February 2023 Healthy Kids Issue

Illustration by Tim Bowers

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.

for patient care that requires less patience.

Promoting Your Child’s

On The Cover

While January is usually when I decide to start eating healthier and drop any unwanted pounds put on the previous year, February is when I reevaluate and refocus if necessary. Of course, that is if I haven’t given up altogether. Well, I’m happy to say I have kept my commitment thus far in 2023, even if there have been some slip-ups and cheat days along the way. I’m trying desperately to stay on track and not quit, even if I take a Saturday or an entire weekend off here and there. I’m reminding myself that health and wellness is a journey—a marathon rather than a sprint. The same goes for our kids’ health, even if it sometimes feels like we are in a losing battle.

Here’s an example of how that battle looks in our house these days with our almost 12-year-old. We buy healthy foods for her lunchbox, and she packs herself a nutritious meal most days. Then, on a random day, I log in to her school lunch account to make sure she has some money for a day she might need it, and what do I see? Monday’s purchase - 1 Fresh Cookie. Tuesday’s purchase - 1 Fresh Cookie. Wednesday’s purchase - 1 Fresh Cookie, and so on. It’s infuriating, honestly, even if I am giggling about it now that some weeks have passed since our last incident.

We have taught Grace how foods work for and against our bodies - carbs, proteins, fats, empty calories and so on. She can explain it to you if you ask her. However, nothing seems to be able to curb that sweet tooth! At some point, our children have to have more than head knowledge. They must have “buy-in” on fueling their bodies and minds correctly. Again, I believe it is a journey for all of us, and I remain hopeful that her knowledge will be power...eventually!

Knowing many of you are in the same boat, we give you our February Healthy Kids Issue! A couple of features not to miss are 7 Ways to Promote Your Child’s Healthy Lifestyle and How to Stay Motivated on Your Health Journey. Both articles offer helpful advice for kids and adults alike. We have also included our Healthy Kids Guide, sharing local resources to help your family focus on becoming and staying healthy. From businesses offering fitness programs and active entertainment to health food stores and pediatricians, our guide will connect you with the right folks. And be sure to check out this month’s Dinner’s Ready for a quick and nutritious meal to add to your family’s weekly menu!

Here’s to a healthier 2023 for you and your family!

Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

www.judybarrancophotography.com

by Beth Long, PhD, LPC, BCBA

Helping Your Child Handle “Big Emotions”

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

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

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

As we grow, emotional regulation skills develop through the rhythmic motion of play: running around the playground, swinging, kicking a ball back and forth, going across

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Beth Long received her education in Counseling Psychology 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.

Mania: the ABBA Tribute

Saturday, February 25 * 7 PM

Montgomery Performing Arts Center

From London’s West End to Las Vegas, MANIA the ABBA tribute (Formerly ABBA MANIA) remains the world’s No. 1 touring ABBA tribute show. In an exhilarating, two-hour recreation of one of ABBA’s most memorable concerts, MANIA brings to life the flamboyance of the ‘70s. This includes all of the uplifting, dance-inducing and sometimes heart-breaking songs from the iconic Swedish band, with fantastic costumes, staging, lighting and effects. So dig out those platforms, dust down those flares and enjoy all your favorite hits, including “Mamma Mia,” “Voulez Vous,” “Dancing Queen,” “Winner Takes It All,” “Waterloo,” “Fernando,” “Super Trouper” and many more. Visit www.maniatheshow.com.

2023 Wetumpka Mardi Gras Festival

Saturday, February 18 * 9 AM

Gold Star Park in Wetumpka

The Order of Cimarron is hosting our 9th Annual Mardi Gras Celebration and Parade in downtown Wetumpka. Vendors open at 9 a.m. with the parade rolling at 1 p.m.

Alabama Dance Theatre’s Spring Gala

Friday, March 3 * 7 PM

Saturday, March 4 * 2 pm

Sunday, March 5 * 2 pm

The Alabama Dance Theatre presents Spring Gala, A Celebration of the Season at Troy University’s Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets on sale now! For information call 334-625-2590 or visit alabamadancetheatre.com.

Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway

February 10-12 * Embassy Suites, Downtown Montgomery Take your marriage to the next level at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember® Marriage Getaway! This is more than just an escape from your busy schedule for a romantic weekend for you and your spouse. At Weekend to Remember, you’ll learn to connect with your spouse more intimately, understand God’s blueprints for a wonderful marriage, and draw from the experience and advice of leading marriage experts. Visit familylife.com/ weekend-to-remember for information.

Honda Battle of the Bands 2023

Saturday, February 18 * 7:30 PM

Alabama State University Stadium

Join hosts Rickey Smiley & Loni Love as they kick off HBOB 2023 - both live & virtually from Alabama State University - featuring one-of-akind musical performances. As part of Honda’s continued commitment to the HBCU community, HBOB 2023 will take place on an actual HBCU campus for the first time ever. Meet us LIVE in Montgomery for a celebration featuring world-class Marching Band performances, unrivaled HBCU Homecoming energy, and a must-see Halftime Performance! Visit hondabattleofthebands. com for tickets.

“Gypsy” by Pike Road Theatre Company

February 23 to March 12

Regarded by many theatre professionals as the finest musical ever created, Gypsy is the ultimate tale of an ambitious stage mother fighting for her daughters’ success - while secretly yearning for her own. The cel ebrated score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim boasts one glorious hit after another, including: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and more! Visit www.pikeroadtheatrecompany. org for tickets.

ANC Critter Crawl 5k and Yeti Dash

February 18th * Alabama Nature Center

The Alabama Nature Center (ANC) will host this 5K trail run is like no other! The Critter Crawl is a TRAIL RUN benefiting the ANC education programs that takes runners through a portion of the ANC’s 5 mile trail system. The Yeti Dash is a 1 mile trail system run.

Nature/critter costumes are mandatory for any guests who wish to participate in the Yeti Dash. While you are here, be on the lookout for the elusive Yeti, you just might be able to snag a picture with him! In addition to the races, there will be music, food, and vendors! Please see www.alabamawildlife.org or call 334-285-4550 for more details.

An Expressive Evening

Thursday, February 23 * 6 to 7:30 PM

Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts

Experience art, dance, music, poetry and more created and performed by River Region teens at this annual showcase of artistic expression. Are you an artist or performer? Sign up to showcase your talents at An Expressive Evening at https://mmfa. org/event/an-expressive-evening-2/.

The weekend is a commemoration of the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” and the Selma to Montgomery March. Join us on March 2-5, 2023 at the largest annual Civil Rights Commemoration event in the world, attended by three sitting presidents, hundreds civil rights leaders and thousands of attendees. Visit www.selmajubilee.com for details and schedule.

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

ASF * February 23 through March 12

Shakespeare’s final play is a story of adventure, magic, music, and forgiveness. Prospero has been exiled on an island with his daughter for more than a decade when he conjures a storm that crashes his enemies on the island in a violent shipwreck. What follows is a story that asks, “How do we forgive and move on after we have been harmed?” Rick Dildine directs, and ASF alumnus Greta Lambert stars as Prospero. Recommended for 13 and up. Visit asf.net.

Night to Shine

Friday, February 10

Wynlakes Golf and Country Club

Thorington Road Baptist Church is thrilled to partner with the Tim Tebow

Foundation for Night to Shine 2023. We will enjoy great music, dancing, karaoke, food, and lots of other fun things! Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God’s love, for people with special needs, ages 14 and older. Visit www.trbaptist.org.

Teachers are arguably the backbones of society, and there’s no question they’re the backbones of schools. So a teacher representing their craft is truly a gift, and this month, we pay tribute to one of Pike Road’s finest teachers, Daisha Henderson.

Since 2017, Ms. Henderson’s passion for teaching has only blossomed. With a degree in Elementary Education/Collaborative Special Education K-6 and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Leader, she’s putting her expertise to work at Pike Road Elementary School.

“Second grade is the sweet spot! Teaching second grade is the absolute best.” Ms. Henderson shares her enthusiasm as she embraces changing the lives of learners at a tender age. She believes that although they’re still playful and innocent, they also gain more confidence and independence. Ms. Henderson loves witnessing them as they begin to think critically and defend their thinking.

As Ms. Henderson entered the doors of Pike Road Elementary, her zest for teaching heightened as she witnessed an environment dedicated to student-centered learning. The school believes teachers are designers, facilitators, and

Daisha Henderson Pike Road Elementary School

navigators who improve the learning experience. This belief assured her that her role at PRES would always be respected and valued. She shares, “Those attributes with the community and culture at Pike Road made deciding to join the Patriot family effortless.”

Her classroom is her place to connect with her students in ways that only she can, and her teaching goals include providing quality learning, engaging the community, and developing expertise. “I want to provide learning opportunities for all students and motivate them to take ownership of their learning.”

Ms. Henderson believes teaching means uplifting, nurturing, inspiring, and empowering her students. Her learners are at the center of everything she does as a teacher. Her students need to know that she values them and their interests. Teaching and education will forever be an undeniable passion for Ms. Henderson, as she can’t imagine herself working outside the field of education. In the future, she plans to transition into a school leadership role when the time is right.

Daisha Henderson was born in Charleston, SC. She graduated from Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in 2013 and taught for two years at MPS.

Kindergarten Enrollment More Important Than Ever

Parents must make choices during their child’s development that have the potential to alter the course of the child’s future. One of the easiest of these choices is enrolling them in kindergarten.

While the state of Alabama only requires children between the ages of 6 and 17 to attend school, kindergarten is open to all 5-year-olds and is available at no cost, and it can have lifelong benefits. Studies show that not only does attending kindergarten lead to greater academic achievement, it also helps children develop crucial social and emotional skills. Kindergarten is a crucial building block as we commit to providing a 21st-century oriented education to all students.

Kindergarten helps set the stage for a child’s entire school career. Children learn about making friends, sharing, cooperating and treating others with respect. Kindergarten helps children learn to express themselves through language and explore their creativity. It builds the foundation for strong literacy and numeracy skills. Kindergarten also helps children build confidence and self-esteem and gives them a greater awareness of the world around them.

Kindergarten provides key preparation for the years of school to come. Any first-grade teacher can tell you that students who have attended kindergarten are much less likely to struggle. In the kindergarten classroom, children develop their vocabulary and conversation skills through interaction and steady exposure to language. Teachers contribute to this development by asking questions that help students make new connections. Hands-on activities in kindergarten also help children develop cognitive skills. The classroom environment stimulates students’ curiosity and encourages them to

engage their imaginations. All of this helps prepare them for the more challenging lessons they will encounter in later grades.

Social and emotional development is equally important. Kindergarten provides opportunities for children to learn how to be around others and to manage their emotions. Being away from home helps children develop a sense of independence and selfconfidence. First grade can be a shock to children who are not used to being around others in a school environment.

This month, we will be reaching out to our community, inviting parents and prospective students into our schools to discover what we offer to incoming kindergartners. We are excited to meet our families, and we look forward to forging lasting relationships. If we all embrace early childhood education, the entire community stands to reap the rewards.

Melvin J. Brown, Ed.D., is the superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools and previously served as superintendent of Reynoldsburg City Schools in Ohio. He has 24 years of school administrative experience.

Montgomery County Schools

Saint James Students Participate in Community Day

Community Day is an annual event sponsored by the Saint James high school SGA. On Friday, January 20, students from grades 10 – 12 dedicated time to nonprofit agencies and city services around Montgomery. The 9th grade students participated in on campus clean-up and other activities which help the school community. This year the Saint James students worked at a number of local non-profits and city organizations. The organizations served this year were The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and Shakespeare Park, Montgomery Area Food Bank, Reality and Truth Ministries, The Montgomery Zoo, E.A.T South, and Friendship Mission. Students participated in all sorts of helpful activities, including trash clean-up, packaging boxes of food, sorting seeds, and organizing clothing donations for the homeless.

The annual Community Day event is a long-time tradition which allows students to see how important it is to serve others in our communities. It ties in with the school’s commitment to serving the local community. The SGA sponsor Mrs. Kiki Hughes, along with the SGA members, organizes this event each year.

ECA Wins First Football Championship

Evangel Christian Academy’s football team, under the leadership of Coach Darius Dixon, set a school record this year by winning the school’s first football state championship. Prior to this year, the school had only had three winning seasons. However, building on the previous year’s success, with 5 starters returning, the Lions’ football team entered the 2022 season as the favorite to win the inaugural of AISA first Eight Man football league. After having a slow start to the season, the Lions were determined to give it their all and they made history along the way. After winning 5 games in a row, the team earned their way into the playoffs. The team played Springwood at Cramton Bowl for the AISA Eight Man Football State Title. The Lions won by a score of 38 to 28 and became the first team in the school’s history to win a football championship. Two defensive players, Nii Addy and Tobiyas McLemore, finished the season as all conference players. Addy led the conference in sacks and tackles for a loss. McLemore led the conference in interceptions with a total of eight interceptions.

Community Service Projects at Macon East

Macon East Academy’s SGA strives to make a difference and help those in need. During the months of November and December, the

school participated in Dixie Electric’s Food Drive during the 12s Day of Giving and collected over 1,200 items for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Macon East lower school through 8th grade also joined together for their Christmas service project to collect Christmas gifts for Heart to Heart, a local foster care ministry. The Montgomery Humane Society benefited from the 9th and 10th grade classes donating much needed supplies. 11th and 12th grades focused on Mid-Alabama Coalition for the Homeless donating cold weather jackets and gloves.

ACA Sophomores Head to Washington, DC

Our sophomore class visited Washington, DC, this past month. They enjoyed visiting the Museum of Natural History, The White House, Mt. Vernon, the grave of JFK and the eternal flame, and many more historical places! They all had a great time while learning about our nation’s history at the same time.

Montgomery Academy Students Give Back

Members of the Montgomery Academy Lower School Eagle Assembly delivered 354 toys do nated by their classmates to Com mon Ground Montgomery for their Christmas Store. After unloading and delivery, these student lead ers toured the Common Ground campus and learned about the program’s history. For over a decade, Montgom ery Academy Middle and Upper School students, faculty, and staff have had the joy of providing Christmas presents for residents of Brantwood Children’s Home. This annual service project is led by our Upper School H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Eagles Are Right There) organization. Montgomery Academy 7th and 8th-grade student leaders organized an essential items drive to support the work of our focus agency, Friendship Mission. Middle School students happily collected two

Forest Avenue Student Wins School Spelling Bee for Second Straight Year

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet student

Erin Shin was the school’s top speller for the second con-

Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Catholic Epiphany Celebration

Montgomery Catholic celebrated the end of the Christmas season by hosting its 2nd Annual Epiphany party for the Holy Spirit and St. Bede Elementary Campuses on January 6. Our faith teaches us of the Christmas season and that Christmas doesn’t end on December 25th. During the 12 days of Christmas the Magi followed the star to find our God as a baby in a manger.

This year’s event began with a series of social media posts following the travels of our “Wise Men” across the city of Montgomery and even on a trip to Rome, Italy. Their travels ended on the Feast of the Epiphany with them arriving at the Nativity to host a fun event for the elementary students. Our three kings, played by school President, Justin Castanza, Holy Spirit Parochial Vicar, Fr. Patrick Gilbreath, and St. Bede Parochial Vicar, Fr.

LAMP High E-Sports Wins Two State Championships

The LAMP High E-Sports program was ahead of the game at the state ESports Championship, bringing home two of the four state titles. Two teams represented LAMP and competed in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and League of Legends. LAMP Ian Shin,Donghwan Kwon, Colin Jung, and

High School.

Dalraida Elementary QUEST Classroom Receives Mini-Grant

Our Dalraida Elementary School 3rd-5th grade QUEST students were selected to receive a Classroom Mini-Grant from Alabama Ag in the Classroom. The funds will be used to Beautify their Outdoor Classroom Space.

Saint James School Math Teams Shine at AISA Math Competition

Saint James School students in both high school and middle school competed in the AISA District V Math Competitions on January 10, 2023. Both teams qualified for the State Competition to be held in February. Both the middle school team and high school team came in first place in their divisions. The middle school team, led by Mrs. DebJayden Cho, Yuha Shin, Aidan Saldanha, Emily Trock, and was also recogery Campus) on February 1.

Louis Yu, defeated BJHS Bao, representing Bob Jones

students compete to advance to the state competition. Lottie Smith won second place, and Mariam Jacobsen won third place.

Montgomery County Schools

Trinity Students Enjoy Camp Read-A-Lot

Trinity School second graders had such a great time at Camp Read-A-Lot! The students created a woodland forest in the common room and named it “Trinity National Forest.” Then, the students transformed their desks into their very own tents! The students had fun reading and working in the tents using flashlights around their “campfire!” At the end of the day, Valerie Castanza with the Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education brought three special guests to the “Trinity National Forest” for a visit. She brought a screech owl, a barred owl, and a red-tailed hawk. Not only did our students get to observe these animals up close, but Ms. Castanza also taught them about the raptors’

Saint James School Hosts 25th Julian McPhillips Wrestling Tournament

A long-standing tradition in the state of Alabama, the 25th Julian McPhillips Invitational Wrestling Tournament was held on January 6 and 7 at Saint James School. The highly competitive tournament is by invitation only and hosted 19 teams this year, 1A-7A. Always held the first weekend in January, the Invitational Tournament is named in honor of a vital supporter of the wrestling program at Saint James, Mr. Julian McPhillips of Montgomery. In 1997, McPhillips was instrumental in expanding the school’s field house and adding a wrestling room. The school had not had a wrestling team before, but with his support, Saint James launched their first wrestling season and in 1998, the first tournament was held bearing McPhillips’s name.

In this year’s tournament, the Trojans finished 2nd overall with many of its team members placing in their individual weight classes. Logan Hartson placed 1st in his weight class. Jake Streeton, AJ

Alozie, and Braylen Corley placed 2nd in their weight classes. Jake Huff and Pruitt Conner each placed 3rd in his weight class.

Placing 4th in their divisions were Emmett Rasmussen and Miles Zukowski. This tournament is a local favorite and continues to be an important one as teams prepare for sectionals. Participants this year included Beauregard, Prattville Christian, Tallassee, Stanhope Elmore, Elmore County, Montgomery Catholic, T.R. Miller, W.S. Neal, Holtville, Houston Academy, Reeltown, Dothan High School, Jeff Davis, Robert E. Lee, Indian Springs, Brewbaker Tech, and Charles Henderson high school.

Montgomery County Schools

MA Mathletes Win 2nd Place in Competition

Five Montgomery Academy mathletes participated in the AISA District V High School Math Competition at Hooper Academy, winning second place overall. The competition consisted of a 50-question written test, followed by a ciphering round.

Claire Gary, Katie Brown, Carson Springer, Katherine Sinco, and Charles Norris participated in the competition with Katie Brown tied for the highest score in the competition and will advance to the state competition on February 1st in Troy, AL.

Saint James School Art Students Spread Christmas Joy

Saint James School art teacher Evelyn Shoults was overjoyed when she was contacted by the EastChase Chick-Fil-A staff about painting the windows of the restaurant with holiday art. The Saint James art students donated their free time to create the paintings which decorated the windows. This is the 4th year painting windows for Chick-fil-a, and the 3rd year at the Eastchase location. The first year painting windows was at the Midtown Ann street location during the 2017-18 school year. According to Mrs. Shoults, “It is always an honor to be able to give back to the community in an artistic way.”

The students enjoyed seeing their art decorate the windows for the employees and their patrons.

Trinity Alumni in AU Marching Band

Alumni students from Trinity School are part of Auburn University’s Marching Band.

Macon East Post Season Honors

Congratulations to our Macon East Knights on their collection of 2022 post-season honors!

ACA Receives a Piano for the Chorus Program

Carter Reed, former Director of the Montgomery Chorale, donated a mahogany baby grand piano to ACA’s Choral Program. Mr. Reed is moving to Birmingham and wanted the beautiful piano to be used with chorus students. Mr. Holladay has had this relationship with Mr. Reed for a long time and this donation was such a blessing to the students here at ACA.

Montgomery County Schools

MCS Students Part of Governor’s Parade

Montgomery Christian had the opportunity of being a part of Governor Kay Ivey’s Inauguration Parade on Monday, January 16th. Several of our students rode on the Scholarships for Kids float. Scholarships for Kids is a scholarship granting organization that helps students attend private schools. Scholarships for Kids is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that serves as a state-approved Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) under the Alabama Accountability Act of 2013. They work directly with qualified, nonpublic schools to offer scholarships and access to better education for

celebrating Pioneer Week! They stepped back in time learning and playing just like students of the 1800s. And judging by the smiles and laughs, they had a marvelous time! Pioneer Week is just one of the many long standing traditions at Trinity!

Ceramics Projects at Montgomery Academy

Montgomery Academy students in Ms. Thompson’s Ceramics 1 class, explored using coils to build their first large-scale project. Students hand-rolled coils and pieced them together to create these imaginative pots, each over 10 inches tall! After their piece was dried and fired in the kiln once, students used different glazes to add color and finish their pieces. Each artist created a successful piece showing off their own personality in clay!

TEA Academy Students

Refining Effective Communication Skills

Learning to communicate effectively is more than just knowing how to deliver a message, but understanding how to listen and respond to people on different levels, to include at school. Refining effective communication skills can help with being more approachable, and easier to communicate with; as well lead to being more open to new ideas that can in turn lead to innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. Talent Education & Art Christian Academy, Inc., conducted a workshop which was the lead-in for their Effective Communication class for this quarter. The workshop was led by Dr. Aaron Motley, the former Station Manager for Trinity Broadcasting Network, which is the largest Christian Network in the world. Motley was a Class Act! As he held the students attention, he entertained them, and he allowed them to get involved by asking questions and displaying examples.

Dr. Aaron Motley is the founder and pastor of Miracle Deliverance Temple of Christ, and the owner of AM Media Productions Motley applied data-driven strategies and realworld applications to help students gain an understanding in specific areas of communication. TEA Academy, Inc. is blessed to have partnered with Dr. Aaron Motley, and we are so excited!

GOD HAS A PLAN AND A PURPOSE FOR ME Evangel Christian Academy

Encouraging each child to achieve their God-given potential

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord... Jeremiah 29:11 Accredited: ACTS, AISA, SACS, Advanced ED, NCPSA

AISA Blue Ribbon School

Montgomery County Schools

ACA’s Stewart Officially Signs with University of Kentucky

Avery Stewart officially signed with the University of Kentucky. Stewart is excited about the opportunity to further his academic and athletic career with the coaches and staff. Stewart signed with over 60 family, friends, ACA teachers, coaches and UK Staff supporting him. We are so excited for this opportunity for Avery and all that he will add to the program there.

Internet Safety Talks at MA

As part of Montgomery Academy’s Upper School Assembly program, Judge Lloria James gave a presentation to students on Internet Safety and Social Media Awareness. Judge James drew from her experiences working in the District Attorney’s Office as well as cases that have come before her. She enlightened students on the hazards of internet scams and the unfortu nate consequences that occur by the misrepresentation of oneself or others on the internet. She informed students of laws that are in place that should encour age them to make wise decisions when posting on social media. Students found her lecture intrigu ing and continued discussions in class with teachers later in the day. Thank you to Judge James for visiting with us!

MA Student

Artwork

Chosen in Calendar Contest

Montgomery Academy junior

Trinity K4 Students Make Snow

K4 students at Trinity School making snow in the Steam Studio. They have been busy doing all kinds of winter activities and making snow has been a hit!

Saint James Tri-M Club Hosts the Annual Instrument Petting Zoo

On Tuesday, January 17, the Saint James students who are part of the high school Tri-M Club hosted their annual “Instru ment petting zoo.” At the event, Saint James 5th grade students experience a variety of different instruments in the school’s Performing Arts Building. They also get to hear and visit with the high school choir. High School students who play the various instruments from horns, strings, and percussion demonstrate the instruments and explain how the instruments work. This experience helps the rising middle school students see and hear the variety of instruments used by the Saint James Marching Trojans and band classes, as well as hear the talents of the choir. Saint James School offers band classes for middle and high school students taught by band director Andy Martin, and choral classes offered by Dr. Sallye York.

Montgomery County Schools

ECA Students Enjoy a Sweet Reward

Evangel Christian Academy’s elementary students recently enjoyed a Conduct Honor Roll Party for the first semester. Students who had an E (Excellent) in Conduct for the first two nine weeks were invited to the candy themed celebration. The students enjoyed a special snack and had their pictures made at a photo booth adorned in candy decor. To culminate the celebration, the students were treated to a special candy table with various sweet treats and prizes.

Montgomery Christian Adds Cheer Team

Montgomery Christian School has added some excitement to its MCS basketball games with a cheer team. Mrs. Allison Jackson, MCS 5th grade teacher, is the first ever MCS cheer sponsor. The cheer squad has 17 girls from 4th and 5th grade. They’ve had several afternoons of practice and a cheer camp over

Pizza Party for Top Selling Class at Pike Road Intermediate School

Congratulations to Ms. Mills class for being the top seller for our Butter Braids fundraiser!! We celebrated them with pizza and cupcakes!

PRIS 6th Graders Study the Great Depression

C6 social studies teacher Mr. Phillips introduced Black Tuesday and The Great Depression with a stock market simulation. Learners worked in pairs as bankers and stock traders in 1929- only to realize that the value of a dollar can change very fast in the stock market!

Autauga County Schools

Pine Level Elementary Teacher of the Year

Ms. Cassie Fields (blue dress) was honored by the Autauga Education Founda tion and AEA for being selected as Pine Level Elementary’s Teacher of the year.

at Gameday Championship

Congratulations! PCA’s competitive cheer team placed fifth out of 26 teams in AHSAA’s 4A Gameday State Championship with zero deductions!

PIS Jr. Beta Club President Leads by Example

Prattville Intermediate School Jr. Beta Club President spent his Saturday after the storms working with his family on disaster relief in our community. He helped collect and deliver supplies for the Prattville Chamber’s “Stuff the Bus” program.

P’Zazz Art at Prattville Intermediate

Another successful session of Afterschool

Art with P’Zazz Art kicked off on January 10th at Prattville Intermediate School.

These popular sessions run once a week for four weeks, with students creating an exciting new art project each week.

PIS Students Design Yearbook

Prattville Intermediate School 6th Grade students design, submit, and vote on yearbook design covers. The two with the most votes become the front and back cover. Congratulations to A. Jones and A. Headley for being this year’s winners!

Prattville Christian Softball Player Signs with Chattanooga

Sally Swindall is headed north to play softball for Chattanooga Athletics! She signed a Letter of Intent earlier this week surrounded by family, friends, and teammates.

PCA Panthers Tournament Champions

The Panthers were named Autauga County Tournament Champions for the first time since 2018 after defeating Autaugaville 62-59 and Marbury

Prattville Intermediate Focuses on Integrity

PIS Creatively Focuses on Integrity for HOUSE Day, Wednesday, January 18th

Once a month Prattville Intermediate celebrates “HOUSE Day” with a focus on building a positive school-wide community

prove to 11-1

Autauga County Schools

PCA Wrestling Team Finishes Fourth in Tournament

PCA’s wrestling team finished fourth in the Julian McPhillips Wres-

PCA’s Student Government Association hosted a career fair for upper school students to understand what’s necessary to land their dream job! More than 30 local organizations shared about the professional, trade, entrepreneurial, skilled labor, and manufacturing opportunities available to students after graduation.

February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month® and is a time to celebrate the value of CTE and the achievements of our CTE programs in Elmore County. These programs give students technical skills, academic skills, and employability skills. Regardless of whether students plan to go to college or enter the workforce, CTE programs help prepare them for the future.

Continued growth in our career and technical programs at the Elmore County Technical Center led to the construction of a new 45,000 square foot facility that opened in February 2022. This allowed us to bring all of our programs back onto one campus and expand program offerings. Thirteen programs are currently offered on the ECTC campus: Automotive Service Technology, Aviation Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Technology, Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC), Hospitality & Tourism,

Medical Sciences, Plumbing & Pipefitting, PreEngineering & Design, Public Safety & Law, Teaching & Training, and Welding Technology. Students and staff in the Aviation Technology, Construction Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC, Medical Sciences, Plumbing & Pipefitting, Public Safety & Law, and Welding Technology. The original facility is currently under renovation and we look forward to the possibility of adding new programs in the future. Workforce data impacts the programs we offer and student demand for those programs. The Teaching & Training program opened last school year and provides students with knowledge and skills needed for teaching and professional training consultant careers. Students will culminate this two-year program with an internship and the Praxis Core Academic Skills Test. Due to the high demand for medical professionals, we have two Medical Sciences instructors to meet enrollment requests in this program. Dual enrollment in technical (manufacturing technology and welding) and academic areas (general psychology, U.S. History 10th grade and 11th grade, American Government, Economics, and English 101 and 102) are also offered on the ECTC campus.

Each of our high schools also offer various CTE programs: Agriconstruction; Food, Wellness, & Dietetics; Business Management & Administration; Marketing, Sales & Service; Restaurant and Food & Beverage Services; Finance; Advertising Design; General Agriscience; and Sports Medicine. Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp (JROTC) is offered onsite at Stanhope Elmore High School and Wetumpka High School. Elmore County High and Holtville High School students may participate in JROTC at Wetumpka High School.

Career and technical education can benefit students in many ways, and we encourage our students to participate whenever possible. Elmore County Schools constantly strives to provide the best possible environment where every student is empowered and every student succeeds!

Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.

Elmore County Schools

ECTC Seniors Qualify for Patient Care Tech

Each of these seniors has passed the Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant exam through their Medical Sciences courses which makes them all qualified to enter the workforce as patient care technicians part-time while still in school or full-time immediately upon graduation.

RES 2nd Graders Hold Lady Liberty Closing Ceremony

Our 2nd graders finished up their Lady Liberty program with a field trip to the Lady Liberty Closing Ceremony! They are super citizens now! At the ceremony, our PTO President Nicole Dodd was honored as our “hero” for this year. We are so thankful for everything she does for our Redland family.

The journey to mend his heart led

Qua was born with tricuspid atresia that required a series of open heart surgeries as an infant. But as a teen, his health took a dramatic turn. Qua’s pediatrician and cardiologist recognized something wasn’t right with his heart and sent him to Children’s of Alabama. Our team was standing by when he arrived by helicopter, and within two weeks he received a new heart. He rebounded quickly and was back at home a few weeks later, thanks to the expert heart team here at Children’s of Alabama.

Qua Heart Transplant Survivor

Redland Elementary Honors Officer Puckett

Aviation Rockets at ECTC

The final project of the first semester for students in the Aviation Technology program at the Elmore County Technical Center was the design, construction, and launch of various rockets.

Redland Third Graders Take AR Challenge

Third graders at RES were given an AR test challenge! The class in each pod that passed the most AR test would receive extra STEM time in the library. Congrats to Mrs. Delk’s, Mrs. Rowland, and Mrs. Tice’s classes!

Over the years, I’ve had ups and downs in my health (haven’t we all?)

I read a quote from someone just last week: “You will never always be motivated. You have to learn to be disciplined.” We all know that living a healthy lifestyle is vital in preventing some diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, but maintaining that is hard.

So if you’re with me, keep reading for my tips on getting motivated so that you can stay healthy.

Picture your future self –but not too far in the future

What has always bothered me about the push for healthy living is the focus on the “future self” – an unattainable version of me that I may or may not become someday. While long-term goals are great, it has helped me picture how I want to feel – not only a year from now but also tomorrow. I often remind myself that I will only become who I want to be if I live like that person today.

Don’t Do It Alone

What are your friend and relationship habits? While there’s nothing wrong with sitting on a couch watching a show together and eating ice cream, it’s helpful to include activity in your everyday social outings. Go for a walk, take a bike ride, or even enjoy a gym class together.

Focus on What You Can Do, Not What You Can’t

If you’re trying to eat healthily but only think about the sugary, processed foods you’re saying no to, it will be tough to stay consistent. Instead, try making a list of the healthy fruits and veggies you love and put them on your grocery list. You can also do this for workouts. If you love tennis more than running, text a friend to play. If you prefer walking over weight training, carve out some time for a stroll and queue up a great podcast to listen to while you’re out.

Sleep

Sleep is one of the most overlooked health benefits. When we talk about “selfcare,” it’s easy to think more of spa days than snoozing. While there’s nothing wrong with a spa day (I would welcome one myself), sleep is necessary for my self-care. It’s a treat!

Manage Stress

If you’re anything like me, it can feel almost impossible to go work out after a long and hectic workday. Rather than forcing your self to exercise after that workday, consider the root of the issue: stress. Set yourself up for success by creating a calming morning routine, thinking about how to make healthy boundaries with your time and coworkers, and drinking lots of water throughout the day. If those tips don’t work, consider fitting in your workout before the workday begins.

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

Alabama Dance Theatre presents

MARCH 3-5, 2023

Friday 3RD @ 7:00 PM

Saturday 4TH @ 2:00 PM

Sunday 5TH @ 2:00 PM

Troy University’s Davis Theatre Downtown Montgomery

TICKETS: alabamadancetheatre.com Info: 334.625.2590

A Celebration of the Season 2023-2024

SPONSORS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kristi Bush serves as a national education consultant and social media safety advocate. She is a licensed social worker with greater than 15 years of clinical practice and health care experience. She attended Troy and Auburn University where she studied social work and counseling. Kristi travels nationally and has spoken with thousands of children, parents, professionals and organizations about the benefits and threats associated with social media. You may reach Kristi through her website at www.knbcommunications.com.

At

by Kimberley Carter Spivey

During the holiday season, it’s easy

shopping in the farmer’s markets and

Vegetable Bowl

cause let’s face it, it’s all part of family tradition. However, many of us are ready to make healthy diet changes when the New Year rolls around. So if you’re looking for a more nutritious and lighter recipe your entire family will enjoy, look no further.

Local mom Stephanie Parsons shares one of her healthy meals to cleanse your system and satisfy your palette. Stephanie is a stay-at-home mom and has been married to Jimmy Parsons for 11 years. They have four children: Elizabeth Anne (16), Scarlett (15), Harmon (10), and Eloise (4). The Parsons enjoy traveling, especially with friends, and hosting parties and events.

In an attempt to create healthy foods for her family to enjoy, reading Alejandro Junger’s book titled Clean ignited a spark for Stephanie to use whole foods to prepare meals. She shares, “In my dreams, we have a garden where my veggies are readily available. But right now, I’m still

Growing up, her mother did all the cooking, and Stephanie never helped. She jokes that her mother was the “Original Granola Mom.” Her family ate healthily with whole grains, fresh vegetables, and minimal sweets. As an adult, Stephanie learned how to operate the kitchen solo. She likes to incorporate healthy options from her childhood that her mom created as options for her family now. Hands down, Mauviel Copper cookware is her personal favorite. “These beautiful, heirloom pieces can be passed down for generations,” Stephanie says.

Typically, Stephanie doesn’t follow a recipe; she likes to put ingredients together. After reading Clean, she started making bowls, primarily with fresh vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and nuts. If you’re a busy on-the-go parent, these bowls are easy to do in the evening for dinner or in the morning for lunch prep.

There are no official rules for building your veggie bowl. The possibilities are endless, and it’s hard to go wrong with vegetables. A veggie bowl is a satisfying dish to help you avoid wasting food, so give this colorful and versatile bowl a try!

Ingredients:

Base-quinoa

Watercress

Broccoli

Roasted Chickpeas

Avocado

Roasted Carrots

Directions:

Roast the chickpeas and carrots by toss ing them in EVOO and sprinkling with salt flakes and red pepper flakes. Roast in the oven at 375 for 15-20 minutes. Top the bowl with sliced almonds. To add extra zest and taste to the bowl, use a homemade Tahini dressing (tahini 1/4 cup), lemon juice (1/cup), greek yogurt (1/2

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.

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

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

Create a Bedtime Routine and Regular Bedtime

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

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

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

Read Food Labels

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

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

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

Exercise with Your Kids

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

Limit Screen Time

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

Encourage Social Interactions

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

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

Discuss Physical and Emotional Safety with Kids

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

Be a Healthy Role Model

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

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

Active Entertainment

Newtopia

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3731 Malcolm Drive, Montgomery, AL 36116

Indoor playground designed to keep your children happy for hours.

(334) 356.4518 newtopiafunpark.com

2211 The Ultimate Play Zone

3541 McGehee Road, Montgomery, AL 36111

Roller-skating Rink. (334) 593.7180 2211ultimateplayzone@gmail.com 2211ultimateplayzone.com

Eastdale Roller Palace

1000 Eastdale Circle, Montgomery, AL 36117

Roller-skating on Monday-Sunday. (334) 277.2088 shopeastdale.com

Launch

891 Boardroom Drive, Prattville , AL 36066

Multiple trampoline court with different activities. Please visit our website for more details. (334) 568.2041 info@launchprattville.com launchtrampolinepark.com

Rockin Jump

5544 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36117

Where exercising is FUN! Multiple jump arenas. (334) 239.2587 montgomery-al@rockinjump.com rockinjump.com

Skatezone Wetumpka

88 Red Eagle Pkwy., Wetumpka, AL 36092

Roller-skating Rink

(334) 567.4434 Facebook - Skatezone Wetumpka

Brain Support

Neurokinetic Solutions

7150 Halcyon Park Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117

A coordinated body is an organized brain. Brain pump classes and Educational Consulting offered. (334) 625.0068 nksolutions007@gmail.com neurokineticsolutions.com

Emotional Health/ Counseling

Fundamentally Fit Life Coaching Montgomery, AL 36116

Helping clients overcome any behaviors, situations, mindsets that are keeping them STUCK in their life! (334) 451.0225 Fundamentally Fit Life Coaching on Facebook

Laurie Mattson Shoemaker, M.S., RPT-S, LPC-S Counseling

2047 Carter Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36105 Offering services in Child counseling, supervised visitation, Parent coordination and Custody (334) 647.1199 lauriemattsonshoemakermslpc. businesssite

Origins Counseling and Wellness

6708 Taylor Circle, Montgomery, AL 36117

Origins Counseling and Wellness staff includes licensed professional counselors, associate licensed counselors, doctoral level trainees, functional nutrition and administrative support.

(334) 356-0369 originscounseling.org

Pike Road Counseling

9427 Vaughn Road, Pike Road, AL 36064 Pike Road Counseling is a counseling practice that provides psychotherapy services AND Iasis Micro Current Neurofeedback to people in all phases of life. We offer a variety of therapy services for adults, adolescents, families, and children.

(334) 603-1427 pikeroadcounseling.com

Fitness Gym/ Recreation Center

Prattville YMCA

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Various Locations, Prattville, AL 36067 Youth Fitness programs, Youth Sports, Swimming. (334) 361.0268 prattvilleymca.org

Club Pilates

8143 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116

CP Teen - good class for athletic or inactive teenagers.

(334) 603.8055 clubpilates.com

Gunter Pool - Montgomery Parks & Rec 2390 Congress W L Dickinson Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

Open during summer season.

(334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Montgomery YMCA

Various Locations, Montgomery, AL

Youth sports, Teen programs, Swimming and Fitness classes. Each location will offer unique classes to them.

(334) 271.4343 ymcamontgomery.org

Rebar Performance

8200 Emma Court, Pike Road, AL 36064

Cross Fit Kids is a method for teaching Cross Fit to children ages 7-14.

(334) 373.2271 rebar.fitness

Wetumpka YMCA

200 Red Eagle Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Aquatics and Youth Sports. Please call for more programs available.

(334) 567.8282 ymcamontgomery.org

WP Cross Fit

1555 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117 Speed and Agility & Strength and Conditioning for ages (7-18) and Performance Training, 7-11 & 12-18. (228) 257.9117 wpcrossfit.com

Health Food Stores/ Meal Prep

Herb Shop Wellness Center

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8151 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116

Helping kids be healthier and smarter through specific testing. Vitamins & Supplements, Food

Allergy Testing, Nutritional Genetical Testing to maximize your health & Natural Skin Care for Eczema and Psoriasis.

(334) 271.2882 herbshopal.com

Fountain City Health Foods

101 S Memorial Drive, #3621, Prattville, AL 36067

Grocery and herbal remedy store. We offer vitamins, supplements, essential oils and more. (334) 361.7550 fountaincity1@knology.net fountaincityhealthfoods.com

Fresh Market

1635 Perry Hill Road, Montgomery, AL 36106

Organic foods and healthy snacks. (334) 272.8952 thefreshmarket.com

GNC

7966 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36117

Health- & sports-related vitamins, supplements & herbs, plus drinks & snacks. (334) 213.2462 gnc.org

Healthwise

5147 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36109

Functional foods, Organic Groceries, Children’s Health and Adolescent Health.

(334) 277.9925 healthwisefoods.com

Vitamin Shoppe

7345 Eastchase Pkwy., Montgomery, AL 36117

Vitamins & Supplements, Herbs & Natural Remedies and Natural Beauty & Skin.

(334) 279.4061 vitaminshoppe.com

Parent Support

Alabama Department of Public Health

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201 Monroe Street, Montgomery, AL 36116

All Kids Children Health Insurance Program: A low-cost, comprehensive healthcare coverage program for children under age 19. Benefits include regular checkups and immunizations, sick child doctor visits, prescriptions, vision and dental care, hospitalization, mental health and substance abuse services and more. Women, Infants and Children (WIC): supplemental nutrition program for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, women who had a baby within the last 6 months, infants and children under the age of five.

888-737-5437 adph.org

The Parent Assist Line (PALS)

Montgomery, AL A collaborative service of the University of Alabama Child Development Resources and the Alabama Children’s Trust Fund. Call and a parenting resource specialist will answer, listen to you, then offer helpful and supportive information. 1-800-962-3030 apal.ua.edu

Outdoors/Parks/Trails

Alabama Nature Trails

3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, AL 36054

The Alabama Nature Center at Lanark offers 350 acres of forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds and offer five miles of boardwalks and trails in three regions: Still Creek Run, Turkey Ridge, and Hilltop Pass from easy to moderate.

(334) 285.4550 alabamabirdtrails.com

Audubon

3174 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106

Located in the Cloverdale neighborhood, Audubon Park is a 1 acre open, grassy area perfect for frisbee, picnics, or walking the dog. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

AUM/Ron Nunn Montgomery

250 Brown Springs Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117

Batting cages and a playground. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Autauga Creek Canoe Trail

Behind City Hall, Prattville, AL 36067

Historic creek in downtown Prattville. Offers a 13 mile spring fed trail great for kayaking, canoeing or floating down.

Facebook: Autauga Creek Canoe Trail

Blount Cultural Park

3 Festival Dr., Montgomery, AL 36117

Open play area and miles of walking trails. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Buddy Watson

1801 Taylor Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117

Batting cages, walking trail and playground. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Cloverdale Park

2415 W Cloverdale Park, Montgomery, AL 36106

Playground and open green space. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Cloverdale Road Park

3124 Cloverdale Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106

Open green space and walking trail. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Coosa River Adventures

415 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092

Paddle along the Coosa River for fun. We offer rentals of all types for your adventure.

(334) 514.0279 coosariveradventures.com

Dannelly

3415 Carter Hill Rd, Montgomery, AL 36111 Batting cages, open play space and playground.

(334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Ida Belle Young Park

5400 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36116 Playground, tennis courts and walking trail. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Kiwanis Park

400 N Hull St, Montgomery, AL 36104 Large playground and open green space. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Lagoon Park 2855 Lagoon Park Dr., Montgomery, AL 36109 5 miles of biking and walking trails, playgrounds, batting cages and tennis courts. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Memorial Center Park

3168 Park Circle, Millbrook, AL 36054 Walking trails, creek and Kids Kingdom playground (334) 285.7227 cityofmillbrook.org

Oak Park

1010 Forest Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106 Multiple walking trails and horseshoes (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Pratt Park

460 Doster Road, Prattville , AL 36067

Walking trails, “A Child’s Place” Playground, Splash pad and community pool. (334) 595.0800 prattvilleal.gov

Riverfront Park

335 Coosa St, Montgomery, AL 36104 Splash Pad, (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Swayback Bike Trail

Jordan Dam Road, Wetumpka, AL On the shores of Lake Jordan and offers 12 miles of biking/hiking.

(334) 567.9090 trailoflegends.org

Thompson Park

1655 Ray Thorington Rd, Pike Road, AL 36064 Playgrounds and batting cages (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Vaughn Road Park 3620 Vaughn Rd, Montgomery, AL 36106 Boundless playgrounds, tennis courts, walking trails, large open play space and walking trails. (334) 625.2300 funinmontgomery.com

Pediatric Dentist & Orthodontics

Chapman Orthodontics

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1550 East Trinity Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36106 Dr. Lewis Chapman and Dr. Will Chapman (334) 272.9447 chapmanortho.com

Dentistry for Children

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7047 Halcyon Summit Drive, Montgomery and 68 Village Loop, Wetumpka, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Julia Schreiber and Dr. LaKeisha Thomas (334) 277.6830 chew-chewtrain.com

Just for Grins Orthodontics

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7051 Halcyon Summit, Montgomery; 68 Village Loop, Wetumpka; and 207 Ashton Plaza, Millbrook, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Dunn & Dr. Schreiber. We have locations in Millbrook and Wetumpka. (334) 270.1044 justforgrinsortho.com

Montgomery Pediatric

Dentistry & Orthodontics

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2600 Bell Road, Montgomery; 460 McQueen Smith Road, Prattville; 9547 Vaughn Road, Pike Road, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. John; Dr. David; Dr. Rob; Dr. R. Davis; Dr. Frank (334) 845. 8477 Montgomery; (334) 355.2429, Prattville; (334) 675.9777, Pike Road smilesfromus.com

Bush Pediatric Dentistry

4740 Woodmere Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36106

Dr. Samuel Bush (334) 676.2144 bushpediatricdentistry.com

Dentists 4 Children

7015 Halcyon Park Dr., Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Richard K. Vann, Dr. Heather Thornton and Dr. James M. Jenkins

(334) 284.1100 dentist4children.com

Kingry Orthodontics

8101 Seaton Place, Montgomery, AL 36116

31 Bridge Street, Pike Road, AL 36064

Dr. Mark Kingry

(334)272.4900 kingryorthodontics.com

Pike Road Dental

31 Bridge Street, Pike Road, AL 36064

Dr. Victoria Wells

(334) 819.7377 smile@pikeroaddental.com pikeroaddental.com

Smart Smiles

315 Ray Thorington Rd, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Foch Smart (334) 271.2345 smartsmiles.com

Toothbuds at Lagoon Park

553 N. Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Allie and Dr. Shelby (334) 801.9800 toothbudsatlagoonpark.com

TW Orthodontics

4635 Woodmere Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Nick Turner, Dr. Brett Wood and Dr. Jeremy Scarpate (334) 260.8166 twortho.com

Pediatrics

Physicians to Children

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470 Taylor Rd., Suite 210, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Kendra Gillis Colvin, MD, Dr. Cheryl Gardner Fekete, MD, Dr. Alicia Hughes, MD, Dr. Dina Winston, MD, Dr. Olivia C Garcia, MD, Dr. Karen Doles, MD and Dr. Marissa Hoy, MD, (334) 293.5033 www.childrensal.org

Alexander Pediatrics

356 St. Lukes Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Jenny Alexander

(334) 270.8864 alexanderpediatrics.com

All About Kids

2921 Zelda Rd., Montgomery, AL 36106

Dr. Nicole Sheffield, M.D. (334) 277.5431 www.zeldapeds.com

East Montgomery Pediatrics 337 St. Lukes Drive, Montgomery, AL 36117

Dr. Elmer Roque. (334) 356.1411

Montgomery Pediatric Associates PA 420 Cotton Gin Road, Montgomery

645 McQueen Smith Rd. N, Prattville

Danica Taylor, CRNP, Jamie Mathis, CRNP, Melissa Johnson, CRNP, Dr. Allen Newton, MD, Dr. John Sumners, M.D., Dr. James Rabon, M.D. (334) 260.9129, Montgomery and (334) 361.7811, Prattville www.montg-pvillepediatric.com

Partners in Pediatrics

8160 Seaton Place, Montgomery , AL 36117 136 E. Main Street, Prattville, AL 36067

Catherine Woods, M.D., Susan Brannon, M.D., Lamenda Blakeney, M.D., Elizabeth Diebel, M.D., Rama Mukkamala, M.D., Melissa S. McNally, M.D., Dr. Danielle Speight, M.D., Dr. True Hooper, Katherine Schull, M.D., Carol Anna Troy, M.D. and Sabrina McDaniel-Colburn, CRNP (334) 272.1799 www.mykidsdr.com

Pediatric Healthcare

4700 Woodmere Blvd. , Montgomery, AL 36106 David Morrison, M.D., Den Trumbull, M.D., David Perry, M.D., and Rahcell Ann Burkett, M.D., and Madeline Hitt, MSN CPNP-AC (334) 273.9700 www.pedhealthcare.com

Professional Pediatrics

4154 Carmichael Rd., Montgomery, AL 36106

Dr. Ulysses DaVila and Dr. David W. Drennen and Dr. David Scott

(334) 271.5959 www.professionalpediatrics.com

Pediatrics/Wetumpka

Carlile Pediatrics

78 Cambridge Court, Wetumpka, AL 36093

Dr. Carlile

(334) 567.6915 www.carlilepediatrics.com

Wetumpka Pediatric Clinic

815 Jackson Trace Rd., Wetumpka, AL 36092

Dr. Jim Carlile, Dr. Anne Young, Kasey Emmons, CRNP and Kathleen Calhoun, CRNP (334) 567.2882 ivycreekhealth.com/primary-care/ wetumpka-pediatrics

Recreation

O’Connor Tennis Center

ad on page 53

500 Anderson Street, Montgomery, AL 36107

O’Connor Tennis Center features a 12 court facility + two 36’ courts for children. Ben Bradshaw is a certified USPTA Elite professional who teaches private lessons. Multiple tennis lessons and clinics available.

(334) 240.4884 oconnortenniscenter.com

Alabama Nature Center

3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, AL 36054 Outdoor facility that offers nature walks, edu-

cational programs, Day Camps, Homeschool programs and seasonal programs. Outdoor classroom, Pavilion and fishing available. (334) 285.4550 alabamawildlife.org

Civil Axe Throwing

39 Dextre Avenue, Unit 2, Montgomery, AL 36104 Ages 10 and up. Civil Axe provides a simple, thrilling activity in a safe and relaxed atmosphere.

(334) 209.5576 civilaxethrowing.com

Coosa River Adventures

415 Company Street, Wetumpka, AL 36092 Paddle along the Coosa River for fun. We offer rentals of all types for your adventure.

(334) 514.0279 coosariveradventures.com

Lagoon Park & Golf

2855 Lagoon Park Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

Gorgeous 18-hold public golf course. Amenities include: lighted driving range, chipping and putting area and private lessons.

(334) 240.4050 playmontgomerygolf.com

Splattered Woods Paintball

PRIS C6 Band Students Perform Christmas Concert

2151 Cantelou Road, Montgomery, AL 36108

K&B Hobbies is a paintball business that host paintball games and operate a home field called “Splat”. (334) 612.9127 kbhobbies-paintball.com

Swayback Bike Trail

Jordan Dam Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092

Congratulations to our C6 band students on a concert well played last night. We are so proud of you and the incredible progress you’ve made this year!

On the shores of Lake Jordan and offers 12 miles of biking/hiking. (334) 567.9090 trailoflegends.org

Send

Newtopia Fun Park Awards Scholarships to Community

Newtopia loves to show their appreciation by being a blessing to our surrounding communities, by rewarding students with scholarship opportunities to better prepare them for their future endeavors. On December 9, 2022, New

Macon East Students Participate in AISA All-Star Football

Place), and our Class Champion Sheika Williams from Train Them Up Academy.

The winners were chosen from a committee based on school champion nominations and a brief summary submissions on their plans for the future. We encourage all students to continue to be their best selves and urge them to take advantage of all the op portunities that lead them to a bright successful future.

Macon East Fourth Graders Enjoy Field Trip

equaling up to $10,000 at our GON Scholarship ceremony.

Our GON Scholarship stands for “Go to the Next Generation”, which began annually in December of 2018. The 2022 first and second place winners

MaKenzie Holmes (1st Place), McKenzie Ogletree (2nd place), Nasiah Rodriguez (2nd

Ms. Johnson’s fourth grade class enjoyed an educational field trip this past Friday that goes along with their study of Alabama State History. The students were able to tour Alabama’s historic Capitol. They were able to view the beautiful rotunda, the spiral staircase, the Avenue of Flags, and the portraits of the former governors. The students also enjoyed touring The First White House of the Confederacy and The Alabama Department of Archives and History. Their special treat added to an already fun-filled day was eating lunch at Chris’ Famous Hot Dogs. Special thanks to Mrs. Custard and her daughter for taking time to guide us and give their expertise at all these historic places.

Eight Macon East student-athletes were honored to participate in the 2022 AISA All-Star Football game held December 2 at Cramton Bowl. Deonte Powell, Sanders Manning, Gabe Spencer and Hunter Tillman all represented Macon East for the East team. Gabe Spencer was honored as Most Outstanding Offensive Back for the East team. Madison May, Ar’monni Payne, Hannah Kate Hodges and Mikalah Belser cheered the East team on from the sidelines as part of the all-star cheerleading squad. The participants enjoyed a few days of practice with their fellow AISA teammates. The East team beat the West team this year 36-22.

Newtopia would also like to extend our appreciation to all the teachers, administrators, educators, and parents for all your hard work and dedication to educating our students. Newtopia appreciates you.

Pike Road High School Leo Club Collects Chrismtas Toys for Kids

Our Leo club did a great job collecting toys to help make Christmas merry and bright for lots of children!

Newtopia Fun Park is a place for families near and far to visit and have safe, clean fun. Newtopia is known to many as a Christian-based facility that strongly believes in serving God’s people and demonstrating God’s unfailing love. Here at Newtopia, giving back to our community is a priority. We value all our guests and the love they have shown continuously throughout the years.

Do your kids complain about being stressed?

How do you help them cope with it?

Experts agree on the following points:

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

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

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

Reassure Your Kids That They Are Strong and Capable

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

Dr. Przeworski says it’s also important to cultivate a positive outlook since stressed kids tend to get lost in negative thoughts and self-criticism. She explains, “They may focus on how the glass is half empty instead of half-full and worry about future events. The more you are able to focus on your child’s positive attributes and the good aspects of a situation, the more that will remind your child to focus on the positives.”

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

Help Your Kids Experiment With Various Coping Techniques

Once your kids are reassured that they can handle stressful situations, try to experiment with various coping techniques. A one-size-fits-all strategy for dealing with stress doesn’t exist, but specific, time-tested techniques have proven effective.

One useful coping technique is to have your kids write down what’s causing them to be stressed. It teaches them to articulate what’s bothering them instead of bottling it up and helps them work through the problem and what to do about it. Mrs. Hurley suggests that they write down their stressors “on a piece of paper, read them to you, and then tear them up and throw them away for the night. This helps kids express their worries and let go of them.”

Another coping technique is to aim for balance in your kids’ lives. Instead of insisting they do well at school at all costs, emphasize that to be happy and stressfree, kids also need time for play and physical exercise. Dr. Greenberg suggests that parents sit down with their kids “and come up with a well-balanced schedule that includes all three of these important aspects of life.” When engaged in play or physical exercise, kids have the time to let their minds be free to come up with creative solutions to their sources of stress.

Make Sure Your Kids’ Physical Needs Are Met

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

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

FamilyCalendar

Thursday February 2

First Thursdays at the PRAC

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Pike Road Arts Center, 944 Wallahatchie Rad Pike Road , AL, 36064 The Arts Center will be open on the first Thursday of each month! Stop by to explore and shop the handmade gifts and original art by Alabama artists available in the Arts Center’s Water House Gallery, get to know the Arts Council, and enjoy special evening discounts on a variety of items! www.pikeroad.us/events

Saturday February 4

Millbrook Mardi Gras

9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Downtown Millbrook, Village Green Park, Main Street at Grandview Road Millbrook, AL, 36054 The Millbrook Revelers will hold their annual Mardi Gras Festival Saturday, February 4 from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. with the parade through downtown beginning at noon. Book author and columnist Sean Dietrich, also known as Sean of the South, will be the Grand Marshal. (334) 467-6726 www.millbrookrevelers.org/

Youth Ceramics Class Series Ages 6-12 ($65)

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Dr. Montgomery, AL, 36117 Come get your hands dirty in the MMFA studio with Sara Crocker. She will be leading a ceramics class for youth, ages 6-12 years, on Saturday, February 4 and 11 from 10 AM to 12:30 PM. This workshop is limited to 12 students, and advance registration is required. (334) 625-4333 www.mmfa.org

Prattville Mardi Gras

11:00 AM Downtown Prattville, Main Street at Grandview Road Prattville , AL The good times will begin to roll with food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, inflatables, and other activities at 11 am. The parade will start at 2 pm at the Autauga County Courthouse. It will follow Main Street through downtown, turn right on Northington then left on Doster Road, ending at Stanley Jensen Stadium.

(334) 595-0850 www.prattvilleal.gov/special-events/ mardi-gras-parade.html

Sunday February 5

Michaels Sunday Makebreak: Painted Friendship Rocks (free)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Michaels Stores, All Locations Prattville, Montgomery, AL, 36066 Come in-store for national friendship week and make a painted rock to give to a friend! www.michaels.com/

Tuesday February 7

Wetumpka Nutrition Class ($5 member/ $10 non-member)

9:15 AM Wetumpka YMCA, 200 Red Eagle Rd. Wetumpka , AL, 36092 This class meets the first Tuesday of every month in Group X Room. This class will teach simple ways to properly fuel the body in order to sustain a healthy weight, healthy heart, and healthy brain function.

(334) 567-8282 www.ymcamontgomery.org/

Friday through Sunday February 10-12

Weekend to Remember: Marriage Getaway

Embassy Suites, 300 Tallapoosa St Montgomery, AL, 36104 Take your marriage to the next level at FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaway! You’ll learn to connect with your spouse more intimately, understand God’s blueprints for a wonderful marriage, and draw from experience and advice of leading marriage experts.

www.familylife.com/weekend-to-remember

Saturday February 11

Sweethearts Day at the Zoo

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum, 2301 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery, AL, 36110 Moms bring your sons, dads bring your daughters to a wild day of adventure and fun at the Zoo and Museum. Purchase a regular daytime adult admission, and receive one FREE child admission. What a great way to spend the day with your special loved one. Also participate in National Pygmy Hippo Day from 10:00 - 2:00.

(334) 625-4905 www.montgomeryzoo.com/

Michaels Demo: Fairy Garden (free)

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Michaels Stores, All Locations Prattville, Montgomery, AL, 36066 Come into your local Michaels and take a break and make a craft. www.michaels.com/

Saturday February 12

Michaels Sunday Makebreak: Watercolor Heart Frame (free)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Michaels Stores, All Locations Prattville, Montgomery, AL, 36066 Come in-store and make a watercolor heart frame to put a picture of your special someone in! www.michaels.com/

Tuesday February 14

Lunch and Learn (free)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, First Presbyterian Church, 100 West Bridge Street Wetumpka, AL, 36092 Janell Diggs, Montgomery County Master Gardener will teach you how to raise chickens while tending your garden and how the two work together to benefit each other. Water is provided. Bring a sack lunch and a friend.

(334) 567-6301

The Princess Bride ($10)

7:00 PM Capri Theatre, 1045 East Fairview Avenue Montgomery, AL, 36106 Capri Classics presents Valentine’s Day only showing. Get your tickets now.

(334) 262-4858 www.capritheatre.org

Wednesday February 15

Grow in Grow Bags - Autauga County

Lunch and Learn (free)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 610 Fairview Ave Prattville, AL, 36066 Glenn Huovinen, an Advanced Master Gardener in small space gardening will be teach how to grow with success in small containers with Grow Bags. This program is FREE and ALL ARE WELCOME! Waters are provided and bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you listen.

(334) 361-7273 https://www.aces.edu/event/growin-grow-bags-autauga-county-lunch-and-learn/

Friday February 17

Ghost Girls Mardi Gras Murder Mystery

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM, The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, 919 Felder Ave Montgomery, AL, 36106 The Murder Mystery Event includes beverages, including a Special Gatsby Fitzgerald Style Punch and delicious heavy Hors d’oeuvres. The Event will run from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm in the House Museum. https://www.thefitzgeraldmuseum.org/

Toby Mac’s Hits Deep Tour

7:00 PM BJCC Legacy Arena, 1898 9th Ave North Birmingham, AL, 35203 Toby Mac and the Diversecity Band return to the stage with special guests Crowder, Cockren & Co., Tasha Layton, Jon Reddick & Terrian. You do not want to miss this night of hit music and fun!

www.bjcc.org/

Saturday February 18

Critter Crawl 5K and Yeti Dash ($25)

7:30 AM Alabama Nature Center, 30530 Lanark Rd Millbrook, AL, 36054 The Alabama Nature Center (ANC) will host the Critter Crawl 5K and Yeti Dash February 18th, 2023! This 5K trail run is like no other! The Critter Crawl is a TRAIL RUN benefiting the ANC education programs that take runners through a portion of the ANC’s 5 mile trail system.

(334) 285-4550 alabamawildlife.org/critter-crawl/

2023 Wetumpka Mardi Gras Festival

9:00 AM Gold Star Park, 212 S. Main St. Wetumpka, AL, 36092 The Order of Cimarron is hosting the 9th Annual Mardi Gras celebration and parade in downtown Wetumpka. Vendors open at 9 AM with the rolling at 1 PM.

Teen/Adult Ceramics Class Series ($65)

10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 1 Museum Dr. Montgomery, AL, 36117 Come get your hands dirty in the MMFA studio with Sara Crocker. She will be leading a ceramics class for teen and adults over two weekends on Saturday, February 18 and 25.

(334) 625-4333 www.mmfa.org

Honda Battle of the Bands 2023

7:30 PM Alabama State University Stadium, 915 University Dr. N. Montgomery, AL, 36106 Join hosts Rickey Smiley & Loni Love as they kick off HBOB 2023

FamilyCalendar

The Tempest by William Shakespeare Alabama Shakespeare Theatre, 1 Festival Dr. Montgomery, AL, 36117 Shakespeare’s final play is a story of adventure, magic, music, and forgiveness. Recommended for ages 13+

(334) 271-5353 www.asf.net

Friday February 24

Mann Museum Flashlight Tour / Family Fun Night Event

5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum, 2301 Coliseum Blvd. Montgomery, AL, 36110 Mann Museum Flashlight Tour is an educational program and family fun night with hands-on experience, all sorts of adventure, and lots of fun. It is geared for boys and girls aged 5-12 years old, and their parents. All participants must be registered no later than Friday, February 24 @ 12pm (noon).

(334) 625-4905 www.montgomeryzoo.com/

Saturday February 25

Miles for Smiles ($30)

8:00 AM Downtown YMCA, 761 South Perry St. Montgomery, AL, 36104 Join us for our 3rd Annual “Miles for Smiles” 5K ! Sprint into spring with this fun run! It is for all fitness levels, and ages! Proceeds benefit our Annual Support Campaign; including scholarships for our very own YMCA Camp Chandler. (334) 269-4362 www.ymcamontgomery.org/event/ miles-for-smiles/

Fine Arts is proud to host Body and Form: Diverse Beauty, a panel discussion focusing on depictions of the Black body in art.

(334) 625-4333 www.mmfa.org

The ABBA Tribute

7:00 PM Montgomery Performing Arts Center, 201 Tallapoosa Street Montgomery, AL, 36104 From London’s West End to Las Vegas, MANIA the ABBA tribute remains the world’s NO. 1 touring ABBA tribute show. Visit www.maniatheshow.com.

(334) 481-5100 www.mpaconline.org

Wednesday March 1

Azaleas for Alabama GardensMontgomery County Lunch and Learn (free)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Montgomery Cultural Arts Center, 1018 Madison Ave Montgomery, AL, 36104 Advanced Master Gardener, David Doggett will discuss azaleas in the Alabama Landscape. This program is FREE and available for everyone. Waters will be provided and bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you listen and learn!

(334) 270-4133

Friday March 3

Alabama Dance Theatre presents Spring Gala

7:00 PM Troy University’s Davis Theatre, 251 Montgomery St Montgomery, AL, 36104 Spring Gala, a celebration of the season.

Sunday March 5

Alabama Dance Theatre presents Spring Gala 2:00 PM Details on March 3.

Saturday March 11

2023 Montgomery Half & 5K

7-11 a.m. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama Montgomery Half Marathon presented by Montgomery Multisport and the Enlisted Heritage 5K will take runners through the heart of the capital city of Alabama. For more info, find us on Facebook.

Friday, March 17

2023 SLE Rodeo -- Through March 19

5 p.m. Garrett Coliseum. The rodeo includes buckin’ broncos, barrel racing, burly bulls and family fun for all ages! Kids can enjoy a stick horse rodeo before every performance. The Western Festival on Saturday will feature games and activities like dummy roping, mutton busting and wagon rides to teach you all about the life of a cowboy. For more info, visit https://slerodeo.com/.

Saturday, March 18

Selma to Montgomery Relay and Bike Ride

6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Pilcher-McBryde Drug Company Rexall Drugs, 101 Broad Street, Selma. Commemorate the 1965 world renowned march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The race will start in Selma and end at the State Capitol in Montgomery. For more info, e-mail info@ wjrclub.com or visit https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/ AL/Selma/SelmatoMontgomery51MileRelay.

Please check with each venue prior to attending the event to verify the information provided is still ac-

JA: Go for it! Getting started is the most challenging step. However, things come together, and you can always pivot, rebrand and repurpose along the way. Be willing to accept assistance and advice, and never give up. Success takes time, so buckle up and enjoy the journey!

RRP: What’s your favorite thing about being your boss on your terms?

JA: My favorite thing about being my boss is the flexibility to mother my children in the way my heart desires. As a military mom, I always feared leaving my children and missing their school events, sports, and other milestones. Since starting my business, I have been able to show up for them and prioritize motherhood in a way that makes me proud.

RRP: If you had to choose one mom mantra for yourself, what would it be?

JA: “Motherhood has revealed my strengths.” Since becoming a mom, I have learned that I am stronger than I sometimes give myself credit. My children inspire me to forge ahead and work hard because I know they look up to me.

RRP: Your creativity is a gift. Do you have any creative mom hacks to share with mom friends?

JA: Thank you. I believe everyone has talent. Use whatever your talent is and share that with your children. One thing I love to do is save my children’s school and artwork. I’ve created a binder for each child, filled them with document protectors, and I insert report cards, pictures, awards, art projects, letters, etc. It’s a simple and organized way to document their childhood, and I can make it as simple or creative as I’d like.

RRP: What has been the most challenging period of motherhood for you, and how did you deal with it?

JA: The hardest period of motherhood for me was going from one to two children. With my boys being two years apart, balancing new motherhood, being an active-duty military officer, and my own needs was difficult. I’ve since learned to prioritize my well-being because I am no good to my family if I can’t show up as my best self. I prioritize rest, exercise, wellness, and social interactions with my peers to ensure I don’t lose myself in the marathon of motherhood.

RRP: What are fun things that you enjoy doing with your children?

JA: We love to dance! We have several impromptu dance parties while cleaning up after dinner and on the weekends. I also enjoy attending their sporting events and traveling with them. It’s always so much fun introducing them to new things and hearing them laugh!

Jasmine Allen is from Cross, SC, and moved to Montgomery in 2014 to serve in the Air Force. She’s been married to JC Allen for eight years and they have three children: Byron (9), Tyson (7), and Jordyn (3).

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DEVELOPING LEADERS OF TOMORROW, WITH TUITION THAT WORKS FOR YOUR FAMILY TODAY.

TailorMAdeTuition

The Montgomery Academy is committed to attracting the area’s most talented and motivated students. Offered to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade, TailorMAde Tuition allows families to pay the amount of tuition that makes sense for their financial situation. A wide range of families qualify for a reduced tuition, from those who can afford only minimal tuition to those who can afford almost full tuition.

To find out more about how our TailorMAde tuition might work for you, visit MontgomeryAcademy.org/TailorMAde, or contact Rachael Gallagher, Director of Admissions, at 334.272.8210.

The Pursuit of Excellence in K-12 Education

The Montgomery Academy