Northeast Ohio Parent | November 2023 by Mitchell Media LLC: Northeast Ohio Parent & Northeast Ohio Boomer Magazines

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SEASONAL BEGINNINGS Crafts, Events & More!

HIGH SCHOOL GUIDE Your Teen's Next Steps

AN ADOPTION JOURNEY One Family’s Story

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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2 | Family Living at Its Best

This Holiday Season...

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November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com | 3 www.grandparentmeritbadges.com

November insiDE NortheastOhioParent.com

Starting on pg. 25

HIGH SCHOOL GUIDE INSIDE

departments 6

Career Ready Helping parents to have conversations with their teens.

Editor’s Note

Worth Noting

The holidays are coming.

Path to College Advanced Placement vs. College Credit Plus Courses: What’s your teen’s best fit?

Find out why babies grunt, get directions for a Thanksgiving turkey craft and book picks in the Reading Room.

High School Listings Your child’s next school step.

Education

Could Your Child Be Gifted? Find out ways to support them.

features

Open Houses

Looking for a school? Here are some options to visit.

Calendar

Family-friendly adventures for the end-of-fall season. Plus, check out storytimes on pg. 46.

AN ADOPTION JOURNEY

A local family shares their adoption story.

Aging Parents

When and how to help your parents manage their finances.

EXTRAS

22 & 24 Check out these Thanksgiving and Early Holiday events around the region!

CLEMAMA

Navigating the news with kids.

GIFT LIST TO LOVE

Here are picks from the National Parenting Products Awards for infants, toddlers, preschools, elementary, tweens and teens — and even other parents you know. Plus. on pg. 20, don’t forget about those special teachers and coaches. We provide some ideas for gifts they will actually appreciate.

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On the Cover: We get into the holiday spirit as gift-giving season begins. Illustration by: Maria Amador

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PHOTO BY PRELUDE PHOTOGRAPHY

Editor's NOTE

The Holidays are Coming

Walking in the stores right now, you see its arrival— the season. After Halloween, is when you can feel it. The two-month affair of food, family, fun and, of course, giving. This can mean something different for everyone, including our holiday gift lists. While sometimes gifts can be seen as meaningless gestures and overspending, it really doesn’t have to be. In fact, there have been numerous studies about the act of gift-giving, which can relieve stress and induce joy. That doesn’t mean buying worthless items, which you and your family members have to dispose of in a matter of days or months. I don’t know about you, but my budget got a little tighter this year, with purchasing a home, doing lots of home improvement projects and paying for a new teen driver’s insurance. There’s not going to be much to give, but I want to make it meaningful. In fact, that’s why every year, Northeast Ohio Parent magazine teams up with National Parenting Product Awards for our annual gift guide. They test and review each item and give a thumbs-up to those worthy to be family and kid-friendly, age-appropriate products. If you haven’t noticed, we have focused on education since August with our Education Guides from preschool to our high school guide in this issue. (In case you missed one, hop on NortheastOhioParent.com for the digital editions). Talking about teens, I now have two highschoolers, if you can believe it, I can’t. When they were little, I had some ideas of what I think they wanted to be, but now, it feels the decision has to be a little more concrete. While it’s OK for your teens to not know, yet, and things will always change at this age, I think having a discussion about careers and the next steps are important all through the high school years. In the guide, we provide a little help to get those answers. We haven’t forget about your littlest ones though. Look for our new features in Worth Noting “NEOP Crafting with Kids” and “Why” for parents’ basic kid questions. Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I feel the hate going on around the world and dysfunction has me feeling less optimistic than usual. That’s why, in this issue and on the cover, I wanted to get into the holiday spirit even sooner. That won’t stop in the December edition, as we plan lots more fun holiday treats. For readers, I’m hoping you want to share, too. There’s a lot of wonderful stories happening in the communities we want to hear. Please email angela@northeastohioparent.com and let us know, so we can share those stories in future issues or online. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I’m looking forward to eating turkey and maybe I can even get my teens to help me with the Paper Roll Turkeys (seen on pg. 9).

VOL. NO. 10 • ISSUE NO. 10

november 2023 Northeast Ohio Parent is a property of

PO Box 1088 Hudson, OH 44236 330-822-4011 NortheastOhioParent.com PUBLISHER - Brad Mitchell brad@northeastohioparent.com 330-714-7712 EDITOR - Angela Gartner angela@northeastohioparent.com 216-536-1914 ART DIRECTOR - Sherry Lundberg sherry@northeastohioparent.com MANAGING/DIGITAL EDITOR Shana O’Malley-Smith shana@northeastohioparent.com ADVERTISING SALES:

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do y h W

Worth NOTING

Babies Grunt?

By Lori Orlinsky

ave you ever heard of the phrase “sleep like a baby?” Spoiler alert – most babies do everything but sleep at night. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, they make a lot of strange noises when they’re catching some Z’s. There’s crying, gurgling and burping, but one sound that puzzles a lot of parents is grunting. We asked nationally recognized Cleveland area pediatrician, Dr. Arthur Lavin why babies grunt and if it is any cause for concern.

Understanding noises Lavin says it is important to understand that vocalizations are abundant in newborns. They make a lot of noises during times of activity (swallowing, hiccupping), to express themselves (crying) and when they’re in distress (choking). Because newborns cannot talk using words and sentences, they communicate using sound. “It is very helpful to know that all newborns are very noisy,” he says. “If you don’t know that, all that noise could be worrisome, so it is reassuring to know.”

Passing stool One primary reason that babies grunt is when they are passing stool. Pooping is a learned reflex that requires muscle coordination. To pass stool, one must

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relax the pelvic floor and use abdominal pressure to move it through their system. “A newborn’s stomach muscles are not yet strong enough to do this, so they use their diaphragm to move their bowel,” Lavin says. “This puts pressure on the voice box, generating a grunt.” Lavin says it is important to note that grunting is not a sign of constipation.

Acid reflux Acid reflux occurs when a baby spits up liquid or food. It happens when stomach contents move back up from a baby’s stomach into the esophagus. “In about 10 percent of babies, it burns when it comes up,” Lavin says. “The grunting sound may simply be a normal reaction to this heartburn.”

Blocked nasal passages Because babies have narrow noses and lungs, their nasal passage is typically noisy. But when mucus collects in these narrow nasal passages, grunting could indicate that their nose is congested. As such, Lavin suggests using a nasal aspirator to clear their airways and help them breathe more easily.

Signs of illness Lavin says that in most instances of grunting, there is no need to panic. If you do have concerns, contact your pediatrician. “Babies are noisy. Noise is ok, struggle is not,” he says. “That’s the big dividing line. If they look like they are working really hard to get air in and out, then they need medical attention.”

READING ROOM As your youngster begins to read, it is important to continue to read together. Reading aloud can become a duet. The book suggestions below, recommended by Karen Kelly Grasso, Children’s Librarian at Jefferson Campus of Cleveland Public Library, should help you as your youngster takes the first steps as an independent reader. You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You

by Mary Ann Hoberman

Mary Ann Hoberman, the former Children’s Poet Laureate, wrote a series of short books for very young readers. The texts, in verse, are set up to have a child read with an adult, with one column for the child, one column for the adult, and some text to be read in unison. The combination of the rhyming text and alternating lines encourage the new reader. This book is also one of a series that includes fables, tall tales and Mother Goose.

— Krystin Fletcher

NEOP Crafting with Kids: PAPER ROLL TURKEYS

Get your kids involved with setting the Thanksgiving table with these adorable turkeys.

The Thank You Book

by Mo Willems

Each book in the Elephant and Piggy series is written as a dialog between two friends. The child can read one of the characters while the adult can read the other. The stories are always funny and gently convey important life lessons. PRO TIP: Read the book more than once and alternate who is Gerald (the elephant) and who is Piggy. I Want My Hat Back

by Jon Klassen

MATERIALS: Empty paper towel/toilet paper rolls Construction paper in various colors Permanent marker Scissors Glue stick or liquid glue Crayons (optional) Googly eyes (optional) Buttons/sequins (optional)

• • • • • • • •

STEPS: Start by drawing the turkey’s feathers on the pieces of construction paper, make sure they are not longer than the paper roll. Each turkey needs about five feathers. In addition to the feathers, draw the eyes, beak and the snood. Carefully cut out the drawn pieces. You can use crayons to add more color to the feathers. You could also have your children write things they are thankful for on the feathers. Prior to gluing the feathers, give your roll a little squish to keep it from rolling while attaching the feathers. Start to attach the feathers to the back of the roll at about the halfway point. Once the feathers are attached, add the eyes, beak and snood to the front of the roll. If you’d like, you can use your crayons, buttons or sequins to add more details and personality to your turkey! Use your turkeys as table decorations, place settings or even silverware and napkin holders!

This story, told in dialog, tells of a bear’s search for his missing hat. The bear repeats his question while the animals that he encounters answer in increasing detail. The structure gives a new reader instant fluency and success and the twist in the story gives the young reader a real kick. Dinosaurs Before Dark

by Mary Pope Osborne

This is the first book in the Magic Treehouse series. It sets the stage for the widely ranging stories in the series. The simple sentence structure and plain language makes this a great introduction to chapter books. The young reader can alternate reading with a parent paragraph by paragraph, page by page, or chapter by chapter. The presence of a brother and sister as protagonists avoids the accusation “This is a book for boys/girls.” Read together and log your minutes at clevelandreads.com, visit cpl.org for more resources.

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Education CORNER

Dealing with a

GIFTED CHILD

tudents at schools that are identified as gifted or naturally talented are able to undergo a unique experience that can transform their grade school years. What’s great is that it’s possible for any student to be identified as gifted, whether academically, athletically, or in an extracurricular way. Willoughby-Eastlake Schools Assistant Superintendent Zach Weagley is new to his district and is seeing firsthand what it’s like for the second and sixth graders to go through testing to be identified as gifted. He says there is also an application process for parents that are new to the district and would like their child to be tested. “It can be a challenge parenting these students just because of their brain and how they decipher things and view interactions,” Weagley says. Are you noticing your child is bored in school or at home? Weagley says this could be a sign that your child is gifted. “Three of our children are gifted, and they’re all unique in their giftedness as well,” Weagley says about his own children. “Two of mine are gifted in language arts and in reading. They pick up the concepts very quickly. They show a lot of curiosity. And you can even see the cognitive ability– they don’t solve problems or situations the same way as other kids.” Elizabeth Edmondson, chief academic officer at Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, a school that serves students ages 18 months to 12th grade, agrees, students showing a natural curiosity or boredom with normal tasks could be gifted. If your child seems to be craving something a little bit more, that could be a sign. She says teachers may be able to identify gifted students by those in their class that repeatedly exceed expectations or are moving through the curriculum confidently and quickly. “Even just how they face challenges as perfectionists or if they do face some

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By Faith Boone adversity,” Weagley adds. “They may have a hard time with something if they don’t excel, so just being prepared, patient, and understanding that they may process it as more mature. But, remember their age.” So, Your Child is Gifted. What Happens Next?

“If you suspect that your student might be needing more, I think one of the best things a parent can do is to reach out to a professional. Reach out to a teacher and ask for their feedback,” Edmondson says. Though you may think having a child that excels in different academic or extracurricular areas can make parenting easier, Weagley says it’s quite the opposite. In regards to education for gifted students, it’s important that your child is engaged in school and is being provided with deeper learning experiences. “You want them to be challenged, but not pushing so hard that it causes them anxiety or causes some of those other emotional concerns that come about,” he says. Edmondson says the relationship between parents and teachers is extra important for gifted students. “Treat your child’s teacher as a partner,” Edmondson says. “Parents are a child’s first and very most important teacher. Our philosophy is as a school we need then to partner with that child’s first teacher, their parent, in order to form a team around the student to support and inspire and challenge them. For example, at Gilmour, the school tries to take its support for gifted students further than just inside the classroom. Some students don’t have to be tested as they are identified by magnifying their unique qualities and interests that could lead to future success. “We have a program called VECTOR that starts with student interest,” Edmondson says. “We match a student that

has a passion, and we match them with a faculty mentor who can help them to personalize their journey to learning of exploration.” Though the school does offer additional services and resources to students identified as gifted, Edmondson says Gilmour is not big on labels. “Gilmour’s entire academic program is designed to be personalized and is designed to differentiate for every student, regardless of whether they are gifted or regardless if they’re on the other end of the spectrum and they need support,” she says. “Especially at the younger grades, it might look like different content. At the older grades, it does not necessarily look like different content as much as it might look like a difference in depth of content and the depth of critical thinking and problem solving.” Weagley says some students at Willoughby-Eastlake receive the IOWA test as another form of gifted identification. Also, some students have accommodations that are twice exceptional, such as having an IEP and being gifted in an area as well. Willoughby-Eastlake Schools accommodates those students the same as any other student being tested for gifted identification. Teachers are made aware, as well as guidance counselors, of students that receive the gifted identification, Weagley says. Each year, the student’s education plan is reviewed and renewed for each academic year. “Gifted services are something that we would like to continue to evolve in and I think we definitely do a good job servicing our students,” Weagley adds. “It’s like anything else–we can always do better. And again, providing more opportunities for our students.”

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Fall and Winter School open houses COMMUNION OF SAINTS HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL SCHOOL 2160 Stillman Road, Cleveland Heights communionofsaintsschool.org Nov. 12: 12-1 p.m.

19600 N. Park Blvd., Shaker Hts. hb.edu/ Nov. 8, Dec. 6, Jan. 10: 6 p.m. (Upper School Parent Preview) Nov. 9, Dec. 7: 8:30 a.m. (Middle School Parent Preview) Nov. 14, Jan 19: 9 a.m. (Infant & Toddler Center Parent Preview) Nov. 15, Jan. 11: 9 a.m. (Primary School Parent Preview)

Submit your open house to openhouse@northeastohioparent.com

HAWKEN SCHOOL Lower & Middle Schools 5000 Clubside Road, Lyndhurst hawken.edu Nov. 19: 1 p.m. Upper School 12465 County Line Road, Gates Mills hawken.edu Nov. 5: 1 p.m.

Mastery School 11025 Magnolia Dr., Cleveland hawken.edu Nov. 12: 1 p.m.

HERSHEY MONTESSORI Upper School Huntsburg Campus 11530 Madison Road, hershey-montessori.org Nov. 13, Dec. 4 & Jan 22 : 9-11 a.m. Nov. 17 & Jan 26 : 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lower School Concord Campus 10229 Prouty Road, hershey-montessori.org Nov. 8: 9-11 a.m.

JULIE BILLIART SCHOOLS Akron 380 Mineola Ave., juliebilliartschool.org Dec. 5, Feb. 14: 9-10:30 a.m. Brecksville 8611 Wiese Road, juliebilliartschool.org Nov. 14: 9:30 a.m. Dec. 13, Jan. 11: 12:30-2 p.m.

Lyndhurst 4982 Clubside Road, juliebilliartschool.org Nov. 10: 9 a.m. Westlake 3600 Crocker Road, juliebilliartschool.org Jan. 23: 9-10:30 a.m.

LAWRENCE SCHOOL Lower School (K-6) 1551 E. Wallings Road, Broadview Hts. lawrenceschool.org Nov. 3, Jan. 12: 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Upper School (7-12) 10036 Olde Eight Road, Sagamore Hills lawrenceschool.org Nov. 2, Jan. 11: 9-11 a.m.

LAUREL SCHOOL Lyman Campus 1 Lyman Circle, Shaker Hts. Nov. 15: 6-8 p.m. (Upper School) Nov. 17: 8:30-10 a.m. (Grades 6-8)

THE LILLIAN AND BETTY RATNER SCHOOL 27575 Shaker Blvd., Pepper Pike theratnerschool.org Nov. 17: 9-11 a.m. (18 months-K) Jan. 18: 5-7 p.m. (All Grades)

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RUFFING MONTESSORI SCHOOL 3380 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights ruffingmontessori.net Nov. 11, Jan. 20: Noon-2 p.m.

SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL 6923 Stow Road, Hudson setoncatholicschool.org Nov. 5, Jan. 28: 2-4 p.m.

SOUTH SUBURBAN MONTESSORI SCHOOL 4450 Oakes Road, Brecksville ssmsmontessori.net Nov. 4: 9-11 a.m.

ST. COLUMBKILLE SCHOOL 6740 Broadview Road, Parma, stcolumbkilleschool.org Nov. 5: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

ST. HILARY SCHOOL 645 Moorfield Road, Fairlawn, 330-867-8720, st-hilaryschool.org Jan 11: 9-11 a.m. (Kindergarten Kaleidoscope - RSVP required by 12/28, ext. 343) Jan 28: Noon-2 p.m. (Open House)

St. Sebastian Parish School Day School (K-8) 500 Mull Ave., West Akron, stsebastian.org/school Nov. 3: 8:30-10 a.m. (Kindergarten Explorer) Jan. 28: 10 a.m-noon

St. Sebastian Center for Early Learning 500 Mull Ave.,West Akron, stsebastian.org/school Jan. 28: 10 a.m-noon

UNIVERSITY SCHOOL Hunting Valley Campus (Grades 9-12) 2785 SOM Center Road, us.edu Nov. 6: 8:30-11 a.m. (Parent Preview)

Shaker Heights Campus (Junior KindergartenGrade 8) 20701 Brantley Road, us.edu Dec. 13: 6:30 p.m. (Online)

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By Elena Epstein, Director of the National Parenting Product Awards

At National Parenting Product Awards (nappaawards.com) they unboxed, tested and played with lots of toys. And now, they bring you the best of the 2023 products. They have something for everyone on your list — from your littlest ones to teens — and parents you know. NAPPA Awards has been celebrating the best in family products for 33 years. For more product reviews and gift ideas visit nappaawards.com

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1. The Strider Sport 2-in-1 Rocking Bike

Goodbye, rocking horse. A great way to learn balance. Once they’ve mastered rocking, detach from the base to ride as a balance bike. $249.98, ages 6-18 months, striderbikes.com

2. ABC Affirmation Baby Book

Teaches letters and helps build your baby and toddler's confidence with positive words and 26 affirmations. $12.99, ages birth+, kidsforculture.com

3. My Recordable Storytime: Welcome Little One Create lifelong memories by putting yourself into this beloved story so little ones can hear you read again and again. $24.99, ages birth+, read.sourebooks.com

4. Baby’s First Book of 44 Sounds

This research-based board book includes all 44 sounds found in English to jumpstart a baby's literacy journey. Allows your baby to hear each sound used in a word and then pronounced in isolation. $24.99, ages birth+, smartnoggintoys.com

5. Philips Avent Soothie Snuggle

6. RAW Baby Changing Basket

A lightly weighted plush toy with a pacifier attached. Helps calm babies by securing pacifiers in place while acting as a cuddly source of security. Detach for easy cleaning/sanitizing. $15.99, ages birth+, various retailers.

Handcrafted from sustainable seagrass by fair trade certified Vietnamese artisans. Includes memory foam mattress with a removable and water-resistant bamboo blend cover, a cotton leaf liner for milestone photos, and a vegan leather changing mat. $149.97, bebebask.com

9. Enchanted Rainbow

There is a whole lot to discover in this beautifully designed wooden stacking toy. Features a five-piece rainbow, two play figures and much more. $35.50, ages 2+, us. bababooandfriends.com

7. Bebé Fuerte Collection

Features a colorful palette of fitness themed and LatinX culture. Spanish motivational words and phrases are displayed on each toy so parents can share as they play with baby. $8.99 - $23.99, ages birth+, us.tomy.com

10. Playskool Weebles My Smart House

Full of action on every floor—down the chimney and onto the bed, then off the bed and down the slide. Enjoy a virtual visit with grandma and grandpa. Then take another slide down to the kitchen for a snack and swing ride. $49.99, ages 12 months+, playmonster.com

8. Storypod

This adorable interactive system features recordable stickers that can be placed anywhere for your family and friends to share special messages. Record stories, songs, memories and more for the kids in your life to enjoy over and over again. The system includes pre-recorded multisensory stories, music and more. $99.99, ages birth-6 years, storypod.com

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11 11. Curious Kingdom

Combines building fun with creative play. Construct the castle and let imaginations soar with these seven silly characters. Each playset comes with two sticker sheets, plus an optional free app with learning games and more. $34.99, ages 3+, playper.com

12. Cry Babies Magic Tears Stars Talent Babies Embark on an interstellar adventure with eight dolls to collect. Each one cries real tears and includes six surprises for mix and match fun. $9.99, ages 3+, various retailers.

13. GooGames

Hand-held pocket-sized sensory water games that are squishy and visually mesmerizing. Three styles echo themes from popular mobile games for a nostalgic experience. $9.99, ages 3+, skycastletoys.com

14. Disney Junior Mickey Mouse Roarin' Safari Dino

This interactive set features ground-shaking sound effects with a kid-powered dinosaur. Press the lever on its back to open and close its jaws, hear it roar and activate exciting Mickey Mouse phrases. $34.99, ages 3+, various retailers.

15. Pop Out Dinosaurs

Both a book and a play set. Kids can learn about each dinosaur species and then build their own using chunky press-out pieces. $12.99, ages 4+, read. sourcebooks.com

16. Mini Brands Series 5 Capsule by ZURU

The real brands that fit in your hand. Features 90+ miniatures to collect, including ultra-rare frozen moments and new Mini Minis. $7.49, ages 3-5, zurutoys.com

17. Monster Jam ThunderROARus Drop

Take their stunts higher. Drop the truck down the epic six-foot ramp and watch it speed toward the dino’s mouth. Attaching the ramp to your wall is made easy using 3M hooks leaving no damage behind. $99.99, ages 3+, spinmaster.com

18. LeapFrog Rainbow Learning Lights Mixer Create their own recipes or follow the instructions on the two double-sided recipe cards. Little bakers can make more than 40 pretend recipes for cookies, cupcakes, pies and more. $29.99, ages 2+, shop.leapfrog.com

19. Nia

This 18-inch doll embodies beauty and confidence. Her half cloth body offers a cuddly and comforting touch and she has 20 inspiring phrases to motivate and inspire young children. $89.99, ages 3+, brainsandbeautydolls.com

20. Sesame Street Elmo Slide Plush

Little ones can dance, sing, and play along with their fun-loving pal in English or Spanish. $49.99, ages 2+, various retailers.

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26. Spirograph Doodle Pad

28. BBOP Inflatable Buddy Bumper Balls

23 21. Style BAE

Simply peel, stick and style. Each comes with a closet full of seven trendy outfits made from reusable cling stickers. Mix and match tops, bottoms, and shoes to create over 850 looks. $19.99, ages 4+, justplayproducts.com

22. Disney Doorables Multi Peek Series 10

Behind every door, a surprise is in store. Celebrate Disney’s 100th Anniversary with 80 characters from a century of epic storytelling. Find never-beforefeatured Doorables and collect all 9 special-edition figures. $11.99, ages 5+, various retailers.

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23. Squinkies Originals Cupcake Surprize Bake Shop

Designed to look like a fanciful cupcake when opened, this playset reveals a delightful bake shop. Place the gold coins into the special slot, turn the dial and watch for a surprise capsule. $34.99, ages 5+, bliptoys.com

24. Arctic Riders

After a long winter, the animals in the Arctic Circle are excited for Spring. This adorable selfcheck math game helps kids learn fundamental skills like addition, subtraction, and solving equations as they offer tasty treats to the hungry narwhals. $36, ages 7+, simplyfun.com

25. Future Fans Football

Introduces the rules of the game in kid-friendly ways. A storybook-led experience for adults and children, the box also includes an activity book, 5 games and toys and 6 unboxing experiences. $59.99, ages 4-10, futurefans.com

Create endless designs on the LCD screen using wheels. No paper, no markers, no mess. Includes LCD doodle pad with built-in storage area, stylus, 4 stencil wheels and design ideas. $24.99, ages 5+, playmonster.com

27. Feeling All the Feelings Workbook: A Kids’ Guide to Exploring Emotions

Offers 100+ engaging activities and practices designed to foster emotional awareness and help kids explore feelings. $16.95, ages 6-9, shambhala.com

Step inside and bounce, bop, and bump. Adult assembly and supervision required. $59.99, ages 6+, hearthsong.com

29. Holiday World Baking Bundle

Explore new adventures in your kitchen this holiday season. With these baking kits, you can travel to new culinary destinations in your own home with your little foodies. $84.95, ages 5+, eat2explore.com

30. Tinkering Labs Electric Motors Catalyst STEM Kit

Ignite curiosity and innovation in your young inventor. With 50+ components and 10 engaging challenges, kids can invent their own unique creations. $65, ages 8-13, tinkeringlabs.com

31. Design Your Own Hoodie

Create your own unique, boutique-quality piece with this innovative, video game-meets-fashion design platform. Features over 500+ premium patches. $49.00, sizes 2-14, supermixstudio.com

32. Curling Zone Indoor

No ice, no problem. Choose a curling stone— red or yellow—and hover it on the slick mat. The icy-not-so-icy challenging curling game is great for family game night. $129.99, ages 3+, hearthsong.com

33. Sky Viper Vector Performance Stunt Plane

Advanced auto flight stabilization makes flying a breeze by automatically compensating for environmental changes like shifting winds. Perform amazing loop and barrel roll stunts with a press of a button. $79.99, ages 12+, sky-viper.com

34. Do You Really Know Your Family?

Get ready to compete against your family to see who really knows each other best. Build fun family memories as you learn new things about each other and perform silly challenges together. $24.99, ages 8+, various retailers.

35. Castle Panic Second Edition

Cooperate with friends and family to defend your castle against monsters streaming in from the forest. Slay all the monsters and have at least one tower standing to win. $34.95, ages 8+, firesidegames.com.

36. Wild Chakra Kids Coloring Book

Features unique, hand drawn images taking your child on a journey of mindfulness activities. $24.44, ages 10+, wildchakrakids.com

37. Planet Zoo

Build a world for wildlife. Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. $49.99, ages 10+, planetzoogames.com

38. The Great Big Book of Really Hard Puzzles

Packed with more than 150 of the most difficult puzzles, mazes, word puzzles, logic puzzles and more. $12.99, ages 8-12, various retailers.

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Gifts Teachers & Coaches Will Appreciate By Aisha Taylor

Teachers and coaches serve an important role in our community because they are helping to build the next generation. Since educators sometimes may feel under appreciated, it is important to show them appreciation. “We get forgotten about a lot because people think that we have the summer off,” says Monique Swain, eighth grade intervention specialist at I Promise School in Akron. “They don’t realize that we are prepping for the next school year and a lot of us work with our students all year long. So that is a real blessing to have somebody really think about the teachers.”

What gifts do teachers most appreciate? The Grandparent Merit Badges™ collection of books is a fun-filled series of activity books designed to help and encourage grandparents, young grandchildren, and their families to spend more time together while creating a treasured keepsake that will be cherished for years to come. Each book includes simple activities grandparents and grandchildren will enjoy doing together, a merit badge reward activity and a Certificate of Merit. The Friends and Family Merit Badges book and the brand new “Lucas and Emily’s Animal Adventure” story book also make unique gift ideas for both young children and the adults in their lives alike. Each of these books encourage intergenerational connectivity and make the perfect holiday gift – buy yours today and DFTD!

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Homemade gifts. Swain says that as a teacher she appreciates any gift that’s given from the heart. “I have pictures students drew or painted from when I started teaching in 2008 until now,” she says. “I even have a crocheted scarf that the parents of my first student made for me.” Supplies. Some of the most appreciated gifts are things many parents don’t consider to be gifts. Teachers love when parents bring in the necessities that the classroom tends to run out of. These are things like tissues, pens, pencils, notebooks, snacks, and other miscellaneous classroom supplies. With so many teachers buying supplies on their own, having those extra items can be helpful. Gift cards are also helpful to the teachers. If you do want to buy a gift specifically for the teacher, understand the school’s policies because some districts don’t allow teachers to receive gifts directly from the parents. If the teacher is allowed to receive a gift, and you want the teacher to use it for themselves instead of the classroom, ask the teacher about some of their favorite things. Then buy a gift card for their favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or store.

“Sometimes I think people don’t realize how important educators are until something like COVID comes around,” says Rick Wilcox, fire and public safety technology instructor at Warrensville Heights High School. “It’s not an easy task to educate every day for 9 to 10 months.” Swain advises parents if they are buying a gift specifically for the teacher or bringing the teacher a meal to understand whether a teacher has an allergy or a dietary limitation. If you would like to purchase a gift, $30 or less is appropriate. Recognizing teachers or coaches helps them feel trusted, valued, empowered, and encouraged to remain in the profession they love because they feel supported by the community.

40. CUDL Clik Baby Carrier

39. Sprout Single-to-Double Stroller/Wagon

Expands from a single seater into a double with no tools needed. Need extra cargo space or to add a seat for an extra kid? Expand the chassis to make room. Shorten the chassis for more compact strolling. $699.99, 6 months to 50 lbs per seat, larktale. com

The baby carrier is designed to provide comfort and freedom for both parent and baby. Four ergonomic carry positions and four magnetic locking buckles for easy and secure attachment. Also includes a removable wristlet pouch. $250, ages newborn-3 years, nunababy.com

41. Hushh+ Travel Sound Machine

Choose from 20 soothing sleep sounds or use the wireless speaker to create the perfect soundscape for a dreamy night’s sleep anywhere. The adjustable amber night light provides gentle illumination. Can be charged wirelessly. $49.99, ages birth+, yogasleep.com

42. Milkmakers 5-in-1 Cover

Keeps the baby nestled in a bubble of protection when breastfeeding in public. Made of soft and breathable fabric infused with silver-ion technology. Use it as a car seat cover, high chair cover, shopping cart protector and stylish infinity scarf in one. $19.99, munchkin.com

43. Naturepedic Organic Nursing Pillow

Encased in soft organic cotton and filled with PLA made from nonGMO sugarcane. Made without polyurethane foam, flame retardants or harmful chemicals. It includes a waterproof, machine-washable cover. $119, naturepedic.com

44. Before You: A Book by Me, Your Parent, from a Time When You Didn’t Exist

A timeless keepsake journal that supplies families with 200 prompts— coolest place you ever traveled, your best hidden talent, your secret hideout as a kid and more. $19.99, quirkbooks.com

45. CYBEX COŸA Stroller

Folds in seconds to a carryon luggage compatible size, promising luxury from departure to arrival. Features ergonomic near-flat recline, an integrated leg rest and a snug one-pull harness. $499.95, ages birth-4 years, cybex-online.com

More gift ideas at NortheastOhioParent.com

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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Early Holiday Happenings 11/1-2

Marketplace Holiday Gala. Let the festivities begin at The Marketplace’s annual Holiday Gala. Gervasi Vineyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, gervasivineyard.com

11/3-4

Christkindl Markt. A juried fine arts and crafts show with a holiday theme. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Canton Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Ave. N., cantonart.org/christkindl

11/4

Holiday Toy Drive for Children in Foster Care. Drop off new unwrapped toys and gift cards for kids of all ages. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.. 232 Northland Dr., Medina or 1330 N. Carpenter Road, Brunswick, fostermedina.com

11/4 & 24

Santa Visits Lehman’s. Bring the little ones to meet Santa. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lehman’s, 4779 Kidron Rd., Dalton, lehmans.com

11/8-12/21

The North Pole Adventure. 26mile, 90-minute excursion to the enchanting North Pole. Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., cvsr.com

11/11-12

Nature Art Fest. Find one-of-akind, nature-inspired pieces for everyone on your holiday gift list. Oenslager Nature Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Township, medinacountyparks.com

11/11-19

Holiday Tree Festival. More than 200 decorated trees, 85,000 strings of lights and countless other creations. John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill Street, Akron, akronchildrens.org/treefestival

11/14-12/30

Wild Winter Lights. Featuring over 1.5 million lights across holiday-themed areas including Enchanted Forest and Santa’s Workshop. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, 3900 Wildlife Way, futureforwildlife.org

FamilyLiving Livingat atIts ItsBest Best 22 || Family 22

11/17-19

Medina Candlelight Walk. Shops and restaurants of the nine-block Medina historic district will be open later to welcome local residents and visiting guests. Medina Public Square, mainstreetmedina.com

11/18

Tree Lighting Ceremony. Crocker Park will welcome back the 50foot Christmas tree with its annual tree-lighting ceremony. 7 p.m. 89 Crocker Park Blvd., Westlake, crockerpark.com Santa’s Grand Arrival. Live entertainment, activities, games and more. 5:30-7 p.m. Great Northern Mall, 4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio. com

11/18-12/31

FROST: An Ice-capped Garden Experience. Winter botanical displays, holiday lights and immersive, themed rooms will transport you to an enchanting world. Cleveland Botanical, Garden, 11030 East Blvd., cbgarden.org

11/24-12/13

Santa’s Mailbox. Drop your letter into Santa’s Mailbox with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Stow City hall, 3760 Darrow Road, stowohio.org

11/22-12/31

Magic of Lights. Family-friendly drive-through of holiday lights. Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Rd., Middleburg Hts., magicoflights.com, cuyfair.com

11/24-12/17

Elf The Musical. Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole and raised by elves. Weathervane Playhouse, 1301 Weathervane Lane, Akron, weathervaneplayhouse.com

11/24-12/23

A Christmas Carol. Open your heart to Charles Dickens’ classic tale of one man’s ultimate redemption. Mimi Ohio Theater, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

11/24-12/29

Wild Lights. Enjoy the wildest lighting display this holiday season. 5-9 p.m. Akron Zoo, 505 Euclid Ave., Akron, akronzoo.org

11/24-12/30

Holiday Lights. 5:30-9 p.m. Carlisle Equestrian Center, 13630 Diagonal Road (drive-through), and Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Road (in person) in LaGrange. loraincountymetroparks.com Nature’s A-Glow. The beautiful botanical garden turns it into a winter wonderland. Friday-Sunday. 5-9 p.m. Beech Creek Botanical Garden, 11929 Beech St. NE, Alliance, beechcreekgardens.org Deck the Hall. Come see the estate illuminated with over one million lights on select evenings. Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, 714 N. Portage Path, Akron, stanhywet.org

11/25

Christmas Swan Dive. Get outfitted in your fun holiday clothes and take a cool jump into Lake Anna. 10 a.m. cityofbarberton.com

11/25-26 & 12/2

Ballet Theatre of Ohio presents “The Nutcracker.” This classic has become a treasured holiday tradition for families of all ages. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com

11/25 - 2/29

Winterland. Downtown Cleveland celebrates the magic of winter with a series of festive events and happenings across the city center from entertainment and family-friendly activities. Winterfest Day and Tree Lighting Ceremony on 11/25, 12-6 p.m., winterlandcle.com

11/30

Christmas Lighting of the Square. Colorful lights, live music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 6:30-8 p.m. Chardon Square, chardonsquareassociation.org

11/30-12/22

Country Lights Drive-Thru. Enjoy the festivities from the warmth of your own vehicles. 6-8:30 p.m.

Lake Metroparks Farmpark, 8800 Euclid Chardon Road, Kirtland, lakemetroparks.com

12/1

Light Up Lakewood. The most joyous of Lakewood traditions is returning to Downtown Lakewood for the 16th annual celebration. 6-9 p.m. 14701 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, lakewoodalive.com

12/1-3, 12/8-10 & 12/15-17

Scrooge: The Musical. Ebenezer Scrooge undergoes a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night. Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S. Main St., akroncivic.com

12/1-16

Black Nativity. Joyous retelling of the traditional new testament account of the nativity story, using gospel music, dramatic dance and more. Allen Theatre at Playhouse Square, 1407 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

12/1-17

Paddington Saves Christmas. The famous, accident-prone bear is here to save the day. Magical Theatre Company, 565 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, magicaltheatre.org

12/3

Hudson Holiday Walk. Join the Merchants of Hudson as they welcome shoppers and diners with activities for the entire family. 12-5 p.m. firstandmainhudson.com

12/12

Friends of the Maltz Museum Chanukah Lighting. Hear the story of Chanukah, sing Chanukah songs, and join in on the lighting of the menorah.5 p.m. Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, maltzmuseum.org

12/15-23

Scuba Claus Meet & Greet. Talk to the magical man in red while he’s underwater with sharks, stingrays, eels and angelfish on his “nice” list. Greater Cleveland Aquarium, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com

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November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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THANKSGIVING EVENTS 11/7

Thanksgiving Stories. Hear Thanksgiving themed stories and have a snack. 10-11 a.m. Wellington Reservation, 535 Jones Road, loraincountymetroparks.com

11/11

Snoopy’s Thanksgiving Party. Drop in for Thanksgiving crafts and a feast of jellybeans, pretzels, toast and popcorn. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Columbia Branch Library, 13824 W. River Road, lorainpubliclibrary.org Talkin’ Turkeys. Learn what sounds turkeys make and what they mean, complete an outdoor activity to learn about their habitat needs. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, clevelandmetroparks.com

11/14

Thanks for Thanksgiving. Have fun making affirmation cards and a Thanksgiving box. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Sterling Branch Library, 2200 East 30th St., Cleveland, cpl.org

11/15

Gratitude Rock Painting. Paint rocks with words or pictures of what you are most grateful for. 3:30-4:30 p.m. North Hill Branch Library, 183 E. Cuyahoga Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, akronlibrary.org

11/16

Owlbert’s Adventure: Totally Turkey. Learn where turkeys live, what they eat and much more. 2 p.m. Towner’s Woods Park, 2264 Ravenna Road, Kent, co.portgage.oh.us

11/18

Turkey Tales. Hear tales of turkeys and explore natural areas for this iconic bird. 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. Oenslager Nature Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Twp., medinacountyparks.com

24 | Family Living at Its Best

Turkey Roll on Ice. Put together turkeys, cranberries, an ice rink and a team of four friends together. 6:30 p.m. Mentor Civic Ice Arena, 8600 Munson Road, cityofmentor.com Gobble, Gobble! - Lake Hope. Learn all about the life of a turkey and how beautiful yet camouflaged they are in the forest. 2-3 p.m. 27331 State Route 278, McArthur, ohiodnr.gov

11/20-22

Turkey Scavenger Hunt. Turkeys are hiding in the library and they’ve disguised themselves as book characters. Can you find them all? Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, twinsburglibrary.org

11/22

Let’s Talk Turkeys. Learn about the wild turkey and the turkey vulture. 11 a.m.-noon. F. A. Seiberling Nature Realm, 1828 Smith Road, Akron, summitmetroparks.org

11/23

Turkey Trot. A Thanksgiving morning tradition for the entire family. 8:45 a.m. Public Hall, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland, turkeytrotcleveland.com Old Fashioned Thanksgiving Buffet. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wingate by Wyndam at LaMalfa, 5783 Heisley Road, Mentor, lamalfa. com

11/24

Hike Your Turkey Off. A steady-paced, calorie-burning eight-mile hike. 9 a.m.-noon. The West Woods, 9465 Kinsman Rd, Novelty, geaugaparkdistrict.org

November 2023

FaLL

TEENS & CAREERS Future Steps

EDUCATION FOCUS

CLASS CHOICES What’s the Best Fit? AP or CCP

HIGH SCHOOL

Guide

SPONSORED BY

NortheastOhioParent.com

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

SETTING YOUR HIGH SCHOOLER ON THE RIGHT PATH By Erin Sernoffsky “What do you want to be when you grow up?” A question many adults are still asking, even as they begin the process of helping their kids find the answer. During high school years this question takes on a new urgency as graduation looms large. The best first step is having open and honest conversations, followed by taking advantage of the incredible tools and resources available, and exploring the various educational and training options for each chosen path. BEGINNING THE CONVERSATION When’s the right time to begin helping kids find their career? According to Millicent Simmelink, chief engagement officer

26 | Family Living at Its Best

at Career Links in Rocky River, the time to start the discussion is earlier than you might think. “In early to middle childhood, parents need to pay careful attention to what fuels their child’s curiosity and joy,” she advises. “They need to encourage fantasy play that allows their child to assume different life roles as they do reality test work and practical life scenarios.” Simmelink is the author of the forthcoming book “Set Your Sails to Reach! A Mindful Approach to Envisioning Your Potential and Navigating Your Career.” She recommends parents enter these conversations from a place of openness and curiosity, focusing on a child’s strengths and interests

as the most effective way of finding a meaningful career. “It’s important to help your child recognize where their natural strengths lie so they can continue to build upon them in a productive and meaningful way,” she says. Christina Fuller, guidance counselor and counseling department chair with Copley Fairlawn City Schools, also sees the benefits from this strength-based approach. “Start with their interests,” Fuller says. “What do they like to do, what don’t they like to do? While this might seem rudimentary, it really is the root to having a fulfilling career. Many students go into fields due to the money or prestige but get burnt out very quickly. Doing something you enjoy or that

you can find fulfillment in is our ultimate goal.” As these conversations progress, it’s tempting for parents to shut down what they view as unsuitable or unrealistic. However, this tactic rarely leads to beneficial conversations. “Common mistakes parents make when trying to guide their children through this process include not listening to what their child wants, telling their child what they ‘should’ do, projecting their own unfulfilled career dreams onto their child, wanting their child to follow in their footsteps,” Simmelink says. Fuller also sees this play out firsthand. “Parents, out of the desire to see their child succeed, often make the mistake of wanting their children to have a career that provides them with what they believe to have stability,” she says. “They often also think more about what they would rather see their children doing than necessarily what the child wants or is interested in.” Instead, she recommends actively pursuing careers that directly align with strengths and interests for tangible benefits long-term. “I would advise guiding your child to explore their interests and ways they could utilize those in a potential career,” Fuller says. “The more they understand about themselves and how their abilities can relate with potential careers, makes such a big difference.” MATCHING STRENGTHS Matching interests and skills to a career is daunting, but there are many resources to help. Fuller recommends starting with a high school guidance counselor. “Talking with your school counselor regarding what career exploration software their school utilizes is

a great starting point. Many schools are also starting to incorporate internship and job shadowing as a requirement for students to understand better what opportunities are out there.” Parents and students can also take time to explore Ohio Means Jobs, an online hub with resources for students at every level. Here students can take a skills assessment which matches them to potential careers, learn about apprentice programs, find college planning tools, and more. Other free online assessments include O*Net Online which matches assessment results with career opportunities. Some libraries offer free coaching or career assessments, but families looking for a more detailed approach can consider a private career and college counselors. HOW TO GET THERE Another difficult decision families face is whether or not a four-year degree is necessary to reach their career goals. For years an undergraduate degree, and even a post-secondary degree, have been seen as a mandatory requirement to making a comfortable living, however this is slowly changing. “Right now, a four-year degree is still considered the gold standard in making sure kids have a meaningful and rewarding career, but sentiment is shifting. The rising costs of a four-year degree are concerning for many families,” Simmelink says. “In addition, many undergraduate degree programs are not easily aligned with employment needs.” Whether or not a student plans to attend college there are more options than ever before for advanced training and career development that provide a specific path for career-seekers, rather than a blanket option for everyone.

Fuller works with many of her students to help them find these alternate pathways. “Debt-to-income ratio has become a major concern for many students in today’s society,” she says. “Many students are opting to attend two-year universities or community colleges that cost less to get certifications; or to get credits at a lower cost to avoid going into as much debt. Many students are also looking into trade jobs as careers, due to the apprenticeship components, where you are paid while learning and then are guaranteed a job at the end. Others are focusing on outside certifications or training in the works, such as real estate, entrepreneurship, or moving up in the sales world. Anymore, a four-year college is not necessary to succeed financially in the world.” For those students who are college-bound, taking advantage of programs such as College Credit Plus is an excellent way to earn college credits while still in high school. College Credit Plus is free to all Ohio high school students and enables them to take online or in-person courses at public Ohio colleges and universities. Often, high schools offer vocational training which can either be used on their own or in conjunction with associate’s degrees, certifications, or even a bachelor’s degree. “One local high school student in my community completed vocational training in the culinary arts in high school before pursuing a degree in hospitality administration from Cornell University,” Simmelink says. Setting your child on the path toward a meaningful, stable career is daunting. Building on their strengths, taking advantage of every resource, and learning all of the different routes to employment are all critical steps in building a career they can count on.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Check out these amazing tools to help guide your teen in the right direction for long-term success! OHIO MEANS JOBS

O*NET ONLINE

Free to all Ohio residents, this interactive site offers skill and goal assessments college prep tools, and much more.

This free resource provides tools such as an Interest Profiler, Ability Profiler, and information on over 900 possible careers.

COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS

NATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

ohiomeansjobs.ohio.gov/

highered.ohio.gov/

Open to any Ohio public school student planning on attending an Ohio public college or university, this program allows high school students to earn college credit at no cost.

ESC NEO WORKS

onetonline.org

ncda.org

escneo.org/CareerCenters Compacts.aspx A collaboration between area school districts to provide career-technical education and much more. Northeast Ohio Career Centers/Compacts provide services to the ESC of Northeast Ohio’s member school districts.

Families looking for more personalized support can find an accredited career counselor or advisor in their area. Prices vary depending on the practitioner.

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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High School  Book Picks Miss. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. Sneakers by Rodrigo Corral , Alex French & Howie Kahn An absolute necessity for design devotees and sneakerheads of all ages. Sneakers is a definitive exploration of the cultural phenomenon of sneakers, now 85-billion-dollar-ayear industry. This gift-worthy book features 320 pages of photos and interviews with industry gurus, sports legends, and celebrities in a stunning package created by celebrated designer Rodrigo Corral. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth. Read it. And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

28 | Family Living at Its Best

The Maze Runner by James Dashner When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his name. He’s surrounded by strangers—boys whose memories are also gone. Outside the towering stone walls that surround them is a limitless, ever-changing maze. It’s the only way out—and no one’s ever made it through alive. Then a girl arrives. The first girl ever. And the message she delivers is terrifying: Remember. Survive. Run. Variant by Robison Wells Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life. He was wrong. Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence, where video cameras monitor his every move—and where breaking the rules equals death. All Benson wants is to find a way out. But when he stumbles upon the real secret the school has been hiding, he realizes that escape may be impossible. The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor Sixteen-year-old Alice is spending the summer in Paris, but she isn’t there for pastries and walks along the Seine. When her grandmother passed away two months ago, she left Alice an apartment in France that no one knew existed. An apartment that has been locked for more than 70 years. Alice is determined to find out why the apartment was abandoned. With the help of Paul, a charming Parisian student, she sets out to uncover the truth.

The Mortal Instruments Book 1: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare Fifteen-year-old Clary Fray is introduced to the world of the Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of warriors dedicated to driving demons out of our world and back to their own. The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to stay out of trouble. But can he really be expected to stand by and watch while a bully picks on his scrawny best friend? Or not defend himself against his pre-algebra teacher when she turns into a monster and tries to kill him? Of course, no one believes Percy about the monster incident; he’s not even sure he believes himself. Until the Minotaur chases him to summer camp. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson A group of old school friends meet to catch up. They end up discussing the unexpected, unforeseen changes to their lives, and one friend offers to tell a story about adapting to change. The story he tells involves four characters, two mice named Sniff and Scurry, and two “Littlepeople” named Hem and Haw. All of them are in a maze, looking for cheese, which they need to survive. For the “Littlepeople”, cheese also has a larger, metaphysical connotation in the sense that it also makes them happy - their Cheese is thus spelled with a capital C.

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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Advance Placement or College Credit Plus? Helping Your high schooler maximize credits By Rachel Abbey McCafferty

Family Living Living at at Its Its Best Best 30 || Family 30

hen it comes to setting a student’s schedule, there’s no one right or wrong answer. It depends on what a student wants to do after high school. What they want to pursue as a career, whether they plan to attend school in or out of state and if they’re looking at selective institutions. For students considering Advanced Placement or College Credit Plus courses, the decision can feel even more complex. Advanced Placement and College Credit Plus courses both offer Ohio students college-level curriculum while still in high school, as well as the chance to potentially earn college credits. College Credit Plus, or CCP, is the state’s dual enrollment program where students can earn both high school and college credit for a course. They’re paid for by the high school, unlike AP exams that could carry a cost for families. Both options can help students prepare for post-secondary education — and save money by letting them start college with credits in hand. “Many of our CCP students receive associate degrees before the graduate from high school,” says Dr. Janice Taylor Heard, associate vice president of the College Credit Plus program at Cuyahoga Community College. “Many continue their enrollment at Tri-C post-high school for a summer to a year to complete their associate degree prior to transferring to a university. The end result is thousands of dollars in savings and decrease time entering a career field.” AP courses and exams are national and standardized, overseen by the College Board, says Kelly MacLean, founder of the Kelly MacLean Achievement Center in Westlake. What she’s seeing is that they’re taking on more weight as colleges and universities move away from ACT and SAT scores. As AP courses take on more importance in college admissions, institutions are taking individual circumstances into consideration, MacLean says. They’re looking at how many AP classes a student takes, but also how many they have access to at their school and at what grade level. “The more data points a college has to prove that a student is ready for the rigor of college academics without oversight from a parent, without a parent running to the store for poster board for a project or doing their laundry and all of those types of things, the better they can predict that they’ll have that student for the entire year, not just one semester,” she adds. “An AP exam, because it’s standardized, is a great data point for them.” CCP can be a good fit for students who know they want to attend college in-state, as CCP credits are guaranteed to transfer to in-state public schools. Jennifer Collis, an associate provost at Lakeland Community College in Kirtland oversees their College Credit Plus program. She says students in the program have transferred to institutions across the country and they’ve been accepted to private schools in and out of state — including Ivy League institu-

tions, despite the misconception that CCP might not transfer to out-of-state or selective schools. Collis says students have to earn a certain score on an AP exam to earn college credits. But students who pass a CCP class automatically earn that credit without another test. Also, CCP offers courses of different lengths, including half-terms, and in different locations, including online. Shawn Grime, executive director of the Ohio School Counselor Association, says he’s always trying to talk to students about their “endgame.” Grime, who is also a counselor at Archbold High School in Northwest Ohio, says high school courses should be used to prepare students for their next step. And that applies to CCP and AP options, but also the subject areas students should be focusing on, based on their goals. “What are they ultimately looking to do?” “In addition to meeting the state standards for CCP pertaining to GPA, standardize test scores, or placement in college-level English and Math, parents should consider their child’s readiness for possible exposure in a course to “mature content” or subject matter,” says Taylor Heard. “Students and parents should be prepared for a course experience that differs in pace and academic rigor than a high school course and require more study time outside of the classroom.”

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HIGH SCHOOL Guide Listings

FLEX HIGH SCHOOL

Are you looking for a high school that offers the FLEXibility you need? FLEX High School provides a path to graduation that is flexible, personal, unique, and completely free. We focus on providing a safe educational environment, so that you may focus on your goal of obtaining a high school diploma. Students love the quiet, one-on-one attention they receive from their teacher mentors. Enroll anytime (877) 494-FLEX (3539).

GILMOUR ACADEMY

As an independent and Catholic school, Gilmour Academy is uniquely able to develop the minds and hearts of its students. Gilmour’s identity as an independent school reflects a commitment to rigorous academic programming, smaller classes and a variety of real-world opportunities. Gilmour’s Catholic identity means students are learning in an environment that is inclusive, thought-provoking and rooted in the Holy Cross tradition. Gilmour empowers students of all faiths to grow spiritually. Through its comprehensive curriculum, faith-based tradition, commitment to service and emphasis on leadership, Gilmour educates the whole person. gilmour.org

HATHAWAY BROWN

For nearly 150 years, Hathaway Brown School has educated and empowered girls. The K-12 day school in Shaker Heights, Ohio is regionally and nationally recognized as a top girls’ school for their Learn for Life Signature Approach. Their model for education integrates distinguished academics, empowered girls, knowledge in action, and a celebrated community of students, alums, and faculty and parents. Learn more at hb.edu

HAWKEN SCHOOL

Hawken School offers two high school options: the Upper School in Gates Mills and the Mastery School of Hawken in University Circle. The Upper School guides students to embrace the intrinsic value of learning by providing opportunities for student inquiry, analysis, agency, experimentation, and leadership. The Mastery School immerses students in real-world problem solving with a focus on personalized, project-based learning and an assessment model that leads students to learn deeply and persist to mastery. hawken.edu - CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 -

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HIGH SCHOOL Guide Listings

LAWRENCE SCHOOL

Lawrence School is a vibrant co-ed, independent K–12 school in Northeast Ohio designed specifically for students who struggle with reading, writing, or math. This can include learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and challenges with executive function. Lawrence School serves over 350 students in 90+ communities while maintaining a 9:1 classroom ratio. For over 50 years, Lawrence has been the school of choice for students who learn differently to achieve personal and academic success.” lawrenceschool.org

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat High School is a girls’ Catholic, college-preparatory high school that prepares young women to learn, lead, and serve in the spirit of Mary’s Magnificat. Students with diverse backgrounds and aspirations are given the tools to reach their academic goals as well as the flexibility to discover new interests and talents. Hands-on learning, service, faith formation, and leadership opportunities enrich the educational experience, along with engaging advanced electives, extensive club opportunities, and competitive athletics..magnificaths.org

34 | Family Living at Its Best

- SPONSORED CONTENT -

SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

16 th STOP THE HATE SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS 6th – 12th Graders Invited to Submit Essays on Stopping the Spread of Hate Through the generosity of a donor, $100,000 is awarded in support of standing up and speaking out against hate. Who are the students who are participating? Northeast Ohio 6th through 12th graders living in or attending public, private, or home school in one of the following twelve counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, and Wayne counties. How can a student enter the Stop the Hate contest? Students are invited to pen a personal essay in 500 words or less about bias they have witnessed or experienced and share what they have done or will do in response. Essays can be submitted by an individual independent of their school’s involvement. How can a teacher bring a school group for a Stop the Hate tour? School groups are invited at a discounted rate of only $3 per student. CMSD schools are admitted at no cost, with preregistration. For details, and more information, please email tours@mmjh.org. Are there other ways for schools to get involved? A classroom-based group competition invites classes to tour the museum and then participate in a free workshop with Roots of American Music. Working with a teaching artist, the class will pen an original song. This song becomes the class submission to the contest and is judged by a panel of music experts selected in partnership with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Winning classrooms will receive anti-bias education grants for their school. Also new this year is the opportunity to apply for one of three Stop the Hate Anti-Bias Community Grants of $5,000 each for schools in the participating 12 counties. For more information on applications, please contact ckrieger@mmjh.org.

Deadlines are in February. For complete details, visit Learn.MaltzMuseum.org.

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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- SPONSORED CONTENT -

19600 North Park Boulevard, Shaker Heights HB.edu

OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION: Parent previews are held monthly starting in October. More information at HB.edu/Admission

❝

“HB’s motto is to “learn not for school, but for life.” From kindergarten to senior year, students are immersed in opportunities that apply concepts learned in the classroom to the real world — uniting learning by thinking with learning by doing. HB gives students the tools they need to succeed in the world beyond our walls.”

❞

— Head of School Dr. Fran Bisselle

athaway Brown is an all girls K-12 day school in Shaker Heights. Since 1876, HB has educated and empowered girls with the Learn for Life Signature Approach that integrates distinguished academics, empowered girls, knowledge in action, and a celebrated community of students, alums, and faculty and parents. The Signature Approach allows students to take ownership of their education with outstanding experiential learning opportunities such as the Storyline model in the Primary School, the Academies in Middle School, and the Fellowships for the Applied Studies in the Upper School. The Signature Approach, facilitated by an incredibly impressive and engaged faculty, empowers girls to rise boldly to the challenges of the times, achieve their goals and reach their utmost potential. The school’s distinguished academics are nationally recognized and are valued by families, top colleges and universities, and employers. Seventy-one percent of HB teachers hold advanced degrees. And each faculty and staff member participates in deep and profound racial equity training. HB’s beautiful 16-acre Shaker

Heights campus houses a fourstory glass-paneled atrium, visual and performing arts spaces, an IDEA Lab and Upper School learning commons. Furthermore, there’s an onsite adventure learning course, various dynamic classroom configurations, a working television studio, an aquatics center, tennis courts, and turf playing fields. Hathaway Brown is home to 12 varsity athletics teams, along with the first e-sports team in the country established at an all-girls school. It also has a large and consistently excellent speech and debate team, an award-winning robotics program and several performing arts opportunities. When girls graduate from Hathaway Brown School, they join an alumnae network of more than 4,000 women who live in 49 states and 27 foreign countries. Ranging in age from 17 to 105, HB alumnae are a celebrated community of civically engaged, trailblazing women who hold positions in every professional industry there is. Many were the first women to complete particular college degree programs or to earn executive-level positions in their respective organizations. For more information, visit HB.edu or contact the Admission office at (216) 320-8767.

All-girls K-12, Coed Infant & Toddler Center and Early Childhood Program Enrollment: 828

Grades served: Toddler-12th

36 | Family Living at Its Best

Average Class size: 15

Tuition: $23,700 - $38,600

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 37

Adoption Journey One family’s story about going through the foster and adoption process

By Angela Gartner ruce and Ashley Benton of Copley knew they wanted to help kids who needed good homes, even before they got

married. “We actually did not set out on this journey to adopt,” Ashley Benton says.”We both work in pediatrics (and) we started talking about becoming foster parents. We felt we would be a good fit as we understood how the system worked and saw the reality these kids and families face everyday.”

In 2021, as foster parents, they took in Gage as an infant, who they ended up adopting last November on National Adoption Day at the Summit County Probate Court. “Unfortunately, his family was unable to care for him and we knew he would be a great fit for our family,” Bruce Benton says. “It is impossible to not fall in love with a child you live with for more than 18 months.” Ashley Benton adds, we became foster parents to help families reunite

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BENTON FAMILY

38 | Family Living at Its Best

and create a safe resource for those that didn’t have that available to them. Unfortunately, reunification is not always a possible outcome. When Gage entered our home shortly after he was born, we fell in love with him and knew if adoption was going to be part of his story, we would say yes to that opportunity to support him in that way. He is a perfect fit for our family. Gage, who is two and a half, is 100% toddler at the moment, according to his parents.

“He has a big belly laugh, you can’t help but smile when you hear it,” the couple says. “Gage is the sweetest, happiest, most loving child.” While most people say the challenging part of adoption is the waiting, for Ashley Benton, it was the emotional roller coaster of the process. “The sadness of a family being broken that day, mixed with the joy of loving this child that we are privileged to have joined our family,” she says. “Adoption is very complex and learning to hold space for both sides of it has been a learning curve. We cannot stress enough how much we love Gage and because of that, we know that he may face unique challenges in life that we cannot change for him. We can only support him through those challenges he may face.” The family has support, too, which helps them to wade through the foster

and adoption waters. The couple feels adoptive families need to surround themselves with people who understand the system and process. “It can feel overwhelming to navigate it and having someone personally walk you through it is so helpful,” Ashley Benton says. “I appreciate our adoption support groups. We have people who love and understand us who also know exactly what we are going through. Gage will have connections to other kids who are experiencing adoption alongside him as well. Therapists are another great tool we plan to utilize as he gets older to help him work through the emotions of adoption.” The couple advises people who are looking at fostering or adoption to do their own personal growth work before starting the process. “I have found that adoption tends

to be romanticized in most people’s minds,” Ashley Benton says. “Adoption is traumatic for the children (even newborns) and there needs to be more education and understanding around that. Adoptees are amazing and there is a strong group of them sharing their stories through social media, podcasts, and books. I encourage people to listen and learn from them so they can become the best, most supportive adoptive parents possible.” “The best part of adoption is the love Gage brought into our home,” the couple adds. “The joy he brings into our family is indescribable. Every child deserves a safe, loving, stable home. It is so valuable for families to build new, meaningful relationships with those they may not have otherwise met and build new connections within our communities.”

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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- Adoption Profiles • Sponsored Content -

264 S. Arlington Street Akron 24-Hour Foster Care & Adoption Inquiry Line: 330-379-1990 summitkids.org

“We are committed

to the safety,

permanency, and

well-being of all

children served, in

partnership with

families and the

community.”

— Cassandra Holtzmann, JD, LPA, Executive Director, Summit County Children Services

or more than a century, Summit County Children Services (SCCS) has improved the lives of abused and neglected children and their families by promoting child safety, permanency, and well-being. Every day, more and more children come to the attention of SCCS because of child abuse and neglect concerns. With the help of committed staff, caseworkers, foster and kinship families, volunteers, and donors, SCCS strives to provide child protective services that enable children in our community to thrive in their own homes or that of a loving relative or foster family. Children like Zy’aire. Zy’aire is known for being a very kind and caring young man. He loves to laugh, have fun, and especially likes

40 | Family Living at Its Best

Meet Zy’aire sports. He is a hometown fan of all Cleveland teams, however, Lebron is his favorite basketball player. Zy’aire plays football for his high school as a defensive lineman, tight end, and sometimes middle linebacker. Although he occasionally struggles to get his schoolwork done on time, he has made sure to continue to make progress on this. During his free time, he enjoys listening to music, watching Tik Tok videos and playing video games like Madden NFL. SCCS helps children like Zy’aire who need support and safety to reach their full potential. When Zy’aire grows up, he would like to be a lawyer because he likes to defend an argument. He would also like to explore being a coach, a basket-

ball player, or even manage a major retail store, as he loves fashion and putting outfits together. One of Zy’aire’s greatest strengths is his ability to simply let things go and he doesn’t get upset easily. He has an amazing smile and says that if he could make an impact on one thing in the world, it would be to see changes in the foster care system. SCCS is committed to the safety, permanency, and well-being of all children served, in partnership with families and the community. We believe all children, like Zy’aire, have a right to a safe, stable, and permanent home. You can learn about the vital work that SCCS does by visiting summitkids.org.

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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- Adoption Profiles • Sponsored Content -

343 West Bagley Rd., Berea 844.6.CALL.OG (844.622.5564) ohioguidestone.org

Love and an Open Mind are Everything in Foster Care

“The greatest reward is watching each child surpass the expected physical, medical and or psychological goals that were set for them. When placed in a safe nurturing environment, miracles happen-we have seen them.” Theresa and Jerome H.- Foster Parents with OhioGuidestone’s Medically Fragile Foster Program. Despite an extensive list of medical needs, Theresa and Jerome describe their foster children as a busy, bubbly, energetic family who loves to travel, go boating, swimming, and play games. Theresa said, “We have dinosaur lovers, Lego masters, puzzle makers, artists, singers, and gamers.” She said their personalities and interests overshadow their diagnoses. The medically fragile program is one of only a few in Ohio and serves children ages 0-21. Theresa and Jerome credit OhioGuidestone’s support for helping them manage their foster family. Now they are offering support to other parents via a forum on foster care at OhioGuidestone.org. Donna Keegan, OhioGuidestone Chief Program Officer said, “our foster caregivers receive extensive training and support, especially when a

medically fragile child comes into their home. Additionally, our Medically Fragile Foster Parents have 24/7 support from an on-staff registered nurse, and experienced social workers.” Medically fragile children, children with therapeutic needs, teens, and sibling groups are where the need for foster care is greatest, but a foster family at OhioGuidestone can also be a single adult providing a home for a single child- even temporarily. Hannah is a first-time foster caregiver, who was prepared for a challenge. Instead, she said she is delighted watching her foster son experience “firsts” that many other children take for granted, like swimming and going to see a movie. She said, “I took him to a movie theater for the first time, and he was shocked that they turned off the lights. I will also never forget how his face lit up when he went swimming for the first time.” Theresa, Jerome, and Hannah urge anyone considering becoming a foster parent to contact OhioGuidestone. org, saying love and an open mind are the only skills you need, and that OhioGuidestone will help with the rest. events and educational seminars

“OhioGuidestone’s Foster Care program offers amazing support, staff who care, and training opportunities. When you become a foster

caregiver at OhioGuidestone you become part of a community of foster families. We celebrate birthdays, holidays, play dates, and other

family activities together. Our children deserve to be celebrated, and we help each other every step of the way.

- Christina Powers Foster Care Supervisor

42 | Family Living at Its Best

November CAlenDAR

Family Theater Fun

11/4-5

Giraffes Can’t Dance: The Musical. Based on the book by Giles Andreae and Guy Parker-Rees. 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. Mimi Ohio Theatre, Playhouse Square, 1511 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, playhousesquare.org

11/24-12/17

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka. The delicious adventures experienced by Charlie Bucket on his visit to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory light up the stage. The Fine Arts Association, 38660 Mentor Avenue, Willoughby, fineartsassociation.org

12/1-30

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The irresistible family-friendly musical about family! Go on the journey of the trials and triumphs of Joseph, the favorite son of Israel. Beck Center for the Arts, 17801 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, beckcenter.org

Find more events at NortheastOhioParent.com

Pick - a - day TUESDAYS

Art & Soul. Explore your artistic side by creating works of art while listening to some chill vibes. Through 11/28. 4-5 p.m. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

After School Teen Program. A place to decompress, have a meal and play some games. 2:455 p.m. That Place for Teens, 1480 Pearl Road, Brunswick, thatplace4teens.com Delight Nights. Interactive play and fun with full access to 25 exhibits. Through 12/31. 5-8 p.m. Akron Children’s Museum, 216 S. Main St., akronkids.org

THURSDAYS

Step Up Club. 4, 5, and 6 year olds on their own for stories, songs and crafts. 10-10:45 a.m. and 1:30-2:15 p.m. Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd., alpl.org

FRIDAYS

Homeschool Skate. Exciting and beneficial form of recreation for home school children. Through 12/22. 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Mentor Ice Area, 8600 Munson Road, mentoricearena.com

SATURDAYS

Family Saturdays at Skylight Park-Tower City. Games, crafts, live entertainment and more. First and third Saturdays. 12-4 p.m. 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com Animal Care. Behind the scenes look at the animal care at The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes. Second Saturday of each month.

Through 4/13/2024. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 2600 South Park Blvd., Cleveland, sharkerlakes.org Comic Club. Learn to juggle works with images in unexpected ways with artist Juan Fernandez. 11/4 & 12/2. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Community Arts Center, 2937 W. 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org

SUNDAYS

Family FUNday. Family-friendly games, movement-based activities, art, and more. First Sunday of each month. 1-4 p.m. Community Arts Center, West 25th St., Cleveland, clevelandart.org Mentor Marsh Family Hike. Come explore the forest. 2-3:30 p.m. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, The Carol H. Sweet Nature Center, 5185 Corduroy Road, Mentor, cmnh.org

ongoing THROUGH 11/30

Trekking Through Autumn. Hike eight or more designated trails and receive an award. Medina County Park District, medinacountyparks.com 60th Annual Fall Hiking Spree. Get out and explore; complete at least eight designated hikes to earn hiking staff (first year hikers) and shield. Summitmetroparks.org Sea Lions: Life By A Whisker: A Giant Screen Experience. A heart-warming journey of a sea lion pup and the man that has dedicated his life to trying to save her species. Great Lakes Science Center, 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, greatscience.com

✱ SUBMIT YOUR EVENT TO US! northeastohioparent.com/events/community/add November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 43

November CALENDAR

THROUGH 12/31

Wild Hikes Challenge. Walk, hike, skip, jog, run or stroll on eight designated trails before Dec. 31 to earn a hiking staff (first year) and/or a 2023 Wild Hikes medallion. portgageparkdistrict.org

day-by-day

11/7

Intro to Babysitting. Learn leadership and communication skills, review basic safety practices and other skills to become a top-notch sitter. Noble Branch Library at Disciples Christian church, 3663 Mayfield Road, heightslibrary.org

11/4-5

11/9

11/5

11/10

Buckeye Alpaca Fall Fest. Come see these amazing animals compete for Champion Status. 9 a.m. Summit County Fairgrounds, Tallmadge, buckeyealpacashow.com

First People’s Day. Delve into the unique history of Northeast Ohio nature cultures with talks, hikes and demonstrations. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Rocky River Nature Center, 24000 Valley Pkwy., North Olmsted, clevelandmetroparks.com Family Day: Mess Makers. Children and caregivers explore creativity. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org

Thank Our Veterans. Honor our veterans by making thank-you cards to be delivered to them. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org

Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD affects nearly half a million Americans. Learn how it’s diagnosed and treated. 2-3 p.m. Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, divi.geaugalibrary.net

11/11

Creature Feature. Meet an animal ambassador for some family-friendly fun. 12:30 p.m. The Wilderness Center, 9877 Alabama Ave. SW, Wilmot, wildernesscenter.org Kindergarten Countdown. Help your child build kindergarten readiness skills in a program aligned to Ohio’s Early Childhood Standards. 10-11 a.m. Bay Village Branch Library, 502 Cahoon Road, cuyahogalibary.org

11/11-19

Desvelado. With the help of la luna, a.k.a. Harvest, Música, and the audience, Little One learns that everything will be alright, and that new experiences can be a good thing. Talespinner Children’s Theatre, 5209 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, talespinnerchildrenstheatre.org

11/14

Strategic Reading for Teens. Students will examine different writing styles and genres and prepare for high school level and above reading expectations. 7-8 p.m. Rocky River Public Library, 1600 Hampton Road, rrpl.org

11/16

Archaeology for Kids. Explore archaeological concepts through fun, hands-on activities. 3-4 p.m. Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., euclidlibrary.org

11/17

Children’s Storytime Series: Sky Sisters. Two Ojibway sisters set off across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits’ midnight dance. 11 a.m. Cleveland History Center, 10825 East Blvd., wrhs.org

11/18

Super Science Saturday: Rock Stars. Take a look at the world of geology. 10:30 a.m.3:30 p.m. Akron Fossils & Science Center, 2080 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Copley, akronfossils.com

44 | Family Living at Its Best

SAT Prep. Discuss strategies for taking the exam and complete a sample test section. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mentor Public Library, 8215 Mentor Ave., mentorpl.org

11/18-1/1

Candy Land: Gone to the Birds. Candy Land comes to life, but with a natural twist taking you on a birding adventure. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Penitentiary Glen Reservation, 8668 Kirtland Chardon Road, Willoughby, lakemetroparks.com Fun with Finance for Teens. Learn some basics that every teen should know and then play a game to test your skills. 6:30 p.m. Medina County Library, 210 S. Broadway St., mcdl.info

11/24

Free Kids Friday at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A fun-filled day of activities and giveaways. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 2121 George Halas Dr. NW, Canton, profootballhof.com

11/27

Mindful Kids. Help your schoolaged students de-stress with simple yoga, guided meditation and more. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Willoughby Public Library, 30 Public Square, we247.org

11/29

Homeschool Readers. Read “Fair Weather” by Richard Peck and be ready for a discussion and activity. 10:30 a.m.-Noon. Richfield Branch Library, 3761 S. Grant St., akronlibrary.org

11/30

Mean Green Science Machine. Teachers from CWRU will lead fun, interactive science experiments. 2-3 p.m. Fulton Branch Library, 3545 Fulton Road, Cleveland, cpl.org

12/3

Kids Maker Fest. For young entrepreneurs who are just starting out or who have established businesses. Akron Art Museum, 1 S. High St., akronartmuseum.org

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 45

PARENT & CHILD EVENTS MONDAYS

Baby and Me Story Time. A fun interactive session using songs, rhymes, puppets and musical instruments. 10-10:30 a.m. Through 12/11. Wadsworth Public Library, 132 Broad St., wadsworthlibrary.com Baby Story Time. Stories, fingerplays, songs, and more. Through 11/13. 11 a.m. Twinsburg Public Library, 10050 Ravenna Road, 330-425-4268, twinsburglibrary.org

Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, activities, and rhymes. 11 a.m. Through 11/20. Woodland Branch Library, 5806 Woodland Ave., Cleveland, cpl.org Toddler Tales. Stories, songs, and rhymes for children 2-3 years old and their caregivers. 10 a.m. Amherst Public Library, 221 Spring St., amherst.lib.oh.us

MONDAY & TUESDAY

Garrettsville Storytime. Songs, dance and crafts. 11 a.m. Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday. Garrettsville Branch Library, 10482 South St., Garrettsville, portagelibrary.org

MONDAY-WEDNESDAY

Tales Alive for 2-5s. Stories, songs, playtime and craft. 10:30-11 a.m. Through 11/15. Cuyahoga Falls Library, 2015 Third St., cuyahogafallslibrary.org

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

Stroller Strides at Crocker Park. A functional, total-body conditioning workout designed for moms with kids in tow. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Westlake, crockerpark.com

MONDAY-THURSDAY

Frogs & Polliwogs. Hands-on activities, music, games and simple crafts. Ages 2-3 with an adult. 9:30 or 11 a.m. Monday-Wednesday, and 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, 28728 Wolf Road, Bay Village, lensc.org

MONDAY & THURSDAY

Preschool Story Time. Stories, songs, dance and more. 10 a.m. Through 11/16. Peninsula Library, 6105 Riverview Road, 330-467-7323, peninsulalibrary.org

TUESDAYS

Baby Time. Lap bounces, active rhymes, songs, books and group play time. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Through 11/14. Ellet Branch Library, 2470 E. Market St., Akron, akronlibrary.org Family Fun Storytime. A toe-tapping, hand-clapping good time of stories, songs and rhymes. Through 12/12. 7 p.m. Euclid Public Library, 631 E 222nd St, Euclid, euclidlibrary.org Willowick Storytime. Entertaining stories and activities to encourage literacy development. Through 11/14. 10-10:30 p.m. Willowick Public Library, 263 E. 305th St., we247.org Family Storytime. Books, rhymes, songs and fingerplays. 11/7-12/5. 10:30-11 a.m. Brunswick Library, 3649 Center Road, mcdl.info Baby Bookworms. Learn rhymes, listen to stories, dance and have fun. Through 12/5. 10:30 a.m. Morley Library, 184 Phelps St., Painesville, 440-352-3383, morleylibrary.org

WEDNESDAYS

Rhythm & Rhyme. A story, music and movement class for preschoolersThrough 12/6. 10-11 a.m. Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Chagrin Falls, divi.geaugalibrary.net Beats, Books & Bubbles. High energy music and bubble experience for toddlers and preschoolers. Through 11/8. 6:30 p.m. South Lorain Branch Library, 2121 Homewood Drive, lorainpubliclibrary.org

46 | Family Living at Its Best

Baby Bonanza. Books, bopping and bouncing. 9:30 a.m. Through 12/27. Coventry Village Branch Library, 1925 Coventry Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org Fall Music and Movement Storytime. Stories, songs and activities. Through 11/29. 10-10:30 a.m. Garfield Heights Branch Library, 5409 Turney Road, cuyahogalibrary.org

Family Storytime at the Great Northern Mall. Join us for family storytime with the Cuyahoga County Public Library on the first Friday of each month. 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. 4954 Great Northern Mall, North Olmsted, greatnorthernohio.com

SATURDAYS

Family Storytime. Join in for rhymes, songs and play. Ages 2-6 with a caregiver. Through 12/16. Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road, westlakelibrary.org

Birth to 23 Months Storytime. For children age birth to 23 months and their families. Through 11/15. 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, smfpl.org Wiggle and Giggle. Come and have fun while increasing your child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional well-being through play. Through 11/15. 10-11 a.m. Elyria Central Library, 320 Washington Ave., Elyria, elyrialibrary.org

THURSDAYS

Waddlers. Songs, stories, rhymes and playtime. Through 11/30. 10-10:30 a.m. Lee Road Branch Library, 2345 Lee Road, Cleveland Hts., heightslibrary.org Read and Sing with Me. Story time with music, movement and more. 10:30-11 a.m. North Canton Public Library, 185 N. Main St., ncantonlibrary.com

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

Play and Learn Station. Designed to support early childhood development, build community, and make connections. Through 12/30. 10 a.m.-noon. Shaker Library, 16500 Van Aken Blvd., shakerlibrary.org

FRIDAYS

Finger Paint Fridays. Bring your little one to explore their creativity. Through 12/29. 10 a.m.noon. Mentor Headlands Branch Library, 4669 Corduroy Road, Mentor, mentorpl.org

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

| 47

Aging

PARENTS

Managing Finances: How to Help Your Parents

rowing up, you may have sought financial guidance from your parents. Now, it may feel awkward to step into a position when you need to help manage their finances. You can support their fiscal management in a variety of ways. It can include basic guidance suggestions for how they manage a monthly budget, taking ownership of remitting their payments for bills, or total management of all their financial matters. And, just as they change over the years, the level of support you need to provide for them may vary, increasing or decreasing as they also work through various changes in their life. How do you know when your parents need help? Recognizing that your parents may need support is the first step. Are you comfortable having an open conversation with them? This discussion may include understanding what bills they pay each month, as well as other expenditures and even wish list items (i.e., a vacation, lunch out, or gifts for grandchildren). If you are not able to have a conversation, your first step may simply be to pay closer attention to your parents’ spending habits. Specifically, take notice of any significant lifestyle changes. Are they making any unusual purchases? Are they spending excess

48 | Family Living at Its Best

By Jeannie Fleming-Gifford amounts of money? Or, to the other extreme, not purchasing basic household or personal care supplies? The buying of items that do not fit with their lifestyle or needs, entering sweepstakes or contests or lottery may also be a sign that they need additional support in managing their finances. Where to start: getting involved with financial oversight. As you begin a conversation, it is important to be respectful, loving and kind. Additionally, discussions regarding money must be honest, calm, and direct. Start the discussion with open-ended questions such as how they are doing and how they feel about their finances. What are their concerns? Are they facing any challenges? Work to understand what they are spending on basic needs such as groceries, gas, housing, and utilities each month. Additionally, discuss wish list items and estimated costs (i.e., eating out weekly, going to see a show, etc.). The goal of this conversation is to gain insight into their spending patterns and overall monthly budget. Next, begin to work in collaboration with them on creating a plan. A written plan that you both contribute to creating is desirable. The plan should provide clear directions for

fiscal management. It can be a monthly budget or even an annual budget. The plan should include their income and expenses, needs, and wants and short term and long-term goals. It should also include timing of expenses. Do not forget to include annual or bi-annual expenses such as insurance. Also build in emergency expenses such as car or home repair. Finally, work with them on developing a system of support to manage the financial plan. For example, would assisting in bill pay twice a month be desirable? Can you assist them in using tools such as online bill pay? Electronic payments can be set up to provide support and transparency in financial transactions for all involved. It may take a trip to the bank and a power of attorney for access to some data and ability to manage funds (such as withdrawal or transfer). Remember, the guidance you provide may change gradually over time or even from month to month. From simple conversations and check in, to bill paying, to complete financial oversight. For additional assistance or complicated financial matters, contact a financial planner or expert for guidance. Jeannie Fleming-Gifford has a MA in family and consumer sciences with a specialization in child development. Her passions include outdoor adventures, writing, the arts, and coffee.

Plan for Good Health Protect your health and the people you love. Vaccines are safe, save millions of lives, and are the best defense against many infectious diseases. If you are 65+ or have a compromised immune system, you may be more vulnerable. Get vaccinated today! You have the power to prevent & protect!

Gift Card

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging is working with community partners to support vaccine events in your area. WRAAA is offering a $25 grocery gift card for individuals who receive a vaccine at community vaccine events. To learn more visit areaagingsolutions.org/programs-services/what-s-happening/

Flu

COVID-19

Seasonal vaccines should be an important part of your plan for good health. The flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be available this fall. Talk with your primary care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. Learn more at www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/ For more information on how WRAAA can help you plan for good health go to areaagingsolutions.org/public-health/

For vaccines visit: areaagingsolutions.org/about-us/covid19-info/

Cuyahoga County Board of Health: ccbh.net

Lake County General Health District: lcghd.org

Cleveland Department of Public Health: clevelandhealth.org

Lorain County Public Health: loraincountyhealth.com

Geauga County Public Health: gphohio.org

Medina County Health Department: medinahealth.org

“This publication is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through USAging as part of a financial assistance award to USAging totaling $74,999,835 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official view of, norNovember an endorsement,2023 by USAging, ACL/ HHS.” - NortheastOhioParent.com 49

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SARA CARNES • Facebook = Sara Carnes • Instagram = saracarnes4

Navigating the News with Your Kids

When you work in the media like I do it’s really hard to avoid the news. Don’t get me wrong: some days I wish I could avoid it, but I’ve grown to learn a healthy balance of the news can be a good thing. I have so many friends that say, I just can’t watch it — it’s way too depressing. I get that and some days I wish I could just avoid it too. But, the truth is in our fast-paced digital age, the news is more accessible than ever for everyone, and it’s really hard to avoid it. Whether it’s on TV, social media, or even from the mouths of classmates, our kids are increasingly exposed to current events — whether we want them to be or not. So the question then becomes how we should engage with our kids about the news. They might ask questions, wonder, maybe even worry a little themselves. I recommend trying to be proactive with kids and having open conversations. I’m no expert, but from my years of being a momma, here are a few thoughts I have when talking to your kids about current events/news happenings.

Here are some valuable tips to guide parents in having constructive conversations with their kids about the news.

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Be Proactive and Start Early This might sound crazy, but it’s never too early to introduce children to the world of news. Younger kids may not understand every detail, but they can grasp simple concepts and form a foundation for understanding more complex issues later. Begin by sharing age-appropriate news stories and discussing them together.

Choose Age-Appropriate Sources If you have kids that can read, then select news sources and content suitable for your child’s age and maturity level. Some media outlets offer kid-friendly news sections that simplify complex issues in a child-friendly manner. Websites like ‘DOGOnews’ are great resources for young readers. You might even benefit from reading some articles simplified for kids too.

Don’t Overdo It The constant barrage of news can be overwhelming for kids. Limit their exposure to graphic or distressing content. Monitor their social media (if they have it). Discuss with them the importance of balance and knowing when to take a break from the news.

Look for the Positive News can be really sad.... and as Mr. Rogers said, “Look for the Helpers”... You’ll always find people helping whenever something terrible happens. And when it happens in the news, we always look for the helpers to emphasize what good we can do in the situation. This can help alleviate fear or anxiety during difficult and sad news stories.

Lead by Example Kids learn by observing their parents. My daughter started wanting to watch the news when she was about 8 years old and we really had to balance what she saw — and balance our reaction to things. Be a positive role model by staying informed, discussing the news with them, and demonstrating respectful and thoughtful behavior when engaging with the news yourself.

Navigating the world of news with your children may seem hard, but with patience, it can really help kids understand the world around us more. And I feel like it can help foster a stronger bond between parents and their kids.

50 | Family Living at Its Best

November 2023 - NortheastOhioParent.com

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52 | Family Living at Its Best