Family Focus 2017

T1 Saturday, April 22, 2017

family

Family Focus

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

2017

FOCUS Special supplement to the  Morris Sun Tribune  Hancock Record  Chokio Review

T2 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Family Focus

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

Julia’s Place is adult foster, day service home

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Submitted photoa Photo above left, Julia Conroy offers adult foster and care services int Hancock. Photo by Rae Yost/Morris Sun Tribune. Photo at left, the livinge room of the main floor of Conroy’s home. Photo above, the dining areap on the main floor. n

than three years ago.

The licensing process is thorough, Conroy said.

The process includes rigorous background checks of her and her husband.

“We all had to complete

a family survey,” Conroy said. “It was 10 pages long with questions about our relationship dynamics, our views politically, religious, how we raise our children…”

The Conroys were

also asked about they handle stress, how they handle anger and other questions.

The extensive check is necessary because the individual in respite care or permanent care is in

the Conroy home. And the care involves the family.

“My daughter is an angel. She knows mom takes care of grandpas and grandmas,” Conroy said. “The boy takes a

little convincing. He’sM just not sure why peoplei are here.”

The Conroys now share their home with one locals man who is in a stage ofp $ c JULIA’S Page T11

r f

Dr. Kevin Williamson, D.D.S.

Dr. Jeffrey A. Hauger, D.D.S.

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• Fun & Welcoming Environment • Compassionate Comprehensive Care for the Whole Family

2 East 5th St. - Morris, MN

www.dentaldepotmorris.com

dentaldepot@hometownsolutions.net

320-589-4481 Like us on Facebook!

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Rae Yost Morris Sun Tribune The one level ranch home looks as if it could be on any street in a town on Stevens County, yet it’s very different.

Julia Conroy’s home in Hancock is place to provide long-term foster care for adults or adult day services/respite care for adults.

Conroy and her home are licensed to care for adults for the day or to live permanently with her and her family. Her service is called Julia’s Place.

Conroy had worked as a certified nursing assistant and music therapist for 19 years at long-term care facilities in Minneapolis, St. Cloud and Morris.

Conroy moved to Hancock, married and started to raise a family.

“I was raising kids. I was a stay at home mom.

As the kids got into school, I thought ‘Now what?” Conroy said.

She knew of the need of alternatives to nursing homes and assisted living. She believed there was a need in the area for respite care and long term care for adults.

Adult foster care, respite care and in home residence living are common in the Twin Cities area, Conroy said.

“Out here, it’s new,” Conroy said.

While Conroy wanted to start the service in Hancock, she needed her husband Josh Bretz and her children Matthew, now 4, and Margaret, now 7, to agree. The children were younger when she started the licensing process more

Family Focus

Chokio Review

Thursday, April 27, 2017 T3

GOOD TIMES

Lots of fun ways for families to spend time in the area

Rae Yost Morris Sun Tribune Ride a bike, climb into an observation tower, learn about flowers or camp out. Those are just some of the options for recreation this spring through fall in Stevens and nearby counties for families.

Many of the ways to have fun these seasons are free or of minimal costs.

Cities in Stevens County all have parks with picnic tables and playground equipment. A picnic in the park is one way to spend a nice afternoon or evening.

Visitors in Hancock or Morris may want to camp in West Side Park.

City clerk Jodi Bedel said the city charges $15 per night for campers and $5 for tents at the three camping sites.

“There is no reservations, it’s on a first-come, first-serve

basis,” Bedel said. The park does have disposal station but there is no water or showers. There will be portable restroom at the park.

Pomme de Terre Park in Morris has 28 shady camping sites with electricity, plus many tent campsites.

The campground has 10 sites with 50 amp service and 18 sites with 30 amp service.

The rate is $20 a night with electricity and $15 without it. There are no reservations.

Pomme de Terre also has a hiking/bicycle trail. The trail starts or ends at Pomme de Terre depending on where the bike ride or hike starts.

The trail follows the Pomme de Terre River and a leg passes the scenic overlook at the top of the hill in the West Central Research and Experiment Station property.

Ride up the hill or walk

it to see the overlook and the nearby WCROC horticulture garden and children’s garden.

Feel the plants

“There are things to taste, things to smell... they can feel a lamb’s ear,” Esther Jordan said of the sensory garden in the WCROC children’s garden.

The garden is at the WCROC horticulture display on Minnesota State Highway 329, about one mile east of the University of Minnesota, Morris campus.

The sensory garden invites children and other visitors to feel, smell, taste and even hear the sound of a variety of plants. “Some smells aren’t detected until you rub the leaves,” Jordan said. Like with a limescented geranium.

The children’s garden also features a hops covered tipi and three

Top photo, the wetlands area near Morris. Photo by Brooke Kern/Morris Sun Tribune.

Photo above, kids play in the children’s garden at the West Central Outreach and Research Center gardens. Photo submitted. backpacks that include self-guided activities using the garden. It’s next to the WCROC’s acclaimed horticulture.

Jordan said the gardens are great places to learn about plants and flowers as well as watch birds, take a walk, ride a bike, read a book or have a picnic.

For more information, visit the WCROC website.

Waterfowl at the wetlands

The ducks may be quacking or the redwinged blackbird may be chirping at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife wetlands protection area at 43875 230th St, about four miles east of Morris.

The wetlands features a hiking trail that includes benches and several other stops.

“We have an observation deck that overlooks a wetland, a photo blind…,” said Mead Klavetter of the wetlands district office.

Klavetter said the park provides opportunities to see ducks, geese and birds as well as wildflowers and oak trees.

There are pheasants

FUN Page T11

Open to 3-5 Years Old Preschool Learning in a Christian Environment

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Zion Lutheran Church 315 South Columbia Ave. Morris, MN 320-585-5067

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T4 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Family Focus

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

Tutors work with readers in Morris Area Pre-k

This year, the Minnesota Reading Corps has more than 1,200 tutors serving 30,000 students in elementary and preschools across twelve states and the District of Columbia—including two positions in the Morris Area Pre-kindergarten program. Angie Fehr and Camille Everett are the two Pre-kindergarten Reading Corps literacy tutors at Morris Area Schools.

Students who are not reading proficiently by third grade are four times more likely than proficient readers to drop out of high school.

The Minnesota Reading Corps was founded more than 12 years ago to combat this statistic, starting from the moment a child enters preschool.

Pre-Kindergarten literacy tutors work embedded in the classroom, which means children receive intentional literacy instruction during their hours in our classes. This instructions is done through a variety of games, songs, stories, weekly journal entries, and a Talk, Read, and Write with Me bag sent

Submitted photo

Angie Fehr with Abram Suess and Brinley Perkins in the Reading Corps program. home to encourage family engagement.

Our tutors also provide daily, one-on-one interventions with struggling students to make sure

they have the skills they need to stay on track for learning how to read in Kindergarten. The Big Five pre-reading skills needed are: vocabulary,

rhyming, alliteration, letter names, and letter sounds.

One of the most valuable strategies is called a “Repeated Read Aloud.”

Reading the same book multiple times has been proven to increase a child’s usage of words by up to 90 percent versus a one-time reading with only 10 percent word usage.

The four and five year old class did a Repeated Read Aloud of Angela Dominquez’s “How Do You Say? Como se Dice?” over the course of two weeks. Rich vocabulary in not only English but also in Spanish are reviewed on cards containing the words, definitions and pictures. Since this book is short and has only one word on each page the children quickly caught on. By day two of reading the book, the children were saying the Spanish word for the English word that I just said. It is incredible how excited they still get about a book we have already read many times before.

Our repeated readings of this story resulted in a deeper connection to Spanish vocabulary, it also resulted in our Spanish speaking students advancing in their English vocabulary.

Morris Area School wants to record all kids for census Diane Strobel Morris Area Community Education The Morris Area school census is a list of students from birth to school age. It is used to inform parents about opportunities that their child needs to be ready to enter school when they turn five years of age. Notifications for events and programs such as early childhood screening, pre-kindergarten opportunities, special events, family nights, kindergarten registration, etc. will be mailed to families based on the census data.

If you have just had a new baby, recently moved into the Morris Area school district, have recently changed your address, or want to make sure your children are on the birth to 5 census, please contact Diane Strobel by calling 5852237 or e-mail her at dstrobel@morris.k12. mn.us with updates to ensure you receive the necessary information!

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During Week of the Young Child™, April 24-28, 2017, these organizations applaud family members’ role as young children’s first and most important teachers.

Morris Area Child Care Center 1001½ Scotts Ave., Morris (320) 589-7948 morrisareachildcarecenter.org

Elbow Lake Dental Center, Inc. 18 W Division, Elbow Lake (218) 685-4710 elbowlakedental.com

Federated Telephone 508 Atlantic Ave., Morris (320) 585-4875 aciracoop.net

Stevens Community Medical Center 400 East 1st St., Morris (320) 589-1313 • scmcinc.org

Thrifty White Pharmacy 3 Hwy 28 East, Morris (320) 589-4550 thriftywhite.com

Pedersen Funeral Home 101 South Atlantic Ave., Morris (320) 589-3220 pedersenfh.com

University of Minnesota, Morris 600 East 4th St., Morris (320) 589-6035 morris.umn.edu

Midwest Family Eye Care 512 Atlantic Ave., Morris (320) 589-1300

Morris Sun Tribune 607 Pacific Ave., Morris (320) 589-2525 morrissuntribune.com

Morris Area Schools 201 S Columbia Ave., Morris (320) 589-4840 morris.k12.mn.us

McGinnis Appliance Heating & Cooling 601 Atlantic Ave., Morris (320) 589-3933 mcginnisappliance.com

Mohr Plumbing & Heating 46400 Hwy 28 East, Morris (320) 589-1006 mohrplumbing.com

Dental Depot 2 East 5th St., Morris (320) 589-4481 dentaldepotmorris.com

The Week of the Young Child™ is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

NAEYC first established the Week of the Young Child™ in 1971 to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Family Focus

Chokio Review

Thursday, April 27, 2017 T5

Mentoring program makes progress with kids

By Andrea Dosdall, Executive Director RUSC Kinship Mentoring Back in 2013, when Jeanne Ennen, our board president, began this journey to establish a youth mentoring program in our community, it was intended as a means for community members to support our existing family and youth organizations. As we continue to see an increased demand for services in the county RUSC Kinship Mentoring wants to be a resource for families in our community.

Our program can be thought of as a hub in our community that connects families seeking support for their children with community members who have the time and experience to share with a young person. It is our role to support our neighbors in their mentoring journey and to guarantee every family in our community has the opportunity to feel connected and supported.

In January RUSC Kinship Mentoring celebrated one year as an active youth mentoring program. We have seen remarkable growth within our organization,

Submitted photos

Top photo Participants in the hotdish fundraiser event that raised money for RUSC Kinship. Photo at left and above: Mentors with their mentees. as well as the young people we serve. We have celebrated the one year match anniversary of four of our mentoring matches so far this year.

We asked the parents of those children who completed their first year in the program to reflect on their child’s growth over the past year.

All of the parents asked indicated that their child: Has enjoyed their time with their

mentors; Seems happier and less angry; Gets along better with peers; Works harder on homework; Has better school attendance; Does better in school; Has a better attitude about school; Feels better about him/ herself.

In the past year our volunteer mentors have invested over 500 hours with the kids in our community through our program.

We have sponsored nine youth-focused community events. We have trained 32 mentors and matched 23 young people with mentors. A mentoring program is never intended to replace a quality family or invested parental figures. The work that we do to support families creates a village of positive, caring adults who believe in the young people in our community enough

to invest in them, and to provide opportunities for them to thrive.

We continue to invite the community to join us in our mission to provide mentoring opportunities to the children, youth and

families in our community. As we have stated since the start, it takes a pool of both adult volunteer mentors and youth participants to make quality mentoring matches which is why we have an open enrollment period for both mentors and mentees. We are intentional to make matches with the greatest potential to last based on interests, experiences, and preferences.

Adults interested in becoming mentors, volunteering, or making a donation can find more information and our volunteer application at www.rusckinship.org.

Families with children between the ages 5 to 17 in the Stevens County area interested in having their child matched with a mentor can complete an enrollment form at www.rusckinship.org or by contacting our office located at 215 Atlantic Ave Morris, MN 56267 by phone at 320-5857872 or email at rusckinship@gmail.com.

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GET A NEW FRESH LOOK FOR SPRING! 674 7th Street in Hancock COME TAKE A LOOK!

ENJOY REFRESHMENTS SEE DELLA’S NEW COLLECTION Della Conroy Studio 674 7th St., Hancock, MN May 5th • 11AM - 7PM | May 6th • 9AM - 1PM Sponsored by Stevens County Child Protection Team.

For more info call 585-2237.

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dellaconroy.com 320-287-1414

Family Focus

T6 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

File photos / Morris Sun Tribune

Kids listen and clap during one of the many programs presented at the Morris Public Library in 2016.

Morris library to celebrate children’s book week

Children’s Book Week will be celebrated at the Morris Public Library May 1 -7.

We will be featuring Laura Numeroff’s Mouse character and books.

We invite children and parents to join us for a fun family event from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 2. There will be continuous story time in the meeting room, pictures with Mouse, crafts, face painting and milk and cookies for a bedtime snack.

There will be a drawing for a Laura Numeroff book to given away that evening. Mouse will also be present for our regular 10:30 a.m. storytime on Thursday, May 4. There is no cost to attend any of these events which are sponsored by the library, Morris Friends of the Public library, Stevens County American Dairy Association, Stevens

Photos by Brooke Kern/ Morris Sun Tribune

Above, a petting zoo was one of the activities at the library in 2016. Below, kids listen to a program at the library in the summer of 2016.

Summer reading includes art, books, music The Morris Public Library urges families to get ready, get set, go to the library and sign up for “Reading by Design!” The Morris Public Library launches its Reading

by Design summer reading program on June 5. During the next two months, the library will host a range of free activities for youth to encourage and support a love of reading. Participants can win prizes for reaching their reading goals.

Story time, Book clubs, Family Fun Nights and Movie Matinees return this summer along with some new events.

We kick off the summer with the CLIMB theater’s performance of “The Ant

and the Grasshopper” at 4 p.m.

June 13.

Join us on June 27 for “Ralph’s World” musical performance and on July 13 we welcome “Dazzling Dave the Yo-Yo Master.”

Our final special entertainment will feature magician”Brodini” on July 20. ‘Ralph’s World,” “Dazzing Dave” and “Brodini” are sponsored by the Morris Public Library, Viking Library System and funded in part or in whole with money from the Minnesota’s Art and Cultural Heritage fund.

For more information call the library at 320 589-1634 or visit our website, www.morris.lib.mn.us. All programs are free of charge.

A musical performance at the library. and the Morris Women of Today.

Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. It is the national celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.

In conjunction with the

Teen Choice book Awards are presented. This is the only national book awards program where the winning titles are selected by children and teens. Last year, over 1,000,000 votes were cast by young readers. Visit www.reading.org/choices for book lists from the past several years. For more information contact the library at 320 589-1634 or visit our website, www.morris.lib. mn.us.

PRAIRIE HOMES REALTY 320-589-2159 I www.phrhomes.com

Group Rates $10 • Fill the bus!

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FORMERLY

To enhance the health and well being of all who live, learn, work and play in the five county Horizon Community.

320-589-1000

Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-10 p.m. • Saturday Noon-4 p.m. • Sunday 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

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Morris TransiT

Family Focus

Chokio Review

Thursday, April 27, 2017 T7

Submitted photos

Here are some scenes of kids playing in OLE, or the Outdoor Learning Environment at Morris Area Elementary School. OLE features a variety of outdoor play equipment and sensory experiences

Community makes OLE a reality Tony Reimers

Morris Area Community Education In the Winter 2016 edition of the International Journal of Early Education, I found a fantastic piece of research on Outdoor Explorations with Preschoolers. With the recent opening of our Outdoor Learning Environment (OLE), I was immediately drawn to this article.

There is no challenge in finding research showing that children’s direct experiences with nature have decreased dramatically, and today’s children are growing increasingly isolated from the natural environment and increasingly dependent on technology. Many researches would also argue that this trend is associated with negative outcomes for children’s psychological and physical well-being. We are also learning how it is problematic if children spend time learning about rainforests but do not

learn about and care for their own backyards.

Early learners in the Morris Area Community Education School Readiness programs are given unstructured and structured opportunities for play in OLE. These opportunities arouse their curiosity, ignite their imaginations, and expose them to their very own backyard at school. Think about that water puddle in the sand. One child may splash in the puddle while another may just hop over it. These experiences help children to develop motor skills and coordination, creativity, and imaginative play. They also give children multiple opportunities to engage with other early learners. Through their experiences in OLE, early learners not only learn to enjoy their time outdoors but also prepare for creative and informed participation in a community.

Early education teachers play a

huge role in the OLE experience as well. Rather than having all the answers, our teachers work extremely hard to have all the right questions.

Why do we have water puddles today?

Where were they yesterday? Why is our grass so green today? Why was it so brown last week? Can you stack that big log on that little log? Why did you put a circle in your sandpie? These are examples of authentic questions that create an exciting environment for today and a passion for lifelong learning.

If you helped to make the Outdoor Learning Environment a reality in Morris, “Thank You”. If you haven’t visited OLE, please stop by. We would love to show you this amazing space for early learners. If you have an early learner in your house, we would enjoy giving him or her an OLE experience as well.

Morris Area pre-kindergarten classes incorporate play Kristin Grove, Ashley Bennett, and Stacy Fehr, Morris Area PreKindergarten Instructors Play is a child’s way of learning about the world around them. Through play, children acquire many skills. Morris Area pre-kindergarten classes stress building social/ emotional skills in our students. These abilities include self-regulation, sharing, taking turns, cooperation, empathy, and problem solving. We also focus on listening, language development, small and large motor

control, and pre-writing/ reading/math skills that are necessary to enable success in kindergarten.

Our philosophy is that social-emotional skills are built through children’s play, books, art, and conversations. We provide limitless opportunities for these experiences to happen in order to promote a healthy, successful life for the children in our program and the communities in which they live!

The Morris Area ECFE/ School Readiness is a Four Star Parent Aware rated program; making it eligi-

ble to provide and accept Pathway I and Pathway II scholarship opportunities for children. Through Pathway II dollars, we have hired a Spanish Language and Cultural specialist, Citlalli Ibáñez.

Part of this job is to provide a Spanish language element and outreach in all our classes.

Pre-kindergarten classes are offered through Morris Community Education for children three to five years of age. There are several options to choose from including three and four year old classes, four and

five year old classes, and Bilingual class choices for children three to five year olds. Visit our webpage for more information: http://www.morris.k12. mn.us/pre-k-ages-3-5.

Registration for fall classes will begin at the end of April when the Morris Community Education Tiger Tracks arrives. For more information contact Diane Strobel, Morris Area ECFE/School Readiness Coordinator at 320-5852237 or e-mail dstrobel@ morris.k12.mn.us.

Play time, learning time

Submitted photo

Kids play on small scooters in a Morris Area Schools gym.

If you give a mouse a cookie...

Tuesday, May 2nd 6:30 to 7:30 pm • Pictures w/ Mouse • Crafts • Face Painting • Milk & Cookies

Continuous Story time in the Meeting Room featuring the “Mouse” books by Laura Mumeroff & others

Thank You to the following who have donated money or are assisting with our Children’s Book Week event: Morris Friends of the Library, Morris Women of Today, Stevens County Child Care Association, Stevens County Dairy Association.

Morris Public Library www.morris.lib.mn.us

Clinics in West Central MN, including Morris MN

Sponsored in part by Friends of the Morris Public Library

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102 East 6th Street • Morris, MN • 320-589-1634

Family Focus

T8 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

Morris Area ECFE focuses on supporting parents

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Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a program unique to Minnesota and is offered in over 330 school districts throughout the state.

ECFE is offered through the Morris Area Community Education, as part of the Morris Area Public School District.

ECFE provides the first connection between families and the school district.

The goals of ECFE are to: Support a child’s optimal physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development during the first 5 years of life To promote informed, realistic attitudes and expectations about raising children To offer child development information and a variety of parenting techniques To support parents in their efforts in raising children To create effective communication in families To provide information on resources available in the community To help parents build connections and friendships with other families These goals are accomplished through parent/child classes and special family events. A typical ECFE class is divided into three separate components.

1.

Parent and Child Interaction Time – an early childhood teacher provides developmentally appropriate activities for parents and children to

Submitted photos

Morris Area ECFE provides activities for parents and children to interact as a way to encourage and support parents. Crafts are just one of the interactive events that happen with ECFE. enjoy together.

2. Guided Play for Children – a portion of the class is devoted to learning through play with licensed teachers and assistants while parents participate in a parent discussion in a separate room.

3.

Parent Discussion Time – parents and caregivers participate in a discussion, led by a licensed parent educator. Joys and challenges of parenting are shared and topics are designed to address the developmental issues of each individual group.

In addition, Morris Area ECFE

offers non-separating classes where parents and children stay together for the entire class period. Planned activities help parents gage their child’s abilities and parents can discuss issues informally with other parents and the ECFE staff.

At no other time in your child’s life is your role of parent as crucial as it is in these early years. These are the years that lay the foundation for not only school success but for overall achievement in life. ECFE provides an educationally rich, motivating, environment for

your child and a place for parents to talk about issues related to raising children. Join us for an enjoyable time with your child plus the added component of spending time with other adults who are experienc-

ing similar struggles and joys of raising children. For more information, call Morris Area ECFE Coordinator, Diane Strobel at 585-2237 or e-mail her at dstrobel@morris.k12.mn.us for more information.

Family planning resources available Horizon Public Health and Mahube-Otwa Family Health Reproductive

Health Services, as part of a grant from the State of Minnesota, offer low-

Enroll for now! 2017!

Now  enrolling Fall Country Day Preschool is now accepting

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For more information, call (320)589-3493 countrydaycp@gmail.com

Life Plan. A Reproductive Life Plan, is planning that an individual or couple begins as they take steps to create a healthy lifestyle prior to becoming pregnant.

Crime Victim Advocacy, Parenting Time Centers, Community Thrift Stores We survivors, family and We provide provideservices servicestotoassist assistvictims, victims, survivors, family friends who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual friends who have been affected by crimes, assault,and human trafficing exploitation, and other domestic violence, assault, or other stalking, robberysexual harassment, elder abusecrimes. etc.

All advocacy services are free and confidential

Family planning services also include screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and syphilis.

Access to affordable family planning services is an important factor in maintaining reproductive health in sexually active individuals.

Family planning clinics bridge the gap in health care for many teens, young adults, low income and uninsured or underinsured individuals. For every $1 spent helping women avoid an unplanned pregnancy, the Medicaid program saves $7.09 in related health costs. With great-

er access to family planning services the Minnesota teen pregnancy and teen birth rates are at an all-time low.

Mahube-Otwa Family Health Reproductive Health offers services at several clinics in West Central Minnesota, including a monthly clinic at the Prairie Ridge Clinic in Morris, a clinic on campus at the University of Minnesota Morris, and at a clinic in Fergus Falls.

For more information or to make an appointment call 877-275-6123.

The Minnesota Family Planning hotline number is 1-800-78FACTS.

Call For An Appointment To Tour The School and Register Your Child For Kindergarten or Preschool

324-7131

Advocacy Office 320-589-3208 Parenting Time Center 320-424-2301 Thrift Store 320-585-6614

24 Hour Crisis Line 800-974-3359 www.someplacesafe.info

Chokio Alberta Public School

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Country Day Cooperative Preschool is now accepting enrollments for 93,months 4, andthrough 5 year olds. children ages 2 years, 5 years.

Scholarships are available qualified field students.

We offer a spacious learning for environment, trips, and flexible enrollment options that work for your family.

Four- and five-year-old classes are offered Choose the following class8:30-2:30. options: Monday,from Wednesday and Friday from M, W, F: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm classes Three-, Four-, and Five-year-old T,Th: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm are offered Tuesday and Thursday from 12 to 3:00 T,Th: 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (based on interest)

cost to no-cost family planning reproductive health services to both men and women in West Central Minnesota.

Family planning is the planning and action taken by individuals to prevent, delay or achieve a pregnancy.

Family planning services include all FDA approved methods of birth control, counseling, preconception care (care before a pregnancy), including use of a Reproductive

Family Focus

Chokio Review

Thursday, April 27, 2017 T9

sChild, teen checks part of healthy journey

Horizon Public Health How many times over the years have you heard the old saying, “Well at least we are all heathy?”

It certainly is true, if we have our health, we are truly blessed and able to tackle all the other problems in our lives. Being and staying healthy is an ongoing journey. A journey that starts with healthy choices and habits formed early in life.

Making healthy diet choices, exercising, being up-to-date with vaccines, and getting regular checkups are all part of a healthy journey.

Regular Child and Teen Checkups from birth through 20 years

of age, are an excellent way to start forming good healthy habits for our younger population.

We all know babies benefit from checkups starting with their 2 week visit and then their 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 month checks. These are appointments at which they get vaccinations and the health care provider looks for problems that could keep them from

developing and growing up to their full potential.

When children turn 2 years old the recommendation is that they get a Child and Teen Checkup at least annually. Between two and six their checkups also cover their required Early Childhood Screening and their Head Start or pre-school health and development screenings.

Again if any problems are discovered, they are addressed and children are back on the road to their own personal healthy journey. The years between 6 and 20 are no less important. Children, adolescents and teens should be scheduled for a Child

and Teen Checkup at least every other year.

The recommendations for the minimum number of checkups children should have between birth and 21 come from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Minnesota Department of Health. Families whose children’s insurance coverage is through Medical Assistance/PrimeWest or another MN health Care Plan are eligible for free Child and Teen Checkups. Families with MA/ PW coverage are mailed reminders by Horizon Public Health, when their children are due for their next appointment. Many clinics use Child and Teen Checkups as their

Country Day educates preschoolers for more than 50 years child’s growth.

Country Day’s educational offerings are flexible, depending on the needs of the children and their families. Parents can choose from a set class schedule, pair our various offerings, or set their own schedule as space allows. Country Day offers class options that can be paired to meet the schedule of families and the needs of children ages 2 years, 9 months through 5 years.

Classes are offered 8 a.m. through 3 p.m. during the months of September through May. We are open every day that Morris Area Schools are open, only closing for major holidays and traditional winter and summer breaks. We do not observe non-weather related late starts or early outs, proving important consistency for your child and the

convenience of a simplified schedule.

The additional school days and student contact hours allow Country Day to offer a per-hour cost that is competitively low.

Country Day provides opportunities for children to grow socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically. Our classes have no more than ten students, allowing for individualized attention and the flexibility to offer monthly fieldtrips and other enrichment activities. Our children learn through play, both outdoors and in a spacious classroom setting.

A typical day includes sharing, music, letter concepts and phonics, crafts, fine and gross motor skills, outside play, cooperation skills, and just plain fun.

At Country Day parents are an important part of their children’s

education. Parents are welcome to volunteer in the classroom and accompany their children on monthly field trips, serve on the Board of Directors, or contribute their talents anyway they wish.

Interested families can visit our large classroom space, meet the teacher, and secure their space for the 2017-2018 school year by contacting 320589-3493 or emailing countrydaycp@gmail. com We are now enrolling for next fall, with spaces in each class filled on a first-come, firstserve basis. Contact by May 1st is recommended to secure your choice of class days.

Country Day has been the start of great beginnings for children in the Morris and surrounding communities for 50 years and looks forward to your child being a part of a proud future.

protect children’s teeth from cavities.

At least we are all healthy! Being able to say that takes work. We all need to be actively engaged in our own healthy journeys.

One way to be engaged, and to pass along good healthy habits to our children, is to get them into the habit of regular health care provider visits.

Child and Teen Checkups helps that happen.

If you have questions about Child and Teen Checkups please call Horizon Public Health.

The phone numbers are 800-450-4177 or 320208-6670. Or visit our website at www.horizonpublichealth.org

WIC nutrition program available in area Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federal nutrition program that provides nutrition education and supplemental foods for all qualifying participants. Horizon WIC is a collaboration of five counties including Douglas, Pope, Stevens, Grant and Traverse.

Each clinic provides a registered dietitian or a registered nurse for clients to see regarding WIC services.

WIC serves pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum woman, infants up to age 1, and children up to age 5 who meet income criteria and have a nutritional need.

Nutrition is a core component of WIC. Heights, weights, and iron levels are taken at WIC appointments. Education on a nutrition topic is discussed at each visit. Families receive vouchers they can use at a WIC approved store for healthy foods.

WIC provides healthy cereal, milk, eggs, whole grains, 100 percent juice, yogurt, cheese, beans, peanut butter, and a voucher good for fresh fruits and vegetables for participants over 1 year old.

In addition, fully breastfeeding women receive extra foods like tuna or salmon.

Non-breastfed infants can receive supplement infant formula. All infants receive baby foods like infant cereal and baby fruits and vegetables at 6 months.

To make an appointment at any of Horizon’s office locations or for more information about how to qualify call (320)763-7805.

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Continuing the legacy of community leaders who envisioned a s high-quality, fun, and e flexible preschool that a involves families in - important ways, Country t Day is proud of our hisr tory and excited for the future.

Country Day offers small class sizes and play-based learning for children ranging from 2 years, 9 months up to the start of kindergarten. Our teacher, Meredith Lhotka, has worked in childhood education and in-home child care for 17 years, providing nurturing experiences that will benefit children throughout their lives.

“Miss Meredith” offers a warm, creative, and fun environment that leads to a love of learning and success in kindergarten and beyond. She also provides excellent communication so you can be a partner in your

standard of care for all their young patients.

Child and Teen Checkups are thorough. Health care providers address all these areas of health and development as age appropriate: a chance for parents and adolescents to ask questions, anticipatory guidance and health education, growth, health history, development, social emotional and mental health, physical exam, immunizations, lab tests-including lead poisoning, vision, hearing and oral health checks.

A referral to a dentist is also part of a complete Child and Teen Checkup.

Some clinics also offer Fluoride Varnishing to

Blowing in the wind Kids blow bubbles in an early childhood activity at Morris Area Elementary School.

Submitted photo

All Life is Precious Pregnancy Test - Parenting Classes - Car Seats Pack and Plays - Cribs, Diapers & Baby Supplies Spanish interpretation services available

Our Earn While You Learn Program is an educational program presented in a one-on-one setting by a trained volunteer. As you complete lessons you will earn points that may be used in our “Baby Boutique” where you can “purchase” items you will need to care for your baby.

712 Atlantic Ave. Suite 5 • 320-589-0300

Family Focus

T10 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Event allows parents to learn about young children’s development A “Look What I Can Do!” (LWICD) early screening event will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 22 at the Morris Area Child Care Center. This event is open to all families with children ages birth to 2 years and 11 months who reside in Stevens County. There is no charge to families and is sponsored by the Stevens County Early Childhood Initiative with funds from West Central Initiative.

“Look What I Can Do!” offers parents a chance to see what their child is able to do in a variety of developmental areas. It is an event where a child and their parents move from station to station meeting with an early childhood professional to do a simple age appropriate screening. The screening includes personal and social skills, selfhelp skills, large/small muscle skills, speech/ language skills, vision and hearing, immunization, vision, hearing and dental assessment. This screening helps parents see if there are any delays affecting their child’s growth and development.

The LWICD screening staff is knowledgeable about early childhood development and available to answer parent’s questions and concerns about their child’s overall growth. There is only a limited number slot available; 10 children will be screened during the evening. If you are interested in having your child screened, contact Kate Jirsa, Morris Area Child Care Center coordinator, at 320-589-7948 by Monday, May 15, to set up an appointment.

This collaborative event is conducted by staff from Horizon Public Health, Morris Area ECFE, Morris Head Start, and Morris Area Child Care Center.

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

Dental outreach clinic set for May 17 The Early Childhood Dental Network (ECDN) is a regional group brought together by the West Central Initiative to address young children’s oral health and their access to dental care. One of the projects of the ECDN is Dental Outreach Clinics. The ECDN, Caring Hands Dental Clinic, and the Stevens County Early Childhood Initiative are offering an Outreach

Dental Clinic from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the Morris Area Elementary School in the ECFE/SR Parent Education room in Pod A. This clinic is for children between the ages of 1 to 18 years of age who are covered by Minnesota Health Care Programs and Minnesota Medical Assistance.

Parental permission forms have been sent home with elemen-

tary and preschool students.

The form can also be found on the Morris Area School web page by going to the school nurse under either the elementary or high school tab. Parental permission forms must be signed and returned to Diane Strobel, Morris Community Education, or Karen Folkman, Morris Area School Nurse, by Friday, May 5, in order to have

your child treated. Once permission forms are received, an appointment time will be made for your child by Caring Hands Dental. Some of the services provided during the outreach clinic include complete checkups, x-rays, cleanings, fluoride treatment, and education. For more information or to have questions answered, call Diane Strobel at 320-585-2237.

Early childhood screening important Horizon Public Health What Is Early Childhood Screening?

It involves a simple, easy method of finding out how a child between the ages of 3 and 4 is growing and developing. A new law states that early childhood screening must be done within 90 days of entering a pre-kindergarten program. The screening will be done by Horizon Public Health in Stevens County. Early Childhood Screening only needs to be completed once.

What are the goals of Early Childhood Screening? ∙ To find out how your child is growing and developing. ∙ To connect parent and child with early childhood programs and other community services that may be needed. ∙ To answer any parenting questions/concerns you may have. ∙ Identify any possible health or learning concerns so that they may be addressed before a child enters school.

At what age should my child be screened?

The ideal age to have your child screened is

between 3 and 4. Early Childhood Screening is not a kindergarten readiness assessment and should not be put off until right before kindergarten. Children usually go through screening one to two years before they enter kindergarten.

However, if your child is five years old and has not yet been through early childhood screening, call to arrange an appointment.

What happens to the information gathered at Early Childhood Screening?

You will be given a full report of the findings when your child finishes the screening appointment. You will receive one copy of the report and one copy will be placed in your child’s cumulative file with the school district.

How do I make an Early Childhood Screening Appointment?

If your child is 3 years 6 months and you haven’t received a call from Horizon Public Health to set up an appointment, call the Public Health office at 320208-6688 to set up the day and time for your child’s screening.

Learning is fun Top photo, kids and adults play a game at the annual Stevens County Family Fun Fair in 2016.

Brooke Kern/Morris Sun Tribune.

Photos at left and below, early childhood programs allow kids to experience a variety of learning at play activities where they interact with each other, with parents and others. Activities encourage development of each child.

Submitted photos.

HEAD START: “Where we believe a Parent is a Child’s Most Important Teacher” Head Start is a comprehensive program that provides children ages 3-5 with educational activities to prepare them for Kindergarten, as well as helping them grow socially, emotionally and physically. Head Start also provides services to families through connections to appropriate community agencies.

A West Central MN Communities Action Program Serving: Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Otter Tail, and Wadena Counties.

Applications are available online at www.wcmca.org

320-589-7949

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Apply now so your child can get a “Head Start” at

Family Focus

Chokio Review

Thursday, April 27, 2017 T11

FUN

members.

Planning a hike? The RFC rents backpacks for $5 a piece.

From Page T3

and other critters in wetland and tall grasses.

Folks can walk the trails and also take an auto tour through the wetlands.

The tour road has several stop off points to observe wildlife.

Not only does the wetland give visitors a chance to see birds, waterfowl and animals it’s a chance to see how the USDA manages the area.

“Right now we are doing a lot of habitat management. People can see what we do to try and maintain the habitat,” Klavetter said.

The wetlands district office also has a visitor’s center that is open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

The center includes an education center where visitors can learn about the wetland habitat.

The district is the office that covers several counties in western Minnesota.

Near to Morris is a small wetland area called Froland which is south of Starbuck at the intersection of

Summer programs, even music

Photos by Brooke Kern/ Morris Sun Tribune

Above, the auto trail entrance at the wetlands near Morris. Left, East Side Park in Morris is a hub of a variety of events from spring through fall.

6:30 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from May through August and Sundays from 3:30 to 5:15 p.m. from May through November. Single day passes at $3 per swimmer.

Punch cards 20 for $50 or 10 for $25 and season passes are also available.

The pool has a diving board and small slide.

The recreation pool at the Regional Fitness Center in Morris has a slide and zero depth entry.

The pool is open throughout the day but the schedule changes when the school year ends.

Both pools are used for various exercise classes and swimming lessons.

Pope County Road 18 and Minnesota HIghway 29.

“This has a hiking trail, observation deck and spotting scope,” Klavetter said.

Klavetter said all the wetland protection areas are open to the public.

More information is available on the USDA wetlands Morris district office website and Facebook page.

Swim and play

Need a place to cool off?

Chokio and Morris have pools to provide that.

Chokio’s pool is located in the Chokio-Alberta Schools. The pool is open from May 1 through Nov. 22.

Open swim is from

Shoot baskets, pitch horseshoes

A horseshoe pit is available for players at Pomme de Terre Park in Morris.

The park also has a disc golf course.

Basketball hoops and courts are also available at various parks in Morris and in several other communities in Stevens County.

The Regional Fitness Center in Morris also has basketball courts as well as other indoor play equipment.

The RFC offers a free family day on the first Saturday of each month.

Guest passes for nonmembers on other days are $5 for kids, $6 for

senior citizens and $10 for adults. A family pass is $20 and is good for all day.

“One of our strengths is we are a family friendly facility,” said RFC director Wayne Morford.

Rent a canoe or sleeping bag

Non-RFC members can rent a canoe or kayak for $12 and members can rent one for $10.

The region has several lakes and a river in which to kayak or canoe including the Pomme de Terre River.

Have a tent or camper but need another sleeping bag. The RFC rents sleeping bags at $5 to non-members and $4 to

The libraries and community education departments as well as churches offer a variety of summer programs for kids. There are also entertainment and other opportunities for adults Kids can participate in summer reading programs or a sports camp.

The Stevens County Historical Society is offering a summer music series with concerts scheduled for each month in June, July, August and September.

The summer also includes annual festivals such as Prairie Pioneer Days in July in Morris, the July 4 celebration in Hancock and the Threshing Bee in August in Donnelly. The Stevens County Fair is slated for August.

Catch a baseball game and watch local town teams play in Chokio or Hancock or Morris.

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted.”

JULIA’S

- Garrison Keillor

From Page T2

Alzheimer’s. He has a wonderful, loving family but circumstances prompted the family to choose Conroy and her home for permanent care, Conroy said.

The man joins the family for meals but has his own bedroom and uses the living room on the main floor of the house.

Conroy’s home is also open for respite daycare. “They can stop in anytime they want, the morning, noon, or night,” Conroy said.

“That’s what separates me from a nursing home or assisted living. They can stop in whenever they want.”

Although nursing homes and assisted living facilities do good

One of the bedroom available for clients at Julia Conroy’s home. Rae Yost jobs, those are not always the best options for every person, Conroy said.

“I want to encourage folks to check it out. It is a viable option for loved ones of a family,” Conroy said.

The service has made a change in the Conroy family’s lifestyle. “It

was a bit challenging for (Bretz). “We just can’t pick up and go to the movies,” Conroy said.

When the family does want or needs to leave home, “we have to hire help for us,” Conroy said.

The help goes through the same background check as the Conroys, she said.

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T12 Saturday, April 22, 2017

Family Focus

Morris Sun Tribune | Hancock Record

‘Peter the Slug’ author to visit at family fun fair On Thursday, May 4 come to the Stevens County Family Fun Fair at the Regional Fitness Center located on the University of Minnesota Morris campus to meet local author, Peter Schultz and his “Slug” team from 5 to 7 pm. Schultz, from Moorhead, is the author of the children’s book “Peter the Slug”. The book is about courage, tenacity, and the willingness to follow your dreams. It’s geared toward young children but can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

Peter the Slug has a dream. Is it an impossible dream?

Peter wants to run in the Great Forest Race but speed isn’t his greatest strength.

Well-meaning friends remind him that “Slugs always finish last.” How will Peter finish? The story’s message is one of encouragement to find your inner talents and use them to the best of your ability.

Join us for all the activities at the Stevens County Family Fun Fair and hear this wonderful story read by the author and meet the inspiring champion, Peter the Slug. “Peter the Slug” will be available for purchase and can be signed for you by the author. For more information, contact Diane Strobel, Stevens County ECI coordinator, at 320-585-2237 or email dstrobel@morris.k12.mn.us.

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