Raising Empathetic Kids

Everyone has two types of friends. One friend will listen to your issues, but is just there for you to vent. The other is a friend who is able to understand your problems by relating to your point of view. Both friends are good friends, but the differ ence between these two types of people is the skill of empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Without empathy, we cannot connect with others effectively. It allows us to build stronger relationships with friends and family. Empathy is a skill that every parent has to learn and teach to their children.

As a parent, focus on your kid’s behaviors from their point of view. For example, if they are crying, do not focus on them being a “cry baby.” Instead understand that they are trying to communicate something and that may be the only way they know to get your attention.

Teaching empathy to our children is a long and laborious task. Unfortunately, in our extremely selfish and entitled society, it is obvious that parents are blind to their childrens’ lack of empathy. So how do we teach our children the skill of empathy? Developing empathy can be broken into two categories: Imitation and Understanding.

Empathy development begins in babies through imitation. Mirror neurons allow us to naturally imitate the facial expressions, emotions, reactions, and behaviors of those around us. Research has shown that young children who accurately imitate others are more likely to correctly determine the emotions of others as they mature. This is why it is so important to spend face to face time with your baby playing games like “Patty Cake”. As your child grows, gently use your hand to guide your child’s hand when necessary to ensure they know the right way to do activities (cleaning up toys, song motions, sports, etc). Remember, your child needs you, not your cell phone.

Empathy continues to grow through experiences. A life full of diverse experiences increases a person’s ability to understand others more clearly. When we encounter people with whom we have something in common, high levels of “feel good” hormones (dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins) are released in the brain, creating a positive connection. This is why it is so important to expose your child to a wide variety of activities, people, and knowledge. The more exposure you give your child, the better he/she will be at understanding different points of view and connecting with people.

Mastering empathy takes tremendous practice and patience. To raise an empathetic child, you must model empathy and begin teaching this skill to your child very early. It continues to develop through exposure to a variety of people and experiences. So do not be afraid to push your children to play games they do not find interesting, read books about things they do not like, and take them places they do not want to go. Help them build relationships with people who have had a variety of emotions and experiences. Also, expose them to people who live out similar values that your family has in diverse ways. This promotes understanding. It might be difficult and painful in the beginning, but the payoff is enormous!

Father’s Day with the Montgomery Biscuits

Visit https://www.milb.com/montgomery/.

Sunday, June 13 * 3:33 p.m.

Father’s Day Pint Glass Giveaway presented by Common Bond Brewers

There’s no better way Day than with your park! And be sure to get here early to get a Biscuits branded pint glass! | Gates: 2:30pm | First 500

by CBS 8 WAKA

Bring your dog out for fun in the sun!

Pre-Game Catch on the Field

Bring your glove and a ball to play catch in the outfield from 2:30pm - 3:00pm

Post-Game Kids Run the Bases presented by Coca-Cola

Arti Gras

July 1 & 2 * 9am to 4 pm

Russell Crossroads

The twelfth annual Arti Gras will be held on the Town Green at Russell Crossroads. Artisans and patrons from all over the Southeast gather for this vast annual display of handmade goods. Artisans feature everything from jewelry, soaps, paintings, pottery, woodwork, lotions, furniture, and much more! Visit russellcrossroads.com/events. html for more details.

Water Lantern Festival

Saturday, June 17, 5 p.m. Blount Cultural Park, Montgomery

Water Lantern Festival was Voted #1 Best Cultural Festival by USA TODAY. Water Lantern Festival is a floating lantern event that is all about connections. Magical nights include food, games, activities, vendors, music and the beauty of thousands of lanterns adorned with letters of love, hope and dreams reflect upon the water. As the sun begins to set on the evening sky, watch your unique lantern drift out into the water as it joins other lanterns carrying hope, love, happiness, healing, peace, and connection. It’s a night that you’ll never forget. Tickets and info at www. waterlanternfestival.com/montgomery.php.

Main Street Wetumpka Community Market

Thursday, June 8 * 4 pm to 7 pm

231 Hill Street, Wetumpka

The Community Market showcases a variety of handmade, homemade, and homegrown products created by local artisans, and farmers. It features over 30 unique booths with vendors and one-of-a-kind items each month. FREE! Visit mainstreetwetumpka.org.

Free Fishing Day in Alabama

Saturday, June 10

Free Fishing Day in Alabama for Public Waters (FREE) Alabamians and out-ofstate visitors alike will have the opportunity to fish for free in most public waters including both freshwater and saltwater. Free Fishing Day allows residents and non-residents to enjoy the outstanding fishing Alabama has to offer without purchasing a fishing license. The event is part of National Fishing and Boating Week, which runs June 3-11.

Visit outdooralabama.com.

Rosa Parks Museum

Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday, June 17 * 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Rosa Parks Museum, Montgomery Event will feature live music, a tour of the museum, local food and merchandise, informational vendors, arts and crafts, and an authentic 1950s Montgomery city bus. Ms. Monique Hopkins from the Sickle Cell Foundation will be providing Sickle Cell Education and Screenings. For more information, please contact Ms. Donna Beisel at 334-8327295 or email at dbeisel@troy.edu.

Pike Road Summer Fest

Thursday, June 29 * 6 to 9:30 pm * 6281 Trotman Road, Montgomery, AL

The Town of Pike Road is excited to invite the community to SummerFest, a familyfriendly fireworks show at the Pike Road Agriculture, Recreation & Performing Arts Park. Parking will begin at 6 p.m. at Rolling Hills Park (6001 Rolling Hills Blvd). Please enter by Rolling Hills Blvd. Handicap parking will be available at the East Entrance of the PRARPAP, near the ball fields. Familyfriendly areas with food trucks, kids’ activities like inflatables and yard games, and green space for your lawn chairs and picnic blankets will be open from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.* The ball fields will also be open for picnics, play and viewing the fireworks. Then, fireworks will light up the sky just after dark!

*Picnics are welcome, but NO alcoholic beverages are permitted at SummerFest. Lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome, but NO tents. Visit pikeroad.us.

Peach Jam Jubilee

Saturday, June 24 * 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. * Clanton City Park

Peach Jam Jubilee is a free outdoor festival featuring live music from country’s greatest artists along with arts and craft vendors, food trucks, inflatables, hot air balloon rides and so much more! You’ll find something for the entire family at this one day event celebrating Chilton County’s peach crop and farmers. Call (205) 755.2400 or visit peachjamjubilee.com.

Eastchase Farmer’s Market Celebration

Saturday, June 24 * 7 am to 12 pm

The Shoppes at Eastchase

The market will be located near Sephora and H&M. This year is going to be bigger and better than ever with all of your favorite vendors and some fun, new vendors!

Join us every last Saturday of the month for a Farmers Market celebration! Enjoy even more vendors and a HUGE Garden Cart Giveaway! For more information, visit theshoppesateastchase.com.

Alexander City Jazz Fest

June 9-10

The Amp on Lake Martin and Strand Park, Alex City

Friday, June 9: Blackbird Pickers (6 – 7 pm), Adam Ezra Group (7:30 – 8:30 pm), Eddie 9V (9 – 10:30 pm)

Saturday, June 10: Certainly So (6 – 7 pm), Of Good Nature (7:30 –8:30 pm), Big Something (9 – 10:30 pm) Free parking plus food and drink vendors. Visit alexcityjazzfest.com.

2023 Juneteenth Celebration

Saturday,

June 17

2 pm to 6pm Riverwalk

Amphitheater Entertainment, Food Trucks, Vendors, Kids Zone, Educational Presentations & Cultural Art Exhibits! Featuring music entertainment by 2nd Coming. Call (334) 625.2118 or visit montgomeryal.gov for more information.

In addition to being skilled educators, middle school teachers impact children in many ways. They guide students through some of their most formative years as they transition from elementary school, preparing them for the knowledge and skills they’ll need in high school and beyond. During the middle school years, teachers help develop, motivate, and nurture learning. And that’s exactly what this teacher of the month demonstrates in Montgomery, AL.

Mr. Oliver McLemore is a 6th-grade Geography and 8th-grade U.S. History educator, plus JV soccer coach at Trinity Presbyterian School. He graduated from Auburn University and obtained his degree in Education with Social Studies specification.

Mr. McLemore became a middle school teacher because junior high students are impressionable and eager to learn. He shares, “It’s exciting because you never know what their conversations will be about or their actions.” In addition to teaching, Mr. McLemore has had a passion for playing soccer since childhood. As an adult, he continued his love for the sport coaching soccer in Budapest, Hungary.

Oliver McLemore Trinity Presbyterian School

While teaching and shaping the lives of our youth, Mr. McLemore has goals he applies in his classroom. First, encourage students to be lifelong learners, as this instills a mindset of growing, learning, and impacting others. Also, motivate students to think on their feet, to be able to discuss topics with people who have opposing viewpoints, and remain authentic in their morals and faith. Finally, take advantage of utilizing technology, but also understand it’s necessary to use traditional and unconventional methods.

Teachers play a valuable role in molding young minds and encouraging them to see the world outside of their immediate daily operations. As Mr. McLemore practices pedagogy, he encourages students to stop and think instead of just memorizing or reacting. Further, he feels that education is always best with support from home because children need to experience a community of people encouraging them through knowledge and wisdom.

After retirement, Mr. McLemore would love to retire with his wife on a quiet river with moderate outdoor work and activities.

Looking Back on a Year of Excellence

We have a very eventful and fastpaced school year in the books and completed and we are gearing up for next school year already. A busy summer has just begun for many of us in Montgomery Public Schools. But for now, I’d like to take a moment to look back on the 2022-2023 school year, my first as superintendent of MPS.

I have been amazed by our students here at MPS, and I wish I could recognize all of them in this column. The most rewarding part of my time as superintendent has been meeting students and seeing them excel.

Among the many students who impressed me this year were the 19 who received Legacy Scholarships through our partnership with the Equal Justice Initiative. Every high school in the district, traditional and magnet, was represented among this inaugural group of Legacy Scholars. Each one received a $10,000 scholarship to the school of their choice. Congratulations to Alberta Shuford, Alniajai Whatley, Andrea Smith, Bradyn Stallworth, Darryl Dees, Elizabeth Diaz, Erin Robinson, Jamerio Robinson, Joshua Maye, Kentavis Delbridge, Landon Townsend, Marti Baine, Mekaiyah Portis, Molly Mitchell, Paris Banks, Samantha Buhanan, Shakela Walton, Shaliah Lee, and Tiana Vanburen.

One of those scholars, Joshua Maye, also earned another prestigious distinction. He is one of 750 nationwide selected from a pool of more than 51,000 applicants to be named a Gates Scholar. This Jeff Davis High graduate was also selected, along with Joanna Joiner of LAMP High, for the YMCA of Greater Montgomery’s Hitchcock Award, which is given to two scholar athletes each year.

I am also honored to work alongside some dedicated and talented educators. A case in point is Dr. Bryan Cutter, principal of Dalraida Elementary. This year, he received the prestigious Milken Educator Award. He was the only educator in Alabama and one of just 35 nationwide to receive this award. The Milken Family Foundation recognized him for a variety of accomplishments, including opening the River Region’s first STEM Innovation Lab this year.

Our partners have stepped up in a major way this year. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Auburn University have helped robotics programs grow exponentially throughout the district. In addition, local government officials, the business community, faith leaders, nonprofits and community volunteers have all contributed to our success in various ways.

Finally, I’d like to recognize you, our supportive parents. Thank you for being involved in your children’s education, for finding time to invest in the transformational work that we have underway, and for everything else you do.

Montgomery County Schools

Montgomery Catholic Hosts 2nd Annual Scholarship Breakfast

Montgomery Catholic Prep School held its 2nd Annual Scholarship Breakfast on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the Wynlakes Country Club ballroom. This year we awarded 23 scholarships to 37 current & new students for the 2023-2024 academic year. A total of $115,000 in Scholarships was awarded including 3 college scholarships for outgoing seniors, 21 High School students, 5 Middle School students, and 8 Elementary Students. Montgomery Catholic is proud to award individual scholarships to MCPS students annually.

Montgomery Catholic was blessed to award 3 new scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year. These scholarships were given in memory of Coach Wulf Koch, Luke J. Whetstone ‘18, and in honor of Richard & Reba Foley’s belief and dedication to Catholic education. Thank you to our Montgomery Catholic benefactors, Total Image and the Knights of Columbus Councils 12150 & 893 who generously donate scholarships to our students annually. Please visit www.montgomerycatholic.org for more information about each of our scholarships.

ACA Recognizes Two Valedictorians

This year’s Senior class was amazingly talented academically. 77% of the class have a GPA that is 3.0 or higher and 25% have a GPA that is a 4.0 or higher. However, two of those rose to the top and were named co-valedictorians of the Class of 2023. Mr. Preston Hicks and Mr. Hayes Hunt were both recognized for their outstanding academic achievements, and both were named Valedictorians. We are so proud of these two young men and how hard they have worked through the year.

MA Senior Signs to Play Tennis for UNA

Montgomery Academy Senior Whit Davis, a member of the Varsity Boys Tennis team, signed his national Let ter of Intent to play tennis at the University of North Alabama this coming fall. Whit finishes his career at MA with the most wins in school history (an overall record of 114-7) for a win percentage of 94%. Congratulations, Whit!

Eight Saint James Choral Students Perform at All-State Festival

During the weekend of March 3-5, eight choral students from Saint James School attended the Alabama Vocal Association All State Festival.

Students went through a rigorous audition process to make this prestigious ensemble. They worked with world renowned conductors on advanced repertoire in the amazing facilities of the BJCC in Birmingham. The festival ended with a professionally recorded concert in the BJCC Concert Hall. Students who were selected to make this ensemble were Ruthie Blakeney, Lizzy Dickens, Anna Dickey, Rain Johnson, Abigail Roark, Selina Sun, Dominic Troccia, and TJ Vance.

Macon East Academy Knights Finish

AISA AAA Baseball State Runner-Up

The Knights baseball team finished an amazing season as AISA AAA State Runner-Up. They completed their season with a record of 32-11. The Knights cruised through the state tournament. They beat Clarke Prep and Bessemer in the semi-finals, thus advancing the Knights to the winner’s bracket against Glenwood. Glenwood overpowered the Knights with a sweep of the first two games, winning, 11-1 and 9-3. Jabe Boroff, Barett Spaeth, and Gunner Justice earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team. The team is comprised of 8 seniors, Jack Jones, Deonte Powell, Sawyer Nelson, Jabe Boroff, Hunter Timmerman, Jason Tatum, Camden Bell, and Matthew Kitchens. All seniors contributed tremendously this year with remarkable athletic ability and true leadership.

Two Knights have signed athletic scholarships to participate in baseball at the collegiate level. Jabe Boroff will be playing for Enterprise State Community College in Enterprise, Alabama. Camden Bell signed earlier in the year with the Huntingdon Hawks baseball team! Jabe Boroff, Matthew Kitchens, and Deonte Powell were selected as members of the Senior AllStar Team and Barrett Spaeth and Gunner Justice were selected as members of the Junior All-Star Team. The All-Star baseball game was played at Paterson Field on Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Retiring Trinity Teacher Granted Parting Request

Mr. Robert McGowin retired from Trinity after 43 years of teaching, he had one request - that the school host a creative writing workshop for aspiring writers. Earlier this month, we did just that! Mr. Jim Reed, an accomplished author, speaker, columnist, and editor of the Birmingham Arts Journal spent an afternoon with students sharing his knowledge and tidbits for storytelling.

Montgomery County Schools

Katie Britt visits ACA

Our 4th grade students do a Wax Museum every year, where they get to research a public figure in Alabama and dress up like that figure. This year one of our 4th grades, Blythe Roberts, dressed up like Senator Katie Britt. Senator Britt’s staff found out about it and told Katie and she wanted to come visit and meet Blythe. We welcomed Senator Katie Britt and the 4th grade class was so excited to meet her. She was so kind and spoke so sincerely to our students about learning from your failures and always looking to serve others. We cannot thank Senator Britt enough for the kind words and taking time to pour into our students.

More Than 300 MPS Students Take Part in Elementary Robotics Competition

Student robotics enthusiasts converged at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High to show off the skills they have learned throughout the year. The second annual Elementary Robotics Competition featured 23 schools and more than 300 students. Robotics programs have been growing at every grade level in Montgomery Public Schools, thanks in part to generous donations and partnerships with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Auburn University. As capabilities grow, so does student interest, with more and more signing up for this fun and engaging activity that teaches coding, engineering, teamwork and more.

Southlawn Elementary finished in first place, followed by Morningview in second, Dozier in third, Halcyon in fourth and Flowers in fifth.

Lower School Art Show at Trinity

The Trinity lower school art show was so much fun! Students, parents, grand parents, and friends filled the halls admiring the many talents of our students.

Spears Griffin enjoyed showing his artwork to his parents.

TEA Professional Development Workshop

Charlene Jackson (consultant and former educator) provided a professional development workshop with T.E.A. staff on the importance of “Bridging the Gaps and Benchmarking” in students’ learning. Students can become overwhelmed when trying to meet the demands of school requirements, along with being exposed to negative and positive viewpoints. However, when more emphasis is placed on positive thinking, students can develop a more structured and balanced approach to learning. Mrs. Jackson used five words to discuss positive perspectives:

1. Accountability: Everyone is accountable for his or her actions.

2. Process - Assessment: Weekly tests (formative) and final tests (summative) are necessary to ensure students are meeting the benchmarks.

3. Strategy: Use the S.M.A.R.T. Chart to help students achieve goals for meeting assessments, lesson plans, and life goals.

4. Goals - What you aim for: Have a plan of action and use strategies.

5. Confidence – Selfassurance: Feel good about yourself and be self-motivated. Develop your “reason why”. Furthermore, it is essential that students understand their roles and what is necessary to keep them on track to meet the requirements for their grade level. Her final words to students, “Compete against yourself, and be better every day.”