December 2013
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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN 2013
KNOXVILLE
Gifts That Last A Lifetime The Gift Of Courage “For my son, courage involves challenging himself and risking failure in order to get what he desires.”
December 2013 Volume II • Issue 12
PAGE 5
Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers Advisory Board
Contributing Writers
Sr. Mary Marta Abbott, RSM The Diocese of Knoxville
Paul Parson East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
Tiffany Beachy, MS Michael Bryant Hillary Coward East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Michael Kull Tracey Matthews James McIntyre, Ph.D. Erin Nguyen Mike O’Hern Sedonna Prater Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. Michael K. Smith, Ph.D Liz Stucke Barry Van Over
Tracey Matthews Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement
Contributing Photographers
Marie Alcorn United Way of Greater Knoxville Mike Bailey Small Business Representative
Elizabeth Pooley Marketing Professional Lee Tramel Knox County Sheriff ’s Department
Tiffany Beachy Michael Kull Mathnasium of West Knoxville Liz Stucke
Liza Zenni The Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville
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The Art Of Teaching “If a boy shows a gift for chemistry, the master must be able to encourage him, by throwing open window after window into the future, showing him what he can learn...”
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Building On A Foundation Of Love “While faith formation is an individual journey for each person, the Catholic school recognizes the human need for relationships.”
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Contents 4
A Letter From The Publishers
5
The Gift Of Courage
6
A Holiday message from Dr. Jim McIntyre
7
Gifts That Last A Lifetime
9
Be A Bully Buster!
10
The Art Of Teaching
11
Ten Terrific Books For The Holidays
13
The Gift Of Martial Arts
14 Understanding The Difference Between Sore
Throat And Strep Throat 16 Too Much Salt Doesn’t Add Up For Kids 17 Let’s Play Cards! 18 Enduring Memories 19 Gifts Of Creativity From The Fantasy Of Trees 21 Building On A Foundation Of Love 22 Rejected from Ivy? Blame it on the Weather
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Visit us at KnoxvilleParent.com 3
Knoxville Parent • December 2013
A Message From the Publishers by Eva Nations and Michael Kull
Dear Readers, December’s theme is Gifts That Last a Lifetime. The holiday season is a wonderful time to call attention to the gifts of lessons and experiences that have a positive and lasting effect on families. This issue highlights gifts such as courage, discipline and memories. Dr. Michael Smith shares an important message for educators based on the book, The Art Of Teaching, by Gilbert Highet. This is an example of how education presented in a masterful way becomes a lifelong gift for students. Both Knox County Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jim McIntyre, and Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools, Sedonna Prater, echo Smith’s message in their articles about the achievements and success of both public and Catholic schools. Please enjoy reading about these and other gifts presented in this issue, which is our gift to you for the holiday season. Thank you, and Happy Holidays! Eva and Michael
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
The Gift of Courage Risking for What by Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.
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he theme of this edition of the Knoxville Parent magazine is “Gifts that last a lifetime.” I asked my younger son to recommend an idea for my article. He suggested “You should write about the gift of courage.” That sounded interesting, so I inquired further. He added “You need to have the courage to try things. If you try for something, you might not get it, and you’ll be disappointed. But if you don’t try, you’ll never have a chance of getting what you want.” It struck me that my son understands the essence of courage. According to Merriam-Webster, courage is “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” For my son, courage involves challenging himself and risking failure in order to get what he desires. It’s about wanting something, such as a spot on a team or a part in a play and going for it with full awareness that he might not get what he wants. He might fail. He might feel sadness, disappointment, and self-doubt. He knows the risks, but chooses to try anyway. That’s courage. My older son also knows about courage. Recently, he auditioned for a spot in a band. He tried out for the same band last year. Although he worked hard last year to prepare, the information he had was incorrect; consequently, he played the wrong scales. During the audition, he was aware he was not doing well, and was not surprised to find out he did not make the cut. Afterwards, we discussed his disappointment, but also talked about the things he learned from the experience that would help him the next time, should he choose to audition again. As I watched him prepare for this year’s audition, I could see that the previous year’s failure was never far from his mind. As the day of the event drew near, his anxiety became more pronounced. I reminded him to do his best and let go of the results. I told him I was proud of him regardless, and that I admired his courage to show up and try again. When I am faced with a difficult task at which I might fail, I draw strength and inspiration from my children’s displays of courage. One of the difficult things I do in my work is to testify in court as an expert witness. Testifying is not a high-frequency activity (thank goodness), but I dread doing it each time. The stakes are very high. The direct examination is hard enough, but then I have to endure the cross examination in which the attorney’s objective is to make me appear incompetent. It’s enough to leave me shaking in my shoes. When I was required to testify recently, I did everything I could to prepare for the testimony. Nonetheless, I battled nervousness as I waited to be called to the witness stand. My thoughts turned to my son and his band Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. is a private practice psychologist specializing in psychological assessment and parenting consultation. Dr. Smith can be reached at kerea@aol.com.
“For my son, courage involves challenging himself and risking failure in order to get what he desires.” audition. I told myself that if he had the courage to do something, knowing he might fail, then I could do the same. I would try to do my best and let go of the outcome. Reflecting on my son’s experience helped me to calm down and do the job. Afterwards, I told my son that I had taken courage from him, and I could tell he felt touched by my admission. We have since learned that my son made the band this year. We are so happy for him, especially given his experience the prior year. For my son and for me as well, when we have shown courage to risk failure, our successes are that much sweeter.
inspiring
learners developing leaders
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Dear Knox County Schools’ Families
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s educators, we take on an enormous responsibility and an almost sacred trust when parents bring their children to the school house door. I take that responsibility very seriously. In fact, every year I visit virtually every one of our 89 schools in the district to personally observe instruction occurring in the classroom. These visits are generally unannounced and typically encompass 60-90 minutes of exploring student outcome data, discussing school improvement strategies and spending time with teachers. In talking with teachers, I continue to be impressed with their unwavering dedication to our students. This has been a time of great change and transition, not only in terms of state education reform and policy change but also within our local context. Yet our teachers have kept their focus squarely on preparing our children to meet our ambitious academic expectations. Time after time, our teachers have risen to the challenge to prepare our children for college, career, and life. As I have said many times, our people are our greatest asset…and clearly our teachers are the linchpin that ensures our children are achieving at the highest level possible and well-prepared for a successful future. Indeed, a great education is the gift that lasts a lifetime. Because of the hard work of our teachers and school leaders, we are seeing tremendous results. Gov. Bill Haslam recently announced that Tennessee had the largest student gains on the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) of any state, making Tennessee the fastest improving state in the nation in academic achievement. Often referred to as the nation’s report card, the NAEP results also show that Tennessee had the largest growth of any state in a single testing cycle since NAEP started nationwide assessments a decade ago. Additionally, the Tennessee Department of Education recently released its 2013 State Report Card, and the Knox County Schools earned straight ‘A’s in achievement for reading/language arts, math, science and social studies. In
“Gov. Bill Haslam recently announced that Tennessee had the largest student gains on the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) of any state” value-added results, the Knox County Schools earned grades of B, A, B, A, respectively. Even more notably, the Knox County Schools achieved a composite Level 5 value-added score (the highest level) on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS), as well as a Level 5 value-added in overall literacy, overall numeracy and combined literacy and numeracy. Simply put, we are achieving strong academic results for our students in the Knox County Schools. We are eager to build on this success by moving forward in a deliberate and well-reasoned direction. To that end, for many weeks throughout the fall, we sought community input for the development of the next five-year strategic plan for the Knox County Schools. We heard from more than 800 people at our face-to-face community Insight Sessions, and by the end of January, I will have met with close to 250 teachers at separate meetings to gather their unique perspectives. We also received about 3,200 online and paper surveys and more than 20,000 visits to the KnoxSchools2020 web site. I am pleased to have received this unprecedented amount of feedback, and we will strive to develop a five-year strategic plan that best meets the needs of the district. As we work to develop the strategic plan, we will continue to seek ways to give the gift of high quality instruction to our more than 56,000 students, so their futures can be as bright as the holiday season upon us. To you and your family, I send heartfelt wishes of joy and goodwill during the holidays and beyond. Thank you for your support during 2013, and I look forward to working with you, your students and our excellent teachers and administrators throughout 2014. Sincerely, Jim McIntyre Superintendent, Knox County Schools
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Gifts That Last a Lifetime
By Tracey Matthews, Supervisor, Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement Contributing Writer: Kiera S. Alston, Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement, University of Tennessee Student Intern
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posed this question to a friend: “If your house caught on fire, and you, your family and pets escaped safely, what would be the one thing you would wish you could have retrieved that is special to you?” Keep reading to find out what my friend and others have identified as “priceless and lasting gifts” that you can create for your family.
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Family Quilt Quilt designs can take many different forms. These special coverings can be made to preserve a memory, a person or a time gone by and often represent our character, interests or loved ones. Design options are endless, including childhood favorites, family heirloom fabrics, favorite quotes or even photos! Talk to or collaborate with your family members and friends and get their input on designing the squares for the quilt. You may use almost any fabric color or type, including sentimental materials like pieces of a loved one’s wedding dress, baby blanket, school apparel, tie or favorite sweater. Use paint (no watercolors), permanent markers, sashing strips, laminated photos or thread to design each square, and let your imagination lead you! Here are a few thematic ideas for quilts, and don’t forget to personalize them with titles and dates: • • • • •
T-shirts from all sporting or other activities (dance, camps, clubs, etc.) from childhood to college Baby clothes and/or blankets, bibs, etc. for each child Material from favorite dresses (e.g., church, prom, etc.) Patchwork that represents each family members’ hobbies or interests Pictures from birthdays or school years
A “Not-So-Traditional” Memory Book I often asked my mother questions about her childhood, tales of my greatgrandmother, the best Christmas she remembered as a child, and other memories that I would never know, if it weren’t for her taking the time to share them. Her stories were always good, so we decided she should write them down and place them in a special book. Our book is made of plastic pockets into which you can simply slide handwritten pages. She uses regular stationary with a simple design. Oftentimes, I get to choose the topic that I’d like to know more about. One of my favorite stories is how, when I was a child, my mother and I would catch the bus to the shore and buy freshly steamed whole crabs. On the way home, we would have the entire bus smelling of crabs, a Washington, D.C., favorite! While my mother is the author of our memory book, any member of a family can contribute to a memory book. Grandparents, siblings and other relatives could begin collecting memories. How interesting it would be to see everyone’s different “perspective” of some of the same events. You could find out what everyone thinks really happened last Christmas when the turkey went missing! To get you started, below is a list of questions you can ask the family member of your choice. Replace “mother, grandfather, etc.” with other relatives’ titles and let the memories flow: 1. Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend, and have you ever bumped into him/her again? 2. Where did you meet my grandfather, and what made you like him? 3. What was the best gift you ever received when you were little? 4. What was your favorite game, and how was it played? 5. What is your happiest memory, and why did it mean so much?
6. What is your saddest memory, and why did it affect you so deeply? 7. Where did Uncle Joe take you on your first date? What was the best date you ever had? 8. What was your most embarrassing moment? Experiences While you can’t hold on to them physically, memorable experiences are often some of the most treasured gifts that can last a lifetime. Here are a few ideas that you and your family might consider in 2014: • • • • • • • • • •
Game Night Movie Night Reading Hour Backyard Vacations Short Family Videos/Plays Talent Shows Gratitude Sharing at Dinner time Campfires with S’mores and Hotdogs Reunions And an old-time favorite…Everyone sitting down and having dinner together! On behalf of the Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement Department, Happy Holidays, everyone!
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Be a Bully Buster!
By Hillary Coward, Knox County Sheriff ’s Office
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s you may know, October was Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, but I chose to discuss bullying this month in an effort to keep us on our toes and to help become aware of bullying year-round. This information needs to be heard by all parents. Your child could be a victim or a suspect of bullying. Both can have serious, lasting consequences. Do you think you know how to spot bullying? Bullying comes in many forms and can be verbal, or physical. According to stopbullying.gov, bullying is “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” Bullying doesn’t just happen at school. It can happen at the bus stop, on the bus, on the playground, in the neighborhood, on the phone, or on the internet. Cyberbulling, or bullying that takes place using electronic technology, is a scary reality. That’s why it’s so important to monitor our children’s phone, computer, and tablet usage. There are many signs that may signify your child is a victim of bullying. They include unexplainable injuries, lost or destroyed clothing or possessions, frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness, changes in eating habits, difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares, declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork or not wanting to go to school, sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations, feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem, and self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide. Your child might be bullying if he or she gets into physical or verbal fights, has
friends who bully others, is increasingly aggressive, gets in trouble frequently, has unexplained extra money or new belongings, blames others for their problems, doesn’t accept responsibility for his or her actions, is competitive and worries about his or her reputation or popularity. Keep in mind that you may see no signs of bullying and it could still be present. You now know what bullying is and what the warning signs are. What’s your next step? You play a huge role in preventing bullying. Your awareness and presence are paramount in your children’s safety. Help your children to understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is, tell them that it is unacceptable, and explain how to stand up to it safely. Ensure they know how to get help and keep the lines of communication open. Check in with them often, listen to them, know their friends, ask questions, and understand their concerns. Boost their confidence by encouraging them to do what they love. Special activities and hobbies can help them make friends and protect them from bullying behavior. This last suggestion is very important: Model how to treat others with kindness and respect. They don’t just need to hear it from you; they need to see compassion in your actions. They really are watching you whether you realize it or not. There is so much to know about bullying. I’ve tried to highlight the most helpful information, but I urge you to visit stopbullying.gov to take advantage of the resources they offer. Look at the website, Google the topic, think about what you want to say, and talk to your children. You might save a life.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
by Michael K. Smith, Ph.D.
The Art of Teaching
uring this holiday season, I think we should give thanks to all the teachers in our lives who have worked tirelessly to help us learn. Furthermore, I think we should acknowledge how hard it is to be a good teacher. Gilbert Highet, the renowned classicist, in his 1950s book The Art of Teaching, discusses the four characteristics of the good teacher. A good teacher must know the subject. Obviously, the good teacher will know the material at the specific grade level he or she is teaching (such as 5th grade math or high school biology). However, the good teacher will more deeply understand the full breath of the subject. “If a boy shows a gift for chemistry, the master must be able to encourage him, by throwing open window after window into the future, showing him what he can learn at the university, what types of chemistry are most vital in peace and war, which big problems still remain to be solved, and (this is always important) how the great chemists of the past and present have lived and worked…Therefore teaching is inseparable from learning.” The good teacher masters his or her subject within individual limits of time and ability. A good teacher must like the subject. A good teacher has a spontaneous and natural interest in the subject that he or she attempts to master. This enthusiasm will encourage the good teacher to continually learn more and more about a subject that is intuitively fascinating. Further, the students of the good teacher will recognize the sincere interest accorded this subject. Students will understand that the good teacher is not bored by the material or feigning an interest to get students to do homework. A good teacher must like students. As Highet notes, “If you do not actually like boys and girls, or young men and young women, give up teaching.” A good teacher must especially enjoy the company of students in groups. Highet admits that some classes are difficult to manage. However, “it is essential to enjoy the conditions of teaching, to feel at home in a room containing twenty or thirty healthy young people, and to make our enjoyment of this group-feeling give us energy for our teaching.” A good teacher must know his students. He or she will come to understand how the young are different from adults in both their thought processes and interests. A good teacher will use these differences as he or she explains the subject. Furthermore, a good teacher “must know the names and faces of his pupils.” Why? “If you wish to influence them in any way, you must convince them that you know them as individuals.” To acquire these four attributes, the good teacher must dedicate his or her life, passionately, to the teaching profession. He or she must be comfortable
“If a boy shows a gift for chemistry, the master must be able to encourage him, by throwing open window after window into the future, showing him what he can learn...” in the classroom and equally confident in private life about this chosen field, even during trying circumstances. “The teacher’s chief difficulty is poverty,” Highet wryly noted. Even this obstacle, however, will not impede the good teacher from continually learning and constantly sharing the joy of what they know and what they want us to learn. To be taught by a good teacher is truly one of the greatest gifts that any student will ever receive.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Ten Terrific Books For The Holidays Compiled by Erin Nguyen
Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library The Night before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore PreK-3rd This classic poem about a visit from St. Nick has delighted readers for well over a century.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss PreK-4th The Grinch tries to take Christmas away from the residents of Who-ville, but young Cindy-Lou and the rest of the town show him that nothing can take away their Christmas spirit.
Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric A. Kimmel 1st-5th On the first night of Hanukkah, Hershel of Ostropol meets villagers who are too scared of goblins that haunt their synagogue to celebrate the holiday, so he takes it upon himself to get rid of the evil creatures.
The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg PreK-4th In this award-winner and perennial best seller, a young boy takes a magical train ride to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson 2nd-5th This modern classic tells the hilarious story of the six wild Herdman children who seem destined to wreak havoc on their community’s annual Christmas pageant but end up teaching everyone about the true meaning of the holiday instead.
The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes Miracle on 34th Street by Linda Glaser by Valentine Davies K-3rd 2nd-5th When Rachel needs to borrow key First published in 1947, this ingredients from her neighbor is the classic tale of a man Mrs. Greenberg for her mother’s Hanukkah latkes, she finally finds who claims to be the real a way to include Mrs. Greenberg Santa Claus, the young girl in her family’s holiday festivities who believes in him, and the even though she has always turned Christmas magic they bring to down their invitations in the past. those around them.
For library information in your area visit: www.knoxlib.org/
The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann 3rd-7th The original tale which inspired the famous ballet tells the story of young Marie who receives a nutcracker on Christmas and finds herself in a magical realm where she must break a curse in order to save a handsome prince.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 3rd-8th Dickens tells the beloved tale of mean, selfish Ebenezer Scrooge who is shown the true value of Christmas by three ghosts who visit him on Christmas Eve.
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry 5th-12th In this short story, young newlyweds each sell their most prized possessions in order to buy the perfect Christmas gifts for each other.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
The Gift Of Martial Arts
By Barry Van Over, President of Premier Martial Arts International
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s a parent, sometimes the decisions we make or the activities we expose our children to can stay with them for a lifetime, good or bad. It is our constant struggle, trial and error that we all go through to do the best we can. Finding a martial arts studio for your children is one of those decisions that may just impact your child’s life forever. A professional school can be an integral part in building selfempowerment, self-motivation, and physically and mentally strong individuals. Here are a few of the benefits you as parent should expect from a professional, family oriented martial arts studio. Fostering Self-Discipline – One of the central tenets of all forms of the martial arts is an absolute focus on self-discipline. Today’s kids are so accustomed to receiving instant gratification that lessons in self-restraint and discipline aren’t always easy to come by. Kids with a martial arts background, however, are continually reminded of how essential selfdiscipline is. Boosting Socialization Skills – Kids who don’t always thrive in highly social environments may find it easier to get to know people and make new friends when they’re in a room filled with peers who share a common interest. The kids on the playground may not always have much common ground, but devotees to the martial arts are able to get to know one another through shared pursuits. Partner-driven forms like jiu jitsu can also foster camaraderie, as they force kids to pair off and build their skills together. Encouraging Physical Activity – Limiting screen time is a great idea when it comes to getting kids off the couch and encouraging them to be more active, but it only goes so far. Enrolling an inactive child in such a physically demanding pastime not only discourages the sedentary lifestyle she’s used to, but also gives her an enjoyable activity that inspires her to keep moving. Learning to Set and Achieve Goals – Most forms of martial arts are based around an accomplishment system of colored belts that signify the wearer’s degree of skill. When your child strives toward each new belt, he’s learning valuable lessons about setting and reaching his goals. Increased Self-Esteem – Confidence comes with achievement, so your child’s self-esteem level will get a boost with every new move he masters and every belt he earns. Kids who struggle with a low sense of self-worth usually become more confident as time progresses while they’re enrolled in a martial arts class. Instilling a Sense of Respect – Learning any martial arts style will require your child to show her instructor unflinching respect. Today’s kid culture doesn’t always include respect for authority, adults or those in advanced positions. When she goes to her martial arts class, though, your child will be learning lessons in respect along with new moves. Encouraging Non-Violent Conflict Resolution – Thinking that martial arts instruction promotes violent behavior is justified if your only experience with the activity comes from television or movies. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation. Improving Listening Skills – In order to master the skills she’s being taught and advance through the belt ranks, your child will have to exercise superior listening skills. Kids who aren’t always adept when it comes to paying attention to what they’re told can benefit from the verbal instruction and one-on-one work in her dojo. Developing Teamwork Skills – Whether he’s breaking boards to get a new belt or sparring in a practice setting to master a new maneuver, there are few things 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.
“Thinking that martial arts...promotes violent behavior...comes from [watching] television [and] movies. In fact, many defensive styles teach kids peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasize the importance of avoiding a physical altercation.” that your child does in his martial arts classes that will be done on his own. Working together to learn new things and accomplish goals is an important life lesson for kids to learn, and instruction in the martial arts can help your child learn that lesson. Improvement in Other Areas of Life – The benefits of martial arts training don’t end in the dojo. The boost in confidence, increased fitness level and new cooperation skills will also help your child navigate the academic and social aspects of school, affect his behavior at home and have an all-around good influence on him as he develops into an adult. It is up to us as parents to expose and guide our children toward activities that foster a healthy life style. The martial arts life style is certainly one that has a lifetime of values that a person young or old can count on. They will be able count on those values to guide them to make the right judgment when faced with the toughest of life’s decisions.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Understanding the difference between sore throat and strep throat by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
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ore throat and strep throat are fairly common infections among children ages 5 and 15, particularly during the winter months. Because these infections share similar symptoms, sore throat is often misdiagnosed as strep throat. In fact, up to 73 percent of patients with sore throat are given antibiotics, which have no affect on viruses so will not help your child. Not only are antibiotics ineffective with viruses, they are also expensive and the primary cause for the development of antibioticresistant superbugs. That is why an accurate diagnosis is important. Identifying these infections properly prevents the misuse of antibiotics and the development of long-term complications related to strep throat. What is sore throat? Sore throat is generally the result of a swelling in the back of the throat caused by a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. It can be the first sign of another illness such as the flu, a cold, mononucleosis and strep throat. Normally, most sore throats are not serious and usually improve within three to seven days. They are more common among children and teens, because their bodies have not been exposed to as many bacteria and viruses as adults, so their bodies have not yet built up immunity against them. Signs and symptoms include: • Painful throat • Bad breath • Fever • Runny nose • Swollen glands in the neck • Cough • Scratchiness in the throat • Red eyes • Redness in the back of the mouth What to Do Home treatment is usually all that is needed for a sore throat caused by a virus. Here are some suggestions: • Gargle with warm salt water to help reduce swelling and relieve discomfort. • Prevent dehydration. Fluids may help thin secretions and soothe an irritated throat. Hot fluids, such as tea or soup, may help decrease throat irritation. • Use a vaporizer or humidifier. • Avoid secondhand smoke. • Eat cold or frozen liquids such as ice chips and popsicles to also relieve pain and reduce swelling. • Suck on hard candy or nonprescription throat lozenges (if child is older than 4 years).
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“Identifying these infections properly prevents the misuse of antibiotics and the development of long-term complications related to strep throat.” •
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as needed, if able. Other less common causes of sore throat may require more complex treatment. Get medical help if your child has: • Difficulty swallowing or breathing • Tires easily • Pus in the back of the throat • Sore throat lasting longer than a week What is strep throat? Strep throat is caused by a contagious bacterial infection. Doctors usually test for strep bacteria with a quick strep test or a throat culture. Strep throat is a particularly severe form of sore throat best treated with antibiotics, which will improve symptoms quickly. Children can usually return to school 24 hours after beginning antibiotics if they don’t have a fever and are feeling better. If your child is feeling tired, weak or achy, keeping them at home for another day or two is suggested. Untreated, strep throat can lead to problems such as rheumatic fever (that can cause permanent heart damage), a complication of the tonsillitis, scarlet fever or kidney disease. Signs and symptoms include: • A child with strep will initially have a sore throat; however, other symptoms will start to develop in approximately three days such as: • Red and swollen sore throat with grayish white patches of pus on tonsils • Difficulty swallowing • Headache • High fever (101 to 104 Fahrenheit is not uncommon in younger children) • Lower stomach pain and possible vomiting • Tender or swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the neck • Rash What to Do Unlike sore throat, antibiotics can be used with strep to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms as well as the risk of complications and the length of time the infection can be spread. Relief should come within 24 to 36 hours after taking the medication. Seek medical care immediately, if symptoms persist or if your child’s swollen throat causes breathing difficulties or problems swallowing. While waiting for the antibiotic to take effect, the sore throat treatments will also relieve the pain and discomfort of strep throat. How to avoid getting sore throat or strep throat Prevention is the best method: • Wash hands frequently. • Don’t share food, drinks, drinking glasses or towels. • Keep eating utensils separate and wash in hot, soapy water or dishwasher. • Cough or sneeze into elbow not hands. • Avoid contact with people who have strep or sore throat.
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16
Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Too Much Salt Doesn’t Add Up For Kids by Michael Bryant, Exercise Physiologist
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hat are your child’s favorite lunch items? If the list includes processed or pre-packaged foods, you might want to take another look at their menus. A “Lunchable” by Oscar Meyer can have up to 1,440 mg of sodium per serving. Pizza, jarred spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, cold-cuts and hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and many other kid-friendly foods are typically very high in their sodium amounts per serving. Pintsized bodies are ingesting super-sized amounts of sodium, and the effects are showing up in their physicals. The adult Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for sodium is 2,000-2,400 mg of sodium a day. The average child consumes between 2,325 to 3,387 mg a day. To be fair, the typical adult consumption is around 2,400 mg a day. Right now, there is no Recommended Daily Allowance set by the FDA for sodium for children. However, when reduced for body size and weight, the adjusted guidelines for children would be as follows: 1,000-1,500 mg for children aged 2-3 1,500-2,200 mg for children aged 9-13 1,200-1,900 mg for children aged 4-8 1,500-2,300 mg for children aged 14-18. The prevalence of sodium in our diets is having a surprising effect in children. Along with lowered activity levels and increasing waistlines, the high level of
“Just like adults, children can acquire a salt tolerance and may need to “relearn” what food should taste like without all the added salt.”
sodium intake in children is thought to lead to the current rise d in children with hypertension or pre-hypertension. No one f wants to think of children struggling to control their blood pressure. Some studies suggest that for overweight children, every 1,000 mg of sodium in their diets raised their risk of pre- f s hypertension by as much as 74%, and by as much as 6% for normal weight children. About 14% of US adolescents between the ages of 12 d and 19 are already battling their blood pressure, or should be, with even higher s rates of 20-25% for overweight children. The American Academy of Pediatrics c currently recommends that children be screened for blood pressure beginning t at age 3. Controlling your child’s diet and maintaining healthy lifestyle choices y c that include exercise or physical activity, plenty of sleep and plenty of water h to drink during the day can all have a positive effect. As in adults, if caught early, blood pressure problems in children ARE reversible. If left untreated or diagnosed, they can lead to the same outcomes as for adults as well. y One teaspoon of table salt has about 1,200 mg of sodium, so it doesn’t take much to add up. Sodium is sneaky though. It’s not just in table salt. Many Y preservatives and processing ingredients for packaged foods pack in the s sodium, so it’s important to read labels or look for a “low sodium” option. A good target is to aim for around 140 mg of sodium per serving in the foods l you prepare for your children. Teach them not to salt their food, if it has been a cooked with salt. Just like adults, children can acquire a salt tolerance and may w need to “relearn” what food should taste like without all the added salt. m Above all, aim for a balanced diet and lifestyle for your child. Healthy H proteins (lean meats, fish, even eggs), fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy grains N and plenty of water are all important. Following the daily recommendation of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day is a great way to start. Avoiding w sports drinks and some soda drinks, and replacing them with water or lowy sodium alternatives is another easy way to eliminate sodium. For example, a “regular” sports drink has around 270 mg of sodium per serving, whereas Y the lower sodium/calorie versions have around 170 mg per serving. Water, of r course, has none. Some dairy, like cheese, can be high sodium, so be careful c with it, but milk and most yogurts are lower sodium foods. Children should f drink around 64 oz. of water a day, and be physically active for at least an hour a day. That doesn’t have to involve “working out” or participating in organized sports; literally, playtime is perfect. Time flies when you’re having fun, so help your child find something they enjoy doing. If you encourage healthy exercise, p p mindful eating and set a good example with your own habits, your child will benefit for the rest of their lives. Michael Bryant is from Baltimore, MD. After going back to school and graduating with a degree in Exercise Science from UNCCharlotte, he is an Exercise Physiologist at Ft. Sanders Health & Fitness. He also works with the Weight Management program and is available as a personal trainer.
17
Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Let’s play cards!
By Mike O’Hern, Center Director of Mathnasium of West Knoxville
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hen I was growing up in the dark ages the holidays would mean a lot of traditions. Thanksgiving weekend was spent with my cousins playing board games that would inevitably end up in accusations of cheating from all sides. (I’m fairly certain that this was because there was cheating from all sides.) Christmas would mean drives in the car to look at the wonderland created by virtually every house lit up with Christmas lights. We would do puzzles and play more board games, but my very favorite tradition was playing cards. Now I know I’m going to sound like an old fuddy-duddy, but I have been disappointed to see that most kids we see in our learning center don’t know how to shuffle cards. Playing cards stealthily builds math skills: counting, adding, comparing, categorizing, probability (“the odds” or the likelihood of something happening), and even strategy. But even before your young learner is likely to be able to join in a game of bridge, that same deck of cards can be a fun way to become fluent with math facts. For your holiday fun, here are some ideas. First remove the royalty (jacks, queens, and kings) and call the aces “1.” Now you have a deck of numbers, one through ten, with four of each. Make it ten. Lay one card face up and ask how much more to make ten. You lay a seven, so you say, “Seven and how much more makes ten?” When your student starts getting it down pretty well she’ll enjoy going for speed. What’s the difference? Lay out two cards and ask how far it is from the lower number up to the higher one. You lay a seven and a three, so ask, “three and how much more makes seven?” You can then say that this is just another way to think about subtraction: Seven minus three is the same answer! Want to make this a little more challenging and have your student learn a new concept? How about asking, “Where do you end up if you count down seven from three?” Negative four! Terrific! So three minus seven is negative four. (While we’re on the subject of negatives, a good way to introduce the idea is with a swimming pool. If you jump from five feet above the water and altogether you go down eight feet, how deep are you under water?) Keeping up! Lay the cards out, one at a time, each one on top of the last. Your child will keep a running total by adding the black cards and subtracting the red ones. (If you don’t want to get into negative numbers, make sure the first few cards are black!) You lay a black seven then a black eight. 15. You now lay a black four. 19. Now a red five. 14. What about games for two or more players? Ten-buddy concentration. Lay all the cards out face down. In turn, each player will turn over two cards. If they add up to ten, they keep the cards and play again. If not, they turn them back over and the next player gets a turn. What’s my number? Each of two players gets half of the cards stacked face As owner and director at Mathnasium (a math learning center with locations in West Knoxville and Chattanooga (www.mathnasium.com/westknoxville) for the past five years, Mike has extensive experience teaching children and young adults the foundations of math concepts that are crucial to building their confidence and engagement with math throughout life.
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“...even before your young learner is likely to be able to join in a game of bridge, that same deck of cards can be a fun way to become fluent with math facts.”
down in front of them. The third player (or you if there are only two kids) will be the “referee.” Each takes the top card and holds it face out against their forehead. The referee tells what the sum (or product, if you prefer) and the first to say what the card on their forehead is wins those two cards. They can either play through the deck once and count who has the most Let helporyour memories lifetime! cards to finish theusgame, theyspecial can recycle the cardslast andaplay until one player has them all. 307-231-6403 or 865-806-6580 So why not have some fun over the holidays? The math will come pretty www.edwardfoleyphotography.com quickly, but the memories will be about having fun and playing together!
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18
Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Enduring Memories by Tiffany Beachy, MS
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“After a few days, we realized that there was at least one program we could still host by holding it outside of the National Park—our monarch butterfly tagging events!”
hat are some of the enduring memories from your childhood? When I answer that question for myself, I think about rustic forts and tiny communities built in tree roots for my imaginary friends; smelly concoctions of berries and honeysuckle flowers mixed with twigs, roots and water; long romps in the woods and treasure hunting on the beach. urban schoolchildren who rarely step off None of these memories were purchased with of pavement to suburban home schooling money. None of them were the coveted toy-offamilies seeking hands-on science learning the-year found in the department store catalog. opportunities, we see the gift of nature Yet, all of them were given to me by my parents, discovery unveil itself over and over in the who always encouraged me to play outside. lives of our participants. The Great Smoky Mountains Institute This fall brought us some unexpected “Mom and Daughter” Photo by Tiffany Beachy at Tremont is a non-profit residential challenges, with the government shutdown environmental education center located within the Great Smoky Mountains forcing us to turn away excited groups of students and their families. We National Park. Our mission is connecting people and nature. cancelled programs and trips and struggled to make new plans, unsure of when We wholeheartedly believe in our mission because we have seen firsthand we would be able to invite visitors again. the lasting impact made by a deep connection with the natural world. From After a few days, we realized that there was at least one program we could still host by holding it outside of the National Park—our monarch butterfly Call Today About The tagging events! We are deeply grateful to the managers of Tennessee’s newest State Park, Seven Islands State Birding Park in Knox County and Kyker Bottoms Wildlife Management Area in Blount County for allowing us to meet on their property to catch and tag these migratory butterflies. Give your loved ones or yourself a gift that will last forever. Undaunted, most of the families who had signed up to catch butterflies in Cades Cove within the National Park switched their plans and met us at these Preserve your special memories in a painting by local artist alternate locations, excited to explore someplace new. That was our silver lining: Many of the butterfly wranglers had never visited either Seven Islands or Kyker Bottoms, so they came away with a new family adventure destination close to home. What a joy to see parents and kids march off across sunny meadows together, armed with nets and big grins! Are you trying to think of the perfect gift that will endure in your child’s memory, that he/she will thank you for even as an adult? Give the gift of nature play!! Take the time to explore and discover with them, to find mysteries and make up new worlds. You will be giving them an inexhaustible game: an activity that never gets old, used up or worn out. The batteries don’t have to be replaced, you don’t have to plug it in, there’s no instruction manual. Just go out there and play. Retreat to the mountains with your family! Check out family adventures in the Smokies at this link: http://www.gsmit.org/Family.html.
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Tiffany Beachy earned her BS in Wildlife Science from Virginia Tech in 2003 and her MS in Wildlife Science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2008, where she studied Cerulean Warblers. She has participated in avian research in Tennessee, Canada, Mexico, the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, Venezuela, and Missouri.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Gifts Of Creativity
The Fantasy of Trees makes giving beautiful by Michael Kull
This year’s event included live performances from members of the Knoxville community; holiday gift shops; youth activities like face painting, cookie decorating, ornament making, visiting with Santa; and even carousel rides on the Humana 30-horse indoor carousel, not to mention the hundreds of beautifully decorated Christmas trees that were all donated by local businesses, schools, and families and placed on sale to help support the hospital. Major sponsors included: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Volunteers, Emerson Process Management, Regal Entertainment Group, Regions Bank, Shoney’s, The William B. Stokely Jr. Foundation, Cumulus Media (WIVK - NewsTalk 98.7 - WMNL), The Knoxville News Sentinel and WBIR TV.
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he 28th annual Fantasy of Trees took place at the Knoxville Convention Center from November 27 through December 1, with the proceeds benefitting East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. The event has grown steadily since this Knoxville tradition started in 1985, and has raised more than $6.3 million to provide much-needed medical equipment for children served by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital throughout its 28 year history.
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According to the event website (www.FantasyOfTrees.org) this year’s proceeds will help purchase a medicine safety system that will make a significant difference in young lives. It uses a special pump that monitors the medicine a patient gets through an I.V. This system ensures each patient receives the correct medicine and dosage.
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TITANIC ‘FANTASY’ PRINCESS
Brings New Holiday Magic to Pigeon Forge
One Of Over 2,208 Passenger and Crew Stories The Joseph Bruce Ismay Story Bruce Ismay, sometimes considered the villain of Titanic, was the son of the White Star Line’s founder. He was educated at Elstree School in Harrow, England and in France. By the late 1880s, he was an employee of the White Star Line in New York City, where he married Florence Schieffelin in 1888. The couple had two children before moving to England, and when his father died in 1899, Bruce became head of the company.
Come Visit the Titanic 'Fantasy' Princess* She is the keeper of the Titanic passenger wishes
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igeon Forge, TN - Legend has it that Tennessee’s ancient Smoky Mountains are home to blithe spirits and woodland fairies, often sensed but seldom seen. Just in time for the holidays, the Titanic Museum Attraction will bring an enchanted forest to life with help from a mystical ‘Fantasy’ Princess. Our ‘Fantasy‘ Princess will be here to greet little girls and boys and help make their holiday dreams come true. She will embody the holiday season’s magic and mystery shared by children of 1912 and today. The Titanic ‘Fantasy’ Princess makes her return to the annual Titanic Christmas Winter Wonderland, which features thousands of holiday lights, Edwardian-style decorations, costumed merry-makers and a Gift Shoppe brimming with one-of-a-kind selections. Also available is a magical photo opportunity with the princess herself.
❅ Magical snowfall from the ship’s bow every Saturday in December * Visit our web - www.titanicpigeonforge.com for Princess days & hours ✔ Family Experience ✔ Interactive ✔ Touch an Iceberg ✔ Walk the Grand Staircase ✔ Feel the 28 degree water ✔ Hear actual survivor stories
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In 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Ismay dined at the London home of Lord Pierrie, and the men discussed strategies about how to compete with the newer Atlantic liners Cunard had introduced. It was at this dinner that the idea for three enormous luxury liners, including Titanic, was conceived. The question foremost in their minds was how to capture the immigrant business; to offer unrivaled luxury for wealthy passengers was another priority.
Ismay seemed to realize his dream April 10, 1912, when he actually boarded one of the ships conceived at the dinner with Lord Pierrie—the RMS Titanic, the largest man-made vessel in history. Ismay traveled as a first-class passenger along with his valet. During the voyage, Ismay was overheard as he suggested to Captain Smith that, despite warnings of ice in the vicinity, Titanic should set a speed record for crossing the Atlantic. He may have hoped for headlines heralding the accomplishment in major newspapers throughout the world.
On the night of April 14, 1912, Bruce Ismay entered Collapsible C lifeboat and was rescued by Carpathia. Because of his position with White Star Line, he was vilified by the press for saving himself when so many others died. He went on to live in relative seclusion, and his wife was to comment that Titanic ruined their lives. Bruce Ismay died in October 1937. His story lives on at the Titanic Museum Attractions …one of many that will find their way into your on heart on your next visit.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Building On A Foundation Of Love Catholic Schools—A Gift of Eternal Value by Sedonna Prater, photo courtesy of Catholic Diocese of Knoxville
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ho can resist an exquisitely wrapped gift box with glossy, iridescent ribbon taunting us to take a peak? As children, our imaginations go into overdrive as we wonder and dream about the hidden delights within those brightly covered boxes. I am sure all can recall those vivid childhood memories of the greatly desired toy that you just couldn’t wait for Santa to bring. Opening that long awaited gift and retreating into hours of pure joy with the new, delightful toy was a thrilling experience. I also recall the disappointment when too frequently the toy did not live up to the lofty expectations I had created in my mind or the even greater disappointment of Sedonna Prater is the losing the toy altogether because it was not Director of Curriculum and made to last very long. Adults also have to Instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools admit there is a pleasurable rush whenever they are surprised with an unexpected gift. While adults may become jaded by their experiences, they also become wise and realize gifts of genuine value are those not necessarily found in brightly covered packages. Education is certainly one of these priceless gifts. How blessed are we to live in a country that values this precious gift and seeks to provide education for all! Educators plant, cultivate and nurture the seeds of enlightenment in their students. They provide loving, caring environments where children can learn to express themselves. They instruct their students in the skills needed to be successful citizens in a global society. While most educators never fully realize the fruits of their labor, evidence of their work is apparent. Ask almost any successful person who he/she credits for his/her success and the answer is often a teacher. We are blessed by the fact that our founding fathers saw the importance of education in our country. We are also blessed with the privilege to establish faith-based schools. It may not be common knowledge, but the first Catholic school pre-dated the American Revolution. In the early 1600s, Franciscans in America expressed their desire to “teach children Christian doctrine, reading and writing” and they began the first American Catholic School in St. Augustine, Florida. Throughout a lot of America’s early history, Catholics were a major minority and Catholic schools were few. By 1852, the first Plenary Council of Baltimore urged every Catholic parish in the nation to establish a school. From that time, Catholic schools grew across the nation to their largest enrollment of over 5.5 million students in the mid-1960’s. Throughout the years, Catholic schools have been available and present for their families, community, nation and church. Nearly 400 years after the first known Catholic school opened, these schools continue to be a gift to our communities and nation. What makes the Catholic school a gift to our communities? Catholic schools are founded on four guiding principles: 1. Proclaim the Gospel message of Christ 2. Build community and fellowship 3. Cultivate the spirit of service 4. Provide academic rigor and excellence. Catholic schools have remained committed to their mission and identity by ensuring every Catholic school is dedicated to these guideposts. Proclamation of the good news and the revelation of Christ’s love is
at the center of Catholic school education. Catholic schools allow their students to have an active faith in God and his revealed truth through daily prayer and actions. This precious gift fosters a maturing spirituality where a child can know and love God and others. While faith formation is an individual journey for each person, the Catholic school recognizes the human need for relationships. The second basic tenet of the Catholic school is the gift of community. Individuals do not live in isolation of others. Our experience as humans is shaped by our interconnectedness. Catholic school students learn to build community in all areas of life by experiencing relationships developed from fellowship in friendship, trust and love. Christian education ministry includes as a dimension of high importance the education of justice which should direct our national, political, cultural and economic policies. The philosophy behind community is the idea that one person’s problem is everyone’s problem just as one person’s victory is everyone’s victory. The third gift is the development of the spirit of service. Christ first modeled the ideal of servant leadership. Caring about one’s community leads naturally to an altruistic spirit. Catholic schools recognize that all children are imbued with dignity and unique gifts and talents special only to each of them. Catholic schools strive to identify and nurture these individual gifts and talents and encourage the students to use them for the good of the community. Service learning is itself a very special gift of immeasurable value. Service education or experiential learning provides students with the intrinsic value of feeling good about helping others and being able to see the good. It also helps children to learn how to be responsible, problem-solve and complete goals. It builds resilience and is a natural self-esteem builder. Finally, academic excellence and rigor is a hallmark of Catholic school education. Because the Catholic school mission is so clear: teach children the truth, develop the whole child-spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, cognitively, and cultivate an environment of love, respect and personal selfdiscipline the resulting end is a place where students thrive and can excel in all of their pursuits. Catholic schools have the lofty aspiration to build the kingdom of heaven one student at a time, but first they are providing the gift of education to one student and the gift of hope to one family at a time. If you could wrap a Catholic school in pretty colored paper and tie it up with a big bow, what would you find inside? I believe you would find a gift of eternal value. I would like to encourage you to come and visit any of our Catholic schools in the area and see the wonder within.
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Knoxville Parent • December 2013
Rejected from Ivy? Blame it on the Weather Article and photo by Liz Stucke, President of Admissions Prep
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“With some of the most selective colleges only admitting 10% and even 5% of applicants, sometimes the final decision does come down to something seemingly insignificant like the weather. ”
magine a scenario in an Admissions office: Jane Smith, the Admissions Officer for a highly selective university, is reviewing application files. Before her are two strong applications. The competition for spaces is tight. She can only admit one of these two strong applicants. One prospective student demonstrates more academic strength: the president of the high school chemistry club and intern in a Stanford research lab testing a new cancer treatment drug. The other applicant shines in athletics: a top track recruit who placed first in the 800 meters at the Junior Olympics. Imagine all else is equal. The Admissions Officer, in her oak-paneled office, sips her coffee while in academic activities, Simonsohn examines the weather’s staring at the Gothic spires in the distance. It is a influence, specifically that of cloud cover’s influence, Colby College on a cloudy day. beautiful sunny afternoon. Which applicant is she more on both a student’s decision to attend one school over likely to admit? Based on Professor Uri Simonsohn’s study another and on an admissions officer’s decision to admit a published in The Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, the more academic student over a more athletic student. In his first study, Simonsohn more athletic applicant gains an edge. If is cloudy, the chemistry club president has reviewed the enrollment decisions for 1,284 students who visited the academically the edge. intensive university, and he reviewed the weather and cloud cover on those days. Now imagine you and your daughter will visit this highly selective university. Your Those students who visited the academically intensive university on a cloudy daughter is torn between this school and another good university, which is better day were more likely to select that college. In the second study, he reviewed 682 known as a party school. You secretly want your daughter to enroll in the more admissions decisions at an academically intensive school. Once again cloud cover academically intensive university. In choosing which day to tour the campus, should influenced decisions. On sunny days, non-academic attributes, such as athletics, you check the weather? Yes, finds Professor Simonsohn in another paper published were given greater weight; on cloudy days, the academic attributes are given greater in The Economic Journal. If she visits the academically intensive university on a cloudy weight. In short, the weather affected admissions decisions. day, she is more likely to decide in its favor over the party school. Implications How could the weather, seemingly trivial, influence such an important decision? We cannot control the weather. But we can acknowledge how seemingly Although emotions may sway our decisions, we imagine that such important immaterial factors, like the weather, can subtly influence even high stakes decisions decisions with long-term implications are based on carefully assessing and weighing such as college. So what should we do with this information? the material factors. In selecting a college, we typically think of decisions based on 1. Long-term college decisions: In the college search process, this research financial aid, academic concentration, teaching style, size of classes, athletic and highlights the need for students to make decisions over the long run and not based extracurricular offerings, location in a city or rural area, and distance from home. on one college visit. Before visiting the universities, students should create a list We carefully gather information over a long time period to predict how happy of desired attributes that they seek from their university (e.g., can I study both and successful we would be at that school. It would seem counter intuitive that Latin and molecular biology, row competitively, and walk to town). After collecting the weather would affect one of life’s major decisions. Certainly the day’s weather information on each college, they should weigh each college against these factors. conditions should not influence the admissions officer. The weather adds to the Then students should be aware of situational factors (such as the weather) that randomness of admission, giving students even less hope of their control over the might affect their decision. If it comes down to two schools, perhaps revisit them process. on a cloudy day. The Weather Studies 2. Nature of Admissions Decisions. It is hard to console your son or daughter But weather, according to Simonsohn’s two studies, does influence these college when they are rejected from their first-choice university. The rejection letter decisions. After finding that cloudy days increase students’ desire to participate invariably touts the number of applicants and the limited spots. It never mentions
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Call Dr. Michael K. Smith at 865-694-4108 In Knoxville since 1983. Convenient location at 308 South Peters Rd.
the weather. The result is more devastating if someone else at the high school, with similar scores and grades, is admitted. Fortunately the well-being literature shows how resilient we are and finding happiness in new situations. Rather than dwell on the schools or jobs that rejected us, we appreciate the opportunities that came thereafter. So your son or daughter should hedge their bets by applying to several similarly situated schools. With some of the most selective colleges only admitting 10% and even 5% of applicants, sometimes the final decision does come down to something seemingly insignificant like the weather. And if a rejection e-mail or letter arrives from the top-choice, then perhaps blame it on the weather, and moveon. Liz Stucke, President of Admissions Prep (www.AdmissionsPrep. net) counsels students through the College Selection and Application process. Email questions or set up a free consultation: Liz@AdmissionsPrep.net or call/text 865-951-0639.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS of the DIOCESE OF KNOXVILLE Please join us in joyful celebration this Advent season as we prepare for the coming of the Christ Child. Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Chattanooga Christmas Program: 12/19 (6:00 pm) St. Jude School, Chattanooga Christmas Pageant: 12/18 (11:30 am) St. Mary’s School, Johnson City Christmas Program: 12/19 (7:00 pm) St. Dominic School, Kingsport Christmas Program: 12/17 (6:30 pm) Sacred Heart Cathedral School, Knoxville “A Christmas Carol” play*: 12/7 (7:00 pm) Preschool Christmas Program: 12/16 (6:30 pm) Christmas Concert: 12/19 (6:30 pm) Knoxville Catholic High School *at Bearden H.S. “Lesson & Carols” Service: 12/5 (7:00 pm) Fine Arts Celebration: 12/12 (6:30 pm) Saint Joseph School, Knoxville Christmas Program: 12/13 (7:00 pm) Notre Dame High School, Chattanooga Christmas Band Concert: 12/12 (7:00 pm)
St. John Neumann, Knoxville “Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?” Musical: 12/17 (1:00 pm) and 12/18 (6:30 pm) St. Mary’s, Oak Ridge Advent Family Mass and Reception: 12/19 Prelude Music, Mass (5:00 pm, 5:30 pm) Concert and Reception (6:30 pm)
dioknox.org/schools