Local Parent HENR
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mar/apr
SUMMER CAMPS birthday parties New Help For Parents With Kids Who Are Struggling in School COMFORT FOODS WITH A KICK When Is My Child Old Enough For Sports?
The Premier Magazine for Moms and Dads in HENRY County
North Henry Baptist
Summer Day Camp Air Conditioned Gym Games & Water Fun Arts/Crafts Story time/Drama VBS June 22 – 26 Bible & Music Bowling Movies Field Trips & Much More
Ages 2-5th Grade
7:15 am - 6:00 pm $75 - $100 Registration $100 - $110 Per Week
June 1 – July 31
Don’t Miss Out... Call Us Today!
(770) 389-1591 North Henry Christian Academy a Ministry of North Henry Baptist Church, 20 years Academic Excellence
Now Enrolling for 2009-2010 K2 - 8th Grade • A BEKA Curriculum • Early and After School Care • Low Student / Teacher Ratio • Summer Day Camp • Computer / Technology Lab • Music Theory I & II • Piano Lessons Availiable • Physical Education / Sports
1093 Flat Rock Rd Stockbridge, GA 30281 www.northhenryacademy.com
Admissions Office:
(770) 389-1591
MAR/APR 2009
Table of Contents
6
12
2009 Summer Camp Guide
12
Infants & Toddlers: How to Cook Dinner With A Clingy
Toddler
14
Schoolage: New Help For Parents With Kids Who Are
Struggling in School
16 18 20
Feature: Celebrating Easter
18
Teen Talk: Role Models for Your Teen Sports & Recreation: When Is My Child Old Enough For
Sports
22
Birthday Parties: A Guide To Great Parties And Events:
Inflatable Rentals For Guests Of All Ages
24 26 28
24
What’s For Dinner: Comfort Foods With A Kick Money & Finance: Energy Saver
Inside Henry County Schools
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New Creation Center
students have received Presidental Scholarships from GA Tech, Oglethorpe University, Mercer University and have been National Merit Semi-Finalists. (Only two in Henry County last year) • COLLEGE PREPARATORY • 6TH -12TH GRADE • UNIVERSITY MODEL
• ACCREDITATION •SPORTS
Former students have graduated from: UGA, Air Force Academy, GA Tech, Savannah College of Art and Design, and many other great colleges and universities. Georgia Football League State Champs 2007, runner up 2006 & 2005. Baseball ICSGA State Champs 2008, 2007& 2006 Golf ICSGA State Champs 2006, 2005, and runner up 2007.
New Creation Center 334 Lake Dow Road McDonough, GA 30252
770-898-9728
www.newcreationcenter.org
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Publisher & Editor Terrie Carter
82% of our readers are moms
Editorial belinda Shamily marcus slocumb
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Circulation CURTIS THURMAN JOHN HABOWSKI
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Intern KAYCI ALBRITTON
Writers/Contributors Ethel Carter, Thais Cuffy, Henry Public Schools, Tammy Peterson, Shane Murphy, Ph. D, American Camp Association, Debra Dawkins, access communication
Contact Information: Henry Local Parent Magazine 3651 Peachtree Pkwy. #325 Suwanee, GA 30024 /678.889.9552 Q678.889.9553 ____________________ All contents of this magazine are copywritten by Local Parent Magazine and it’s licensees. No part may be reprinted, copied, reproduced, or used without written permission of the publisher. each edition independently owned and operated
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[ SUMMER CAMPS ]
Five Reasons Your Child Needs Camp
T
here’s no doubt that summer camp is fun. Kids get to sing silly songs, play funny games, swim in lakes, and tell spooky stories around a campfire. This is the image of camp that has been captured and memorialized in films, books, and television programs for the past fifty years. But there’s much more to camp than just a good time. In addition to fun, parents should be aware of these five reasons their child needs camp.
1
Camp forever changes your child… for the better – American Camp Association® (ACA) research has confirmed that camps build skills necessary to prepare campers to assume roles as successful adults. Campers said that camp helped them make new friends (96%), get to know kids who are different from them (93%), feel good about themselves (92%), and try things they were afraid to do at first (74%).
2
Camp teaches your child to “move it, move it” – Camp provides children the opportunity to try new things and participate in human powered activities. According to surveys by both the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an American child is six times more likely to play a videogame on any given day than to ride a bike. An estimated 22 million of the world’s children under the age of five are already considered obese. According to research conducted by ACA, 63 percent of children who learn new activities at camp tend to continue engaging in these activities after they return home. This leads to continued physical exercise that lasts a lifetime.
3
Camp keeps all that hard work from going to waste - Camps understand the critical role they play in helping young people learn and grow. Many offer programs that help reduce summer learning loss, bolster academic enrichment and socialization, provide opportunities for leadership development, and ensure that campers achieve their full potential.
4
Camp allows take a deep breath and feel the nature – Camp is a great way for your child to unplug from the iPod® and plug into the world around them. According to a study by two Cornell University environmental psychologists, being close to nature can help boost a child’s attention span. Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Essex in England concluded that nature can help people recover from pre-existing stresses or problems, has an immunizing effect that can protect from future stresses, and helps people to concentrate and think more clearly. In some instances, camp may be the only time a child is in contact with the natural world.
5
Camp is fun – It’s true; kids do sing silly songs and play funny games at camp. Children are allowed to play in a safe and nurturing environment, and are allowed to just be kids. Play is a powerful form of learning that contributes mightily to the child’s healthy physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development. According to an American Academy of Pediatrics report, creative free play protects a child’s emotional development and reduces a child’s risk of stress, anxiety, and depression.
Henry Local Gwinnett Local Parent Parent Magazine Magazine
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Fortson 4-H Center Ages 9-19. June 1-July24. One-week sessions. Georgia’s 4-H summer camping program, administered through the county offices of the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, offers a 4-H summer camping experience unparalleled in the nation. Ropes Course, Health Rocks, Survival/Campfire Cooking, GPS Geo-caching and Archery. We will also have units on ecology and herpetology as time permits. FUN beyond compare! 770- 946-3276 www.fortson4h.org Discovery Point Ages 5-12, Our Summer Camp Program begins registration May 1st. We plan at least two or three exciting field trips
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per week, arts and crafts projects and outside play. Our field trips include visits to the two Fernbank Museums, Puppetry of the Arts, Cubihatcha Nature Preserve, Dauset Trails, Noah’s Ark, Atlanta Motor Speedway, etc., etc. We are dedicated to providing an educational and exciting summer of fun for the children. 94 Stoney Brook Way, McDonough, GA 30253. 678432-7029 www.discoverypoint.com Academy for the Brilliant Child Ages 2-10+, June 8-July 31 (2 week sessions), 9AM-3PM (extended days available 7AM-6PM). Join us this summer for several weeks of educational fun in the sun! Drama, Art, Science, Cooking and much more. 483 Walker Drive, McDonough, GA 30253, 770-957-9998 www.abcmontessori.info
Henry Local Parent Magazine
[ SUMMER CAMPS ] Henry County YMCA June 1-July 24 (weekly sessions), Mon-Fri 7AM-6:30PM, Come join us and make friends, as we create, laugh and play at the YMCA. 770-5075437 Kiddie Academy of McDonough Our Camp Adventure curriculum is built upon a series of twoweek themes designed to inspire your child to explore, create, interact, and stay active during the summer months. Developmentally appropriate games, which include preschool activity and school age fun, accompany each theme and enhance what your child has already learned. 300 Inverness Avenue, McDonough, GA, 770-288-2422, www. kiddieacademy.com
North Henry Academy Ages 2-5th Grade. June 1-July 31. Arts & Crafts, Storytime/Drama, Vocational Bible Study, Music, Bowling, Movies, Field Trips, Water Fun and much more. 1903 Flat Rock Road, Stockbridge, GA. 770-389-1591. www.northhenryacademy.com Beyound Beauty Camp Girls, Ages 9-15, June 1-July 24 (two week sessions), 9AM-4pm; before & aftercare available from 8AM6PM. Join Beyond Beauty Camp for a fun filled summer session covering beauty topics inside and out! You will never run out of cute creative hair and styles, get tired of playing with makeup or question the importance of basic nutrition again. 2009 Camp will be held at Divine Occasions House & Garden,
Where Style is Created. Lifeskills Lear ned & Confidence Blossoms Fashion Beauty Money Matters 2009 Spring & Summer Career Exposure Camps Healthy Eating Etiquette Hair & Make-up Artistry Confidence Life Skills Fitness
Register Now! 770-990-0531
www.BeyondBeautyCamp.com
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McDonough Location Project Focused Professional/Licensed Mentors Sibling/Referral Discounts Spaces Limited
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Old Scarlet Thread Location, 3805 Jodeco Road, McDonough, GA770-990-0531, www. beyondbeautycamp.com Valley View Ranch Equestrian Camp Girls, Ages 8-17, The Ranch is 600 acres and located a’top Lookout Mountain in Northwest Georgia where Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee come together, 80 horses, English and Western, Vaulting and Trails along with other activities; trail rides, horseshows, sports, craft, cookout and more. 606 Valley View Ranch Road, Cloudland, 706862-2231 www.valleyviewranch.com Emagination Computer Camps Ages 8 to 17, Emagination Computer Camps are where technology meets tradition. Kids can unleash creativity in game design, web design, and animations. Build PCs, robots, and RC cars. Overnight and day options are available. 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA, 877.248.0206, Wesleyan School Sports Camps Ages 6-18, Camps in fastpitch softball, baseball, football, wrestling, band soccer, basketball, speed and strength and volleyball, 5405 Spalding www.henryparents.com
Smart Summertime Fun! www.abcmontessori.info
June 8 - July 31 (2 week sessions) 9am-3pm Extended day available for $50 per week (7am-6pm)
Drama Art Science Cooking
770-957-9998
483 Walker Drive McDonough, GA 30253
**Science and Cooking camps have a $20-$25 materials fee. Some “from home� materials are required for Art camp.
Developing spirit, mind and body!
YMCA Summer Day Camp June 1 - July 24th (weekly sessions) *NEW* Breakfast & Lunch included Convenient Henry County sites Summer swim lessons also offered!
Y programs promote the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility
To volunteer, donate or for more information, please go to: hcy.ymcaatlanta.org (no www) or call the Henry County YMCA
770-507-KIDS (5437)
Henry Local Parent Magazine
[ SUMMER CAMPS ] Dr., Norcross, 770-448-7640 Fernbank Summer Day Camps Ages 5-11, 767 Clifton Rd. NE, Atlanta, 404-929-6379 Teen Camp Ages 13-15, June 1-26 & July 6-31, 8AM-4PM, Registration begins April 6th at Heritage Park Recreation Office, J.P. Moseley Recreation Center OR register online at www.hcprd.org. Basketball Camp Dates: Feb. 16 - 20 & June 22 - 26 Ages 6-18, (Ages 6-10 8AM-1PM, Ages 11-18 8AM-4PM), Registration Mon-Fri 9AM-4PM at Heritage Park Recreation Office, J.P. Moseley Recreation Center OR register online at www.hcprd.org. Golf Camp Ages 15 & Under, June 8 - 12, 10AM12PM, Registration begins April 6th, 9AM-4PM at Heritage Park Recreation
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Office,J.P. Moseley Recreation Center OR register online at www.hcprd.org. Academic Tennis Camp Ages 5-17, June 1-12 & June 15-25, 8AM-12PM, Mon-Fri at Richard Criag Park, (Registration deadline May 19). Register at Heritage Park Recreation Office, J.P. Moseley Recreation Center between 9AM-4PM OR register online at www.hcprd.org. SPACE IS LIMITED! Atlanta Thrashers Hockey School Ages 6-16, Duluth Ice Forum and Town Center Kennesaw, 404-827-4480 Camp Kingfisher at the Cattahoochee Nature Center Camp Kingfisher is a summer day camp combining hands-on nature exploration all-around camp fun. Roswell, 770-9922055x222 National Computer Camps Ages 8-18, Atlanta Christian College,
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2605 Ben Hill Rd., Atlanta, 404-460-2450 Atlanta Botanical Gardens The Atlanta Botanical Garden offers several day camp programs for children ages 4-12. 404876-5859 ext. 2557 Atlanta Thrashers Hockey School Ages 6-16, Duluth Ice Forum and Town Center Kennesaw, 404-8274480 Atlanta Hawks Basketball Ages 8-17, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, 404827-3815 iD Tech Camps Ages 7-17, Emory University, Atlanta. 888709-8324
Frazier World, Inc. Daycare and Learning Center Committed to Making a Difference Since 1993
“Come Play, Learn and Grow With Us” Frazier World is a total child care center for infants (6wks) to age 12.
• GA Pre-K Programs • Private Pre-K Program • A Beka Curriculum • Summer Camp Program • Art Programs • Fun Field Trips • Large Playground • Gym Area • Big Screen Movies • Best Staff Around • 100% First-Aid & CPR Certified Staff • Camera Surveillance 24-7 • Under Canopy Drop-off & Pick-up • Extended Hours
Your Child is Always First
Home of The Happy Bus
770-957-7858 171 Racetrack Road • McDonough, GA www.frazierworld.com
Kids-N-Technology Camps Ages 8-17, Oglethorpe University, 4484 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta. 866-513-3007 Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders Ages 5-17, CW Davis Middle, Flowery Branch, 770-965-3115 Cybercamps Oglethorpe University, Ages 7-18 888-9042267 GameBreaker Lacrosse Camps Girls, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. (800) 9447112 www.henryparents.com
Henry Local Parent Magazine
11
[ INFANTS & TODDLERS ]
How to Cook Dinner with a Clingy Toddler
M
y son has always been a delight in my life. Even when he was a clingy toddler and it was time to make dinner, and he really wanted Mommy’s attention... now! Not Daddy. Mommy. I always found that made it really hard for me to cook. It’s something many a parent has dealt with as children are raised. Trying to pass the kids off to the parent not in the kitchen (assuming you’re not home alone with the kids) can be a real challenge. Here’s how I sometimes coped. Get supplies out to make dinner. Pick son up and show him what was going to be made. Answer half-clear questions about whatever catches his interest. Try to put son down. Calm his tears as he insists he just wants Mommy. Try to disentangle his arms so that you can get cooking. Settle for him clinging to one leg as you prepare the food for cooking. Decide having a child clinging to your leg is not a good idea when you’re actually cooking the food. Try to distract him with a favorite toy. No go. Pull lettuce out of the fridge and announce that you’ll be having a salad with dinner. Set up a place for toddler to tear up lettuce and wash his hands. It doesn’t really matter that you’ll be eating a combination of almost whole leaves and microscopic lettuce particles, does it?
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Toddler tires of lettuce and wants to help you cook. Tries to open oven. Fortunately, you’re cooking on the stove top tonight. Remove him from the kitchen. Back he comes. Pry him off your leg again and set up a stool for him to watch from a safe distance. He’s not happy, but you can reach him and give a pat or a hug as needed. Give him the lettuce again and suggest that he could tear the leaves smaller. Watch as more microscopic portions are removed. He wants to help mooooore! Ideally by stirring that nice pot of boiling water you have there. Time to find another toddlersafe job! Have him watch you chop more vegetables for the salad, and let him throw those in. Just keep the knife well away from those eager little fingers! And don’t underestimate a toddler’s ability to stretch.
Finish cooking dinner as fast as is reasonable. Hope he stays distracted long enough. Time to set the table. Another thing clingy toddlers love to help with. Thank goodness for forks, spoons and any toddler-safe dishes you may choose to use. Allow him to help and ignore the many fingerprints his previously clean hands leave all over the place. Dirt appears to be magnetically attracted to toddlers. Hope that the salad is reasonably sanitary. Call the rest of the family in for dinner. Hope that you get more than two bites in before your toddler demands that he be allowed to eat his dinner on your lap rather than in his chair. Be grateful that your toddler loves you so much, even as you look forward to a little break after the kids are in bed.
Highlights of our program: Lottery Pre-K-Four Program • Age Appropriate Developmental Program for All Ages • Hot Meals • Our Program is Consistent with State Guidelines and Regulations • Qualified and Experienced Staff • Director has over 30 years working with young children • Easily accessible to Interstate 75, 675, I-20 and 285 • Structure Activities Field Trips • Thematic curriculum and Lesson Plans • Classroom Creativity and Parental Involvement • Classroom Cameras • Some Home Pick Up Service is Provided After School Pick Up • Tutorial & Enhancement Program
Concordia Early Learning & Preschool Academy
6AM to 7PM (Late night
care based on a minimum of 10 children)
Concordia EL and PS Academy serve children and families ages 3 weeks to 12 years.
Enroll Now During the Director’s Special and Save
“Educating Young Minds for A Promising Future”
770-389-4668
5006 Hwy. 155N • Stockbridge, GA 30281
www.henryparents.com
• Drop Ins welcome • Summer Camp • A Beka • Private Kindergarten Program • Extra curriculum Ballet Keyboard & Guitar Lessons Spanish classes Computer Classes Newscaster Training
www.concordia-academy.com
Henry Local Parent Magazine
13
[ SCHOOLAGE ]
New
D
help for parents with kids
who are struggling in school r. Richard Selznick coined the term “shut-down learner” to describe some children.
Dr. Selznick, who has spent over 20 years of clinical experience assessing thousands of children has come to the conclusion that many of them are visual thinkers. In fact, it’s a mode of thinking that is far more common than people ever imagined. As many as 40 percent of all children in America experience problems learning to read and write and a significant proportion of them are spatial learners - they learn best and even will thrive if they are given hands on tasks requiring them to use their eyes and hands. “Unfortunately,” says Dr. Selznick “the educational system is often at odds with the shut down learner’s style. If you have a Shut Down Learner, you are in for a really rough time unless you identify and address your child’s 14
special learning needs.” Dr. Selznick says that the Shut-Down Learner style becomes increasingly apparent in the upper elementary grades, although there are indicators in pre-school and kindergarten. You can identify the early warning signs of a Shut-Down Learner style by noticing what he calls the “cracks in the foundation.” These cracks include: • Difficulty with learning letters • Trouble with playing rhyming games • Difficulty following directions • Resistance to early reading activities and instruction How would you know if your child is a Shut-Down Learner? • A sense that the child is increasingly disconnected, discouraged, and unmotivated (shut down) • Fundamental skill weaknesses with reading, writing, and spelling, leading
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to lowered self-esteem • Increased avoidance of school tasks such as homework • Dislike of reading • Hatred of writing • Little to no gratification from school • Increasing anger toward school Dr. Selznick offers a number of strategies to deal with a child who is showing the signs of being a shut down learner: 1. Identify the cracks in the foundation as early as possible. Find a professional who knows the red flags to identify for early learning problems. So much heartache can be avoided if you address the skills weaknesses early. 2. If you as a mom are worried, usually there is good reason. Most of the moms that I meet are right about their concerns. Don’t let professionals tell you he’ s fine you know how boys are. Check it out. Maybe you’re wrong, but usually I find the moms know their kid is struggling. 3. If the cracks are widening, seek outside help if possible. Don’t be passive and wait for the schools to intervene. They may, but it’s often a long process. Many of the children I see are not bad enough to warrant the school’s intervention. It’s a negative snowballing effect. Use word of mouth in your community to find people who can intervene. 4. Know what you are targeting. There are essentially two types of reading problems. In the first type the child has trouble decoding the words and reading fluently. This type is the largest majority of the struggling kids. In the second type, the child can read fluently, but has great trouble understanding what he/ she has read. Get clear on what you are targeting!!!! Don’t scattershot your remediation. 5. Take the heat out of the interaction. For most of the struggling kids, the www.henryparents.com
daily ritual of yelling about school is a constant. Households are tense. Lots of blame goes around. Pecking at your child, nagging and yelling are not working. Why continue? 6. If you have a spouse, get your husband on board. The dads can be tough. They often don’t see the problem and will tell you typically that you are making a big deal out of nothing. This leads to more confusion and arguing. If you can find a professional to explain things in clear terms to both of you, it helps to get both of you on board together. 7. If you are in a divorced situation, it’s even more important to try and work together. The differences between you can really lead to huge emotional problems for the child. These differences result in a lot of anger and it is this anger that leads to classic shut-down learner behaviors. 8. Find the child’s true strength and help kid embrace it. The shut down learners that I know do not feel very good about themselves and they do not see their strengths. Most of these kids are very solid in the visual spatial dimension of ability. This is often not valued in school. The kids need to learn to value this trait and see it as a potential. 9. Find someone to connect & mentor your child in school. If your child is older, push the kid to have o ne adult in
the building as a mentor. It should be someone that your kid can form a relationship with. Too often SDL kids go through their school experience not bonded to anyone. This is tragic. 10. Keep Your Humor. Try not to let school problems become all consuming. Go out for an ice cream sundae with you kid even if he hasn’t done his homework! School problems can be so all consuming - don’t lose touch with the good qualities he/she has. Henry Local Parent Magazine
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[ FEATURE ]
Celebrating Easter!
E
aster is just about here and one of the fun activities is to decorate Easter eggs. It’s easy and enjoyable to decorate; you just need to buy an Easter egg coloring kit. PAAS kits make it easy for everyone. Their 2009 kits helpp everyone egg-spress their creativity: Chalked Up – Decorate eggs over and over with PAAS Chalked Up kit. If you want to change a design, simply wipe off chalk with the felt eraser for a clean slate. Funky Foil – Add a layer of sparkle using fun foil patterns. Flower Power – Easter eggs will be in full bloom this spring with the PAAS 3-in1 Flower Power kit. Embellish with multicolored flower sequins and stickers, and display decorated eggs in a flowerpot for a festive look.
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Sand Blast – PAAS Sand Blast kit features three bags of multi-colored sand to decorate plain or colored eggs. Galeggsy – This kit helps to create an out-of-this-world decorating egg-sperience! Send your imagination into orbit with space themed stickers and glow-inthe-dark pen, and display them in the galactic egg stands. Color Squirt –PAAS Color Squirt kit provides an easy way to give eggs a unique tie-dye look. Simply fill spray pumps with the provided paints and let the creative juices flow. Hard-Boiled Hardware – Easter eggs will shimmer and shine with PAAS HardBoiled Hardware. Paint eggs in metallic shades of copper and silver and then decorate them with glitter pen and stickers.
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Brilliant Beads – For an egg-stra special touch, add multi-colored beads and glitter for fashion-forward eggs. Deggorating Party – This kit allows you to decorate a dozen eggs a dozen different ways! Perfect for any Easter eggstravaganza, this kit has everything needed to create a variety of effects including speckle, stamp and stencil.
you don’t want to make it too easy. Easter is just like any other celebration. Make plans to cook this Easter holiday; celebrate by decorating eggs and playing games. It is a time to get together with family and friends, celebrating, laughing and enjoying the children playing with one another and [that] is what makes for a very happy Easter.
After decorating your eggs with Paas kits, no Easter is complete without an Easter egg hunt for your family and friends. You want everyone to enjoy themselves; therefore, hide your decorative eggs inside the house for your younger children and outside in the yard for the other children. Be sure to hide the eggs where the kids can find them, but
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Henry Local Parent Magazine
17
[ TEEN TALK ]
Role Models for Your Teen
B
y the time your children reach their teens, there is only a limited amount of time left to influence them and get them started in life in the right direction. The teen years are a critical time for role models in your children’s lives. Often you will find teens have a hard time talking to their parents. This isn’t always the case, 18
but even in the closest families, teens often feel more comfortable talking to another trusted adult about some of the things going on in their lives. Of course you would prefer your teen would go to an adult when they need to talk something important out, instead of relying on their friends who may not have the insight an older, more experienced adult would have. Obviously you have no real control over who your teen goes to for advice, but there are a number of ways you can steer your teen in the right direction. The best chance your teen has for interacting with other adults is in
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extracurricular activities. There are all kinds of activities your teen can be involved with, here are some that come to mind: church youth group, scouts, sports, music, school clubs, community service, just to name a few. Personally I don’t encourage parents to involve their teens in so many activities that it leads to burnout for both the parents and the teen, but carefully selected activities led by good and capable leaders will enrich your teen’s life in a way few things can, and will increase the likelihood that your teen will establish a relationship with one of the group leaders.
responsible adult male leaders, these teen boys have much less difficulty transitioning into adulthood. It also takes of a lot of the pressure off the oftenoverworked mothers. From my own experience, I have found that often other adults can help my teen in ways that I can’t, mostly due to big differences in our personalities. I am more of a quiet introspective thinker, and my daughter is very outgoing, and has a lot of potential leadership qualities that are hard for me to help her develop because I do not possess those qualities myself. Knowing how important it is to help her develop her natural abilities at this impressionable age, I make sure there are other adults in her life who can help influence her in ways I can’t. My daughter and I are very close, but there are just a lot of things that I can’t help her with, so I encourage her in developing relationships with adults who do have those abilities.
“I have found that often other adults can help my teen in ways that I can’t”
One word of caution, however. Talk to your teen about their activities and get a feel for yourself the effectiveness of the group leader. Not to say that they have to excel in every way, but just make sure that they are a good role model, and not a negative influence in your teen’s life. There is the potential of bad leaders in any activity, including in a church setting, and it is the parents’ responsibility to make sure their teen is in a positive atmosphere, influenced by mature leaders. Involvement in group activities is especially great for teens of single parents. Teens who don’t have regular contact with mature adults of both sexes often have a hard time later in normal adult relationships. Being exposed to “normal” at this age very much increases the teen’s chances of growing into a welladjusted adult. I have seen this often with boys who are raised by their moms with not much influence or negative influence from their dads. Placed
into
group
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settings,
with
My daughter and I both respect our different abilities. It is very easy to be critical of people who are not like us, and parents and teens very easily fall into this trap. The best thing to do is be honest about your own abilities, and of the abilities of your teen, and do whatever is necessary to find outside influences for your teen. The more you can help your teen develop their abilities now, the less they will have to do on their own later (often, the hard way). And don’t forget, you are a role model too. Get involved in the lives of your teen’s friends, or volunteer to help in a group activity in some way, even if only occasionally. There are teens out there who really need to hear what you have to say. Henry Local Parent Magazine
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[ SPORTS & RECREATION ]
When Is My Child Old Enough For Sports? by Shane Murphy, Ph. D.
W
ait a second! Isn’t the title for this article incorrect? Surely I meant to say, “When is Your Child Old Enough to Participate in Youth Sports?” No. I would like you to seriously consider a question that rarely gets asked: How does the age of your child affect you as a parent watching your son or daughter compete? How would you react if: * A soccer player on the other team intentionally tripped your child and he lay on the ground, crying? * Your child’s tennis opponent repeatedly called some good shots from your child “out” when you could clearly see that 20
they had landed “in”? * You overheard a parent sitting in the stands near you make derogatory remarks about your son like “That boy is such a loser, why do his parents even allow him to play baseball? We keep losing games because of him.”? I bet if you were like most parents I know, you would have a strong response in these situations, especially if your child was very young. What parent could stand back and not react after seeing their sixyear-old attacked or treated unfairly? But would you have had the same response if your child were sixteen, instead of six? Allow Your Child To Compete
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When You Can Handle The Stress Of Competition Clearly, the age of your child is important. Most parents can remain calm watching a high-school age athlete play sports, because they know that the athlete is old enough to handle difficult situations themselves. On the other hand, watching a young child play sports brings out all our natural urges to protect and nurture our offspring. How do parents react when they feel that their young daughter is threatened? They usually react by intervening, by trying to stop the threat, or by bringing someone’s attention to the problem. In other words, they might yell out something to the referee from the sidelines, say something directly to the other child, or even walk on the court and stop the contest temporarily. These are all actions I have seen labeled as “out of control”, “crazy”, “and immature”; in other words, as those of a parent who is too closely caught up in their child’s athletic pursuits. But, in fact, all these actions are perfectly normal. HP
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[ BIRTHDAY PARTIES ] Small Fries: Ages 2-10 You know when someone is having a birthday in the neighborhood when the inflatable bouncer appears in the yard. If you’re looking for a way to entertain young kids for hours on end, inflatable bouncers are the answer. After all, the energy from the super-sugary cake and ice cream has to go somewhere. Bigger Kids: Ages 8-14 At some point, kids need more excitement than hours of bouncing, and this is where the inflatSlip and Inflatable Rentals For Guests able Slide saves the day. Just turn Of All Ages on the hose and kids will lot of people seem to think that inhurl themselves flatable rentals are just for kids. It’s through an inflatable slippery slide. If you true that inflatable bouncers have don’t have access to water, the gigantic become a staple for children’s birthday 22 foot tall inflatable slide is another winparties, but inflatables aren’t just fun for ner with this age group. the little ones, there are inflatable games for fun-loving people of every age. We’ve Teenagers and Young Adults: 13-25 sorted the most popular inflatable rentals It takes a lot to entertain teens, but ininto age groups so that you can easily flatable rentals can handle the job. When find the one to spice up your next party. you need party activities that can satisfy
A Guide To Great Parties And Events:
A
the thrill seeking personalities of a group
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of teens, try inflatable boxing, human bowling, and for a real laugh, a wrestling mat where guests try to knock each other over while wearing gigantic inflatable sumo suits. These are the kinds of activities that create fantastic memories that are talked about for years to come.
ing that being hurled down an inflatable bowling alley inside of an inflatable bowling ball is “fun”. But there are lots of more relaxed inflatable games and activities to appeal to this crowd. Inflatable rentals like the inflatable sports center, the inflatable rock climbing wall, and the supersized inflatable slot machine are always a big hit.
Thrill-Seeking Adults: Just because we get older doesn’t mean that we stop craving fun-loving excitement. We just don’t get the opportunity to do many fun things outside of our normal mundane activities. To really spice up a party or company picnic, have some activities that will really bring out the kid again in your guests. This crowd has a blast with activities like inflatable jousting, an inflatable obstacle course, or the inflatable bungee bull.
Not matter the age group of the people attending your event, there are inflatable rentals that appeal to all ages and tastes. It seems that we never really outgrow the thrill of stepping inside of a gigantic, pillowy inflatable rental, whether that be racing a co-worker through a big inflatable obstacle course or challenging friends to a dual in oversized inflatable sumo suits. If you want to really make an impression on your guests and put on an exciting and memorable event, don’t overlook the inflatable rentals!
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[ WHATS FOR DINNER ]
W
hen the temperature goes up and down, it’s natural for thoughts — and cravings — to turn toward soothing and hearty comfort foods. There’s nothing like a good casserole or a bowl of hot chili to make you feel good all over. To kick up the fun in your favorite meals, try some comfort foods with salsa added into the mix. Salsa and picante sauces are convenient ways to add different flavors and heat up the whole family with a satisfying meal. These recipes are fast and easy, making them great weeknight dinners for the busy cook. Monterey Chicken Tortilla Casserole Prep: 10 minutes Cook: 40 minutes Makes: 4 1 cup coarsely crumbled tortilla chips 2 cups cubed cooked chicken OR cooked turkey 1 can (about 15 oz) cream-style whole kernel corn 24
3/4 cup Pace Picante sauce 1/2 cup sliced pitted ripe olives 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Chopped green pepper OR red pepper Tortilla chips 1. Layer crumbled chips, chicken, corn and picante sauce in 1-quart casserole. Top with olives and cheese. 2. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes or until hot. Top with peppers. Serve with chips. Chipotle Chili Prep: 15 minutes Cook: 8 hours Makes: 8 1 jar (16 oz) Pace Chunky salsa 1 cup water 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper 1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup) 2 pounds beef for stew, cut into 1/2inch pieces 1 can (about 19 ounces) red kidney beans rinsed and drained Shredded cheddar cheese (optional) Sour cream (optional) 1. Stir salsa, water, chili powder, chipotle pepper, onion, beef and beans in a 3 1/2quart slow cooker. 2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours* or until the beef is fork-tender. Serve with cheese and sour cream, if desired.
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Chipotle Chili
Mexican Four Cheese Potatoes au Gratin
*Or on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours. 2-Step Beefy Taco Joes Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 10 minutes Makes: 8 1 pound ground beef 1 can (10 3/4 oz) Campbell’s Condensed Tomato soup 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 8 Pepperidge Farm Sandwich rolls, any variety 1. Brown ground beef in skillet. Pour off fat. 2. Add soup and salsa. Heat through. Top with cheese. Serve on rolls. Mexican Four Cheese Potatoes au Gratin Prep: 10 minutes Bake: 50 minutes Stand: 10 minutes Makes: 6 1 jar (16 ounces) Pace Mexican Four Cheese salsa con Queso 3/4 cup Swanson Chicken broth 1/4 cup heavy cream OR half-and-half 3 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 3 cups) 1. Stir queso, broth and cream together in medium bowl. 2. Put HALF of potatoes in a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Pour HALF of queso mixture over potatoes. Repeat with remaining potatoes and queso mixture. 3. Bake at 350°F for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Let stand for 10 minutes. Mexi-Mac Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Makes: 4 1 pound ground beef www.henryparents.com
2-Step Beefy Taco Joes
1 cup Pace Picante sauce 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes, cut up 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn 3 cups cooked elbow pasta 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Sliced avocado Sour cream 1. Cook beef in skillet until browned. Pour off fat. 2. Add picante sauce, chili powder, tomatoes and corn. Heat to a boil. Cook over low heat 10 minutes. Add pasta. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and heat until cheese melts. Garnish with avocado and sour cream. Turn Up the Heat! Here are some more ideas from Pace Foods to help you put some zip into your favorite foods. Zesty Grilled Cheese Dip your grilled cheese sandwich into chunky salsa or picante sauce for a full-flavored, zingy kick. Fiesta Meat Loaf Use chunky salsa or picante sauce instead of tomato sauce or ketchup for a juicy, zesty meat loaf. Just before serving, top with more salsa. Soup Toppers Stir any delicious flavored salsa into your soup for a fresh new taste. Try it in black bean, tomato or vegetable soup. Fiesta Rice Tired of making the same old side dishes? To freshen up any meal, stir chunky salsa or picante sauce into your cooked rice for a lively side dish the whole family will love. Henry Local Parent Magazine
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[ MONEY & FINANCE ]
W
ith the volatile economy Americans are looking for ways to lower energy bills and extend natural resources now more than ever. Because petroleum is ingrained in our everyday lives — from transportation and tires to computers and every day goods such as diapers — many Americans are interested in options that will help reduce dependence on foreign oil as well. Here are a few helpful tips to lower energy bills and increase energy efficiency both at home and at the pump. Don’t Warm Up Your Car The best way to warm your vehicle is to drive it. Idling gets you zero miles to the gallon. More than 30 seconds of idling on cold days wastes fuel and increases emissions. Conduct Regular Car Maintenance Simple things such as properly inflated tires can improve gas mileage by about 3 percent. Replacing clogged air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. It also is important to use your car manufacturer’s recommended blend of motor oil. Using a different oil can decrease gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
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Fill Up With Ethanol Using gasoline with 10 percent ethanol is a key component to lowering high gas prices and stretching petroleum supplies. Experts recently noted that ethanol has lowered gas prices by 15 percent, saving drivers some $70 billion at the pump this year alone. The production of just one barrel of ethanol replaces 1.2 barrels of petroleum. In total, the use of ethanol in gas and E-85 will displace the equivalent of 52 large oil tankers filled with imported crude this year. The production of ethanol and the abundance of corn positions corn growers to lead America’s transition into a new era of energy based on alternatives to fossil and imported fuels. Check your owner’s manual to find out about ethanol usage. Hybrid or Flex Fuel Vehicles The interest in highly fuel efficient vehicles will not go away anytime soon. Save money at the gas pump and help the environment by investing in a hybrid or a vehicle that runs on E-85, an 85 percent ethanol blend. Buy Locally Grown Foods Support your local farmers by choosing local
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meat, milk and produce when possible to eliminate the costly transportation bill. Packaging, transportation, energy, advertising and profits account for 24 cents of the food dollar — energy costs have an even greater impact with high oil prices. Turn Your Home Off According to the United States Department of Energy, 75 percent of the electricity used in the average home is consumed while products are off. Unplug your appliances or use a power strip to cut off the electricity when you aren’t using it. Screen Savers Don’t Save Screen savers do not reduce the energy your computer uses. Instead, switch computers to sleep modes or simply turn off monitors to save energy. Set Your Thermostat at 68 For every degree you lower the thermostat in the 60 to 70 degree range, you’ll save 5 percent on your home’s heating costs. Set the temperature even lower at night to save an additional 5 to 20 percent.
Use Fluorescent Light Bulbs Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use 75 percent less energy than incandescent. Open the Shades Open the shades or blinds and let the sun shine in during the day to naturally heat your home. Don’t forget to close them at night to help insulate against the cold. Following these easy tips can help lower your energy bills and reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil sources.
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[ INSIDE HENRY COUNTY SCHOOLS ]
Henry County High’s Jamal-Rashad Patterson Wins Watkins Award!!! Jamal-Rashad Patterson Named 2009 Watkins Award Recipient Five Elite High School Football Players Lauded for Athletic and Scholastic Excellence at the 18th Annual Franklin D. Watkins Awards Held at the Millennium Biltmore Los Angeles (February 23, 2009) - The National Alliance of African American Athletes awarded Jamal-Rashad Patterson the 2009 Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Trophy Award on Saturday, February 21 at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles. The annual Watkins Award is the nation’s first and only award to recognize outstanding achievement in athletics, scholastics, and community service by African American male high school seniors. “Hard work beats talent where talent doesn’t work hard,” said Patterson. The 17-year-old who turned 18 on Monday, February 23, 2009 added, “I compare this win to a
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MVP recognition of a winning team.” Patterson’s GPA is 4.65. The dual athlete is a wide receiver and a 110/300-meter hurdler. He was named the 2008 First State Bank Track Athlete of the Year in Henry County.
Currently, 26 of 45 schools are over capacity. The System has almost 400 modular classrooms at 32 schools. Approximately 7,400 students are served in these classrooms outside the main building.
Henry County Taxpayers Vote March 17, 2009, On Bond Referendum
Ola Middle Reading Bowl Team Going to State!!!
At the December monthly meeting of the Henry County Board of Education, the Board unanimously approved a $265,500,000, 20-year general obligation bond referendum. Proposed projects for the referendum include building seven new schools, making improvements to existing buildings, purchasing buses, technology, and land, and making capital improvements, as well as supporting existing facilities. These projects would provide 386 classrooms in new buildings alone, while renovations to existing buildings would further increase classroom space. The last general obligation bond referendum, in 2004, was used to build Ola middle and high, Woodland elementary and high, as well as Bethlehem, Tussahaw, and Rock Spring elementary schools.
Ola Middle School’s Reading Bowl Team is among the top in the STATE! The road to this major accomplishment began much earlier in the school year. Students involved in the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl agreed to read twenty Georgia Book Award nominee books. Some of the team members have read each the books several times. Armed with buzzers, five team members face off against five team members from another middle school during a competition. There are ten rounds each with ten questions and the team with the most points is the winner.
Henry Local Parent Magazine
Taking first place in the Henry County Reading Bowl Competition, the Ola Middle School (OMS) Reading Bowl Team advanced to the Regional competition at Clayton College and State University. After placing second, www.henryparents.com
the OMS team earned a spot at the District competition. February 21, OMS won the title to move to the STATE COMPETITION. The competition will take place at the 40th Annual Conference on Children’s Literature at the University of Georgia in Athens Saturday, March 7, 2009. Ms. Kodak and Ms. Salmon, the club sponsors, are so pleased and proud of all of our team members. Ms. Kodak, a sixth grade Language Arts teacher at
Ola says the thing she likes most about the Reading Bowl competition team is that it celebrates mental abilities and brings students who like to read together. At the competitions, the students meet other students who are just as passionate about reading and winning as they are. Students who read become leaders who read. Go Mustangs!
February 7, 2009, at Clayton State University. At the end of the day, three of those teams took home honors. Congratulations to East Lake Elementary for taking first place in the Elementary School Division, Ola Middle for their second place win in the Middle School Division and Woodland High for their third place win in the High School Division.
Henry County Schools sent six teams to the Metro Georgia Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Saturday,
East Lake and Ola competed in the district competition Saturday, February 21, 2009, 8
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a.m., at Luella Elementary School. East Lake placed fourth while Ola Middle placed first giving them an opportunity for the State Championships to be held at the University of Georgia during the Children’s Literature Conference. Daniella Noronha Wins Henry County Schools Spelling Bee The 2009 Henry County Schools Spelling Bee, held at the Performing Arts Center January 30, 2009, brought some very impressive students into the spotlight. Winners were: First Place - Daniella Noronha, 5th grader, Hickory Flat Elementary Second Place - Darnell Vernon, 8th grader, Ola Middle Third Place - Daniella O’Garro, 8th grader, Austin Road Middle This is the 48th year the County Spelling Bee
has taken place with the competition of one student representative from each school. Thirty-nine schools sent a competitor who was in grades 4 - 8. Daniella Noronha will represent Henry County Schools at the Regional Spelling Competition in February. Congratulations to these students, and best wishes to Noronha as she competes at the next level. Five Students Represent Henry County Schools at State Social Studies Fair The East Metro Regional Social Studies Fair was held Saturday, February 7, 2009, at Pate’s Creek Elementary School. Judges selected 16 projects to represent the East Metro Region in the State Social Studies Fair. Of the 16 Best in Fair projects, five were Henry County students!
Poetry Recitation Winners: 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
The five students earning Best in Fair awards and proceeding to the State Competition, Saturday, March 21, 2009 are (they are listed by their name, school and teacher’s name): Mitchell S., Stockbridge Middle, Matt Isenberg Drake D., Woodland Middle, Sarah Lillevik Thomas M., Dutchtown Middle, Elizabeth Hilton Kristin S., Woodland Middle, Nancy Smith Kayla M., Union Grove High, Valarie Stansell Henry County Students Win Top Awards in Literacy Henry County students showed their talent at Griffin RESA’s Literacy Days Competition. Literacy Days is a regional competition among elementary and middle schools in the Griffin RESA region which consists of eight school sytems. Congratulations to the following students!
Top Awards Receipients 8th Grade Kara U. 3rd Grade Regan T. 7th Grade Daniel M. 4th Grade Luke A. 6th Grade Niyira W.
Union Grove Middle East Lake Elementary Luella Middle East Lake Elementary Woodland Middle
5th Grade Sarah B.
Flippen Elementary
Ms. Honeycutt’s 8th
Grade Luella Middle
Ready Writing Winners: 2nd Place Drama Winners: 1st Place 30
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Paris School of Gymnastics and Performing Art 770-474-6184 130 Andrew Drive Stockbridge, GA 30281
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Gymnastics staff/ coaches are USAG Professional Members and Safety Certified. Gym is equiped with official AAI Henry and SA equipment. Local Parent Magazine
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What’s right for adults isn’t right for kids.
Children are physically different. So they need pediatric specialists. When you bring your child to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, you can be certain that they will receive care that is 100% kid-focused. Our staff consists of dedicated specialists, such as radiologists with one or more additional years of pediatric training. And everything here is geared to meet the unique needs of kids of all ages, from pre-natal diagnosis, to repairing ACL tears in 17-year-olds. So the next time your doctor recommends a specialist, ask to see a pediatric specialist. For more information, visit us online at www.choa.org or call 404-250-KIDS. ©2007 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Some physicians and affiliated healthcare professionals who perform services at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta are independent providers and are not our employees.