RM Parent January 2015 by RM Publishing

JANUARY 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

The magic OF

kindness

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Library OFFERINGS

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Is it ever OK TO LIE?

Herb

Urgent GARDENS CARE

Herb Urgent

GARDENS CARE

Special Section: YOUTH PROGRAM & ACTIVITY GUIDE

2015 SCHOOL

DIRECTORY

Find the right school for your child. Explore the Advertisers options: neighborhood, charter, specialized programs, nontraditional, independent and more. Also learn about school of choice policies and deadlines in your district. BY CATEGORY 22 ALPHABETICAL 24

SCHOOL

CALENDARS

PAGE 50

LIST OF

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Features THE MAGIC OF 18 KINDNESS

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 The family that gives together—caring for foster puppies teaches the true spirit of the holidays

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

One way to counter bullying is teaching kindness. Schools are introducing programs and curricula to teach core values of caring, kindness and respect. The first place children learn about how to treat others, though, is in their homes, because the first and best teachers of kindness and empathy are parents.

22 WHEN YOU HAVE TO ACT FAST

Casting light on a problem, AEDs in schools, Kid Pak relieves hunger, Funtastic Family 5k, Garfield meets a Dirtbag, wonders of reading

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 PSD calendar of events, kindergarten registration, school choice option, CDE academic excellence awards, Zach Gives Back campaign

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Jump in AP class participants, Bella Romero named a top school to visit, Prairie Heights on schedule, students win No Place for No Hate Art contest

Lunchbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

As parents, we sometimes have to make critical decisions about our children’s health care and the appropriate service when we’re feeling stressed and scared about their condition. When should we call 9-1-1? Or drive to the ER? Or is urgent care the right call? Read on to define the lines between different levels of care.

ABOUT THE COVER: Jameson, 6-months, likes his dogs and long car rides with his family. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Oh, puppies...

You wonderful, horrible things

n Time Out at the back of the issue, Katie Harris writes about her family’s adventures (I guess that’s what I’ll call them) fostering puppies and how taking care of the cute little monsters (my word) has really been a great way for the whole family to bond...both through love and adversity. I think with any puppy, we find ourselves swinging between a sense of fluffy bliss and a feeling of messy ‘what were we thinking!??’ Our puppy, Charlie, just turned 1 year old. I’m not sure just what day because he was a rescue, but it was likely early December, maybe even Thanksgiving, which sometimes seems appropriate and sometimes sounds sarcastic. We have learned a lot from Charlie and had plenty of opportunities to practice and cultivate virtues that we might not have had without him in such intensity. The one that leaps to mind, as I try to sit on the pile of loosely contained foam that was once an intact couch cushion, is to let go of our attachment to things...lots of things, big and little. We’ve never had a chewer before, so when that first pair of shoes went, I was a little upset...not that I will really miss those shoes (and it wouldn’t matter if I did because they’re gone, done, dead.) The next couple of pairs of shoes, I figured were my fault anyway. By then I knew he was a chewer and I left my shoes in his path. Then there was the couch that first time we were gone for a few hours. Oh, well. It’s just a couch. I mean you can still sit on it...sort of. We could crate him. And that would make a lot of sense. We’re just not craters for whatever reason...no big problem with it. It seems to work and dogs seem to like it. Like so much of life, maybe all of it, it’s not what happens, it’s how we view it and act on it. (I guess we could call this a form of acceptance of things that we can’t change.) So we could lose our minds (the little bits that are left) about the growing Charlie scrap pile or we could decide that those things are just the collateral damage of having this fun, furry, energy ball in our house. The important thing is that Charlie grows up to be a positive part of the household...I can get more shoes. And it turns out that I didn’t really need most of those shoes anyway and the ones I did, I could replace. One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that exuberant expression of unconditional love. I mean, I know Kristin and the kids love me no matter what, but they never wiggle all over and jump up and down and make little squeaky sounds when I get home (anymore). Nor do they follow me around the house just for the bliss of being in my presence, though I think they should. I’ll mention one more...discipline. For Charlie, the more discipline he has, more freedom he enjoys. If he comes when I call, he gets to run more, for example. The list of virtues we’ve learned could go on: patience, generosity, exertion... And on it goes...sounds as though Katie’s family has immersed themselves in the virtue of puppyhood. They will all soon be saints! Dribble on, Scott 6

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JANUARY 2015 • Volume 19, Issue 8 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CALENDAR EDITOR Kim Sharpe calendar@rockymountainpub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION Wendee Brungardt Sharon Klahn, Kyle Moyer COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Kim Lipker Lynn Nichols, Kim Sharpe

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2015 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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as we grow

Is it okay to lie to your kids? The good, the bad and the ugly times to fib

LY NN U. NICHOLS

s it okay to lie to your kids? Your gut reaction is likely a loud ‘no’ or a disgusted, ‘of course not!’ The truth is, every parent lies at certain times, and we often do it for altruistic reasons—like keeping our kids safe or sheltering them from worry. If we’re honest, we also fib simply to make our job a little easier. Before you blurt out that creative mistruth, do a gut check. What’s your intent? Are you lying to keep your child safe, protect their innocence, avoid unwanted behavior or simply to make life easier? Consider the good, the gray and the ugly when it comes to lying to your kids. THE GOOD

Keeping kids safe—Sometimes, it’s eas-

ier to take a shortcut with a little lie to ensure safety rather than try to convince a child—who likely can’t comprehend— why it’s unsafe to ride without seatbelts. One clever mom tells her kids that the car won’t start unless everyone is buckled in. The moment she hears the last click, she turns the ignition. It’s harmless, and it reinforces a healthy habit. Protecting innocence—What kid doesn’t love wrestling? When you come out of the bedroom all mussed up, go ahead and tell your son you and daddy were wrestling. If grandma is in the hospital for a stroke and you don’t know the outcome, tell your daughter that grandma is not feeling well but the doctors are helping her. Pacifying worries—If your child can’t sleep for fear of monsters or zombies, where’s the harm in saying you sprayed the house for monsters while he was at preschool? Or if she catches a glimpse of a robbery or shooting on the evening news to say such terrible things don’t happen in our town or neighborhood? Your intent is to keep fears from growing and help your kids feel safe. 8

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THE GRAY

Controlling unwanted behavior—Anyone

who has ever lived through a meltdown knows why little white lies are sometimes the best choice. Yet, you don’t want to get in a habit of lying to control behavior. Establishing rules and taking the blow to do so is important. Pick your moments: If you’ve watched Frozen 100 times and just might lose it at 101, go ahead and take the batteries out of the remote and say it’s broken. Or if you forget to leave money under his pillow, say the tooth fairy got confused and left it under yours by mistake. But can you tell your child if he’s not good the Tooth Fairy won’t come? You be the judge. Giving yourself a break—Sometimes you lie simply because you need a moment of calm. The bathroom door gets “stuck” when you want some privacy, the store or zoo is closed when you want to avoid a begging session. Used sparingly, it’s okay to tell a fib to save some shortterm grief.

THE UGLY The problem with lying is it can become a crutch. You might do it in place of real parenting, like setting limits and being honest when you really need to be. Avoiding limit setting—Limits are good for kids, and they need to learn that the real world is governed by a series of rules. That’s why lying to avoid putting your foot down isn’t always the best choice. Your child needs to hear no at times and you need to be okay with saying it. Hiding the white elephant—You may think your child doesn’t hear you arguing behind closed doors or feel your stress about finances, but she does. Lying outright about something that may alter her life (divorce, illness, a move, the pet dying) is not healthy and will be revealed, causing her to lose trust in you or feel anxious. With that said, remember that kids are often satisfied with the short answer rather than the long detailed one.

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family activities

More than books

Local libraries offer classes, entertainment, clubs and more… KIM LIPKER

abin fever can afflict a family as soon as the latest cold snap arrives. While older kids trudge off to school, the tots of the land stay inside where a few days quickly start to feel like a week and when a cold week has passed, you feel like you’ve been cooped up for a year. Cold snaps and long winter days are the perfect opportunity to turn things around and embrace your inner bibliophile. Luckily, northern Colorado has libraries galore to help with that. CLEARVIEW LIBRARY DISTRICT

Serving Windsor, Severance and West Greeley

Located in downtown Windsor, this little library is big with heart. Little ones will delight in the life-size tree that they can scramble through right in the middle of all those books. Everyone gets equal billing at this library with book club kits for adults, fun programs for the kids and a creative writing program for the teen. The bookmobile, or BoMo, has an extensive outreach program that travels throughout the district. Check out their website for a complete listing of programs, BoMo stops and more: www.clearviewlibrary.org. HIGH PLAINS LIBRARY DISTRICT

Serving Firestone, Greeley, Erie and Kersey along with other member libraries in northeastern Colorado

This impressive network of libraries is matched only by the extensive services that they provide. There are beautiful brick-and-mortar libraries throughout the district such as the Carbon Valley Regional Library in Firestone and Greeley’s two libraries: Centennial Park and Farr Regional Libraries. Even Erie has a cute, sun-filled community library. But what is more notable is that the district offers all of this: book clubs, storytimes and other programs for all ages; wireless 10

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technology and a mobile app; laptops to check out and take home; and audio eBooks to download to your tablet, computer or MP3 player. Their online resource center is comprehensive with separate tabs for kids and teens. Visit www.mylibrary.us for more information. POUDRE RIVER PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT Serving Fort Collins

Fort Collins libraries comprised of The Old Town Library, Council Tree Library and the Harmony Library have always had muscle and are more than happy to bring as much book love to the community that they can. Attracting big-name authors to visit and programming live music in buildings formally known for their quiet are how the district sets the bar. While there may be little shushing, there is still a lot of book activities going on with storytimes and writing contests. The district has a new Discovery Catalog system that makes it easier to find materials. They have also expanding their eBooks offerings through a service call Freading that has more than 20,000 titles for Nook, Android, Mac iOS and the Kindle Fire. Not only that, but any library cardholder, in good standing may now check out a Nook for three weeks. Click on www.poudrelibraries.org for more information.

LOVELAND PUBLIC LIBRARY Serving Loveland

The Loveland Library is the perfect smalltown library with a friendly staff, great books and fun family activities. They even offer a one-of-a-kind program called Waggin’ Tales that is so popular that sessions fill up fast. Beginning readers pick out a book and practice reading to therapy dogs for 15-minute intervals. They have a knitting club and school’s-out science activities, homework help, LEGO club, chess club and more. Visit www.loveland publiclibrary.org for more information. Click on the For Kids button and then Waggin’ Tales for a schedule. ORGANIZE YOUR OWN LIBRARY Stay put, and you can create a library right at home. Gather all of your books and sort them according to categories or alphabetically. Decide on an easy symbol for each category and put an identifier on the spine of each book. Have your child help create checkout slips or bookmarks for each book. You can then take turns browsing for books, checking out books and bringing them back. Pick a favorite category and have story time with music and props. Continue the home library tradition throughout the year.

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give me a break

A time to be still

A little quiet time might help your mental health KIM SHARPE

f there’s one thing in my life that’s missing, it’s time for reflection. Oh, I’m good at making time to process information that demands my attention to achieve tasks, which are usually work or household management related. And lucky for me, this type of “head time” equates to physical activity time. The places where I run and swim laps are also the places where I make sense of all the information crammed into my brain and riddle out solutions to challenges. With every step or every stroke, problems diminish and my cerebral cortex gets a chance to put things into proper perspective. For example, one of my routine running routes leads me through the Pelican Marsh Natural Area in south Fort Collins. It includes a new section of trail that connects the Power Trail at Trilby Road to the Fossil Creek Trail and Carpenter Road. When I look to the west and have the mountains in sight or watch an eagle soar and land in a nearby tree, life’s temporary trials melt away and are replaced by expressions of praise and thankfulness that I have the opportunity and physical ability to get out and enjoy such beauty. And nothing beats a good bicycle commute along the Mason or Power Trails when fresh air sweeps the corners of my mind clear of the excess thoughts which collect in tangles there. I believe folk singer and songwriter Joan Baez totally nailed it when she said, “Action is the antidote to despair.” (Her initial message probably referred to taking action to address societal issues, but it can be interpreted to mean physical exercise, too, I think.) Activity-based headspace is a vital component of my mental health (and cheaper than therapy), but it’s different from the kind of time needed to be

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introspective—quiet time when one can process feelings, emotions and reactions to events. Being the Type A, people-pleasing soul that I am, it’s very easy for me to give and work and care until I’m completely spent and worn to a nub. In the end, this doesn’t bode well for anyone, especially those closest to me. My evil twin comes out of hiding and takes over. She can be very nasty and short tempered, and her behavior often triggers a guilt-laden episode of self-loathing. Down and down the rabbit hole I go, snarling and gnashing my teeth the whole way. Yuck! So I’m setting a New Year’s intention to make more space in my

days not just for active head time, but also for stillness and reflection. I’m not exactly sure how that will look or where it will take place. A couple of my friends highly recommend the meditative quiet space they find at the Fort Collins Shambhala Center. A few others routinely visit their Christian places of worship to meditate and pray. When my sons were little, I used to close myself up in a small bathroom in my home and used the bathtub as a makeshift headrest as I knelt in prayer. (I was usually praying for patience.) A bathroom certainly doesn’t scream “holy ground,” but it worked for me. Perhaps I’ll give the throne room another try.

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community news

Safety, health priorities in the New Year Communities take a proactive approach

KIM SHARPE

he New Year brings opportunities to prioritize safety and health, always a prudent action to take. Unfortunately, a variety of circumstances in our community provide a chance to act on those priorities right out of the 2015 gate. Some of those are summarized below. At the same time, the City of Loveland has been recognized for putting processes in place to ensure its residents remain as safe as possible during severe weather (another prudent action given relatively recent super storms which led to historic floods). Another way for residents to feel safe is to have an affordable roof over their heads and a place to call “home.” Loveland’s Habitat for Humanity is making that happen for many Loveland families. JUROR SCAMS THREATEN WELD RESIDENTS The Weld County District Attorney’s Office is warning residents of phone calls claiming to be from law enforcement or county officials. The caller tells people that warrants are being issued for their arrest for failing to comply with a jury summons. The caller instructs residents they must make a payment to them to postpone the warrant. Residents may be asked by the caller to obtain a Green Dot MoneyPak Voucher, which can be obtained at CVS, Wal-Mart or King Soopers. Residents may be instructed to load money onto the card, often in the amount of $895, and provide the account information to the caller. A sense of urgency is created as residents are told they only have a few hours to provide the money or a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The caller attempts to establish credibility by using the names of current public officials or law enforcement officers. 14

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They also may provide a badge number to further that credibility. Be advised, Weld County officials and law enforcement officers do not contact residents by phone or by mail to solicit funds or request your social security number. FREE RADON TESTS AVAILABLE FOR WELD COUNTY RESIDENTS Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and 46 percent of all homes in Colorado are estimated to have high levels of the odorless, colorless, radioactive gas. “You can’t smell it, see it or taste it,” says Dr. Mark Wallace, Weld County Health Department executive director. “With testing, we know high radon levels are present in many homes.” With funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Weld County Health Department is offering free radon test kits to any Weld County resident—limit one per household—while supplies last. Radon results from the natural decay of uranium. Uranium is found mostly in rock formations, but can also be found in soil and water. Radon typically moves up through the ground and into homes through cracks and other holes in a house’s foundation. The home acts as a cell in which radon can settle and build up to toxic levels. The only way to know the levels of radon in your home is to test it. Health officials urge all Weld County residents to take action by testing their homes for elevated levels of radon. If a home tests high for radon, remediation can mitigate the problem. “The cost of remediation is comparable to replacing a residential hot water heater,” says Wallace. To receive your free radon test kit, visit the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment, 1555

N. 17th Ave., Greeley, or the Southwest Weld County Health Department satellite office (near I-25 and Highway 119) at 4209 County Road 24½, Longmont. Both offices are open 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday. For more information on radon, radon testing and radon mitigation, call Gabrielle Vergara, environmental health educator, at 970304-6415, x. 2226. FLU CASES HIGH IN LARIMER COUNTY Influenza has caused increasing numbers of hospitalizations in Larimer County since late November 2014. About twothirds of those hospitalized have been over age 65. The primary flu strain circulating in the state is A (H3N2), which tends to cause more severe illness in those at high risk compared with seasons when influenza A (H1N1) or influenza B viruses have predominated. Influenza is a respiratory infection whose symptoms primarily affect the head, nose, throat and chest, and is not related to what people call “stomach flu.” Influenza generally does not cause vomiting or diarrhea. “Unfortunately, the H3N2 virus has changed (mutated) and may not be a close a match for the strain in this year’s vaccine, so a flu shot might provide somewhat less protection than usual,” says Dr. Adrienne LeBailly, Larimer County Department of Health and Environment director. “However, it is still important to be vaccinated, as it remains the best first step to prevent severe influenza.” Because of the changes in the virus, the Health Department sent out advisories to medical offices, hospitals and urgent cares, nursing homes and assisted living centers to remind them that a patient at high risk of flu complications may benefit from early

treatment with antiviral medicines, such as Tamiflu (seltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). These drugs are most effective when given as early as possible in the course of illness. Antiviral medicines require a prescription from a licensed health-care provider. Patients who are at high risk from flu can help themselves by seeking medical care promptly if they develop flu-like symptoms (cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle/body aches, headaches, fatigue and fever). For more information on influenza, check out the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/flu. For detailed statistics on flu in Colorado, visit http://tinyurl.com/COflureport.

LOVELAND CERTIFIED AS STORMREADY COMMUNITY At a City Council meeting last month, Captain Pat Mialy, City of Loveland emergency manager, accepted an award from the National Weather Service and Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, designating Loveland as a StormReady Community. The award marked the end of a months-long process of evaluation by those agencies for the City’s storm preparedness, ability to monitor severe weather, and provide timely public notifications on existing or po-

tential hazards caused by storms. The program encourages communities to take a new, proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations by providing emergency managers with clear-cut guidelines on how to improve their hazardous weather operations. To be certified as StormReady, a community must:

• Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center • Have more than one way to receive and alert the public about severe weather forecasts and warnings • Create a system that monitors local weather conditions • Promote the importance of public read-

iness through community seminars • Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.

The voluntary program, which emphasizes awareness and advanced planning, was begun in Oklahoma in 1999 to help arm U.S. communities with safety and communication skills to help save lives and property before, during and after severe storm events. LOVELAND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BUILDING MANY NEW HOMES Loveland Habitat for Humanity has

several new housing projects underway. It broke ground on 15 single-family homes in the Sierra Valley subdivision of Loveland, located just west of Highway 287, south of 14th Street. They will be built over the next five years for more than 60 Loveland families. Within the same subdivision, Loveland Habitat will build multifamily townhomes, including nine quad-plex townhomes and five duplexes, offering two- and three-bedroom floor plans. Building multi-family homes is a first for the organization. According to Gwen Stephenson, Loveland Habitat’s executive director, the increased need for decent, affordable housing in Loveland requires a more creative and cost-effective approach to keep up with demand…it was just a matter of finding the right design that fit Sierra Valleys design standards and HOA requirements. She says, “By including multifamily townhomes among its options, Loveland Habitat is able to create housing for four families in just a bit more time than it takes to build a singlefamily home and that is a huge benefit for families in need. The townhomes are environmentally friendly, use less land and are more efficient to build from a construction and materials standpoint. In addition to starting construction in Sierra Valley, Loveland Habit completed homes in Boise Village North. By the end of December, it dedicated its 35th completed home built since construction of affordable homes started in 2007. “It’s been a fantastic experience for all of our homeowners, volunteers and staff. The Boise Village neighborhood is a real gem and our homeowners have been welcomed with open arms by their neighbors. We’re happy to have accomplished our goals, but a little sad that we won’t be seeing our BVN friends every day…I guess that’s progress. On the plus side, we’re looking forward to meeting new friends and neighbors in Sierra Valley!” says Stephenson. For more information about homeownership and volunteer opportunities, please call Loveland Habitat for Humanity at 970-669-9769. RMPARENT

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healthy living

Creating an indoor herb garden Enjoy that fresh-food taste year-round

LEA HANSON

ids and parents alike love watching things grow. Winter months offer a perfect opportunity to create new life with an indoor herb garden. You can grow herbs that add that just-picked taste to your meals, even when snow is drifting up against the kitchen window. Herbs are especially fun because they arouse kids’ curiosity and interest by thoroughly engaging the senses. What better motivator than plants that feel cool, smell great, and can turn mere tomatoes into pizza sauce? Their life stories, it turns out, are fascinating too. After all, these humble plants were early humans’ first medicines, food preservatives, and cosmetics! According to the Bath Garden Center and Nursery in Fort Collins, herbs also make good companion plants, adding diversity to your garden (indoor or out). IT’S EASY Except for the seeds, the items you need are likely already around your house: small pots, seed-starting containers, gardening tools, and soil. You don’t even need special lights—herbs fare just fine in a bright window. Choose a south-facing window if you have one; it provides the most light and plants can be situated far into the room and still receive bright light. CREATE A VISION You and your children should consider what role you want the herbs to play. Do you envision planting a medley of herbs to stimulate visitors’ senses? Are you drawn to having a special theme for your herb planting? Will you use them for cooking or would you like to play around with herbal healers? STARTING FROM SEED Start herb seeds indoors and later transplant them to the garden. Use the same types of containers and soilless potting 16

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mix that you would use for other indoor seedlings. Empty egg containers make perfect seed starters as long as they’re not plastic or Styrofoam. To encourage healthy seedlings, keep the soil mix uniformly moist until the seeds germinate and water seedlings thoroughly when the mix is dry to the touch. Some gardeners recommend starting with fluorescent lights, but many herbs will do just fine in the windowsill. STARTING FROM CLIPPINGS Snip healthy stems three to six inches from the growing tip. Remove leaves from the lower half of the cutting and

plant the cutting in a soilless mix indoors or in moist sand in a shady outdoor area. Water it gently and cover the container with a plastic bag until new top growth appears. Keep cuttings out of direct sun so they don’t overheat in their plastic-bag “greenhouse.” How you lay out your planting will depend on the plants you choose and on your theme. Herbs, like most plants, stay healthier if there’s good air circulation, so space them to allow for the mature size of each plant. Again, check the packets for details about spacing. Be creative and enjoy that freshpicked taste.

The best herbs for indoors

Choose some the kids have heard of and that are used most frequently in your cooking— especially if they help with meal preparation. Here are some solid choices:

Basil: Likes lots of sun and warmth. A south-facing window is best. Mint: Tasty to eat and recovers quickly when picked at by small hands. Bay (as in bay leaves): This herb prefers less light so place it in an east- or west-facing window. It also needs some space. Good air circulation keeps it at its best.

Oregano: Best to start from an outdoor plant clipping. Like basil, it loves the sun. Parsley: You can start by digging up a clump from your outdoor garden and transplanting it inside. It likes full sun but will also grow in an east- or west-facing window. Rosemary: Start with a cutting, if you can. Grows best while facing south. Sage: This herb tolerates dry, indoor air well, but needs lots of sun to be its best. Thyme: Likes full sun but will also succeed in east- or west-facing window

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hen did people become so mean or have they always been that way? Perhaps easily accessible news coverage and social media heighten awareness of violence so it seems more prevalent. Akin to that is the increased graphicness of violence depicted in the entertainment industry—movies and video games increasingly leave little to the imagination. Regardless of whether meanness and violence are perceived or real, a society suffers when its people feel unsafe. A 2013 survey of Thompson School District (TSD) middle and high school students revealed that their number one concern is being the victim of bullying, including cyber bullying. A random sample of Poudre School District (PSD) middle and high school students participated in the 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. Forty-five percent of middle school students and almost 20 percent of high school students reported being bullied on school property in the past 12 months. “When bullying became a popular topic for schools to tackle, it catapulted schools into teaching kindness,” says Raquel Macias, TSD expelled and atrisk students advocate. “We have to get back to our roots of treating others like we want to be treated.” 18

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PEACEKEEPER CIRCLE Kiri Saftler, Peacekeeper Circle trainer and facilitator, would agree. The Golden Rule is a core value of the circle process she facilitates. “The purpose of the Peacekeeper Circle is to practice public acknowledgement of appreciation for others’ kind-

nesses and, in a safe environment, respectfully air small grievances and hurts before they grow to become grudges and full-blown conflicts,” Saftler explains. “The intention of using a model such as Peacekeeper Circles in the classrooms is to help build a school climate and culture of caring and compassion.”

Students actively listen to a classmate describe an appreciation.

The process involves students sitting around a “peace flag” and passing a heart-shaped stone from person to person. Whoever has the stone shares a kindness or hurt they experienced, offers an apology or expresses joy for a classmate or the teacher. Circle participants are encouraged to use “I” messages that relate their own feelings rather than using more negative statements that direct blame on someone else. Saftler has trained several PSD elementary school teachers to use the Peacekeeper Circle process in their classrooms. Each week, Jill Fenn, a 5th-grade teacher at McGraw Elementary School, holds a circle in her classroom, but says, “I always will fit another Peacekeeper Circle into the schedule if students ask for it, because it gives kids a chance to talk to each other in a way we know is safe without finger-pointing and it builds community in our class, as well as on the playground and ‘out there’.” One of Fenn’s students says, “When you have a weight on your shoulders, you need to talk about it or else it keeps getting heavier. The Peacekeeper Circle helps us do that.” The Peace Circle process also has been used in TSD schools for the past 14 years. Cheryl O’Shell, TSD restorative practice specialist, says, “Circles are a restorative practice that builds community and repairs harm when necessary. It also gives kids a voice and allows them to be heard.” MINDUP MindUP is another curriculum taught in some PSD schools. It was developed by the Hawn Foundation (as in Goldie Hawn) and published by Scholastic, Inc. It teaches patience, tolerance, compassion and generosity, as well as gives students tools to focus and concentrate better. In June 2013, 80 PSD teachers and counselors were trained to use MindUP’s lessons. “Today like never before, our children are challenged with incredible amounts of stress and distractions impacting their ability to learn, achieve success and happiness in school and in life. Our children, especially those at

risk, need tools and strategies to help them emotionally regulate, reduce their stress, gain perspective, build empathy and resilience, while experiencing the joy of learning,” says Goldie Hawn. PSD also is developing a pilot project in partnership with CSU’s Center for Mindfulness, which opened in October 2014. Deborah Colbert, co-director and co-founder, of the new center says, practicing mindfulness benefits students and faculty by helping them reduce stress and increase focus. Sharon Kreider, PSD mental health specialist, says, “It’s becoming increasingly important to teach these skills to students because the level of stress in their lives is high; they have a lot going on. We want to help them develop self-resiliency and learn to live in the present rather than dwell on the past or worry about the future.” CHECK & CONNECT Check & Connect, used in some TSD middle and high schools, takes a bit of a different approach to teaching kindness. This intervention program trains volunteer community members to mentor students who are struggling with emotional and social issues, as well as academically—those deemed to be at-risk of dropping out of school. It was developed at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Community Integration. One of the primary goals of the program is to keep students in school and motivate them to graduate. Of the dropout prevention interventions reviewed by the U.S. Department of Education, Check & Connect is the only program found to have strong evidence of positive effects on staying in school. Macias explains that mentors meet with students once a week in the school setting. Beyond the positive academic results, “Mentors serve as role models for kids who haven’t learned how to react to certain situations with kindness. Mentors help them problem solve and have empathy.” All of these programs and curricula are helping students in northern Colorado become more caring, but

the first place children learn about how to treat others isn’t in their classrooms. They learn it in the rooms of their homes, because the first and best teachers of kindness and empathy are parents. Children learn from observing and modeling their parents’ behavior. Knowing that, parents can be intentional about following the Golden Rule themselves. Specifically, they can: Not say anything at all if they have nothing nice to say. It’s easy to get into the habit of complaining and making unfavorable comments about people we disagree with, everyone from politicians to family members. Practice holding your tongue in those instances and make a habit of paying more genuine compliments to others. Listen without speaking. Practice active listening. Focusing on the person speaking to us without letting our eyes and minds wander takes intentionality and practice. When parents actively listen to their child by stopping what they’re doing (when appropriate) and giving him undivided attention, it tells the child he’s important and models caring communication skills. Mind their manners. Certain words or phrases are globally known to express respectfulness. “Please,” “thank you,” “excuse me” and “you’re welcome” all convey courtesy. Titles like “ma’am” and “sir,” “Mrs.,” “Miss” and “Mr.” also add respectfulness to conversations. Be kind to their children. Speak in a kind way to your child. Discipline with love and be empathetic. This might be more difficult when you feel tired or frustrated, but that’s when kindness matters most. “I have experienced that when people find a sense of peace in their lives, they are more at ease with others and function with more respect in the world,” says Saftler. “When people have a chance to look into the eyes of another and speak from their heart magic happens and healing takes place.” Saftler’s words are reminiscent of lyrics from a once-popular song: “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” Indeed. Let it begin. RMPARENT

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When you have to ACT FAST

Getting the right medical help when you need it

Lynn U. Nichols

our son breaks his toe jumping off the jungle gym at the park. Do you take him to the ER or an urgent care clinic? Your daughter has had the stomach flu for two days and now she is listless and mumbling. Do you call 911? What about when your toddler eats most of a tube of toothpaste? Is calling poison control enough or should you pack him up and drive to the ER? As parents, these are decisions we have to make—and make on the fly when we’re feeling stressed and scared. Read on to define the lines between the various options for medical care.

WHEN TO CALL 911 As parents, many of us reserve calling 911 for true emergencies where we need medical help immediately. We are right to think so, but this doesn’t mean we should hesitate to call 911. “If parents have any doubts about the medical state of their child, we prefer they call 911. We don’t want people to question themselves,” says Ted Beckman paramedic and division chief for Poudre Valley Hospital EMS. There are certain signs you should never ignore, including dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing and the very

When to Call 911 Class

If you are part of a community group—such as the scouts or a school—the Community Paramedic Program provides a great class to kids and adults titled When to Call 911. The class talks about what’s covered here but also explains what happens when a 911 call is placed. Often, representatives from the fire department and police services accompany the paramedics to teach the class. If you’d like to schedule a class for your group, call Ted Beckman at 970-2321750 or email at Ted.Beckman@uchealth.org. PVH EMS provides many other community services directed toward child safety, including bike safety classes, safe routes to school, car seat install program and the new P.A.R.T.Y. program promoting injury awareness among teens.

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obvious things like a child who is unconscious, unresponsive or has a broken bone. “With kids, we most often answer trauma calls but we do see asthma and breathing problems and seizures,” Beckman says. Another common reason paramedics treat kids is for accidental overdoses. “If your child gets into medication, it’s a good idea to call us, but poison control is also a great resource for parents. We even use them. Plus, they will call ahead to the hospital to give the ED a head’s up,” he adds. Ambulances are held to national standards when it comes to response times. For emergencies, that’s 8 minutes and 59 seconds in urban areas. “We constantly strive to meet those times and very rarely exceed that maximum time,” Beckman adds. Although hospital based at PVH, PVH EMS takes patients to the nearest hospital, or the one that’s best equipped to care for the patient’s needs—even if it’s not a part of their health system. “Let’s say your son has a heart issue and needs to see a cardiologist. We know where a cardiologist is available and we’ll take him there—calling ahead to give a head’s up,” he adds. PVH EMS responds to all 911 calls in a large region of northern Colorado. The fire department accompanies them on every call. Sometimes, people hesitate to call 911 because they fear a big medical bill. “Yet if we come on scene and evaluate, but don’t transport or treat there is generally no charge. It’s best to call if a loved one is sick or injured and leave the evaluating to us,” Beckman says. As a rule of thumb, if you are transported, there’s a charge. If not, the charge depends on the treatment given. Help the ambulance find your home by giving the dispatcher clues on how to find your house—describe its location, the color of your door and leave your porch light on. Remember, from the moment you call 911, the dispatcher is working behind the scenes and sending someone to help immediately. “People can get frustrated with all the questions and think, ‘just send me someone!’ but the dispatcher is three to four steps

ahead and has already done that. They’re just getting extra information,” he adds. URGENT CARE OR THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT? As a general rule of thumb, call 911 when the situation seems immediately life threatening. Choose the emergency department (ED) when it seems life threatening, and urgent care when it seem serious but not life threatening. Beckman asks people to consider the situation carefully before driving themselves to the ED in a life-threatening situation versus calling 911. “Think of an ambulance as a rolling ER. We have the equipment and training to do anything the ER can do in the first 10 minutes. Plus, we can call ahead and get you more accurate treatment, often more quickly.” As a quick guide, here are examples of when to go to the ED (or call 911) and when to use a walk-in or urgent care clinic.

• Allergies • Dental infection • Mild burns

Of course, if you are unsure of what your next move should be with a medical concern, call your child’s doctor’s office for guidance. Bottom line, stay calm and assess the situation as best you can. Then call one of these many options for help. UCHealth sponsored this article.

Go to the ED with:

• Broken bones • Difficulty breathing • Loss of consciousness • Fever in newborn • Deep wounds, heavy bleeding • Serious head, neck or back injury • Severe abdominal pain • Moderate to severe burns • Coughing or vomiting blood • Poisoning • Convulsions, seizures • Signs of stroke • Chest pain • Alarming pregnancy problems • Talk of suicide or homicide

Use an urgent care/walk-in clinic with: • Falls, sprains and severe strains • Mild asthma attacks and breathing difficulty • Wounds with moderate bleeding • Broken toes or fingers • Fever, flu, upper respiratory tract infections. • Vomiting, diarrhea or dehydration • Skin rashes • Mild eye irritation • Urinary tract infection • Abdominal pain • Headache

Important medical numbers Ambulance/Police: 911 Poison Control: (800) 332-3073 Banner Urgent Care, Windsor: (970) 686-5646 Poudre Valley Hospital ED, Fort Collins: (970) 495-7261 Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland: (970) 624-2500 Harmony Urgent Care Center, Fort Collins: (970) 297-6250 Pediatric Urgent Care of Northern Colorado, Fort Collins: (970) 494-2626 Skyline Urgent Care, Loveland: (970) 461-6140 Summit View Urgent Care, Greeley: (970) 378-4155 UC Health Urgent Care, Loveland: (970) 624-5150 Urgent Care at Miramont, LLC, Fort Collins: (970) 237-6339

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thompson school district news

Funtastic Family 5K Walk/Run

Walt Clark Middle School hosted their Funtastic Family 5K Walk/Run at the school on Nov. 1. Proceeds of the event will benefit “Live-Laugh-LoveBelieve Inc.,” which was created in memory of former TSD staff member Vicki Moehling, and the WCMS Health and Wellness Committee. CASTING LIGHT ON A PROBLEM On the morning of Nov. 10, the 4thgrade class of Ms. Karrie Skonier at Winona Elementary School received some surprise visitors. Principal Larry Shores introduced Thompson School District Director of Facilities Matt Throop, Chief Operations Officer Dr. Dan Maas and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stan Scheer to the students. The group traveled to the class that morning to respond to a letter that student Elizabeth Martin had written with her classmates about the need for a light on the south side of the building near the parking area. Elizabeth had tripped outside the school one evening and became concerned that there was not enough light in that part of the school property. One of her class writing assignments included the concept of “cause and effect,” which gave her an avenue to write a letter to Dr. Scheer asking him to investigate the

situation. Elizabeth created a drawing of where the problem was and how she thought it could be fixed. Mr. Throop showed the class a brand new Z-Light USA LED light that mounts onto the side of the school. He explained how the fixture casts light in a downward direction that will dissipate before leaving the property. The LED light is cheaper to operate because it only uses about 25-percent of what traditional lights consume, and yet lasts three times longer. Additionally, it will not cast light onto neighboring houses, which means the new school lighting will not be a nuisance. Dr. Scheer thanked the class, and Elizabeth in particular, for writing the letter. He explained that good citizenship happens when you see something wrong and rather than just complain, you try to be a part of the solution. While this project is small compared to the scope of maintaining 35 campuses and 77 buildings in the district, Dr. Scheer didn’t want to miss his opportunity to share a good civics lesson with the students.”When you step up and advocate for positive change, you can make good things happen in your world,” Dr. Scheer said. MCKEE FOUNDATION BUYS 28 AEDS The McKee Medical Center Foundation,

in collaboration with its Heart Safe Community partners, has donated 28 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to Thompson School District. The donation will ensure that every school in the district will have one of the life-saving devices available to assist someone suffering from sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating. Heart Safe Community is a public health initiative designed to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest by increasing the availability of AEDs and educating community members on how to administer CPR. Partners in the initiative include the McKee Medical Center Foundation, McKee Medical Center, the CardioVascular Institute of North Colorado, Thompson Valley EMS, Loveland Police, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Loveland Emergency Communications, Thompson School District and Berthoud residents Tom Lucero and Julie Kruit. Leaders of the initiative formally announced the donation during the Thompson Board of Education meeting on Nov. 19. “The Heart Safe Community initiative is all about meeting a critical public need,” said Julie Johnson Haffner, Executive Director of the McKee Medical Center Foundation. “When someone’s heart stops beating, the best chance that individual has to survive is for bystanders to call 911, administer CPR and shock the heart into a normal rhythm with an automated external defibrillator.” More than 400,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital setting in the United States each year and most do not survive. Once the heart stops, brain death can begin to occur in just 4-6 minutes. Chances of survival are reduced by 7 to 10 percent with every minute that passes without CPR and the use of an AED. In March, the McKee Medical Center Foundation began raising money in support of the initiative with the goal RMPARENT

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of placing AEDs in every school building, athletic field and swimming pool in the Thompson School District. The foundation has already raised about $200,000 for the initiative through the McKee Classic Bike Tour in May and its annual gala earlier this month. Proceeds from its Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot road race will also benefit Heart Safe Community. Public CPR classes are planned as part of the initiative, and dates and times will be communicated as they are scheduled. Eventually, the partnership wants to place AEDs at as many community gathering points as possible and is willing to assist nonprofit entities in purchasing one. The partnership will also assist private businesses willing to pay for an AED by helping them coordinate the purchase and the installation. Businesses and nonprofit groups interested in having an AED on site can call the McKee Medical Center Foundation at (970) 635-4001 for moreinformation. KIDS PAK PROGRAM RELIEVES HUNGER Loveland Rotary Club’s Kids Pak program held its All Star food-packing event recently at Subaru of Loveland. “Team Subaru” battled head-to-head with a TSD and community team led by Superintendent Stan Scheer. Team members raced to see who could pack their lineup of food bags and get them ready for distribution the quickest. When the final bag had been packed, Team Subaru had squeaked by with the victory! Kids Pak is a weekend hunger relief program that provides food for students

in need in Thompson School District. Volunteers prepare over 400 packs of food each week for distribution to students at the schools. TSD is extraordinarily grateful to the Loveland Rotary Club and all who work so hard to make Kids Pak a success. Special thanks also goes out to the fantastic team at Subaru of Loveland for their kindness and long-lasting support of the program. GARFIELD MEETS A ‘DIRTBAG The Dirtbag Mentality is the philosophy of the Long Beach State Baseball program, whose nickname is the “Dirtbags.” It encourages hard work, discipline, teamwork and selflessness. The three core values taught within the classroom are: Maximize your abilities, Understand everyone’s role, and Put your teammates first. These core values are intended to promote student growth academically,

The race is on! Volunteers compete to complete their Kids Pak food bags.

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socially and behaviorally. Jeff Thomas, 5th-grade teacher at Garfield Elementary, uses the Dirtbag Mentality as part of his core values for his classroom. Students work together to support one another and embrace the Dirtbag values. Recently, Mr. Thomas shared a quotation from current Long Beach State pitcher Ryan Strufing: “The Dirtbag tradition is an awesome tradition. But it has to be earned! You gotta give your best 100-percent of the time, finish everything you start and be the best person you can be. Support everyone around you, keep your family, friends, teachers and teammates close to your heart.” Mr. Thomas and his class were delighted to find that Ryan was in town and wanted to come and visit the class. Ryan visited the 5th-grade classes at Garfield Elementary this Fall. He spent time with both 5th-grade classes answering questions and talking about what it means to be a true “Dirtbag.” It was a morning that neither Mr. Thomas nor his students will ever forget! TSD CELEBRATES THE WONDERS OF READING Over 150 classrooms in Thompson School District welcomed volunteers on Nov. 18 to share the love of reading with district students. The district-coordinated “Read Aloud Day” is an opportunity for visitors to share a book with elementary students and have more than just a little bit of fun in the process as well!

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poudre school district news

Zach Gives Back campaign

Ask students at Zach Core Knowledge Elementary about why it’s important to help others and you’ll hear some great answers. “You help other people because they may need it,” said a second-grader. “It’s important to give something to others without having to get anything back in return,” offered a fourth-grader. These Zach students are learning what it means to think of others through a major school-wide community service campaign called “Zach Gives Back.” Launched in November, Zach Gives Back includes several community service projects that will be held over the coming months to benefit local, national and international nonprofits like Operation Smile, the Book Trust, Locks for Love, and the American Heart Association, to name a few. Principal Aisha Thomas says most of the service projects are studentdriven with support from parents and staff. “Zach Gives Back stems from the belief that a school’s role in the community, along with the academic growth of students, is also to develop a child’s empathy towards others. We want to empower our children to make a positive difference in our community,” said Thomas. It seems to be working with Zach students realizing how powerful their efforts are and that even as kids, they can make a difference. “It makes me feel grateful to give 26

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people things that they might need,” said a fifth-grader. “Imagine if we could all help people be happy, keep the homeless warm, and help get rid of poverty. Everyone should be treated fair and have a chance to do something great,” said another fifth-grader. Zach Gives Back community service projects include:

• Operation Smile (Nov. 15): Zach partnered with photographer, Julie Ulstrup, to host family portrait sessions with proceeds going to Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an international children’s medical charity that provides free life changing surgery for children who are suffering from facial deformities. The event raised $415.00 which will help two children receive surgery. • Turkey Round Up (Nov. 19): Zach collected 216 turkeys for the PSD district-wide Turkey Roundup that benefitted the Food Bank of Larimer County. • Book Trust (Nov. 17-21): Zach held a weeklong Read-A-Thon called “Get Caught Reading” to support Book Trust. Book Trust is a nonprofit organization founded in Fort Collins in 2001, enabling children from low-income families to choose and own their own books through Scholastic Reading Club. OtterCares Foundation will match funds raised. • Angel Tree (Nov. 20 – Dec. 9): Zach has sponsored an Angel Tree during the 2014 holiday season through the Salvation Army, which

helps local families with gifts for their children. Zach students and their families are sponsoring 110 tags to help buy gifts for families in need. • Homeless Gear (December): Zach Gifted and Talented students have organized a children’s clothing drive to benefit Homeless Gear, which provides services to homeless Colorado families. School goal is 500 items. • iCarebyHair (Feb. 20): A hair donation fundraiser event for Locks for Love. Professional stylists of Gallipot Salon will donate hair-cutting services. Locks of Love is a public nonprofit organization, whose mission is to return a sense of self, confidence and normalcy to children suffering from hair loss. Stylists will be cutting hair, but not styling at this event. Participants will receive a “donation voucher” for free styling at Gallipot. • Coins for Change (Feb. 3-21): Zach Gifted and Talented students will implement a coin drive to benefit the homeless children in PSD, partnering with Homeless Gear. • Jump Rope for Heart (February): Through Jump Rope for Heart sponsored by the American Heart Association, kids learn jump rope skills, how their heart works and raise money to help kids with special hearts. Last year Zach raised over $18,000 for this great cause! • Canned Food Drive (Feb. 23-28): Thirdgrade students will coordinate a canned food drive to benefit the Food Bank of Larimer County. The Food Bank serves a huge need in the community over the holiday and new-year season. • Fifth-Grade Care Crafts (February 3-6): Mrs. Martinez’s 5th-grade Economy Time students will deliver hand-made crafts, jewelry and other items to pediatric floors of local hospitals. • One Thousand Necklaces (ongoing): A Zach 5th-grade student sells handmade (made in Uganda) incredibly beautiful beaded necklaces to support children in Uganda, Africa. Her profits are going toward the purchases of a passive water system for a school, 250 chalk board slates, 130 mosquito nets, and 50 goats to children (you can support her by shopping at www.onethousand necklaces.com).

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both you as a parent and for your child. Parents are encouraged to explore the educational options available in Poudre School District. There is no tuition for half-day kindergarten programs; full-day programs are $2,250 per year (subject to change). The first payment is due at time of registration; the remainder is due in nine monthly installments from August 1, 2015– April 1, 2016. Full and partial scholarships may be available; parents need to check with the individual school for eligibility requirements. One-way transportation is provided for kindergarten students attending a half-day program who live more than one mile from their neighborhood school. Round-trip transportation is provided for students in an all-day program who live more than one mile from school. Information and orientation meetings for parents of kindergarten students have been scheduled at elementary schools. For a complete schedule, please visit the PSD website at www.psdschools.org, click on School Registration under Quick Links. Kindergarten registration for students entering school in fall 2015 is scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2015. Registration will be held from 7am to 6pm at all elementary schools (unless otherwise noted; see attached schedule). Children who will be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 15, 2015, are eligible to register. On the day of registration, parents should bring their child’s birth certificate (original or certified preferred), emergency contact information, and immunization records. SCHOOL CHOICE OPTION PSD’s School Choice program allows families to select the school that best meets their child’s educational needs. Neighborhood schools teach PSD’s rigorous standards-driven curriculum, along with gifted, enrichment, and accelerated options. Specialized schools offer a different curriculum, focus area, or method of instructional delivery than neighborhood schools. To determine which school is your neighborhood school, visit the School Locater webpage under Schools/Programs on the PSD website (www.psdschools.org). 28

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The online school choice application can be accessed on the PSD website at www.psdschools.org under the School Registration quick link. Families that do not have computer access at home can visit any PSD school or the district administrative office, 2407 LaPorte Avenue, to apply. School Choice students are accepted on a space-available basis, and transportation is the responsibility of the parent. First consideration deadlines for the 2015-16 school year, school choice application process: • J anuary 30, Secondary (6-12th grade) • February 13, Elementary (Kindergarten-5thgrade)

SIXTEEN PSD SCHOOLS RECOGNIZED WITH AWARDS Several Poudre School District schools were honored for high achievement during the Colorado Department of Education’s 2014 awards celebration for district and school performances. This year, 16 PSD schools were selected for the 2014 Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement awards and/or the John Irwin Schools of Excellence awards. PSD also received an excellence award for high academic achievement among English language learners. In addition, a PSD high school charter school earned an academic growth award. PSD was selected for the ELPA Excellence award, which honors 10 local education providers and 10 charter schools that achieve the highest English language and academic growth among English learners in an English Language Proficiency Program and that achieve the highest academic achievement for English learners who transition out of an English Language Proficiency Program. Liberty Common Charter School received a 2014 High School Academic Growth award that recognizes high schools that demonstrate the highest levels of student academic growth in reading, writing, and math, within each classification used by the statewide association for high school activities for the sport of football. In 2014, nine schools have demonstrated the highest rate of student longitudinal growth.

PSD Calendar of Events Jan. 5...... N o School, Teacher Work Day Jan. 6....... S tudents first day back at school following winter break. Jan. 13..... 6 :30pm, Board of Education meeting, JSSC, 2407 LaPorte Avenue. Jan. 19..... M artin Luther King Day, NO SCHOOL Jan. 27..... 6 :30pm, Board of Education meeting, JSSC, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

This year 16 PSD schools were selected for the 2014 Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement awards and/or the John Irwin Schools of Excellence awards. Seven PSD schools were honored with both awards. Eleven PSD schools were selected for the 2014 Governor’s Distinguished Improvement awards, which are given to schools that demonstrate excellent student growth. In 2014, 128 schools earned this award. PSD schools honored with the Governors Distinguished Improvement award include: Bethke Elementary, Dunn Elementary (an IB World School), Harris Bilingual Elementary, Kruse Elementary, Liberty Common Charter School, O’Dea Core Knowledge Elementary, Shepardson Elementary, Stove Prairie Elementary, Traut Core Knowledge Elementary, Werner Elementary, and Zach Core Knowledge Elementary. Twelve PSD schools were selected for the 2014 John Irwin Schools of Excellence award, which recognizes schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement. In 2014, 160 schools earned this award. PSD schools selected for the John Irwin School of Excellence award include: Bennett Elementary, Bethke Elementary, Fossil Ridge High School, Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School, Kruse Elementary, Liberty Common Charter School, Preston Middle School, Red Feather Lakes Elementary, Stove Prairie Elementary, Traut Core Knowledge Elementary, Werner Elementary, and Zach Core Knowledge Elementary.

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greeley-evans district 6 news High schools see jump in AP class participants The Colorado Education Initiative announced recently that Greeley Central and Northridge High Schools, both recipients of the Colorado Education Initiative Legacy Grants, have doubled the amount of students taking Advanced Placement classes since 2008. Greeley Central and Northridge combined have increased female students earning a qualifying score on AP math and science tests by 75 percent. The schools have also increased the enrollment of students of color in AP classes by 106 percent. The Colorado Education Initiative provides grants to schools to help increase participation in AP classes and increase performance on AP tests. The grants are generally awarded to demographically diverse high schools. For Northridge and Greeley Central, that means $10,000 per year, as well as the opportunity for professional development for AP teachers, and cash incentives for teachers and students in return for strong test scores. BELLA ROMERO NAMED AS ONE OF TOP SCHOOLS TO VISIT Bella Romero Academy was named as one of the Top 100 Schools to Visit in a blog by Tom Vader Ark, featured on the Getting Smart website. Vander Ark is the CEO of Getting Smart, an education advocacy firm. He previously served as the Executive Director of Education for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He was also a superintendent in Washington state. Romero was cited for using personalized learning in the form of blended learning across all subject areas in its 6th- to 8th-grade classrooms. PRAIRIE HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL IS 60 PERCENT COMPLETE The construction of Prairie Heights Middle School is on schedule, with about 60 percent of the building complete. The building is scheduled to be 30

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completed in May 2015. The intersection of 65th Avenue and 37th Street is now completely open, after being closed or partially closed for two months for improvements and the installation of utilities and water lines for the new school. The exterior of the building is being bricked now. Brickwork is also continuing on the inside. Most of the classrooms have been framed, all the ductwork is in, the main plumbing is in and the roof on the gymnasium was being finished last week. Crews were also working last week to prepare the entrance and parking lot for paving. Contractors and District 6 personnel are hoping to host public tours of the site after the first of the year. DISTRICT 6 STUDENTS WIN NO PLACE FOR HATE ART CONTEST Six Greeley-Evans District 6 students recently won an art contest hosted by the Anti-Defamation League in Denver as part of its No Place for Hate program. The contest solicited student art centered on the theme “Imagine a World Without Hate.” More than 100 entries were received. Eight judges from the ADL’s Education Committee reviewed each entry, judging the artwork for originality, creativity, universality and impact. John Evan Middle School swept the middle school category, winning in the first place, second place and honorable mention categories. Madison Elementary School swept the upper elementary category for grades 3-5, and had a winner in the lower level elementary category for grades K-2.

District 6 contest winners include:

• F irst Place middle school category: Ishmael Jacobo, 7th grade, John Evans • Second Place middle school category: Angel Ann Ponce, 8th grade, John Evans • Honorable Mention middle school category: Katie Dale, 7th grade, John Evans • First Place in upper elementary category: Mauricio Lara, 4th grade, Madison • Second Place in upper elementary category: Nikomy Rodriguez, 3rd grade, Madison • Honorable Mention in lower elementary category: Britaney A. Aluna Montanez, 2nd grade, Madison

The student winners were honored at a special breakfast at the Anti-Defamation League in Denver on Dec. 10. The winning artwork will be displayed on the organization’s website at http:// denver.adl.org/ no-place-for-hate-info/. No Place for Hate is an initiative that helps schools create a culture of inclusion and respect that is welcoming and safe for all. Six District 6 schools officially participated in the initiative.

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lunchbox POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT— Elementary student lunches are $2.35, secondary student lunches are $2.60 and reduced lunches are $0.40. Entrees offered daily: Elementary—a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk and juices; Secondary--hot and cold sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, deli salad and pizza. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6 Cheese ravioli; chicken bites & biscuit 7 Sweet & sour meatballs over fried rice; hamburger/cheeseburger 8 Beef tacos w/cilantro lime rice; pig in a blanket 9 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; cheese & veggie wrap 12 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; chicken nuggets 13 Chicken Alfredo pasta; ham & cheese sub 14 Asian teriyaki bowl w/chicken; chicken drumstick w/biscuit

15 Chicken enchilada bake; chili & cinnamon roll 16 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; Mediterranean pasta salad 19 No school! 20 Baked ziti pasta; turkey gravy & roll 21 Asian noodles w/chicken & veggies; trout treasures 22 Pork green chile bowl; hamburger/ cheeseburger 23 Cheese or meat lover’s pizza; chicken Caesar wrap 26 Taco burger; chicken nuggets

27 Lasagna w/beef; spaghetti w/meatsauce 28 Orange chicken w/rice; hotdog 29 Bean burrito; chicken patty sandwich 30 Pepperoni or veggie pizza; chef salad MIDDLE SCHOOLS 6 Spaghetti & meatballs; cheese ravioli 7 Asian Teriyaki rice; chicken nuggets 8 Taco bar 9 Trout melt sandwich; mac n’cheese bar 12 Taco burger; chicken sandwich 13 Lasagna w/beef; chicken nuggets 14 Orange chicken or beef 15 Burrito bar w/beans & beef

16 Turkey pot pie; Baked chicken w/biscuit 19 No school! 20 Baked ziti pasta; meatball sub 21 Asian noodles w/chicken or beef 22 Green chile 23 Pig in a blanket; chili & cinnamon roll 26 Philly cheesesteak sandwich w/chicken or beef 27 Chicken Alfredo penne w/meat sauce 28 Beef or chicken Szechwan 29 Beef or bean burrito bar 30 Tortilla soup; hotdog

THOMPSON R2J SCHOOL DISTRICT — Elementary lunches are $2.75. Secondary school lunches are $3. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 6 French bread boat; chicken tender salad 7 Burrito Grande; chef salad 8 Stuffed baked potato; taco salad 9 Stuffed shells; garden entrée salad 12 Chicken breast strips 13 Personal pizza/calzone; chicken tender salad 14 Grilled cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; garden side salad 15 Nachos w/cheese; taco salad 16 Fish nuggets; garden entrée salad 19-20 No school!

21 Popcorn chicken; chef salad 22 BBQ sliders; taco slad 23 Turkey w/gravy; garden entrée salad 26 Grilled chicken sandwich; Caesar salad 27 Spaghetti & meatballs; chicken tender salad 28 Pizza stick; chef salad 29 Turkey noodle soup; taco salad 30 Orange chicken; garden entrée salad SECONDARY SCHOOL 6 Hot ham & cheese sandwich; chicken patty sandwich 7 French bread boat; sloppy Joe

8 Meatball sandwich; beef & bean burrito 9 Chicken breast strips; nachos w/cheese 12 Chicken breast strips/waffles; cheeseburger 13 Spicy chicken patty sandwich; personal pizza/calzone 14 Hamburger; Caesar salad 15 Nachos w/cheese; chicken breast nuggets 16 Grilled chicken sandwich; chicken patty sandwich 19 No school! 20 Pizza; grilled chicken sandwich

21 Beef & bean burrito; chicken breast strips 22 Meatball sandwich; hot ham & cheese sandwich 23 No school! 26 Nachos w/cheese; sloppy Joe 27 Hamburger; chicken tender salad 28 Pizza bar; Caesar salad 29 Chicken breast nuggets; grilled cheese sandwich 30 Orange chicken; pizza stick

GREELEY DISTRICT 6 —To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.50, and middle school lunches are $2.75, reduced-price lunches are $.40. Offered daily: PBJ. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 5 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken fajita wrap 6 Cheese ravioli w/sauce & breadstick; club hoagie 7 Chicken taco; PBJ 8 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 9 Hawaiian or cheese pizza; PBJ 12 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 13 Bean & cheese burrito/green chili; turkey & cheese wrap 14 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 15 Turkey sandwich; Italian hoagie 16 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ

19 No school! 20 Teriyaki chicken; club hoagie 21 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ 22 Pot roast w/egg noodles; ham & cheese hoagie 23 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 26 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken salad sandwich 27 Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 28 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 29 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; Italian hoagie 30 Cheese or taco pizza; PBJ

MIDDLE SCHOOL 5 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken fajita wrap 6 Cheese ravioli w/sauce & breadstick; club hoagie 7 Chicken taco; PBJ 8 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 9 Hawaiian or cheese pizza; PBJ 12 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 13 Bean & cheese burrito/green chili; turkey & cheese wrap 14 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 15 Turkey sandwich; Italian hoagie 16 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ

19 No school! 20 Teriyaki chicken; club hoagie 21 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ 22 Pot roast w/egg noodles; ham & cheese hoagie 23 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 26 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken sala d sandwich 27 Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 28 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 29 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; Italian hoagie 30 Cheese or taco pizza; PBJ

WINDSOR SCHOOL DISTRICT — Price for elementary lunch is $2.35, for middle school students, $2.55. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Salad bar is served daily with entrees. Offered daily: PBJ and yogurt. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 7 Hotdog; Jamwich w/cheese stick 8 Teriyaki chicken; twin cheeseburger 9 Breadstick cheese stuffed w/sauce; turkey & cheese sub 12 Chicken patty sandwich; Jamwich w/cheese stick 13 Taco; corndog

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14 Waffle stick; Jamwich w/ cheese stick 15 Popcorn chicken; twin cheeseburger 16 Stuffed cheese or pepperoni pizza crust; turkey & cheese sub 19 No school! 20 Rotini w/meatballs; corndog 21 Potato bar; Jamwich w/ cheese stick

22 Chicken drumstick; twin cheeseburger 23 Cheesy pizza flatbread; turkey & cheese sub 26 Mac & cheese; Jamwich w/ cheese stick 27 Ravoli w/breadstick; corndog 28 Hamburger; Jamwich w/ cheese stick 29 Cheese nachos; twin

cheeseburger 30 Big daddy’s cheese pizza; turkey & cheese sub SECONDARY SCHOOL 7 Wiener wrap 8 Teriyaki chicken 9 Pepperoni calzone 12 Chicken sandwich 13 Taco 14 Waffle stick 15 Popcorn chicken

16 Turkey club wrap 19 No school! 20 Rotini w/meatballs 21 Potato bar 22 Chicken tenders 23 Steak & cheese sub 26 Mac n’cheese 27 Lasagna 28 Cheeseburger 29 Cheese nachos 30 Meatball sub

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JANUARY 2015 ONGOING JANUARY 9 AND 10 Fast Track Childbirth Class includes basic information about labor and birth, overview of labor and delivery, coping techniques, medications, epidurals, cesarean birth and newborn information. $55. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave, FC. Friday 6–9pm and Saturday 1–5pm. 970-4957500 or www.uchealth.org. JANUARY 8 THROUGH MARCH 7 Sweeney Todd Our new theater space, Studio 2, will open its doors with Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. The story of a barber who is wrongfully exiled, this musical is proclaimed as one of the most influential in the 20th century. Show times and prices vary. Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. boxoffice@midtownartscenter.com. JANUARY 9 THROUGH MARCH 7 Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps Hitchcock fans will be delighted to see the film “39 Steps” come to life in our dinner theater. A classic “who-done-it” mystery where four actors play over 100 roles! The New York Post proclaimed the show as “The Most Entertaining Show on Broadway.” Show times and prices vary. Midtown Arts Center, 3750 South

Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. boxoffice@midtownartscenter.com. JANUARY 10-31 True West An OpenStage Theater & Company presentation by Sam Shepard. Two brothers unexpectedly reunite in their quest for a new life in a savvy, brooding dark comedy. Austin, a successful screen-writer and family man, yearns to ignite his lackluster and predictable existence--something his writing has failed to do. Ticket prices and show times vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com. THROUGH JANUARY 11 Ralph Nagel Impressions of Ghost Ranch Through large-format watercolor paintings, Colorado artist Ralph Nagel records the ever-changing landscape around Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, the same region that inspired artist Georgia O’Keefe. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6-8pm. 970-9622410 or www.cityofloveland.org.

JANUARY 12 THROUGH FEBRUARY 9 5-Week Childbirth Preparation Class This class provides the expectant mother and one support person with expanded knowledge and skills for labor and birth. Topics include stages of labor, coping techniques, medications,epidurals, cesarean birth and an overview of newborn care. Class meets once a week for five weeks. $70. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave, FC., FC. Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm. 970-495-7500. JANUARY 16-18 Big Thunder Draft Horse Show The 11th Annual Big Thunder Draft Horse Show at Ranch-Way Feeds Indoor Arena at The Ranch. The show will feature 13 of the finest hitches in the United States and Canada. Competitors bring a variety of draft horses including Clydesdales, Belgians, Shires and Percherons to compete in front of a world-class judge and accrue points in the North American Six Horse Hitch Classic Series. Ticket prices vary. Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. Show times vary. 877-5448499 or www.ComcastTIX.com.

Hours of Operation: M-Th 8-5pm, Fri 8-4 Fort Collins (970) 493-7442

Loveland (970) 493-7442

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY

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JANUARY 23 AND 24 Fast Track Childbirth Class includes the basic information of labor and birth, overview of labor and delivery, coping techniques, medications, epidurals, cesarean birth and newborn information. $55. Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV. Friday 6–9pm and Saturday 1–5pm. 970-495-7500 or www.uchealth.org. JANUARY 27-29 Colorado Farm Show The theme of this years 2015 Colorado Farm Show is “Agriculture: Continuing the tradition.” Join us for free classes during all three days. Parking $5. Island Grove Regional Park, 501 N.14th Ave., GR. Times vary. 970-356-9426 or www. coloradofarmshow.com. JANUARY 7-28 Abbey Addicts It is hard to wait each week for a new episode of Downton Abbey. What is a die-hard fan to do between episodes? Well, over-analyze it of course! One of the best parts of the show is talking about it after! Join us to discuss Sunday night’s episode. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. Wednesdays, 6pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. JANUARY 28 THROUGH FEBRUARY 11 3-Week Natural Childbirth Class If you want to learn techniques and coping strategies for a natural childbirth, this is the class for you! You will also learn about the stages of labor and delivery. Class meets every Wednesday for three weeks. Parent Preview Tour included. $65. Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV. 970-495-7500 or www.uchealth.org. JANUARY 29-31 Mamma Mia! Writer Catherine Johnson’s sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise. The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! Ticket prices and show times vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. www.lctix. com or 970-221-6730.

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JANUARY 30 AND 31 2015 Father Daughter Dance Fathers and daughters of all ages are welcome! Don’t miss this unique opportunity to spend an evening with your favorite girl. Ticket price includes dance, finger food, refreshments and a professional photo of you and your princess. Tickets can be purchased at the Greeley Recreation Center or at Family FunPlex. $25 advance purchase per couple; $30 per couple day of the dance; $10 each additional daughter. Greeley Recreation Center, Main Gym, 651 10th Ave. GR. Times vary. 970-350-9400 or www.greeleygov.com/Recreation. FRIDAYS Friday Morning Sing Alongs Sing, dance and shake up a storm. Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys, 111 North College Ave., FC. 11am-12noon. www.downtownfortcollins.com.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7 Winter Cycling 101 Winter Cycling 101 is a two-hour presentation that teaches you how to ride safely and confidently in the winter. Expert instructors will provide cycling tips for safe winter riding and recommend clothing and gear for enjoyable riding during the colder months. Registration required. Limited to 30 attendees. Free. Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive. FC. 4pm. www.fcgov. com/bikewinter. THURSDAY, JANUARY 8 Smokey Joe’s Café Welcome to the hottest joint in town! The Coasters are headlining and it’s always a party at Smokey Joe’s Cafe! This salute to legendary songwriters Leiber and Stoller is a raise the roof, song-anddance celebration of some of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest hits. Get ready for songs like “Hound Dog,” “Stand by Me,” “Yakety Yak,” “Love Potion #9,” “Fools Fall in Love” and many more. The New York Daily News calls it “wildly infectious” and Time Magazine says, “it sails and soars!” Ticket prices vary. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 2pm.

970 356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 CPR & First Aid Learn how to save a life by certifying in American Heart Association CPR. Small group size allows for more hands-on training. No mannequin sharing! Adult, Child and infant CPR certification, AED hands-on training, First Aid training. Preregistration required. Either CPR or First Aid: $40; CPR AND First Aid: $70. Bright Horizons Loveland, 2420 W. 8th St.,LV. 9am-1pm. 970-420-7522 or mkoch6481@hotmail.com. American Girl Doll Day Join us to celebrate the American Girl! Bring your favorite doll and learn how to skate with our certified instructors in a group setting. Don’t miss the exciting performances by the Mountain View Skating Club skaters. The event also includes a hairstylist for you and your doll, games and a drawing for the 2015 American Girl Doll of the year. Admission $6, $2 skate rental. Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave. GR. 970-350-9402 or www.greeleyicehaus.com. Rosanne Cash “The River & The Thread” In Concert Singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash and her band’s new show celebrates the release of her much anticipated new album, The River and the Thread. This album is a collection of new original songs that connect and re-connect Rosanne to the American South, the place of her birth and the home of her ancestors. Ticket prices vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. www.lctix.com or 970-2216730.

MONDAY, JANUARY 12 Canvas and Cocoa Join us for a cozy painting session while we sip on hot cocoa. Artist Tami Showers will demonstrate how to paint a winter-themed masterpiece. Each teen will take home their 8”x10” canvas creation. All materials will be provided. Registration is required. Grades 6-12. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 4pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.

K-5

5 Plus Lego Mindstorm STEM program for 4th and 5th grades.

Call 970-226-2800 for a tour. Friday 10 am and 1 pm

www.tpaak.org

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us.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 Author Event with Charles Todd Meet bestselling mystery author Charles Todd. He wrote the Inspector Ian Rutledge Mystery series. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 7pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 Author Event with W. C. Bauers Debut science fiction author W. C. Bauers, discusses his book Unbreakable. Free. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 7pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 Del McCoury Plays Woody Guthrie The latest project from Del McCoury features unheard and unsung words of Woody Guthrie set to music by Del himself. To help bring new life to the work of American folk poet Woody Guthrie. $35. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com. SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 Blake Bolerjack in Concert Modern Gospel Artist Blake Bolerjack performs classic Gospel favorites and hymns to Christian Inspirational and modern styles music. Blake has shared the stage with Gospel notables The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, The Martins, VERITAS and others. The music will be inspiring and family friendly. Blake also will be joined by his wife, Jenna, for a few duets. Free. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave.GR. 6pm. 970-3565000 or www.ucstars.com. Cabin Fever Cures It’s a winter wonderland outside, but inside you are going bonkers! Teens are invited to cure their cabin fever by playing absurd games like Pudding Pictionary, Urban Legend Jeopardy and more. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

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Tune Up Your Computer Remember when you first bought your computer and it ran like a dream? Now you’re bogged down with ads, programs, malware and your system is slowing down to a crawl. Learn a few tricks to rejuvenate your computer. Bring your own laptop or just come and learn about ways you can speed up your system. This class is mostly for PC users, but some Mac options will be discussed. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 Jeremy Denk in Concert One of America’s most thoughtprovoking, multi-faceted and compelling artists, pianist Jeremy Denk performs as a part of the Classical Convergence Series co-presented by the Lincoln Center and Colorado State University. Ticket prices vary. University Center for the Arts, 1400 Remington St., FC. 970221-6730 or www.tickets.lctix.com. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 Introduction to LinkedIn LinkedIn is one of the world’s largest professional networks with over 300 million members and growing. Join this short course on how to set up a LinkedIn account, fill out your LinkedIn profile and get tips on how to build your brand and profile. Bring your resume/ work history. Participants must have a working web-based email (such as Yahoo or Google) and basic Internet skills. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 6:30pm, 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. United Way of Weld County Reality Bites Training How do we manage the crisis of children biting other children? Why do they do it? Children biting other children is the most common and most difficult repercussion of group child care, especially with toddlers. This class helps caregivers deal with this behavioral issue. Weld County Training Center, 1104 H St., GE. 6:30pm. 970-353-4300 or www.UnitedWay-Weld.org.

Bright by Three Infant and Toddlers Groups You have the power to shape your child’s future. We’ll give you some simple ways to begin. Bright by Three is a nonprofit organization partnering with the University of Colorado Health to provide parents and caregivers with educational tools, books and games to make the most of these important developmental years. Infant, oneyear-old and two-year-old groups. Preregistration required. Free. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 6:30-8pm. 970-495-7000 or www.uchealth.org. Steve Mumme on US/Mexico Border Relations Dr. Steve Mumme is a specialist in US/ Mexican transboundry water diplomacy and environmental relations. He will expound on complex border issues including immigration, national security and water disputes. He has allotted adequate time for dialogue during this talk, so bring your questions to this informative presentation. Members-free; non-members-$5. Global Village Museum of Arts & Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 970-221-4600 or www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 Nichole Nordeman in Concert Come and be the first to hear new music and stories behind the songs of Nichole Nordeman’s upcoming 2015 album, along with hearing your longtime favorites! She is a two-time Gospel Music Association winner for Female Vocalist of the Year. Ticket prices vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com. SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 Story Pirates This loud, hilarious sketch comedy musical performed by professional improvisers and musicians is based entirely on stories written by elementary school students. Ticket prices vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 2pm and 6pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

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GPO Connoisseur Concert # 4: Through the Hero’s Eyes Collaboration with UNC Department of Fine Arts. Featuring Nichael Ludwig, Violin and performing Ravel’s Scheherezade, Corigliano’s Chaccone from “The Red Violin”, Ravel’s Tzigane and Beethoven’s Symphony # 3. Ticket prices vary. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. GR. 7:30pm. 970-3565000 or www.ucstars.com.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 Bringing Home Sardinia Steven McCurdy’s “Bringing Home Sardinia” is a tender hearted look at the people of a small island located just off the coast of Italy. After a brief visit to the island years ago, McCurdy returned in 2002 with the aim of not only filming the physical beauty of this place, but of “bringing home” his experience of the islanders as they described their work, their values, and their hopes for themselves and their people. $7. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. GR. 2pm. 970-356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

Crafty Storytime Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes, and then complete a related craft. Children ages 3 and above (and their caregivers and families) are invited to attend. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., Evans. 6:30pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 Disney Junior Live on Tour! Mickey and Minnie lead the audience on an exciting adventure that will have families rooting for their favorite pirate Jake and Disney’s first little girl princess Sofia. $25-50. Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 10am. 877-5448499 or www.ComcastTIX.com. FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 James Van Praagh American author, producer and television personality, James Van Praagh, who describes himself as a clairvoyant and spiritual medium will perform. Ticket prices vary. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. GR. 7:30pm. 970356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

28th Annual Friends of Baseball Breakfast of Champions Funds raised at the “Breakfast of Champions” are used to update and enhance existing baseball programs, and to help build additional baseball facilities if warranted. $10 raffle/admission tickets. Island Grove Event Center, 421 N. 15th Ave, GR. 7:30am. 970-3710169 or www.friendsofbaseball.info. Poudre River Forum “One River, Many Voices” is the theme for this year’s forum that celebrates the Poudre River. Preregistration is required. Ticket prices vary and scholarships are available. The Ranch, Larimer County Fairgrounds, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. 10am. www.cwi.colostate.edu/ thepoudrerunsthroughit. Greeley Children’s Chorale Come enjoy our alumni concert! Tickets can be purchase at the door. $10 Adults, $5 Children. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Ave, GR. 6pm. www. greeleychildrenschorale.com.

Smart Self-Publishing: An Author & Bookseller Perspective Learn about self-publishing from the director of Northern Colorado Writers and the event coordinator of Old Firehouse Books. $35. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 3:30-6pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com.

MONDAY, JANUARY 26 UNC Faculty Recital With cellist Gal Faganel. Ticket prices vary. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. GR. 2pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 Breastfeeding Basics Learn about the benefits of breastfeeding, establishing and maintaining a good milk supply and solutions to common breastfeeding challenges. Partners welcome. $20. Westbridge Medical Suites, 1107 S. Lemay Ave, FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970-495-7500 or www.uchealth.org. 40

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 31 Make Your Own Website Workshop A step-by-step process to set up, customize and populate your own website using Weebly. Participants must have good keyboard and mouse skills, and understand how to use a web browser. Registration required. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 10am-2pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

An Evening with Comedian D.L. Hughley Darryl Lynn “D. L.” Hughley is an American actor, political commentator and stand-up comedian. D.L. Hughley is best known as the original host of BET’s ComicView, Ticket prices vary. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave. GR. 7:30pm. 970-356-5000 or www. ucstars.com.

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time out

The family that gives together... Caring for foster puppies teaches the true spirit of the holidays KATIE HARRIS

he holiday season is a favorite time of year for many of us, as we are reminded by lights, music, and family gatherings to cherish one another, to be kind and giving. This past month I was blessed with my favorite Christmas yet. Each year, around December 1, I begin contemplating creative new ways to teach my children why Christmas is important, and what it really means to be in the spirit of the holiday. Last year we bought supplies from the pet store and delivered them to a local rescue at Christmastime. It felt good to be giving to others, but I still felt like we were more focused on decorations, presents, and Santa than we were on the true giving spirit of the holidays. This year, I knew we had more to give. By the time August rolled around, I felt the need to make a real difference, and I knew my kids needed to experience that feeling as well. In September everything had come together and I brought home my first foster dogs— three 10-week-old puppies. The next six days were a blur, as I readjusted to the sleepless nights that had been routine during my children’s infant days. I discovered what a handful puppies can be! But the discovery that surprised me more was how my husband, who had been hesitant about the idea at first, and my kids, who were too close in age to have any memory of taking care of babies, stepped up to the plate. Every time I felt my patience slipping, my 5-year-old was there to clean up an accident or distract a puppy that was getting into mischief. At 5am, when I was so exhausted I wanted to cry along with the hungry puppies, my husband quietly got out of bed and fed them breakfast so I could catch a few extra zzzs. And like she always had been, my 7-year-old remained nearby, knowing 42

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exactly when to wrap her arms around me and remind me to love, even when I was almost too tired to remember how. The next litter of puppies we brought home stayed a whole month, and made the first group look like a breeze. The litter was only 4-weeks-old and had come from a rough environment. They required constant feeding, bathing, and attention, and literally

cried and howled all night long . Yet, every time I thought my family might be ready to kick me out along with the needy puppies, they remained by my side, ready to help and support me in this cause that had become increasingly important to my heart. When this second litter found homes, I told my family I would take a break, at least through the holidays. But after a few days the peace and quiet felt more lonely than peaceful and I couldn’t bare sitting around idle knowing I could

be saving another dog somewhere. When I hesitantly asked my family when they might be ready to foster again, I was happily surprised that they too were anxious to bring home another litter. Before we knew it, December was upon us, and as we brought out the decorations I noticed that something had changed this year. We all seemed happier, more at peace, despite the chaos of three puppies and our own dogs tangling themselves up in tinsel and rolling ornaments across the hardwood. My kids laughed together and didn’t fight over who got to put which ornament on the tree. My husband dug up an old Santa hat to wear as he strung lights from the fence outside. And I felt a warmth in my heart unlike anything I’d ever felt before. A satisfaction in knowing that, not only had I finally given all I had to others, I’d done well by my children too. The family that gives together, stays together. This holiday season proved it.

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