Au g u s t 2 0 1 2
Fr e e
When our schools are better, our communities are better! Named Tennessee’s leading credit union in youth financial literacy in 2011, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union values education and supports local schools. From offering free financial education to schools, to providing $80,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, the Credit Union proudly supports local schools and invests in students.
Life’s Better Here...
at the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union. 865.544.5400 tvacreditunion.com Find us on Facebook
Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government
NCUA
National Credit Union Administration, a U.S. Government Agency
From the Publishers
KNOXVILLE
Welcome to a new school year in Knox County! We are excited about this year and for the opportunity to bring together parents, children, educators, businesses, and community leaders to build the strongest families and improve the lives of everyone!
August 2012 Volume I • Issue 6
Knoxville Parent’s single purpose is to educate parents and care-givers about ways they can be the best at their primary job: protecting, nurturing, and ensuring the healthy development of their children. Education is the one approach that is available to every household regardless of socioeconomic position, political affiliation, religious orientation, or cultural background.
Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers Advisory Board
Staff
Sr. Mary Marta Abbott The Dioces of Knoxville
Michael Kull Managing Editor Design & Production Sales
Marie Alcorn United Way of Greater Knoxville
Everyone involved in Knoxville Parent makes it possible to help parents and their children by providing expert content, financial support, and valuable time. The money we have raised from local businesses is going directly back to the schools to help them with their needs.
Eva Nations Business Manager
Please look for Knoxville Parent in your child’s backpack each month, as important messages will be published from your school officials, your local experts, and local businesses, so you can achieve excellence in all areas of parenting!
Mike Bailey Community Volunteer Kathleen Gibi City of Knoxville, Parks and Recreation Division Ellen Liston East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Tracey Matthews Knox County Department of Education Elizabeth Pooley Community Volunteer Lee Tramel Knox County Sheriff ’s Department
Let’s all have a great year filled with learning and fun!
Contributing Photographers Knox County Schools Knox County Parks & Rec Contributing Writers Dan Albas Ellen Blasius Kristina Canan John Diddle, D.D.S. Sam Lawhorn Tracey Matthews Paul Nations, D.D.S. Erin Nguyen Phil Noe, N.P. Michael Smith, Ph.D. Kathryn Rae Smith, Ph.D. Nicole Swain, Psy.D. Lee Tramel Piotr Ulmer, MSPT
Parent publications are GREAT places to advertise! For more information, please call: (866) 247-7769. Contact Info: Phone: 865.622.9680 Fax: 888.457.9602 E-mail: KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com Knoxville Parent is published monthly and is distributed throughout the city of Knoxville and surrounding communities. Knoxville Parent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per monthly issue. Knoxville Parent may be distributed only by authorized distributors.
Knoxville Parent PO Box 52605 Knoxville, TN 37950, phone 865.622.9680 • fax 888.457.9602 The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted and property of Knoxville Parent. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publishers. Knoxville Parent utilize freelance writers, and the views expressed within this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers or editors. Knoxville Parent takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials. Letters to the editor must include name, address and daytime phone number for verification. Knoxville Parent reserve the right to edit letters for space and clarity. Please keep letters within 500 words in length.
Sincerely, Eva Nations and Michael Kull We welcome your letters! If you have a question or comment for Knoxville Parent, please e-mail it to KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com. Letters may be edited to meet space requirements.
contents
4
A message from the Superintendent
14 Helping your child make amends
5
Transitions require love
16 Knox County Parks and Recreation: Healthy and
6
Dad Dispatch: Memory makers
8
The List: Ten terrific books about transitions
9
Live and Learn: How to build an indomitable spirit
fun activities for your child
10
Housecalls: Battling the back-to-school butterflies
11
The sleepy child
12
Childwise: Gray mice think alike
13
Tooth transitions: Making room for your child’s new smile
17 Help your child succeed with Common Core 18 Knox County Schools: Ease your child from “lazy
day summers” to back-to-school routines
19 Knox County Schools: Parent University Calendar
of Events
20 Home alone? A safety plan is the way to go 21 Vote for Knox County Sports Person of the Year! 22 Knox Kids Puzzle Place
on the cover:
August means getting back into the school routine for these Knox County students. Transitions like this can be challenging. This issue focuses on the challenges and rewards that transitions offer. Photo Courtesy Knox County Schools
Knoxville Parent welcomes your comments, story ideas and advertising inquiries. Contact (865) 622-9680 or KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com 3
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
4
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
A message from the Superintendent... by Dr. James P. McIntyre
Knox County Schools’ Families, As our students begin a new academic year, I wanted to take a moment to officially welcome you back to school. It is truly a remarkable time for public education in the State of Tennessee and here in the Knox County Schools. The Knox County Board of Education and the Knox County Commission approved a school system budget of $404,710,000, which provides an additional $7 million to the Knox County Schools over natural revenue growth. This investment will allow us to enact some of the important instructional initiatives identified in our Strategic Plan, such as an expanded early literacy initiative, tutoring programs for struggling students, academic enrichment, instructional supports for teachers, enhancement of our magnet programs, and expansion of our successful community schools initiative. Please know that we take the responsibility and the privilege of educating your children very seriously. We know the partnership between parents and teachers provides the best foundation for children to succeed. If there are ways we can support you better, please do not hesitate to contact us at (865) 594-1800. Additionally, there is a wealth of helpful information on our website at knoxschools.org. I hope you share with me the great excitement and anticipation that comes with the beginning of a new school year. I thank you, in advance, for your continued support, and we look forward to working alongside you as we reach to achieve our ambitious goal of Excellence for All Children. Sincerely, Dr. Jim McIntyre Superintendent, Knox County Schools
5
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Transitions require love by Piotr Ulmer, MSPT
T
he beginning of a new school year brings new situations, new challenges, goals and new beginnings. The way we approach it usually determines if it becomes a clear success, a “kind of ” success, just “handling it somehow”, or it becomes a drag and a frustration. In my life quest of learning how to avoid this drag and frustration and what exactly there is to do in order to succeed, I encountered a book Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson, M.D. As I encourage everybody (no matter the age) to read it, I am not going to spoil it for you and tell you the story. It’s a one day read, and there are versions for adults, teens and kids. The book makes life easier by showing the naked truth and universal law of “how the world works” (or maybe “how people work”), so knowing it is a treasure. Please do it. I’ve read the book. I applied it during our recent move since we as a family downsized our house. The move went great, and four weeks later, in our family’s daily challenges of accomplishing, organizing and reorganizing, I still continue discovering parallels of Who Moved My Cheese? and my own beliefs and philosophy of life. The ideas in the book I mention are not new concepts. The foundational blocks of our lives: the moral values of Love, Forgiveness, Self-denial for the sake of others (i.e: parenting), efficient working habits (getting up early in the morning, not cheating etc…) have been taught in our culture for quite a few centuries and are still being carried from generation to generation today. Most of us hear from parents and educators about not procrastinating, getting to the task early on, planning it and not dropping it until it’s done. It’s hard work, patience, a positive attitude, love and respect for others that leads to success in the long run. Today’s world seems to put “redone” morality on a pedestal. It’s the ability to “stay cool”(not being engaged emotionally) which suppresses expression of Love. Tolerance becomes detached from responsible Love by disregarding, ignoring and attacking the basic laws of our existence. Attention to choice is being misplaced as “what I want now”, having the world and people around us paying the price of it. In such circumstance Freedom as we still value and benefit from, is no longer possible. In a moral climate like this it’s hard not to end up in fear and despair. We all notice by now, that it’s not the right climate to go through transitions of life easily, efficiently and successfully. Freedom that we all desire is a power to do what we ought to do. If everybody does it, we all end up cooperating in harmony. This calls for denying of our own will and that’s why it is where the rubber meets the road. Just as we teach our children to deny their will of watching TV for the sake of finishing homework, we ourselves need to stop and think out what is our own “homework”?. Unless we deny our “want to” for the sake of “need to” , we will continue cutting the branch we are sitting on.” Piotr Ulmer established CTS Physical Therapy in 2001. A native of Warsaw, Poland, he received his Master of Rehabilitation degree from that city’s Academy of Sports in 1991. He formerly served as the director of an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Clarksville, TN and as a Sports Medicine Physical Therapist in Knoxville before starting CTS Physical Therapy.
“Love is the ingredient that makes all transitions possible.” From my life experience of transitions, moving from Poland to the United States, changing employers, jobs and houses I’ve learned that all my surroundings are changeable. The cars, houses, job situations, even myself, all are subject to deterioration. I used to think about prayer, love or charity as elusive and non-concrete, however the older I get, the more steady, real and concrete they become. At the same time I notice how all the material world inevitably “ turns to dust”. Love is the ingredient that makes all transitions possible. It connects all aspects of life for the greatest good and is truly the fuel for life itself. The way I know Love is through my belief in God, and this provides me with the most steady support I know of.. The life changes, transitions and all the daily turmoil are what our life consists of. I think our most important job is not to get tangled in the technicalities of the turmoil, but rather to continue seeing it from the “bird’s eye view” and do all we can to make things better for those around us. Each day’s success is absolutely dependent on living this value of charity, which after all, benefits ourselves.
y a K Mc y a McK USED B
RE S & MO MOV IE , ’S D C O OK S ,
230 Papermill Pl Way Knoxville
E & MOR OV IES M , ’S CD 7734 Lee B Hwy O OK S , USED Chattanooga
NEXT TO THUNDER CREEK HARLEY DAVIDSON
STORE HOURS 9am-9pm Mon-Thurs 9am-10pm Fri/Sat 11am-7pm Sun (SEASONLY STORE HOURS WILL VARY) MCKAYBOOKS.COM
explore with your child!
6
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Memory makers By John Diddle, D.D.S., M.S., P.C.
I am the proud father of two sons and a daughter, all born within a four year span. They are all grown and married now, with children of their own. Between watching them, and observing the children that I see in my orthodontic practice, I’ve had many opportunities to see younger generations develop. When asked to write this article about “my experiences in parenting,” I took the opportunity to call my daughter and one of my sons to ask them what they perceived that I did “right” as a parent to positively influence them. Our daughter wasted no time in telling me that one of the things that meant the most to her was that I always made it to her softball games, or the football or basketball games when she was a cheerleader. No matter where the games where, I showed up (maybe late) and she said she was always comforted and proud that I had made that effort after a long day at work. She reminded me of the time I was at a meeting in Asheville, NC the night of the homecoming game her senior year, and she was a nominee for Homecoming Queen. I surprised her and drove back that night to be at the game and see her crowned as queen, and then I drove back to Asheville after the game that same night. She thought I wasn’t going to be able to attend the game, and she told me it “made her night” when she looked up and saw me standing at the fence. Her telling me that now proved to me that what my wife always tells me is indeed true…that just being there for your children is the ultimate gift you can give them. It sticks with them much more than the money you spend on clothes, or trips, or things. All those expenditures don’t hold a
“I surprised her and drove back that night to be at the game and see her crowned as queen, and then I drove back to Asheville after the game that same night.”
“My wife comes from a large family where chaos and drama reigned, but so did the open expression of love. I grew up in a family where “I love you” was not openly expressed, so it was initially hard for me to say “I love you” so freely.” candle to just making them feel loved, valued, and a priority in your life. Tell them you love them…you can’t say it enough. Whenever my wife and I talk to our children, we end the conversation by telling them “I love you” and they tell us they love us too. My wife comes from a large family where chaos and drama reigned, but so did the open expression of love. I grew up in a family where “I love you” was not openly expressed, so it was initially hard for me to say “I love you” so freely. But I got over that quickly, and it sure does feel good to say it now, and to hear my children say it in return. Doesn’t get much better than that. I then spoke with one of my sons and asked him the same question…. what did I do as a parent that positively influenced and guided you? His response was that I worked hard and modeled a good work ethic, and that he knew he was expected to do the same. He also pointed out that my wife and I each have our individual strengths and weaknesses, and that we worked together as parents to use each of our strengths as much as possible. And again, he went back to the times we spent together as a family, and the importance we put on supporting them in whatever they were doing. As the oldest of 6 children, my wife came into our marriage with much more “family” experience that I did, as I only had one older sister. She has always told me that as parents, we are in the “memory-making” business. The things that we do for and with our children are constantly creating
Continued on next page...
7
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
...continued from previous page
“My wife has always told me that as parents, we are in the “memory-making” business. ” memories for them, and we need to take that responsibility seriously and make those memories as positive as we can. She has always maintained that these “memory moments” don’t necessarily revolve around expensive vacations, or even cost that much money. Times that we as parents spend with our children, that we may not even remember, are often the things that our children hold dear. As parents, we often “go through the motions” of doing things with our children, and frequently get caught up in just surviving our busy days of work, family, finances, etc. But it’s amazing how our children will remember something that we considered inconsequential as one of the highlights of their childhood. One memory-maker that my wife has always felt strongly about is the creation of family traditions. For our family, an important one is Christmas morning brunch. My wife grew up with this tradition and she instituted it in our family. Now that my children are grown and have families of their own, it is one of their favorite things to look forward to when they come home for Christmas. Country ham and redeye gravy, cheese grits, sausage balls, egg casserole, biscuits and fruit. It’s a heart attack in the making, but it’s our favorite splurge every year. Now that they have children and careers, and can’t always be with us on Christmas, they have asked for all their Mom’s recipes and have started cooking the same brunch for their families when they aren’t able to make it home. We also felt strongly about being honest with our children. If we were wrong about something, we admitted it to them. We tried to always follow through with what we told them we’d do…whether it was a reward, a punishment or a promise. We wanted them to be able to trust our word, and in return, we wanted to be able to trust theirs. Parenting is not easy. Children are going to make mistakes, it’s a part of learning and maturing. But parents are going to make mistakes too. Being a parent and being a child are both evolving skills. But if you can establish an environment where both sides are working toward good things, and there’s love and caring underlying all that you do, then your chances for success are greatly enhanced. For my wife and I, understanding our role as memory-makers, establishing family traditions to build on, and being consistent and honest in our dealings with our children were the core values to helping us be the best parents we could. In closing, I thank Eva Nations for asking me to write this article. It gave me the opportunity to hear my children tell me some of their fond memories from childhood and reminded me once again how lucky I am to have had the opportunity to be a parent. And now I have five young grandchildren, so this reflection on parenting also reminds me that I want to help create memories and traditions for them too.
s n ” r
Dr. John A. Diddle earned his BS and DDS degrees from the University of Tennessee and his MS in Orthodontics from St. Louis University. He is a board-certified orthodontist who has been practicing for over 30 years. In his spare time, Dr. Diddle enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, playing golf, biking and snow skiing.
Elementary Middle High RD
CA
RT ts O e Ar P g RE ngua h La at ory M ist ce H
B+ B+
-
A
n
ie Sc
(865) 769-6944 Located in Franklin Square www.mathnasium.com
8
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Ten Terrific Books About School Transitions Compiled this month by Erin Nguyen
Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library
Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? By Audrey Vernick Reading level: PreK – 2nd A very funny look at the day-to-day experiences of kindergarten through the eyes of a pet buffalo.
First Day, Hooray! By Nancy Poydar Reading level: PreK – 2nd All over town people are anxiously awaiting a new school year - students, teachers, bus drivers, and principals - but they all overcome their jitters for a successful first day.
The New Girl By Meg Cabot Reading level: 2nd – 5th When the bully at her new school threatens to beat up fourth-grader Allie Finkle, she turns to her family and new friends for solutions that are sometimes helpful and sometimes just funny.
Wemberly Worried By Kevin Henkes Reading level: PreK – 2nd Little mouse Wemberly worries about everything, especially starting school - until a special teacher and a new friend help her overcome her fears.
Junie B., First Grader (At Last!) By Barbara Park Reading level: K – 3rd Junie B. is moving up to first grade, where she’s having to get used to lots of new things - a new teacher, new friends, and maybe even new glasses to help her read better.
How to Survive Middle School By Donna Gephart Reading level: 4th – 8th In elementary school, aspiring filmmaker and comedian David Greenberg followed the rules and made good grades, so he expects middle school to be just fine - until a fight with his best friend leads to a disastrous first day.
Too Old for This, Too Young for That! By Harriet S. Mosatche and Karen Unger Reading level: 5th – 8th This fact-filled guide is packed with practical tips for navigating the sometimes challenging adolescent years and the physical, social, and emotional changes they bring.
For libary information in your area visit: www.knoxlib.org/
Schooled By Gordon Korman Reading level: 5th – 8th Capricorn Anderson has spent the first thirteen years of his life alone with his grandmother on a former commune, so when she has to be hospitalized following an accident, the outside world (especially middle school) is both intriguing and baffling for this previously homeschooled student. 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School By Steven Jenkins and Erika Stalder Reading level: 9th – 12th This fun book lists 97 ways to make the most of your high school experience, including the practical (get a driver’s license), the educational (learn a foreign language), and the just plain fun (host a film festival), with tips on how to achieve each item. Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie By David Lubar Reading level: 9th – 12th When his mother announces her pregnancy just as Scott begins high school, he begins writing a survival guide for his future sibling based on his own freshman year trials and tribulations.
9
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Knowledge you can use
How to build an indomitable* spirit
*Adj \in-dä-me-te-bel\ unbeatable, unstoppable, invincible Written by Dan Albas with permission by Barry Van Over
T
eaching kids how to be successful in life requires more than just smarts and a good handshake. While having brains and charm never hurts, always bank on those that have a burning desire and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their goals. In martial arts we call this ‘indomitable spirit’. Encouraging kids to persevere in pursuit of their dreams is one of the greatest gifts a parent can make. To develop an indomitable spirit requires conquering ones own fear of embarrassment, rejection and pain. Here are a couple of rock solid suggestions for getting past these basic fears: The fear of embarrassment Part of the human condition is making mistakes. The ego does not like mistakes and feeling embarrassed. It will do whatever it takes to insulate it from making mistakes and thus will go out of its way to avoid them. The lucky ones, who by nature or nurture, understand that given enough time and preparation they can accomplish anything. They also understand that on the road to success all sorts of mistakes will happen. They intuitively understand that mistakes are learning opportunities and will try to learn their lessons as quickly as possible. When your child makes a mistake encourage him or her to look at it as an opportunity to learn. When we learn from our mistakes, it further prepares us for the next challenge. An honest mistake is nothing to be embarrassed about. The fear of rejection For most people, having someone reject their idea or plan is too much to bear. This is because they have learned that asking for something they want can lead to rejection and rejection is equated with pain. One simple way to counter this is to always respond to a child’s request with a loving response. Let’s say your young child wants a cookie but you know that it is too close to dinner to give him or her. You can respond with a big smile and say ‘I am so glad you asked!’ Then quickly follow with a hug and say ‘now’s not a good time- but dinners almost ready would you like to help?’ By responding with positive body language and attention they will learn to that it is okay to ask, and that rejection of an idea doesn’t mean rejection of them. Another strategy to curtail the fear of rejection is to learn to not take anything personally. Most no’s are not no’s at all- they are thinly veiled ‘not right now’s’ or ‘I am not the right person to be asking’ or ‘try again later’. This means when you say no to extending their bedtime from eight o’clock to eight-thirty, you are not saying no- you are saying ‘not now’. The fear of pain We have all heard that human beings are hard wired to move away from pain. Most people are quite familiar with physical pain, but there are
other types. The pain of discipline, also called delayed gratification, is the sacrifice of short-term pleasure for long-term gain. An example would be a champion bodybuilder who sacrifices other hobbies or social activities to find time to work out. He or she will sacrifice the short-term pleasure of dessert and instead stick to a specific diet that does not allow for needless calories. They will tax their muscles to an exacting plan and not quit early. They do so because they have an indomitable spirit. This is because they know that if they do not feel the pain of discipline in their lives now they will feel the pain of regret later. We all share the fear of embarrassment, rejection or pain—it is part of being human. Before becoming a world famous figure for social change in India, Mahatma Ghandi used to be a lawyer who was afraid of going to court. Joan of Arc was just a poor girl from France, yet went on to change the course of European history. These and many other figures had the same fears as we do now, but they showed passion and indomitable spirit in attaining their goals and achievements. Kids who learn not to let irrational fears stop them in the pursuit of their goals live more confidently and make waves in the communities they live in. Barry Van Over is the owner and president of Premier Martial Arts International, of which there are currently over 80 location nationwide. Mr. Van Over has two locations in the West Knoxville area and been empowering families lives through the martial arts in the Knoxville community for over 20 years. Mr. Van Over and his local studios can be reached at www.premiermartialarts.com.
Elzbieta Tworek Archery Instructions US National Certified Level IV Archery Coach • • • • • • •
Beginner Archery Classes Portable Archery lessons Group Archery Classes, Corporate Events Camp, Private School/ Home School, Summer Programs Private Archery Lessons Orientation, 1st Archery sessions Open Training Sessions
865-539-0377 • theolympicarrow@comcast.net
10
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Battling the back-to-school butterflies By Nicole Swain, Psy.D.
W
hether summer was jam-packed with activities or filled with complaints about being bored with nothing to do, children often have a tough time making the back-toschool transition. As with any new or potentially unsettling situation — like starting school for the first time or entering a new grade or new school — allow your children time to adjust. Remind them that everyone feels a little nervous about the first day of school and soon it will all become an everyday routine. Emphasize the positive things about going back to school, such as hanging out with friends, meeting new classmates, buying cool school supplies, getting involved in sports and other activities, and showing off new clothes (or snazzy accessories if your child has to wear a uniform).
BA I L E Y I N SU R A N C E S E RV I C E Business • Life • Home • Auto • Health
“As an independent agency, we don’t work for one insurance company; we represent several companies. This allows us to focus on providing you with the right amount of insurance and the right type of coverage for your needs.”
Mike Bailey, Owner
9219 Middlebrook Pike, Suite 100 • Knoxville, TN 37931 (865) 691-9111 • BaileyInsuranceService.com Knoxville’s insurance provider for families and business since 1994.
“To help ease back-to-school butterflies, try to transition kids into a consistent school-night routine a few weeks before school starts.” It’s also important to talk to children about what worries them and offer reassurance: Are they afraid they won’t make new friends or get along with their teachers? Is the thought of schoolwork stressing them out? Are they worried about the bully from last year? Parents should also consider adjusting their schedules to make the transition smoother. If possible, it’s especially beneficial for parents to be home at the end of the schoolday for the first week. Many working moms and dads don’t have that flexibility, and they can try to arrange their evenings to give kids as much time as they need, especially during those first few days. If your child is starting a new school, contact the school before the first day to arrange a visit. And to help ease back-to-school butterflies, try to transition kids into a consistent school-night routine a few weeks before school starts. Also make sure your children: • Get enough sleep (establish a reasonable bedtime so they’ll be wellrested and ready to learn in the morning) • Eat a healthy breakfast (children are more alert and do better in school if they eat a good breakfast every day) • Write down need-to-know information to help them remember details such as their locker combination, what time classes and lunch start/end, homeroom and classroom numbers, teachers’ and/or bus drivers’ names, etc. • Have them organize and set out what they need the night before (homework and books should be put in backpacks and clothes should be laid out in their bedrooms) Although it’s normal to be anxious in any new situation, some children develop real physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, associated with the start of school. If you’re concerned that your child’s worries go beyond the normal back-to-school jitters, speak with your child’s doctor, teacher or school counselor. Nicole Swain, PsyD is a Pediatric Psychologist at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For more information about dealing with your child’s back-to-school issues, visit the “KidsHealth” section under the “Health Information” tab on the Children’s Hospital website (www.etch.com).
11
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
The sleepy child
Healthy sleep is essential for your child’s health By Phil Noe, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
S
chool is back in session, and this is the time of year when sleep problems in children most commonly become evident. With the pressure of early morning awakenings, the once happy and content child now appears like two of the seven dwarfs: grumpy and sleepy. While irritability and sleepiness can affect the child’s overall mood and level of happiness, inadequate sleep can have even more serious consequences such as difficulty focusing, poor learning, and an increased risk of accidents. There are two key ingredients to effectively dealing with this issue: establishing a healthy sleep environment and looking for clues that a sleep problem exists. For the majority of children, adjusting their sleep time and environment will result in a well-rested child. There are several keys to establishing this appropriate sleep environment. These keys are critical to helping a child fall asleep, stay asleep, and achieve restful sleep. These keys include: 1. A quiet bedroom – no noisemakers in the room such as a television, computer, radio, I pod, video game or cell phone. 2. Falling asleep independently - A child should fall asleep on their own with no one else in the room or in the bed with them. 3. Nightlights are acceptable – otherwise, the room should be dark. 4. Keep the bedroom at a comfortable temperature (70-72 degrees) – avoid an overly hot room. The next step is to make sure your child is getting enough sleep. Most 6-12 year old children need 10 – 11 hours of sleep each night. In addition, most children take around 15 minutes to fall asleep. When these two facts are combined, it is easy to see that 6-12 year olds need roughly 11 hours in bed each night. To determine an appropriate bedtime, simply subtract 11 hours from the time the child needs to get up in the morning for school. If morning wakeup time is 7 a.m., the appropriate bedtime is 8 p.m. Children who start their day at 6 a.m. should go to bed at 7 p.m. This practice will provide an opportunity for your child to obtain an adequate amount of sleep each night. If your child continues to experience excessive daytime sleepiness despite an appropriate sleep environment and an adequate amount of sleep, the next step is to consider that your child might have a sleep problem. There are several sleep problems that can exist during childhood, which include: Insomnia Insomnia is difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during the night. Many people experience occasional insomnia, but if it becomes frequent or prolonged it can lead to problems associated with inadequate sleep. The most common cause of insomnia is stress, but many things can lead to insomnia, including physical discomfort (the stuffy nose of a cold or the pain of a headache), emotional troubles (like family problems or relationship difficulties) or even an uncomfortable sleeping environment (a room that’s too hot, cold or noisy). It’s common for children to occasionally have insomnia but if insomnia lasts for one month or longer, the child should be evaluated by their health
“For the majority of children, adjusting their sleep time and environment will result in a well-rested child.” Care provider to determine the cause and most effective treatment to restore adequate restful sleep. Narcolepsy Children with narcolepsy are very sleepy during the day and may have sleep “attacks” during the day that may make them suddenly fall asleep or lose muscle control. These children also report vivid dreamlike images while dozing off or waking up. Nighttime sleep also may be disrupted, with frequent awakenings throughout the night. Characteristically, children with narcolepsy fall asleep frequently and at unusual times, such as on the playground, in the lunchroom or in the middle of a conversation. This is not a common cause of sleepiness in children; in fact, most cases of narcolepsy are not diagnosed until adulthood. People usually begin to have symptoms between the ages of 10 and 25 but might not be properly diagnosed until 10-15 years later. Doctors usually treat narcolepsy with medications and lifestyle changes. What to do if you suspect a sleep problem If your child seems to be getting enough rest at night but is still feeling tired during the day, it’s a good idea to visit your health care provider. Excessive tiredness can be caused by a wide variety of health problems, not just difficulties with sleep. If a sleep problem is suspected, your health care provider will evaluate your child’s overall health and sleep habits. In addition to doing a physical examination, your provider will take a medical history by asking about any concerns and symptoms your child has and about his or her past health, your family’s health and any medications your child is taking. The provider also may do tests such as a sleep study to find out whether there is a medical condition affecting your child’s health. Your provider may even refer you to a specialist such as the Pediatric Pulmonology & Sleep Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital. Healthy sleep is an essential part of your child’s overall health. Monitoring your child’s sleep and ensuring an adequate amount and quality of sleep is extremely important in keeping your child physically and emotionally healthy. Read The Sleepy Child, Part two in the September issue of Knoxville Parent and learn about Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Restless Leg Syndrome. Phil Noe has been a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with the Pediatric Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine Center at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for the past 15 years. He works with a variety of sleep-related medical problems from newborns to young adults.
12
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Gray mice think alike by Michael K. Smith Ph.D.
“Good teachers can help students develop analytic skills that evaluate evidence on both sides of an argument, whether that argument is in science, history, math, or psychology. ”
O
ne evening, my wife asked me and my oldest son a question about space exploration. Spontaneously, we both replied with exactly with the same answer. Smiling, we looked at each other and repeated a common proverb. My youngest son stared at us and said, “What? Gray Mice Think Alike?” We laughed because the proverb was “Great Minds Think Alike”. My youngest son had misheard us, but his mind changed the phrase to what he thought he heard. As we left him, he was still puzzling over what gray mice think about. We often change unknown information to what we know. This is a natural process of the mind. For instance, we can often fill in the gaps in the dropped signals of cell phone calls by inferring what a person most likely said. A more interesting example of this phenomenon, however, is called confirmation bias. We use confirmation bias when we seek out evidence to support our beliefs and theories (and ignore evidence that doesn’t support it). Or confirmation bias can occur when we interpret ambiguous evidence as supporting our position. My wife and I often disagree about what movies to watch. I wanted to see The Avengers; she didn’t. I quoted her part of the New York Times review of the movie: “The Avengers is not without its pleasures. Written and directed by Joss Whedon, this movie revels in the individuality of its mighty, mythical characters…The best scenes are not the overblown, skull-assaulting action sequences but the moments in between, when the assembled heroes have the opportunity to brag, banter, flirt and bicker.” “See,” I said, “this critic notes the pleasures of this movie and the great characters.” “Look,” my wife said, “he also says it’s ‘overblown and skull-assaulting’.” “But,” I said, “You liked Thor.” “Yes,” she replied, “but I hated Battleship.” We could go on for hours. I would marshal evidence that supports my position, while she could equally bring to bear evidence that supports her. This example may seem trivial because there is no “objective” truth about whether The Avengers is a good movie. It’s her opinion against mine.
But there are numerous examples in which confirmation bias has had a tremendous impact. Consider Galileo. With his newly invented telescope, Galileo could easily provide evidence for sunspots, moons of Jupiter, and the phases of Venus. Galileo marshaled these discoveries and other evidence to support a heliocentric view of the solar system, in which the Earth revolves around the Sun. Many religious and political leaders discounted Galileo’s views and suggested that the evidence really still supported the notion that the Sun revolves around the Earth. Galileo was astounded and wrote to his friend Kepler: “My dear Kepler, what would you say of the learned here who have steadfastly refused to cast a glance through the telescope? What shall we make of this? Shall we laugh, or shall we cry?” Or think about Thomas Edison. As everyone knows, Edison is credited with hundreds of inventions that transformed our lives. Edison also was an early advocate of direct current (DC) to supply electricity to homes and businesses. Another scientist, Nikola Tesla, showed that alternating current (AC) was more practical, efficient, and could deliver electricity over longer distances than DC. Edison didn’t believe it. He waged an advertising and scientific war against AC, a battle he eventually lost. Confirmation bias is a perfect example of why we need good teachers. It’s extremely difficult to examine, objectively, evidence that doesn’t support our point of view. Good teachers can help students develop analytic skills that evaluate evidence on both sides of an argument, whether that argument is in science, history, math, or psychology. The new Common Core Standards emphasize comprehension similar skills in speaking and listening. For instance, a Grade 8 student should be able to “Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced.” Whether “Great Minds” or “Gray Mice” think alike is not always a good thing, especially if both are only using evidence that supports their viewpoints and discounting other evidence. Maybe it would be better if the “Gray Mice” got together to argue with each other. Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., is owner of TESTPREP EXPERTS (www.testprepexperts.com ) which prepares students for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. He is also a consultant to Discovery Education Assessment.
13
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Tooth transitions
Making room for your child’s new smile By Paul Nations, D.D.S.
I
f you are a parent with young children in Knoxville, you will inevitably have a visit from The Tooth Fairy. Very few experiences can match the anticipation of putting your first baby tooth under your pillow with the hope that The Tooth Fairy will come to leave a present for you to find in its place when you wake up in the morning. This can be a very exciting and fun time for children and parents alike. As a dentist, I get to have the pleasure of being a “helper” for The Tooth Fairy and to see how excited kids get when they talk about loosing their first tooth. Of course, as with anything new, there are many questions and fears that are involved as well. In this article, I will share some of the frequently asked questions that I hear from my young patients and their parents as well as my answers, from a dentist’s perspective and as a father of three kids. 1. How many baby teeth will I have? How many permanent teeth? People have two sets of teeth, baby (primary teeth) and adult teeth (permanent). A child will have twenty baby teeth (ten on top, ten on the bottom). Adults will have thirty-two permanent teeth (sixteen on top, sixteen on the bottom). 2. When will I loose my first baby tooth? Children begin to loose their first baby teeth at six years of age. The lower (mandibular) central incisors (front teeth) are usually the first to go. This is an average age and location and can vary greatly. Some children can start very early or late but don’t panic if they are a year early or late and the teeth lost first are in a different location. 3. Is it OK to pull a baby tooth at home once it starts to get loose? Yes. If the baby tooth is beginning to get loose, this is a signal that the permanent tooth is coming up underneath it. The pressure of the new tooth causes the root of the baby tooth to disappear so that it becomes loose. 4. Why do baby teeth sometimes have to be pulled by the dentist? Sometimes the permanent tooth does not come in directly underneath the baby tooth. If this happens, the root of the baby tooth will remain, so the tooth still has an anchor to hold it in place. It will not get loose, and the child will not be able to pull it on his/her own. If the baby tooth does not come out it can cause crowding of the permanent teeth that are trying to come in its place. When the dentist sees that this is happening, he/she may elect to extract the baby tooth in the dental office. 5. Does getting a baby tooth pulled at the dentist hurt? No. The dentist will not pull a baby tooth unless the tooth is numb. Topical anesthetic can be placed on the gums first to make them numb and if necessary, local anesthetic can then be placed around the tooth to make sure that the patient does not have any pain when the tooth is extracted. Later, when the anesthetic wears off there is usually little pain, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). The dentist can give the baby tooth to the child to take home for the Tooth Fairy. In our office, we have special Tooth Fairy boxes that the child can put his/her tooth in to take home.
“The dentist can give the baby tooth to the child to take home for the Tooth Fairy. In our office, we have special Tooth Fairy boxes that the child can put his/her tooth in to take home.” 6. What is the best way to pull a baby tooth at home? Using your fingers is as the easiest and safest way to get the tooth out. If the tooth is getting loose, the child can try wiggling the tooth forward and back or side to side. Sometimes twisting or rotating the tooth works. Move the tooth in any direction that it will go back and forth slowly so as not to cause pain. It may take a few days or even longer depending on how aggressive the child is. Some kids will get teeth out as soon as they feel that the tooth is even slightly loose and others seem to keep them around as long as they can until it falls out on its own or their parents can’t stand it anymore and get it themselves. It is always better to make it fun and stress free for the child. If it is hurting too much to pull, then it probably is not ready yet. For a stubborn baby tooth, eating an apple or something hard can do the trick. 7. What happens if the baby tooth is still there and the permanent tooth comes in also? It is not unusual for a permanent tooth to erupt in front or behind the baby tooth. This is most commonly seen in the lower incisor area and is a cause for alarm for many parents. We like to joke with the child that they look like a shark. Most of the time this is not a problem and the baby tooth will still get loose and the child can get it out. It just might take longer. If the tooth is not loose at all, the dentist may have to get it as mentioned earlier. When the baby tooth comes out, the permanent tooth usually will move into the space vacated by the baby tooth. Hopefully, this information will make the transition from baby to big boy/girl teeth a little easier. This should be a fun and happy time for your child. A sign that they are growing up and becoming more like one of “adults.” There is nothing better for me as a dentist than to see an excited child, who is happy and proud to come to the office to tell me all about how “The Tooth Fairy came!” with the sparkle and light in theirs eyes that only the innocence of being a kid seems to allow. Take a lot of pictures. Those are the times that you’ll want to remember. P.S. — If you see The Tooth Fairy, say hello for me. Dr. Paul Nations received his B.S. in Biology at Vanderbilt University and his D.D.S. at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, where he graduated with honors. He also completed one year in Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of Tennessee, Memphis and maintains a private practice at Cedar Bluff Dental Center, P.C. in West Knoxville.
14
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Helping your child make amends A mistake can be an opportunity by Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.
A
ll parents dread it: the call from the principal because your child did something hurtful to another child. I got such a call recently. One of my sons, along with two other boys, had called another boy a name in the cafeteria. My son and the two other boys were sent to the principal who talked to them about what had happened. My son knew that the principal would be calling me. Photo courtesy Chattanooga Parent The call came when I was at work. The principal told me what had happened, and let me know that my son seemed genuinely remorseful for his actions. Because I still had clients to see, I did not think about it again until I got in the car to go pick up my son from school. As I started to think “How am I going to address this situation with my son?” a memory from my own childhood spontaneously came to mind. I was in the fourth grade, and for reasons I cannot recall, I had written a very mean poem about a boy in my class. I made the mistake of giving the poem to him. He gave it to our teacher who passed it to our principal. The
“All of us make mistakes, but only some of us learned as children that our mistakes that hurt others can often be repaired. ” principal came to my classroom to confront me about the poem, and my mom was called and informed of the incident. I remember the shame I felt when confronted by the principal and, later, by my mother. I don’t recall the specific punishment I received, or whether I apologized to the boy I had hurt. The main thing I remember was the burning sense of shame. This kind of shame tells us that we are “bad” and can be distinguished from healthy guilt which signals that we are guilty of wrongdoing and may need to take steps to repair the harm done. This memory from my childhood was a gift because it helped me talk with my child. I could use my own experience to shape my response. I realized it would be important to neutralize his sense of shame, help him get in touch with his sense of guilt, and then come up with a way to make reparation. My son needed to know that everyone, including his mother, is capable of hurting others, but that steps can be taken to repair the damage and restore the relationship. When my son saw me arrive at the school, he hung his head in shame. I knew he had been dreading my arrival. The first thing I said was “Don’t think you are the only one in this family who has ever been called to the principal’s office.” When I told my son the story of what I had done in the fourth grade, his eyes got very big: I certainly had his attention! Hearing that I, too, had been guilty of hurting someone helped him feel understood and helped dissipate his shame. My son and I discussed his actions, focusing on the feelings of the child who had been hurt. He acknowledged that he would not like it if he was called a name. My son had already apologized to the child, in accordance with his teacher’s request. We talked about what else he could do to express his remorse and soothe the hurt child’s feelings. He decided to make an illustrated card to give the child. When I saw my son after school the next day, he told me the boy smiled and thanked him when he gave him the card, and this made my son feel so much better. All of us make mistakes, but only some of us learned as children that our mistakes that hurt others can often be repaired. As parents, we have an opportunity to teach our children that when they make mistakes, they are not “bad,” but human, and that there is an important distinction between shame and healthy guilt. Most importantly, we can show our children the steps involved in reparation and point out the good feelings that come from successful reconciliation. Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. is a private practice psychologist specializing in assessment. She is the married mother of two school-aged boys.
Keep Your Teeth Healthy For A Lifetime!
NEW PATIENTS AND EMERGENCIES WELCOME!
Our mission is to provide the highest level of dentistry in a comfortable, caring and friendly environment.
Paul B. Nations, D.D.S. Cedar Bluff Dental Center, P.C. 9221 Middlebrook Pike, Ste. 201 Knoxville, TN 37931
(865) 693-6933 CedarBluffDentalCenter.com
16
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Looking for a fun and healthy activity for your child? Knox County’s Parks and Recreation has the answer by Ellen Blasius
K
nox County Parks and Recreation sponsors athletic programs for football, basketball, baseball, softball and cheerleading throughout our community. Over 20,000 participants come together each year for the love of sports, the benefits of physical exercise and conditioning and the values leaned through discipline and sportsmanship. Sanctioned sports programs adhere to the six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! and participants and spectators are held to those standards. Most leagues are managed by neighborhood commissions with Boys and girls basketball leaders in each sport supervising the leagues, baseball, football, recruitment of players and coaches. and cheerleading are Games are played at Knox County just a few of the many park facilities with the exception of opportunities for students through the County’s Parks basketball, which is played in local & Recreation department. schools. Any student interested in participating in a Knox County program may contact the commission in their area for registration information. Commissions and their contacts are available on the Knox County website at www.knoxcounty.org/ parks/team_sports. John Tarleton Park on Sutherland Avenue and Tommy Schumpert Park off Fountain City Road are the two main locations for football. Each park has several fields where games are played four days a week during the fall. The Knox Metro Youth Football program is the largest of the sports organizations and encompasses teams in city and county organizations. Nearly 3000 youth participate during the season, with 142 teams in seven age groups, ranging from seven to 14-years-old. During the spring and summer, baseball and softball games are played at Knox County Sportspark on Oak Ridge Highway, Powell-Levi Park, Concord Park and several other neighborhood parks. In addition to the youth, Knox County has a thriving adult softball program also housed at the Sportspark.
“Over 20,000 participants come together each year for the love of sports, the benefits of physical exercise and conditioning and the values leaned through discipline and sportsmanship.” Both boy’s and girl’s basketball leagues are available for kids eight (and under) through middle school. Over 300 teams participate in this program each year. After Knox County tournaments in each age group, All-Star teams compete with the city’s winners for bragging rights throughout the area. Golf is another sport available through Knox County Parks and Recreation through the Knox Area Junior Golf Association and The First Tee program. Concord Park Par 3, Beverly Park Par 3 and Three Ridges Golf Course are all part of Knox County’s athletic facilities. The county’s SNAG Clinics, private and group lessons, program (Starting tournaments and special events are New At Golf) is offered at all courses. The SNAG a great way to introduce kids to program, “Starting New at Golf ” is the game of golf. a fun and easy way to learn golf in a modified form and is available at both Concord and Beverly Park Par 3 courses. In addition to these sanctioned sports, several other community organizations play at Knox County park locations, including AYSO Soccer, lacrosse, rugby, and adult flag football. More information on all of Knox County athletic programs, parks and locations, and other recreational opportunities is available on the web at www.knoxcounty.org/parks.
17
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Help your child succeed with Common Core
Help Your Child Succeed with Common Core by Kristina Canan, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Marketing Specialist
Learning does not end in the classroom. Children need help and support at home to succeed in their studies. Try to create a quiet place for your child to study, and carve out time every day when your child can concentrate on reading, writing, and math uninterrupted by friends, brothers or sisters, or other distractions.
WHY ARE ACADEMIC STANDARDS IMPORTANT?
HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?
Academic standards are important because they help ensure that all students, no matter where they live, are prepared for success in college and the workforce. They help set clear and consistent expectations for students, parents, and teachers; build your child’s knowledge and skills; and help set high goals for all students.
Build a relationship with your child’s teacher. You can do this by talking to his or her teacher regularly about how your child is doing — beyond parent-teacher conferences.
Of course, high standards are not the only thing needed for our children’s success. But standards provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning for teachers, parents, and students. Having clearly defined goals helps families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. Standards help parents and teachers know when students need extra assistance or when they need to be challenged even more. They also will help your child develop critical thinking skills that will prepare him or her for college and career.
At home, you can play an important role in setting high expectations and supporting your child in meeting them. If your child needs a little extra help or wants to learn more about a subject, work with his or her teacher to identify opportunities for tutoring, to get involved in clubs after school, or to find other resources.
simplysmartfoundation.org
. . . . . .
- Parent guides to help you understand what your child will learn with the new Common Core Standards. - Ideas for activities to help your child learn at home. - Topics of discussion for talking to your child’s teacher about his or her academic progress.
tvacreditunion.com
You should also try and sit down with your child at least once a week for 15 to 30 minutes while he or she works on homework. This will keep you informed about what your child is working on, and it will help you be the first to know if your child needs help with specific topics. By taking these small steps, you will be helping your child become successful both in and outside the classroom.
18
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Help! How Do I Help Ease My Child From “Lazy Day Summers” to Back-to-School Routines?! by Tracey Matthews, Knox County Schools Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement Knox County Schools
S
ummer vacation is coming to an end and it is almost time for school to begin again (I see those big smiles on your faces)! It’s also time to shake off some of our favorite summer habits and begin to prepare for school day routines. Here are some tips that can help you jumpstart school day habits before school begins and make the transition from fun “lazy days” to a successful school year.
Practice New Bedtime Routines More hours of sleep: During the summer, we often allow our children to stay up and sleep in a little later. As the new school year approaches, it is important to reestablish your child’s bedtime routine. Plan, with your child, the best time to go to bed based on morning plans (swimming, camping, fishing, etc.). Explain to them the importance sleeping a certain number of hours in order to function (or play) at our highest level. Preparing for the next day: If they have a special activity planned for the next day, have them pack their “gear” the night before (e.g. bathing suit, nonperishable snacks, baseball equipment, etc.). If nothing super special is planned, still have them select and lay out their play. For your children, these bedtime rituals will help reestablish habits that will make the coming school day routines easier to get used to again. Meet New Teachers and Other Staff School visits: Whether your child is returning to their school or is new to a school, it is important to become familiar with staff members who will be new to your child. Help in getting to know or become acquainted with your child’s school staff, at a minimum by name and face. Contact your child’s school to find out if they are offering a staff and family “meet and greet” day! School website: Another way to “meet the staff ” is to sit down with your child and visit the school’s website to view pictures of the staff, and be sure to search for the custodians and the cafeteria employees! They are vital in our efforts to make children feel welcome and “at home.” Check Out New Classrooms and School Areas School tours: Again, call your child’s school to find out if they are hosting a before-school “Open House” opportunity for children to tour the school. Taking an early tour of the school with your child can be critical, particularly for younger students and students new to a school. If permitted, take time to visit the school playground or track for bike riding or fitness walking to “warm up” to being in the school environment in a fun and unintimidating way! Important school campus routes: Practicing the route from the front entrance of the school to some of the most important areas can reduce anxiety for both you and your child. Children should know how to enter the building in the mornings and independently navigate to their homeroom/first period class, the front office, the cafeteria, etc. They should also know where the car rider and school bus rider locations are located. Begin to Make Studying Fun: Daily reading schedule: Schoolwork is likely to have been the last thing on your child’s mind during the summer. To prepare him/her for a year of
homework assignments and studying…and start by setting aside a 20-minute family reading time every day. Yes, this means you too! Daily study/homework schedule: Let’s not call it “homework,” but how about giving your child an “opportunity” that involves researching or writing about a subject in which he/she is most interested? Have your child write everything he/she “thinks” he/she knows first, and then research to find out what was correct and what new information was discovered. Have a special night when your child “presents” the findings to the “class” (that would be you!). Play learning games on the computer, smart phone, or board games (yes, they are still in existence), as it also provides an opportunity for students to brush up on math, language, and other skills. To learn more about how to have a successful school year, look for our article in next month’s Knoxville Parent! Wishing you all a super school year!
Kindergarten is FULL DAY this year Kindergarten students throughout Knox County Schools will benefit from a full day of instruction beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. This means that Kindergarten will follow the traditional elementary school hours by beginning at 7:45 a.m. and dismissing at 2:45 p.m. Having a full day in the classroom provides more instructional time to build a strong foundation for academic, social, emotional, and developmental growth. Research and experience with early childhood education also indicates that extending the school day for children in Kindergarten is beneficial to student learning because it: •
Provides more opportunities for interventions and enrichment
•
Allows teachers to spend more time with students individually and with small groups in order to explore key concepts in depth
•
Creates more time for interactive/hands-on learning
Five year olds work on various activities throughout the day in Kindergarten which encompass active learning, movement, and quiet learning skills. Visit www.knoxschools.org for a Full Day of Kindergarten guide or call (865) 594-1800 for more information.
Age requirement same this year; changes in 2013 The Tennessee State Board of Education has recently modified age of enrollment requirements for Kindergarten. The new birth date guidelines for Kindergarten entry includes: •
To enroll in Kindergarten this year, children must be five years of age by September 30, 2012
•
For the 2013-2014 school year, students must be five years old by August 31, 2013
•
In 2014-15 the cut-off date for Kindergarten will be August 15. Children will need to be five years old by August 15, 2014.
19
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Knox County Schools PARENT UNIVERSITY “P.E.” (Parent Empowerment) Classes and Events Submitted by Tracey Matthews, KCS Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement August 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29: “English Language Learners Classes” (formerly ESL) are held at the Cokesbury Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.- noon. Call 594-3622 or visit ae.knoxschools.org for more information. August 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12: “Shakespeare on the Square” will be presented on Market Square at 6 p.m. This free festival will feature two Shakespearian plays. Visit tennesseestagecompany.com for more information. August 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30: “English Language Learners Class” (formerly ESL). Registration takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Fountain City Methodist Church. Call 594-3622 or visit ae.knoxschools.org. August 3, 4, and 5: State of Tennessee’s Annual “Tax Free Weekend” will take place starting at 12:01 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. Visit www.tn.gov/revenue/ salestaxholiday for more information. August 4, 11, 18, and 25: “Parenting Classes for Divorced Families” are held each Saturday at the Child & Family Tennessee Building: 901 E. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37915 Saturday 9 a.m. – noon. Call 524-7483 ext. 240 for details.
SAVE THE DATE!: Tuesday, October 23, 2012: The 8th Annual Knox County Schools Parent Conference co-sponsored by Knox County Schools, Project GRAD, and Knox County Council PTA will begin at 8 a.m. While additional details will be forthcoming, please feel free to email tracey.matthews@ knoxschools.org or join the KCS Family and Community Engagement Department’s webpage at engagement.knoxschools.org to receive automatic information via email as details are available. Other Dates to Remember:
August 14: First Day of School, (1/2 Day for Students)
Free Family Resource of the Month:
Child and Family Tennessee is a non-profit organization that is working in partnership with the community, it is the mission of Child & Family Tennessee to provide a continuum of services that enhances family life through prevention, treatment and advocacy. Some services that are provided are family and parenting classes, income-based therapy sessions, nursery services, and much more. For more information, visit Child and Family Tennessee, 901 E. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37915 . (865) 524-7483 - www.child-family.org For details and more information about any class or other information, please visit www.knoxschools.org, select “Parents,” and then select “Family and Community Engagement.”
August 4, 11, 18, and 25: “Chess for Kids (of All Ages)” classes are held at the Knox County Public Library, Bearden Branch, starting at 2 p.m. Visit knoxlib. org for more information. August 6, 13, 20, and 27: “Fountain City Scrabblers” (all ages) group meets every Monday at 6:00 p.m. at the Fountain City Branch Library. Join other SCRABBLE™ enthusiasts and pit your wits against other word lovers. Visit knoxlib.org for details. August 6 & 7 and 20 & 21(two days are required): “Adult Education Registration/Orientation” classes are held from 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. or 5 – 9 p.m. at the Historic Knoxville High School. Once you are registered, Adult Education Classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30– 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 5943622 to sign up for mandatory orientation. Visit ae.knoxschools.org for more information. August 6, 11, and 25: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is providing “CPR and Safe Sitter Classes” for teens ages 11-14. Call 541-8000 or visit www.etch.com for more information.
Successful and trusted provider of comprehensive cleaning services to commercial and retail customers in the eastern United States.
August 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, and 30: “Nurturing Parents Classes” are held at the Child & Family Tennessee Building, 901 E. Summit Hill Drive, on Tuesdays 10 a.m. – noon and Thursdays 4 - 6 p.m. Call 524-7483 ext. 240 for more information.
(866) 811-3578
August 11: “Second Annual Back to School Healthy Kids Rock Health Fair” will be held at Northwest Middle School. Free health services, live entertainment, games and activities and much more will be provided! Event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grocery stores Retail stores and shopping centers Office buildings Schools Warehouse and manufacturing facilities
August 18 and 21: FREE “Car Seat Inspections” by the Knoxville Fire Department and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Call 541-8000 or visit www.etch.com for more information. August 24, 25, and 26: “Outdoor KNOXFEST” is a three-day urban adventure, packed with events and activities for the avid adventurer, weekend warrior, novice outdoor enthusiast, and everyone who loves to get out and play! All proceeds will benefit the Legacy Parks Foundation. Visit www.knoxfest.com for more information.
We Serve
Superior Maintenance Service, Inc. specializes in full service cleaning and maintenance of commercial flooring in retail, industrial and corporate settings.
20
Knoxville Parent • August 2012
Home alone
Practicing a safety plan is the way to go by Chief Lee Tramel, Knox County Sheriff ’s Office
Y
ou may have a child who you feel is old enough and responsible enough to stay home alone while you work or run errands. If you do not feel as if your child is ready, explore other options such as after-school child care, programs at churches, schools and youth clubs, or enrolling the child in youth sports programs. If you have made the decision that your child is old enough, mature enough, and responsible enough to stay at home alone, activate and practice a safety plan. Instruct your children to check in with you throughout the day. Ensure that you are reachable by phone at all times while you are away from home. If your children are going home alone after school or an event, instruct them to call you when they arrive home. If they are leaving the house to go somewhere, tell them to call you when they reach their destination and when they return home. Implement an emergency plan so your child knows what to do in case of injury or fire. Write down the plan and make sure the child knows where it is. Make sure that your child knows what constitutes a 911 call, a call to a neighbor, and a call to you. Leave a list of emergency contacts for your child. Make sure he or she memorizes his or her phone number and address, your work number and cell phone number, and the phone
HERE, EVERY LITTLE ACHIEVEMENT
IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.
In addition to non-competitive gymnastics classes for boys and development programs for children 4 months through 12 years.
JOIN US FOR A FREE INTRODUCTORY CLASS 2 Locations To Serve Your Family! www.thelittlegym.com 583-1166
“Instruct your children to NEVER open the door for anyone while you are gone. This includes delivery drivers and maintenance workers.” number of a trusted adult that lives nearby and can help quickly if needed. Keep a well-stocked emergency kit at home and make sure that your child knows where it is and how to use its contents. Keep it out of reach of young children. Lock away dangerous items such as guns, ammunition, knives, razors and razor blades, power tools, and sharp scissors. Potential poisons such as medications, pesticides, automobile fluids, lighter fluid, and lamp oils should also be locked away. Set rules about whether or not other children can come to your home when parents are absent, whether or not cooking is an option, and whether or not your child can leave the home. Make sure your smoke detectors are functioning properly and that flashlights contain fresh batteries. Ensure that your child knows how to lock and unlock all doors and windows. Instruct your children to NEVER open the door for anyone while you are gone. This includes delivery drivers and maintenance workers. If a stranger knocks on the door, instruct your children to shout through the door that they will call the police if the stranger needs help. Tell them not to indicate that they are home alone. Tell them to then immediately call you. Often, a burglar will knock on the door first to see if someone is home. If no one answers, the burglar will assume no one is home and will enter the residence. Letting the burglar know that someone is home and offering to call the police often deters them from entering. Tell your children that they should never indicate to anyone that they will be home alone at any time. When receiving a phone call, children should tell the caller that their parents are busy and will call them right back. Lee Tramel is the Assistant Chief Deputy for the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office. During his 26 year career, he also served in the civil warrants division and as Assistant Director of the Court Services Division. Lee is a Knoxville native, where he lives with his wife and 10 year old daughter.
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Knox County, the City of Knoxville and Character Counts have joined together to find the
Sports Person of the Year! Our community’s youth athletic programs are second to none in participation, preparation, athleticism and sportsmanship. Help us find and recognize those who have worked hard to make that true. Nominate a player, coach or official who demonstrates the character, integrity and sportsmanship we can all admire. I think this person demonstrates all the qualities we like to see in our athletes (Please print): Name: Sport: Athletic Program:
Player Coach Official Commissioner Tell us why you believe this person should be the Sports Person of the Year!
Nominated by: Phone: Email address: Alt. phone:
Please return this form by September 30, 2012 to: Dick’s Sporting Goods 221 N. Peters Road Knoxville, TN Dick’s is committed to youth athletic programs in our community. By providing donations and support for teams and leagues, they make it possible for more kids to participate.
We Love The Outdoors! Knox Kids Puzzle Place Katherine, Anna and Charlie Nations, Sacred Heart Cathedra by Katherine, Anna, and Charlie Nations - Sacred Heart Cathedral School 1
2
3
7
4 5
6
3
8
1 2
9
My Trip To The Zoo
10
16
11
5 4
12
Find the animals from the list at the bottom of the puzzle. They may be listed forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically, or even diagonally!
13
14 17
7
15
19
9
21
22 23 25
11
14
28
24
26
15 27
12 29
17
2 6 8 9 10 13 14 15 17 19 20 21 23 25 26 27 28 29
Across ACROSS An exciting or unusual experience What a cabin is made of An outdoor insect that feeds on blood and makes you itch Bambi was one of these An outdoor game where people seek items on a list (2 Words) A vine with fragrant flowers that attract humming birds A tree with needles The fragrant bloom of a plant A fire built to cook and heat when camping (2 Words) A common mammal found in the Smoky Mountains that you should not feed (2 Words) A shelter used for camping A bug that lights up in the night White, fluffy food used to make smores A small body of standing water, smaller than a lake sometimes containing fish and ducks The star at the center of our solar system What lawns and natural football fields are made of They change color in the Autumn Heavy shoes to protect your feet when hiking
1 3 4 5 7 11 12 15 16 18 22 24
16
8
18
18
20
10
13
WE LOVE THE OUTDOORS!
6
Down DOWN The last stage of a caterpillar's transformation It warns people by shaking the rattles on its tail (2 Words) A woody vine that gives you a rash (2 Words) An eight-legged creature that makes a web A protective "bag" for a person to sleep in when camping (2 Words) A baby butterfly that can't fly Water and dirt mixed together to make a mess A handheld, portable light Liquid water from the sky The seed producing structure of a pine tree (2 Words) A gray and black mammal with a black mask on its face A mammal that eats nuts and has a bushy tail
FIND THE SECRET MESSAGE! Once you have solved the puzzle, write down each letter in the order of the red numbered squares to reveal this month’s secret message!
Summer Fun with Shrek & Friends
Weekends from May 25 through September 2, 2012 Create the vacation tale of a lifetime when you meet favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films like Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda at Gaylord Opryland® Resort. Become an honorary ogre at the scrumptious ShrekFeast. Enjoy DreamWorks-themed games, treats and surprises for the entire family. Summer Fun with Shrek & Friends: It’s epic!
Book your Summer Getaway Today! GaylordOpryland.com | 888-677-9872
Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and all related characters and properties © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C.