carter Hill Rd., (334) 262.2697. We provide an educational and social program for boys and young adults. Brain Pump A group exercise class, targeting children 4-12 years old. The class is the collaboration of a physical therapist and a kinesiology professor combining traditional therapy and exercise concepts with the latest cutting edge research on movement and the brain. This is all done in a fun, energetic setting, that seems much more like playing than exercising. Brain Pump is taught at Metro Fitness on Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m. Contact Tiffany Higginbotham at Body Logic PT & Wellness (334-380-5920) for more info. Family Karate Center Carole Coker, (334) 277.4911; 8159 Vaughn Road. Next door to Jalapenos, Peppertree Shopping Center. Only karate center that specializes in teaching special needs students- autistic, Asperger’s Syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Hearing and Visually impaired, all wheel chairs welcome. Call today for registration and information. We are the only Montgomery school with a Master degree Instructor who specializes in special need children. There is no extra cost for the special needs child. A FREE gift for all new enrollments. Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (334) 272.9164, 145 Coliseum Boulevard, Montgomery, AL 36109 Helps girls self value, social and volunteering skills through troop service.
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Doing nothing
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Disinheriting the loved one
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Assuming others will care for your loved one
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Using a one-size-fits-all special needs trust
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Failing to plan for more than public benefits
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Not using a professional who focuses on special needs planning
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Failing to include others in the planning
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Choosing the wrong management team
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Failing to protect the loved one from predators
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Failure to properly “fund” and maintain the plan
Looney’s “Special Needs Skate” 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. Looneys Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5. For more information contact Lyrastephens@yahoo.com. Montgomery Miracle League The Miracle League provides an opportunity for children and adults with physical and/or cognitive disabilities a chance to play baseball. Please visit us on Facebook under Montgomery Miracle League.
A T T O R N E Y S A T L AW
Your Attorneys for Special Needs Planning
MONTGOMERY (334) 241-8000 | OPELIKA (334) 501-1540
Special Olympics Alabama 880 South Court Street, Montgomery, AL (334) 242.3383. Offers year-round sports training and athletic competitions in 18 individual and team Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Please visit us at http://specialolympicsalabama.com/.
No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.
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Storybook Farms 300 Cusseta Road - Opelika, AL 36801 (334) 444.5966. www.hopeonhorseback.org ; The year-round equine assisted activities are tailored to serve children ages 2 years to young adults who are challenged with life-threatening illnesses, disabilities, mental and/or emotional trauma, and grief. The gentle nature of our horses provides hope and healing. In addition to our “hope on horseback” riding programs, Storybook Farm also provides weekly Enrichment Classes for local school system’s inclusive special education classes, “Forever Families” quarterly events for families created by adoption or fostering, as well as annual events. Therapeutic Recreation Center 604 Augusta St., 240.4595 One of Montgomery’s proudest accomplishments, makes recreation accessible to our city’s special population. The center offers a 26,000 square foot facility that is barrier free, and features a large gymnasium, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, weight room, game rooms, meeting rooms, locker rooms and a kitchen. Spring Prom and Special Olympic competitions are held here.
RECREATIONAL CAMPS Easter Seals Camp ASSCA ad on page 66
(256) 825.9226; www.campascca.org. Alabama’s Special Camp for Children and Adults. ASCCA is a nationally recognized leader in therapeutic recreation for children and adults with both physical and mental disabilities. Providing weekend and week long ses-
sions- open year-round. Located in Alabama on Lake Martin, offers campers a wide variety of recreational and educational activities. Activities include horseback riding, fishing, tubing, swimming, environmental education, arts and crafts, canoeing, a “splash pad”, outdoor adventure elements like the zip-line, and much more. Camp Smile-a-Mile-Alabama’s Program for Children with Cancer 1(205) 323.8427; Camp Smile-A-Mile’s mission is to provide year round challenging, unforgettable recreational and educational experiences for young cancer patients, their families as well as young adult survivors from Alabama at not cost to the families. The purpose is to provide these patients, families and survivors with avenues for fellowship, to help them cope with their disease and to prepare them for life after cancer. Camp Smile-A-Mile, located in downtown Birmingham by Children’s of Alabama, has year round programming including seven annual sessions at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. The use of this facility is donated. 1 (334) 500.7920. Please visit us at www.campsam.org. Camp Sugar Falls & Camp Seale Harris (205) 402.0415; www.southeasterndiabetes.org. provides our kids with the chance to learn about effective diabetes management, while at the same time allowing them to interact with other children living with this same illness. Lakeshore Foundation (205) 313.7400; www.lakeshore.org; Offers a wide range of fitness, recreation, athletic and education
programs to children and adults who experience diagnostic conditions including spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, amputation, and visual impairment.
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SUPPORT & EDUCATIONAL SERVICES Easter Seals Alabama
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2125 East South Boulevard, Montgomery, AL (334) 288.0240 Consists of eight community rehabilitation program sites and the world’s largest barrier free recreational camp Camp ASCCA. Easter Seals Alabama services include: Medical Rehabilitation, Early Intervention, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Hearing Therapy, Job Training and Employment, Child Care & Camping and Recreation.
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ad on page 68
Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center ad on page 70
2853 Forbes Drive, Montgomery, (334) 261-3445 We are Montgomery’s preferred children’s nursing and rehabilitation facility. Providing services to children with severe developmental disabilities that require on-going nursing care. Our team of professionals will create a plan of care that promotes a nurturing environment of respect, growth and healing. Visit www.montgomerychildrenscare.com.
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Alabama Family Trust is a unique public service that helps parents administer special needs trusts for their loved ones; providing a safe haven for financial resources, and helping assure important government benefits for their future.
2820 Columbiana Road, Ste 103 Vestavia, AL 35216 205.313.3915 • 1.844.238.4630 sbrubaker@alabamafamilytrust.com www.alabamafamilytrust.com Montgomery Parents I September 2016
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Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities RSA Union Building, 100 North Union Street, Post Office Box 301410 Montgomery, Alabama 36130-1410 Phone: (334) 242.3973, Toll-Free: (800) 232.2158, FAX: (334) 242.0797 Email:addpc@mh.state.al.us. or visit us on the web at www.acdd.org. Dianne Craft – Child Diagnostics (303) 694.0532. Wonderful website filled with information, articles, resources for learning disabilities, dyslexia, auditory processing, right/left brain learning. Nutritional therapy and supplement recommendations. You can purchase Dianne’s DVDs, CDs, Books, vitamins, and other various products through her online store. Please visit http://www.diannecraft.org. The Listening Program (888) 228.1798 The Listening Program (TLP) is a music listening therapy that provides engaging brain stimulation to improve performance in school, work and life. It gently trains the auditory system to accurately process sound. Auditory processing problems can lead to academic, emotional, cognitive and social challenges, including problems with ADD, Listening, Speech & language, memory, communication, Social skills, reading, Sensory Integration, Balance and coordination and self regulation. Auditory processing problems are often found in children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADD, dyslexia and learning disabilities. Please visit us at www.thelisteningprogram.com for more information.
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March of Dimes Alabama Chapter Birmingham, Al. (205) 824.0103; www.marchofdimes.com; Central Division in Montgomery, Al. (334) 277.6910 Rooftop Friends Disabilities ministry of Young Meadows Presbyterian Church, seeking to share the love of Christ with families and individuals who are involved with loved ones, or even themselves who struggle with a physical, cognitive or behavioral disability. While the programs are a great deal of fun and a wonderful way for members and friends of YMPC to get to work together, but the most important aspect is those personal relationships with parents, those with disabilities, seeing that we are all people created in the image of God. For more info, call 244.1385. Service Dogs Alabama 3066 Zelda Road, Suite 313, Montgomery, AL; (334) 676.3733 Service Dogs Alabama is a multi-functional Service Dog training organization including K-9s 4 Kids. We are the only non-profit organization in Alabama who trains Service Dogs a child’s specific needs and gives them to their families free of charge. We train Service Dogs for Asperger’s Syndrome, wheelchair assistance, balance and mobility, Diabetic Alert, and seizure assistance. Please visit our website at www. ServiceDogsAlabama.com. The Southeast ADA Center Atlanta, GA. (800) 949.4232; www.adasoutheast.org; The Center provides information, training, and guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and disability access. The Center serves eight states in the Southeast Region including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.
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NUTRITION
SPEECH THERAPY
Health Wise 277.9925, 5147 Atlanta Highway. Provides nutritional supplements for children and adults with ciliac disease, autism, ADD/ADHD and other learning disabilities. We offer a wide variety organic, egg free, gluten free food products for individuals with celiac disease and autism. Please visit www.healthwisefoods.com.
Easter Seals Central Alabama
Herb Shop, The 271.2882 8151 Vaughn Rd. We have a whole section dedicated to special needs and learning disabilities. Please visit our store for individual supplement recommendations. Lee Silsby, Compound Pharmacy (800) 918.8831, Compounding Pharmacy focusing on children with Autism. Please visit www.leesilsby.com. Our Kids (877) 533.7457, 3216 Silsby Rd. Cleveland Hts., OH 44118 Our Kids was founded as the result of the joy Lee Silsby Compounding Pharmacy experiences in working with Autistic children. Our Kids focuses 100% of their product line exclusively on supplements for Autistic children and designing innovative, high quality products. Please visit us at www.ourkidsasd.com.
ad on page 68
(334) 288.0240; 2125 E South Blvd., Montgomery Our goal is to provide quality life enhancing programs and services to meet the individual needs of our consumers. ESCA offers the following programs; Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf, Speech Therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic, Vocational Evaluation, PACE Program, Job Placement, CAN Certification, Learning Disabilities Evaluation, and CARE. Please call or visit us at www. eastersealsca.org. AUM Speech and Hearing Clinic 7177 Halcyon Summit Drive, 244.3408 AUMSHC is a full-service speech and hearing clinic. We have been in operation since 1975. We offer speech and hearing diagnostic testing and rehabilitative therapy, as well as hearing aid services. We are a non-profit research/teaching organization, associated with the university. We train students in communication disorders and supervise doctoral level students from main campus that do clinical rotations here with us in their second year. We proudly serve the AUM family and surrounding River Region communities. Our patients are all ages from birth and up. Please visit us on Facebook at www.facebook. com/aumshc. Comprehensive Therapy Center Baptist Speech and Hearing Clinic (334) 244.8345. Baptist East Hospital, 400 Taylor
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Speech and Hearing, Speech and Hearing Association of Alabama (256) 325.8885; Info@AlabamaSHAA.org www.alabamashaa.org
EARLY INTERVENTION Easter Seals Central Alabama ad on page 68
(334) 288.0240; 2125 East South Blvd, Montgomery Our goal is to provide quality life enhancing programs and services to meet the individual needs of our consumers. ESCA offers the following programs: Janice Capilouto Center for the Deaf, Speech Therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnostic Clinic, Vocational Evaluation, PACE Program, Job Placement, CAN Certification, Learning Disabilities Evaluation, and CARE. Please call or visit us at www.eastersealsca.org.
Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center ad on page 70
2853 Forbes Drive, Montgomery, (334) 261-3445 We are Montgomery’s preferred children’s nursing and rehabilitation facility. Providing services to children with severe developmental disabilities that require on-going nursing care. Our team of professionals will create a plan of care that promotes a nurturing environment of respect, growth and healing. Visit www. montgomerychildrenscare.com. Alabama Institute for the Deaf & Blind (256) 761.3200, 205 South Street, Talladega, AL. AIDB is the most comprehensive education, rehabilitation and service system serving children and adults who are deaf, blind and multi-disabled. Children ages 3 to 21 are served through the Alabama School for the Deaf, the Alabama School for the Blind and the Helen Keller School of Alabama. Please call or visit our website at www.aidb.org.
PRATTVILLE 2209 COBBS FORD RD. 888-254-7275
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind 334-262-0824 Serving Lee County and the surrounding area. Missy Byrd. Missy@aidb.state.al.us or serving the Opelika area Robin Blake at Blake. Robin@aidb.state.al.us serving the Auburn area. Alabama School for the Blind- 705 South Street East, Talladega, Al. (256) 761.3259 Alabama School for the Deaf- 205 South Street East, Talladega, Al. (256) 761.3212 Helen Keller School of Alabama- 1101 Fort Lashley Avenue, Talladega, Al. (256) 761.3377 or visit us at www.aidb.org and click on the Helen Keller School link.
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Child Find (800) 543.3098 Child Find is the process used in Alabama for identifying all children who may be eligible for services and referring them to Alabama’s Early Intervention System. The Children’s Center of Montgomery 310 North Madison Terrace, (334) 262.4850, Montgomery Public School for Special Needs. Offer services for cognitive delayed or multi-handicapped. Please call or visit us at www.children.mps-al.org/. The PLAY Project Wiggles & Giggles (334) 264.8887, 1031 Oak Street, Montgomery. Play and Language for Autistic Youngster. Our program emphasizes the importance of helping parents become their child’s best P.L.A.Y. partner. Please visit us at www.playproject.org
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Prattville Baptist Speech and Hearing (334) 358.6501. 635 McQueen Smith Road, Suite D. Center for Advanced Therapy. Provide speech, hearing, OT and physical therapy department.
PPEI Early Intervention (334) 832.1080, 310 North Madison Terrace, Montgomery. Early Intervention
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DISCOVER NEW PLACES
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Road. Provide speech, hearing, OT and physical therapy department and swallow and feeding therapy. We see patients from birth to geriatric. Only facility offering families and the communities of central Alabama comprehensive rehabilitation services. Individualized treatment is provided by experienced and licensed occupational, physical and speech therapists.
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Precision Medical Solutions, LLP 2 Locations: 2515 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn. 334-826-0078 and 119 Market Place, Montgomery. 334-260-3767. www.precisionmedicalsolutions.com Brace Yourself for Life! Precision Medical Solutions strives to provide help to hurting people during their times of need. We carry a complete line of bracing, for children and adults, for most every part of the body. United Cerebral of Central Alabama Horizon EI Program, (334) 271.2280, 2739 Office Park Circle, Montgomery, AL, Early Intervention
PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES ADDitude Magazine (888) 762.8475 Bi-monthly lifestyle magazine for individuals with ADD/ADHD. Visit the website at www.additudemag.com. Attention Bi-monthly magazine with information and support for people affected by ADHD, (800) 233.4050. www.chadd.org. ESpecial Needs www.especialneeds.com Especial Needs is dedicated to providing our clients with the best selection of adaptive equipment,
rehab equipment and therapy solutions for children and adults with special needs. With over 10,000 special needs products focused to mobility, sensory needs and independent living, our experienced staff strives to provide the highest quality service. From the homepage, at the bottom, click on “Funding” to see a list of funding resources. Exceptional Parent Magazine 1(877) 372.7368 Monthly publication that provides information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities and the professionals who work with them. Please visit us at www.exceptionalparent.com. Joyful Journey Mom’s Ultimate Guide www.joyfuljourneymom.com/ultimate-list-of-grantsand-resources-for-families-with-special-needs/. Joyful Journey Mom posted the “Ultimate List of Grants and Resources for Families with Special Needs”. Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Clothing www.tommy.com Tommy Hilfiger proudly partnered with Runway of Dreams™ to create a very special collection addressing the challenges the differently-abled community faces each day when getting dressed. Faux buttons and cuff plackets conceal a patented MagnaReady® magnet closure for ease of dressing.
ALABAMA RESOURCES Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (334) 293.7500 or (800) 441.7607 (Montgomery office); (800) 205.9986 (Alabama’s Toll Free Hotline for ADA Information); www.rehab.state. al.us/ada Alabama Alliance for the Mentally Ill 396.4797, 1401 I-85 Parkway Suite A, Montgomery. www.namialabama.org Alabama’s Early Intervention System and Department of Rehabilitation Services Birth-3 years. (334) 293.7500. Programs for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, 602 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery. Please visit us at www.rehab.alabama.gov. Alabama Family Trust dmarshall@alabamafamilytrust.com (205) 313-3915; www.alabamafamilytrust.com A nonprofit special needs trust that holds and administers money for the disabled so they are able to become eligible and maintain government benefits for which they would otherwise be financially ineligible. Alabama Parent Education Center (APEC) 10520 US Highway 231, Wetumpka, AL (334) 567-2252 or visit alabamaparentcenter.com. A non-profit 501c3, organized in 2002 by Alabama parents, educators, and professionals serving families. APEC provides services and supports
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to assist families particularly those underserved including minority, low-income, and those with children with disabilities. APEC provides parents with training, information, and support to help them become meaningful participants in their children’s education and lives. Alabama PTA 470 S. Union St. Montgomery (334) 834.2501 or visit www.alabamapta.org American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620, Atlanta, Ga. 1(404) 525.2303. www.afb.org American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (800) 638.8255. Committed to ensuring that all people with speech, language, and hearing disorders receive services to help them communicate effectively. http://www.asha.org/public/ Arc of Alabama 557 S Lawrence St, Montgomery (334) 262.7688. Advocates for people with disabilities. Please visit us at www.thearcofal.org. Blind or Visually Impaired, Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind www.AIDB.org Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind- Mobile, AL; (251) 432.7777 Career & Technical Education Alabama State Department of Education- Montgomery, AL; (334) 242.9111; www.alsde.edu/ Client Assistance Program Department of Rehabilitation Services, Montgomery (800) 228.3231 Developmental Disabilities Alabama Dept of Mental Health-Montgomery, Al. (334) 242.3454; www.mh.alabama.gov/ Developmental Disabilities Council Alabama Council for Developmental Disabilities -Montgomery, AL (800) 232.2158; http://acdd.org Family Voices of Alabama (FV of AL) 1050 Government Street, Mobile, AL Email: info@familyvoicesal.org Phone: 877-771-FVOA (877-771-3862) Aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities. Through our national network, we provide families tools to make informed decisions, advocate for improved public and private policies, build partnerships among professionals and families, and serve as a trusted resource on health care. Visit http://www.familyvoicesal.org/. Governor’s Office on Disabilities Montgomery; (888) 879.3582, Provide information on Disabilities. www.good.alabama.gov Medicaid Waivers These waivers help those families who make too much money for Medicaid but “fall through the cracks” of their insurance. Alabama Department of Public Services, (334) 293-7160, Ask for sail waiver program. State of Alabama of Independent living waiver – (800) 441.7607
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Mental Health Rep. for Children/Youth Office of Children’s Services/ Alabama Department of Mental Health-Montgomery, AL. (334) 242.3454; www.mh.alabama.gov Montgomery Scottish Rite Learning Center (334) 277.8109, 565 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery. Testing for children up to 9th grade with dyslexia.
Special Education Services Alabama Department of Education- Montgomery, Al. (800) 392.8020; www.alsde.edu/ Special Format Library Alabama Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. 6030 Monticello Drive , Montgomery, AL 36130-6000; (800) 392.5671; www.afb.org
Programs for Children with Disabilities Ages 3-5, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, (334) 242.8114 or (800) 392.8020
Special Health Care Needs Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services/ Children’s Rehabilitation Service- Montgomery, AL; (800) 441.7607; www.rehab.alabama.gov/crs
Protection and Advocacy Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (ADAP)-The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL. (800) 826.1675; www.adap.net
State Department of Education: Special Education P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, (334) 242.8114 or (800) 392.8020.
Respite Care Temporary short-term relief for caregivers of individuals with special needs such as: developmental and physical disabilities or other chronic illnesses that are related to health concerns, medical fragility, or for those at risk of abuse and neglect. Please visit us at http://alabamarespite. org. Birmingham, Al.; 1(866).RESTALA; alabamarespite@aol.com
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (334) 293.7500. 602 South Lawrence Street, Montgomery. Please visit us at www.rehab.alabama.gov
Southeast ADA Center 1419 Mayson Street, Atlanta, GA 30324; (800) 949.4232; www.facebook.com/s outheastadacenter or www.adasoutheast.org
Technology- STAR (Statewide Technology Access and Response for Alabamians with Disabilities)-Montgomery, AL; (800) 782.7656 ; www.rehab.alabama.gov/star University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Civitan International Research Center-University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham, AL 35294-0021; (800) 822.2472; www.circ.uab.edu
Alabama Dance Theatre
Fall Dance Classes begin Thursday, August 18th, 2016 Kitty Seale, Artistic Director • Now Accepting Registrations
Age 3 to Professional Level
1018 Madison Avenue at the Armory Learning Arts Center www.alabamadancetheatre.com
241-2590
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DISABILITY-SPECIFIC RESOURCES
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Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorders (C.H.A.D.D) (800) 233.4050; Provides education, advocacy and support for individuals with AD/HD. In addition to our informative Web site, CHADD also publishes a variety of printed materials to keep members and professionals current on research advances, medications and treatments affecting individuals with AD/HD. Please visit us at www.chadd.org. Feingold Association of the United States (631) 369.9340, 11849 Suncatcher Drive, Fishers, IN 46037. Provides informational materials, online/ telephone support, and resources. Helps families introduce low-additive dietary programs for children with learning/behavior problems and chemically sensitive adults. www.feingold.org.
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(205) 951.1364. Provide a resource list of services that have been recommended by families and profession-
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Learning Disabilities Assoc. of America (412) 341.1515 Offers support programs for parents, an information and referral network, legislation and school program development. www.ldaamerica.org.
Autism
ad on page 66
We are Montgomery’s preferred children’s nursing and rehabilitation facility. Providing services to children with severe developmental disabilities that require on-going nursing care. Our team of professionals will create a plan of care that promotes a nurturing environment of respect, growth and healing.
2853 Forbes Drive Montgomery, AL 36110 (334) 261-3445 www.montgomerychildrenscare.com www.montgomeryparents.com
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als, support groups, lending library, newsletter and Education & Awareness. Please visit our website at www.autism-alabama.org.
Easter Seals Central Alabama ad on page 68
(334) 288.0240; 2125 E South Blvd., Montgomery. Our goal is to provide quality life enhancing programs and services to meet the individual needs of our consumers. ESCA offers the following programs; Rotary Work Center, Project Search, Speech Therapy, Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinic, Vocational Evaluation, Job Placement, CNA Certification, Learning Disabilities Evaluation, and CARE. Call or visit us at www.eastersealsca.org. Alabama Autism & Asperger’s Statewide Info & Support Network Website offers videos, articles, forums, groups, chats, bulletin board, links and resources. Please visit www. alabamaautism.org. Autism Internet Modules (AIM) project is designed to provide comprehensive information to assist those working and living with individuals with Autism Spectrum. The AIM project will develop a series of 60 modules by the time the project is complete on topics including assessment and identification, characteristics, evidence-based practices and interventions, transition to adulthood, and employment. Currently some of the modules are complete and some are under development. www.autisminternetmodules.org/index.php Autism Society of America (800) 328.8476 Provides services in the areas of
advocacy, education, awareness and research. 4340 East-West Hwy., Ste. 350, Bethesda, MD. www.autismsociety.org. AutismSpot AutismSpot seeks to provide a free and unbiased resource for the Autism Community, including best practices, therapies, various education opportunities, resources, tools and home program ideas from around the world. AutismSpot offers support, hope and encouragement through expert advice and community. In addition, tools such as blogs and forums are provided to give individuals a place to have a voice and share their story. www.autismspot.com Autism Alabama (334) 242.8114, is an initiative of Special Education Services, Alabama Department of Education, to provide on-line training resources for parents and educational professionals on autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). www.alex.state.al.us/autismAL.
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TACA (Talk About Curing Autism) (855) 726.7810, TACA is a not-for-profit foundation of families helping families affected by autism. TACA Alabama Chapter meets in Birmingham/Huntsville/ Tuscaloosa area. TACA aims to speed up the cycle from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA holds monthly meetings throughout the United States that feature educational speakers on important topics and allow family members to connect with one another and stay on top of the latest news in the autism world. Members can check out books on Autism and DVDs/ CDs. Please visit us at www.tacanow.org (Alabama Chapter).
www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents
Cerebral Palsy
4 My Child 1(800) 692.4453. Provides provide all families of children of special needs with Help and Hope For Life. Please visit us at http://www.cerebralpalsy.org. United Cerebral Palsy 2520 Fairlane Dr Suite 360, (334) 271.2280 Leading service provider and advocate for adults and children with disabilities, including cerebral palsy. Please visit us at www.ucpmobile.org.
Dyslexia
Alabama Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (855) 247.1381, 280 Marwood Drive , Birmingham, AL 35244. We are here to help improve the lives of individuals with dyslexia through education, legislation and services. For more information or to contact us please email info@ idaalabama.org or visit www.idaalabama.org. International Dyslexia Association (410) 296.0232. Offers information on products, an online store, conferences, support groups and more for children, teens, college students, parents and educators. Www.interdys.org. Learning Disabilities Association of Alabama (Montgomery) (334) 277.9151; Non-profit grassroots organization whose members are individuals with learning disabilities, their families, and the professionals who work with them. www.ldaal.org.
Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome Alabama Birmingham (PADS) Parent Advocates Down Syndrome (205) 988.0810 Promote awareness and acceptance, and advocacy for individuals. Offers education and support for individuals. www.downsyndromealabama.org. F.R.I.E.N.D.S. (Families Reaching, Influencing, Educating, and Networking for Down Syndrome), local organization for families, friends and advocates who love an individual with Down Syndrome. Please visit us at http://www.downsyndromefriends.org. Montgomery Area Down Syndrome Outreach Group (334) 356.9048. Provides family support, education, links and social opportunities. Please visit our website www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com for more information and point of contact.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Foundation of Alabama (800) 626.1582, Mission is to educate and support individuals with epilepsy and their families. Provide services and programs; educating and increasing awareness about epilepsy; providing leadership in advocacy for epilepsy issues. www.epilepsy.com.
Muscular Dystrophy
Muscular Dystrophy Association Provides informational materials, networking, referrals to local resources, summer camps and an equipment loan program. 700 Century Park South #225, Birmingham, Alabama. Please call (205) 823.8191 or visit us at www. mdausa.org.
Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida Association of Alabama Strives to provide families affected by Spina Bifida with the most up-to-date medical and social information related to this birth defect. Visit their website at www.sbaofal.org for contact information. The 2016 Walk-N-Roll for SBA of AL at the Montgomery Zoo will be held October 1 - Registration begins at 10 am and the Walk-N-Roll begins at 11 am! Register by clicking on the link on our website. mp Montgomery Parents I September 2016
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2600 Bell Road • Montgomery, Alabama • 334.277.6690 460 McQueen Smith Road • Prattville, Alabama • 334.358.6411 www. SmilesFromUs.com Dr. John H. Payne IV • Dr. J. David Stanley •73 Dr. R. Davis Denney • Dr. Robert H. Owen www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents
Science is Child’s Play
Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids
With the landscape of opportunity growing in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), an early introduction to these disciplines is guaranteed to prepare youth for success. Exploration through play is the easiest and most accessible way for kids to really get a first-hand feel for these fields of study. Playing with basic chemistry, physics and science gives children a real understanding of principles that shape the world around them. The following recommendations help small hands open doors to big learning.
by Gerry Paige Smith
Solar Balloon
Meteor Rocket Science
(Tedco)
Energy from our sun reveals itself in spectacular fashion with the Solar Balloon. Measuring over fifty feet in length with a diameter exceeding two feet, simply running with this balloon open can fill it with air needed to inflate it. Once sealed, the black, ultra-light material slowly absorbs the sunlight which heats the air inside the balloon. As warm air is less dense than cool air, the behemoth balloon will slowly begin to levitate after a couple of hours in the sun. The included guide offers additional in-depth understanding of the science in play, including convection, thermodynamics, the Bernoulli Principle and more. Get the biggest effect from the smallest effort with this massive demonstration of the sun’s power!
(Scientific Explorer)
Stellar fun is driven by solid science when the Meteor Rocket takes flight. Using the simple chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar, this kit provides the components to craft a rocket and the guidance to control its launch. Young chemists can repeat their launch experiments multiple times as they tweak their mixture, adjusting the carbon dioxide gas propellant’s power. Adult supervision is suggested and a good supply of baking soda and vinegar recommended as young flight engineers explore the fundamentals of aerodynamics, chemistry, and other aspects of scientific fun.
Zometool Crazy Bubbles
Glowing Chemistry
Bubbling over with scientific principles to demonstrate, art and geometry collide in this captivating set from Zometool. Using some of the 52 struts and nodes, kids can assemble an amazing variety of threedimensional constructs. When the construct is dipped in bubble solution, what emerges is a demonstration of surprising new geometry formed by bubbles. Cubes, sheets, and spiral bubble forms are just a few of the translucent structures revealed in each new framework. Additionally, these bubble forms can be tweaked and experimented with using breath and wet fingers. Moving far beyond the typical spherical bubble, this kit reveals whole new dimensions of bubble building.
Young minds are most ready to absorb knowledge that they can observe directly. Some of the coolest chemical reactions in science occur right before their eyes with the Glowing Chemistry kit. With over 22 experiments to try, kids quickly become the masters of creating chemical luminescence, making things that glow. From test tube reactions that generate eerie blue light to making vegetables glow-in-the-dark, the results light up chemical reactions. Including all the chemical ingredients, safety goggles, pipettes, and dishes, the full-color Glowing Chemistry Guide gives simple direction on the illuminating science of chemiluminescence.
(Thames & Kosmos)
(Zometool)
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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ROCK Star Award
Nominations Now Accepted!
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ROCK (Respect Others, Create Kindness) is a public awareness campaign and task force created to foster a culture of kindness and respect in schools, families and communities, and to prevent bullying. To help foster such healthy environments, the ROCK Steering Committee, with assistance and support from the task force, has launched its ROCK Star Awards Competition to recognize those students, adults, or community organizations who have made notable efforts to bring kindness and respect to their schools, families and communities. Do you know a student, group or individual who is inspiring and making a difference in the River Region, making it a kinder, more respectful place? A teacher? Mentor? Student leader? Youth pastor? In anticipation of National Bullying Prevention Month in October, the ROCK Star Awards are presented annually to a student, individual or community organization whose actions have contributed to a kinder, more respectful community. Activities can include community service projects, events or activities that:
Laura Hicks with Stamp Idea Group presenting the 2015 ROCK Star Award to Drequan Jackson.
The deadline for 2015-2016 nominations is October 7, 2016. To download a nomination form, go to www.ROCKTaskForce.com. This brief form should include a testimonial of 200 words or more.
• Discourage bullying behavior • Raise understanding and celebrate differences • Advocate for inclusion and promote unity If you know someone whose efforts have contributed to a kinder, more respectful community, i.e. youth leader, counselor, parent, student, mentor, neighborhood association, club, civic group, teacher, community leader, etc., please nominate them for the ROCK Star Award! The award is graciously donated by Vital Signs and Graphics.
Help us honor those who are making a difference in the River Region! In conjunction with the Montgomery Chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Montgomery Parents is devoting space in the coming year for a series of articles on bullying to raise awareness.
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RIVER REGION ROCK TASK FORCE. CREATING A SAFER, KINDER RIVER REGION.
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Bradford Health Services ROAD MAP TO ADOLESCENT RECOVERY
Addiction is not an easy road for adults and can be even more difficult for teenagers. Drug and alcohol dependency can take adolescents away from their families, friends, and a successful future. Bradford Health Services has guided young people and their families ng
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BRADFORD
on the road to recovery for more than 30 years. We help adolescents and their families identify, embrace, and maximize their strengths and skill sets. •
Inpatient Treatment, Intensive Outpatient Treatment & Continuing Care
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Clinical services facilitated by licensed therapists
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Medical services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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Psychological Evaluation
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Education Program
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Recreational Activities
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Family Education Program
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Adventure-Based Counseling
• 12-Step
HEALTH SERVICES
Call today for a free consultation 334-244- 0702 • 1- 800 - 333 -1865 www.bradfordhealth.com
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A typical morning in my home begins with the words, “My clothes hurt me. They are too loose. I need new clothes.” As a result, I begin the search for the “right” clothes for my 4-year-old daughter. After much time, many tears, lots of tight hugs, and a good dose of frustration, she begins her day in the same dress she wore the day prior and many days prior to that. The process of getting dressed, which seems simple to most, is the biggest challenge my child faces on a daily basis. This situation is one example of what living with a child with Sensory Processing Disorder is like. “Imagine being in an environment where the noise around you is amplified to the highest level, the temperature is the coldest or hottest you have ever felt, you are wearing the most uncomfortable clothing that has ever touched your skin, and you are nauseated by a repulsive smell. All at the same time. What would be your response? Montgomery Parents I September 2016
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“Most would quickly escape the situation,” says Dana Lyons, Occupational Therapist at Boulder City Hospital. “These are examples of what a child with Sensory Processing Disorder feels, but they cannot escape the symptoms. As a result, these children may respond with anger, frustration, or ultimately avoid situations which may cause a breakdown.” Sensory Processing is a term that refers to the way the nervous system receives messages from the senses and turns them into appropriate motor and behavioral responses. (www. spdfoundation.net). “Everyone processes sensory input, but some people process it differently than others.” says Occupational Therapist, Carrie Grosdidier. “When the processing of this information interferes with our ability to function on a day to day basis is when we have a problem.” Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) can be hard to diagnose because it affects each person differently. “Any of the five senses can be affected by being hypersensitive (overstimulated) or by being hyposensitive (under simulated),” says Lyons.
• May often harm other children and/or pets when playing, doesn’t understand own strength • Fidgety and unable to sit still, enjoys movement based play such as spinning, jumping, swinging etc. • Seems to be a “thrill seeker” and can be dangerous at times (www.brainbalancenters.com) Children can have one or many of these characteristics as well as some from each category and in varying degrees of severity. “Unfortunately, these responses are viewed by others as children behaving badly when in fact they are not,” Lyons says. “The most important thing to understand is that children with SPD are not “bad” children. They are simply trying to survive in their own skin, in a world with heightened or lowered sensations. Typical punishment for “bad” behavior is not optimal and can cause regression rather than progression.” Stephanie Beaudry, mom of two children with SPD, says, “When trying to explain my son’s hyperactivity or clumsiness is due to SPD, we get told ‘Oh it’s just his age’ but it’s actually because his nervous system doesn’t respond as it should in certain situations.” SPD may cause motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, or other impacts if not treated effectivity. (www.spdfoundation.net) Sensory Processing does create challenges for families, but there is treatment available for kids who struggle with it. “We had a fabulous Occupational Therapist who helped my son. She gave us tools and gave him permission to figure out what worked for him and what didn’t,” says Joy Alsup, mom of four. “He has a high need for tight, long hugs and we understand that this is what helps him. It’s a huge priority for us.”
A hypersensitive response to sensory input may include: • Distracted by noises that sound normal to others (flushing toilets, clanking silverware) • Fear of surprise touch or avoid hugs • Avoids swings and playground equipment that others enjoy • Has poor balance, falls often A hyposensitive response to sensory input may include: • A constant need to touch people or textures • An extremely high tolerance to pain
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this disorder. “One thing I have learned after experiencing our journey is that I am not alone. There are so many others who understand what I am going through and we are there to support each other in many ways,” says Beaudry. As a mother of a child with Sensory Processing Disorder myself, I would encourage others to educate themselves about SPD and begin to approach the situation from the child’s perspective. Parents can then begin to use the tools needed to adjust their environment and celebrate as their child meets their goals and overcome challenges. Joy Alsup says, “When my son was diagnosed, I felt like he would be limited in his future. He has worked through many of his issues and I see his SPD as part of what makes him unique. I wouldn’t have him any other way.” It takes a lot of patience, persistence, and love to parent a child with SPD, but when a child feels acceptance and supported, they can work through their struggles, and thrive in school and at home. mp
With the help of an Occupational Therapist kids with SPD can find tools that help them balance sensory input. Activities may include swinging, wearing a weighted vest, pushing or pulling heavy objects across the room, or jumping on a trampoline. Many of these activities are fun for the child and can be integrated into playtime at home. (www.sensorysmarts.com) “The therapy helps more than just their physical strengths, but also their emotional strengths,” says Beaudry. “When my daughter first started therapy, she was extremely shy. She wouldn’t even talk to children her own age when they approached her. Now, four months later, she is a social butterfly.” An occupational therapist’s main goal is to educate parents about SPD and give families tools they can use to help the child progress at home. Although families that deal with SPD may have struggles with things other people see as “normal” activities, many parents find hope in their child’s progress and support from other parents dealing with
Sarah Lyons is a wife and mother of six. The inspiration for this article came from her daughter, Grace, who was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder in 2014. She writes from her home in suburban Kansas City. *Originally published in the January 2016 issue of KC Parent Magazine.
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IF YOU WANT THEM TO DISCOVER THE POWER OF FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE,
we’re here for you.
Sunday Morning Small Groups - 9:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m.
81 7505 Wares Ferry Road Montgomery, Alabama 36117 334.396.9811
easternoaks.org www.facebook.com/montgomeryparents
Calendar/Support Groups This Month
$15 (does not include service fees). For more info, visit www.bct123.org.
Thursday, September 1
Prattville’s Way Off Broadway Theatre Presents Barefoot in the Park -- Through September 11 Written by Neil Simon, directed by Blair Dyson. This well-known, Tony Award-nominated play focuses on newlyweds Paul and Corie Bratter who are as different as night and day. While Corie is quirky and fun loving, Paul is a staid and unadventurous attorney. Corie just wants Paul to be a little more spontaneous; running “barefoot in the park” would be a start... Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 or for $12 at the door. Call (334) 595-0854 or visit wobt.prattvilleal.gov.
Friday, September 2
Fan Appreciation Night at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game Start time 7:05 p.m. Tonight we want to thank our fans for another great season with a wide variety of giveaways throughout the game. Also includes MAX Fireworks presented by MAX Credit Union. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball. com or call (334) 323-2255.
Prattville Farmers’ Market -- Also September 10, 17 & 24 7 a.m.-noon. Located off Doster Road just a few blocks off Main Street. Its close proximity to Pratt Park with the Splash Pad, children’s play area, tree-lined walk ways, pond, pool and picnic areas make it a wonderful place for a family outing. Enjoy the park and picnic with fresh produce. Lots of fun events will take place at the Market throughout the season. For more info or to register as a vendor, call (334) 595-0854. Farmers Market at The Shoppes at EastChase All Saturdays through October 22 7 a.m.-noon. The grand opening of this 12th annual event will feature all vendors and festivities for the entire family. Shoppers will continue to find unique, local items such as organic produce, meats, milk, goat
September2016 Montgomery Biscuits Kids Day/Bark in the Park Start time 5:35 p.m. Kids will have the chance to play catch on the field prior to the game and run the bases after the game! It is also Bark in the Park. Take your furry friend to the ballgame! All dogs get in free! For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255. Special Needs Skate -- Also September 18 5:30-7:30 p.m. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. Looneys Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5. For more information contact Lyrastephens@yahoo.com. First Sundays at One -- Also October 2 1-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Learn more about the traveling exhibitions as well as the Museum’s Permanent Collection in these FREE docentled tours the FIRST Sunday of each month. For more
Find a listing of Public Library Storytimes and Events at MontgomeryParents.com!
Friday Night Hoops Students in 5th through 12th grades get together with friends for pick-up games of basketball every Friday at the Bell Road YMCA from 9 p.m.midnight. Students must be dropped off by 10 p.m. and cannot leave without being picked up by parent or guardian (unless students drove themselves). Must be playing basketball to be involved. Participants must have a photo ID (i.e. School ID). $3 for members; $7 for non-members. For more info, contact James Garvin at (334) 271-4343 or jgarvin@ ymcamontgomery.org. Jasmine Hill Gardens and Outdoor Museum Spring Spectacular -- All month Wetumpka. Reproductions of famous statuary from Greek and Roman times, and many flowers you do not usually see in the Deep South. Perennials include delphinium and digitalis, with such familiar annuals as tulips, Japanese cherries and azaleas loaded with blossoms. Open Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundays, noon-5 p.m. For more info, visit www. jasminehill.org.
Saturday, September 3
AUM Offers Free Mandarin Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Confucius Institute continues to offer free Mandarin classes to the community. To register, send the student’s name, age and contact information to ama@aum.edu. College Football Kickoff at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Game Start time 7:05 p.m. Join us at Riverwalk Stadium as we honor the southern tradition of transitioning between the American pastimes of baseball and football. For more info, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call (334) 323-2255. Home Depot Kids’ Workshop 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 5-12. Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety. Today’s project is a back-to-school whiteboard with a pen tray your child can use for school work or play time. Once the whiteboard is built, he can paint it his favorite color. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron and an achievement pin. For more info, visit http://workshops. homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops. Birmingham Children’s Theatre Presents The Little Engine That Could -- Also September 10 Various performance times. Prices: adult $20; child
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
cheese, natural bath products and hand-made soaps, honey, sprout breads, fruit pastries, birdhouses and nursery plants. For more info, call (334) 279-6046 or visit www.facebook.com/eastchase. Alabama Nature Center Weekends -- Every Saturday Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10 a.m. to enjoy the first of the day’s activities. Take a look around the the Discovery Hall, enjoy the movie specials in the theater, and explore the trails. Vending machines will provide snacks/drinks. Gift shop will be open. Visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call 1-800-822-9453. Civil Rights Walking Tours -- Every Saturday and Sunday 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. start times. Tours start from The Village Gallery. Come explore Montgomery’s history walking from different historical sties and engage in profound moments from slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights Movement. This tour highlights pioneers and unsung heroes who contributed to a new era. Cost: Adults - $10; 12 & under - $5; 4 & under FREE. Book your tour by calling (334) 595-9243.
Sunday, September 4
ArTrek Annual Exhibit Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery. Opening reception 2-4 p.m. This exhibit will feature the works of Birmingham artist Troy Criswell, who has garnered numerous awards and teaches classes in workshops throughout the Southeast. This reception and exhibit are free and open to the public. For more info, call (334) 595-0854. The Nat King Cole Society Jazz Festival Riverwalk Amphitheater in downtown Montgomery. Featured acts include Maysa with a musical tribute to Natalie and Nat King Cole; Hart Ramsey; King Bee; and, Ron Handy. Gates open at 3 p.m.; music starts at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and at the gate; children 12 & under - $1 tickets at the gate. Blankets, chairs and umbrellas welcome/no coolers or pets allowed. For more info, call (334) 229-4708 or visit http://wvasfm.org/.
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Tuesday, September 6
Free Cookie Decorating Class 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Michael’s. Make treats even sweeter with fall designs. Supplies not included. Cost of supplies up to $12. For more info, visit www.michaels. com/.
Wednesday, September 7
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.
Thursday, September 8
Burger Bash 2016 6-9 p.m. EAT South Downtown Farm, 425 Molton St. For $25m you get to taste all the burgers and vote on the best; for $50 you also get a Burger Bash 2016 t-shirt and VIP drink cup. Competitors include Hamburger King, Kowaliga, Central and A&P Social. For more info, find us on Facebook. Broadway Under the Stars The Montgomery Symphony will present its 30th annual Pops Concert at 7:30 p.m. Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome at this FREE concert of Broadway showtunes performed lakeside at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Come early and bring your lawn chairs, coolers and blankets for this family-friendly event. Call (334) 240-
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Tickets begin at $30. Visit www.mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100.
Charlotte’s Web. Visit www.asf.net or call 271-5353 for more info.
Friday, September 9
A Taste of Cultures Union Station Train Shed, 1-6 p.m. This event will consist of an array of vendors, activities, live music, cultural perfomances, and fun for people of all ages and backgrounds. For more info, call (334) 521-2594 or visit www.atasteofcultures.info/.
Indoor Triathlon at Downtown YMCA Check-in/registration: 7-7:45 a.m. Event begins at 8 a.m. This event is enjoyed by athletes of all skill levels from first-timers to veterans. Anyone 18 years and older is welcome. Events will be time-based. Compete as an individual or in teams of two. The distance covered in the allotted time periods will be added together for overall points. There will be three challenges divided up in heats: 10 min swim/10 min transition/20 min bike/5 min transition/20 min run. Challengers will divide up in groups of 6. $30 per person. For more information contact Stephannie at (334) 669-2917 or smccracken@ ymcamontgomery.org.
Parents’ Night Out at United Gymstars & Cheer Also September 16 6:30-10:30 p.m. $20/first child; $15 per sibling. For ages 5-12. Pizza and drink provided. Fun games, trampolines, rope swing, tumble tracks, foam pits and more! Call (334) 284-2244 to reserve your spot! Walkins welcome. Visit www.unitedgymstarsandcheer.com for more info. Elmore County Homeschool Organization Meets Also September 23 Elmore County Homeschool Organization is a non-profit support group for homeschooling families. We provide a positive socialization environment for homeschooled children & support and encourage their parents in the homeschooling process. We typically meet the second and fourth Friday of every month year-round from 10 a.m. to noon at Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. Membership is free and is open to all homeschoolers in the tri-county area. For details, visit http://www.onlineecho.com.
Saturday, September 10
Black Jacket Symphony Presents The Eagles “Hotel California” 8 p.m. at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. The Black Jacket Symphony offers a unique concert experience by recreating classic albums in a live performance setting with a first-class lighting and video production. A selected album is performed in its entirety by a group of hand-picked musicians specifically selected for each album. Following the album and a brief intermission, the Black Jacket Symphony returns to the stage to perform a collection of greatest hits by the evening’s artist.
Magical Creatures Program at Montgomery Zoo 10 a.m.-noon. Meet some of the magical animals that are featured in movies like Harry Potter and The Hobbit. Get a chance to meet them up close, learn about them in their habitats, and take home some special prizes for yourself. Geared for boys and girls, aged 4-10 years old. Advanced reservations are required. Event fee: $25 per child (ages 5-12 years old), $18 for Montgomery Zoo members. Accompanying adults (13 years old and older): $15, Montgomery Zoo members: FREE. Register online or at the Montgomery Zoo’s Admission office. For more info, call (334) 240-4909 or e-mail jhutcheson@montgomeryal.gov. Prattville’s Anniversary Concert Heritage Park Fountain, 6-10 p.m. Join us as we rock downtown to celebrate Prattville’s 177th year! The Bryan Jackson Band, a hometown favorite, will be performing. Food vendors will be on site and downtown restaurants will be open. This 3rd annual event is free and open to the public. For more info, call (334) 595-0800. Family Fun Fair at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free event including petting zoo, crafts, face painiting, games and snacks. There will also be a special appearance by Greg Taunton, the Balloon Man! Follow the event with the 2 p.m. performance of
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. 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 pre-registration 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. Michael’s Kids Club -- Also September 17 10 a.m.-noon. $2 per project. Supplies included. Ages 3 and up. Each session is 30 minutes. Parent or guardian
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Calendar/Support Groups must remain on premises. September 10 is felt hand tree; September 17 is mosaic acorn. For more info, visit www.michaels.com/. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Charlotte’s Web -Through October 20 Based on the novel by E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web shares the story of Wilbur, a lonely little pig whose life is transformed by the efforts of Charlotte, a kind and generous spider, who teaches him about the power of belief and the true meaning of friendship. Recommended for ages four and up. Visit www.asf.net or call 271-5353.
Sunday, September 11
Free Teen Class at Michael’s 2-3:30 p.m. Learn how to make a colorful tote bag. Supplies not included. Cost of supplies up to $16. For more info, visit www.michaels.com/. Discovery Sundays Join Landmarks Foundation for its dynamic new series one Sunday a month at 2 p.m., and the program will vary from presentations at Old Alabama Town to field trips around Montgomery. Free to the public. September 11 program is “How Firm a Foundation: Rosenwald Schools in Alabama,” presented by Dorothy Walker. Meet at 301 Columbus Street. Visit http:// www.landmarksfoundation.com/.
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
2016 Birmingham National College Fair 1 p.m. North Exhibition Hall at Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center: North Meeting Room A, C-I. Free admission. For more info, visit nacacnet.org.
Monday, September 12
Live Reading from the Winner of the 2016 Page to Stage Playwriting Contest at Cloverdale Playhouse Theatre 7:30 p.m. with free admission open to the public. The winning script is The Lemonade Stand by Matthew Fowler of New York. It’s a comedy about a man who finds an unexpected solution to his mid-life crisis. For more info, visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org or call (334) 262-1530. (*Some language and themes may not be appropriate for audiences under 15.*) Junior League of Montgomery Presents 32nd Annual College and Career Night 6-8 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel and Spa at the Convention Center at 201 Tallapoosa St. in Montgomery. Admission is free! This event is a unique opportunity for high school juniors, seniors, and their parents in the River Region to explore college and career possibilities, gather scholarship information, and learn about financial aid opportunities. Representatives from more than 100 colleges, universities, and technical, military and vocational schools from across the country will be available to answer questions. For more info, call (334) 288-8816 or visit www.jlmontgomery.org.
Tuesday, September 13
VEG OUT Montgomery 6-8 p.m. Join EAT South for its monthly plant-based diet pot luck dinners on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. Located at the EAT South Farm downtown. For more information, call 422-9331, e-mail info@eatsouth.org or visit www.facebook.com/ VegOutMontgomery.
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September2016 Wetumpka Business Expo and Healthcare Fair 2016 2:30-5:30 p.m. Wetumpka’s biggest business event of the year! Spaces sell out fast, with more than 500 in attendance. Best way to get fast exposure for your products and services. Wetumpka Civic Center.
Wednesday, September 14
Central Alabama Master Gardener (CAMGA) Lunch & Learn Program Held at the Elmore County Extension (ACES) facility on Queen Ann Road in Wetumpka, these free events for the public are held on the second Wednesday of each month, beginning at noon and ending at 1 p.m. 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/.
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Thursday, September 15
Food For Thought The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Noon-1 p.m. 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 “Alabama’s U.S. Supreme Court Justices,” presented by Steve P. Brown. Call 3534726 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov. Zoobilation: Welcome to Stingray Bay 6 p.m.-close. Montgomery Zoo, 2301 Coliseum Parkway. Dance to the groove, delight in drinks and food samplings
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from the finest eateries in the River Region, try your luck at the vast collection of auction items and rub elbows with the area’s finest animal lovers. Zoobilation is a fundraiser geared for adults only. All guests must be 21 years old or older to attend. Tickets are $50 per person. Call (334) 240-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo. com.
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Capri Theatre Presents The Big Lebowski 7:30 p.m. The Dude abides. Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi in the Coen Brothers’ cult classic film. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org/.
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Introducing Children to Nature 6 p.m. Lanark Nature Center, Millbrook. Program designed to give parents, grandparents, educators, and Scout leaders the tools they need to get children unplugged and outside. Learn safety tips, games and special activities you can use with children in all sorts of outdoor locations, starting in your own yard. Activities include a short hike on the ANC trails. This program is aimed at adults. Meet in the Main Hall. Admission $5. For more info, e-mail tharris@alabamawildlife.org. Montgomery Women’s Newcomers Group: Moving On After Moving In -- Also September 22, 29 & October 6 Thursdays 9:15-11 a.m. beginning September 15, at St. James UMC Cafe, Vaughn Rd. Meet other women who have recently moved to the River Region! Join us
for a time of learning, sharing and meeting new friends during this class assisted by Susan Miller’s book, After the Boxes Are Unpacked: Moving On After Moving In. Childcare available. For more information, please contact pam.zavada@gmail.com or (256) 541-7888.
Friday, September 16
Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Presents Travis Tritt 8 p.m. Multiple Grammy Award and CMA Award winner, Tritt has more than 27 years of platinum albums and chart-topping singles. The Southern rock-influenced artist continues to have strong music sales and sell-out shows, all while staying true to country music fans across the globe. Tickets begin at $48. Visit www. mpaconline.org or call (334) 481-5100. Forest Avenue Academic Magnet School’s Back to School Bash 5-8 p.m. at the school. Wristbands are available for purchase for school participants and their families through the school PTA or that night at the entrance. It will be a night filled with inflatables, games, concessions, dancing, photo booth, and many more fun surprises!
Saturday, September 17
GO Fishing (Catch & Release) at Lanark Get Outdoors and fish for catfish and bream in one of ANC’s bountiful ponds. From bass to catfish, the ponds are stocked and ready for your line! A limited number of fishing poles will be available for $2 a day as well as a limited amount of bait for a small fee. G uests are encouraged to arrive early, stroll through the Discovery Hall, watch a movie, enjoy some catch & release fishing, bring a picnic lunch, and even take a self-guided hike on the trails. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/.
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Union Station Car Show 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Located under Montgomery’s Historic Train Shed downtown. More than 100 cars on display. There will be fun, food and activities for the whole family, as well as live music. Enter to win a 50/50 Drawing and plenty of door prizes!! FREE ADMISSION for spectators! Entry Fee for show: $25 minimum donation (must be entered to put car under train shed). To enter a car or for more info, call (334) 625-2125 or visit www.funinmontgomery.com. Theatre in the Mind at Alabama Shakespeare Festival -- Also October 1 Noon-1 p.m. Participate in free pre-show discussions, author, cast, designer and director talks at ASF, most Saturdays at noon. Hosted by Dr. Susan Willis, ASF’s resident dramaturg, these entertaining and thoughtprovoking lectures by noted theatre scholars complement a perfect Saturday afternoon at the theatre! For more info, call (334) 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net. Worldwide Day of Play Location TBA. 2-5 p.m. Join the City of Prattville for its 6th annual event, in conjunction with Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play. Get up, get active and join the Parks and Rec staff for a carnival-themed afternoon of fun. For more info, visit www.prattvilleal.gov/. Living History Program at Fort Toulouse Fort Jackson Featuring the French All events are $2/adult & $1/child unless otherwise noted. Call (334) 567-3002 for more information. Prattville Gigantic Flea Market 6 a.m.-noon. Doster Community Center. Clean up your closets and sheds and get rid of your unwanted, but good items. Guns, weapons, tobacco & alcohol CANNOT be sold. One booth per household. One booth per person. Limited space available. For info, call (334) 595-0800. Set-up for the September 17 sale is September 16 from 3-7 p.m.
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Calendar/Support Groups Sesame Street Live: Elmo Makes Music Also September 18 Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all their Sesame Street friends are taking to the stage to share their love of music. The show comes to the Fox Theatre for five performances. For more info, visit www.sesamestreetlive.com. Become a fan of Sesame Street Live on Facebook.
Sunday, September 18
Bark in the Park Benefit for Humane Society of Elmore County Fort Toulouse in Wetumpka. 1-5 p.m. Includes a K-9 demonstration by Officer Saint of the Wetumpka Police and his K-9 partner, the Pup Parade at 2:30, a variety of children’s games; vendors; wildlife touch table; meet the breed with members of the Montgomery Kennel Club; rescue groups; and puppets. Admission is $5/person 13 years old and older. For more info, call (334) 567-3377 or visit elmorehumane.org. Junior Doll Club Program on American Girl Dolls 2-4 p.m. at Frazer United Methodist Church. Montgomery Area Doll & Toy Club invites you to attend this event for youth ages 8-17. Adults also welcome. Cost is $5 per person. The program will be on American Girl Dolls and snacks and door prizes will be provided. Please bring a canned good to donate to the Montgomery Food Bank. Call Sharon at (334) 272-4005 for more info.
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
Tuesday, September 20
Joe Thomas, Jr. 3rd Tuesday Guitar Pull 7-9 p.m. Three or four regional songwriters perform original music on the Cloverdale Playhouse’s intimate stage. Tickets are $10 at the door. Call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org.
Wednesday, September 21
Wonderfully Made Seminars for Women Noon-1 p.m. MCI Auditorium on the Campus of Baptist South. Lunch is provided. Space is limited. Please register if you plan to attend by calling (334) 273-4444. Frazer Financial Ministries Offers Financial Peace University Class 6-8 p.m. Frazer Main Campus, 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Meets weekly for 9 weeks, featuring financial expert Dave Ramsey. The course provides everything needed to become debt-free and then ensure you can live that way. Visit www.frazerumc.org or call (334) 272-8622.
Thursday, September 22
Newcomers Club of Montgomery Monthly Luncheon The Newcomers Club of Montgomery invites all women of the River Region to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Country Club. Featured speaker will be Jimmy Harris of Lanark, which is located in Millbrook at the Alabama Nature Center. Lunch cost is $18 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, September 19, to Jan Burdette at (334) 593-9266 or jan8410@bellsouth.net. Visit www.newcomersmontgomery.com. ARTtalk at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 6-8 p.m. Two more sessions remain of this unique program designed for artists and art lovers alike. Join us with or without bringing a work of art to share
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September2016 for friendly critique, and enjoy the discussions, light refreshments, and camaraderie! Cost: $10 for Museum or Art Guild members; $15 for non-members. Register now for this unique program, and get an up-close look at artists, their work, and the creative process! E-mail Brandy at edsecy@mmfa.org or call (334) 240-4365 for reservations or visit www.mmfa.org. Millbrook Community Players Present You Can’t Take it with You -- Also September 23-24, 29-30 and October 1 @ 7:30 p.m. & Sept. 25 and October 2 @ 2 p.m. Written by Mose Hart and George Kaufman; directed by Daniel Harms. At first the Sycamores seem mad, but it is not long before we realize the rest of the world is madder. In contrast to these delightful people are the unhappy Kirbys. The plot shows how Tony, attractive young son of the Kirbys, falls in love with Alice Sycamore. For tickets or more info, visit http://www.millbrooktheater.com/ or call (334) 782-7317. Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap -- Through October 9 Throw together a group of eccentric strangers trapped in a boarding house during a snowstorm, and murder and mayhem are sure to ensue! The audience will share the nerve-rattling suspense of the guests of Monkswell Manor as they try to determine who the killer is before he or she strikes again! Recommended for ages 12 and up. Visit www.asf.net or call 271-5353.
Friday, September 23
Ballet and the Beasts at the Montgomery Zoo 6-10 p.m. Enjoy the Montgomery Ballet in a FREE performance under the stars. Fun for all ages, boys and girls. Admission is FREE, picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and coolers are welcome. Face painting will be avail-
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able and door prize drawings will be held during intermission. Gates open at 6 p.m.; performance begins at dusk. Call (334) 240-4900 or visit montgomeryzoo.com.
Saturday, September 24
Capri Theatre Presents Time Bandits 7:30 p.m. The Dude abides. Jeff Bridges and Steve Buscemi in the Coen Brothers’ cult classic film. For more info, visit www.capritheatre.org/. Amphibian Journey at Lanark 11:30 a.m. $5 admission. Grab a net and prepare to get wet! During this program we will explore different types of wetlands and waterbodies here at the ANC looking for all types of frogs and salamandars. This program is perfect for those looking to get a little wet and dirty while hunting some really cool critters you normally don’t see everyday. During this program you will also get to meet a few of the resident NaturePlex amphibians! For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/. 2016 NAMIWalks Alabama The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will conduct a statewide NAMIWalk at the Wynton Blount Cultural Park. Check in is at 8 a.m.; walk starts at 9 a.m. The purpose of the 5K fundraiser is to support the education, advocacy and support programs of NAMI Alabama. Registration is free but fundraising is encouraged! The last day to register online is the day of the walk. For more info, call (334) 396-4797 or visit www. namiwalks.org.
Montgomery Korean Festival 2016 11 a.m.-6 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Pike Road. Join the Korean American Association of Montgomery to enjoy the Korean culture and feel the Korean thanksgiving atmosphere. E-mail kaamgm@gmail.com or find us on Facebook for more info. 3 Doors Down at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center 8 p.m. Special guests: Black Stone Cherry and Red Sun Rising. Tickets begin at $36.50. Doors open at 7 p.m. night of show. For tickets or more info, visit bjcc.org/ or call (205) 458-8400.
Sunday, September 25
Family Art Affairs 2-4 p.m. Bring the whole family to this FREE Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts program where all are welcome to listen to Jazz jams and create individual works of art! Participants are invited to make and take home a fun work of art inspired by the exhibition Dark City: Urban America at Night. All materials are provided. For more info, visit http://mmfa.org/ or call (334) 240-4333.
Thursday, September 29
“An Evening of Words and Music” 7:30 p.m. Cloverdale Playhouse collaborates with members of the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra for the very first time to benefit the Playhouse School and the Montgomery Youth Orchestra. Tickets are $20 and will sell quickly, so get yours early! For more info, visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org or call (334) 262-1530. Red Door Revue 2: A Musical Extravaganza 7:30 p.m. Red Door Theatre, Union Springs. Featuring many of your favorite Red Door performers singing a wonderful mix of contemporary, country, gospel,
Motown and rock. Only 140 tickets ($15 each) will be sold! Call (334) 738-8687 or e-mail info@reddoortheatre.org. Brain Brawl Trivia Challenge 6-8 p.m., AUM Taylor Center. The Montgomery Brain Brawl Team Trivia invites schools, companies, churches, PTA’s, civic groups and individuals to participate in an evening of trivia to raise money both for the Montgomery Education Foundation and the winning teams’ selected school. A contribution of $150 to the Montgomery Education Foundation serves as an entrance fee and entitles a group to field a team of up to 5 participants to play for a chance to win up to $1,500 on behalf of any Montgomery Public School of their choosing. Multiple teams may play for the same school. Food and beverages will also be available at this event. For more info, visit mefbrainbrawl.com or call (334) 647-1700. Wetumpka Depot Theatre Presents Young Frankenstein -- Through October 15 7:30 p.m. performances except for 2 p.m. October 9. Written by Mel Brooks and directed by Kristy Meanor, with musical direction by Marilyn Swears. If you liked the movie, you’ll love the play! Tickets may be purchased at wetumpkadepot.com or by calling (334) 868-1440.
Friday, September 30
Tavern Fest 2016 6-10 p.m. Historic North Hull Street. Admission is $15 in advance; $20 at the gate. Craft beer, music, food and fun! All proceeds benefit Landmarks Foundation, helping us educate school children with trips to Old Alabama Town, preserve local history and celebrate our state. Visit landmarksfoundation.com or call (334) 240-4617 for more info.
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Calendar/Support Groups Zombie Walk & Prom 7 p.m. The walk begins at the corner of Dexter Avenue and South Perry Street; Prom will be in the Alley. Zombies must bring non-perishable food item to participate. These will benefit the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Call (334) 625-2100 for more info. Tickled Pink Women’s Expo 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Multiplex at Cramton Bowl. Join Alabama News Network, the Joy to Life Foundation, Jess Meuse, Donica Knight and the True Divine Baptist Church Gospel Choir for a day of fashion, food, fitness, heath and beauty all in one place. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. All ticket sales benefit the Joy To Life Foundation. Visit www.alabamanews.net for more info.
Saturday, October 1
Auditions for Wetumpka Depot Christmas Show Also October 2 2 p.m. both days. Batten down the hatches! The Wetumpka Depot Players present Jingle ARRGH the Way! A Christmas Pirate Adventure. Show dates December 1-7 at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon. Based on the popular How I Became a Pirate series, this delightful show is sure to delight our school audiences. A mysterious message left in the crow’s nest of their ship brings Captain Braid Beard and his pirate mates back to North Beach to seek out young Jeremy Jacob to help solve a riddle and find the Christmas treasure. For more info, visit www. wetumpkadepot.com or call (334) 868-1440. Dream On! Write On! Hosts Writers Workshop
2-5 p.m. DoubleTree by Hilton, 120 Madison Avenue, Montgomery. So you want to write a book? Don’t know how to get started? Come learn valuable information from Alabama authors Cedric Threatt, Tasha M. Scott, and Sharmon Threatt. Join us for a small group learning experience to explore your writing journey. Bring your desire to learn and passion for writing. $25 registration fee. Advance registration encouraged / limited seating. To register, visit www.dreamonwriteon. wixsite.com/montgomery. For more info, call Cindy at (334) 546-0096 or Lakeisha at (334) 313-8908. 5th Annual River Region Prayer Walk 8:30-10:30 a.m. Union Station Train Shed. The purpose of this gathering is to bring together the citizens of the River Region to pray over our cities, government leaders, schools and teachers, uniformed heroes and servants, pastors and ministry leaders, businesses, and all of the people that make up the River Region. We will conclude the Prayer Walk at the train shed with a FREE concert, FREE hot dogs hot off the grill, and lots of fun fellowship! For more info, call (334) 612-7894 or visit www.beautybyfire.org/river-region-prayer-walk.html.
Monday, October 3
The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker Holds Auditions at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection 6:30 p.m. for ALL local dancers ages 6-17. This year’s performance will be December 26 at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection is located at 3370 Harrison Road in Montgomery. Call 277-1098 for more info.
Friday, October 7
Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee Also October 8, 13-15 and 20-22 Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner served 6:15-6:45 p.m.
September2016 Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Faulkner University Dinner Theatre, 5346 Atlanta Highway, Montgomery. Visit https://www.faulkner.edu/undergrad/student-life/ student-activities/dinner-theater/dinner-theatreschedule/.
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Ala. Dept. of Archives & History Exhibit galleries include a children’s gallery and a reference room for genealogical and historical research. In Grandma’s Attic, kids can try on clothes, try an old typewriter, sit at an old school desk or experience making a quilt square. Also visit our History at Home web page to print off fun activities to do at home. In addition, there are FREE, guided tours of the Museum of Alabama EVERY Saturday at 1 p.m. Follow us on Facebook, call 242-4435 or visit www. archives.alabama.gov. Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka has weekly after-school Arts Clubs meeting on Thursdays from 4-5 & 5-6 p.m. There are three clubs: Guitar (acoustic), Clay (polymer, ie “sculpy”) and Painting/Drawing. Each club is $20 a month. Students for Guitar Club must be 10 years old, but 7-year-olds are welcome for the other two. Clubs are limited to the first 10 students, for one month. The Pottery Studio is available to ARRAC members trained on the wheel. First Saturday of every month is a free Sit & Sew, from 9 a.m.-noon. (Bluegrass Jam is going on at the same time in another room.) 300 W. Tallassee St. (former Wetumpka Jr. High building). Visit www.arrac.org or see us on Facebook: Alabama River Region Arts Center, or call 578-9485 for more information. Artists In Action: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of EVERY month at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts from noon-2 p.m.. Local and regional artists at work. For more info, call 240-4333. “Artworks,” a hands-on children’s exhibit. FREE. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Hours
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are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays. For more info, call 240-4333. Brain Pump is a group exercise class, targeting children 4-12 years old. The class is the collaboration of a physical therapist and a kinesiology professor combining traditional therapy and exercise concepts with the latest cutting edge research on movement and the brain. This is all done in a fun, energetic setting, that seems much more like playing than exercising. Brain Pump is taught at Metro Fitness on Saturdays from 11-11:45 a.m. Contact Tiffany Higginbotham at Body Logic PT & Wellness (334-3805920) for more info. The Central Alabama Tennis Association (CATA) is a volunteer-based tennis organization formed to provide programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout central Alabama. For event info, call Ernie Rains, CATA Community Coordinator, at 324-1406 or e-mail www.centralalabama.usta.com. Civil Rights Memorial A monument to those who died and/or risked death in the struggle for civil rights. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery. For information, call 264-0286. Cloverdale Playhouse “Third Tuesdays” Montgomery’s singers and songwriters perform in our intimate theater space each month on the third Tuesday. Join us for a musical evening in Old Cloverdale. For details, call 262-1530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org. Also contact us about volunteer opportunities, auditions, and the Playhouse School! Cool Kids Cook is a faith-based ministry with classes offered at different locations. Please call 220-3651 if you’d like to attend or volunteer with this ministry. First White House of the Confederacy Open on Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The First White House of the Confederacy played a significant role during the Civil War and served as Jefferson Davis’ family residence from February-May 1861. Located at 644 Washington Avenue in downtown Montgomery, neighboring the Ala. Dept. of Archives and History. For more info or to tour the museum, call 242-1861 or visit www.firstwhitehouse.org. Friday Night Hoops Students in 5th through 12th grades get together with friends for pick-up games of basketball every 1st and 3rd Friday at the Bell Road YMCA from 9 p.m.-midnight. Students must be dropped off by 10 p.m. and cannot leave without being picked up by parent or guardian (unless students drove themselves). Must play basketball to be involved. Participants must have a photo ID (i.e. School ID). $3 for members; $7 for non-members. For more info, contact James Garvin at (334) 271-4343 or jgarvin@ ymcamontgomery.org. W. A. Gayle Planetarium Public Shows offered Mon.-Thurs. at 4 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. and first & third Saturdays at 2 p.m. Admission $6.50/ person, children under 5 free, seniors $5.50/person. 1010 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Call 625-4799 or visit http://www. troy.edu/planetarium/.
Harriott II Riverboat Cruises Seasonal. Typical hours are 6:30-9 p.m. Live entertainment, cash bar and concessions available. For more info and available dates, visit www.funinmontgomery.com, call (334) 625-2100 or visit the Riverwalk Box Office. Montgomery Women’s Newcomers Group: Moving On After Moving In Thursdays from 9:15-11 a.m. beginning September 15. St. James UMC Cafe, Vaughn Rd. Childcare available. For more info, please contact pam.zavada@gmail.com or (256) 541-7888.
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Calendar/Support Groups Montgomery’s Freedom Rides Museum 468 South Perry Street. Learn how 21 young people helped change our nation’s history using nonviolent protest. Black and white, male and female, none of them were older than 21. Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, noon -4 p.m. For more info, visit www.freedomridesmuseum.org or call (334) 242-3184. MOOseum, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Children’s educational center featuring past, present and future in agriculture and the cattle industry. Free. Group tours should be pre-scheduled. Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Last scheduled tour of the day starts at 3:30 p.m. 201 Bainbridge St., Montgomery. For info, call 2651867 or visit www.bamabeef.org. Prattville-Millbrook Newcomers Club A non-affiliated social club geared to new people moving into the area AND to those looking to form new friendships or just learn more about the area and help new residents do the same. For information on meetings and locations, contact Nancy Schrull at (334) 356-9897 or nschrull@knology.net. Prattville Movie Club (for Teens) Meeting twice a month on Fridays, current Prattville Movie Club members range from 14-18 years old and meet at the Carmike Promenade 12 on Cobbs Ford Road. There are no GPA requirements and no class requirements. We are friends who enjoy moviegoing and want to meet others who also enjoy watching movies. For more info, call (334) 224-7811 or e-mail brandonperdue12@gmail.com. Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery Street. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sundays and holidays, closed. Admission 12 years and under-$5.50/Over 12$7.50. Alabama college students with a valid student ID: $6.50; discount price for both Museum & Children’s Wing: adults: $14, children $10. For more info, call 241-8615 or visit www.troy.edu/rosaparks/. 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 September 14 from 10:30-11 a.m., and 11-11:30 a.m. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org. YMCA 7 to 11 Club Calling all children ages 7 to 11 for this fun, free event. While Mom and Dad are working out, join us for games, arts & crafts, service projects and more. Earn special beads for participation and try to break records for superior achievements. Monthly special events will be hosted as well. Check with your YMCA center or visit ymcamontgomery.org for more details.
Classes
Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes trouble-shooting common problems to establish a successful breastfeeding experience. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $15. Class schedule is subject to change, so please call 293-8497 or e-mail liz.owen@jackson.org to register or for info. Caring For Your Newborn This interactive class covers routine hospital newborn procedures along with bathing, diapering, swaddling and soothing, normal infant behavior, appearance and sleep patterns. Partners are encouraged to attend. $20 fee per couple. 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. Childbirth Basics Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year at Jackson Hospital, Classroom
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 by your 4th month of pregnancy to register. Childbirth Preparation Class Comprehensive four-week evening series covers all aspects of the labor and delivery experience, admission process, medication and anesthesia options including epidurals, Caesarean sections, coping and comfort measures including breathing and relaxation techniques. Postpartum care and newborn characteristics are included. A maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. All of our classes are taught by registered nurses certified in childbirth education. This class is $60 per couple. Space is limited. 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. ID required. Childbirth Preparation Boot Camp Fast-paced Saturday class including the same information offered in our weekly series in a compressed format. Maternity area tour of Baptist Medical Center East is also included as a part of this class. Fee is $60 per couple and includes 2 box lunches. Space is limited. 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. ID required. Chinese Language Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Office of Far Eastern Initiatives offers Saturday classes for children and adults. The one-hour weekly courses are provided free-of-charge as a service to the community. For more info or to register, contact April Ma at 244-3018 or ama@aum.edu.
September2016 class. $10 fee 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. Prenatal Breastfeeding Class Includes 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
Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 213-6360 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 334-430-7569 or e-mail bolson@abchome.org. Infant Safety/CPR Class Includes care of the choking infant, infant rescue and breathing with hands-on practice using ACTAR CPR dolls for class participants. Class will also help parents with creating a safe environment for their child. Classes are taught by certified CPR Instructors, but this is not a certification
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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 2136360 for more information.
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and supplies. Partners are encouraged to participate in this class. $20 per couple. 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. 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. Sibling Preparation Class One-hour class is designed for expectant “big brothers and sisters” ages 3 to 8. They will learn about the arrival of their new baby through an introduction to the hospital experience and the early days at home. Parents should plan to attend with their child. Baptist Medical Center East. Registration is required. Call 273-4445 or e-mail smallwonders@baptistfirst.org. Slow Flow Yoga Classes are held at Old Alabama Town on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 11:30-12:15, and 12:30-1:15. Beginners welcome! No registration needed; just come to Molton
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South Building. Enter through the Rose House, located on Columbus St. between N. Hull and Decatur. Parking is available along Decatur and N. Hull. Drop in fee: $12; 5-class pass: $50 (exp. 60 days). Monthly unlimited: $65. Mat rental: $1. For more info, call (334) 240-4500 or (334) 207-0909 or e-mail juliet.yoga@icloud.com.
Services
American Cancer Society Seeks Volunteers for Road to Recovery This program is designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatment. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer. For more info, or to volunteer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Baptist Hospice Volunteers There are many ways to help, such as special projects and events or providing administrative support for the staff, that are essential. Volunteers often have special talents and innovative ideas that add to our program. Please call Gloria @395-5018 to join our dynamic team.
at 272-8622. Autauga/Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail htaylor@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 Audrey Derevenko at (205) 943-5343 or e-mail adereven@childrensaid.org. 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.
Cancer Support
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.
Baptist Hospital Volunteers Volunteers are needed at Baptist Medical Center East, Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville Baptist Hospital. Duties vary by facility but include delivering mail and flowers, transporting patients, staffing waiting rooms and information desks, and furnishing coffee for visitors. Volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. For more info, call 286-2977.
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-ACS-2345 for more info.
Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville. Both centers have the ability to diagnose up to 84 different sleep disorders. There are four board-certified physicians and a clinical psychologist on staff between the two centers. For more info, call (334) 286-3252 for Baptist Medical Center South and (334) 361-4335 for Prattville Baptist Hospital.
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.
Jackson Hospital Animal Therapy Program Jackson Hospital’s Animal Therapy Program is a vital part of its patient care. Animals in the program are limited to dogs, and no other animals are allowed to participate. Currently, there are 10 dogs in the program. Their handlers have undergone extensive training and orientation, and visit the hospital weekly. For more information, call 293-8894. Jackson Hospital Volunteer Services Jackson Hospital information desk volunteers are needed for the evening shift, 5-8:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers must be friendly and eager to offer information to those visiting the hospital. With this position, a free meal will be given as well as a parking spot next to the lobby. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and are asked to work 4 hours a week. Call 293-8967 or visit www.jackson. org/patients_volunteers.html. Jackson Sleep Disorders Center Jackson Hospital houses a sleep disorders center on the third floor of the Goode Medical Building to monitor those who are suffering from sleep disorders. For more information, contact your physician or the Sleep Center at 293-8168. River Region Association of Doulas Doulas Traci Weafer, Rebekah Hawkins and Christina Clark provide prenatal counseling, labor and postpartum doula services, breastfeeding education, events and support groups. Contact rradoulas@gmail.com or visit rradoulas. weebly.com or https://www.facebook.com/RRADoulas/.
Support Groups Adoption Support
Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC) This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more info, call Monica Russell at 409-9477 or the church office
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 or friends. For more info, call 272-8622 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net.
Divorce Support
DivorceCare meets Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning September 6 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Join us for thirteen weeks of guidance and purpose as you move forward with life after divorce. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for more info. Divorce Care for Kids meets Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning September 6 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Children of divorce or separation find hope, help, and healing. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for more info. DivorceCare meets at Vaughn Forest Church on Wednesday nights from 6-8 p.m. It fosters a weekly
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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.
Gambling Support
Gamblers Anonymous meetings in the River Region Area: Saturdays @ 7 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 5375 U.S. Hwy. 231 (Directly across from the Winn-Dixie shopping center), Wetumpka. Call (334) 567-7534. Sundays @ 5 p.m., Mental Health Association, 1116 South Hull Street, Montgomery. Mondays @ 6 p.m., St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 4475 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery. Gamblers Anonymous Hotline: 334-541-5420
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. “Big Leap!” Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is designed to meet the needs of children ages 7-11 who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. Through music, art, and play we meet your child or grandchild on their level. We encourage your children to hold tight to their memories as they make a “big leap” into their new future. Space is limited to 6 participants so call 279-6677. Start date will be determined once reservations are confirmed. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. “Comfort and Conversation,” Wednesdays at 11 a.m., 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. Space is limited, so please call 2796677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. 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. “Connect,” Fridays at 11 a.m., biweekly, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is for those who have already walked through the initial grieving process but still desire to connect with others who share similar experiences. This group will allow you to meet new people, stay active in the community, and look ahead to a bright future. We will share lunch, visit museums, volunteer, attend movies, and participate in area events. This group is ongoing and does not have a participation limit. For more info, call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW. Grief Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Rm. 3105. Call 2728622 for more info. 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:
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Calendar/Support Groups 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.
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.
GriefShare, Hospice of Montgomery’s office located at 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery. Meets Wednesdays from noon-1 p.m. through March. This FREE group is for individuals, families and caregivers in the River Region. Registration required to attend. For more information or to register, please contact Candace Fales at 279-6677 or cfales@hospiceofmontgomery.org.
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.
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) 462-4775 or Gwen Ellis at (334) 567-8754 or e-mail us at mourningtomorning@gmail.com. Join us on Facebook--Mourning to Morning 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.
Homeschool Support
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, 9:3011:30 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.
Illness Support
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/.
ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Harvest Fields Community Church, 4280 Deatsville Hwy, Deatsville. 2nd and 4th Fridays year-round 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
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregivers Support Group meets 1st Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in room 3103 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more info, call 272-8622. The Renaissance Spirit Group (an adult day group for Alzheimer’s patients in their early to middle stages) meets each Thursday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 3101 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Registration is required. For more info, contact Nancy McLain at (334) 233-2139. Montgomery Area Mended Hearts, First floor of Montgomery Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Baptist Medical Center South. For anyone who has experienced cardiac illness. Third Mondays, alternates between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 286-3410 for more info. OCD Support Group Long showers, multiple hand-washing, rituals, checking the stove, hoarding and symmetry. This support group is open to anyone who has struggled with OCD. You’re not alone anymore. Meetings are held at 5500 Ash Grove Circle, Montgomery. Call Donald at 220-7555 for info.
Parent Support
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. 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. Join us with your babies. Children of all ages are welcome. We currently have morning and
Montgomery Parents I September 2016
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Redland Baptist Church in Wetumpka. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. during the school year. We also have scheduled play dates and mom’s nights out. Moms get together to share food, laugh, and hear inspiring speakers. While moms are in a MOPS meeting, their children are lovingly cared for in the MOPPETS program. For more info, call (334) 567-8649 or visit www.mops.org/redlandmops.
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. Sav-A-Life conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet eight consecutive Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. The “Forgiven and Set Free” Bible study is used. Confidientiality is assured. Please call Kathy at 260-8010 for information. “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
God Will Make a Way, Frazer UMC, Tuesdays from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning Sept 6. Learn to follow God’s principles to thrive relationally, emotionally, and spiritually in 12 key areas of life and use God’s wisdom to cope with your most difficult problems. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@ frazerumc.org for more info. 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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September2016 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. Singles’ Small Groups, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc.org for 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. TNT (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Bldg. 7000. A meal ($5) and program are provided. Call 495-6368 or e-mail singles@frazerumc. org for more info.
Special Needs Support cSpecial Needs Skate, Looney’s Super Skate, 3541 McGehee Rd. in Montgomery. 1st and 3rd Sundays of every month. 5:30-7:30 p.m. All ages welcome. Sensory sensitive. Volunteers available for assistance. $5 admission. For more info, e-mail Lyrastephens@yahoo.com.
Teens/Families Support
Family Guidance Center of Alabama’s September Schedule is below. Call 270-4100 for more information about any of these classes: September 1 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Charge it Right” teaches participants about credit cards, their benefits, how to use them responsibly, and what to do when a credit card is lost or stolen. September 6 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Career Planning” explores various employment choices and the basic skills expected by potential employers. September 7 from 1-3 p.m.: “Anger Management” provides participants with information on how to detect anger triggers and ways to control their reactions to anger.
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September 13 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Resume’ Writing” teaches participants how to compose a resume’ based on the type of employment they are seeking. September 15 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Loan to Own” teaches participants about installment loans, including car loans and home equity loans. September 20 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Interview Skills” prepares participants for the steps to take before, during and after an interview for the best possible opportunity of obtaining employment. September 27 from 1-2:30 p.m.: “Work Ethics” instructs participants on how to obtain a high standard of conduct at work for job retention and promotion. 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.
Please send calendar info to editor@montgomeryparents.com. www.montgomeryparents.com
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2017 Autauga County Distinguished Young Women
The Autauga County Distinguished Young Woman competition for 2017 was held at Prattville High School July 23. Eight young women, representing Autaugaville High School, East Memorial Christian Academy and Prattville High School, competed to become Autauga County’s Distinguished Young Woman. Distinguished Young Women is a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women. Contestants are scored in the categories of scholastics (25%), interview (25%), talent (20%), fitness (15%), and self-expression (15%). The winners are Lauren Chambliss, 2017 Autauga County Distinguished Young Woman; Grace Glidden, first runner up; and Hannah Edwards, second runner up. Winners in the categories were: Scholarship, Interview and Fitness: Chambliss and first runner-up Glidden; Talent: Leah Temple (vocal) and first runner-up Chambliss (piano); and Self-Expression: Glidden and first runner-up Chambliss. The Spirit of Distinguished Young Women winner was Caitlyn Baker. Two scholarships were awarded by Troy University: Chambliss was the recipient of the Millennium Scholar’s Award and Glidden and Edwards received the Chancellor’s Award. Chambliss will compete at the state level January 20-21, 2017, at Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery. The Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama will compete in Mobile on July 22, 2017, for the title of America’s Distinguished Young Woman. From left are Zanesha Rhodes, Chappell Studdard, Claudia Harris, Hannah Edwards, Lauren Chambliss, Grace Glidden, Leah Temple and Caitlin Baker.
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Family Karate Performs at Pike Road
The Family Karate Center was proud to be invited to the Pike Road National Night Out celebration again this year! A little rain didn’t damper the festive spirits as students helped teach children from Pike Road how to STAY SAFE in dangerous situations with the “Stay Safe” and “Stranger Danger” child safety program. Demonstrations of how to not go with anybody but parents, what to do if grabbed, how to deal with bullies, how to break boards, and many more informative techniques were made for children of all ages at this yearly event. Family Karate Center gave away more than 30 uniforms and free weeks of training that night! Call (334) 220-9319 for more info. 93
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AdvertiserDirectory We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents. We hope this directory saves you time as you refer to the magazine throughout the month. Page numbers follow the advertiser’s name.
Family Guidance Center, 32, 75
Montgomery Zoo, 71
First Baptist Church, Montgomery, 51
Mrs. Sandy’s House, 94
First UMC, Montgomery, 83
My Kids Attic, The Shoppes of, 25
First UMC, Prattville, 21
My Kids Attic Consignment Sale, 37
Adventure Sports II, 86
Fleming’s Martial Arts, 42
New Park, 4
Alabama Christian Academy, 47
Frazer Memorial UMC, 55
OB/GYN Montgomery, Dr. Desautels, 37
Alabama Dance Theatre, 70
Grand Reserve at Pike Road, 86
O’Connor Tennis Lessons, 79
Alabama Family Trust, 64
Health Services, Inc., 21
Paradise Pumpkin Patch, 38
Alabama Partnership with Children, 26
Holy Cross Episcopal School, 43
Pediatric Nephrology of Alabama, 79
AL School of Math & Science, Inside Back
Hooper Academy, 28
Prattville YMCA, 45
Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 72
Hudson Huffman, 94
Alice Gwin Tutoring, 94
Huntingdon College Ability Sport Network, 59
ASKIN/Synergy House, 94
Inflatables of Montgomery, 84
AUM Early Childhood Center, 33
Interscapes, Inc., 8
Autism Society of Alabama, 66
Jim Masseys, 23
Baptist Health, 52
KLynn Ice Skating, 93
Beth’s Heirloom Sewing, 30
Kingry Orthodontics, 89
Bradford Health Services, 77
Kumon, 57
Brewbaker Motors, Inside Front, 67
Learning Tree Child Care, 87
Camp ASCCA, 66
Legacy Early Learning Center, 18
Capel & Howard, PC, 9, 63
Lori Mercer Photography, 39
Chapman Orthodontics, 19
Lynn Peck, Juice Plus, 94
Children’s Clothing Exchange, 2
Macon East Academy, 15
Children’s Hospital of Alabama, 14
MANE, 64
Churchill Academy, 3, 65
Mathnasium, 29
Dentistry for Children, 80
MEOW Academy, 69
Doodlebugs, 31
Memorial Presbyterian Childcare, 93
The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover
Dr. Kendall Dunn-Orthodontist, 42
Montessori @ Mulberry, 17
Tooth Buds, 40
Dream Court, Inc., 7
Montgomery Catholic Schools, 22
Trinity Presbyterian School, 41
Dynamite Magic & Balloons, 88
Montgomery Children’s Specialty Ctr, 70
Tru-Cut Lawn Care, 85
E & S Hobbies, 94
Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 89
United Gymstars & Cheer, 49
Easter Seals Central AL, 68
Montg. Parents Special Needs Expo, 13
Vaughn Park Mom’s Day Out, 20
Eastern Oaks Church, 81
Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry/Ortho, 73
Vaughn Road Preschool, 36
Edward Jones-Lane Easterling, 45
Montgomery Uniforms Plus, 60
Vishnu Dental, 49
Evangel Christian Academy, 19
Montgomery YMCA, 68
Walnut Hill Party Venue, 85
Professional Pediatrics, 12 Publications Press, 35 Pump It Up Party, 59 P’zazz Art Studio, 80 Riverview Camp for Girls, 34 R.O.C.K., 76 Rockin’ Jump, 50 Rolling Video Games of AL, 28 Saint James School, 1 Sea Dragon Pirate Cruises, 61 Shade Tree Riding Stables, 30 Smiles Galore Parties, 88 Spacewalker, The, 31 Spotless Cleaning Services, 11 Success Unlimited Academy, 27
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Sylvan Learning Center, 18 Taylor Road Baptist Church, 20
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Ben-Hur (2016)
Kubo and the Two Strings
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: AViolence: D+ Sexual Content: B+ Language: AAlcohol / Drug Use: B The MPAA has rated Ben-Hur (2016) PG-13 for sequences of violence and disturbing images. The 2016 version of Ben-Hur begins with adopted siblings horsing around while displaying their brotherly love and sense of competition. This familial bond is extraordinary because Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston) is a rich Jew and Messala Severus (Toby Kebbell) is a poor Roman (taken in as an orphan by the benevolent Ben-Hurs), during a time when the Empire is exerting its might over the residents of its occupied territories. The differences between their ethnicity, religion and social status becomes a problem when Messala’s attraction to Judah’s sister Tirzah (Sofia Black-D’Elia) meets with disapproval from the pair’s mother (Ayelet Zurer). Determined to prove himself worthy as a suitor and a man, Messala enlists with the legion. But when he returns to Jerusalem three years later, he is a different person. Hardened by warfare (which is depicted in some gory detail) and now loyal to the Roman leader Pontius Pilate (Pilou Asbæk), Messala tries to use his childhood connections to root out local rebels and improve his military career. When his ambition conflicts with Judah’s pacifist ideals, friends turn into enemies, and the Ben-Hur family is punished as a warning to other decenters. Judah is sentenced to life as a galley slave and chained in the bottom of a ship that is fighting Rome’s wars at sea. As he endures abuse and bloody battles, he too becomes a bitter soul. Then a strange twist of fate gives him the opportunity to seek revenge for the wrongs he and his loved ones have experienced. That path eventually leads to a showdown between Judah and Massala in a no-holds-barred chariot race. Those familiar with the 1959 epic will recognize many of the same plot elements in this production. Where the portrayals really vary is in their emphasis on redemption. Jack Huston’s character appears to undergo a more convincing change of heart as he wrestles with his angry feelings towards his oppressors in general, and his adopted brother in particular. This is demonstrated as he is put in situations where he must choose how he will react – with kindness or brutality, with fear or faith. As well, Jesus (played here by Rodrigo Santoro) has a greater presence in this script and shares brief words about how the shackles of hatred can only be unlocked with love. It is interesting to note how the Old and New Testaments are continuing to inspire storytellers. Perhaps one day the Good Book’s messages of hope and peace will also be practiced, and not just preached.
MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: C+ Sexual Content: ALanguage: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A The MPAA has rated Kubo and the Two Strings PG for thematic elements, scary images, action and peril. “If you must blink, do it now. Pay careful attention to everything you see – no matter how unusual it may seem. If you look away, even for an instant, then our hero will surely perish.” Thus states the opening narration of Kubo and the Two Strings. And it is good advice. Although I’m not entirely sure the hero will perish, I can assure you that anything short of total concentration will kill any hopes the viewer may have of following this abstract and metaphorical plotline. Kubo (voice of Art Parkinson) is a youngster living with his widowed mother (voice of Charlize Theron) in a secluded cave. It is a secure place for her, because her mind wanders. And she claims it is a good hiding spot for him because her evil father (voice of Ralph Fiennes) and sisters (voiced by Rooney Mara) are trying to find the boy and steal his one remaining eye. According to her wild tale, where she calls the villain The Moon King, in order to be safe Kubo must never be out after dark. Whether true or not, her paranoia provides great inspiration for the stories Kubo tells in the local village, where the amused townsfolk toss him a few coins. His impressive act includes playing a guitar-like instrument (a tree-stringed shamisen) that magically brings some origami figures to life. These paper characters act out the adventures Kubo describes. But this simple life comes to an end the night he delays his return to his rocky home until after the moon has come out. Within moments, two terrifying female figures appear and try to capture Kubo and return him to his powerful grandfather. Only an act of magic is able to postpone the immediate danger, but it also sets him on a perilous quest to find three pieces of armor. To protect and guide him, he has been given a talking monkey as a companion. Along the way the pair encounters a human-faced beetle (voice of Matthew McConaughey) with delusions of once being a Samurai warrior. This often-silly, six-armed soldier insists on joining them. As you can imagine, things get pretty bizarre as the trio battles a large skeleton, gets hypnotized by giant eyeballs, and faces off against a dragon/ snake-like creature. Injuries and deaths result. Yet these difficult circumstances provide the characters with an opportunity to talk about the importance of love and family, beliefs about life after death, and the purpose of sorrow during mortality. These deep topics, as well as the visuals that accompany them, will be confusing for little ones at best, and just plain scary at worst. That’s why I’d suggest leaving this challenge for those teens and adults who enjoy trying to puzzle a plot together, and are content even if they can’t place all of the pieces.
What Parents need to know about Ben-Hur...
Violence: Bows and arrows, swords, spears, knives and catapults are used as weapons in large battles and local fights. Characters are shot with arrows, flogged with whips, covered in burning tar, manhandled, imprisoned and forced into slavery. Many of these atrocities are depicted with some blood and detail. Galley slaves are chained to their boat, beaten by their masters and crushed, burned and drowned during a sea battle. Ships ram one another until they are broken into pieces. Competitors and some innocent spectators at a chariot race are smashed against walls, thrown from their vehicles and run over by horses. Deaths and bloody injuries result. Horses also suffer injury and death. Many gory or drowned corpses are seen. Characters are crucified and their bruised and broken bodies are shown hanging on crosses. Sexual Content: Couples embrace and kiss. A married couple is shown in bed together (his shoulders are bare). A woman’s dress is torn during a scuffle with soldiers and her back is exposed. Several male characters are covered only by loin cloths. Selling sex for money is implied. Language: Terms of deity are infrequently used as expletives. Alcohol/Drug Use: Wine is drunk in social settings and for celebrations. Montgomery Parents I September 2016
What Parents need to know about Kubo and the Two Strings... Violence: Characters engage in battles and fights with various weapons, including arrows, swords, chains and hooks. Some wounds, blood and scars are shown. A character has a missing eye (he wears an eyepatch) and is being hunted by family members who want to take away his other one. Origami figures fight with one another, and paper limbs are cut off. Discussions occur about the death of a parent who was killed protecting his family. Other family members are portrayed as evil and murderous. Scary characters and frightening/bizarre creatures are depicted. Injuries and deaths are implied. Sexual Content: A woman tucks lint into her cleavage. Language: None noted. Alcohol / Drug Use: None noted. 96
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Current Alabama 9th or 10th graders can apply. Questions? Email admissions@asms.net or call 251.441.3250.
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