Knoxville Parent - January 2013 by Knoxville Parent

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Make a decision!

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Decisions, decisions, decisions All three seemed like smart kids, but they have no idea just how long this bad decision will follow them.

January 2013 Volume II • Issue 1

PAGE 10

Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers Advisory Board Sr. Mary Marta Abbott, RSM The Diocese of Knoxville Marie Alcorn United Way of Greater Knoxville Mike Bailey Small Business Representative Ellen Liston East Tennessee Children’s Hospital Tracey Matthews Knox County Department of Education Elizabeth Pooley Marketing Professional

Contributing Writers Clay Branton Kristina Howard Tracey Matthews James McIntyre, Ph.D. Erin Nguyen Mike O’Hern Michael Smith, Ph.D. Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. Liz Stucke Lee Tramel Piotr Ulmer, MSPT Liza Zenni

Decide to be there and communicate Strategies to bring your thinking (and your family) back into balance quickly and easily. PAGE 19

College decisions - Class of 2014 Read about how you can help your son or daughter make good decisions about where and how to apply to college. PAGE 22

Contributing Photographers The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville Clay Branton Knox County Schools Eva Nations Mike O’Hern Titanic Museum Attraction

Lee Tramel Knox County Sheriff ’s Department Liza Zenni The Artts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Parent publications are GREAT places to advertise! For more information, please call: (865) 622-9680. Contact Info: Phone: 865.622.9680 Fax: 888.457.9602 E-mail: KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com KnoxvilleParent.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.

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Contents

A letter from the publishers

15 Follow the ABCs of Preparing for an “After High

Decision making - For now and for life

Is joining Facebook logical?

Magic tens

Ten terrific books about decision making

Making the decicion to get help

School” Future

16 No right or wrong: The arts let kids explore

choices

18 Helping your kids understand money: Needs vs.

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Events for the month of January

A message from Dr. Jim McIntyre

wants

19 Decide to be there and communicate 20 The ultimate choice 21 Dad Dispatch: Capturing moments 22 College Decisions – Class of 2014:

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

A message from the Publishers by Eva Nations and Michael Kull

This month we explore decision making, and how decisions can impact the future, not only for the person making the decision, but for everyone around. Every action first starts with a decision with the intention to create something. The better the decision, the better the action. Education becomes a crucial component of decision making, because we gain knowledge through education. This, along with surrounding ourselves with the best resources, are good first steps in making a good choice. Other steps involve the experiences we accumulate as we go through life. In this issue, our writers offer their own approach to decision making, so that you can consider them as a resource when you are faced with choices in the future. Happy decision making and Happy New Year! Eva and Michael

Knoxville Parent • January 2013

by Piotr Ulmer, MSPT

Decision-making: For Now and for Life

n the past, I thought decision-making was all about intelligence, wisdom and experience. I had paid thorough attention to making “smart” decisions. I constantly strived to figure out and analyze all the involved components of my reality before any “big” decisions were made. I thought I couldn’t afford any wrong decisions. Despite this, I’ve made mistakes. I noticed early on, though, that making mistakes is a great way to learn how to make my future decisions better. For example, I was about 20 or 21 years old, when I took a train from Siedlce to Warsaw (about 100 km) to submit my college application. Together with connecting buses and a trolley ride, this trip took an entire day. To my surprise, while submitting the application, I learned I was missing a critical piece of documentation. In Poland at that time, faxing and emailing were not available; the only option for me was to go back to my hometown and get the missing paper. It meant waiting for a trolley, getting a ride to the train station, waiting for a train (running every 2 hours) and coming back the next day. You may have guessed that the next time I had to submit any applications, I was perfectly prepared. I also remember learning decision-making during chess matches with my father when I was about 10 years old. Chess was intriguing to me, and learning its strategies prepared me for life probably in a bigger way than I appreciate today. The concept of introducing light figures early on in a match still helps me to grasp the necessity of being prepared before any task. I’ve also made reasonably risky decisions. One of them was bringing my family to the United States. This was a big decision, but given the opportunity, I simply had to give it a shot. I made sure from the start that I was not committing long term, and so I intentionally left an option of going back to Poland in case things didn’t work out. This whole process was easier than I thought, because it turned out to be a two-family decision and involved my special friend Andrew Cieslik and his family. We’ve made many decisions together prior to and since our arrival to the U.S.. Eventually, I learned to trust my decisions. I thought they were wise; I thought I had it all figured out. As I still remember, the important part was not to be afraid of making decisions, and frequently any decision was better than no decision at all. Then, the time came for my children to learn the wisdom of decision-making. Teaching them chess, or even just making sure I was a worthy example in my daily routine, I wanted them to become skilled and experienced in making decisions. Although I thought I had it figured out most of the time, there were times I was not satisfied. I sensed I was missing something important. In 2008 I attended a Cursillo weekend. Within three days I realized how self-centered I had been acting; my intense focus on mental fitness and performance was leading me to burn out. I realized how tired I was of selfreliance without incorporating my spiritual practice in my decision-making. The moment I figured that out, my “burdens became light and my yoke easy.” 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.

“As I still remember, the important part was not to be afraid of making decisions, and frequently any decision was better than no decision at all.” One of the most important decisions I make every day is to roll out of my bed and onto my knees, to offer myself and the upcoming day into God’s hands. That’s the best thing I can do for me. I also have made the choice to teach this practice to my children. Through all these experiences: making good and bad decisions from my youth to adulthood, I have come to believe that by myself I am not capable of creating a fraction of good, in comparison to the splendor awaiting at the end of a path led by God. I have learned that the absolute best motto for my life can only be: “…Your Will be done, Father, not mine …”

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

by Michael K. Smith Ph.D.

Is joining Facebook logical?

hould I join Facebook? How should I decide? I’ve been reading an interesting book by David McRaney entitled You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You’re Deluding Yourself. McRaney discusses the varied cognitive biases, heuristics, and logical fallacies that influence our decision making and make many of our choices less than logical. Could these cognitive traps influence my evaluation of Facebook? At first glance, I must admit that I’m not excited about the Facebook idea. I never liked the social chat rooms years ago when I joined America Online. Furthermore, I don’t tweet. I don’t see the point of letting everyone, my friends included, know my every thought or see every picture of me taken in the last five years. My wife agrees with me. She…now, wait a minute. I don’t even know what Facebook is. I haven’t looked at a single Facebook page, but I’ve already made up my mind. I have just fallen for what McRaney calls the confirmation bias: “Your opinions are the results of years of paying attention to information that

“It seems that I have just committed what McRaney calls the ad hominem fallacy: ‘What someone says and why they say it should be judged separately.’” confirmed what you believed, while ignoring information that challenged your preconceived notions.” So maybe I should talk to someone who actually uses Facebook. I do have this friend who swears by Facebook. He is constantly checking his Facebook page to if any of his “friends” have left him messages within the past hour. He says that Facebook is a great way to share information about restaurants and movies. He says that a lot of his old acquaintances from high school found his page and asked to be his friends. He’s expecting his college chums to find his page next. Well, if this is what happens on Facebook, count me out! The last thing I want is all these people I’ve tried to forget finding out where I am, what I do, what I think…Ok, Mike, now wait a minute. This is just one person’s use of Facebook. I’ve done it again. I’ve used what McRaney calls the availability heuristic: “You are more likely to believe something is commonplace if you can find just one example of it.” I need additional evidence. So I watched The Social Network. This film depicts the career of Mark Zuckerberg as he originated Facebook in his college dorm and developed it into a company that had a billion users. But, to be honest, I would not want to be friends with this Zuckerberg fellow. He struck me as a crazed capitalist bent on shredding his own friends as he made his fortune. So if this guy was like this how could his creation be any good? No Facebook for me…Mike, now slow down. Steve Jobs apparently wasn’t a nice guy either, but are you giving up your iPhone? It seems that I have just committed what McRaney calls the ad hominem fallacy: “What someone says and why they say it should be judged separately.” In this case, what someone does and how they do it should be kept separate. So I’ve just witnessed how my supposedly logical decision making is influenced by biases, heuristics, and fallacies. I really need to rely on more than my own knowledge, friends, and movies before I make a decision about Facebook. Maybe I should just try it and decide for myself? At the very least, in the New Year, I have resolved to take more time and weigh more evidence in making decisions. 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. He can reached at mike@testprepexperts.com.

Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Magic Tens

By Mike O’Hern, Center Director of Mathnasium of West Knoxville

emorizing math facts can be quite an arduous process, and exceedingly few students actually like it. Beyond that, what’s the value of memorizing a ton of math facts? The student typically memorizes these facts for the moment, but then they quickly fade away. Then if you ask “seven plus what number is 13?” and he doesn’t remember that fact at the moment, out come the fingers to count it up. There is nothing wrong with memorizing math facts, but having a grasp on how the system works is the permanent solution to keeping math facts close at hand for a lifetime. The magic key to the whole system is TEN. Yes, once the student understands the ten-based system she will be able to figure out all kinds of things without having them memorized. The first step in building this magical foundation is being able to visualize the complements of ten. (“Complements of ten” is just our fancy jargon for the pairs of numbers that add up to ten. Nine and one, two and eight, etc.) Explore these things both orally and visually with little or no writing – we’re not trying to memorize numeral groupings, but visualize quantities. Get a set of ten objects of the same size (buttons, blocks, coins, whatever) and arrange them like shown in figure 1. Figure 1

Have your child count the items to see that there are ten. (Notice, too, that later you can use this arrangement to start learning about counting by 2s.) Now split off two of the objects so that it looks like figure 2. Figure 2

Now that our complements of ten are nailed down, let’s add up from ten. For these, let the language help out. Help your student notice that the numbers describe themselves. “Sixteen” sounds like “six ten” and it is, in fact, six plus ten. (Sure, eleven and twelve are a little tougher, but, hey, that’s English for you.) Figure 4 shows our ten, plus a few more as an example of how to get the idea across. Figure 4

Now the best part! Back to our original question: seven plus what number is 13? Figure 5 shows how the “math brain” automatically figures it out. First, from seven up to ten is three, then from ten up to 13 is three more, so that’s six altogether! Figure 5

By working on and around the tens, even those facts that aren’t on the tip of the tongue will come out quickly. But even bigger is confidence. Memorizing packs facts in the brain, but understanding brings real confidence! 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.

A Special Challenge! Make sure your student notices that there are still ten objects, but they are in two smaller groups. So, eight plus two makes ten. Copy figure 3

Figure 3

with your objects, and continue to make various two-group combinations. Soon it will be clear that 8 + 2 is the same as 2 + 8, which is a very important concept.

Mathematics is all about finding patterns. This sequence is a very important one in math, but also in nature: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8… Figure out what the next three numbers in this pattern are and win a FREE assessment at Mathnasium (a $95 value)! Parent or student, it doesn’t matter who figures it out! Just email your answer to westknoxville@mathnasium.com. This is not a drawing – if you get the answer, you get the assessment! (May not be combined with any other offer.)

Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Ten terrific books about making decisions Compiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library

Which Would You Rather Be? By William Steig Reading level: PreK – 2nd A boy and girl play an imaginative game with a magic rabbit who gives them entertaining questions to answer.

Can You Survive Storm Chasing? An Interactive Survival Adventure By Elizabeth Raum Reading level: 2nd – 5th In this exciting entry from the You Choose Books series, the reader must make the right choices along the way in order to survive dangerous storms in the story.

What If? By Laura Vaccaro Seeger Reading level: PreK – 2nd This book begins when a boy kicks a beach ball into the ocean where it is discovered by seals, and then explores three different possibilities for the outcome of the story. Hunches in Bunches By Dr. Seuss Reading level: K – 3rd A young boy is overwhelmed by all the hunches he has telling him what decisions to make.

Tricky Journeys: Tricky Coyote Tales By Chris Schweitzer Reading level: 1st – 5th This book combines into one fun package traditional Native American trickster tales, cartoon-style illustrations, and the opportunity for the reader to choose the path the coyote will take.

The Moon over High Street By Natalie Babbitt Reading level: 3rd – 5th When twelve-yearold Joe Casimir faces a choice that could change his life forever, he listens to the advice all the adults around have to give, but ultimately he must make the decision all by himself.

Make Good Choices: Your Guide to Making Healthy Decisions By Heather E. Schwartz Reading level: 3rd – 7th This step-by-step guide explains the decision-making process and how to use it when making choices both big and small.

For libary information in your area visit: www.knoxlib.org/

The 6 Most Important Decisions You’ll Ever Make By Sean Covey Reading level: 8th – 12th This guide provides practical advice on how to make good decisions about the important topics teens face, particularly in the areas of school, personal relationships, and physical health. Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Materials By Rosalind Wiseman Reading level: 8th – 12th Charlie Healey is looking forward to a fresh start at her new high school, but she quickly faces difficult choices about doing the right thing when it could mean betraying a friend (and a possible boyfriend). The Battle of Jericho By Sharon M. Draper Reading level: 9th – 12th Jericho is thrilled when he is invited to join the most exclusive club at his high school, until the initiation process takes a serious turn that forces him to make some difficult choices.

Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Making the decision to get help by Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.

hen my younger son asked me how I figured out that I wanted to be a psychologist, I told him about a formative experience from my adolescent years. “I was having some problems and saw a psychologist who really helped me.” It was partly based upon this positive experience of being in therapy as a teenager that I decided to become a psychologist myself. Since that first time I decided to get help, I have seen other therapists over the years and am grateful to each one of them for the assistance provided. When I recommend to someone that they decide to seek therapy for themselves or their child, I do so as both a psychologist and as someone who has firsthand knowledge of the benefits of being a patient. One of the first messages I like to offer people considering mental health help is that the decision to seek help reflects strength and courage rather than weakness or personal deficiency. People seek mental health treatment for psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but also for problems of living such as grief/loss, relationship issues, school/work difficulties, health problems, or life transitions. Even though the stigma associated with having mental health problems has thankfully diminished, it is still lurking in certain quarters; as such, people can feel shame or embarrassment when they or their children need mental health treatment. When someone confides they are struggling with a personal problem, I tell them “You are dealing with something difficult and you deserve to have as much help and support as you can get at this time.” I tell them there is no shame in deciding to get help and commend them for having the courage to admit they are having a hard time and for wanting to do something about it. Once the decision is made to get help, there are practical concerns about where to find help. Some people have health insurance that covers mental health treatment. I suggest they begin by requesting a list of in-network providers from their insurance company and then call people on the list to see who is accepting new patients. For those without mental health coverage but who have the means to pay out of pocket, I suggest asking trusted individuals such as friends, physicians, or members of the clergy for recommendations. There are many individuals and families for whom the cost of private practice mental health treatment is prohibitive. Fortunately, there are excellent options in our community that provide access to mental health care even for those of limited resources. The University of Tennessee Psychology Clinic (865-974-2161) (http:// psychology.utk.edu/clinic/index.shtml) offers therapy for children, adults, couples, and families, and also provides different types of psychological assessment; services are provided on a sliding scale fee basis contingent upon ability to pay. I have received very positive feedback from those I have referred to the Psychology Clinic. I also make many referrals to the community mental health agencies serving East Tennessee including Cherokee Health Systems (865-544-0406) and Helen Ross McNabb Center (637-9711), both of which offer comprehensive mental health services such as psychotherapy, case management, and medication management Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. is a private practice psychologist specializing in assessment. She is the married mother of two school-aged boys.

“When someone confides they are struggling with a personal problem, I tell them ‘You are dealing with something difficult and you deserve to have as much help and support as you can get at this time.’” for children and adults. For those families of very limited means who cannot afford a co-pay, ask for the “Safety Net” program when calling to schedule an initial appointment at Cherokee or Helen Ross McNabb. Veterans may have the option of obtaining mental health services through the Veterans’ Administration which has clinics in Knoxville and a medical center in Johnson City. The Veterans’ Administration provides general care along with specialized treatments for problems unique to Veterans such as service-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The decision to ask for help is not always easy. This year, let us make a New Year’s resolution to support and encourage each other to seek the help we need and deserve for our difficulties.

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Decisions, decisions, decisions. by Chief Lee Tramel

alking through the Knox county court system you can hear some amazing stories. One day this past December, after I had stepped into three of our 28 courtrooms, I decided to make that trip my topic for this article. My first stop was misdemeanor court, a court that hears cases where punishment does not exceed 11 months 29 days in county jail. Most of these cases are shoplifting or theft under $500 simple assault, driving charges other than DUI and public intoxication. On this particular day there where 3 UT students charged public intoxication and under age consumption of alcohol. It was obvious with their reaction to the court proceeding that, this really wasn’t a big deal to them. All three seemed like smart kids, but they have no idea just how long this bad decision will follow them. My second stop was DUI court. This court deals with driving under the

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“All three seemed like smart kids, but they have no idea just how long this bad decision will follow them...If you make poor decisions, your time as a leader will be cut short.” influence and those crimes that come from that statute, such as driving on revoked licenses. On this day there was a 21 year old restaurant cook who was facing his second DUI and a charge of driving on a revoked license. He has only been driving for 5 years and now has already been charged twice with DUI. Those decisions will haunt him for years to come. I only hope he can learn from his mistakes before someone gets hurt or killed. My third stop was felony court. This court deals with all crimes that are punishable by a year or more in the state penitentiary. On this day, you could see the ravages of drug abuse. There she stood in her jail issued jump suit, a young 20 year old girl who was charged with drug possession and prostitution. Three years earlier she was in high school, a cheerleader and an honor student. On this day her arms were full of needle tracks and she was showing symptoms of withdrawal or what some call “ dope sick.“ She had borrowed and stolen from everyone in her family and all of her friends. The only person in her life that matters is her pimp and drug dealer. Her drug of choice is OxyContin and she sells herself to get her fix. Her decisions have put her face to face with one of the strongest addictions we know today, the addiction to OxyContin. In all three courtrooms on this one day in December and on everyday they are open, prosecutors and judges deal with bad decisions people make. Most people don’t know the profound effects of making decisions. We make decisions every day and we make a lot of them. We make some decisions unconsciously like vanilla or chocolate, and yet those decisions help shape our current reality. Decision making is an essential leadership skill. If you can learn how to make timely, well-considered decisions, then you can lead your team to success. If, however, you make poor decisions, your time as a leader will be cut short. In life, if you make poor decisions you can learn from those decisions and be prepared to make better ones next time. But, if you choose to keep repeating your bad decision making, you could loose your freedom or your life. Every decision made produces a final choice. What will your next decision be ? 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 11 year old daughter.

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KNOXVILLE

Events for January 2013

Catholic Schools Week Admissions

OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY, January 30, 2013 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

711 Northshore Drive | Knoxville, TN 37919

www.shcschool.org • 865.558.4136

Knox County Schools PARENT UNIVERSITY “P.E.” (Parent Empowerment) Classes and Community Events Submitted by Tracey Matthews, KCS Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement

November 5-February 28: Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration. To learn more go to www. VisitSevierville.com or call (865) 453-6411.

January 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31: (two days or evenings are required): “Adult Education Registration/ Orientation” classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. or 4 – 9 p.m. at the Historic Knoxville High School. Once 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 594-3622 to sign up for mandatory orientation or visit ae.knoxschools.org. January 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, and 31: “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. This is a 12-hour course in which attendance is mandatory. For more information call 524-7483 ext. 240. January 3, 10, 17, and 24: The Helen Ross-McNabb Center presents the “Mother Goose Program.” The Mother Goose program teaches crucial interaction in the formative first steps of an infant’s life. The program has 12 groups each month. The groups will meet on January 3 and 10 at the Knoxville Center Mall in the UT Classroom, and on January 17 and 24 at the Cokesbury Center. Each meeting costs only $5 or the option of purchasing a season pass is also available. Call 523-8695 or visit mcnabbcenter.org/ social-youth.php for more information. January 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Chess for Kids” meets Saturdays at 2 p.m. at the Knox County Public Library Bearden Branch. Children of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit knoxlib.org for more details. January 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Saturday Stories and Songs” are held at the Cedar Bluff Branch and Lawson McGhee Libraries from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Join guest storytellers at the libraries to learn songs and stories that both parents and children can enjoy. Call Lawson-McGhee Library at 215-8750, Cedar Bluff Branch Library at 470-7033 or visit knoxlib.org for more information. January 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Parenting Classes for Divorced Families” are held each Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon at the Child & Family Tennessee Building: 901 E. Summit Hill Drive.. This is a 12-hour course consisting of 4 weekly sessions. Call 524-7483 ext. 240 for more information. January 7, 14, 21, and 28: “Fountain City Scrabblers” (all ages) group meets every Monday at 6 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.

January 7, 14, 21, and 28: “Ruff Reading.” Bring your children to the Clinton Public Library on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. A live dog will be present for the children to read to (or just to play with). Visit familyfriendlyknoxville.com/eventscalendar for more information. January 7 and 26: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is providing “CPR and Safe Sitter Classes.” CPR Classes are being offered for teens ages 11-14 on January 7 from 6 - 10 p.m. Safe Sitter Classes are being offered on January 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost for each class is $25. Call 541-8262 to reserve your spot or visit etch.com for more information. January 8, 15, 22, and 29: “Families Anonymous” is a group of concerned relatives and friends who have faced up to the reality that the problems of someone close to them is seriously affecting their lives. The discussion topics are most often drug and alcohol related, but the floor is open to discussions of any type. This ADULTS ONLY group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at Peninsula Lighthouse. For more information, visit faknoxpeninsula.blogspot.com/ or email PeninsulaFA2@aol.com. January 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30: Knox County Schools Adult Education program will provide registration for the “English Language Learners Classes” (formerly ESL at Fountain City United Methodist Church every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in room 112, and at the Cokesbury Center every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in room 112. The classes will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – noon and 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Fountain City United Methodist Church, and every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – noon at the Cokesbury Center. Contact Nancy Seely at 594-3622 or visit ae.knoxschools.org for more information. January 8 and 17: “Knox Breastfriends Support Group.” This FREE support group for breastfeeding mothers meets on the second Tuesday of every month at the Bearden Branch Library at 6 p.m. and on the third Thursday at the Burlington Library at 10:30 a.m. The group always includes snacks, stories, and lots of time for mothers to discuss breastfeeding. Contact Kristin Williams at Kristin@ lisarosscenter.org or 524-4422, for more information. January 8, 15, 22, and 29: “Mom’s Café.” This FREE group is for mothers with younger babies who are not yet mobile to just get together and chat about life. The meetings are every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Contact Jessica@lisarosscenter.org or call 524-4422 for more information.

KNOXVILLE

January 9 and 23: “Mom’s Mother Goose.” This FREE workshop takes place at the Lisa Ross Birthing Center every second and fourth Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The focus is on early brain development through stories, songs, and rhymes. Contact Kristin Williams at Kristin@lisarosscenter.org or 524-4422, for more information. January 10: “Family-to-Family Support Group” hosted by K-Town Youth Empowerment Network. The support group is held on the second Thursday of every month from 6 - 8 p.m. Light dinner will be served. Call 474-6689 for more information. January 14: “All Over The Page: Ambulance Girl.” This new book club presented by Knox County Libraries will take place at 6:30 p.m. monthly at the Lawson-McGhee Branch Library. To learn more about the book club and upcoming dates visit knoxlib.org. January 16: “Mom’s Group.” The LisaRoss McNabb Center presents this FREE group for mothers to come together and chat about any topic that comes up from “baby wearing” to cloth diapering. The group meets every 3rd Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. Contact Jessica@lisarosscenter. org or visit lisarosscenter.org for more information. January 16: “Tennessee Human Trafficking: A 2013 Update.” East Tennessee Council on Children and Youth presents a “Lunch and Learn” presented by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Join them from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Moses Teen Auditorium, 220 Carrick Street. You must register for this free event. Space is limited to 200 persons. For more information call (865) 594-6658. January 26: “Winter Fun Day.” Autism Society Association of East Tennessee Chapter (ASA-ETC) Friendship Club Knoxville is hosting a Winter Fun Day, noon – 3 p.m. at Farragut Church of Christ, 136 Smith Rd. Join them for a day of food, fun, and games. Visit http://www.facebook. com/groups/234378561798 for more information. To RSVP, contact Jessie Winston at: ASAETCFriendshipClub@ gmail.com or (865) 804-4110.

Other Dates to Remember:

January 1: All Knox County Public Libraries CLOSED

January 7: Teacher’s In-service Day (Student Holiday) January 7: Board of Education Work Session Meeting January 8: First Day Back for Students January 8: Board of Education Regular Session Meeting January 10, 14, and 24: Magnet information session and performance at Vine Middle Magnet School – halftime of the basketball game. January 17: “State of the Schools” Address. Dr. Jim McIntyre, Superintendent of the Knox County Schools, at Powell High School (2136 West Emory Road) at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public. January 21: MLK Day Holiday (Schools Closed) January 29: Knox County Schools Parent District Advisory Council 3rd Quarter Meeting; 5:30 p.m., Sarah Simpson Professional Development Center

FREE Family Resource of the Month:

The Teaching Resilience and Creating Strengths (TRACS) program presented by the Helen RossMcNabb Center is a FREE, grant-funded after school program operating for four hours per week. There are currently groups meeting on either Monday or Thursday nights each week. The program is held at the John Tarleton Center off of Sutherland Avenue. The targeted age group to be served are children ages 12-16. At risk factors resulting in eligibility for services include substance-abusing parents, witnessing domestic violence, victims of violence and trauma, placement into foster care, poor school performance, truancy, poverty, experimental use, emotional issues, and alcohol and drug exposure. For more information on the TRACS program, contact Tom at 544-5005 or tom.torkelson@mcnabb.org.

For details and more information about any class or other Knox County Schools-related information, please visit www.knoxschools. org, select ‘Parents,’ and then select ‘Family and Community Engagement.’

Let us know about your family-friendly event!

Send calendar submissions to KnoxvilleParent@gmail.com. Please include event address and contact information, and submit at least six weeks prior to event date.

Knoxville Parent • January 2013

You know what you want to do. We know how to get it done.

Dear Knox County Schools’ Families

hile I may not be the first, let me be among the many to wish you a very Happy New Year! The New Year signifies a rebirth and anticipation of a fresh beginning to a new year. But it is also a celebration of the previous year coming full circle and recognition of accomplishments. We have experienced tremendous accomplishments during 2012, such as positive gains in virtually every quantifiable student academic outcome measure. Additional information on our academic progress can be found at knoxschools.org. As we head into the New Year, we too are making our share of resolutions. On Thursday, January 17, I will be delivering my second annual State of the Schools Address. This report will outline our goals and objectives for the coming year, as well as highlight the additional work necessary to provide our students with an excellent education in today’s increasingly competitive global environment. The event is open to the public, so I hope you will make plans to attend on January 17 at 6 p.m. at Powell High School, located at 2136 West Emory Road in Powell. Thank you, in advance, for your support of public education as we begin a new year. Your support of our young people is critical as we work together to achieve our very ambitious goal of Excellence for All Children.

t h g i e w e s Lo y h t l a e h Get g n i v a h t r Sta FUN!

Sincerely, Dr. Jim McIntyre Superintendent, Knox County Schools

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Family and School New Year’s Resolutions: Follow the ABCs of Preparing for an “After High School” Future by Tracey Matthews, KCS Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement

“We all make choices, but in the end our choices make us.” – Ken Levine

It’s that time again! The New Year is when we traditionally make new resolutions that we hope to follow at least during the year in which we make them. The following “resolutions” are more like commitments we hope our readers will embrace and practice until they bear fruit. This month we hope to offer some suggested decisions for parents/guardians, students, and schools that will not only impact this year but the future success of our students as well.

“It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” – Tony Robbins

ABC’s of Early Preparation for an “After High School” Future

Decisions for Parents/Guardians:

A: B: C:

Always demonstrate and model an exceptional work ethic in all you say and do.

Begin making trips to colleges as a special part of every vacation at a very early age.

Children need experiences to ensure that they have access and opportunity to explore a variety of their interests and passions. Provide those opportunities to encourage your children.

D: E: F:

Decisions for Students: Discipline yourself to research your areas and fields of personal interest, and even interview individuals to learn more about their field.

Explore opportunities to volunteer in areas in which you are interested.

Find out which classes are essential in ensuring you are best prepared for colleges and/or careers of interest.

G: H: I:

Decisions for Schools:

Give surveys to students to determine their fields of interest, and host a “College and Career Day” based primarily on expressed interests.

Highlight untraditional careers to incite and provoke student interests in high demand and intriguing careers.

Individually praise and recognize students who go above and beyond traditional college and career exploration expectations.

Challenge:

• • • • • • •

Try to complete the ABCs of Preparing for the Future! Good luck and Happy New Year!

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

No right or wrong

The arts let kids explore choices By Liza Zenni. Photos courtesy Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

“The perfect lab for the safe exercise of every sort of decision, the arts provide a canvas that recognizes no right or wrong.”

y reading this article you are demonstrating the traits of an involved, attentive parent; you are looking for tips and information to improve your parenting skills and give your child(ren) the best experiences you can afford. Your well-loved child is often involved in sports (which is wonderful). They sit in tutoring sessions. They take tests and evaluations of every kind. As With so many opportunities to disappoint and our children mature, each begins to feel the need the pervading impression many kids have that to distinguish himself as being the fastest runner, so much of life is hanging in the balance at each the best dribbler, the most perfect speller, the intersection, I am thankful that there is at least nicest, the best looking. one arena for kids in which every creative decision A good kid worries that a wrong decision could Playing in the fairy garden at Ijams Nature Center can be a good one. disappoint his parents, teachers, neighbors, or Involvement in the arts gives kids positive friends. control over their creative decisions. They allow a measure of abandon to all By the age of six report cards look like score cards. of us to which we can forever return. The perfect lab for the safe exercise of Kids go out the door each morning hearing: “Make good decisions today, every sort of decision, the arts provide a canvas that recognizes no right or darling!” wrong. Dancing freestyle. (Is there a more beautiful marriage of two words?) The production of live theater requires rehearsal time, in part to give actors the opportunity to experiment with different interpretations, movements, inflections, motivations. In fact, we often refer to an actor’s performance of a role as a series of decisions made by him. The child can find in the arts a home allowing endless experimentation. In the world of the arts, fear has no place because it is impossible for any creative, conscious decision to be wrong. Christopher Logue captures the freedom the arts offers to the decisionweary child:

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Apollinaire said Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It’s too high! Come to the edge! And they came, and he pushed, And they flew. There is a great deal to life that should be categorized as wrong or right. There are good decisions and very bad decisions… but isn’t it wonderful that your child can visit a place where whatever he chooses, it’s right? Liza Zenni has been with the Arts & Culture Alliance since 2002. She holds a BA in Theater and a MFA in Arts Administration from the Yale School of Drama. From 1990 to 1995 she was Executive Director of Theatre Bay Area, the largest regional theater service organization in North America. She and her two daughters live in Oak Ridge, not far from where she grew up.

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Helping your kids understand money: Needs vs. Wants

by Kristina Howard, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Marketing Specialist

Teaching your children money management skills is a critical part of their future. Good habits start early in life and your children money is a critical part their the savingseaching habit brings lifelong benefits. Heremanagement are some simpleskills suggestions to teach yourofkids thefuture. value of money.

Good habits start early in life and the savings habit brings lifelong benefits. Here are some simple suggestions to how teach your kids the money. Onevalue lessonofabout money and finance involves Understanding personal finance and money

differentiating works for you can make a tremendous Understanding personal financedifference and how money works for between you canneeds makeand a wants. This distinction is essential for developing good money to you and your family. It can heighten your finantremendous difference to you and your family. It can heighten your financial wellmanagement skills. Without this foundation, kids cial well-being, increase your sense of control, and being, increase your sense of control, and give you a more positive outlook on life in may have trouble controlling their spending as give you a more positive outlook on life in gengeneral. Learning good habits early in life can make moneythe easier over between the adults,managing never appreciating difference eral. Learning good habits early in life can make long run.money easier over the long run. a luxury and a necessity. managing

Long before they understand the concepts of sav- ing, investing, or borrowing, A great way to teach the distinction between needs Long before they understand the concepts of savkids sense the power of spending money. They see show theiraccount latest at the andgrown-ups wants is to set up aoff savings ing, investing, or borrowing, kids sense the power purchases, hear them about a relative’s new Credit car, orUnion. watchAllow while they give thanks your child to spend money on of spending money. They talk see grown-ups show for presents. needs and encourage them to save for wants. off their latest purchases, hear them talk about a relative’s new car, or watch while they give thanks One lesson about money and finance involves differentiating between needs and for presents.

wants. This distinction is essential for developing good money management skills. Without this foundation, kids may have trouble controlling their spending as adults, never appreciating the difference between a luxury and a necessity. A great way to teach the distinction between needs and wants is to set up a savings account at the Credit Union. Allow your child to spend money on needs and encourage them to save for wants.”

Family Activity Idea . . . . . . Make a list! Get a piece of paper and have everyone in your family write down what they spent money on this week. Review each list and determine which are needs and which are wants. You may have some lively debates about what is and what is not a necessity!

steps to financial

SUCCESS

Being financially successful means you are in control of your money instead of it controlling you. Your income doesn’t necessarily determine how financially successful you are – your choices and priorities do. If you are struggling, financial success may seem like a distant dream, but by following these ten steps, you can make that dream a reality: Step 1: Establish Goals Step 2: Take Stock of Your Current Financial Situation Step 3: Create a Spending and Savings Plan Step 4: Establish an Emergency Savings Fund Step 5: Invest Diversely Step 6: Make Sure You’re Covered Step 7: Establish a Good Credit History Step 8: Delete Your Debt Step 9: Buy a Home Step 10: Seek Advice and Do Research

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Helping Kids Understand: Needs and Wants

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Decide to be there and communicate How to bring balance to your family Provided by Barry Van Over, Premier Martial Arts

any parents frequently feel burned out and overwhelmed with the amount of work it takes to juggle their busy work/family/spouse/home duties. These parents may at times feel guilty for not being able to properly balance their life. This guilt, given adequate time and excessive fatigue can lead to feelings of resentment or anger. These toxic emotions are easily spread and when built up can have long-term consequences that may jeopardize family stability. Parents suffering from overload or burnout can apply the following three strategies to bring their thinking (and their families) back into balance quickly and easily.

Little Things Matter Most When you are burnt out and tired, go back to the basics of relationships 101. Start with a smile, a hug, an ‘I love you’ or compliment. Those little sticky notes are gold to your children when you write things like ‘I am so proud of you’. Best of all they take little to no time to do. Bringing home a single rose for no reason in particular can make a spouse feel appreciated and special. By focusing on the small things- like extending a hug from two seconds to ten can have a huge and positive effect. Also finding creative ways to show you care helps to recharge depleted emotional batteries. Listen more We all know the old ‘two ears, one mouth for a reason’ routine- but let’s face it, when people get emotionally beat down no one wants to listen. A great suggestion is when faced with a serious talk with your spouse or children start with a long hug. One great technique to use is called reflective listening. Reflective listening is:

1. hearing what they have to say, 2. waiting until they have gotten everything off their chest and have completed their thought (usually signaled by a slightly longer pause), 3. Repeating back to them in their own words their main points, and finally,

“The interesting thing about reflective listening is that it does nothing about the problem.”

Asking them if you got what they were saying correct. The interesting thing about reflective listening is that it does nothing about the problem. What it does is depolarize the participants where both people can feel valued and be more willing to focus on a unified solution.

Be There Being there means being present one hundred percent. We have all experienced stress and worry and let it flood into other areas of our lives. Don’t go for a walk on the beach with your family and still be at the office. Spouses and children are smarter than you think. They know when you are somewhere else or wish to be. Instead choose to be there, share yourself and make some memories. Don’t let stress, fatigue or overwhelm take over your family life. Following the strategies of focusing on the little things, listen more and being there one hundred percent is a great place to start. Use your creativity and make up unique ways to give the gift that is your life. It’ll help with the stress, make you feel good and bring your family closer together. Don’t wait. Start Today!

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Jessica’s New Knoxville Parent • January 2013 Future The ultimate choice

A few years ago, Jessica Demby Provided by Titanic Museum Attraction was struggling. After graduating from high our school Throughout lifetime,Jessica each one oftried us is likely to make a decision that, in that moment, feels college, but soon realized it wasn’t like a matter of life or death. While most of these decisions will fall short of a true mortal for her. the Jessica dilemma, time maydid come not for anyknow one of us to be faced with such a choice. what to do and felt she hadaccounts run of those people who have been faced with a true Through historical and personal out of options. All she knew was life or death moment, we can see how we, as a human race, are capable of responding and, that livinglearn at something home and making hopefully, from their experience. The following from the archived stories of minimum wage was not what she passengers aboard the ill-fated Titanic is one example: wanted. Now, in less than two years she’s ne hundred years have passed since first andand onlyisvoyage. Yet, doubled her salary, has paid vacationsTitanic’s and holidays, truly enjoying her even now, what we’re told about her crew and work every day. passengers—especially the children—often What did she do? begins with the moment they stepped aboard Jessica enrolled in the Dental Staff School, run by JanetofWaldron andbegan her husband, ship. Truth is, most their lives long Dr. Jon Waldron, practicing dentist.before Today,Titanic. the Dental Staff School offers students Each life’s story was unique: the same great opportunity to build a career Jessica has enjoyed. just ten weeks, Some were complicated, othersInsurprising, but students learn professional dental assisting in a real-offi ce setting. all were inspiring and full of hope. Each Saturday, the school hosts the current class of students and offers state-of-the The Reverend John Harper’s was just that. art dental equipment for students’ lessons. From working models to practicing Born to devout Baptistson in the Scottish village with the dentists and fellow students, really the to hands-on learning. of Jessica Houston, Johnenjoyed was drawn the church “It wasn’t boring,” she says, “it was aand whole lot of fun!” its teachings at an early age. He preached the gospel as a teenager on village streetassisting Dental Staff School (www.DentalStaffSchool.com) is a ten-week dental corners. TN Heand believed our TN. souls’ life mission is on school in Pelham, AL; Marietta, GA; Knoxville, Franklin, Classes are held Saturdays at local working dental offipreordained, ces. The program is accredited National and that his was tothrough serve God and Accreditation for Colleges and Schools, Non-public Postsecondary Commission in help others. Georgia, and the Alabama and Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Along Harper’s pilgrimage of faith, he married The reverend John Harper, his and became a father, a church pastor and, sadly, 6 year old daugter Nana, and a young widower. Invited to preside over a Jessie Leitch. All were aboard Contact Dental Staff School: series of revival services in Chicago, he boarded the Titanic, but only Nana and the Titanic with his beloved 6-year-old daughter, Miss Leitch survived (678) 819-3919 or by email at janet@dentalstaffschool. Nan, and her Aunt Jessie. Before they sailed, andwarned startRev. your new as a dental professional acom, parishioner Harper the future voyage would end badly, but he replied his destiny was to sail Titanic. Whatevertoday! happened would be God’s will. At about midnight Tuesday, April 14, 1912, Titanic struck an iceberg. Rev. Harper’s faith was about to be tested as never before. When it appeared the ship was sinking, Rev. Harper reportedly rushed Nan and Jessie to the lifeboats. He tearfully knelt down to kiss his daughter, knowing she soon might be an orphan. As flares lit the dark sky, Rev. Harper turned to the panicking crowd and shouted, “Women, children and unsaved people into the lifeboats!” More than 1,500 people sank below the frigid waters that night, Reverend Harper among them, but not before giving his lifebelt to a non-believer. “I won’t need this,” he said, “because I’m not going down, I’m going up!” In the water he swam to a young man who was nearing shock. Between breaths, he asked, “Are you saved?” The lad shook his head and drifted off. When the current pulled him back, the reverend asked, “Are you saved yet?” The young man said he couldn’t say. Rev. Harper pleaded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved,” then slipped into his watery grave. Of the six survivors pulled from the water that night, one was the lad whom Rev. Harper directed his last words. With two miles of water beneath him, the young man had decided to become a believer.

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

Capturing moments by Chad Branton

“Later he asked, ‘Daddy, why does time go so slow at daycare but it goes really fast when I’m playing with you?’”

he time we have with our children flies by so fast. All we really have are the wonderful, fleeting moments that make life magical and teach us what is important. I want remember as many of those moments as I can, so I started a journal – things I don’t want to forget about my boy. Age 5: Clay brought home a hand-made Father’s Day card from Sunday school that stated “I love my daddy because______.” Clay filled in the blank to God like never before to please watch over my with “because he plays with me.” I’m holding on to boy. I’ve believed in God since I was a child, but that piece of paper and if I ever get so wrapped up until that moment I never fully considered what in life that I start neglecting my time with him, I it must have been like for Him to send His son to hope I’ll pull it out and remember how important die on a cross. I asked God to forgive me for taking it is to him that I take time to be with him. His sacrifice for granted for so long. Then God Age 5: On Clay’s first day of Karate class, the spoke to my heart again. He said that the same Sensei began the session with a lesson on showing Chad Branton, his son Clay and wife Melissa enjoy a unconditional love that I’m feeling right now for respect, following rules and having discipline. I quiet moment on the beach. my little boy is like the love that He feels for me. could see my boy’s patience wearing away as he God is our Heavenly Father and I never want to sat Indian-style on the dojo floor rocking back forget the day that Clay helped me to understand that better than anyone else ever and forth. Finally, he blurted out, “Is this Karate class or sit-n’-talk?” had. Age 4: I was running late for work on a morning where everything seemed to be going wrong. As I dropped Clay off at daycare he suddenly decided he didn’t want to go. With his little hands gripped tightly around my leg and tears flowing down his red face, a crazy high-speed stress-induced morning just came to a screeching halt. The way I saw it, I had two choices. Shake him loose and book it to work or scoop him up in my arms and take the day off. We got back in my truck and sang “Frosty the Snow Man” all the way to the park where we played for the next few hours. Later he asked, “Daddy, why does time go so slow at daycare but it goes really fast when I’m playing with you?” I’ve never regretted losing that day of work. Age 1: The night Clay was born I was working a banquet for my job and everything that could have gone wrong pretty much did. My stress level had maxed as the music presentation I was responsible for flopped due to a failed sound system. A room full of influential business leaders began to fill the awkward silence with whispers and giggles. We trudged our way through what was salvageable of the presentation. My heart raced as I was wondering if I’d still have a job in the morning. Then I received a phone call on my cell. It was time. Melissa was in labor with our first child and in route to the hospital. I arrived soon after still wearing a full tuxedo. I can’t remember a time that I was more mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted than the day he was born. After twenty-six sleepless hours, and greeting  Portraits  Weddings out my boy for the first time, I was reassured that everything was fine and that I should s ab u k  Seniors  Events As go home, change clothes, have a nap and come back to the hospital. I went home, our al i c e  Sports  Maternity Sp settled in and unexpectedly felt the worse feeling I had ever experienced. What if t ine alen V  Families  Engagement something went wrong after I left? What if he needed me and I wasn’t there? I had never been so overcome with dread and couldn’t rationalize why I felt all these things at once. I knew at that very second I loved him more than anything and there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him. I dropped to my knees and prayed Let us help your special memories Chad Branton has been with the Sevierville Convention & Visitors Bureau for thirteen years, serving several years as art director. He enjoys living and working in the Smoky Mountains with his wife, Melissa, and son, Clay.

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Knoxville Parent • January 2013

College Decisions – Class of 2014: By Liz Stucke

hich would you prefer: a choice among five different jams or a choice among twenty different jams? Most people according to Sheena Iyengar in her book The Art of Choosing, say they would prefer a choice among twenty jams. However, in her famous “Jam Study” she found that when presented with twenty different jams, customers did not buy any at all. They walked away, overwhelmed and unable to make any decision. The same happened when employees were presented with hundreds of funds from which to choose for their 401K plan. Employees were so overwhelmed they delayed the decision and ended up not enrolling at all. Conversely when the choices were narrowed down to a manageable number, customers were more likely to either purchase a jam or select funds for their 401K. Similarly, when your teenager walks away from making decisions about where to apply to college, it could be he is overwhelmed with too many choices. How can you help your son or daughter make good decisions about where and how to apply to college? Break down the decision into four phases to help narrow-down the choices: Assess, Plan, Apply, Decide.

Breaking Down the Decision into four phases – Assess, Plan, Apply, Decide: 1. Assess: (Approximately January through March) A Look Inward: In this phase your child takes stock of her interests and strengths. A good way to start this is by creating the Activity Sheet or resume. In creating her Activity Sheet, encourage your child to identify which of her activities she found most interesting and rewarding. This, along with some brainstorming questions about favorite and least favorite classes, moments she felt most challenged or proud, helps her identify her interests and strengths. A Look Outward: Then she will need to begin to identify those traits she will want in a college, such as particular major or academic interest, athletics, size

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T E S T PREP EXPERTS

Call Dr. Michael K. Smith at 865-694-4108 In Knoxville since 1983. Convenient location at 308 South Peters Rd.

“A good college decision needs to be the right decision for your child, distinct from that of her friends and siblings. ” of classroom, distance from home, campus culture, among many other traits. Do not worry if she is not sure about which traits she desires. The important part is to write these traits down so that she can revisit and revise it as she explores various options. 2. Plan: (Approximately March through June) Overlapping the first phase, the next phase is for your child to plan and test his strengths, interests and traits. The plan should involve creating a timeline for researching colleges, narrowing down choices and visiting various schools. This is also the time to test whether or not a desired trait, such as living in a big city, is important to him after he visits a few schools. Help your child create a spreadsheet listing the desired traits down the left side of the sheet and the colleges across the top. Then use one of the many college search sites such as The College Board, US News and Naviance to narrow down schools to research. These sites allow your child to plug in desired traits, test scores and GPA to find potential matches. Then mark whether each school meets the desired traits. Leave space for notes as sometimes it becomes apparent that a certain trait is not as important as once believed. 3. Apply: (Approximately July through November). The final decision of where to apply should be a match of your child’s strengths, interests and desired traits with a college that can meet his needs and goals. Considering that some of the most selective colleges accept less than 15% of applicants, his list of colleges should include some likely, middle range and stretch schools. Having worked through the assessment and planning phase, he will be better prepared to present a focused applicant in his personal statements, interviews, teacher recommendation and full application. 4. Decide: (by May 1) A good college decision needs to be the right decision for your child, distinct from that of her friends and siblings. While emotions and last minute jitters might sway a student to choose the school either closest to home or the one her friends choose, you will be better equipped to guide her to the best decision if she worked through the assessment and planning phases to identify her unique interests, strengths and desired college traits. Liz Stucke is owner of LS Admissions Prep (www.LSAdmissionsPrep. com). She guides students and parents through the College Search and Application process. stuckeliz@gmail.com or 865-951-0639.

W e M a k e M a th M a k e S e ns e . Knoxville Parent New Year Special! Join before the end of January and mention Knoxville Parent and get free registration!

(865) 769-6944

Franklin Square 9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

K-12th GRADES • SAT & ACT PREP • HOMEWORK HELP • CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM

Grades K through 8th • Assessment to determine your child’s specific needs • Customized learning plan • Highly trained instructors • Individual instruction and guided practice • Homework assisstance • Results! Your child’s progress is measured by grades, regular assessments, and love of mathematics.

High School Programs Fundamentals development and homework assistance for: • Algebra I • Geometry • Algebra II • Pre-calculus/Trigonometry • Calculus • Statistics

Kingston Pike and Walker Springs (Next to The Rush)

865-690-8819

Premier Martial Arts Offers Kids Martial Arts, Kickboxing Classes, BJJ, Krav Maga, Mixed Martial Arts Training, MMA Workouts Martial Arts, And Cardio Kickboxing.

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Turkey Creek (Next to Party City)

865-671-6699