Kids World News Lansing School District, April 2018

Page 1

LANSING SCHOOL DISTRICT KIDS’ WORLD NEWS April 2018

YMCA OF LANSING

Kids’ World News

www.kidsworldnews.org

Volume 1, Issue 6, April 2018


Coloring Corner Celebrate Earth Day On April 22nd!

Earth Day is the name used for two observances both held worldwide every year! Some people celebrate Earth Day around the time of the March equinox and others observe it on April 22nd. The April 22nd Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to promote ecology and respect for life on the planet. It was to also encourage awareness of the growing problems of air, water and soil pollution. Today Earth Day is observed in more than 140 countries around the world.

Protect your child’s future with an Auto-Owners Life Insurance Policy Save for your child’s future with an Auto-Owners Annuity ZZZ GDYLGFKDSPDQDJHQF\ FRP

Protect your family with Home, Auto, Farm and Business Insurance

Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 2


What Is A Biome? A biome is a large ecosystem where plants, animals, insects and people live in a certain type of climate. The world we live in contains many biomes. The plants and animals living in each are as different as their climates. Can you choose your favorite?

The Arctic Tundra and The Alpine Tundra The Arctic Tundra is a cold, large, treeless area of low, swampy plains in the far north around the Arctic Ocean. Another type of tundra is the Alpine Tundra, which is a biome that exists at the tops of high mountains. These are the earth’s coldest biomes. Since the sun does not rise for nearly six months of the year, it is not unusual for the temperature to be below -30 degrees F in the winter. The earth of the Arctic Tundra has a permanently frozen subsoil, called permafrost, which makes it impossible for trees to grow. In summer, a thin layer of topsoil thaws and creates many pools, lakes and marshes. More than 100 species of migrant birds are attracted by the insect food and the safe feeding ground of the tundra. Other animals that live in this biome include polar bears, Arctic foxHV FDULERX DQG JUH\ ZROYHV 3ODQWV WKDW \RX PD\ ¿QG LQFOXGH VPDOO VKUXEV DQG FXVKLRQ SODQWV and the lichen which cover the many rocks on the tundra’s terrain.

Coniferous Forest

Today, some of the most common grassland animals include the prairie dog and the mule deer in North America, the giraffe and the zebra in Africa and the lion in Africa and Asia.

Mountains

The Coniferous Forest biome is south of the Arctic Tundra. The largest stretch of Coniferous Forest in the world, circling the earth in the Northern Hemisphere, supplies the bulk of the world’s commercial softwood timber which is used to make paper. These forests consist mainly of FRQH EHDULQJ WUHHV VXFK DV VSUXFH KHPORFN DQG ¿U ZKLFK DUH ZHOO VXLWHG WR WKH FROG FOLPDWH 7KH soil is not very fertile because there are no leaves to decompose and enrich it. Some animals that thrive in this biome are the ermine, the moose, the red fox, the snowshoe rabbit, and birds such as the crossbill and the great horned owl.

Deciduous Forest This biome is in the mild temperate zone of the Northern hemisphere. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall. The natural decaying of the fallen leaves enriches the soil and supports all kinds of plant and animal life. The Deciduous Forest is a lively place, where oak, beech, ash and maple WUHHV DUH W\SLFDO SOXV ZLOGĂ€RZHUV EHUULHV DQG PDQ\ W\SHV RI LQVHFWV DQG DQLPDO OLIH WKULYHV 7KH fertile soil is also good for people. In the United States, the Deciduous Forest is a home for deer, $PHULFDQ JUD\ VTXLUUHOV ZRRG PLFH UDEELWV UDFFRRQV ZRRGSHFNHUV FDUGLQDOV DQG ÂżQFKHV WR name a few.

Desert A desert is an area where little or no life exists due to a lack of water. Scientists estimate that DERXW RQH ¿IWK RI WKH HDUWKœV ODQG VXUIDFH LV GHVHUW 7KHUH DUH WZR GLIIHUHQW NLQGV KRW DQG GU\ (such as the Arabian and Sahara deserts) and cold and dry (such as Antarctica and the Gobi desert). The lack of water and intense heat or cold make this biome not supportive to most life forms. Most of the plants you’ll see in the hot desert are species of cactus, a few animals - mainly reptiles, snakes and lizards plus amphibians - frogs and toads. Another famous desert animal is the camel, who can make water from the fat it stores in its hump.

Grasslands Grasslands are places with hot, dry climates that are perfect for growing food. They are known throughout the world by different names. In the United States they are called prairies and extend from the Midwest to the Rocky Mountains. This inland biome is made of large areas of grassy ÂżHOG ,W UHFHLYHV VR OLWWOH UDLQ WKDW YHU\ IHZ WUHHV FDQ JURZ 7KH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV SUDLULHV DUH XVHG WR graze cattle and to raise cereal crops. Some of the original prairie animals are the wolf and bison.

Mountains exist on all the continents of the earth. Mountains are usually found in groups called chains or ranges, although some stand alone. A mountain biome is very cold and windy. The higher the mountain, the colder and windier the environment. There is also less oxygen at high elevations. The animals of this biome have adapted to the cold, the lack of oxygen, and the rugged landscape. They include the mountain goat, ibex (wild goat), sheep, mountain lion, puma and yak. All of them are excellent climbers which means they can move freely in the steep, rocky landscape. Lower elevations are commonly covered by forests and higher elevations are usually treeless.

Rainforests Tropical rainforests are found in Asia, Africa, South America, Central America and on many of WKH 3DFLÂżF ,VODQGV 7KH\ DUH RIWHQ IRXQG DORQJ WKH HTXDWRU $OPRVW KDOI RI WKH ZRUOGÂśV WURSLFDO rainforests are in the South American country called Brazil. There are other types of rainforests around the world too. For example, northern Australia has a “dry rainforestâ€? that has a dry season HDFK \HDU DQG WKH UDLQ\ 3DFLÂżF 1RUWKZHVW LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV KDV D ÂłWHPSHUDWH UDLQIRUHVW´ WKDW is made up of evergreen trees. Tropical rainforests receive at least 70 inches of rain each year and have more species of plants and animals than any other biome. Many of the plants used in medicines can only be found in tropical rainforests. This biome is the perfect environment for more than 15 million plants and animals. The thick vegetation absorbs moisture, which then evaporates and completes the water cycle by falling again as rain. A rainforest grows in three levels. The canopy, or tallest level, has trees between 100 and 200 feet tall. They block most of the sunlight from the levels below. The second level, or understory, contains a mix of small trees, vines and palms as well as shrubs and ferns. The third and lowest OHYHO LV WKH IRUHVW Ă€RRU ZKHUH KHUEV PRVVHV DQG IXQJL JURZ 5DLQIRUHVWV DUH DQ HQGDQJHUHG ELRPH 3HRSOH KDYH FXW WKH WUHHV DQG VROG WKH ZRRG IRU ÂżUHZRRG building materials and paper. Parts of the rainforest have been burned to make room for grazing and farming. Some of the animals of the tropical rainforest are the anteater, jaguar, brocket deer, lemur, orangutan, marmoset, macaw, parrot, sloth and toucan. Among the many plant species are bamboo, banana trees and rubber trees.

Accelerated educational programs for students in elementary, middle, and high school. Application deadline: May 2, 2018

gifted.msu.edu Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 3


Cool Cichlids Cichlids (pronounced sick-lid) are a superr cool group off fish that can be found in both Africa and South America. Cichlids are a huge group off fish with overr 1300 species already discovered. There are probably more than 2000 species off cichlids on Earth still to be found. The smallest cichlids are only 1 inch long, and the largest is overr 3 feet long! They come in all shapes and sizes, but are still all related. Many types, especially tilapia, are very important as food fish. Cichlids and theirr cousins the angel fish are also very important forr the aquarium business. Found in freshwaterr lakes and streams throughout Africa and South America, they are very widespread. Some can even live in brackish waterr (halff fresh and halff salt water). Theirr eating habits are just as widespread. Some are herbivores, eating plants and algae. Others are omnivores eating both plants and small snails and shrimp. Still more are detritivores, eating decomposing plant and animal material on the riverr bottom. The last group off cichlids are carnivores that are very good at being predators. Some off these predators eat a lot off different things, while some eat only snails, orr only eggs off otherr fish, orr only fish. Try This!

Createe a cichlid ornament! What you will need: transparency sheets markers scissors hole punch yarn

1. On the transparency, colorr yourr cichlid. 2. Cut out yourr cichlid. 3. Punch a hole in the top of yourr fish. 4. Tie yarn through the hole to hang yourr cichlid. 5. Group the whole class’s fish togetherr on yourr holiday tree to make a school!

Cichlids are unique fish forr another reason too...they don’t just lay their eggs and leave...they take care of theirr babies! Some lay eggs out in the open, some lay eggs in caves, while some raise theirr eggs in their mouths! Mouthbrooding fish will even take the tiny baby fish into theirr mouths to protect them...what a cool fish!

This page proudly sponsored by:

Cichlids provide a wondrous variety off colorr shapes and sizes forr yourr fish tank. Some cichlids work well even in a 10 gallon tank. The Electric Blue Ram is a superr cool cichlid that really stands out, and they only need a 10 g gallon tank!

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Birthday Party

**Teachers - we do fieldtrips!** Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

M-F parties, a $25 value Limit one per customer. Book before February 15, 2016 May 15, 2018

Feed the fish in our indoor river! Get up close and personal with our cool koi.

Limit one per customer. Limited amount of food per day. May 15, 2018 Use by February 15, 2016

April 2018, Page 4


+LJK 6FKRRO &RUQHU Coping Skills for Overcoming Test Anxiety What is Performance / Test Anxiety? • A head full of distracting, distorted, distructive thoughts and fears that leads to intense nervousness so strong it interferes with concentration or performance • Symptoms of panic and anxiety: Stomach cramps, tension headaches, passing out, shakiness and/or sweatiness (mild ÀX OLNH V\PSWRPV LQFUHDVHG KHDUW UDWH QDXVHD HUUDWLF breathing, changes in appetite, sleep disturbance, . • Stress over these physical reactions to your nervousness

7DNH D GLႇHUHQW DSSURDFK :KR VD\V \RX KDYH WR DQVZHU WKH questions in order? Scan the whole test front to back. Remind yourself you CAN do this and begin with the section you know best.

Facing and dealing with test anxiety will help you learn stress management, a valuable skill in many situations beyond taking tests. Find your coping skill to reduce the stress and negativity that can develop around assessment, whether it’s trying out IRU WKH VFKRRO SOD\ VLQJLQJ D VROR RQ VWDJH WKURZLQJ WKH ¿UVW SLWFK of the baseball game, stepping onto a diving platform, going to an important interview. Create a Ritual - Feeling a loss of control? Regain it by creating a ritual for test-taking days. Add a certain breakfast to your regular routine or pick out a favorite shirt; even listen to a favorite song on the way to school. Consider a brain dump. Writing out anxious thoughts helps you get the thoughts out of your head. Set a 3-minute timer and when it goes Rႇ WHDU XS \RXU SDSHU DQG WKURZ WKRVH DQ[LRXV WKRXJKWV DZD\

Breathe! It’s no joke that stress tightens your muscles and makes your breaths shallow and quick, leaving you dizzy and frightened. Thankfully those physical responses can be undone quickly & easily. Take a time out and spend 1-2 minutes intentionally breathing deeply with slow breaths in, slow breaths out until the whole body begins to feel relaxed and calm. You know you’ve taken a good deep breath when your belly blows up like a balloon. The shoulders and chest remain relatively still. Better yet, don’t wait for your anxiety to spike practice relaxation breathing every day. A great time is before bed. Encouraging Self-Talk - Thoughts have a unique power over our feelings and performance. Tests and other challenges that can ignite extreme nervousness may lead to destructive thoughts like “I always do terribleâ€? or “If I don’t do well on this everything is ruined.â€? Don’t leave these negative messages unchecked; the more you are distract ed by your fear, the stronger your anxiety becomes. 7KH NH\ WR OHVV VWUHVV DQG WRS OHYHO SHUIRUPDQFH LV WR Ă€DW RXW reject the negativity. Turn to positive emotions that will broaden your FRJQLWLYH WKLQNLQJ $ႈUP \RXUVHOI LQ FDOPLQJ VWDWHPHQWV OLNH Âł,ÂśP ready to do my best,â€? “I don’t like it, but I’ll get through it.â€? Remind yourself of your past successes. This will help decrease the heart rate and ease the symptoms of panic in the moment. Learn to manage your emotions instead of freezing up during tests. Nobody ever feels stressed out by thoughts that they will do well. You have the power to improve your future - believe it!

Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right! ~ Henry Ford

Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 5


Olivet College — Cultivating Women Leaders On Friday March 2, Olivet College’s Women’s Leadership Institute held it’s annual Cultivating Women Leaders event. The event, which has been designed to inspire and help young women realize their potential as leaders, was wildly successful in its second year. This year’s theme was Pioneering the Future. Current and prospective Olivet students - 50+ of whom were from the Lansing School District – were able to attend the event which was at capacity with 400 guests. The event provided students with the tools and resources they need to establish themselves as leaders today and into the future.

give back and celebrate - that offer a distinctive, transforming approach for leading in the 21st century. Mertz was the keynote speaker for the event, and spoke of her highly personal story of transformation, and how, from that, ATHENA international was born. What an inspirational event to have attended.

The highly interactive event featured a variety of activities including formal and informal networking; a wonderful panel of Olivet alumnae featuring entrepreneur, actress, and model Genise Shelton (’99), and none other than Lansing School District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul (‘73), as well as many other distinguished women leaders; not to mention a humorous interactive communication skill session which helped attendees learn how to deal with confrontation, negotiation, professional situations and establishing boundaries. Olivet College’s Women’s Leadership is built off of the Athena model, which was created by Martha Mayhood Mertz. The model features eight core principals – live authentically, learn constantly, build relaWLRQVKLSV IRVWHU FROODERUDWLRQ DFW FRXUDJHRXVO\ DGYRFDWH ÂżHUFHO\

Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 6


Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 7


Lansing School District Students Excited to Travel to Japan Students and teachers from two Lansing School District High Schools, J.W. Sexton High School and Everett High School, traveled to Japan to participate in “Japan’s Friendship Ties Program.” This unique educational effort included 23 Lansing students who traveled to Japan in late March 2018 from the Capital Region International. “Exposure to the international aspects of another culture will be crucial to the next generation of young people as we educate and train kids to be competitive workers in the world economy,” said Ms. Bridget Cooper, Japanese instructor at Sexton. Ms. Cooper teaches Japanese at Sexton and Ms. Dawn Stark teaches Japanese courses at Everett. Both traveled with students

to Japan. The Lansing School District accepted the nomination and invitation to travel through WKH 2I¿FH RI &RQVXODWH *HQHUDO of Japan located in Detroit. “We have been seeking to ¿QG ZD\V WR HQKDQFH WKH FXOWXUal educational experiences of our students in the Lansing School District in our classes for many years, and we all are very excited about this once-in-a-lifetime travel and study abroad program,” said Cooper. The Lansing School District is only one of eight school districts in the nation chosen to participate in Japan’s Friendship Ties Program. This program is meant to promote travel to Japan and educate participants on the pleasant Japanese culture.

PARENT COMMUNITY ADVISORY Y COMMITTEE

PCAC

April 24th, 2018 Agenda There will be a Student Clubs and Extracurricular Activities presentation and discussion.

Dinner and childcare will be provided to those who attend. Questions? Call Sergio Keck (517)755.2945 Find Us Online! www.lansingschools.net/parents What is PCAC?

Who can attend PCAC meetings?

The Lansing School District Parent/ Community Advisory Council is a district wide council consisting of parents, teachers, principals, and community members who come together on a monthly basis to discuss parents’ interests, concerns, and to share important district information.

Any parent/guardian of a Lansing School District student as well as community leaders and citizens of the Greater Lansing Area that recognize the need for parental and community involvement in our children’s education.

When does PCAC meet?

You will have the opportunity to provide important input to leaders in the Lansing School District.

PCAC holds their meetings every fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 2018 Meeting Dates: April 24, 2018 May 22, 2018

Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

Why attend PCAC?

Where does PCAC meet? 4/24 @ Administration Board Rm. 5/22@ Welcome Center

April 2018, Page 8



I Love To Play The Piano! The piano is a very important part of music. Many musical notes do not seem possible without it and many notes sound better on the piano. The piano can play all types of music from classical to rock and roll. It can also be played solo or with other instruments, so it is very versatile. 7KHUH LV VRPH GLVDJUHHPHQW RQ ZKHQ WKH ÂżUVW PRGHUQ VW\OH SLDQR was built. Most say the modern style piano (or piano et forte, meaning soft and loud) was probably built by the Italian, Bartolomeo Cristofori in 1709. It was described as a harpsichord with both soft and loud! The difference between the harpsichords that came before and the piano, was the way the strings sounded. Inside the piano the strings are tightened into tune. A grand piano, for instance, looks like a harp when

on it’s side. Modern style pianos use hammers to pluck the string. So when you touch the keyboard, the hammer hits the string which affects the sound of the note. If you stroke the key gently, the sound will be soft. If you use a heavy touch on the key, the sound will be much louder!

PIANO FACTS: • The average medium sized piano has about 230 strings. Each string has about 165 pounds of tension. With the combined pull of all the strings, that equals approximately eighteen tons! • There are over 10 million pianos in American homes, businesses and institutions. ‡ <DPDKD HVWDEOLVKHG LQ ZDV WKH ¿UVW SLDQR PDQXIDFWXUHU LQ -Dpan. • The world’s largest piano is a Challen Concert Grand Piano. This piano is eleven feet long and has a total string tension of over 30 tons. This piano weighs more than a ton! • The working section of the piano is called the acion. There are about 7500 parts in there. They all play a role in sending the hammers against the strings when the keys are struck.

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Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 10


0LGGOH *URXQG COURAGE COMMUNICATION: The determination to say something in spite of the fear 7 Types of Cyber Bullying Bullying on a cyber level is typically from an anonymous source using technology like emails, instant messaging, mobile phones, social networking sites, blogs, or online gaming sites to deliberately hurting someone's feelings. It's important to realize there are several ways bullys use inappropriate behavior: Gossip - Someone posts or STEPS TO END sends cruel gossip to damage CYBERBULLYING your reputation or relationships. • STOP going to the site where Exclusion - Someone deliberthe bullying is happening ately excludes you from an on• BLOCK emails or messages; line group. don't respond to them Nation - Someone breaks into your online account and sends • COLLECT EVIDENCE. Record the message and messages in your name to cause save the email. embarrassment or damage to \RXU UHSXWDWLRQ DQG DႇHFW \RXU • TALK ABOUT IT with relationships. an adult you trust. Cyberstalking - Unwanted, intimidating, and/or threatening messages are posted or sent. Harassment - 2ႇHQVLYH UXGH DQG LQVXOWLQJ PHVVDJHV DERXW \RX are repeatedly posted or sent. Outing and Trickery - Secrets or embarrassing info you were tricked into revealing gets shared online. Cyberthreats - Online remarks that threaten or imply violence.

Empower Yourself Against Dating Violence Often beginning between 6th-12th grade, Dating Violence can include sexual, physical, verbal and emotional abuse. It can be jealousy, driving recklessly, dissing / insulting, name-calling, humiliation, ignoring, telling lies, isolating, guilt-tripping, scaring, inappropriate anger, yelling, criticizing, manipulating, threatening. It can be shaking, spitting, hitting, RED FLAGS scratching, throwing, choking, bit• Feeling Afraid of ing, pushing, pulling hair, injury. Your Partner Dating violence can be molesta• Changing Your Beliefs tion, stalking, rape, sexual abuse, • Being Threatened cheating, forcing. 7HHQV ZKR VXႇHU GDWLQJ DEXVH • Feeling Controlled • Being Physically Hurt are subject to long-term consequences like alcoholism, eating disorders, promiscuity, thoughts of suicide, and violent behavior. Your partner should treat you with trust, encouragement, respect, admiration, and love. Treat your partner the way you would like to be treated. A healthy relationship accepts your boundaries and will make you feel protected, supported, excited, and amused. You have the right to remove yourself from unsafe people, places & VLWXDWLRQV 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ LW LV VKRZQ WKDW RQO\ DERXW ѿ LQYROYHG LQ DQ DEXVLYH UHODWLRQVKLS FRQ¿GH LQ VRPHRQH DERXW WKH YLROHQFH %XW WKHUH is help if you need it. Talk in private to counselors, principals, teachers, nurses, coaches, peers, parents, neighbors, support group hotlines.

If it makes you feel broken in any way, you need to end it before it ends you. You are stronger than this challenge. And this challenge is making you even stronger.

Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 11


Upcoming Events - April 2018 Spring Break!

March 30 April 8 9 10 11 12

• School Resumes • Everett School Improvement Meeting 3:00 PM • Testing - High Schools • Fairview School Improvement Team Meeting • North Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 PM • Testing - High Schools • Full Day of School for All Grades - NO LATE START WEDNESDAY • Lyons Spring Picture Day • Fairview PBIS Data Team Meeting • Fairview FFTA Meeting 5:30 PM • North Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 PM • Lyons Spring Picture Day • Willow Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 PM • Post Oak PTA Monthly Meeting 6:30 PM

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• Gardner Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00 PM • Post Oak Bond Construction Groundbreaking Ceremony 1:30

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• Everett PTSA Meeting 6:00 PM • Fairview STEM Night 5:00 PM • Gardner Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:00 PM

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• Late Start Wednesday

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• Attwood Spring Picture Day • Wexford Spring Picture Day • Fairview PBIS Falcon Fun Day Team Meeting • New Eastern High School and Eastern Sports Fields Bond Construction Groundbreaking Ceremony 5:30

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• PCAC Meeting (Parent Community Advisory Council) 6:30 PM • Post Oak Penguin Prom 6:00 PM

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• Late Start Wednesday • Everett - Graduation Supplies Delivered 12:00 PM • Everett NEW TECH Future Parents Night 6:00 PM • Everett NEW TECH 7/8 Grade Band Concert 7:00 PM • Eastern Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30 PM • Sexton Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:00 PM

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• Everett Viking of the Month Recognition 8:00 AM • 4th Annual Lansing Promise Dinner 5:30 PM

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• Everett Theatre: Hairspray 7:00 PM

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• Eastern Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors 8:00 PM

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• Everett Theatre: Hairspray 7:00 PM

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• Eastern Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors 8:00 PM

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• Everett Theatre: Hairspray 3:00 PM

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• Eastern Theatre: Little Shop of Horrors 2:00 PM

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• Post Oak Spring Scholastic Book Fair

YMCA SUMMER CAMP Register now! AGES 3-15 ZZZ \PFDR¿DQVLQJ RUJ FDPS Lansing School District Kids’ World News • www.kidsworldnews.org

April 2018, Page 12


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