Search Castle Rock Magazine August 2022 by Bret Tueller

*****ECRWSS*****

POSTAL CUSTOMER

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENVER, CO PERMIT 5377

WELCOMES YOU BACK

DCSD

CASTLE ROCK NO. 224

AUGUST 2022

The Most Advanced Technology in Colorado Offering parents and families a glimpse at their baby before the due date. Connect with your little one on a whole different level during an intimate ultrasound session with our experienced technicians.

More than just selling Insurance, we help provide Peace of Mind

333 Perry Street, Suite 205, Castle Rock • 720-328-3992 • www.imagingbaby.com • imagingbaby@gmail.com

When the dominos of life start to fall, proper insurance coverage can be the peace of mind that protects us from substantial hardship. Our passion, and our mission, is to help our clients achieve than peace ofjust mindselling through exceptional customer service, More Insurance, education and access to the appropriate insurance we help provide Peace of Mind coverage.

When the dominos of life start to fall, proper insurance coverage K&SbeInsurance itself from thesubstantial competition by Valuing can the peace ofseparates mind that protects us from PersonalOurRelationships revenue, Anticipating hardship. passion, and ourover mission, is to help our clients Customer Needs, achieve peace of the mindBest through exceptional customer available. service, and Offering Insurance Products education and access to the appropriate insurance coverage.

Matt Sanders

LICENSED INDEPENDENT AGENT

(303) 224-7793 matt@kandsinsure.com

FOUNDATIONAL K&S Insurance separatesRELATIONSHIPS itself from the competition by Valuing Matt Sanders More than providingover policies, we want to develop long-lasting LICENSED INDEPENDENT AGENT Personal Relationships revenue, Anticipating Customer Needs, relationships with the individuals and families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know and Offering the Best Insurance Products available. (303) 224-7793

More than just selling Insurance, we help provide Peace of Mind

us, you will trust us to give you honest and impartial insurance guidance. matt@kandsinsure.com FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS More than providing policies, we want to develop long-lasting relationships CONSULTATIVE with the individuals and ANTICIPATION families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know dominos ofchange life startand to fall, properpolicies insurance Asyou individuals families grow, insurance maycoverage us, will trust usand to When give youthe honest andneeds impartial insurance guidance.

canWebeproactively the peaceidentify of mindyour thatcoverage protectsgaps us from substantial need to be revised. through

hardship. Our passion, andreviews. our mission, is totohelp our clients CONSULTATIVE ANTICIPATION ongoing communication and periodic policy We strive make sure As individuals and families grow, peace needs change and insurance policies may achieve of mind through exceptional customer service, you always have coverage equal to the protection you need. need to be revised. We proactively identify your coverage gaps through education and access to the appropriate insurance coverage. ongoing communication: and periodic policy reviews. We strive to make sure : life : health HOME/RENTERS Auto/motorcycle : boat/rv you always have coverage equal to the protection you need. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Give me 10 minutes for

K&S Insurance separates the competition Valuing As an Independent Agency, we are able workitself withfrom the industry leaders toby offer a quoteMatt andSanders a FREE STRATEGIC ALLIANCES LICENSED INDEPENDENT AGENT Personal Relationships over revenue, Anticipating Customer Needs,forStarbucks Give me 10 minutes Gift Card :-) the best products and solutions that suit your needs and fit your budget. As an Independent Agency, we are able the work Best with the industry leaders to offer available. a quote and a FREE and Offering Insurance Products (303) Today! 224-7793 Starbucks Gift Card :-) Call Matt the best products and solutions that suit your needs and fit your budget.

protecting what matters most

Call Matt Today! FOUNDATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS More than providing policies, we want to develop long-lasting relationships with the individuals and families we serve. Our belief is that if you really know 5299DTC DTC Blvd, : Greenwood Village, CO 80111 : (303)insurance 224-7793 you will trust us toCO give you :honest and impartial guidance. 5299 Blvd, SuiteSuite 540us, :540 Greenwood Village, 80111 (303) 224-7793 LICENSED IN: IN: Colorado : Wyoming : Utah : Kansas : Montana : Texas :: Missouri : Iowa : Illinois : Maryland :: Iowa Florida: LICENSED Colorado : Wyoming : Utah: Nebraska : Kansas: Nevada : Nebraska : Nevada Montana : Texas : Missouri

2 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

Illinois : Maryland : Florida

CONSULTATIVE ANTICIPATION As individuals and families grow, needs change and insurance policies may need to be revised. We proactively identify your coverage gaps through ongoing communication and periodic policy reviews. We strive to make sure you always have coverage equal to the protection you need.

matt@kandsinsure.com

Self

A SelfSelf -Care -Car routine A Self -Care (and ac routine YOU’LL ENJOY A Self -Care A Self -Care

A A CASTLE ROCK | 303.663.3702 routine YOU’LLYOU’LL ENJOYE routine (and actually stick to) 323 METZLER DR. SUITE 105 CASTLE ROCK, CO, 80104 (and

actually stick

Elementsmassage.com/castle-rock

PROMENADE stick | 303.663.0162 (and actually to)

4991 FACTORY SHOPS BLVD. SUITE 120 CASTLE ROCK, CO, 80108

routine YOU’LL ENJOY

(and actually stick to)

Elementsmassage.com/castle-rock-promenade

LONE TREE | 720.770.8225 10008 COMMONS ST. SUITE 150

us about TREE, CO,Ask 80124 on monthly Ask us about onLONEmonthly the perks the of perks of Elementsmassage.com/lone-tree massages membership massages membership

SAVE $30 $30 SAVE SAVE $30 SAVE $30

ELEMENTS WELLNESS PROGRAM Ask us about ELEMENTS WELLNESS PROGRAM™ on monthly the perks of massages membership ™

AskEvery usmonth about ™ USE a massage CARRY OVER WHAT YOU DON’t extra massages for less on monthly ELEMENTS WELLNESS a massage Every monthPROGRAM CARRY OVER WHAT YOU DON’t USE extra massages for the perks of massages membership Ask

SAVE $30

ELEMENTS

on monthly massages

the mem

month-to-month membership share your membership Available where you are ™ month-to-month membership share your membership Available where you WELLNESS PROGRAM a massage Every month CARRY OVER WHAT YOU DON’t USE extra massages for less ©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Massage session includes ® and Elements Massage + design are Massage registered® studio trademarks owned by ETM. time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage ©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements is independently owned and operated. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

SAVE $30

on monthly massages

a massage Every month

month-to-month membership

month-to-month membership sharemassages your membership Available where you are CARRY OVER YOU DON’t USE extra for less Ask usWHAT about the perks of ELEMENTS WELLNESS PROGR membership ® ©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage studio isMassage, independentlyLLC owned and operated. session Massage® includes ©2020 Elements Therapeutic (“ETM”). EachMassage Elemenets time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

share your membership

studio is independently owned and operated. Restrictions may apply; see participating studios for pricing and other offer details. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

Available where you are

©2021 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage® and Elements Massage + design are registered trademarks owned by ETM.

ELEMENTS WELLNESS PROGRAM™

a massage Every month

CARRY OVER WHAT YOU DON’t USE

extra massages for less

month-to-month membership membership Frommonth-to-month protecting your life, share your membership to preparing for your future, let’s discuss options to meet your needs.

CARRY OVER WHAT YOU DON’t USE

share your membership

©2021are Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC (“ETM”). Each Elements Massage studio is independently owned and operate Available where you time for consultation and dressing. Elements Massage and Elements Massage + design are registered trademar ®

Marshall Ekhoff Financial Representative 10851 S Crossroads Dr Unit C7 Parker, CO 80134-8201 www.countryfinancial.com/marshall.ekhoff marshall.ekhoff@countryfinancial.com (303)841-3018

KURT&MAVERICKDEMARAIS COLORADO’S PREMIER WINDOW TINTING & CLEAR BRA COMPANY CALL US FOR A FREE ESTIMATE TODAY

Life insurance policies issued by COUNTRY Life Insurance Company® and COUNTRY Investors Life Assurance Company®, Bloomington, IL. 0621-110MM_07460-7/1/2022

303-501-7822 RIDEANDJOYTINT.COM 18800 E CLARKE RD. #104, PARKER AUGUST 2022 3

CONTENT ISSUE NO. 224 | AUGUST 2022

FEATURES EVOLUTION OF A STUDENT A student's journey is more than just reading and writing. We got some insights from people who have "been there before."

10 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL A little question and answer session to help aleviate the worries of starting anew.

| AROUND TOWN

| EDUCATION - Welcome From Superintendent Kane

14 | EDUCATION - So You Have A Senior 15 | EDUCATION - College: Healthy Eating 101 4 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

Tr e e CO

LO R A D O

TH AUROR OU

the

Ci t y CO

the

Etcetera

NE TREE LO

LO R A D O

CASTLE the ROCK Town PA R K E R

Search Castle C ORock isOpublished by LO R A D Tueller Publishing, LLC STLE ROCK CA

Rock

the

LO R A D O

IDEAS & SUBMISSIONS contribute@tuellers.com

Search Castle Rock ©2021 is published by Tueller Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without prior written permission is strictly prohibited. Search Castle Rock is mailed monthly to households and businesses in the greater Castle Rock area free of charge. Mail inquiries to Search Castle Rock 13009 S. Parker Road #120, Parker, CO 80134, or call 303-805-9455.

INSTANT SAVINGS

$250 OFF any vehicle purchase

Offer expires August 31, 2022. Not valid with any other offers or discounts.

milehighgolfcars.com 1.9% Financing Available

10311 S. Parkglenn Way • Parker, CO Phone: (303) 951-2131 • Fax: (303) 951-2149

$35 OFF

AUGUST 2022 5

AROUNDTOWN

Pedal The Moon Locals gathered to ride their bikes at night with glowing neon decorations that provided an exciting and exhilarating experience under the light of a full moon to Festival Park.

Avs Championship Parade

Metzler Family Open Space Goats

The 2022 Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche took over the streets of downtown Denver on June 30th to celebrate the team's third Stanley Cup Championship. Estimates say half a million people were downtown for the event.

The Town contracted with Goat Green to provide about 800 goats for approximately 19 days in July. The goats, working in a temporarily fenced-in area, can mow down about one acre per day. There is no public viewing access at their location.

The Giving Cookie

Raptors Over the Rock

After years of raising money, and thousands of delicious cookies delivered, The Giving Cookie reached their goal and now have enough money to build a school in the country of Mali. Thank you to the community for your support!

The Town invited people to see and learn about raptors and other birds of flight that occupy the area. many stayed after the presentation for a meet and greet with the animal ambassadors.

JOIN OUR SOCIAL CIRCLE 6 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

@castlerockmag castlerockmagazine.com facebook.com/castlerockmagazine

AUGUST 2022 7

Welcome to the 2022-2023 School Year! By Erin Kane, Superintendent, Douglas County School District

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year! We are incredibly excited to have our students (all 64,000 of them!) back in the classroom engaged in learning and taking part in the many activities and milestone events that our school district has to offer across our 89 schools. Here in the Douglas County School District (DCSD), we have much to celebrate. We have one of the highest graduation rates in the Denver metro area at 90.7%. The Class of 2021 earned more than $116 million in scholarships and our students and parents saved nearly $3.7 million in college expenses through DCSD’s concurrent enrollment partnerships in the 2021-2022 school year. What Do We Want for Our Students? • Destination District: Continue to make DCSD an amazing place to work and go to school. • College, Career and Service Pathways: Bright futures for students and a career pipeline for our local industry. • Excellent Schools: Continue to make each DCSD school a point of pride in our community. How Do We Get There? • Competitive Pay for Teachers and Staff There is more competition than ever for teachers and staff. DCSD needs to be able to provide pay that is more competitive with other school districts. • Safe, Efficient, Quality Learning Environments Updating and repairing school buildings to continue providing safe, efficient, quality learning environments for students and staff. • New Neighborhood Schools Constructing new neighborhood elementary schools and creating additions to existing neighborhood middle schools to reduce crowding in existing schools and to accommodate growth.

8 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

How Are Schools Funded? Each school district has a “bucket” of dollars that is made up of state and local revenue. The size of the bucket for each district is fixed annually by the state legislature. The bucket is first filled with local dollars, then the state fills in the rest to the top of the bucket. Therefore, during prosperous times when there are more local dollars, the bucket gets filled with more local revenue and less state revenue - overall funding does not increase. So how do schools increase the size of their bucket? The law allows each school district to increase funding up to 25% through a locally-approved Mill Levy Override (MLO). MLOs generally provide additional ongoing revenue which can be used for ongoing operational expenses such as paying salaries and providing student programming. Additionally, the law intends for all capital funding (to build new schools as well as to upgrade and maintain current schools) to come from a locallyapproved Bond initiative. In 2018, the amazing residents of Douglas County voted yes to pass an MLO and a Bond measure. We used the additional MLO funding to add counselors to each of our schools and to close internal pay gaps and to raise starting salaries. The Bond enabled us to catch up on critical maintenance in our buildings that had been put off for far too long. DCSD’s current MLO increases our funding by 12%. However, through years of successful initiatives, nearby districts have increased their funding by closer to 25%, which has led to significant challenges for our school district when it comes to competitive pay for our amazing teachers and staff. Cherry Creek School District, for example, receives 25% additional funding through their MLO, so their average teacher salary is about $18,000 higher than in DCSD. While our teachers are incredibly dedicated and passionate, it is very difficult to ignore a significantly higher paycheck a few miles away. So how much would a potential bond and MLO cost Douglas County taxpayers? A $60 million MLO and a $45 million Bond would cost taxpayers $1 per week for every $100,000 in home value. This would allow us to increase pay (the MLO would move us from 12% to 19%), to build three new neighborhood schools and expand middle schools to accommodate growth, and to continue to invest in our existing buildings. DCSD will need to address these ongoing funding challenges to ensure that each and every one of our students continue to have access to the best possible public education within safe and comfortable learning environments. Learn more about this and how you can help by visiting www. dcsdk12.org/funding. We look forward to partnering with our amazing community to provide the absolute best education to our 64,000 students in the new school year! Erin Kane, Superintendent Douglas County School District

AUGUST 2022 9

First Day of School Advice for Parents, from Parents and Teachers

f you have little ones, chances are you’ve seen the movie “Finding Nemo” dozens of times. You’ll recall that scene early on, when Marlin is terrified of sending Nemo off to school for the first time. He’s overly cautious, dubious of new experiences and terrified that something will happen to Nemo. Later in the movie, Dory puts things in perspective by telling Marlin, “Well, you can't never let anything happen to him. Then nothing would ever happen to him.” Letting go of some of those fears and embracing the amazing things that are to come for your little one starting school is just part of growing up… for us parents! Perhaps you have some of the same concerns our readers shared with us: “I am worried about the longer day. Preschool was only 2 1/2 hours; kindergarten is a full day. I am worried that I won’t have her ready. Will she know her letters and numbers before she goes? I don’t want her to be behind.” The longer day can be a little difficult to adjust to for kids at the start of the year, but it’s a quick adjustment. Making sure they are getting to bed and getting enough sleep each night is paramount; establishing a routine will help in all aspects of bedtime and getting up and ready for their day. Kindergartners come from all different experiences. Some have been in full day preschool/child care, some come from a part time Pre-K experience and others may not have experienced any kind of school environment yet. If you do have major social or academic concerns at the start of the year, the best thing to do is schedule a time to speak to your child’s teacher. “I was worried about her riding the bus and that she wouldn’t find her way to class initially. As time went on, I worried about how others would treat her; she is so sweet and sensitive. Was she safe at school?”

10 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

The bus can be a big deal for kids. It’s daunting and super exciting, all at the same time. If you’re worried about them getting on and off at the right spot don’t be afraid to talk to the bus driver, they can always give your kiddo a little extra TLC until they get the hang of it. Also, see if there’s an older kid at their stop that can buddy up with them until they (and you) are a little more confident. As far as peer relationships go, that’s something we have very little control over, other than to prepare your child, as best you can, for interacting with others. Trust that your little one will meet lots of kids they enjoy spending time with in and out of school. School safety is paramount. Yes, teachers are there to educate their students, but their safety and well being are top priority. If parents have specific concerns about safety, they shouldn’t hesitate to talk to the school staff about their policy and procedures so you are fully advised on everything they do to keep students, staff and visitors safe at school. “My middle child will be going into 1st. He has anxiety (like we see a doctor kind of anxiety). Kindergarten was an amazing year for him. He loves school, his teacher and friends. He grew amazingly in both social and academic areas. I’m worried about this year. I’m worried that he’s not going to be as comfortable and is going to hate school. He shuts down completely once his anxiety kicks in.” Kids feed off of parent anxiety and vice versa, so the more parents can speak definitively and be matter-of-fact, the better. Remind your child what he’s accomplished so far and always take the time to celebrate the little successes. Maybe go outside and blow bubbles while talking about things causing any anxiety to reinforce deep breathing. Also, it’s important to engage kids in anything having to do with numbers. Try counting in patterns or do simple fun math games. It’s

proven that your brain can’t be anxious at the same time it’s engaged in activities that demand left brain function. Another good idea is to set some fun dates (outings, movies, etc.) to look forward to that he can focus on when he needs a happy place. “My oldest is going into 3rd. She is academically advanced (she is working on a 6th grade level). I’m worried about keeping her engaged and challenged.” Wow! That’s amazing. On the one hand, a skilled teacher will recognize and challenge her. On the other hand, there truly is only so much a teacher can do given the 20+ other kids in the class. Be sure to talk with her teacher and the administration to make sure she is getting the interventions needed throughout the year. Also, maybe see about other enrichment activities they may offer after school like robotics or chess to peak her interest. Find activities, not necessarily all focused on the academic, that challenge her and engage her at home. “And then my youngest... heaven help his teachers. He starts Pre-K this year. He is academically and socially ready but he is a handful. I worry about him because he is a social butterfly. I don’t want him getting in trouble and then deciding that he hates school. But on the other hand, I also don’t want him to charm his way out of trouble. It’s a Catch 22.” Pre-K teachers are a very special breed. Their patience and creativity seems to be limitless, and many days that is a good thing! So much of Pre-K and even Kindergarten is learning how to be a little human. The social and emotional growth children gain build confidence and demonstrate a readiness to learn. Every child who comes to Pre-K has that same lack of school day experience, but those teachers can work magic. Give ‘em a week and watch what happens.

SUMMER LOVIN’ 20% OFF new clients first wax

Call to book 303-841-2807 waxingthecity.com 17051 Lincoln Avenue Parker, CO 80134 Next to King Soopers

Soak your troubles away

• Spas • Chemicals • Filters • Billiards • Traeger Pellets • BBQ Accessories • Bull Grills

Locally Owned and Operated

303-841-7646 | www.spasofparker.com | spasofparkerco@gmail.com 19555 E Parker Square Drive/Ste 103. Parker, CO 80134. Behind NATURAL GROCERS AUGUST 2022 11

EVOLUTION of a STUDENT Tips for Success & Survival at Every Stage of School

Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd

Now that your little one is a “Big Kid” they need to start doing big kid things! Teachers of little ones suggest parents help by making sure kiddos: know their full name, address, and mom/dad’s phone number; can write their name with a capital beginning and the rest lowercase; can tie their shoes or wear Velcro until they are able; can open their own lunch and snack; can put on and zip/snap their own jackets and backpacks. “For parents with children entering elementary, it may be hard to let your little one do more for themselves, but by giving them some control over some things it will allow them to learn/fail/succeed in a safe environment (home/ classroom). Being in charge of their learning is extremely important and that should be the end goal. Each year students should take on another piece of control in their learning. In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important for students to advocate for themselves (mainly due to technology interaction with peers) and they should learn to advocate both for their learning and in social situations. A true gem in my book is setting a goal, for any age, to start the year. This can be started as early as kindergarten. If a child is struggling with behavior, setting a goal to have positive days at school can have great outcomes in the future.” – 2nd grade teacher “Try your best. Work hard. Pay attention to your teacher. Kindergarten is so much fun. You get to learn in a fun way.” – 2nd grade student

3rd, 4th, and 5th

Make sure students have their multiplication and division facts memorized as they head into higher level math and problem solving. It makes a SIGNIFICANT difference! Foster a genuine love of reading. Encourage (don’t force) kids to read chapter books (no matter how short or silly). Take an interest in what your child is reading. Take them to the library or book store, read chapter books aloud to/with your kids, and model a love of reading as an adult. “My advice for parents is to: 1. Let go a little. A fourth grader has never died (that I know of) from forgetting a homework assignment or a lunchbox. Sure that pang in their hearts when they realize they forgot something is a shocker, but if kids are constantly saved from making even the tiniest of mistakes, they will grow up thinking they are no good unless they’re perfect. 2. Fourth grade teachers slowly push kids to do more themselves and take responsibility for their own learning. It’s the switch from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Encourage your child to think for themself, ask questions, and seek answers.” – 4th grade teacher “Be confident. You might mess up, but you can learn from your mistakes.” – 4th grader 12 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

Middle School

Middle school is an essential transition that allows students to create good study and time management habits, add to background knowledge and understanding, and continue to evolve and grow socially. Students start to have some choices about classes they take and begin to explore their interests. They also continue to learn about themselves and how they best learn and interact with peers and teachers. This growth will go a long way to prepare them for high school and beyond, as they continue to master these skills. This is also an ideal time for parents to practice a gradual release of responsibility to their students. As students move through middle school, parents should encourage students to take the lead and become independent in preparation for high school. Stay involved. Never stop asking about their day, their struggles, their successes, and how they are working towards their goals. It’s the everyday conversations and time that make the most enduring impact for kids. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t understand. If you need to clarify something or don’t understand; ask the question. It saves a lot of frustration and confusion. If you are too nervous to ask in class, hang back a few minutes after class to talk to the teacher. They’d rather you understand than leave not knowing what to do.” – 9th grader

High School

Organizational skills are key. Use an online calendar, an app, or a planner (like the ones used all through elementary and middle school) to stay organized and on top of deadlines. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments. High school students are often busy with sports, clubs, jobs and other things, so finding a system that works and utilizing time management is imperative and sets you up for success after graduation. Be accountable for your work and advocate for yourself. In college or the workforce you will be expected to, so start now. It’s important for parents to stay involved, but it’s critical that students take the lead. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Go in and talk to your teachers, get the answers you need to understand. Everyone will tell you this, and it’s true, high school really does fly by, so enjoy each year, every assembly, sporting event, dance other special activities.” – 12th grader

T parker

lorad o

tueller p u b l i s h i n g

Tr e e

ththee

CO C OL O R A D OO LO R A D

TH AURO OUUTH AURORR O

Ci t y AA

ththee

CO C OL O R A D OO LO R A D

Town RTroecke PA RRKKEER R PA

ththee

CO C OL O R A D OO LO R A D

STLLEERROCK T E TRO CAAOSN EECK CL

ththee

CO L RADO CCO O LO O DO ORRAAD LO

TH AUROR OU

the

Ci t y

NE TR LO NE TREEE E LO

LO R A D O

Town Rock PA R K E R

the

LO R A D O

STLE ROCK CA

the

AUGUST 2022 13

LO R A D O

So You Have A Senior ... Senior year is filled with numerous celebrations, but there are also numerous deadlines. Keep track of these deadlines to stay ahead of the curve.

Senior Year Checklist o Book senior photos. They are usually due in the first semester, so having them done before school starts or soon after the start of the year is a good idea. o If your senior doesn’t already have an idea of the colleges they want to apply to, start looking. Take the opportunity to visit and tour schools. Chances are multiple colleges will be appealing, so the sooner they start looking, the sooner they’ll be able to research their choices and narrow down the list for applications.

o Check on their grades repeatedly; graduation eligibility hinges on grades and failing grades would prohibit them from graduating with the rest of their class.

What Seniors Should Know

Advice to Seniors, from a College Freshman •

Senior Year IS NOT the easiest year. If anything, you should push harder senior year to finish out strong.

•

College applications require transcripts. They also require a final transcript to be sent at the end of the year. Senior year grades are taken into serious consideration, so make sure to stay on top of school senior year!

o Have your senior check class credit requirements as soon as school starts; they should already be set, but it doesn’t hurt to double check. Don't get to the end of the year and find out they can't graduate because they missed a credit somewhere!

•

Grades are important, however, make sure to enjoy your senior year. Don’t miss out on things like senior sunrise/sunset, senior assemblies, etc. These special events will make it a lot of fun finishing out your last year of high school!

o Most schools require at least 20 hours of community service as a graduation requirement. Check how many hours they’ve completed. Ideally, they should try to complete their remaining hours first semester so they can focus on college applications and other requirements for the remainder of the year.

•

Take advantage of the resources available to you. People like counselors and English teachers can answer questions about credits, community service hours, and college/scholarship applications or essays. And don't forget about google when you need help on those essays!

o College applications open as early as September; the sooner they apply the better! o Have your senior start looking for scholarships. It is never too early to start applying. Applying for scholarships can continue throughout senior year and even into summer.

14 SEARCHCASTLEROCK

If you are heading off to college soon you may want to take note of these nutrition tips. Listed are ideas for eating healthy in the cafeteria and in your dorm room. These points should help make healthy eating easier.

COLLEGE: Healthy Eating 101

Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Just the sight of it will remind you to drink more water. Drink water with every meal.

eep a well-stocked fruit basket on a table in your K dorm room.

Stock a small refrigerator with vegetables, yogurt, whole grain bread, applesauce, snap peas and nuts.

Don’t skip breakfast, but go ahead and skip some breakfast foods! Look for whole grain breads, oatmeal, fruit, fruit salad and granola. Skip the bacon, sausage, and greasy eggs.

Occassionally substitute that cheeseburger and fries with a bean burrito, tuna wrap or chicken sandwich.

Try fresh fruit, fruit salads, and fruit toppings when you want something sweet.

Load up on fresh veggies at the salad bar as often as you can. Go for the nonfat dressing and limit cheese, bacon bits and croutons.

Whenever possible choose 100% whole grain breads, tortillas, pastas and cereals.

Limit juice to a small glass with breakfast. Orange and grapefruit juice are high in vitamin C.

10. Don’t drink soda, it’s not a real food and does nothing for you nutritionally. 11. Avoid breaded and fried foods. Breaded foods are loaded with fat from cooking oils. 12. Be choosy at dinnertime; remember you don’t have to try everything. You’ll have another chance! 13. Ask for grilled veggies or soup in place of fries. 14. Stay away from vending machines. 15. If you stay up late you are bound to get hungry. Instead of ordering a late night pizza, try having some fruit and a granola bar instead. 16. Enjoy your baked potato or sweet potato with a small amount of cottage cheese or plain yogurt instead of loading it with butter, sour cream and bacon bits. 17. Frequently enjoy vegetable consumption of creamy soups.

soups

and

limit

18. Enjoy salsa on your sandwich instead of mayonnaise. Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and peppers are also great additions. 19. Eat beans! Beans with rice, in burritos, in soups, chili and hummus. Beans are a great low-fat source of protein and keep you full for longer. 20. Have nuts on hand when you need a quick snack inbetween classes. Go for the unsalted raw kind found at a health food store in the refrigerated section. 21. Allow yourself 2-3 reasonable treats per week so you don’t feel deprived. AUGUST 2022 15

Be Unexpected

71% of readers confirm purchasing products or services seen in Search Castle Rock Join our community and let Search Castle Rock connect you with our 120,000 monthly readers. Tueller Publishing • bret@tuellers.com • 303-805-9455