River Region Parents - April 2022 by KeepSharing

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River Region Parents I April 2022

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River Region Parents I April 2022

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April2022

Volume 27 Number 4

Columns 6 Editor’s Note DeAnne Watson

8 Kids Say the Wisest Things

Stop Doing Everything For Your Kids

Tips to combat helicopter parenting.

Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

How to Find a Safe, Quality Daycare

Things to look for and what to ask.

14 Montgomery Education Matters by Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Interim Superintendent

40 Pike Road Education Matters by Superintendent Charles Ledbetter, Ed.D.

50 Elmore Education Matters by Superintendent Richard Dennis

54 Teens, Tweens & Screens by Kristi Bush, LSW

2022 Child Care Guide

Our detailed listing of daycares, preschools, and MMO programs.

Your Toddler Instruction Manual

Advice for the day to day trials.

60 Dinner’s Ready by Kimberley Carter Spivey

Departments On The Cover Lainie Isabella (age 4) is the daughter of Julio and Christie Vázquez. The couple has three older daughters (ages 28, 23, and 20). Their granddaughter, Lainie, became their daughter through adoption on March 17, 2021. Lainie enjoys tap dancing and gymnastics, and loves to play with

12 Teacher of the Month 16 School Bits 73 Family Calendar 76 Mom to Mom

her preschool friends.

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Editor’sNote

Parents

I’ll be the first to admit that my parenting style has changed a little from when we were raising our now 25 and 21-year-old children to raising Grace, our 11-year-old. Not so much in the way I discipline or expect her to follow the rules we set, but when it comes to letting her do more for herself rather than doing it for her. (Case in point, she is up before me most school mornings, making her own breakfast and getting ready without my prompts.) I’m also a bit less overprotective than I once was. I have realized after raising two children to adulthood that hovering and pushing hard for them to do things exactly as I prefer doesn’t often work. I can lay the rules and preferences out there, and believe me I do, but “helicoptering” to make sure Grace responds just as I desire only frustrates me... and her. She will make her choices, and some will be the wrong ones. Jason and I will be here to discipline her when necessary, love her through her mistakes, and hopefully watch her learn from them. While it’s scary thinking of the trouble she might get into or the hurt she might experience, I’ve learned that children will make some bad decisions, and my hovering and worrying won’t stop that. We will always guide Grace in the direction we think is best, all the while realizing she is her own person with her own unique God-given personality, not a clone of her two parents combined. Exerting a little more independence with each passing year will no doubt be Grace’s way of ultimately becoming an adult who can survive and thrive in the world on her own. I share all this as an invite for you to read this month’s feature, Stop Doing Everything For Your Kids, by Sandi Schwartz. She elaborates on the issue of “helicopter parenting” and how it can affect our kids negatively. Sandi also offers tips for setting children on a path to independence by giving them experiences, teaching them new skills and more! If you are the parent of a toddler, you are just now starting to see how your “little angel” can fight for independence. This can show up in the form of a tantrum in the middle of the grocery store, a toy thrown across the room in anger or even a tongue stuck out right in your face. Oh, the joys! If parenting your one to three year old feels overwhelming at times, be sure to read The Toddler Instruction Manual, by Sarah Lyons. Her advice just might help you through the tough days and keep more of your focus on the sweetness of these younger years. Keeping with our young child theme, we have included our 2022 Child Care Guide to introduce you to the available daycares, preschools and Mom’s Day Out programs in the River Region. Our feature article, How to Find a Safe, Quality Daycare tells you what to look for on the “daycare tour” and what questions to ask in the “daycare interview”, so be sure to read these tips first before choosing several daycares from our guide to visit. Wishing you all a Happy Easter and a beautiful first full month of spring!

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

Founder Marty Watson (1950-2006) Editor DeAnne Watson editor@riverregionparents.com

Associate Editor Alison Rouse Research Editor Wendy McCollum Contributing Writers Kristi Bush, LSW Richard Dennis Dr. Charles Ledbetter Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA Sarah Lyons Dr. Ann Roy Moore Sandi Schwartz Kimberley Carter Spivey Cover Photography Judy Barranco www.judybarrancophotography.com

Publisher Jason Watson jason@riverregionparents.com

Advertising Department (334) 213-7940 ext. 703 adservices@keepsharing.com Digital Manager Scott Davis Ad Design Tim Welch

DeAnne

SU Member

deanne@riverregionparents.com River Region Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. River Region Parents is copyrighted 2022 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in River Region 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.

River Region Parents I April 2022

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Palm Sunday Worship Stations of the Cross Interactive Prayer Journey Maundy Thursday Communion Good Friday Worship Easter Sunday Celebration

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by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

Parent Question: What Do I Do When My Child Lies? “What do I do when my child lies?” I get this question all the time. Trust me, you are not the only parent struggling with this. This is normal, so don’t question every parenting decision you have ever made when your kid tells a fib. This article highlights the four categories of lies, how to respond to each, and how to create an environment that encourages honesty. One important point to consider, children between the ages of two and four are simply exploring creativity and boundaries, which may include telling untruths. Around the age of four, children start to lie for the same reason adults do: to gain an advantage, for convenience, to avoid punishment, and to boost self-esteem. Lacking Skills Lies: These lies occur when the child has a slow processing speed, impulse control issues, short-term/ long-term memory delays, or an inability to correctly assess a situation. This type of lying is extremely common in children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder. In these situations, the best thing parents can do is give the child time to think about

River Region Parents I April 2022

their answers and then help them learn the language necessary to provide an accurate report of events. It is vital for parents to eliminate their child’s fear of “getting in trouble” in this situation so that they can learn the cognitive and language skills they need to succeed in life. Lies to Protect Themselves or Others: Your daughter may lie about how much she slept the night before because she doesn’t want to worry you. Your son may lie about a bad grade on a test because he wants to eliminate extra stress on you. When your child lies, the first thing you must do is to consider the goal of the lie. Was she afraid of making a mistake? Is the child feeling anxious, guilty, ashamed, or scared? Is he more afraid of your anger or the possible punishment? Take the time to explore all possible motives before reacting. Tall Tales Lies: One of the greatest things about children is their “rose colored glasses”. They simply remember themselves as the hero of the story even if they were the villain. If this is the case or your child has a minor detail wrong, just ignore it.

If your child is telling a tall tale to look better or gain approval the best thing you can do is tell the truth. Remember, your child is not on the witness stand. Don’t ask leading questions or argue. Simply interrupt the lie and state the truth. Bold Lies to Avoid Punishment: When this occurs, use natural consequences that will help build character. If your son has been hiding notes from the teacher and the teacher gives you a call, have him write an apology note admitting what he did wrong. Have him ask for another chance to take the note home. Through this punishment he is learning to confess, ask for forgiveness, and right his wrong. General Tips to Promote Honesty: 1. Model honesty. If you tell a lie, immediately apologize and correct it. Help your child learn how to do this. 2. Perform honesty inspections. For example, don’t ask if they have homework, just get out the notebook and start checking. Don’t ask if they cleaned their room, go look. 3. Never label your child as a liar. Your child’s behavior patterns do not equal identity. Are you what you did as a kid? 4. Teach through stories. The Boy Who Cried Wolf is a great one, but use a variety of books, movies, and personal experiences to emphasize the importance of being honest. Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Beth has worked in six unique clinical environments across the country and currently owns Works of Wonder Therapy in Montgomery. Beth utilizes the knowledge from a variety of different disciplines to give her patients the best care possible. To learn more visit www.worksofwondertherapy.com.

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Fun with the Family at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Games

All games are at Riverwalk Stadium. For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

ANC Earth Day Festival

April 23 * 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook. Presentations, vendors, food, live animals, kids’ activities, and a clean up the creek walk during the event. General admission applies: (kids 3 & under FREE; $5/ person with a $20 maximum per family). For more info, call (334) 285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org/.

2nd Annual Elmore County Ability Games

April 19 * 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wetumpka Sports Complex. This event allows all students in the special needs program to participate in a day of fun and games. Sponsored by Special Education Adaptive PE.

Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Improv Night

April 9 * 7 p.m. in the Courtyard If there is inclement weather, this event will be held upstairs on the theatre stage. Our indoor productions have limited and distanced seating. Masks are required for all when inside the building. $10 admission at the door. For more info, call (334) 2621530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/.

Hampstead Food Truck Takeover

April 24 * 12-3 p.m. Hampstead Town Center Join us for an afternoon of live music while supporting local food vendors. Outdoor seating available. For more info, call (334) or visit www.hampsteadliving.com.

Flimp Festival 2022

May 7 * 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Stir your creative spirit, ignite your imagination, and enjoy the whimsical sights and sounds in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. This annual event is perfect for young families and children. Admission is free. For more info, visit https://mmfa.org/event/ or call (334) 625-4333. River Region Parents I April 2022

Opening Night with MAX Fireworks April 12 * 6:35 p.m. This is your first chance to see the boys in the butter and blue in action as we start another fun-filled season. The night ends with a MAX Fireworks Show. Bucket Hat Giveaway April 15 * 6:35 p.m. Get here early as only the first 1,000 fans of all ages will get a free hat! The Nine Night & MAX Fireworks April 16 * 6:05 p.m. We are proud to be a part of a new, black community-focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation and further diversify the business of baseball. Following this night of recognition, we’ll have a post-game MAX Fireworks Show! Easter Egg Hunt with the Biscuits April 17 * 3:33 p.m. Easter eggs with a variety of prizes will be hidden throughout the entire park for kids to find during the game. Bring your leashed dogs out to Riverwalk and don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club presented by Go Fish Alabama, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks. Autism Awareness Night Supporting Easter Seals of Central Alabama April 26 * 6:35 p.m. This night we take extra steps to ensure the entire ballpark experience is suitable for all audiences, including scaled down audio and visual elements. Kids’ Giveaways May 1 & 8 * 3:33 p.m. The first 500 kids 14 & under will go home with a special treat. Also, bring your leashed dogs out to the Riverwalk and don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club, offering compli-mentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks. www.riverregionparents.com

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Downtown Prattville Spring Fling

April 8 * 5:30-7:30 p.m. Historic Downtown Prattville; hosted by The Shoppes of Downtown. See the latest new arrivals for spring, fantastic sales, tasty treats, and of course don’t forget to enter the Huge Easter Gift Basket Giveaway!

Black Jacket Symphony Presents The Police’s Synchronicity

April 16 * 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre Celebrate a return to live music with a full set of greatest hits from the Black Jacket Symphony’s most popular shows over the last 13 years! After their per-formance of Synchronicity, the band will return with an all-star cast of musicians to perform hits from artists like Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, The Police, The Who and more! Tickets $35. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/ events/ or call (334) 481-5100.

Dino & Dragon Stroll

Wetumpka Community Market

April 7 * 4-7 p.m. First Thursdays Merchant’s Alley in Downtown Wetumpka The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade and homegrown products created by local artisans and farmers. It features more than 40 unique booths and vendors and one-of a-kind items each month. Market favorites include: fresh locally grown produce, honey, jams, jellies, salsa, pottery, art, leather products, fresh baked goods, wood items, wreaths, plants and more. Open to the public; no charge for admission. Visit www.facebook.com/Mainstreet communityMarketWetumpka.

April 16-17 * 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery. Get up close to dinosaurs throughout the exhibit, ranging from babies to life-like and life-size dinosaurs including encounters with a T-Rex, Velociraptor and Stegosaurus, just to name a few. Guests can also get up close and personal with a selection of large, serpentine, winged, horned and legendary fire breathing dragons, just as you imagined them. Sensory friendly hour from 8:30-9:45 a.m. For more info, visit www.dinostroll.com.

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Telisa Warren Lee High School

to see students enjoy learning mathematics. Mrs. Warren understands that every student learns differently, and she prides herself on constructing an environment to act as a facilitator, delivering learning through exploration of individual curiosity. She makes sure her students understand that the classroom is a no-judgment zone. While getting candid with Mrs. Warren, she explained that teachers not only impart content knowledge. They do so much more. They spend the majority of their time with students. Their students come to them with different circumstances, and they do their best to meet them where they are and direct them. Teachers give their students the tools they need to be successful. “We are the school moms, the nurses, the counselors. We carry a heavy load daily, even when the students are not in our presence. We are role models.” Congratulations, Mrs. Telisa Warren, on being named River Region Parents’ Teacher of the Month! We appreciate all you do!

Going into her ninth year of teaching, Telisa Warren is pursuing what she loves in a family environment at Lee High School. She is a proud graduate of Alabama State University with a master’s in Secondary Mathematics Education. She shares, “This year has not come without challenges, but we (my students and I) have overcome them together. I am not perfect. But whatever I can do for my students, they know I will do it for them. I love my students.” Mrs. Warren had the privilege to observe several different classes before she chose to teach. She witnessed so many students struggling in their math classes that she became a tutor. Eventually, she realized this would not be enough and believed she could make a bigger impact as a teacher. Her philosophy as a lifelong learner is every child deserves an equal opportunity to learn. Every child deserves the right to a positive classroom environment in which they feel safe, respected, and highly regarded by the educator. It is Mrs. Warren’s goal to meet the needs of her students so that they may reach their full potential and also to erase the stereotypical ideas of learning mathematics. She would like

Telisa Warren has been married to Eddie B. Warren II for nearly 17 years. They have three children: E’Lisa (13), Telia (11), and Elisha (three).

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In November of 2020, residents of Montgomery agreed to invest in the future by voting in favor of an ad valorem tax increase to support local education funding. The question from the start was where the money would be spent, so as part of our campaign, we began to list some of the school system’s greatest needs. This list has not fundamentally changed, and in fact I would like to reaffirm our intention to focus on these areas of concern. The targets for increased funding include added security, more counselors, more nurses, more arts and music, and more foreign language offerings. We also plan to increase Advanced Placement offerings, add career technical education opportunities, and provide more Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. We will incentivize teachers to work in positions that are traditionally hard to staff. We will provide more

River Region Parents I April 2022

support for English Language Learners (ELL). We will hire more bus drivers and provide more support for students with trauma-based social and emotional issues. The need for better funding was obvious to me when I first arrived in Montgomery and began to visit schools throughout the system. Many of the buildings were old and in serious disrepair. We have begun to remedy that with a Capital Improvement Plan, which is being managed by Volkert, Inc. Phase I of the plan is currently underway. Our increased local funding will help pay off the debt for this ongoing, longterm series of construction projects. I believe all children deserve to learn in a safe and secure environment. New school construction will help ensure a more secure environment. We are also adding security guards in schools and adding 24/7 video monitoring at all schools. We also will be adding more education opportunities throughout the district. We will increase AP course offerings at traditional high schools and provide AP offerings at all middle schools. We will have art and music teachers at every school and foreign language teachers

at all middle and high schools. To boost career technical education, we will add career tech teachers at Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies (MPACT). Our increased funding also will mean better support for students. We will add English language teachers at our schools with high populations of ELL students. We will be adding counselors to provide full-time support in all schools. We will hire more nurses to support medically fragile students. We will hire psychometrists to identify and test students for various needs. We will add more social workers for social and emotional support programs. We will also add district resource officers to address truancy issues. My heart is filled with gratitude for the passage of the ad valorem initiative because I know how much it will mean in the lives of our students. So once again, thank you, Montgomery, for supporting the future. For more than four decades, Dr. Moore has educated the children of Alabama. From her first post as a pre-school teacher, to her administrative work as a principal, central office curriculum specialist, superintendent, and her mentoring the next generation of teachers as an adjunct professor at colleges and universities, teaching is her passion.

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Montgomery County Schools

BTW Students Fare Well at Southeastern Theatre Conference

Alabama Christian Student Body Helps Ukraine

Alabama Christian Academy’s students were given the opportunity to help collect supplies to send over to Ukraine through Dalraida Church of Christ. Buckets and supply lists were available to give students the opportunity to play a big part in this service project. A full week was dedicated to prayer over the Ukraine; each morning we had a devotional and prayed for specific people involved in the war. After the whole week of prayer ended, we had every bucket filled and more bags to send over for anything extra they may need. We even had a class who wrote scripture in Ukrainian. This project has opened the eyes of many to just how blessed we truly are.

Booker T. Washington Magnet High students and instructor Jesmelia Williams had a great trip to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). Students auditioned for more than 120 universities and acting schools. Senior Treavor Evans received callbacks from 20 schools for theatre and musical theatre, automatic admissions, and on-the-spot scholarship offers totaling $112,000 over the course of four years. Junior Adarius Snell received callbacks from 37 schools. He will be on the contact roster for talent scholarships when he enters his senior year of high school. Senior Jaylen Boyd received callbacks from 35 schools for theatre, musical theatre, film and dance, along with automatic admissions.

MEA Seniors Honored by Alabama A&M

Macon East Academy seniors Teron Wright and Maurice Poole were recognized at the elite Alabama A&M Scholarship Recognition Program. The top seniors in the tri-county area were recognized for their accomplishments and scholarship awards. Wright received the gold scholarship and Poole the silver!

Bellingrath Students Share EdFarm Experience

A very impressive group of scholars visited the Montgomery County Board of Education during its March meeting. These EdFarm Student Fellows from Bellingrath Middle joined science teacher Tina Lewis to talk about some of the exciting things happening thanks to the partnership between MPS and EdFarm. “These students are learning to code, create and cultivate change in their community,” said EdFarm Student Fellows Specialist Emma Courington, who is working with 10 MPS schools. Lewis and several Student Fellows also talked to the board about all the exciting things happening through this program. MPS has partnered with EdFarm along with Apple and the city of Montgomery to bring new technological learning opportunities to students. River Region Parents I April 2022

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Montgomery Academy Choral Students Compete in All-State Festival

From left are the Montgomery Academy choral students who traveled to Birmingham for the Alabama Music Educator’s Association All-State Festival: Lilly Crawford, Avery Williford, Sarah Stevens, Charles Norris, Carlyle Chandler, Katie Brown, Sadie Sease and Isabella Carnes. The All-State Choral Festival is a three-day event that culminates in a professionally recorded concert. The Festival is an opportunity for students with outstanding ability and initiative to receive public recognition, to sing under the direction of nationally recognized choral clinicians, and to perform choral literature of the highest quality.

Black History Month @ Montgomery Christian February was engaging as each classroom studied famous black Americans. From reading to social studies to art, Montgomery Christian School highlighted influential black individuals. The third grade, taught by La’Tosha Williams, conducted research, created posters, crafted speeches and presented reports to their families and other classes.

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Trinity 8th-Graders Win Essay Contest

Trinity Presbyterian’s 8th-graders entered a statewide essay writing contest sponsored by the Alabama Peace Officers Association entitled “Why I Will Say No to Drugs and Alcohol.” Trinity was the only school to have multiple award winners! Emory Harris won 3rd place, and Jemison Willis won 4th place. The students won monetary awards and their essays will be published in the Alabama Peace Officers’ Journal. Officer Champlin presented certificates and checks to the students.

Highland Avenue Wins First-ever Elementary Robotics Competition

Montgomery Public Schools held a series of Elementary VEX GO Robotics Competitions, which were the first of their kind anywhere. Representatives of the REC Foundation and VEX Robotics monitored these live-streamed events to pilot the process. The competitions involved schools in five different feeder patterns. Highland Avenue Elementary came in first overall, followed by Bear Exploration Center and Wilson Elementary. The individual feeder pattern winners were T.S. Morris, Seth Johnson, Highland Avenue, Wilson and Bear elementary schools.

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Montgomery County Schools

Two Montgomery Catholic Robotics Teams Qualify for Championship

Two Montgomery Catholic Robotics teams competed in the State VEX Robotics Competition on February 19. Their hard work and numerous hours of practice paid off during the competition and both teams have now successfully qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas this May. The High School team consists of 10th-graders Turner Clements and Hunter Dailey. The Middle School team is composed of 7th-graders Lucy Logsdon and Tye Rountree, and 8th-graders Gavin Cummins, Erik Ojala, Will Tarkowski and Bennett Webb.

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Seuss Week at Trinity

Kindergarten students at Trinity Presbyterian celebrated Dr. Seuss week with all sorts of fun activities! They made “Cat in the Hat” top hats, practiced rhyming words, made green slime, and baked a yummy version of green eggs and ham!

Please send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

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STJ Speech & Debate Team Members Qualify for Nationals

Two Saint James School seniors, Hamilton Cunningham and Jack Catchings, have qualified for the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Cunningham will compete in Humorous Interpretation, and Catchings will compete on Original Oratory. Several members of the Saint James Speech and Debate Team competed in the District Speech and Debate Tournament in Birmingham at Samford University February 25-26. Jaden Rossell, in addition to Cunningham and Catchings, represented Saint James in the tournament which is a qualifier for the National Tournament. Cunningham was awarded first place in Humorous Interpretation and Catchings placed first in Original Oratory. These scores qualified them for Nationals, which will be held June 12-17 in Louisville, Kentucky. From left are Jaden Rosell, Hamilton Cunningham and Jack Catchings at the District Tournament at Samford.

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Eastwood Students Receive ACAA Athletic Award for Basketball

Eastwood Christian School congratulates Grant English, Gantt Higginbotham and Talley Hamilton for receiving the ACAA Athletic Award for outstanding achievement in ACAA All-State Basketball – First Team. 21

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Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Academy Honors Physics Study Laws of Motion

In 1784, the English mathematician George Atwood created a machine to verify the mechanical laws of motion with constant acceleration. In 2022, Ms. Anderson’s Montgomery Academy Honors Physics class is using the same type of machine in their lab work to study Newton’s Second Law of motion, but now using a Smart Pulley, a photogate, and a computer to record their data and results.

ACA Takes Civil Rights Field Trip Downtown

Downtown Montgomery has a plethora of learning opportunities, and the Honors English 9 class from Alabama Christian Academy took advantage of them recently. On March 2, the students began their day by visiting the Civil Rights Memorial and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church before taking a drive through downtown Montgomery identifying the civil rights plaques. This was followed by a morning spent at the Legacy Museum, lunch in The Alley, and an afternoon visit to the Peace and Justice Memorial. The field trip brought reality to their study of the literary classic To Kill a Mockingbird as well as Just Mercy, authored by Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative.

MPS Students Honored for Rosa Parks Art Contest

Several Montgomery Public Schools students were recognized for winning The City of Montgomery’s art contest designed to commemorate Rosa Parks. Students created a birthday card for Parks with a message they would share if she were alive today. The City Council celebrated the winners at its monthly meeting. The winners are: Grades K-6 1st place - Aubrey Rose, Bear Exploration (2nd grade); 2nd place - Josiah Monson, Baldwin Magnet (6th grade); 3rd place - Elena Olson Shimp, Baldwin Magnet (6th grade); and Honorable mention - Quinstasia Shuford, Fitzpatrick Elementary (4th grade). Grades 7-12 1st place - Jade Price, Baldwin Magnet (7th grade); 2nd place - Hayun Park, Baldwin Magnet (8th grade); 3rd place - Jiyu Lee, Baldwin Magnet (8th grade); and Honorable mention - Diane Lee, Baldwin Magnet (8th grade) Grades K-12 Digital contest 1st place - Margaret Lewis, Carver Elementary (2nd grade); 2nd place - Vashiyah Roberson, Booker T. Washington, (10th grade); and 3rd place - Da’Nadia Ross, Booker T. Washington (12th grade).

Saint James Marching Trojans Participate in District VI Honor Band

During the weekend of February 18-19, three members of the Saint James Marching Trojans performed as part of the District VI Honor Band hosted at Auburn High School. Saint James high school students Matthew Ohliger and Rose Statam, shown above, along with middle school student Matthew Baker, performed alongside students from all over the district. River Region Parents I April 2022

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Montgomery County Schools

Eastwood Players Perform 9th Spring Musical At New Arts and Athletics Campus

Eastwood Christian School produced its 19th spring musical, Les Miserables. This was the second year in the school’s new Arts and Athletics Campus. Due to a generous grant from The Harris Foundation, the theater department was able to upgrade lighting and sound systems. Les Miserables tickets went so quickly that a fifth show was added. More than 1,000 people attended in all.

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BrewTech Teacher Finds Creative Stress Relief

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Brewbaker Technology Magnet High health teacher Amy Patterson created stress management/relaxation stations for her classes. Students took part in activities such as coloring and stretching. They also had stations for sudoku, crossword and word search puzzles, and some students made stress balls. The stations were designed to teach students healthy ways to cope with stress.

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River Region Parents I April 2022

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Montgomery Academy Students Move On to State Tech Competition

STJ’s Hartson Named Wrestling State Champ For 1A-4A Division

Saint James School sophomore Logan Hartson earned the title of state champion for 1A-4A for his weight class at 120 lbs. Seven Saint James wrestlers qualified for the AHSAA State Championships in Huntsville after Sectionals. The team placed third overall at the AHSAA Super Sectionals. During his first match, Hartson pinned Deshler’s Brian Hill. During the semifinal match, he defeated Baron House of Pleasant Valley by a decision of 6-2. In the championship match against Cleburne County’s Austen Mayfield, Hartson scored a takedown in 21 seconds during the first period and another in the second period. Hartson went on to win, 6-3. In the final Alabama Wrestling Coaches Association poll, Hartson was ranked No. 3. He finished the season with a record of 41-3. The Saint James wrestling team is coached by Jeff Corley, with assistance from Wes Smith and Darin Boyd.

Alabama Consortium for Technology in Education (ACTE) spring competition is an opportunity for students to showcase their technology skills in many forms. First- and second-place winners qualify to go on to State ACTE in April. The competition was virtual this year and met one-on-one online to present to the judges. All Middle and Upper School students qualified for state. Montgomery Academy winners in the Video Production (Level 3) category include: Davis Philhower and John Harris Taylor (1st, group); and Ian Farley and Sid Spear (2nd, group). Animation (Level 3) category winners are: Freddy Hunt (1st, ind.); Eric Bailey and Oliver Steen (1st, group). Digital Game Design (Level 3) winners are: Drew Phenix (1st, ind.) and Duncan Serrill (2nd, ind.). Multidimensional Design (Level 3) winners include: Bea Farley and Anne Emery Smith (1st, group). Computer Programming (Level 3) winner is: Rob Ashworth (1st, ind.) Productivity Design (Level 3) winner is: Maggie Whitt (1st, ind.) Robotics (Level 3) winners are: Aiden J. Haecker and Viplove Sharma (1st, group) Hardware Modification (Level 3) winner is: Adarriah Wright (1st, ind.) Digital Art (Level 3) winners are: Anton Yang (1st, ind.) and Apollo Avezzano (2nd, ind.) Multidimensional Design (Level 4) winner is: Jocelyn Gleason (1st, ind.) Digital Game Design (Level 5) winners include: Picasso Avezzano and Charles Norris (2nd, group) Computer Programming (Level 5) winners include: Ted Lee (2nd, ind.)

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Montgomery County Schools

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Saint James School Holds Annual Trojan Day

Saint James School held its annual Trojan Day festivities March 17. Originally set for March 18, the events were moved due to predictions of inclement weather. The day of indoor and outdoor games pit the Navy Team against the Gold Team. The grade level teams compete in activities all over campus including kickball, scooter races, three-legged races, scavenger hunts and more. Lunch was enjoyed outdoors on the Quad for the older students. Nancy’s Italian Ice provided sweet treats for all. After lunch, the entire school came together on the football field for a number of culminating activities. The afternoon activities include the Sponge Soaker Relay, 5th grade tug of war, 8th grade tug of war, and senior tug of war. Each grade competed in one final event to see whether Gold or Navy would finish the year on top. This year Gold won with an overall score of 72 to 70. It was a great day of outdoor fun and comradery among the student body! Seniors Ellie Welch and Chelsea Johnson and their K5 buddy Kimora Ross enjoy Nancy’s Italian Ice between events.

Trinity Third-Graders Read to Kindergartners

Trinity third-grade students read to kindergarten students as they celebrated “Read Across America” Week. This was the highlight of the kindergarteners’ day!

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Montgomery Academy Celebrates Black History Month

Montgomery Academy celebrated Black History Month with several events during February. Students and teachers attended a movie night to see Hidden Figures sponsored by the History & English Honor Society and Culture Awareness Society. Upper School students Jai Ivy Raines, Claire Gary, Cydney Pepple, Chelsea Trimble and Zoe Zink created “A Gallery Walk - Black Excellence on Display” that showcased the contributions of famous black historical figures in the arts, technology & engineering, and science & math. All Middle and Upper School students visited the exhibition during their history and English classes.

Macon East Academy Holds National Honor Society Inductions

Macon East Academy announces 14 new inductees into the National Honor Society. New members received their certificate of accomplishment from NHS advisor Raymond Clinton. The following students in 10th-12th grades were inducted: Sidney Brown, Jameson Byrom, Kaiden Byrom, Will Dekle, Pressley Graham, Hannah Ray Hubbard, Ethan Jones, Dalton Nickles, Kacy Rutland, Jacob Simpson, Barret Spaeth, Gabe Spencer, Tanner Surles, and Anna Watson. Serving as officers for the national honor society are: Rachel Major (President), Sawyer Nelson (Vice President), Tyler Brown (Treasurer), Ali Churchwell and Jack Jones (Chaplains).

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Montgomery County Schools

ACA’s Junior Class Service Day

The Alabama Christian Academy junior class spent its service day at the Montgomery Zoo. Activities included storing Christmas decorations, raking and bagging leaves, laying mulch, and cleaning the display cabinets and floors of the Mann Wildlife Museum. The zoo personnel commented that we were one of the most fun and hardworking volunteer groups they have worked with! We appreciate these students and staff who spread ACA’s serving spirit wherever they go.

M A S Montgomery Christian Girls Invited to GEMS Event

On February 25, Montgomery Christian School girls in grades four and five attended Alabama Department of Education’s GEMS event. GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) was held at Alabama Nature Center-Lanark, where the girls got to see other schools’ science projects, heard from Miss Alabama Lauren Bradford, took part in a nature hike to the aquatic roundup and saw a live animal presentation.

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Montgomery Academy Appoints New Middle School Director

The Montgomery Academy has appointed Katie Lavelle as Middle School Director, effective July 1. Lavelle’s appointment was the result of a national search that took into consideration input from The Montgomery Academy school community including students, parents and faculty. Lavelle currently serves as the seventh-grade dean and a seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland, where she has served for the past nine years. Prior to her position at Holton-Arms, Lavelle taught math and served as a Technology Integration Specialist at the Westminster Schools of Atlanta for eight years, where she was the recipient of the Alumni Fellow Award for Distinguished Teaching and the William A. Parker Award for Exceptional Service. Before shifting careers into the world of education, Lavelle was an accountant for Ernst & Young. She holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Georgia. “I’m thrilled to have Katie Lavelle join our senior leadership team at MA,” said Head of School John McWilliams. “She brings tremendous experience as an educator and a school leader at several outstanding independent schools across the country. She has demonstrated a passion for working with middle schoolers, and I look forward to seeing how she will build on the excellent work that continues to be done by our dedicated faculty, staff and administrators in the Middle School at MA.” Lavelle added, “I am so excited to be joining The Montgomery Academy community! Throughout this entire process, I was impressed by everyone I met: the faculty, parents, administrators and students. The warmth, sense of community, commitment to excellence, and student focus was evident in every interaction I had.” 29

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Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Students Perform at Alabama Vocal Association All-State Choral Festival

Eastwood Gives Strong Performances at Boykin Piano Festival

Eastwood Christian School students Sarah Stephens, Nini Hodges and Caroline MacLeod participated in the Boykin Piano Festival, which took place at BTW Magnet High School February 12. All three students received double “O” ratings (OUTSTANDING) for performance and theory, which is the top score. They each performed two memorized pieces with contrasting styles. The theory component consisted of playing the scale and cadence in the key signature for each piece. Stephens was also chosen as an Honor Student, which allowed her to play in the Boykin Honor Recital February 13 at Dalraida Baptist Church. She was one of 21 students chosen for the Honor Recital. Around 225 piano students from Montgomery and the surrounding area competed in the Boykin Piano Festival this year.

River Region Parents I April 2022

During the weekend of March 11-13, seven Saint James choral students attended the Alabama Vocal Association All-State Choral Festival at the BJCC in Birmingham. The All-State Choral Festival is a three-day event that culminates in a professionally recorded concert. The Festival is an opportunity for students with outstanding ability and initiative to receive public recognition, to sing under the direction of nationally recognized choral clinicians, and to perform choral literature of the highest quality. Saint James students who attended were as follows: seniors Emily Headley and Hamilton Cunningham, junior Anna Dickey, sophomores Austin Oh and T.J. Vance, freshman Nicole Jung and seventh-grader Abigail Roark. The students had fun working in rehearsals with amazing conductors, attending and performing in wonderful concerts, and even had time for some fun at places like Cheesecake Factory at the Summit, Davenport’s Pizza Palace in Mountain Brook, Dave and Buster’s at the Galleria, and a late-night cookie party in the hotel. Saint James choral students work under the direction of Dr. Sallye York.

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JD Retires Jersey of Alum, WNBA player Jasmine Walker

Jeff Davis High welcomed back former Lady Volunteer and current WNBA player Jasmine Walker for a jersey retirement celebration at the school. Walker led JD to state championships in 2015 and 2016; was named the 2016 Gatorade State Player of the Year and the 2016 USA Today Alabama Player of the Year; and was the first MPS student ever to be named Alabama Miss Basketball. She went on to lead the University of Alabama to its first NCAA tournament berth in 22 years. In 2021, she was drafted in the first round by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Trinity French Students Visit Birmingham’s Chez Fonfon

Trinity Presbyterian School students in Madame’s French IV class experienced quite a field trip recently. The students went to Birmingham to dine at Chez Fonfon and enjoyed an incredible lunch of Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame, poulet rouge, and more. And if the day couldn’t get any better, James Beard award-winning chef and owner of Chez Fonfon, Frank Stitt, visited each table, explaining how his time in Paris influenced his cooking. Stitt and Madame conversed (in French, of course) about Paris, French foods and favorite sites.

Please send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

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Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Academy Physics Students Hold Energy Convention

Led by Melissa Stefos, ninth-grade Montgomery Academy physics students learned about Newton’s Laws, Momentum and Energy this semester. Groups assigned energy sectors and tasked with creating companies in that particular industry. Students created posters, models and flyers to distribute at an “Energy Convention,” describing their company’s history, why their company is involved in this energy sector, and why we need their type of energy. At the “Energy Convention,” prospective clients and investors (eighthgraders) voted which company from each energy sector they want to partner or invest with. This project included some cross cutting concepts, too: marketing, research, finance, history, economics (local & global), and environmental impact. These were the winning companies: 1st: “Blinky” Nuclear Energy: Anna Stevenson and Elizabeth Anne Parsons; 2nd: “Potamoi” Hydropower: Lexie Gray and Olivia Smith (shown); and 3rd: “Geotricity” Geothermal Energy: Ella Chancellor, Sam Perry and DJ Vinson.

River Region Parents I April 2022

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STJ Students Win VAAP District 2 Art Exhibition

Several Saint James high school students placed at the District 2 Visual Art Achievement Program (VAAP)Exhibition. Alice Chen’s drawing, Ann, was chosen as a wild card and will move onto the State Visual Art Achievement Program for a second round of judging at the state level. In the Drawing category, Natalie Magee placed second with her drawing, Famine. In the Painting category, Aroa Jung placed second with her painting, New Shoes. For Photography/Digital Media/Film/New Media, Cole Williams placed third with his piece entitled Crown of Decay. In the 3D/Crafts category, Luke Beasley placed second with his piece, Monster Energy. The students’ artwork hung in a gallery in Troy until mid-March. Above from left are Alice Chen, Aroa Jung, Cole Williams, Natalie Magee and Luke Beasley.

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e EaglFITT Fearless in Temple Training

“For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” ~ I Corinthians 3:17

ACA Starts New Schoolwide Program

Alabama Christian Academy has launched a new program called Eagle FITT. Eagle FITT stands for Eagles Fearless in Temple Training. At ACA we want to invest in each student holistically: we want to develop you in mind, body and spirit. We are taking a special interest in all these areas but with this program we are really focused on clubs and classes to help you learn how to take care of your body in the correct way. To really get this program going, Coach Dockins, director of Eagle FITT, and Coach Guice, director of Student Life, have planned an event, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, to help promote our program and engage all the students, faculty and staff in this new program. This 5K event will be hosted on April 30 on ACA’s campus and will be open to all the community. We want all our students, faculty and staff to participate. We will also have a 1 Mile Fun Run for Lower School students.

Macon East Academy Athletes Chosen for AISA All-Star Game

The Alabama Independent School Association East vs. West senior all-star basketball game was held February 18 at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex. Representing Macon East on the East boys’ team were Tyler Daniels and Maurice Poole, and Maddie Ross was selected to the East girls’ team. Each of these outstanding athletes enjoyed some practice with their opponents from other AISA schools and the opportunity to get to know the other athletes as members of the same team. It was a fun night of great basketball, and the East girls’ team was victorious in the girls’ game. Daniels was also selected as MVP for the East team. Hendley Culpepper represented MEA as a member of the East cheerleading squad.

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Montgomery County Schools

Lanier Student-Athlete Wins Bryant-Jordan Scholarship

Trinity Students Perform Newsies

More than 100 high school students at Trinity Presbyterian School made up the cast and crew of the spectacular play Newsies! The spring musical was performed for three nights with audiences filled with parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches and friends.

Lanier High student-athlete Ja’Quarius Harris has been awarded the Bryant-Jordan Scholarship for the region in 6A sports. He will be honored at the state award banquet in Birmingham on April 11. The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program was created by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame along with the Alabama High School Athletic Association.

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Alabama Nature Center Visits School at Sylvan

The Alabama Nature Center’s Nature on Wheels visited The School at Sylvan recently. Middle-schoolers participated in an interactive, in-school field trip about reptiles and amphibians of Alabama and were able to experience live animal encounters. This supported their unit of study on characteristic animal behaviors.

GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR ME

Evangel Christian Academy Encouraging each child to achieve their God-given potential

AISA Blue Ribbon School “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11

STJ Summer Camps Enrolling Students

Saint James School offers a number of summer opportunities for the children of the River Region. From Sports Camps to Camp STJ, students can find activities and experiences for the summer months. Camp STJ is a childcare option for parents with a limited number of slots available to the wider Montgomery community. It is for children entering K3 through 5th grades. STJ Sports Camps are available throughout the summer. Offered by Saint James coaches, the camps work on skills for the various sports. Camps are divided by age groups. For girls, Saint James offers camps for basketball May 31-June 3; soccer June 14-16; softball June 20-23; volleyball July 5-7; and cheer July 25-27. For boys, camps offered will be baseball June 6-9; basketball June 13-16; wrestling June 20-22; and football July 25-27. For more information about all of these camps, the age groups served, and registration, please visit stjmontgomery. org/admissions/summer-camps.

3975 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL 36106 ecalions.org 334-272-3882

Accredited: ACTS, AISA, SACS, Advanced ED, NCPSA

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Montgomery County Schools

Forest Avenue Student Named Gymnastics Region Champion

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet thirdgrader Nathan Jang took part in the State Gymnastics Championship in Huntsville and was named the 2022 Region 4 state champion, a regional qualifier and an Academic All-American. He will take part in the Region 8 Championship in Florida in April.

ACA Sophomore Service Day at MANE

Nineteen members of the Alabama Christian Academy sophomore class helped out MANE (Mongomery Area Non-Traditional Equestrians) on their service day. They removed old fencing line and replaced it with new around several pastures, pruned and weeded three separate rose gardens, picked up cartloads of branches, raked and leveled the small arena, and even scooped horse manure from an outdoor stall. They dnded the day grooming a few horses and taking pictures. The students worked hard for almost four hours and accomplished a lot for MANE.

BTW Students Have Artwork Selected for Exhibition

Amir Robinson and Zion Easterling of Booker T. Washington Magnet High had their artwork selected for the @WeCreateChangeAL Art Exhibition at Alabama State University’s Tullibody Gallery. The goal of the exhibition was for Alabama artists to unite to build awareness, organize community and instigate social and political change, in celebration of Black History Month. It was presented by 21 Dreams Arts & Culture in collaboration with The King’s Canvas and The Creative Xtremist. These two young men were at the opening reception, and on the following day they showed up to be interviewed for an Alabama Arts Alliance video for Arts Education Month.

Montgomery Academy Group Collects Books for Valiant Cross

During February, the Robin Goodfellow Chapter of the National English Honor Society conducted a book drive to help Valiant Cross Academy bolster its middle and high school libraries. Hundreds of books were donated— by far the most successful book drive Montgomery Academy’s English Honor Society has ever sponsored. Key to its success were the efforts of Society President Mary Evelyn McLemore. McLemore worked with Society members, MA students, and Valiant Cross Academy administration in planning and conducting the book drive. Many thanks to Connie Johnson and H.E.A.R.T., as well as the English Honor Society leadership and membership in helping make this year’s drive a tremendous success. River Region Parents I April 2022

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for patient care that requires less patience. In order to be truly helpful to you, healthcare has to be convenient and accessible. That’s why, at Jackson Hospital and Clinic, we offer services designed around your life. Like one-number scheduling for all of our primary care offices, telehealth appointments and JacksonCONNECT, which lets you access your health history, test results and much more anytime. Plus, as we continue to add more primary care locations, getting the care you need will just keep getting easier.

YOUR HOME FOR HEALTH

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Montgomery County Schools

ECA Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

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what we treat Minor Illnesses and Injuries Such as: Fever Allergies Cough and Colds Sprains and Strains Vomiting Sore Throat And Other Non-life-threatening Injuries

Evangel Christian Academy’s elementary students had a whimsical week celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday and Read Across America. Students enjoyed several special dress-up days that centered around Dr. Seuss books. The students wore crazy socks for Fox in Socks and green shirts for Green Eggs and Ham. On Wacky Wednesday the students came to school in wacky outfits and hairstyles. They also had a special Cat in the Hat Day in which they dressed like the famous cat, the “Things” or wearing a silly hat. To culminate the special week, the students came to school dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

Join the 10th Anniversary of Art Splash

Art in the Garden Extravaganza Thursday, May 12 1919 Hull Street, Montgomery Art Splash has become a premier event for our city when individual and corporate sponsors come together to support more than 25 of the River Region’s finest artists and to raise scholarships for students at Montgomery Christian School. This year’s event will include an afternoon Garden Preview Event ($25), an evening Sponsor Preview Party and a Virtual Auction. Montgomery Christian School provides an academically challenging education in a Christian environment to families with limited school choice. For more info or to become a sponsor, please call (334) 386-1749 or visit www. MontgomeryChristianSchool.org.

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Open Late and on Weekends WEEKDAYS 2pm-10pm WEEKENDS 8am-6pm www.childrensurgent.com (334) 530-6361 River Region Parents I April 2022

Celebrating Read Across America

Macon East Academy Kindergarten students enjoyed reading books written by Dr. Seuss including Bartholomew and the Oobleck. After reading the story, students made their own Oobleck. It was lots of green, sticky fun! They also enjoyed having a “Dr. Seuss” snack which included green eggs and ham, Cat in the Hat cheese sticks, and colored goldfish. 38

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Spring is here, and with the beauty of the blossoms comes the final stretch of the school year. The Pike Road School System has been busy keeping things

going and growing. The Pike Road Board of Education hired Dr. Keith Lankford to serve as the next superintendent of Pike Road Schools. Dr. Lankford is an experienced superintendent who will lead Pike Road to continue to grow and improve. The process of building a high school is continuing with planning, land purchase, and design taking place currently. The new Pike Road

River Region Parents I April 2022

High School will provide classroom space that will allow a reconfiguration of grade levels at all campuses to allow room for growth across the board. As I look back on the last five years that I have had the honor of serving as Pike Road’s school superintendent, I am amazed at the accomplishments of the Pike Road Schools family. We have grown from 1400 students to 2700 students, from one campus to three campuses, offered high quality programs to serve every child in academics, arts, and athletics, and accomplished it all through the efforts of the finest educators in the River Region. Pike Road will continue to grow and attract families who value education and are committed to offering their children every opportunity for success. The results of that work ethic will continue to be

evidenced by championship programs in academics through competitions and scholarships, by championship results in our performing and visual arts programs, and through championships in play through our athletic programs. I look forward to seeing Pike Road graduates take their ability to think, innovate, and create into this ever changing world and make the future brighter through their abilities. Go Patriots!

Chuck Ledbetter has been an educator for 30 years. He earned a B.A. in history from Auburn University; a Masters of Education in history from AUM; and a doctorate in educational leadership from Auburn University. Ledbetter was a history teacher for 11 years, an assistant principal, a middle school principal, a high school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and for finance, and is in his 11th year as a superintendent. He is married to Kim and has three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.

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EXPERIENCE

MORE!

Macon East is MORE than a school. Learn MORE, Participate MORE, Become MORE!

Macon East Academy

15396 Vaughn Road ◆ Cecil, AL 36013 MaCONEast.NEt ◆ 334.277.6566 41

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Dr. Keith Lankford Named Third Superintendent of Pike Road Schools

Dr. Keith Lankford has been named the third superintendent of Pike Road Schools. At a called board meeting on March 15, the Pike Road Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Lankford. The Board chose him after an extensive search for candidates that began in January, when Dr. Chuck Ledbetter announced his intent to leave the school system. Most stakeholders wanted someone with experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Areas of expertise include Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Organizational Leadership, and Leading Innovation in Education. “Pike Road is a place where the community is engaged in their schools,” Lankford said. “The school system is a major reason people move to Pike Road. I am excited to partner with parents, students, educators and community members to continue to grow Pike Road Schools into one of the top systems in the state.” Lankford is a graduate of Enterprise High School and spent several years in the Army and the National Guard. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Troy, his education specialist degree from Jacksonville State, and his doctorate from the University of Alabama. He has worked at almost every level in education, from paraprofessional to six years as superintendent. Lankford has been married to his wife, Cathy, for 32 years and they have two adult children. Colten recently earned his Ph.D. and works in molecular medicine, while Kara is a recent graduate of the UAB School of dentistry. “My wife and I are excited to become the newest members of the Pike Road Community.” he said. “It is truly an honor, and I’m ready to serve.” Lankford is working with his current school system to determine when he will transition to his new role at Pike Road Schools. Pike Road’s current superintendent, Dr. Ledbetter, plans to lead Pike Road until the end of May.

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P N PRIS Fifth-Graders Study U.S. Constitution

Mr. Phillips’ fifth-grade learners at Pike Road Intermediate crafted the U.S. Constitution. Each learner was a different delegate at the Constitutional Convention, and they were able to debate what each state wanted in the new constitution. River Region Parents I April 2022

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Macon East Academy Volleyball Standouts Sign with Southern Union

Macon East Academy seniors Maddie Ross and Savannah Sharpe both accepted scholarships to continue their volleyball careers at Southern Union Community College in a signing ceremony held at the school recently. They both helped lead the Lady Knights to a Class AAA runner-up finish in the state volleyball tournament this past season. Ross is an outside hitter and has played with the Lady Knights team the past four years, including the state championship team in 2018. She has played in two state championship finals and been a part of two final four teams. She finished the season with 201 kills and 125 digs. Sharpe has only been on the team for one year, but prior to this season she was a part of three state championships and a national championship. She finished the 2021 season with 600 assists.

PRHS Senior Receives Nat’l Merit Recognition

Pike Road High School senior Beth Stengel has been named a National Merit Finalist! She is among less than 1% of seniors in the United States who have received this prestigious distinction. 43

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PRHS Softball Player Makes Top of the List

Pike Road High School student Haley Melton made the top 22 in 2022 list. She is definitely off to a great start this season and is a key piece in the building of our Patriot softball program.

Pike Road Intermediate Faculty Member Wins State Mentor Award

Catherine Kenny, a gifted education specialist at Pike Road Intermediate, has received the VEX Robotics Mentor of the Year for the State of Alabama award.

Pike Road Custodian Named Finalist in Cintas Competition

Gerald Carter has been named a finalist for the Custodian of The Year Award from Cintas! Carter is a valued member of the Pike Road Elementary School community. He’s recognized for going above and beyond for students and staff day-in and day-out. For example, he will attend students’ events outside of the school day to show his support for them and he even remembers their birthdays. When teachers request assistance, he’s right there to jump in and help with whatever is needed, like getting a band-aid for a crying student. Carter does the dirtiest jobs without ever complaining and always has a smile on his face. Visit www.custodianoftheyear.com/ cast-your-votes-now-cintas-reveals-top10-finalists-in-nationwide-2022-custodianof-the-year-contest/. River Region Parents I April 2022

Mayor Stone Visits Pike Road Pre-K

Pre-K had a special visitor to kick off Read Across America Week. Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone came and read to the Pre-K learners. They were so excited to meet the mayor!

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MEA Alum Chosen for Special Honor at Auburn Macon East Academy alum Jake Wyrosdick has been chosen as a War Eagle Plainsmen for 2022 - 2023 at Auburn University! The War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen are charged with the duty and honor of representing Auburn University students to faculty, administrators, and the community.

Local Doctor Visits PRIS Students for Eye Unit

Dr. Chelsea Ward paid a visit to Pike Road Intermediate’s 4th-grade learners to perform an eyeball dissection! They also got to use their creativity to construct eyeball projects.

Send Your School News by the 15th of each month to: editor@ riverregionparents.com.

Pike Road High Tennis Team Starts Strong The Lady Patriots Tennis team won 9-0 against Carroll of Ozark.

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Autauga County Schools

Billingsley Teachers Receive CAEC Grants

Three Billingsley School teachers are recipients of Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s Bright Ideas Grant for 2022. Abby Loudermilk received a grant to help purchase supplies that will allow students to work on academic and vocational skills, helping them prepare for the transition from high school to employment. The funds awarded to Logan Strock will be used for the development of a poultry program at the school. Tammy Tindol received funds that will be used to construct a sensory garden for its educational and therapeutic benefits.

PCA’s Competitive Cheer Team Travels to Orlando

Prattville Honor Student Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders

Julia Griffin, a sophomore at Prattville High School, wss a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders March 26-27. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal. Griffin’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Prattville High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine. During the two-day Congress, Griffin joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; was given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witnessed stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; was inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learned about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology.

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PCA Senior Named National Merit Finalist

The Prattville Junior High golf team is in full swing. These Lady Cats have represented our school so well and have learned a skill that will be a lifelong hobby!

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Prattville Christian Academy’s competitive cheer team recently competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. As a new competition team, the Panthers achieved their goal of advancing to the semi-final round, placing second with zero deductions, but ultimately fell short of the finals by 0.7 of a point.

Pike Road Junior High Golf Team in Full Swing

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Prattville Christian Academy senior Maddie Jeffery advances as PCA’s first National Merit Finalist. She was one of 15,000 high school seniors nationwide to move forward in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. She will now compete for approximately 7,500 scholarships worth more than $30 million and the title of Merit Scholar.

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Autauga County Expands Technology Center

The expansion of the Autauga County Technology Center (ACTC) will be a big asset because it will offer students more opportunities for dual enrollment in preparation for high-tech careers, Autauga County School Superintendent Timothy Tidmore said at the groundbreaking for the center. A large crowd of city, county, community and ACTC officials participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the 18,290-squarefoot expansion and the community open house that followed. There was also a Career Day for students at the center. Career Day featured a variety of exhibitors, made up of local industries and businesses. These organizations highlighted company information and shared relevant skill sets for their career paths to the students. Tidmore said the ACTC expansion will go hand-in-hand with more opportunities for dual enrollment at the new Central Alabama Community College located at 1320 Old Ridge Road in Prattville. The site was previously East Memorial Christian Academy. The Prattville Chamber hosted the groundbreaking in celebration of the expansion project for the ACTC, located at 1301 Upper Kingston Road in Prattville. This expansion project will create four new shops to be used for the ACTC’s fire science, engineering, welding and automotive programs. It is expected to be completed in about a year. Thirteen Career Tech Programs are now offered including agriconstruction, automotive, business management, cosmetology, education and training, electrical, engineering, family and consumer sciences, finance, fire science, health science, information technology, and welding. (Courtesy of Elmore Autauga News)

Pine Level Purchases Art Kits

This year, Pine Level Elementary was fortunate enough to purchase art kits for all of our K-5 students. Teachers lead the students one day a month through an art activity tapping into the creative part of their brains. The students love this day with an opportunity to express themselves through the arts. 47

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Prattville’s Taylor Gloystein Named National Merit Finalist

Taylor Gloystein, a senior at Prattville High School, has been named a National Merit Finalist. Gloystein is the goalie for the Prattville High School Lady Lions Soccer Team and a six-year letterman. She has played soccer for 12 years. She is also very active at school – president of Science Olympiad, president of the Junior Civitans and a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Students. Gloystein is a very strong student and scored a 1560 on the SAT with a perfect score on the math section. She also made a 35 on the ACT. She is looking at schools like Baylor, Clemson and Auburn. She spent time this summer at a Biomedical Engineering Camp at Clemson where she sutured pig hearts. Gloystein plans to major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in mathematics. She wants to be a trauma surgeon.

Local Church Helps Prattville Intermediate

Members of Glynwood Baptist Church stopped by Prattville Intermediate School for a little community service. Great job, guys!

‘Taco Twosday’ at PJHS

The Parents of Prattville Junior High treated the staff to a Taco Twosday on 2-22-22. We are grateful for the scores of parents who sponsored a lunch for our teachers and who support us on a consistent basis. Partnerships matter, and our parents are the best

Please send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

Family Movie Night at Prattville Intermediate School

PI Day at Prattville Junior High School

One of our favorite days at Prattville Junior High is Pi Day, which is celebrated in a big fashion on the 8th-grade hallway. Students were able to taste test lots of types of “pie” and were able to give random facts about the need for pi and how it affects our everyday lives. Math really is important....and can be lots of fun! River Region Parents I April 2022

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Pine Level Counselor Teaches Friendship

Mrs. Ellender, 3rd-5th grade counselor at Pine Level Elementary, is teaching a lesson on Friendship. The lesson focuses on the students synergizing to solve a problem in the form of a breakout room game. The students must kindly work together, problem solve, and strategize to break out and win the game. Gunner, one of Pine Level’s facility dogs, is pictured supporting the students in their efforts.

Pine Level Participates in Marbury Festival

Pine Level Elementary School participated in the Marbury Fine Arts Festival February 24. Each grade level participated by completing different art projects, including an art enrichment class. Many pieces were displayed at Boones Chapel.

PCA Senior Receives Bryant-Jordan Award

Prattville Christian Academy senior Caroline Schumpert was recently honored with the regional scholarship for The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Achievement Award, selected for her outstanding perseverance in the face of adversity. After discovering she was deaf following her international adoption from China, Schumpert began the long road of tackling the challenges presented by therapy and schooling as she learned how to hear, read and communicate with bilateral cochlear implants. 49

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The widelyreported teacher shortage has had a significant impact on Elmore County Schools. While educator staffing has been an ongoing struggle across the state, shortages have worsened in certain areas. Openings for special education teachers are the most difficult positions to fill, followed closely by secondary teachers. Another contributing factor is the declining number of college students seeking education degrees. In order to address teacher shortages in Elmore County, we assembled a Teacher Retention Task Force composed of a teacher representative from each school. The Task Force, facilitated by Human Resources Director Susanne Goodin, has met X times since the beginning of the school year. The purpose of the Task Force is to examine the reasons teachers are leaving, or contemplating leaving, the profession and what we can

do to encourage them to continue teaching in Elmore County. One of the activities conducted by the Task Force was to develop a survey to gather input from all certified staff in the district. The survey was sent out to each school’s faculty by the Task Force member at that school. All survey responses were anonymous, and the survey data was analyzed by the Task Force members. Meetings were recently held in which the Task Force presented a summary of the survey data to school administrators in grade band groups (elementary, middle, high schools) as well as Central Office administrators. The survey data revealed specific areas of concern that were common among all three grade bands along with some positive feedback as well. The overarching theme was the need for more and better communication between administrators and teachers. Teachers are interested in the “why?” behind the tasks they are asked to perform, whether instructional or noninstructional. We are taking steps to provide a way for teachers and other employees to ask questions which we

will compile into a type of “Frequently Asked Questions” document that will be available to all staff. Other concerns will be evaluated and discussed for possible changes in the near future. While there are some things we cannot change because they are required by state or federal law, there are others that can be evaluated and changed or removed altogether. Research shows that compared to any other aspect of schooling, teachers have the greatest impact on student achievement. It is in the best interests of our students to keep our teachers in the classroom and remove or reduce barriers to their ability to focus on providing high-quality instruction. Our teachers are at the heart of our purpose: Every Student Empowered ~ Every Student Succeeds! Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.

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Elmore County Schools

Stanhope Senior Receives Bowling Scholarship

Meghan Best, a senior at Stanhope Elmore High School, signed a letter of intent to Emmanuel College recently to continue in her sport at college. Best signed with Emmanuel College of Franklin Springs, Georgia, during a ceremony at the SEHS library. Once in school she will continue competing, but on the NCAA level with a scholarship. In college she wants to study business and accounting and hopes to own her own business one day. She is the daughter of Darlene and Johnny Best. Her grandfather, David Russell, was there to help her celebrate as well as her brother Ryan Best, who also bowls and is in the eighth grade at Millbrook Middle. Best began with the bowling team in seventh grade at MMS and said, “This is a big honor, and it empowers me to do better.” THE SEHS Bowling Team had an excellent year, taking first place in Regionals and placing second statewide. From left are Darlene Best, Meghan Best, Johnny Best and grandfather David Russell. ((photo and material for article courtesy of Elmore Autauga News))

Elmore County Tech Center HOSA Chapter Competes at State Level

The Elmore County Technical Center HOSA chapter (future medical professionals) took a large group of competitors to the State Leadership Conference in February, and several students progressed to the International Leadership Conference competitions in Nashville in June. The team of Kayleigh, Morgan, Chase, Taylor and Kennedy placed second in the Public Service Announcement category, and Shemai’ya placed third in the Research Poster competition and earned a $500 scholarship.

Send Your School News to: editor@riverregionparents.com.

Eighth Graders Enjoy Career Discovery at Eclectic Middle

Eighth-graders at Eclectic Middle School explored careers in the Central Alabama region during February with their counselor and career coach. They also had a chance to learn more about manufacturing thanks to a Made in Region 5 resource box that included items made by industries in our area.

Holtville Senior Earns National Merit Finalist Status

Holtville High School has a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Richard “Richie” Burleson, Jr. has moved through the prestigious scholarship process to join the top 1% of high school seniors in the country. The scholarship process began during his junior year when he sat for the PSAT which is the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Burleson is now one of 1,500 students across the country to be chosen as a National Merit Finalist. The rigorous application process includes the students’ academic record, demonstration of leadership, participation in school and community activities, employment, honors, and awards. Burleson is also a leader at the school in band and theater. He earned a perfect score on the ACT and was also awarded the prestigious level of Eagle Scout this summer. Burleson has narrowed his college choices to the University of Alabama and Auburn University, where he will pursue a degree in Engineering. “My planned major is mechanical engineering, but I am also interested in aerospace engineering and business administration.” 51

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Elmore County Schools

The Edge Virtual School Offers Non-traditional Option

Cindy Hines, principal of the Edge Virtual School in Wetumpka, said she never dreamed the Edge would grow into what it is today. “In the beginning, the Edge was a program for kids grades 3-12 that needed virtual learning,” she explained. “We worked with the base schools to provide a service for kids to fulfill students’ individual academic needs. Today we have grown into a Cognia accredited, free public school that provides a flexible learning platform tailored to the individual needs of each student. Whether a student works, has health issues, or simply wants to get ahead, the Edge offers a unique opportunity that is on the cutting edge of today’s educational experience. Our school is ideal for students who are self-motivated, disciplined, and passionate about learning. “Due to increased interest in virtual learning, we were happy to be able to add kindergarten-2nd grade for the current school year. We were excited to be able to add our elementary teachers and the interactive, engaging Zoom lessons they provide. “We were also able to grow our existing staff of highly qualified secondary teachers to include highly qualified elementary teachers. Secondary teachers also hold daily Zoom sessions to provide more one-on-one support for students.” For more information about the Edge, please visit theedgeelmoreal. schoolinsites.com or call (334) 514-3931.

Elmore County Hosts Tech Center Ribbon-Cutting The Elmore County Technical Center hosted its official ribbon-cutting ceremony March 15 for the new wing on campus that houses eight programs: aviation, public safety & law, medical sciences, welding, HVAC, electrical, building construction, & plumbing & pipefitting.

Biography Museum Brings History to Life at WES

Payton Robertson, 2nd-grade teacher at Wetumpka Elementary, hosted a live Biography Museum February 25. In attendance were other classes from the school, parents, grandparents, siblings, counselors, WES Principal Gigi Hankins and Speech Language Pathologist Kelley Fuller. The students dressed as a famous person in history and wrote a biography essay about that person. The students also made posters, had a speech prepared, and made astonishing costumes at home to present during the museum. Students learned about the early life, family, hardships, importance and impact of the person they selected. They took this research to the next step by completing their live biographies. In order for this project to work, students created posters that served as a backdrop. On the posters there were pictures, facts and important information. ((photo and material for article courtesy of Elmore Autauga News))

Tech Center Seniors Land Welding Jobs at Local Business

Two Elmore County High School seniors have utilized their skills learned in the Elmore County Technical Center’s welding program to land part-time jobs at local manufacturer MADIX where they perform welding tasks on the assembly floor.

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What Your Kids Are Missing If They Don’t Have Social Media

“Will my kids miss out if I do not give them social media?” I get this question at almost every one of my conferences. As parents, it is heartbreaking to think of our children being left behind. The struggle of fitting in seems to start earlier and earlier. By the end of elementary school groups are forming, certain friend circles are established, then middle school hits. Identity formation begins. Teens begin looking for friend groups to identify with. Fitting in, being seen, and feeling as if they are a part of something becomes paramount. Research tells us this desire to connect and be a part of friend groups leads to many social media fueled missteps. Devices, apps and social media platforms provide grossly under monitored, unfiltered access for tweens and teens to reach out for acceptance when they cannot meet their needs within their own immediate friend groups. Teens use the platforms to connect with one another. Why? Because it FEELS easier. A few filtered pictures, attention grabbing videos, and comments that can be made in less than 10 seconds can provide a sense of fitting in. Especially when face to face conversations still feel so hard and sticky. The response that is received on videos, pictures, and under comments can be either hurtful or uplifting. Either way, it begs the teen to return to chase the fleeting feeling of being seen and heard. And with 90 percent of kids over the age of eight… yes eight…having access to a device or social media platform, this way of connecting has become their way of life. However, it is wrought with problems. So back to our original question. What are your kids missing out on if they do not have social media? Will they be left out? The incredibly short and hard answer to accept is yes. With 90 percent of children sitting in this space, unless as parents we River Region Parents I April 2022

come together and collectively decide as one that our youth simply will not have access until a certain age, this is the reality that our children are facing. They will miss out on Snapchat conversations between friends. They will miss out on knowing where their friends are and what they are doing. They will miss out on parties and get togethers. Some kids will miss out on conversations between teammates if they are on a team that encourages social media as a way to communicate. Now, let’s look at the other side of what they are missing out on if they don’t have access to social media. They will be missing out on pornography access. Instagram drama between friends. Ridiculous and sometimes dangerous Tik Tok trends. Predator access. Addictive gaming behaviors. Body image issues. Cyberbullying. Tech addictions. False connectivity. Ghosting. Access to platforms that rob our children’s innocence. So it begs the question…is it worth it? I am not naive enough to think that teens will, or should never, have access. This does not serve them either. But allowing our young children and teens untethered access does not serve them. It DOES rob them of a childhood. It does force them into a situation where the body and mind have to dance between the intrinsic desires to be a kid, and the forced idea that they should be a part of an incredibly adult space…because everyone else is. So where is the balance? Do we let them feel the pain of being left out or do 54

we allow access that can truly strip their childhood away from them, something that is so precious and that they are truly entitled to. They have but one chance to be little. To be innocent. To feel the freedom and wonder that comes with this innocence. Shouldn’t we protect that as long as we can? After doing this for many years, I feel a certain way about our youth and protecting the space they are in. To me, being left out feels like such a small price to pay to shield them from all of the adult spaces they will have to navigate the rest of their lives. How amazing would it be if all parents felt the same way? What if we come together and say NO MORE. Our kids are worth it. Their sweet, precious, care-free childhood hopes and dreams are worth a few missed conversations. A few skipped parties. What if we, as parents, made it so incredibly uncool to allow social media to rob them of that time? Maybe, just maybe, they really would not be missing out at all. Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.

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Imagine spending all this time and energy raising your kids, and then when you send them off to college someday, you still have to call to wake them up every morning to make sure they get to class on time. Sounds shocking, right? When I was in college 20 years ago, I can recall going multiple days, maybe even up to a couple of weeks, without communicating with my parents. Sure, this was before cell phones, text messaging, and Facebook, but it just wasn’t necessary to talk to my parents that often. They gave me plenty of freedom to live my own life and to explore and grow during those incredible years as I blossomed into an independent adult. Somehow, I figured out how to register for classes, study, eat, do laundry, meet new friends, get over breakups, and handle bad grades all on my own. River Region Parents I April 2022

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Nowadays high school graduates enter college as children, incapable of taking care of themselves. According to Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How To Raise An Adult, overparenting and prolonged childhood are an epidemic in this country. As the Dean of Freshman at Stanford University for 10 years, (one of best universities in the world), Julie Lythcott-Haims witnessed firsthand some disturbing trends of college students. Although they were more successful on paper than ever before, with pages of accolades like awards, high test scores, leadership roles, varsity letters, overseas experiences, unique community service projects, etc., these students were also less familiar with who they were, and their own goals and dreams. So many of them appeared to be robot-like, blindly following the directions of their parents to participate in certain activities and take classes that would land them acceptance letters from the finest institutions possible. She also noticed that these kids couldn’t do much for themselves, and still relied on mom and dad to help them. They were constantly on the phone with their parents asking for advice, and requesting that they take care of basic tasks like registering them for classes, sending them special packages, advising them on their homework, and even contacting professors if they did not receive the perfect grade. How on earth will these young adults ever hold a job and function in the real world if they can’t take care of themselves during college? We hear a lot about how millennials are difficult to work with in the job market—self-entitled, narcissistic, lazy, and tough to manage. Lythcott-Haims makes it very clear: we have no one to blame but ourselves. The patterns that lead to this detrimental behavior start right now, even if your kids are in kindergarten. Are you one of these types of parents?

Children born into all kinds of circumstances have dreams and dreams are powerful. WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

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• Over protective. You view the world as unsafe, scary, and unpredictable so you do everything possible to protect your children instead of preparing them to learn how to handle life’s challenges themselves. • Tiger parent. You provide fierce direction to your kid, telling them that you know what’s best for them to achieve success in this world. • Excessive hand holder. You do everything for your kids to make life as pleasant as possible for them. You are their concierge, chauffeur, handler, scheduler, and secretary. 57

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These helicopter parenting styles are impeding our children. So many parents today feel like their kids can’t be successful without them helping at everyone turn and hovering over them. They spend so much time planning, protecting, directing, and nagging that they are ultimately stunting their growth. We are taking away the ability for our children to learn selfefficacy, says LythcottHaims. This incredibly important skill is a fundamental aspect of the human psyche. It is when individuals realize that their own actions lead to outcomes, that they have the power to direct their own lives. “If our children are to build self-efficacy, then they need to do more of the thinking, planning, deciding, hoping, coping, trial and error, dreaming, and experiencing life for themselves. We may ensure some short-term goals by over helping, but it comes as a long-term cost to their sense of self. We should be more concerned that they have the habits, skillset, mindset, and wellness to be successful no matter what their future holds,” she announces. This is worrisome because we all want our children to be able to function without us, to fulfill their dreams and live happy, healthy, successful lives. Listening to her presentation really opened my eyes. So, how can we stop doing everything for our kids? Here are some steps to get started on this whole new parenting perspective.

and 4) let them do it on their own. Wouldn’t you rather gradually teach your kids and not have to cram everything in on the way to college move-in day?!

Let Them Fend For Themselves and Learn From Mistakes

It is so important that our children learn how to speak up for themselves and communicate with authority figures and peers alike. We have to stop trying to clean up all their messes for them and protect them from failure. The only way they will grow is if they make mistakes and learn how to handle them.

Many parents try to live through their children because they are unsatisfied with their own childhood. They may even refer to their child’s grades and activities as “ours”. Learn to separate what’s yours from what’s theirs. We also have to stop trying to mold our kids into something they are not. We will all be much better off if we love our children for who they are and support them.

Teach Them New Skills

The only way our children will learn to do things for themselves is if we provide opportunities for them to learn new skills. This starts during preschool when we ask our children to dress themselves and use a fork properly. With each new year, there are so many chances to help develop their skillset. The best way to teach our kids a new skill is to: 1) do it for them, 2) do it with them, 3) watch them do it on their own,

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Even if it is totally out of your comfort zone, try to let your kids experience activities without you that will help them build self-confidence and independence. Sleepovers, all-day sports or other competitions, camping trips, and sleepaway camp are some good examples. Last summer my son went off to sleepaway camp for four weeks, and it was very difficult for me. I cried for days worrying about him. But, you know what? When I saw him on visiting day, I was blown away by how happy he was and how mature he acted. I was petrified that he would pick up bad habits and become a rotten kid, but the opposite happened—he became an even more amazing version of himself. By adjusting some of our parenting techniques now, we can better prepare our kids for a successful life ahead of them. rrp Sandi Schwartz is a freelance writer and contributes to numerous parenting publications.

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by Kimberley Carter Spivey

Although March marks the beginning of spring, April is when warmer and brighter weather usually starts. This month we’re celebrating with a vibrant dish your family can enjoy and appreciate. With the end of the school year just around the corner, we understand what that means. As a parent, your schedule becomes hectic leading into the summer, which means summer camps and a plethora of activities for your kiddos to enjoy. So an easy and quick meal is a must. If you’ve been thinking about a new dish to indulge in, we’ve got you covered. Local mom Dana Miller is sharing a simple meal that works for her family, and we hope it works for your family, too. Dana (Travel Agent for Cupcake Travel Company) was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. Her husband, Dean, a (Program Director for Jackson Wound Care), was born in San Diego and raised in Ocean Springs, MS, and moved to Montgomery in 2003. Dana and Dean have two children: Amy Lynn (16) and Madison (12). The Millers moved to Pike Road in 2007 to raise their family. Their daughters attend homeschool and community theater has been a large part of their family since 2013. Dean, Amy Lynn, and Madison were all just cast in various roles for the inaugural Pike Road Theatre Company production of Oliver. Dana prefers to stay out of the spotlight and helps behind the scenes. Traveling is something else the Millers love to do as a family. Disney World and Universal are their favorite vacation River Region Parents I April 2022

spots. If not in Orlando, you will find them relaxing in the quiet town of Mentone, Alabama. Trying different foods inspires Dana and Dean to cook. They credit their love for cooking to their mothers, as both started helping out in the kitchen at a young age. As a family, they enjoy baking together, and Dean enjoys being in the kitchen with his daughters and trying new recipes. Dana shares, “Recently, they made an apple pie, cherry pie, cheesecake, chocolate chip cookies, and French bread. All from scratch!” Since the Millers are a busy family, they prefer quick, simple, and yummy meals. Favorites like tacos, spaghetti, crockpot meals, Philly cheese sandwiches, and soups are always in their rotation. Family dinner is always special in the Miller family, and they make a point to sit together at the dinner table. It has helped them stay connected as a family as they discuss their days. 60

Cajun Chicken Pasta Ingredients 2 chicken breast cooked and shredded (I cheat and use Costco rotisserie chicken) Box of penne pasta-cooked 2 tsp Tony’s Creole Seasoning 2 tsp butter 1 tsp garlic 1/2 green bell pepper 1/2 yellow bell pepper 1/2 red bell pepper 1/2 onion 1/2 pint of heavy whipping cream A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese Mushrooms (optional)

Directions Sauté the peppers and onion in the butter. Add chicken, spices, and mushrooms (optional). Add heavy whipping cream. Cook a few minutes to thicken. Toss with the cooked pasta and sprinkle with Tony’s seasoning and parmesan cheese to taste. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread.

Kimberley Carter Spivey is a freelance writer, blogger, author, and entrepreneur. When she’s not working as an Instructional Systems Designer and copy-editor on Maxwell AFB, she’s busy freelancing, blogging, or toiling away at her next book. Her debut book Bloom: How to Get from Good Enough to a Life You Love can be purchased on Amazon and girlyouwrite.com.

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Guild Mortgage Company, Montgomery Branch: 1943 Berry Chase Place, Montgomery, AL 36117 (Branch NMLS #1566723) | Prattville Branch: 705 McQueen Smith Road South Prattville, AL 36066 (Branch NMLS #1570020. ). Guild Mortgage Company; Equal Housing Opportunity; 61 www.facebook.com/RiverRegionParents NMLS #3274 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/).

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River Region Parents I April 2022

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

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

Is the daycare licensed?

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

Is the daycare in compliance?

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

The Daycare Tour

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

• Are all areas used by or accessible to children thoroughly childproofed? • Are there safety plugs in all electrical outlets? • Are stairways securely blocked off? • Do kitchen and bathroom cabinets have child locks? • Do exterior doors have safety locks up high? • Is there a pool or hot tub in the area? If so, is it entirely fenced off with a childproof gate? • Is there a fenced outdoor play area? • Is the home or facility tidy aside from a reasonable amount of toys? • Are the bathroom and kitchen sanitary? • Is the heating or cooling set at a comfortable temperature? • Are there adequate toys and equipment for the number and ages of children? • Do cribs, playpens, and other baby equipment meet safety standards? • Is the number of children present within the daycare’s license capacity? Does the daycare also meet the appropriate ratio of caregivers to children? • Does it smell clean? Or do you smell neglected diapers or cigarette smoke? • Are the children happy and content? • Is there ample play space? • How does the staff interact with the children?

The Daycare Interview

Take this list of questions with you and

add yours as well. Childcare providers expect parents to have many questions, and a good provider will be happy to answer them. • What is the maximum number of children in your care at any time? • What are the age ranges of children in your care? • What types of activities do you do with them? • Are meals and snacks provided? If so, what do they consist of? Also, what time do the kids eat? • Can I drop in unannounced? • How do you handle discipline? • Do you ever take children in the car? If so, are there enough child seats and seat belts for each child? • Are there other members living in your home or outside staff who will care for the children? If so, who are they and what are their ages? • How are naps handled? • What is the experience or education of the daycare provider and staff? • What is your policy when a child is sick? • Can I talk to the parents of other children in your care? • Is video available so I can peek in at my child on my computer or phone? rrp

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

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36013 Macon East Academy ad on page 41

15396 Vaughn Rd. Pike Road, AL Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 2:40 p.m. Ages: 3, 4, and 5 years Meals: Hot Curriculum: High Reach/Reading & Math for 3 & 4 year, McGraw Hill Reading & Math for Kindergarten. Contact: Glynn Lot, Headmaster, (334) 277.6566 info@maconeast.net www.maconeast.net

36016 New Horizons Preschool

213 S. Madison Terrace Montgomery, AL Hours: 5:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics, Wee Learn. Contact: Cammie Thomas, Director, (334) 834.9403

36043 Hooper Childcare/Early Learning Center

360 Fisher Road Hope Hull, AL Hours: 6:45 a.m. -5:45 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 years Meals: Hot Curriculum: A Beka. Contact: Salina Guest, Director, (334) 288.2770 www.hooperacademy.org

36054 Cobblestone Learning Center

66 Penser Blvd. Millbrook, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Teacher Led Contact: Sharon Clark, Director, (334) 285.8517 www.cobblestonelearning.com

Cousin Jane’s Preschool

3080 Main Street Millbrook, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. -6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Jennifer Cousins & Jane Aplin, Directors, (334) 285.2476

36066 Journey Preschool

435 Sheila Blvd. Prattville, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 years Meals: Hot River Region Parents I April 2022

Religious Affiliation: Christian/Non-Denominational Contact: Interim Karen Davis, Director, (334) 568.1259 www.myjourneychurch.com

KinderCare Learning Center

701 Sheila Blvd. Prattville , AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Pre-School at KinderCare and Welcome to Learning Contact: Charlotte Hardy, Director, (334) 365.0470 www.kindercare.com

36067 First Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten ad on page 3

138 S. Washington St. Prattville, AL Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 12 p.m. Ages: 3K-Kindergarten Meals: Curriculum: Kindergarten; Scott Foresman Language Arts Curriculum, Harcourt Math, The Wright Skills Phonics Program. 3’s-4’s use Frog Street Press. Contact: Heather Jolley, Director, (334) 361.9481 heather@fbcprattville.org www.fbcprattville.org/kindergarten

First Presbyterian Church Kindergarten ad on page 57

211 S. Chestnut St. Prattville , AL Hours: 8 a.m.- Noon Ages: K3-K5 Meals: Children bring snacks and lunch. Curriculum: Modified Abeka. Contact: Julie Cavnar, Director, (334) 491.3411 firstpreskindergarten@gmail.com www.fpkprattville.com

The Learning Tree Child Development Center ad on page 26

1816 Glynwood Drive Prattville, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Full educational program. Contact: Tammy McLemore, (334) 365.1451 Learning-tree.org

PCC Impact

266 W. 5th Street Prattville, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 2-5 years

Meals: Morning snack and brown bag. Curriculum: Teacher Led Contact: Cherish Callaway, Director, (334) 491.0308 pccimpactkidspreschool.com

36092 Wee Ones Preschool

202 Old Montgomery Hwy. Wetumpka, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - PK Meals: Breakfast, hot lunch & afternoon snack Curriculum: Teacher led. Contact: Stephen Boyd, Director, (334) 478.4938 weeonespreschoolllc@gmail.net www.weeonespreschool.net

Wetumpka Preschool Child Development Center & Periscope

502 North Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks-5 years (before Kindergarten) Meals: Hot Curriculum: High Reach Learning, Creative Curriculum Contact: Cecelia Hatcher, Director, (334) 567.4689 www.gatewaypreschool.weebly.com

36104 Montessori Academy 1025 South Hull Street Montgomery, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 12 months - 6 years Meals: Hot lunch (optional) or brown bag. Curriculum: Montessori Contact: Erin Kilgore, Administrator, (334) 262.8685 www.montessorimontgomery.com

Trinity Church Preschool 1728 South Hull Street Montgomery, AL Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Ages: 4 mths. - K5 Meals: Snack provided for one year olds, snack bucket for older children. Curriculum: Abeka, Handwriting without Tears, Saxon Hands on Math. Contact: Lucy Freeman, Director, (334) 262.8830 www.trinitypca.org

36105 Sunnyside Child Care Center 3784 Norman Bridge Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 5:45 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics and Wee Learn Contact: Tracy Hill, Director, (334) 612.0903

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36106 Learning Tree Child Development Center ad on page 26

4120 Carmichael Road. Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 12 mths.. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: full educational program Contact: Ruby Davis, Director, (334) 271.4733 www.learningtree.com

Bethany Child Development Center

714 Cedar Street Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Hot Religious affiliation: Seventh Day Adventist. Curriculum: Child’s World Contact: Laura Smith, Director, (334) 265.5521 bethanycdceagles@gmail.com

Cloverdale Preschool Academy

608 E. Fairview Ave. Montgomery, AL Hours: 7:15 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Hot Religious Affiliation: Christian/ Baptist. Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Jana Edmundson, Director, (334) 265.7488 www.cloverdalepreschoolacademy.com

Evangel Christian Preschool

3975 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 3 yrs. Meals: Catered Religious Affiliation: Assemblies of God. Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Rosemary Hean, Director, (334) 273.0730 www.ecalions.org

First UMC Early Childhood Development

2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Child centered, Christian using spiritual enrichment learning activities to insure success. Contact: Vicky Moore, Director, (334) 834.8964 www.fumcmontgomery.org

First United Methodist First School

2416 W. Cloverdale Park Montgomery, AL Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 2 mths. to Kindergarten Meals: Brown Bag Curriculum: Handwriting Without Tears, Horizons Contact: Margaret Shanahan, Director, (334) 481.0413 www.fumcmontgomery.org

Heritage Baptist Church Child Development Center

1849 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. A ges: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Star Fall and ABC Jesus Loves Me Contact: Tamira Quattlebaum, Director, (334) 279.0643 www.heritagecdc.net

Montessori at Mulberry 2034 Clubview Street Montgomery , AL Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Ages: 12 mths. - Kindergarten Meals: Brown Bag Curriculum: Each child is encouraged to reach his/ her full potential. The specific needs of individual children are met at each developmental level. Contact: Terri Jackson, Director, (334) 265.7733 montessori.mulberry@gmail.com

Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center

2703 Highland Avenue Montgomery, AL Hours: 5:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot breakfast, lunch and two snacks Curriculum: Abeka and Baby Can Read Contact: Sandra Hill, Director, (334) 832.9403

Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center, Too

2726 Highland Ave. Montgomery, AL Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 2.5 yrs. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot breakfast, hot lunch and two snacks Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Cheryl Shelby Howard, Director, (334) 832.1876

Vaughn Park Church Mother’s Day Out

3800 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday Ages: 6 wks. - Kindergarten Meals: Snack provided Curriculum: Varies by age Contact: Callie McDermot, Director, (334) 272.2665 www.vaughnpark.com

Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center

1100 Tuscaloosa Street Montgomery, AL Hours: 8 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Ages: 3 yrs. - 7 yrs. Meals: Hot, Gourmet Food Services Curriculum: Saxon Contact: Sandra Hinton, Director, (334) 229.4471 shinton@alasu.edu

36108 Kamp-A-Demics

2308 Dillard St. Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 2 mths. - 12 yrs.

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Meals: Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Curriculum: Pre-K, play based, and Creative Contact: Vivia Gadson, (334) 221.3101

New Generation Preschool

3461 Old Selma Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Janet Long, Director, (334) 263.9660 www.newgenerationpreschool.com

Southlawn Child Care Center

125 Greenleaf Drive Montgomery, AL Hours: 5:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: Infant - 15 Years Meals: Hot Curriculum: Creative Contact: Elizabeth Sankey, Director, (334) 286.1056 or (334) 286.9156 southlawn@aol.com

36109 Eastmont Christian Kindergarten ad on page 63

4505 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL Hours: 8:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. Ages: K3-K5 Meals: Snack Bucket Religious Affiliation: Baptist Contact: Lynn Blackwell, Director, (334) 239.8555 www.eastmont.org

Covenant Kids Child Development Center

9 Arden Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 years. Meals: Morning snack, Hot lunch and afternoon snack provided. Curriculum: Pinnacle Faith-based Contact: Donna Jones, Director, (334) 356.9110 covenantkids1@outlook.com

East YMCA Kindergarten & Child Care

3407 Pelzer Ave. Montgomery, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Catered Curriculum: High Reach Contact: Rachele Landers, Director, (334) 272.3390 www.ymcamontgomery.org

Eastern Hills Child Care

3604 Pleasant Ridge Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Stacy Royal, Director, (334) 277.5424 www.easternhillsonline.com River Region Parents I April 2022

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Contact: Mrs. Deramus, Director, (334) 288.7740 www.century2000daycare.com

Montessori at Hampstead ad on page 65

5251 Hampstead High Street, Unit #111 Montgomery, AL Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 12 mths. - 6 years Meals: Hot meals available or brown bag. Curriculum: Montessori. Testing Requirements: Interview, Ed Psych Test, Transcripts for students 6 and up. Contact: Melanie Morrison, Head of School, (334) 356.1969 info@montessoriathampstead.org www.mshmontgomery.org

St. James School Kindergarten ad on page 1

6000 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL Hours: Half Day: 7:45-noon or Full Day: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. Ages: K3-K5 Meals: Hot Curriculum: Pre-K2, Pre-K3, Pre-K4 and Kindergarten use an integrated approach with literature, art, music and science to introduce readiness skills with hands -on activities. Contact: Ms. Andrea Harris, Principle, (334) 277.8033 www.stjweb.org

The Learning Tree Child Development Center ad on page 26

3335 Woodley Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Full educational program. Contact: Malkia Mathews, Director, (334) 284.5560

Aldersgate Weekday Children’s Ministry 6610 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - Pre K4 Meals: Hot Curriculum: Creative Curriculum, Letter of the Week, Abeka. We teach thematic units using social studies, science, math, language, art and music through a hands-on program. Contact: Rebekha Bye, Director, (334) 277.0880 www.aldersgateumc.org

Century 2000 4714 Virginia Loop Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 5 a.m. - Midnight Ages: 3 wks. - 15 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack. (for those staying late, dinner and snack offered) Curriculum: A Beka.

JAAD’s Child Care & Development Center 4002 St. Louis Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 4 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack Established 1996. Curriculum: Self Developed. Contact: Theresa Hardwick, Director, (334) 284.9055 jaads_inc@yahoo.com

Lighthouse Christian Pre-school

3570 Bell Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. or full day. Ages: K2 - K4 Meals: Catered Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Mrs. Janelle Ford, Principle, (334) 271.4200 info@lcapirates.com www.lcapirates.com

36117 Frazer Christian Preschool ad on page 7

6000 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ages: 6 months 5 yr. Kindergarten Meals: Snack Bucket or Brown bag for extended day. Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Jill Struthers, Director, (334) 495.6370 preschool@frazer.church frazer.church/about/fcp

Providence Presbyterian Preschool ad on page 67

2130 Bell Road Montgomery, AL Hours: Full day and half day offered. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: 2 snacks and lunch Curriculum: Abeka, Handwriting Without Tears & Sing, Spell, Read & Write Contact: Megan Jolley, Director, (334) 274.1018

Taylor Road Christian Kindergarten & Mom’s Day Out ad on page 67

1685 Taylor Road Montgomery, AL Hours: Kindergarten: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Three or four day options. Mother’s Day Out: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Monday - Thursday. Ages: Kindergarten: K3-K5. Mother’s Day Out: 6 wks. - 36 mths. Meals: Brown bag Curriculum: Abeka & Handwriting without Tears Contact: Holly Nichols, Director, (334) 271.0845 www.taylorroad.org (link to preschool)

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Vaughn Road Preschool ad on page 71

8790 Vaughn Road (at Immanuel Presbyterian Church) Montgomery, AL Hours: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 6 yrs. Meals: Lunch and 2 snacks provided. Curriculum: Creative Curriculum; linked to the WV Early Learning Standards Framework in Social and Emotional Development, the Arts, Physical Health and Development, Mathematics and Science. Contact: Barbara Anderson, Director, (334) 277.4815 vrpreschool@gmail.com

AUM Early Learning Center

7051 Senator’s Drive Montgomery, AL Hours: 7:45 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday Ages: 3 yrs. - 5 yrs. (potty trained) Meals: Hot meal or sack lunch from home, two snacks Curriculum: Project based, Research driven, and thematic. Contact: Laura Wildman Director, (334) 244.3772 www.education.aum.edu

Bo Peep Christian Child Development School

Curriculum: Play based, Beyond Centers and Circle Time Contact: Lauren Evers, Director, (205) 799.7570 www.grace-pointe.com

KinderCare Learning Center

6955 Halcyon Park Dr. Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Early Foundations Contact: Courtney Tate, Director, (334) 270.5955 www.kindercare.com

Lakeview Child Development Ministry

9225 Atlanta Highway Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 am to 5:30 pm. Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years old Meals: 2 snacks per day. Children provide their own lunch. Curriculum: Abeka; Religious Affiliation: Christian Contact: Ashley Tidwell, Director, (334) 396.3944 http://www.lakeviewbaptistchurch.cc/daycare_info

Legacy Early Learning Center

5690 Atlanta Hwy Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Hot Curriculum: Abeka Contact: Brooke Woodfin, Director, (334) 271.1941

2323 Bell Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:45 Ages: 6 wks. - 5K Meals: Lunches and two snacks provided Curriculum: Christian based Pre-school program Contact: Tara Harris, Director, (334) 649.4601 tara@thelegacychurch.org

GracePointe Child Development Center

Little Explorers Learning Center

1565 Ray Thorington Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 6 weeks - 5 yrs. Meals: Brown Bag

7735 Atlanta Hwy. Montgomery, AL Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs. Meals: Lunch and snack for toddler and preschool

Curriculum: Bible based Contact: Jennifer Mitchell, Director, (334) 324.7103 contact.littleexplorers@gmail.com

St. James Preschool

9045 Vaughn Road Montgomery, AL Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For Kindergarten and Mother’s Morning Out Ages: 8 mths. Kindergarten Meals: Brown bag, snack provided. Curriculum: Teacher developed including handson activities and age appropriate readiness skills. Contact: Leah Winn, Director, (334) 481.0722 www.sjlife.com under ministries.

Vaughn Forest Preschool and Kindergarten 8660 Vaughn Road Montgomery , AL Hours: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Ages: 18 mths.. - 5 yrs. Meals: Brown bag and snack Curriculum: High Reach and Letter People Contact: Mary James Newsom, Director, (334) 277.0362 www.vaughnforest.com under Ministries rrp

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Alabama Dance Theatre Performs Beauty and the Beast and More The Alabama Dance Theatre celebrated the spring of its 35th Season with four performances of Beauty & the Beast and More. Choreographed by ADT’s resident choreographer Sara Sanford, Beauty & the Beast is one of ADT’s most extravagant productions to date, with elaborate costumes and exquisite scenery. The large cast of 34 ADT Company members included 22 children from the community and four guest artists. Company members are dedicated ADT students aged 11 to 18 who train with ADT year-round and perform several times each season. Public children’s auditions were held in late January, with 22 young people joining the cast in roles that consisted of lambs, cherubs, schoolchildren, villagers, forest animals, sweets and more. In addition to Beauty & the Beast, audiences enjoyed two short works created for the upcoming Regional Dance America’s Southeast Festival in Daytona Beach, Florida. Beginning the performance was Jenny Plunkett Letner’s new modern work, Reminiscent. Following Reminiscent was the hysterical Bucket of Youth choreographed by Mickey Lonsdale. Closing the first section was Sara Sanford’s new contemporary work, Morphology.

ADT was delighted to revive an important tradition of inviting area schools to attend a special daytime performance. Almost 350 young people and their teachers came to see the performance on March 4 at a subsidized ticket price thanks in part to the Support the Arts Tag License Fund. Carver Elementary, Southlawn Elementary, Trinity Presbyterian, Resurrection Catholic School and Ascension Day School, as well as many homeschooled groups, formed a lively, engaged audience that launched the weekend’s performances with energy and excitement. Following the Saturday matinee, children were invited on stage to meet Beauty and her friends. Preparations are now underway for an exciting spring and summer! On Saturday,

April 2, young people ages 8 to 19 with any level of dance experience may register for free to try dance with special guest teachers Lance Washington, Janie Alford and Ke’Yana Washington. The Alabama Dance Theatre will attend Regional Dance America/ Southeast annual festival May 4-8 in Daytona Beach. Locally, ADT will offer a four-day “Tutus and Tiaras” camp for ages 3-8 May 31-June 3. Several free dance class opportunities are offered each year. Classes will be held at the Montgomery Cultural Arts Center, home of the Alabama Dance Theatre located at 1018 Madison Avenue. For more info, call (334) 625-2590 or visit www.alabamadancetheatre.com. Photo by Richard and Holley Calmes

Phone: 334-659-1436 | Cell: 334-398-6904 | Toll Free: 1-800-376-2012 | Fax: 334-659-2242 8116 Old Federal Road Suite C Montgomery, AL 36117 Website: www.hagenwealth.com

“Our professional experience, financial market insight and knowledge of global economic trends combine to inspire the confidence that you are in capable hands.” - Chris Hagen

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, a Registered Investment Advisor. Hagen Wealth Management LLC, and Independent Advisor Alliance are separate entities from LPL Financial. River Region Parents I April 2022

Chris M. Hagen, MBA LPL Financial Advisor chris.hagen@lpl.com www.riverregionparents.com

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

Rating PG

Overall A-

Violence B-

Sex A-

Profanity A-

Alcohol/Drugs A-

Meilin is doing her best to be the perfect daughter her mother, Ming, expects. She gets stellar grades, cleans enthusiastically, and helps out at the family’s Chinese temple. However, cracks in her facade are emerging: she wants to hang out with friends, she’s besotted with a boy band – and when she feel strong emotion, she turns into a giant red panda. Brilliantly original, highly empathetic and very funny, this movie is a triumph for Pixar. Parents will likely be unhappy with the movie’s endorsement of Meilin’s rebellion and will want to be aware of animated violence and coded mentions of menstruation. That said, the messages about accepting yourself and valuing your family are worth watching. Photo ©Disney+

Disney+

The Adam Project

Netflix

Rating PG-13

Overall B+

Violence B-

Sex B

Profanity C+

Alcohol/Drugs B

Adam is an unhappy twelve-year-old. Between grieving his father, who died 18 months ago, and being bullied at school, Adam is struggling. Then he meets a stranger in the garage – a stranger who shares his memories and knows his dog. The man is his adult self, on a time travel mission from thirty years in the future. Starring Ryan Reynolds, this solid family sci-fi flick offers time travel, adventure, a great cast and repeated reminders to be nice to mom. The script is well written, the acting excellent, and the action is well paced. The only real problem here is frequent mild and moderate profanity, but given Ryan Reynolds’ normal level of potty mouth, this is a significant improvement – although there’s room for more. Photo ©Netflix

Rescued by Ruby

Netflix

Rating TV-G

Overall A-

Violence B+

Sex A

Profanity B+

Alcohol/Drugs A

Daniel O’Neil is a Rhode Island state trooper with a lifelong ambition to work in the K9 unit. After seven failed attempts, he decides to find and train his own dog and then apply. At the shelter, he meets Ruby, a dog who has been repeatedly rehomed due to her exuberance and constant disobedience. Refusing to give up, Daniel learns that love, persistence, and faith in himself and his dog are critical to success in his unlikely venture. This movie has a made-for-tv feel but that is overshadowed by the sincerity and heart with which it shares this inspiring true story. Overflowing with positive messages and virtually free of negative content, it’s a great choice for family movie night – especially for animal lovers. Photo ©Netflix

Cheaper by the Dozen

Disney+

Rating PG

Overall B-

Violence B

Sex B

Profanity B+

Alcohol/Drugs B

With his restaurant and hot sauce business doing well, Paul Baker has enough money to move his family to their dream house. And it certainly takes a lot of cash because the Bakers have nine children – and a tenth soon joins the clan. Although the kids love their new bedrooms and the community pool, Paul and his wife Zoe soon learn that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness. This is a cheerful film, with kind children who rarely quarrel but still get up to plenty of mischief. Parents will appreciate the movie’s emphasis on cooperation, diversity, inclusion, and family togetherness but will be less charmed by the unnecessary sexual innuendo and mild profanity. Adults will also find the plot holes and uneven pacing annoying but kids will simply enjoy the goodhearted family chaos. Photo ©Disney+ Grades range from: A= absence of content concerns to D= excess of content concerns Detailed reviews available at www.parentpreviews.com 69

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“It’s a good thing you are so cute!” This is a phrase many parents often think of during the challenging toddler years as they find themselves cleaning up messes, potty training, listening to shouts of “No!” with every suggestion, and watching their child throw yet another tantrum.

River Region Parents I April 2022

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worth the effort. If you feel yourself becoming angry, simply walk away for a few minutes and come back when your patience has returned. Modeling this behavior will help your child understand how to work out their own frustrations in a healthy way.

As a mom of six kids, including 7-year-old triplets, we have had our fair share of challenging toddler moments. I remember many days when the triplets would use their nap time to destroy their bedroom instead of rest. Diaper changes were a wrestling match and meal times meant mopping the floor three times a day. The days were busy and exhausting, but they were full of giggles and hugs and wet kisses. My kids could be distracted with a game of “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and I could get a laugh from a silly face. At the end of most days it felt like a triplet tornado had gone through my house, but when I tucked them in at night I remembered there were lots of sweet moments as well. Toddlers are defined as kids ranging from ages one to three, and during this time they meet many developmental milestones including learning to walk, talk, interact with others, and explore the world around them. As a parent, this can be a joy to watch but can also become exhausting as kids express their independence and work out their frustrations through tantrums. While all of this is normal, parents can feel overwhelmed and frustrated as well. Toddlers don’t come with an instruction manual, but these tips could help you survive and perhaps even enjoy the toddler years.

Laughter The old saying “Laughter is the best medicine” could be applied to parenthood. When things seem particularly stressful or you are overwhelmed by a messy playroom, a little laughter can turn your mood around. Allow yourself to be silly and play with your child. Try to slow down and see the world through their eyes. Laughing and playing with your child can also be a good distraction if your child needs to be redirected and it’s a great way to boost the moods of everyone in the house.

Anticipation One of the best ways to help keep your toddler from getting into trouble is to anticipate what might be tempting for little ones. Before nap or playtime, scan the room for dangers or messes waiting to happen. Remove anything fragile that can be broken, torn, or spilled from the room, or put high enough that it is out of reach. Pack your car with an extra change of clothing, emergency snacks, and diaper supplies in case you need them when you are away from home. When you are headed out of the house, try to leave a few minutes early in case you need extra time. If you know a toy or situation triggers your child to feel frustrated, avoid it if possible. You can’t prevent every tantrum and challenge you will face, but some can be avoided with a little planning.

Patience When parenting a toddler, your patience will be stretched to the limits. Whenever you’re dealing with a child, it’s best to remember they are learning and testing limits. Try to give grace to yourself and your child and allow for bumps along the way. Set boundaries for your child but try to remain calm in moments when these limits are tested. Arguing with a toddler is never

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reign. Whichever way you decide, your child will be happier with their own area to safely play.

Let it go Life is too short to worry about having a perfectly clean house. Toddlers are famous for making messes, dumping toys, and moving from one thing to the next in minutes. During the toddler years try to focus on playing with your kids and allowing them to have fun rather than exhausting yourself cleaning. There will be plenty of years in the not too distant future where your house will stay clean. If toy clutter is stressful to you, reduce the amount of toys that are out at any given time. You can do this by rotating toys every few months, only allowing one box of toys out at a time, or donating items your kids are not interested in. Toddlers are often motivated by music, play or sing “The Cleanup Song” and have your child help pick up toys before transitioning to mealtime or bedtime.

Routine Toddlers thrive on routine because they know what to expect. When kids know what to expect, transitions are smoother for kids. The whole day doesn’t have to be planned but having a routine at transitional periods of the day can make things easier for parents and little ones. Naps, bedtime, meals, and clean up time can give your kids consistency that they thrive on.

Perspective When dealing with the highs and lows of parenting a toddler, try to keep some perspective. The toddler years are short and your child is learning, discovering the world, and growing every day. When they are still and quiet, cuddle up and enjoy the moment. When they want to be carried, try to remember all too soon they will be too big. Enjoy the sweet moments, embrace challenging ones, and try to remember that toddlers are cute for a reason and this stage will pass in the blink of an eye. rrp

Safety Toddlers are naturally curious which helps them learn and develop. This curiosity can lead them to do things that are unsafe like climbing where they could fall, putting things in their mouths, and getting into things they shouldn’t. Create a safe place for your child where they can play without safety concerns. You may find it easiest to create a play space where you can use gates to help keep kids safe. For some parents, it’s easier to toddler-proof the entire house and let them have free

Sarah Lyons has been published in Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine KC Parent, Austin Family, Creative Child and over 160 other parenting publications.

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FamilyCalendar Tuesday, April 5

Wetumpka YMCA Nutrition Class 9:15 a.m. First Tuesdays. Group X Room at Wetumpka Y. This class teaches simple ways to properly fuel the body in order to sustain a healthy weight, healthy heart, and healthy brain function. Learn about foods that give our bodies the nutrients and energy they need to feel great, as well as simple ways to include these foods in our daily diets. This class is open to everyone! Costs: $5 for members and $10 for non members. For more info, visit https://ymcamontgomery.org/special-events/. Way Off Broadway (Prattville) Presents Proof Through April 16 Written by David Auburn; directed by Xandria Hataway. This is the Pulitzer Prize-winning story of Catherine, who inherited her late father’s mathematical genius, and likely his debilitating mental illness. Caught between a new-found connection with Hal, one of her father’s former students, and the reappearance of her sister, Claire, Catherine finds both her world and her mind growing increasingly unstable. For more info or tickets, call (334) 595-0850 or visit http://wobt.prattvilleal.gov/. Folk Art Exhibit featuring Brian Bohanan -Through April 10 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery, 342 S. Chestnut St. The Prattauga Art Guild will host this FREE exhibit featuring work by Alabama folk artist Brian Bohanan. The exhibit is open to the public. For more info, call (334) 595-0852.

Thursday, April 7

Wetumpka Community Market -- Also May 5 4-7 p.m. First Thursdays through November. Merchant’s Alley in Downtown Wetumpka. The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade and homegrown products created by local artisans and farmers. Market favorite include: fresh locally grown produce, honey, jams, jellies, salsa, pottery, art, leather products, fresh baked goods, wood items, wreaths, plants and more. Open to the public; no charge for admission. Visit www.facebook.com /Mainstreet communityMarketWetumpka.

Friday, April 8

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Freedom Rider -- Through April 24 Written and directed by Ricardo Khan. World premiere. In May 1961, four young students joined others aboard a southbound bus in Washington, DC, to challenge segregated spaces in interstate travel. Inspired by real events, this powerful play celebrates the watershed journey of these young people. Recommended for ages 15+. For tickets or more info, visit https://asf.net/ or call (334) 271-5353. Downtown Prattville Spring Fling 5:30-7:30 p.m. Historic Downtown Prattville; hosted by The Shoppes of Downtown. See the latest new arrivals for spring, fantastic sales, tasty treats, and of course don’t forget to enter the Huge Easter Gift Basket Giveaway! Prattville High School Football 5K 8 a.m. 5K; 9 a.m. Fun Run; 10 a.m. Awards. Starts and ends at Prattville High School. REGISTER NOW! Packet pick-up in The Mane (PHS Cafeteria) Friday, April 8, from 5-7 p.m. or race day April 9 beginning at 6 a.m. Registration fee $45. Visit https://buff. ly/3hx3cS8.

Saturday, April 9

Cloverdale Playhouse Presents Improv Night 7 p.m. in the Courtyard. If there is inclement weather, it will be held upstairs on the theatre stage. Our indoor productions have limited and distanced seating. Masks are required for all when inside the building. $10 admission at the door. For more info, call (334) 2621530 or visit www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/.

Sunday, April 10

Woodland UMC Community Easter Egg Hunt 11:15 a.m. Woodland United Methodist Church, 4428 Wallahatchie Rd. Food truck, cotton candy, face painting, inflatables and games. For more info, call (334) 2727230 or visit woodlandontheweb.org.

Tuesday, April 12

MPAC Presents Zach Williams with Special Guest Anne Wilson 7 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Tickets begin at $20. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline. org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100. 2022 Montgomery Biscuits Opening Night with MAX Fireworks 6:35 pm. Riverwalk Stadium. Montgomery Biscuits minor league baseball is back! This is your first chance to see the boys in the butter and blue in action as we start another fun-filled season. The night ends with a MAX Fireworks Show. For more info or tickets, call (334) 8197483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/. Artmaking -- Also May 10 6-8 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Special guest William Lawson, from the Montgomery Therapeutic & Recreation Center, will lead a FREE art-making activity designed for any and all abilities. He will introduce aids, tips, and ideas for working with individuals who have physical or cognitive challenges. For more info, visit https://mmfa.org/event/ or call (334) 625-4333. ArtTalk -- Also May 10 6-8 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Artists gather each month to enjoy camaraderie with peers and get a taste of local restaurants’ signature items. Participants can bring one work of art for feedback or just join the conversation for creative inspiration! For more info, call (334) 625-4333 or visit https://mmfa. org/.

Wednesday, April 13

Montgomery Biscuits Military Wednesday Also April 27 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Active, veteran and retired military personnel with a military ID will receive admission, food and drink discounts throughout the stadium! NEW FOR 2022, each Wednesday will feature craft beer specials with select brewery tap-takeovers! For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

Thursday, April 14

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Until the Flood -- Through May 1 Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandersmith explores the social uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, following the shooting of teenager Michael Brown. Pulling from her extensive interviews with Missouri residents, Orlandersmith crafts a stunning theatrical experience.

Recommended for ages 15+. For tickets or more info, visit https://asf.net/ or call (334) 271-5353. Millbrook Community Players Present Greater Tuna -- Through April 24 7:30 p.m. except for 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. Directed by John Chain, this is a comedy about Texas’ third smallest town, called Tuna. The wacky inhabitants of this town—men, women, children and animals—are all played by two skillful, transformative actors who must change parts at a rather breakneck speed and use inventive voicework. For tickets or more info, visit www. millbrooktheater.com/ or call (334) 782-7317.

Friday, April 15

Eddie Floyd Memorabilia Exhibit -Through May 29 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays; 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Prattville Creative Arts Center and Gallery, 342 S. Chestnut St. This FREE exhibit includes photographs, awards, and other memorabilia courtesy of Mr. Eddie Floyd and other Alabama Music memorabilia. For more info, call (334) 595-0852. Art Walk Wetumpka 4-8 p.m. on third Fridays. Downtown Wetumpka. Take a stroll through the streets of downtown and shop from our selection of talented local artists. Free admission. For more info, visit https://mainstreetwetumpka.org/. Montgomery Biscuits Bucket Hat Giveaway 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Get here early as only the first 1,000 fans of all ages will get a free hat! For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www. milb.com/montgomery/.

Saturday, April 16

STEAM Workshop for Ages 7-12 9-10:30 a.m. OR 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Prattville Creative Arts Center, 342 S. Chestnut St. Students will enjoy a fun and educational project with instructor Brittany Glenn. Cost: $5. For more info or to register your child, call (334) 595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov. Dino & Dragon Stroll -- Also April 17 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun. Renaissance Hotel & Convention Center, 201 Tallapoosa Street, Montgomery. Get up close to dinosaurs throughout the exhibit, ranging from babies to life-like and life-size dinosaurs including encounters with a T-Rex, Velociraptor and Stegosaurus, just to name a few. Guests can also get up close and personal with a selection of large, serpentine, winged, horned and legendary fire breathing dragons, just as you imagined them. Sensory friendly hour from 8:30-9:45 a.m. For more info, visit www. dinostroll.com. Montgomery Biscuits The Nine Night & MAX Fireworks 6:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. We are proud to be a part of a new, black community-focused outreach platform specifically designed to honor and celebrate the historic impact numerous black baseball pioneers made on the sport, provide new opportunities for youth baseball and softball participation and further diversify the business of baseball. Following this night of recognition, we’ll have a post-game MAX Fireworks Show! For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/. Artist Market Day 10 a.m-2 p.m. Prattville Creative Arts Center, 342 S. Chestnut St. Artwork by local and regional artists will

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FamilyCalendar be on display in the beautiful art garden adjacent to the Prattville Creative Arts Center, next to the Autauga Creekwalk. FREE. For more info, call (334) 595-0850. Wetumpka Pride Earth Day and City of Wetumpka Spring Market 8 a.m.-noon. Wetumpka Farmer’s Market, 304 East Coosa St. Plant swap and plant care advice from Master Gardeners, free T-shirts, food and vendors. Drop off recyclables: plastic bottles, newspapers, cardboard, books, magazines, aluminum, steel cans. Please bag all recyclables. For more info, visit https://business. wetumpkachamber.org/. The Black Jacket Symphony Presents The Police’s Synchronicity 8 p.m. Montgomery Performing Arts Centre. Celebrate a return to live music with a full set of greatest hits from the Black Jacket Symphony’s most popular shows over the last 13 years! After their performance of Synchronicity, the band will return with an all-star cast of musicians to perform hits from artists like Eagles, Led Zeppelin, Tom Petty, The Police, The Who and more! Tickets $35. For tickets or more info, visit mpaconline.org/events/ or call (334) 481-5100. Open Studios at the MMFA 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. For artists looking to be inspired by new scenery, work on collaborative projects, or just get out of their own studio and socialize with creative peers! Artists are invited to bring 2D works in progress, sketchbooks, and anything from the approved materials list. There is no storage available, so anything you bring to work on must be taken with you the same day. Pre-registration requested. For more info, call (334) 625-4333 or visit https://mmfa.org/.

Sunday, April 17

Easter Egg Hunt with the Montgomery Biscuits 3:33 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. Easter eggs with a variety of prizes will be hidden throughout the entire park for kids to find during the game. Bring your leashed dogs out to Riverwalk and don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club presented by Go Fish Alabama, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks. For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/ montgomery/.

Tuesday, April 19

2nd Annual Elmore County Ability Games 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wetumpka Sports Complex. This event allows all students in the special needs program to participate in a day of fun and games. Sponsored by Special Education Adaptive PE.

Wednesday, April 20

MAX4Kids 5th Annual Charity Clay Shoot 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Lower Wetumpka Shotgun Sports Club, 4758 Lower Wetumpka Road, Montgomery. For more info, visit www.mymax.com/our-community/max4kids.

Thursday, April 21

Oliver! at The Pike Road Theatre Company Runs Through May 8 Oliver! is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly

River Region Parents I April 2022

showcasing the talents of the River Region as they bring these classic characters and score to life. For info and tickets, visit Pike Road Theatre Company Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ pikeroadtheatrecompany. 2022 Lunchtime Lecture Series: Food For Thought Third Thursdays at noon. Fascinating hour-long lectures on the history of Alabama presented by the Alabama Department of Archives & History. Programs are presented both in-person at the ADAH and online via the ADAH’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. Visit archives.alabama.gov for more info about upcoming programs. Today’s topic is “Threads of Evidence: Investigating the Origin of a Confederate Flag Remnant,” presented by Ryan Blocker and Georgia Ann Hudson. Friends and Newcomers Club of Prattville/Millbrook 9:30 a.m. at the Bradford branch YMCA in Prattville. The speaker will be John Schrull on Life’s Lessons. All ladies welcome. Come see what the Friends and Newcomers Club offers all during the month, from lunches, Game Day, a Book Club, Chat & Craft and much more. Visit www.friendsandnewcomers.org for info. Or contact Nancy Schrull at (334) 414-8185 or nschrull47@gmail.com. Red Door Theatre in Union Springs Presents Fireflies -- Through April 24 101 N. Prairie St., Union Springs. Written by Matthew Barber and directed by Kim Mason. Adapted from the book Eleanor and Abel by Annette Sanford, this play tells the story of two “mature” adults who proceed on the fractious course of their courtship, in a way that is never less than captivating, witty and pointedly cleareyed. Can the unexpected sparks of late-life romance be trusted, or is there truth in the gossip that all isn’t as it seems to be? For tickets or more info, call (334) 738-8687 or visit www.reddoortheatre.org.

REQUIRED! There is a $10 fee. Please contact our Naturalist at (256) 496-2710 to register in advance A Night to Remember Dance 5-7 p.m. Bell Road YMCA annual campaign celebrating our Parkinson’s, Abled Bodies & AOA participants! Dress: Cocktail Attire. Tickets: $20 for individuals $35 for couples. For more info, visit https:// ymcamontgomery.org/special-events/. 25th Annual Herb Day 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Grace Presbyterian Church, 5 Bell Road, Montgomery. Free admission. The open-air market features vendors who sell crafts, books, herbal teas, garden wares, and a huge selection of herbal plants. For more info, visit www.alabamaherbsociety.org/. 2022 CoosaPalooza Brewfest 3-6 p.m. Historic Downtown Wetumpka in Merchants Alley. 21 years of age or older. General admission ticket holders will enjoy nearly 40 craft brews while taking in the beautiful backdrop of the Coosa River in downtown Wetumpka. General admission price also includes entertainment, souvenir tasting glass, and beer tastings. For more info, visit https://business. wetumpkachamber.org/. WWE Live Road to Wrestlemania 7:30 p.m. Garrett Coliseum. Tickets begin at $31 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com and the Garrett Coliseum Box Office. Additional fees may apply. For more info, visit https://www.wwe.com/.

Sunday, April 24

Friday, April 22

Youth Art Show Submissions -- Also April 23 3-6 pm. Fri.; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat. Prattville Creative Arts Center, 342 S. Chestnut St. Exhibit opens May 1. Cost: $3 entry fee for each piece of artwork entered. Youth in grades K-12 who live, go to school, or take art lessons in Autauga County are eligible to submit work to this show. For more info or a registration form, call (334) 595-0850 or visit www.prattvilleal.gov. Earth Day Safari at the Montgomery Zoo 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum. Spend a fun-filled day at the Montgomery Zoo learning about how simple changes in our daily habits can effect the environment and the planet on which we live. It is fun, educational, always a wild adventure, and an awesome learning experience for all ages; especially school groups. For more info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

Hampstead Food Truck Takeover 12-3 p.m. Hampstead Town Center. Join us for an afternoon of live music while supporting local food vendors. Outdoor seating available throughout the Town Center and the Tipping Point Beer Garden. For more info, call (334) or visit www.

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Montgomery Biscuits Autism Awareness Night supporting Easter Seals of Central Alabama 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. This night we take extra steps to ensure the entire ballpark experience is suitable for all audiences, including scaled down audio and visual elements. For more info or tickets, call (334) 8197483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

ANC Earth Day Festival 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Alabama Nature Center, Millbrook. Presentations, vendors, food, live animals, kids’ activities, and a clean up the creek walk during the event. General admission applies: (kids 3 & under FREE; $5/person with a $20 maximum per family). For more info, call (334) 285-4550 or visit www. alabamawildlife.org/. Guided Nature Tour – Wilson Road Trailhead 7-9 a.m. Wilson Road, Alexander City. Hike into a forest bursting with spring! Spring means forest babies, and we will discuss who’s hatching and what’s happening in Russell Forest. This energetic hike will offer both learning and exercise. Appropriate for participants ages 5-105. ADVANCE REGISTRATION

Newcomers’ Club of Montgomery, Inc. Monthly Luncheon 11:30 a.m. at Arrowhead Country Club, 50 Ocala Dr., Montgomery. Our own members will inspire you at our annual Spring Fashion Show as they model top notch clothing from Dillard’s at The Shoppes at Eastchase! Tina Harp, assistant store manager, will facilitate the

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Cloverdale Playhouse Presents A Lesson Before Dying -- Through May 8 In an adaption that received its world premiere at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, this play tells the story of Jefferson, an innocent young black man who is condemned to death in backwoods Louisiana in 1948. His godmother asks a schoolteacher to teach him to die like a man. For more info, call (334) 262-1530 or visit http://www.cloverdaleplayhouse.org/.

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Calendar fashion show. Cost of lunch is $18. For reservations, contact Irene at (661) 972-1334 or ijwetzel@msn.com no later than Monday, April 25, at noon. Also, visit http://newcomersmontgomery.com/. Alabama Nature Center Presents Early Explorers: Bugs 10-11 a.m. last Thursday of each month. 3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook. This is a program for children 8 and under. Includes various theme-related activities! All materials provided. Cost is $5 per participating child; adults free. Space is limited, so call ahead or e-mail mvines@alabamawildlife.org. For more info, visit www.alabamawildlife.org/ or call (334) 285-4550.

Friday, April 29

Matthew West Live in Concert 7-9 p.m. Frazer Methodist Church. T ickets are on sale and can only be purchased online at https://frazer.church/ event/matthew-west-ticketson-sale. The concert will also include Cain and Hannah Kerr. If you have problems with registration, or any questions regarding seating, please contact support@platformtickets.com. Montgomery Biscuits Korean Heritage Night #1 feat. Kimchi Hat Giveaway pres. by Pulmuone 6:35 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. The Montgomery Biscuits will once again transform into the Montgomery Kimchi in honor of Korean Heritage Night! The first 1,000 fans of all ages will go home with a kimchi hat pres. by Pulmuone! For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

Saturday, April 30

The Montgomery Black Rodeo 6 p.m. doors open; 7:30 p.m. show begins. Garrett Coliseum. Tickets begin at $20 in advance; $25 day of event and are available at www.ticketmaster.com and the Garrett Coliseum Box Office. Additional fees may apply. For more info, call (334) 356-6866 or visit serodeo.com. Montgomery Biscuits Food Challenge & MAX Fireworks 6:05 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. A few lucky fans will participate in food challenges throughout the night. The winner will go home with an awesome Biscuits prize. And make sure to stick around for a post-game MAX Fireworks Show! For more info or tickets, call (334) 819-7483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

Sunday, May 1

Montgomery Biscuits Kids’ Giveaways -Also May 8 3:33 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium. The first 500 kids 14 & under will go home with a special treat. Also, bring your leashed dogs out to the Riverwalk and don’t forget to join the Lil’ Crumbs Kids Club, offering complimentary Sunday game tickets along with a variety of other perks. For more info or tickets, call (334) 8197483 or visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/. Camp Chandler Family Fun Day 1-5 p.m. YMCA Camp Chandler. Bring the family to Camp Chandler for fun and outdoor adventure! Participate in camp activities such as archery, slingshots, .22 rifles, climbing tower, canoes, pedal boats, fishing,

disc golf, and crafts and end the day with a nice outdoor cookout (hot dogs and hamburgers) provided by camp staff! Registration open until May 1. Cost is $10 per person (4 and under is free). For more info, contact Jennifer at jikner@ymcamontgomery.org or (334) 229-0035.

Saturday, May 7

Flimp Festival 2022 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Stir your creative spirit, ignite your imagination, and enjoy the whimsical sights and sounds in the John and Joyce Caddell Sculpture Garden. Admission is free. For info, visit https://mmfa.org/event/ or call (334) 625-4333.

Sunday, May 8

Mother’s Day at the Zoo 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum. All Moms receive FREE admission. For info, call (334) 625-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com/.

Tuesday, May 10

Mindfulness Inspires 6-7 p.m. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Spotlighting May as Mental Health Awareness Month, the MMFA’s Inspires series will feature local writers reading aloud works created in response to The Yellow Wallpaper. For more info, visit https://mmfa.org/event/ or call (334) 625-4333.

Please send calendar info to editor@riverregionparents.com. www.facebook.com/RiverRegionParents

CV: I enjoy making seasonal door wreaths and dabbling in amateur photography. RRP: How has the transition been for your older daughters, knowing that your focus is also on another young child? CV: Our other daughters have been wonderful. Initially, they wanted to play the “new mom” role because they realized the weight on our shoulders to start over raising another child. I had to reiterate that the worse situation we rescued Lainie from will pass in time, and life will go on.

Christie Vázquez

RRP: What activities do you keep Lainie involved in to enjoy and appreciate her childhood? CV: Lainie enjoys gymnastics and dance classes at preschool.

RRP: You and your husband adopted your fouryear-old granddaughter, Lainie, on March 17, 2021. How have you navigated raising a toddler again, being that all of your other children are adults?

RRP: Your adoption process came with some challenges. What advice would you give to other moms facing a challenging adoption process? CV: Lainie has resided in our home since her birth. However, I believe the toughest challenge would be going through the court/proceedings to adopt Lainie and knowing that her biological mother is our 28-year-old daughter. We had to do what we had to do for everyone’s well-being and stick it out. We raised our children to the best of our ability, and once they became adults, their decisions became their decisions, good or bad.

CV: I think we have now adjusted to raising another little one, but in the beginning, we had to get back in the groove since our other children are adults. With that said, our grown children are still quite a lot of help even living hours away. They call to see how Lainie’s day went, what ‘letter’ she learned in school, and if she learned anything important that day. We know they miss her with one daughter living nine hours away and the other fours hours away. Neither one can go longer than one to two months without driving or flying home for that ‘real sister time’.

RRP: What are things you and Lainie enjoy doing together? CV: Lainie and I are always on the move. Her favorite things to do are dance to hip hop, Spanish music, gospel, etc. She loves to dance! Lainie is a true extrovert and loves talking to anyone. Her favorite place to venture to is Newtopia. RRP: What mom hacks do you use that keep you organized? CV: One mom hack for me is consistency, consistency, consistency. I would say trying to stick to the same routine daily, so Lainie understands how things are handled and right from wrong. The age Lainie is now... she reaps more of the benefits of visual aid and repetition because her little mind is young.

RRP: Your three older daughters are 28, 23, and 20. In what ways do you find yourself raising Lainie the same way you reared them? CV: Teaching her scruples, giving her TLC, and helping her understand life as she thrives and excels in her daily activities.

RRP: If you could share advice with other mothers who might be starting over, what would it be?

RRP: You’ve been the Administrative Assistant to the Sheriff of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for 15 years. How do you balance your career and starting over as a mom?

CV: Enjoy every moment! I found myself looking back over old soccer videos of our other children and all those proud moments that we won’t get back because time doesn’t stand still. Take a moment to stop, focus, and prioritize. And sometimes, it’s a matter of the dishes can be washed tomorrow and the house can be cleaned later.

CV: The Sheriff and staff were very cooperative and understanding throughout the adoption process. I truly appreciate it because it took over a year to complete Lainie’s DHR case and adopt her. Our adoption attorney, Hon. Sebrina Martin understood our work schedule and was willing to meet with us after hours because of that. Ms. Martin was amazing, and hopefully, she will be voted into office as one of our new Montgomery County Circuit Court Judges.

Christie Vazquez is married to Julio Vazquez, and they live in Montgomery, AL. They have three daughters and one granddaughter, Lainie, who’s become their daughter.

RRP: What hobbies do you focus on so you don’t lose yourself?

River Region Parents I April 2022

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What does an MA graduate look like? Diverse in every way, yet sharing surprisingly similar qualities. As early as kindergarten, The Montgomery Academy looks ahead to the kinds of qualities a young adult needs to succeed. Programs are structured and experiences are designed around creating life-long learners who challenge themselves. Co-curricular involvement is planned to champion honor, ethics, diversity and service. We do all this—but if you talk to our Upper School students they’ll tell you how they play the part: on the stage, in the studio, on the field, in the community, and in the classroom.

Th e M o n t g o m e r y A c a d e m y The Pursuit of Excellence in K-12 Education Contact Rachael Gallagher, admissions@montgomeryacademy.org | 334.272.8210 | montgomeryacademy.org 1

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9/13/19 12:25 PM

River Region Parents - April 2022

Articles inside

Kids Say the Wisest Things

Pike Road Education Matters