RMParent February 2015

FEBRUARY 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

for all

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Keep the

HEART BEAT

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Family

GAME TIME ........................................

Healthy

habits

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CHANGING THE

F ace

OF

MUSEUMS

MIND Body

SPECIAL SECTION

Yoga

Spirit

INSIDE:

2015 CAMP

PREVIEW

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FEBRUARY 2015

Departments PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Mind, body, spirit—nurture them all for your health’s sake

WOMEN’S HEALTH . . . . . . . . 8 The beat goes on—eat right and exercise for a healthy heart

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10 Family game time—unplug and give your kids the attention they crave

GIVE ME A BREAK . . . . . . . . 12 The heart of the matter—making the connection between emotional and physical health

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Stay healthy and have fun this month—volunteer as a nature guide, explore music, plan for a race, get a health screen...

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . 1 6

Yoga for all—increase attention span, teach emotional management, and build a positive image

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Special Sections MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 FIRST LEGO League, Boettcher Foundation Scholarships, students dedicate another Home for Habitat for Humanity, IBM grant at Garfield, Check & Connect Potluck

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 PSD calendar of events, global hour of code, kindergarten registration, apply for school choice online

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Nine school improve accreditation rating, Early College High School accepting applications, district expands blended learning initiative

Lunchbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

SPECIAL SECTION

Mother-daughter body image PAGE 8

Helping kids cope with stress

Fit exercise into your day

PAGE 2

Sleep, baby, sleep

PAGE 4

2013 • RMPARENT.COM

CAMP GUIDE PREVIEW

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FEBRUARY 2015

Yes, mind, body and spirit are all tied to each other and we explore several aspects of this relationship.

We start with stress relief for your kids in our speedy, needy world...how to reduce it and how to deal with it. On a similar note is how to work exercise, a great life balancer, into your busy schedule, followed by how to reflect a positive body image for your daughter. And finally we end with a good night’s sleep for new parents.

Events and activities for parents, kids and families The easy lie—a mom wrestles with the complex nature of truth-telling

MIND Body Spirit

SUPPLEMENT

2015 CAMP GUIDE PREVIEW

Get a first look at the camps and programs these providers have coming up for your families.

Features THE CHANGING FACE 18 OF MUSEUMS

Museums have a reputation for being stuffy places filled with old, dusty displays that can’t be touched. But not anymore! More and more museums rely on input from the public to create fun, interactive exhibits.

20 PLAY TOGETHER, STAY HEALTHY TOGETHER

Are you sticking to your healthy goals of eating well and exercising daily? If not, maybe a team effort is the solution to helping you stay on track. Make healthy habits a family affair by adopting these easy daily solutions.

ABOUT THE COVER: Amara, 4, loves swimming, fishing and Valentine's Day. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Mind, body, spirit...

Nurture them all for your health’s sake

I

’ve been sick on and off for the past month. I’m guessing that you or someone in your house has too. It starts with a scratchy throat that progresses rapidly to a hurts-to-swallow pain. Then the nose flows followed by a tight chest. It’s accompanied by a general tiredness, even exhaustion at times. And then it goes away. And then it comes back. And then...well, you know. It’s hard to kick.

I haven’t been much help to myself either. I’ve stayed up late too often, maybe over-holidayed (my spell checker says that’s a word!) from time to time, not exercised as much as usual. Basically, I’ve set myself up to stay sick. So what to do?

Well, I think I’m on the road to recovery. I’ve been sleeping more, eating at home more, exercising more. And I’m starting to feel better. The funny thing I’ve noted is that when my body is sick and tired so is my mind. Even though it seems that much of the time my mind wanders away from my body, when I’m sick, they seem to be more closely connected. When my throat is sore, my mind is right there suffering with it. When it’s not sore, my mind doesn’t pay a lick of attention to it.

Looking at the magazine this month...we have a special section called Mind, Body, Spirit. Our feature story is about stress and kids.

I think we’ve all found that stress definitely affects our mental and physical health and our general feeling about life...call that spirit.

We also look at fitting exercise into our speedy lives and the motherdaughter connection for perception of healthy body images.

In our regular issue, we look at how making healthy habits a family affair can help you all stay on track to eating well and being active. And with a different look at a similar theme, we celebrate American Heart Month and the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign with a story about eating right and exercising for a healthy heart.

Could there be more? Well, yes. There’s yoga—for everyone.

Yoga is everywhere...some might say...but physically speaking, there is probably a studio near you. And finally, Community News highlights several healthy events and activities in our area.

So free your mind, let your spirit soar and exercise your body into total submission this spring...you’ll be glad you did.

—Scott

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FEBRUARY 2015 • Volume 19, Issue 9 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, 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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women’s health

The beat goes on...

Eat right and exercise for a healthy heart LY NN U. NICHOLS

M

ost likely you know a woman who has heart disease—your mother, aunt, boss or friend.

That’s because one in three women experience heart disease in their lifetime.

According to the World Health Organization, heart disease kills more women in the U.S. than all cancers combined.

And while it mainly strikes after menopause, numbers for young women getting heart disease is on the rise. Now’s the time to start living a heart-healthy lifestyle so you can pass good habits on to your kids.

A major player in heart disease is clogged arteries. Keeping the vessels that lead to the heart clear of plaque is very important to heart health. That’s where eating well and exercise comes in.

EATING FOR HEART-SAKE If you’ve ever looked at bacon grease after it has cooled in a pan you can see how that fatty, greasy, sticky substance could leave residue in our bodies. That’s exactly what plaque is—the sticky substance that lines your arteries and creates strain on your heart. Eating less of these foods—saturated fats like butter, cream and animal fats—will help keep your arteries clean.

A heart healthy diet includes eating high-fiber foods such as whole grains and a lot of fruits and vegetables; choosing low-fat dairy products, lean proteins, and limiting hidden fats found in baked goods and fried foods.

It’s also important to eat foods that are as close to their original state as possible.

A heart healthy diet includes Omega 3s, the essential fatty acids found in fish.

Omega 3s have been proven to have clear cardiac benefits as they maintain blood consistency, lower blood pressure and improve the rhythm of the heart. Take a supplement or eat fish twice a week.

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STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART WITH EXERCISE Regular exercise reduces your risk for heart disease. For example, moderate exercise reduces your chance of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. It also improves blood sugar levels, improves blood lipids (lowers bad cholesterol and raises good) and reduces body fat.

The current recommendation is to aerobically exercise 30 minutes most days to keep your heart healthy. If you didn’t start a new exercise habit after New Year’s, do it now. Think about what activities bring you pleasure and start there. If you love being in nature, walk or run the bike paths. If you like basketball, join a gym that offers a casual

Get your red on!

league. If you love dancing, take a dance class or sign up for Zumba through the city. Or give something new a try—Fencing? Kettle bells? Insanity or Crossfit? By adopting the philosophy to “move every day” you will create a new habit and soon enough the day won’t feel right until you’ve gotten up and moved.

This might sway you to start now: we all form what’s called a “fatty streak” in our arteries from a young age, even as children. Once the fatty streak is created it can’t be dissolved. The fatty streak doesn’t cause problems, per se, but it forms a base for plaque to build on.

If you wait, that base grows. That’s why forming good habits now matters.

February is American Heart Month, so use it as an excuse to buy a little red dress! The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women campaign deems February 6 as National Wear Red Day to raise awareness on women’s heart disease and defuse myths that it’s a man’s disease.

The top risks for heart disease include having a family history of the disease, smoking, feeling high stress without a plan for relief, sleep problems such as insomnia, diabetes, and of course poor eating and exercise habits. Stroke and heart disease are closely related, and adopting heart healthy habits helps reduce your risk for both.

For more, visit www.goredforwomen.org where you can take a heart checkup to find out your personal risk and learn more about heart healthy habits.

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family activities

Family game time

Unplug and give your kids the attention they crave KATIE HARRIS

T

he time of year between the holidays and spring break can be tricky for families, as boredom sets in and sunny days are few and far between.

There’s a bright side to all this forced indoor time though—it provides the perfect opportunity for families to catch up and get to know each other better.

“Especially now with technology and video games that kids get wrapped up in and parents with smart phones constantly plugged in, it’s important to have real time to connect where they’re actually paying attention and talking to each other,” says Jaime Carden-O’Brien, a Licensed Professional Counselor in Loveland.

“Kids need attention. They crave it,” she says. “Something I hear consistently from kids is ‘I wish my parents would put their phones down’.”

Carden-O’Brien often recommends family game time to her clients.

“I encourage families with different aged kids to select a wide variety of games so they don’t leave younger kids out or make older kids bored,” she says.

THE BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK When choosing games you can up the ante by incorporating education into your game play. Jennifer Legault and Tiffany Kile, teachers at Berthoud Elementary School, have several favorites they use in the classroom and recommend to students and their families.

“Classic games are some of my favorite family games,” says Legault. “We like to play Dominoes after family dinners because six or more players of several generations can compete together.”

Kile also likes Dominoes, as well as the popular card game War, particularly for kindergarteners through 2nd graders.

She says these games suit this age group because they provide practice in comparing numbers and recognizing dot sets, as well as teaching patience and perseverance.

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For younger, preschool aged kids, Kile recommends focusing on color and number recognition with Uno, Go Fish, Trouble and Candyland. For 3rd graders and older she likes Clue and Chess, which work the brain in terms of forming strategies, inferencing, and drawing conclusions.

Both Legault and Kile suggest Scrabble and Scrabble Jr. for all ages, which they say increases spelling, vocabulary and phonics skills.

Other games that made their list include Mastermind, which strengthens critical-thinking skills; Life and Monopoly for math practice; and Spot It, which requires players to focus and pay attention.

ONLINE TOGETHERNESS For families that enjoy occasionally incorporating technology into their family

game time, Legault has a few favorite online games she uses in the classroom that are educational and can be played by families as well.

“I like my Pre-K and Kindergarten students to use Starfall and ABC Mouse during our daily computer time,” says Legault. “Both of these programs have an abundance of reading and mathematical activities and games.”

Legault recommends taking turns to cheer each other on, or timing each player. She suggests using the tangram puzzles in Starfall to create a fun family competition in which players take turns to see how fast they can solve the puzzle.

“Anything that brings a family together to play is wonderful,” says Carden-O’Brien. “If it’s educational on top of it that’s icing on the cake.”

Fostering healthy competition

Still need convincing? When you play games with your kids, you have a unique opportunity to teach them good sportsmanship—a skill that they’ll need throughout life, from team sports to a future career.

These tips from KidsHealth.org can help parents nudge kids in the right direction: • Be polite to everyone you’re playing with and against. No trash talk—which means saying mean things while you’re in the middle of a game.

• Tell your opponents “good game!” whether you’ve won or you’ve lost.

• Don’t make up excuses or blame a teammate when you lose. Try to learn from what happened.

• Play fair and don’t cheat.

• Cheer for your teammates even if the score is 1,000 to 1! You could inspire a big comeback!

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give me a break

The heart of the matter

Making the connection between emotional and physical health KIM SHARPE

I

was pretty sure I wasn’t dead. I hadn’t experienced any “light at the end of a tunnel” phenomenon.

I could hear myself breathing hard, which made sense since I had just run six miles. I could see the environment around me—with Horsetooth Rock to my west, the view was spectacular, as usual. The only thing I couldn’t do was feel a pulse on my wrist or anywhere else on my body. Pretty odd for sure.

To make a short story long, I was having an atrial fibrillation (a-fib) episode and didn’t know it. (A-fib typically is a fairly benign, nonlethal arrhythmia that many people live with.) I learned this by visiting a cardiologist after I noticed these little episodes happening more and more frequently. The first visit was quick— too quick, I felt, given I was a healthy 34-year-old who exercised daily and never ate fast food. Regardless, I left that appointment wearing a heart monitor that would record my cardiac activity for a couple of weeks. My second visit was too quick, too, and I left with a prescription for a cardiac medication to control the arrhythmia and in tears. Three days later I was rushed to Poudre Valley Hospital because I was experiencing classic heart attack symptoms—nausea, pain between my shoulder blades that radiated down my left arm and cold sweats. I didn’t die, obviously, but I came too close for comfort. The ER docs immediately took me off the medication I had been given, as it was determined to be the culprit of my latest heart event (read “bad side effect”). I left the hospital sans medication and simply lived through the a-fib episodes that continued to plague me occasionally.

Fast forward about five years (and I’ll try to speed it up, as I do have a limited word count). The

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episodes increased. I had three epidemiology studies that involved sticking wires up into my heart, poking around to see if the misfiring electrode(s) could be located and then burning them to eradicate the errant electrical pathways. Errant pathways apparently can be stealthy, too, because mine couldn’t be found.

The bottom line was that my heart issue stemmed from living at a fight or flight level of stress 24-7-365 due to being in an abusive marriage for many years. However, I had just divorced the abuser and was in a healthy, loving relationship, and the doc felt that if I continued to make changes in my life to reduce stress, my heart arrhythmia

would probably go away as mysteriously as it had arrived. It did, praise God (although my now husband likes to take some of the credit.)

Lessons learned: Do not remain in toxic, abusive relationships. If you feel you feel unsafe, call Crossroads Safehouse in Larimer County (888-541-7233) or A Woman’s Place in Weld County (866-356-4226).

Trained staff can help you escape a dangerous situation.

It’s wise to research potential side effects of prescription medication before taking it.

Stress is real and can take its toll on your health. Do whatever you can to minimize it in your life.

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GREELEY-EVANS YOUTH LEAGUE

2015 Summer Baseball & Girls’ Fast-Pitch Softball Baseball Teams age 6 to 14 • Softball Teams age 6 to 15 REGISTRATION DEADLINE MARCH 31 Register online at www.geyl.org

Volunteer Coaches Register Now

Email your name, address, photo, DOB and requested age division to mimi@geyl.org.

Teams are filled first-come, first-served according to player and coach requests. Register early for best chance of requested placement.

Games are played mid-May through the end of July in the evenings, during the week.

6501 W. 20th St• Greeley• 970-339-8286• www.geyl.org RMPARENT

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community news

Stay healthy and have fun this month Volunteer as a guide, explore music, plan for a race, get a heath screen...

KIM SHARPE

W

hat do you like to do in your spare time? Take a walk on the wild side? Listen to music? Go for a bike ride? If you live in northern Colorado—or if you’re visiting—you can gain or nurture a love of nature, culture and bicycling in many ways in 2015.

To enjoy fun activities, it helps to be healthy and safe, too. Many local and state organizations provide services to help residents do both. To learn more about health and human services in NoCo, simply dial 2-1-1 to speak to a highly trained information and referral specialist.

INSPIRE CURIOSITY FOR NATURE Interested in inspiring curiosity for the natural world in children and adults?

Larimer County Natural Resources needs new Volunteer Naturalists to teach school groups, lead hikes and interact with the public at Larimer County’s parks and open spaces. Programs include ecology, geology, local history and more.

An in-depth training is set to begin March 4. Application deadline is Feb. 27. If you’re interested in volunteering but can’t commit to the full training, a Volunteer Naturalist Assistant Training will be held Tuesday, April 14, 6-9pm.

For more information, contact Heather Young at hyoung@larimer.org or 970-619-4489.

EXPLORE MUSIC The Fort Collins Symphony Guild invites the public to visit the 2014 Musical Zoo. It’s a once-a-year adventure in the arts, especially music, for the young (children ages of 3 to 12 years) and the young at heart.

This year’s event will be held on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2:30-5:30pm, at Timberline Church, 2908 Timberline Road, Fort Collins. Tickets are $2 per person; children 2 years old or younger are free.

The ticket price includes all activities and events, as well as refreshments.

The Zoo features A variety of performers, like strolling musicians, “street dancers,” face painters, a stilt walker, a juggler and a mime. There will be short performances by a flamenco dancer and guitarist, a jazz ensemble, and area middle and high school music groups. A Petting Zoo filled with musical instruments will be demonstrated and available for participants to try. Attendees are encouraged to explore the display of international musical instruments and a middle school art exhibit.

The crescendo of the Musical Zoo will be “Tryrannosaurus Sue: A Cretaceous Concerto” performed by members of the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, directed by Maestro Wes Kenney, narrated by its composer Bruce Adolphe and interpreted by dancers from the Canyon Concert Ballet.

“Audience participation is encour-

aged in all the parts and performances of the Musical Zoo,” says Susan Greer, one of the event organizers. “We want people to experience a variety of musical traditions, styles and ethnicities in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.”

For details, visit www.fcsymphony guild.org/education.

NOCO CHOSEN TO HOST BIKE RACE Stage 6 of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge, also called “America’s Race,” will take professional bicycle racers from Loveland to Fort Collins by a circuitous route that will include many miles, hills and spectacular views.

Race organizers asked fans to help determine the start and finish locations for Stage 6. Thousands submitted their opinions through the USA Pro Challenge Facebook page and website providing more than 20 start and finish city options. In the end, nearly half the responses encouraged a return to northern Colorado, which hosted Stage 6 in 2013.

USA Pro Challenge fan Michael DePalma wanted a return to northern Colorado saying it, “offers some of the most spectacular cycling opportunities in the state.” Many other fans spoke to returning to areas that were greatly damaged in the 2013 floods. Loveland resident Gary Crews says the Pro Challenge will, “help us further recover from the flooding and put a smile on the face of riders and residents alike.”

“Loveland and Fort Collins have been such great host cities in the past and we’re looking forward to visiting them again,” says Shawn Hunter, USA Pro Challenge CEO. Scheduled to take place Aug. 17-23, the host cities and stages of the 2015 USA Pro Challenge include: • Stage 1: Monday, Aug. 17 – Steamboat Springs Circuit Race • Stage 2: Tuesday, Aug. 18 – Steamboat Springs to Arapahoe Basin

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• S tage 3: Wednesday, Aug. 19 – Copper Mountain Resort to Aspen • Stage 4: Thursday, Aug. 20 – Aspen to Breckenridge • Stage 5: Friday, Aug. 21 – Breckenridge Individual Time Trial • Stage 6: Saturday, Aug. 22 – Loveland to Fort Collins • Stage 7: Sunday, Aug. 23 – Golden to Denver

More information can be found online at www.USAProChallenge.com and on Twitter at @USAProChallenge.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION The Health District of Northern Larimer County offers many low- or nocost services to help district residents (and sometimes non-district residents) stay healthy. The boundaries of the district encompass the northern two-thirds of Larimer County and include the cities of Fort Collins, Laporte, Timnath, Wellington, Livermore and Red Feather Lakes. You can view the Health District boundary map to see if you live within the district.

In recognition of American Heart Month, the Health District is offering free cholesterol tests in February to all district residents. The cost ordinarily is $15. The test includes results for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and blood glucose, as well as a blood-pressure check and interpretation of test results by a registered nurse. Appointments are strongly recommended.

A complete list of screening dates and locations is available at healthdistrict.org/heart or by calling 970-224-5209.

A new Step Free from Tobacco class is running Wednesdays, 6pm, through Feb. 18 at the Health District offices located at 120 Bristlecone Drive, Fort Collins. The six-week class, led by a master-level certified tobacco treatment specialist, began Jan. 14, but participants can miss the first one. Participants receive free nicotine patches, gum or lozenges. The

cost for district residents is $10-$100 per person, depending on income; non-residents pay $100. A “buddy discount” of 25 percent is available for district residents who enroll with a friend or relative. Call 970-224-5209 or visit healthdistrict.org/quitsmoking.

If you need dental work, check out Dental Connections is another service of the Health District. It assists local residents who have modest incomes, but have trouble affording dental care. Qualifying patients are matched with a local private dentist and pay a low sliding fee.

The program is open to Larimer County residents whose household income does not exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty level (about $29,000 for an individual or $59,000 for a family of four). That limit is higher than what is allowed for many other public health-care programs. Call 970-493-3366 or visit healthdistrict.org/dental-connections.

STATE LAUNCHES CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT HOTLINE The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) launched a new statewide child abuse and neglect

hotline—1-844-CO-4-KIDS—on Jan. 1. Governor Hickenlooper’s Child Welfare Plan “Keeping Kids Safe and Families Healthy” called for the creation of the hotline to promote greater safety for Colorado’s children.

Designed to provide one, easy-toremember phone number for individuals statewide to use to report suspected child abuse and neglect, the hotline serves as a direct, immediate and efficient route to Colorado’s 64 counties and two tribal nations, which are responsible for accepting and responding to child abuse and neglect inquiries and reports. All callers will be able to speak with a call taker 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“Everyone in the community plays a role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect,” says Reggie Bicha, CDHS executive director. “The statewide hotline is one more tool to help us keep kids safe and families healthy.”

The new hotline system will capture critical information and ensure that calls across the state are handled quickly and appropriately with the ultimate goal of ensuring that no child is harmed.

To learn more about the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, go to www.colorado.gov/cdhs.

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healthy living

Family yoga time!

Increase attention span, manage emotions, and build a positive body image LEA HANSON

M

ost families take the time to eat together, vacation together, and even watch television together, so why don’t we exercise together? Exercising as a family helps to instill wellness habits in children.

When practicing yoga together, families learn to work together, relax, and enjoy one anothers’ company in a way that is far more engaging than watching television. Yoga is an activity that each member can enjoy and can benefit from both physically and emotionally.

And, it doesn’t take up much time for an already packed schedule. Taking a one-hour class once a week as a family can be easily manageable. It is an option that is both engaging for the kids and challenging for the adults.

KIDS AND YOGA Amy Norris, Owner/Creator of KidsCrave Yoga shares, “Our kids live in a fast-paced, hurry up and sit down world! From school pressures, busy parents, split families, video games, text messaging, competitive sports and playdates there is no time left to simply just relax.

The importance of down time is huge for kids because when children learn techniques for self-health, relaxation, and inner fulfillment, they can navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease.”

While most adults turn to yoga for physical conditioning, strengthbuilding, and an opportunity for relaxation, some of the greatest benefits for kids are quite different. Yoga is beneficial to kids in many ways: a regular practice can increase a child’s attention span, teach emotional management, and can help build a positive body image. Because children encounter emotional, social, and physical challenges or conflicts, a dedicated and intentional yoga practice that includes breathing techniques, behavioral guidelines, and physical postures can be 16

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incredibly valuable for them. Additionally, the breathing, the concentration, the poses, and the way kids learn to act or react to situations, will lead to constant self-discovery and inquisitiveness.

According to Apple Tree Yoga in Fort Collins, yoga has enormous benefits for children including gaining a better understanding of their body and controlling its energy and stillness. They say, “[practicing yoga] enables children to develop awareness of poses that enhance energy and of those that promote stillness.” In addition to these selfmanagement techniques, something as simple as a 60-minute class offers a gentle physical and mental work-out for both children and adults.

If you’re not already convinced, here is an additional list of benefits yoga has on young people:

• Builds confidence and self-esteem • Improves focus and concentration • Helps overcome anxiety, fear, and everyday emotions • Helps performance in any sport • Teaches relaxation • Promotes exercise in fun way • Develops the brain and intellect • Promotes balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength • Raises body awareness • Promotes health and wellness • Enhances trust instincts and allows kiddos to open up to change • Promotes peaceful sleep • Increases the ability to relax • Helps children become better listeners (www.kidscraveyoga.com/thebenefits-of-yoga-for-kids/)

CLASSES AVAILABLE There are a plethora of yoga studios in northern Colorado and each specializes in varying types of practices, styles, and purpose. While adults have numerous options, kids who want to

begin a practice or families who would like to practice together will be drawn to studios that specialize in a youth and family approach.

Studios

• Apple Tree Yoga (www.appletreeyoga. com) • Belle Yoga (www.belleyoga.com) 1200 South College Avenue, Fort Collins • Elan Yoga and Fitness (www.elanyoga. com/p/kids-yoga.html) 353 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins • Family Balance Yoga (www.family balanceyoga.com) 1200 South College Avenue, Fort Collins • Flying Colors (www.flyingcolosartschool. com) 1800 East Prospect Road, Fort Collins • KidsCrave Yoga (www.kidscrave yoga.com) • Om Ananda Yoga (www.omananda yoga.com) 115 N. College Avenue, Suite 200, Fort Collins • Mobile Yoga – travels to multiple locations in northern Colorado • Raintree Athletic Center (www.raintree athleticclub.com/yoga) 2555 South Shields Street, Fort Collins • Northside Atzlan Community Center (www.fcgov.com/recreation/northaztlan.php) *ages 13 and older, 112 E. Willow Street, Fort Collins • Sacred Space Yoga (www.ssyoga.com) 1545 13th Avenue, Greeley

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changing

The

FACE

of museums

Kim Sharpe

Community stories, hands-on exhibits and visitor participation enhance visits

M

useums have a reputation for being places where you have to be quiet, prim and proper, and that they’re filled with old, dusty stuff that can’t be touched. Well that’s how museums used to be but not anymore!

MUSEUM HISTORY 101 The word “museum” is derived from the Greek word “mouseion” which means temple of the Gods. The ancient Greeks filled their temples with artifacts and scholars, and believed they were watched over by special goddesses. Soon, royal and aristocratic families established their own private museums in their palaces, homes and inns to show off their collections of riches and spoils of war.

Museums became an important element of nobility.

It wasn’t until 1683 that the first public museum opened. English politician, antique collector, astrologer and alchemist Elias Ashmole donated a collection of curiosities to the University of Oxford with the understanding that the 18

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institution would erect a special building to house his prized collection. The Ashmolean Museum can still be visited today.

As other public museums opened, they too were primarily places to display private hoards believed to have religious, historic, economic, aesthetic or magical value. Even the first American museum followed suit.

In 1786, Wilson Peale, a painter and collector of unusual items from around the world, opened his “Cabinet of Curiosities” in Philadelphia. The museum operated until after Peale’s death in 1827 when much of his collection was sold to P.T. Barnum (of circus fame) who transformed the museum experience into more of an entertainment experience.

“The earliest [American] museums really were, for lack of a better term—freak shows,” historian Stephen Asma, author of Stuffed Animals and Pickled Heads, told National Public Radio. “The bizarre was collected together with sober specimens with no real order or organization.”

After WWII, however, museums

began to evolve to become more relevant to a rapidly changing, better-educated society. They started becoming educational facilities and places to spend leisure time rather than displays of pomp and circumstance or the bizarre. And museums continue to evolve.

WHAT’S NEW “We’re moving away from museums being the single authority on narratives they’re presenting,” says Trelora Bower, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery curator of partnerships. “Museums aren’t the end all, be all anymore. Nor are they institutions for the wealthy reflecting the experiences of the wealthy.”

More and more museums rely on

input from the public to create exhibits.

They’re much more focused on preserving the stories of the community as a whole rather than preserving the experiences of the upper class.

“It’s not just about information going out any longer; it’s about information coming in,” Bower adds. “Exhibits are no longer determined by curators behind locked doors. We look to the public to determine what the museum experience will be.”

Jenni Dobson, Loveland Museum/ Gallery curator of education agrees. “We are reaching out to the community and figuring out ways to partner with other organizations to create exhibits and programs,” she says.

An example of this is when the Loveland Museum partnered with the House of Neighborly Service to create an exhibit about homelessness. Together they planned visual elements and educational presentations, including a panel discussion that included homeless individuals who told their stories.

Some museums take this thought one step further by being not-for-profit, volunteer based, like the Global Village Museum of Arts and Culture in Fort Collins. “We are a community museum with exhibits that are planned, curated and borrowed from the community,” explains LaVon Blaesi, Global Village Museum director.

Museums like this don’t display pre-packaged, traveling exhibits like you might find at larger museums. Rather, they “appreciate and honor” the experiences of community members. For example, through mid-June, the public is invited to enjoy the “Wild Kingdom Revisited: Warren and Genny Garst International Collection.” For 25 years— from 1962 until 1987—Warren and Genny Garst spent at least nine months a year on the road shooting film footage for the popular television documentary “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.”

The Garsts now live in Fort Collins and want to share the experiences they had visiting Africa, South America, South Central Asia, Lapland and Australia.

The Fort Collins Museum of Art is reaching out to the community by inviting members of the Boys and Girls

Clubs of Larimer and Weld Counties and students from three area high schools to participate in its annual Masks Project, which celebrates and promotes the creativity of northern Colorado residents.

As our world increasingly spins on a digital axis, “it’s important for people to experience the tactile nature of objects,” says Lisa Hatchadoorian, Fort Collins Museum of Art executive director. Since the museum doesn’t have onsite space for creativity, it provides blank ceramic masks to participating youth who then decorate them and transform them into works of art in their classrooms and clubs.

HANDS ON History and cultural museums recognize the value added by hands on experiences, too. About 30 years ago, “there was a national trend to create kid-specific exhibits with the addition of ‘Please Touch’ rooms,” says Kim Overholt, City of Greeley Museums marketing technician.

“Prior to that, museums didn’t do a good job of getting kids excited about history and culture.” The Greeley museums are taking that idea farther by “integrating kids throughout the whole museum experience, and giving kids and parents spaces where they can interact together.”

The Greeley Museums new Build!

Frontiers exhibit exemplifies this train of thought. The exhibit, which runs June 6 through Dec. 31, 2015, combines interactive learning with regional history to create a memorable museum experience. It features child-size toy bricks, interactive construction stations, historic photos and information about regional growth and construction from 1870 to the present.

“While the Build! Exhibit is primarily a child-focused exhibit, we’ve integrated information about the area’s history and architecture to make it interesting for parents, too,” Dan Perry, City of Greeley museum manager explains.

The Loveland Museum/Gallery allows kids to dress up and play the part of local historical characters. They can don costumes and climb aboard the Foote carriage, sit on Mariano Medina’s saddle to “ride” through the Big Thompson Valley or “work” in the Great Western Sugar Factory.

Discovery museums like the one in Fort Collins expands on this idea by having open floor plans that allow children to self-determine their museum experience. “We don’t force people to move through the museum from Point A to Point B. They can determine their own path based on their desires and goals for visiting the museum,” says Bower.

Museums also are trending toward aligning with K-12 education. Andrew Dunehoo, Town of Windsor art and heritage manager, says museums are intentionally designing their educational components to meet state education standards. He explains that “teachers used to view museum field trips as just fun events. Now a trip to a museum can really supplement their lesson plans.”

WIRED FOR FUN The increase of our societal reliance on technology created a fear that the digital age, with its world of online information available at the touch of a button, would keep people from wanting to visit museums in person. That hasn’t proven to be the case. According the American Alliance of Museums, “There are approximately 850 million visits each year to American museums, more than the attendance for all major league sporting events and theme parks combined.”

Museums actually are taking advantage of technology to enhance their exhibits and presentations. Digital features like QR codes and smart devices can link people to videos, audio segments, additional reading, and interactive games and puzzles related to visual exhibits. Perry says, “Digital technology also works well to add bilingual interpretation to exhibits.”

A special attraction at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery is the OtterBox Digital Dome Theater. It is a 35-foot diameter dome screen that takes visitors on journeys through the world and universe beyond without leaving their seats.

As our society progresses, people want a different experience when they visit a museum. Hatchadoorian believes, “They want a whole cultural experience with education at its core. They want to be exposed to the world. Museums need to be an outlet for everyone.”

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Play together, stay healthy together Creating

healthy habits as a family

helps make them stick

LYNN U. NICHOLS

T

he month for resolutions has passed and now you are facing a long, cold February.

Are you sticking to your healthy goals of eating well and exercising daily? If not, maybe a team effort is the solution to helping you stay on track. Make healthy habits a family affair by adopting these easy daily solutions.

TAKE PLAY BREAKS Days get filled up fast with work, homework and tasks. Before you know it, it’s time for bed. Break the routine by establishing a daily play break. Maybe it’s right when mom or dad gets home from work or after dinner. The only rule is it needs to be active—backyard races, jumping jack challenges, disco dancing—you get the idea.

“If people enjoy what they do and make it a part of their life, the lifestyle change is done for them without a big effort. It simply becomes the way people live their lives,” says Dr. Peyton Taliaferro, a family physician with Colorado Health Medical Group in Loveland.

If the days seem too full for a 20-minute play break, work it in by walking the dog together or riding your bikes on an errand. When you come together as a family over a common goal, like moving your bodies together every day, you’ll have more success. And you’ll be packing in some family fun.

When you are all in shape, the reward is that you get to do more. You can walk farther, see more and explore more together as a family. “Exercise lets you get out and experience more of life. It’s the second most important thing you can do to live a longer, healthier life besides not smoking,” Taliaferro says.

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CHANGE THREE EATING HABITS Dr. Taliaferro believes making three simple changes each day will put your family on the right track when it comes to eating healthy. They include watching what you drink, avoiding ‘free’ calories and considering your plate.

Most people don’t realize the amount of calories they consume in drinks. All drinks besides water have calories whether it’s milk, juice, beer, wine or soda.

“If you drink one soda or can of beer a day, that’s about 150 calories. If you run the math, it adds up to 1050 a week, or 4200 calories a month. A pound is 3500 calories, so that can of soda each day equals about 15 pounds a year! That one daily decision has a huge impact on your health,” Taliaferro says.

Next up, cut out ‘free’ calories.

Free calories are all those snacks you didn’t plan on during your day. They are the donuts for a class reward, the

candy bar in the check-out line and the cookies at the parent meeting. It’s extra food you eat almost automatically, without thinking. Keep alert and choose to cut them out or keep them to a bite.

Finally, consider the size of your plate. It helps with portion control, and eating less means you’ll have less to burn.

“Studies show that today’s plates are several inches larger than plates of the 1930s, and we fill them. I advise switching to a salad plate. I say, fill it up, but think about its design. Reserve a third for meats and potatoes or bread and two-thirds for fiber—fruits and vegetables. It’s a great formula for weight control,” he adds.

If you or a family member wants to lose weight, find a style that works for you. Maybe exercising more—as in signing up for a sport—rather than focusing on eating less is the solution.

But only you can decide that.

“The way to lose weight is to simply

burn more than you take in. How you do that is very personal. Take a look at what you are eating and make sure you burn more than you eat either by limiting your diet, exercising or both. There is no right diet. Diets are just ways. If one works for you, great. If not, be critical about what might,” he adds.

Dr. Taliaferro is not a fan of dieting or making certain foods off limits.

“I say, plan for chocolate. If you say no to chocolate it will become all you think about. Instead, allow yourself and your kids to have a small amount of chocolate or candy at a select time—a chocolate kiss or a bite-size candy bar once or twice a day. Or, trade something else on your plate for chocolate.

If you take a big helping of potatoes, put half back and say, that’s my chocolate. It’s the same calories in the end but you get enjoyment out of it so you will have a much greater chance of success,” Taliaferro concludes.

UCHealth sponsored this article.

Schools on the Move hardwires healthy habits Good ideas spread quickly. That’s what happened when the UCHealth Healthy Kids Club introduced the 5210 Schools on the Move Challenge regionally. It started with a handful of Fort Collins schools ten years ago and is quickly approaching triple digits today.

The concept, to promote daily healthy habits in kids, is simple and easy to remember: 5210. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables, get 2 hours (or less) of screen time, be active 1 hour, and drink 0 sugary drinks every day.

Kids fill out daily logs to chart their progress during the month of February.

Likely, the challenge is going on right now at your child’s school, and families of elementary-aged children are invited to complete a family log.

“Parents can support their kids by participating in the Challenge along with them and modeling the 5210 habits,” says Laurie Zenner, manager, University of Colorado Health Healthy Kids Club.

Northern Colorado schools are well involved in the 5210 Challenge—84 in all from seven school districts from Brighten to Walden—including our local districts Poudre, Thompson Valley, and Weld District 6.

Besides a cool t-shirt, kids get the lifetime reward of learning healthy habits.

Schools with the highest number of participants receive up to $1,500 to purchase P.E. equipment and support wellness initiatives.

The schools to beat this year are Ponderosa, Platte Valley, BF Kitchen, Mead, Berthoud and Timnath.

“Over 12,000 students and staff participated in 2014. The growth over the years has been really impressive,” Zenner states.

Schools get creative with the 5210 Challenge that promotes getting up and moving while in the classroom by playing games, doing exercises, having dance sessions and simply jumping up and down with delight. Two years ago, Healthy Kids Club added a video challenge, where students and teachers have fun portraying ‘wellness in action.’ Schools of the three top videos receive prize money.

“We’re really happy that schools continue to participate year after year. Most schools have a School Wellness Team so they adopt the Challenge as one of their primary wellness initiatives every year,” Zenner says.

Student surveys, staff surveys and increasing numbers show the Challenge

is working. In 2014, students reported eating 34-percent more fruits and veggies than usual, having 38-percent less screen time, getting 32-percent more exercise and drinking 44-percent less sugary drinks. Now that’s success.

“Our data shows that the Challenge makes a positive impact on participants’ health habits,” Zenner says.

Teachers like the Challenge, too. On the 2014 survey, one teacher commented that the Challenge ‘helped a large number of students become aware of how they are treating their bodies,’ and another said, ‘It’s a great way to get the entire school community involved in healthy habits.’

The Healthy Kids Club has been teaching kids healthy habits for 17 years. They reinforce the 5210 message through many of their programs throughout the year, including kindergarten health education, school walkathons and their newsletters that are distributed through area elementary schools.

“Healthy kids learn better. It’s that simple,” Zenner concludes.

Support your child’s participation in this fun, healthy challenge!

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thompson school district news Students improve through FIRST LEGO League

Thompson School District students have been tasked with researching real-world learning styles and designing and building an original robot in the FIRST LEGOR League (FLL) “World Class Learning UnleashedT” Challenge.

The World Class Learning Unleashed Challenge is a two-part challenge based on learning that requires research to complete the project phase and science and engineering to master the complex missions of the robot game phase.

In the project phase, students must pick a topic and research different ways in which people learn about that topic. They then create an innovative solution to make the learning experience better, faster, more fun or easier to learn, and then share their solution with an oral presentation.

In the robot game phase, teams apply robotics, sensor technology, and ingenuity to explore different learning styles. Robot missions in the FLL challenge range from pushing a lever to open a door, completing a sportsbased task, moving an idea outside of the box, rotating a model to adapt, loading a model with knowledge and skill loops, or to reverse engineer a

unique structure. The robots, designed by the students and built using LEGO MINDSTORMS technologies, require a variety of mechanical capabilities to accomplish the missions set forth in the challenge.

The FLL competition is judged in four areas: project presentation, robot performance, technical design and programming of the robot, and teamwork.

TSD students from the following schools competed in regional competitions held in Fort Collins: Big Thompson Elementary, Conrad Ball Middle School, Cottonwood Plains Elementary, Ivy Stockwell Elementary, Lucile Erwin Middle School, Namaqua Elementary and Walt Clark Middle School.

The team from Big Thompson Elementary won a special “Teamwork” award. This award recognizes a team that is able to accomplish more together than they could as individuals through shared goals, strong communication, effective problem solving and excellent time management.

EIGHT TSD STUDENTS NAMED SCHOLORSHIP SEMIFINALISTS Thompson School District is pleased

to announce that eight students in the district were named as semifinalists in the 2014-2015 Boettcher Foundation Scholarship process. Approximately 300 semifinalists were selected statewide from the initial pool of applicants. District students selected as semifinalists include: Jonathan Schlagel and Sydney Levy at Berthoud High School; Kyle Brinkman, Gina Grainda, Dylan McNally, Nicole Stackhouse and Kevin Szuch at Loveland High School; and Ali Artzberger at Thompson Valley High School.

Since 1952, the Boettcher Foundation has awarded more than $65 million in undergraduate scholarships to many of Colorado’s best and brightest students. The merit-based awards provide what is essentially a “full ride” to any four-year institution in Colorado. The prestigious program is the oldest in the state.

The competition for the four-year awards is intense. Prospective Scholars go through a rigorous application and interview process. More than 1,600 students apply annually for the 40 available scholarships. To date, more than 2,300 current Scholars and alumni have gone on to make their marks on the world.

During the 2014-2015 academic year, more than $3.5 million in scholarships will be awarded.

Semifinalists submitted three letters of recommendation. A committee will review the semifinalist application packages and then name approximately 100 finalists. Each finalist will complete an in-person interview in Denver.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME DEDICATION The Loveland High School “Geometry in Construction” class was able to celebrate yet another home dedication in partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

Students in the class learn about geometry and other forms of math while also learning the basics of construction. They RMPARENT

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then put those skills to the test and help professionals and volunteers construct a home with Habitat for Humanity, which provides affordable housing for people in need in the community.

MENTORING EFFORTS RESULT IN $1,000 IBM GRANT AT GARFIELD ELEMENTARY Garfield Elementary School 5th-grade teachers Jennifer Berk and Jeff Thomas have increased their classroom operating budget by 300 percent–thanks to a $1,000 grant from IBM’s Community Grants Program. The IBM Community Grants program provides cash to eligible community organizations and schools where IBM employees and retirees are actively volunteering and in support of eligible projects.

For the past several years, a handful of Loveland-based IBM employees and retirees have been mentoring the 5th graders at Garfield Elementary. The relationship began with the IBMers using the company’s IBM Mentorplace program, which is a school-based online mentoring program with a math and science focus that matches IBM employees with students and teachers.

Since then, the IBMers have been visiting the two classrooms once a month in person to lead math and science activi-

ties that promote teamwork.

Both teachers have expressed appreciation for the team-building activities and the process the students have learned to use in working together, with the end result being learning how to work as part of a team, which will help them throughout their lives.

The teachers and IBMers also work as a team, ensuring the activities are in concert with what the students are learning as part of their curricu-

TSD’s Expelled & At-Risk Student Services (EARSS) program held its first annual Check & Connect Mentorship Family Potluck. Over 20 families attended in order to meet their student’s Check & Connect mentor and to share in some holiday cheer. Check & Connect Mentorship is a targeted intervention intended to help support and mentor TSD at-risk youth in grades 6-12. There are currently 29 volunteer mentors trained in the program.

Volunteers include Colorado State University social work students, University of Northern Colorado graduate students, Boys & Girls Club staff members and other community residents.

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lum. For example, have you ever tried to put a gummy LifeSaver “preserver” around a gummy worm (named Fred) using only a paper cup and four paper clips? That activity is called “Save Fred” and it helps the students understand scientific methods.

What about focusing on engineering package designs that meet the needs of safely shipping a product?

In “Ship the Chip,” students work in teams of “engineers” to design a package using standard materials that will safely ship a single potato chip through the mail to the school address. The chip must arrive as intact as possible, and must be edible - meaning a student can’t put glue or tape on the chip to help it survive the journey.

Perhaps the most fun the 5th graders had last year, however, was using the LEGO robots borrowed from IBM Boulder. The students were tasked with programming the “bots” to follow a simple course.

So what will Jennifer Berk and Jeff Thomas use their increased budget for? The possibilities are endless. But we know it will be put to good use for the Garfield Elementary 5th graders!

IBM has a long-standing partnership with Thompson School District; Garfield Elementary also received $1,500 in 2012 and Ivy Stockwell Elementary School received $1,500 in 2012 and $1,000 in 2010.

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poudre school district news

Global Hour of Code comes to PSD

PSD students successfully cracked the code to solve the mysteries of computers during a world-wide special focus on computer programming. PSD students joined other kids across the globe to learn more about computers by participating in the “Hour of Code,” a week-long event promoted by code.org to encourage computer science and programming education for students of all ages.

Students at all grade levels, teachers, and instructional technology trainers worked together to code Frozen and Flappy Bird games or design their own original learning games. More advanced students worked through higher-level programs to gain other skills. Students enjoyed creating apps while not even realizing they were using mathematical, logical and problem-solving skills. Many students continued coding at home and encouraged family members to learn too.

According to code.org, in today’s job market 60 percent of jobs are computing jobs, yet only 2 percent of the students are graduating with computer science degrees and this gap continues to grow. Hoping to close this gap, President Obama, educational and business leaders, parents, students and educators came together to promote and participate in the Hour of Code. It was estimated that over 10 million people participated in the event.

Check out the code.org website for fun computer science and programming activities!

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KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION FEBRUARY 12 Kindergarten registration for students entering school in PSD in fall 2015 is scheduled for 7am to 6pm Thursday, February 12, at most elementary schools. Parents must register their child at their neighborhood school even if they are applying for a school choice option. Children who will be 5 years old on or before September 15, 2015, are eligible to register.

On the day of registration, parents should bring their child’s birth certificate (original or certified preferred), immunization records, and emergency contact information.

There is no tuition for half-day kindergarten programs; full-day programs are currently $2,250 per year (subject to change); inquire at your school for specifics. The first payment is due at the 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; check with the 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.

Transportation is not provided for School Choice students (those who attend a school outside their attendance areas).

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHOICE DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 13 This program allows families to select the school that best meets their child’s educational needs, on a space-available basis. Round-trip transportation is the responsibility of the parents for School Choice students.

Nearly 70 percent of PSD families choose to send their children to their Neighborhood School. Some neighborhood schools offer a specialized instructional focus or delivery of the curriculum. Option Schools do not have an attendance area (100-percent choice) and typically feature a specific curriculum and/or focus area. All PSD Option and Neighborhood schools teach board approved curriculum based on the Colorado Academic Standards. Most schools also offer services for gifted students, enrichment programs, and accelerated options.

Online learning is available for grades K–12 through our hybrid program which offers a high-quality, interactive 24/7 educational option with schoolbased enrichment options for students.

APPLY FOR SCHOOL CHOICE ONLINE The online School Choice application is now available on the Poudre School District website at www.psdschools.org under “School Registration.” The first consideration deadlines for 2015-16 for elementary students (K-5) is Friday, February 13, 2015.

PSD Calendar of Events Feb.10 .... 6 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Ave. Feb. 12 ... K indergarten registration held all day at most elementary schools.

Feb. 16 ... Teacher Collaboration Day, no school for K-12 students.

Feb. 24 ... B oard of Education meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Ave.

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greeley-evans district 6 news Nine District 6 schools improve accreditation Nine schools in Greeley-Evans School District 6 improved their state accreditation status in the 2013-14 school year.

School districts in Colorado are responsible for accrediting schools based on four state-wide performance indicators: academic achievement, academic growth, closing academic achievement gaps, and for high schools, postsecondary and workforce readiness. Depending on the school level, points are given to schools based on how its students performed academically, and how the school meets other criteria set by the state.

Schools are required to submit improvement plans based on the type of accreditation received. The four levels designated by the state, from highest to lowest, are: Performance, Improvement, Priority Improvement and Turnaround.

This year, nine schools improved at least one level on the accreditation scale; 17 schools maintained their accreditation level and three schools went down one level. Jefferson High School is classified as an Alternative Education Campus and has a different set of criteria for its performance rating.

The schools that improved at least one full level are: • Dos Rio Elementary School—from Improvement to Performance • Jackson Elementary School—from Improvement to Performance • Madison Elementary School—from Priority Improvement to Improvement • Meeker Elementary School—from Priority Improvement to Improvement • Romero Academy K-8—from Priority Improvement to Improvement • Franklin Middle School—from Turnaround to Priority Improvement • Heath Middle School—from Priority Improvement to Improvement • Jefferson High School—from Improvement to Performance • West Ridge Academy—from Priority Improvement to Performance

“We’ve been celebrating, 18 schools either improved one category or im28

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proved within their category,” says Chief Academic Officer Stacie Datteri. “It’s a continual process, but I am excited by this progress for many of our schools.”

Several Board of Education members acknowledged this improvement is the result of hard work by students and staff.

“It’s good news for our schools, it’s good news for our community and it’s really good news for our students,” says Board member Julia Richard.

Greeley-Evans School District 6 overall will be Accredited with Improvement by the state out of five possible categories: Accredited with Distinction, Accredited, Accredited with Improvement, Accredited with Priority Improvement and Turnaround. This is the same accreditation level that District 6 received last year.

EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS Early College High School is GreeleyEvans School District 6’s newest high school opening in the fall of 2015.

ECHS will be enrolling up to 125 ninth-grade and 125 tenth-grade students for the 2015-2016 school year.

ECHS is a cooperative partnership between District 6 and Aims Community College that provides students the

opportunity to obtain a two-year associates degree while simultaneously earning a high school diploma. College credits earned will automatically transfer to any Colorado college or university, and many institutions in other states.

All applicants must submit one (1) recommendation to be completed by a teacher, counselor, school administrator or person who is familiar with the student’s work habits. Recommendations can be submitted via electronic form found on the ECHS website at www.greeleyschools. org/earlycollege, via email or letter. Please send all recommendations to pfrancisco@ greeleyschools.org or deliver them to Paul Francisco, Early College High School Recommendation, Greeley-Evans School District 6, 1025 9th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631. Make sure the student’s first and last name is included in the recommendation so it can be matched with the appropriate application.

This year, applicants must be in eighth grade or a freshmen in high school, meaning they are ready to enter ninth or tenth grade next year. All applications are due no later than February 15, 2015 at 3pm. If the number of applications exceeds the number of seats available a lottery will be held at E.C.H.S. to determine enrollment. Stu-

dents will be informed if they have been asked to register for classes at ECHS or if they have been placed on a wait list.

All applications delivered after February 15, 2015 will be accepted and student’s names will be added to the wait list in the order they are received.

Students who have been accepted will still need to complete the registration process including attendance at information sessions, submission of a completed ICAP, completion of an Aims Community College Application and completion of school or district enrollment forms.

Students who fail to complete the enrollment process will be removed from the applicant pool giving students on the wait list a chance to enroll.

DISTRICT 6 EXPANDS BLENDED LEARNING INITIATIVE In keeping with its five-year plan to implement blended learning district-wide, Greeley-Evans School District 6 officials have announced that three more schools will join the innovation journey next year and adopt blended learning

instructional models.

The three schools chosen to implement in the 2015-16 school year are Heiman Elementary School, Winograd K-8 and Chappelow Arts Magnet K-8. They join Centennial Elementary School, Bella Romero Academy K-8 and Jefferson High School, which began implementing blended learning at the beginning of this school year.

Blended learning is an instructional model that allows teachers to leverage technology to personalize learning for students. District 6 was selected two years ago by The Learning Accelerator as a pilot partner to implement blended learning district-wide. The state partner on the project is the Colorado eLearning Collaborative. The district is in the second year of a five-year implementation plan.

Schools with staff interested in implementing blended learning had to go through a rigorous process. Teachers and administrators were asked to fill out a readiness survey. The availability of devices and WiFi was analyzed at each site. Leaders of the project visited each

site and conducted group meetings with staff. And finally, the District 6 leadership team reviewed all the information.

Deagan Andrews, Director of eLearning Services, says he was impressed by the level of interest and commitment he saw during the evaluation process.

“Greeley’s parents should be proud of our teachers and their willingness to innovate on behalf of our kids,” Andrews says. “It was impressive to witness the level of enthusiasm and commitment to personalize learning for students.”

As District 6 enters its budget process for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, consideration will be given to the resources necessary to implement blended learning at these three schools, and how those resources will be allocated. Staff will also take courses to prepare them for this transition beginning in February.

The Learning Accelerator and the Colorado eLearning Collaborative will continue to support District 6 with professional development and consultation to implement blended learning in these schools.

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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 SCHOOLS 2 Chicken patty sandwich; potato bar w/chili 3 Cheese ravioli; chicken bites & biscuit 4 Sweet & sour meatballs; fried rice 5 Beef tacos & cilantro lime rice; pig in a blanket 6 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; veggie wrap 9 Toasted cheese sandwich & tomato soup; chicken nuggets 10 Chicken Alfredo; ham & cheese sandwich 11 Asian Teriyaki rice bowl w/chicken; chicken drumstick

12 Chicken enchilada bake; chili & cinnamon roll 13 Pepperoni & cheese pizza; Mediterranean pasta salad 16 No school!

17 Baked ziti pasta; turkey gravy & roll 18 Asian noodles with chicken; trout treasures 19 Green chili pork bowl; hamburger/ cheeseburger 20 Meat lovers or cheese pizza; chicken Caesar wrap 23 Taco burger; chicken nuggets

24 Beef lasagna; spaghetti & meat sauce 25 Orange chicken & rice; hot dog 26 Bean burrito; chicken patty sandwich 27 Pepperoni or veggie pizza; chef salad SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2 BBQ chicken filet sandwich; sloppy Joe sandwich 3 Spaghetti & meatballs; cheese ravioli 4 Asian Teriyaki rice bowl w/chicken; chicken nuggets 5 Beef & chicken taco bar 6 Mac & cheese bar 9 Taco burger; southwest chicken sandwich

10 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27

Beef lasagna; chicken nuggets Beef & burrito bar Turkey pot pie; baked chicken & biscuit No school!

Baked ziti pasta; meatball sub Asian noodles w/beef or chicken Green chili bowl w/pork & chicken Pig in a blanket; chili & cinnamon roll Philly cheesesteak (chicken or beef) Chicken Alfredo; penne & meat sauce Beef & chicken Szechwan Beef & bean burrito bar Tortilla soup bar; hot dog; veggie pizza

THOMPSON R2J SCHOOL DISTRICT — Elementary lunches are $2.75. Secondary school lunches are $3. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 2 Chicken breast nuggets; Caesar salad 3 French bread boat; chicken tender salad 4 Stuffed baked potato; chef salad 5 Burrito grande; taco salad 6 Stuffed shells; garden entrée salad 9 Chicken breast strips; Caesar salad 10 Personal pizza/calzone; chicken tender salad 11 Grilled cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; chef salad 12 Nachos w/cheese; taco salad 13 Fish nuggets; garden entrée salad

16 No school!

17 Chicken parmesan w/pasta; chicken tender salad 18 Popcorn chicken; chef salad 19 BBQ sliders; taco salad 20 Turkey w/gravy; garden entrée salad 23 Grilled chicken sandwich; Caesar salad 24 Spaghetti & meatballs; chicken tender salad 25 No school!

26 Turkey noodle soup; taco salad 27 Orange chicken w/brown rice; garden entrée salad

SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2 Chicken breast nuggets; sloppy Joe 3 French bread boat; hot ham & cheese sandwich 4 Potato bar 5 Burrito grande; meatball sandwich 6 Stuffed shells; chicken breast strips 9 Chicken breast strips; BBQ sandwich 10 Personal pizza/calzone; spicy chicken sandwich 11 Soup & sandwich 12 Nachos w/cheese; lasagna w/meat 13 Fish sandwich; chicken breast nuggets

16 No school!

17 Chicken parmesan w/pasta; spicy chicken patty sandwich 18 Fiesta bar 19 BBQ sliders; French bread boat 20 Turkey w/gravy; meatball sandwich 23 Grilled chicken sandwich; cheese nachos 24 Spaghetti & meatballs; pizza stick 25 No school!

26 Turkey noodle soup; chicken breast nuggets 27 Orange chicken w/brown rice; pretzel w/cheese sauce

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 SCHOOLS 2 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken fajita wrap 3 Cheese ravioli w/sauce & breadstick; club hoagie 4 Chicken taco; PBJ 5 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 6 No school!

9 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 10 Bean & cheese burrito/green chili; turkey & cheese wrap 11 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 12 Chili w/cinnamon roll; Italian hoagie 13 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ

16 No school!

17 Teriyaki chicken; club hoagie 18 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ 19 Pot roast w/roll; ham & cheese hoagie 20 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 23 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken salad sandwich 24 Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 25 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 26 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; Italian hoagie 27 Cheese or taco pizza; PBJ

SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken fajita wrap 3 Cheese ravioli w/sauce & breadstick; club hoagie 4 Chicken taco; PBJ 5 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 6 No school!

9 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 10 Bean & cheese burrito/green chili; turkey & cheese wrap 11 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 12 Chili w/cinnamon roll; Italian hoagie 13 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; PBJ 16 No school!

17 Teriyaki chicken; club hoagie 18 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ 19 Pot roast w/roll; ham & cheese hoagie 20 Pepperoni or cheese pizza; PBJ 23 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken salad sandwich 24 Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 25 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 26 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; Italian hoagie 27 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 2 No school!

3 Hard shell taco 4 Hot dog 5 Chicken Alfredo 6 Cheese stuffed breadsticks & dip 9 Chicken sandwich 10 Curly spaghetti w/tomato & meatballs

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11 Pancakes & sausage 12 Popcorn chicken 13 No school!

16 No school!

17 Chicken tenders 18 Soft shell taco 19 Teriyaki chicken w/brown rice 20 Stuffed crust cheese or pepperoni pizza

23 Mac n’cheese 24 Ravioli 25 Hamburger 26 Cheesy nachos 27 Cheese flatbread pizza SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2 Pepperoni calzone 3 Hard shell taco 4 Weiner wrap 5 Chicken Alfredo

6 California club; turkey wrap 9 Hot & spicy chicken sandwich 10 Curly spaghetti w/tomato & meatballs 11 Pancakes & sausage 12 Baked potato bar 13 No school!

16 No school!

17 Chicken tenders

18 Soft shell taco 19 Teriyaki chicken w/brown rice 20 Steak & cheese sandwich 23 Mac n’cheese 24 Lasagna 25 Cheeseburger 26 Cheesy nachos 27 Meatball sub

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FEBRUARY 2015 ONGOING THROUGH FEBRUARY 17 Meal and a Spiel Attend a free weekly lunch lecture series for parents, grandparents, guardians and care-givers of adolescents. Bring your meal and the spiel will be provided. The Center for Family Outreach, 1100 Poudre River Drive, Ste. B., FC. Tuesdays, 12-1pm. 970-495-0084 or www. thecenterforfamilyoutreach.org.

THROUGH FEBRUARY Free Cholesterol Tests For residents of the Health District of Northern Larimer County. Cholesterol tests as well as a blood-pressure check and interpretation of test results by a registered nurse. Appointments are strongly recommended. Dates and locations vary. 970-224-5209 or healthdistrict.org/heart.

THROUGH MARCH 8 Hairspray The big hit musical that will sweep you away to 1960s Baltimore where the ’50s are “so out” and change is in the air. Ticket prices and show times vary. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown. 970-7443747 or www.coloradocandlelight.com.

THROUGH MARCH 11 Powerful Tools for Caregivers Helps family caregivers acquire ‘tools’ to increase their self-confidence, reduce stress, better communicate feelings, balance their life, deal with difficult emotions and find resources.

Registration required. Estes Park Senior Center, 220 4th St., EP. Wednesdays, 1-3pm. 970-586-2996.

FEBRUARY 7 AND 8 “Love” Fire and Ice This performance is filled with new works from the Berthoud Dance Company and will include a revision of the award winning “Anchor”. $15 adult, $12 senior/student. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 2/7, 7pm; 2/8 1pm. 970-962-2120 or www. cityofloveland.org.

THROUGH JUNE 13 Wild Kingdom Revisited For 25 years Warren and Genny Garst were shooting film footage for “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom,” the country’s preeminent wildlife documentary series. Prices vary. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 970-221-4600 or www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

FEBRUARY 14 AND 15 Rails in the Rockies These working exhibits include models which have been crafted by dedicated model railroaders from all over Colorado. Adults - $5, children 12 and under - free. Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S. St. Vrain Ave., EP. Feb. 14, 9am-5pm; Feb. 15, 9am-4pm. www. visitestespark.com.

FEBRUARY 5 AND 7 Valentine Stamp Camps Learn about the program’s history and help stamp some of the 2015 Valentines!

Both “camp” sessions are open to anyone over the age of 10. Registration required.

Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. Feb. 5, 4-5pm; Feb. 7, 1-2pm.

970-962-2410 or www.cityofloveland.org.

FEBRUARY 14-16 Rocky Mountain National Park Free Entrance Day Rocky Mountain National Park offers guests free entrance to the park as part of The National Park Service Fee Free Days. Rocky Mountain National Park, EP. 970-586-1206.

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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FEBRUARY 19 THROUGH APRIL 23 Best Start for Babies This 10-week parent education class teaches parents about their baby’s development, activities for bonding, and how to find helpful resources in the community. Classes are intended for anyone who is pregnant or raising a child under the age of 1. Attendees are entered in weekly drawings for baby prizes, such as diapers or car seats. The classes are offered in English and Spanish. Free meal and child care at each class. The Life Center, 1511 E. 11th St., LV. 5-8pm.

970-377-3388 ext. 212 or mkelsea@ ecclc.org.

FEBRUARY 26-28 Peter and the Starcatcher This prequel to Peter Pan will have you hooked from the moment you let your imagination take flight. This play is based on the best-selling novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. $49 series package/ group, $55 Regular. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. Show times vary. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Tiny Trekkers Join Larimer County Naturalists for a nature-filled program designed for your 2-5 year old and you. This will be a morning filled with crafts, stories, fun facts and some outside time if the weather is nice. A parent or guardian must accompany the child for this hourlong program. Registration required.

Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 9:15-10am. 970-619-4489 or www.larimer.org/nregistration.

Moon Over My Open Space Explore a Larimer County open space at night and look out for nighttime critters and learn about owls. Suitable for children 10+ years. Registration required. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Plaster Mill Rd., LV. 5:30-7:30pm.

970-619-4489 or www.larimer.org/ nregistration.

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Valentine Snacks with Kendall Anderson Nutrition Center Provides a unique opportunity for adults and children to participate in a shared learning experience. All classes are family centered and nature based.

Scholarships are available. Reservation requested. Children - $12, adults - free.

Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 6-7:30pm. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4 X-Stream Crafts Kids in grades K-5 are invited to stop by and work on crafts to celebrate the holidays and events in February including Black History, Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Mardis Gras and Chinese New Year. Supplies are provided. Council Tree Library, Storytime Room, 2733 Council Tree Ave. #200, FC. 3:30-5:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

Sound Sleep - A Best Start for Babies and Toddlers Workshop Discover how to instill good sleep habits at an early age to help children learn and thrive. Grandparents, caregivers and educators also are welcome. High Plains Library, Meeting room, 400 Powers St., Erie.

5:30-6:30pm. 888-861-7323 or www. mylibrary.us.

Light up The Night Don’t have a bike light? Need replacement batteries? Stop by to make sure you are riding bright! City of Fort Collins Police will be on hand to register bikes as well. Northside Azatlan Community Center, 112 E. Willow St., FC. 6-8pm. Www.fcgov.com/ bikewinter.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Zentangles for Elementary Students Zentangles are a fun, easy-to-learn method for drawing. For grades 2-5.

Registration required. $20 per child ($16 for museum members). Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 4:30-6pm. 970-962-2410 or www. cityofloveland.org.

Empty Bowls Select bowls made by students in the Poudre School District or by a local artist. Enjoy signature soups provided by local restaurants. All proceeds benefit The Food Bank for Larimer County. $50/person; $95/pair. Fort Collins Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 5:30-8:30pm. 970-493-4477.

No Evidence of Disease When music meets medicine, magic happens. Following the film there will be a short question/answer session. Ticket sale proceeds will support the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance and Front Range Caner Specialists’ Patient Support Services. $11. Lyric Cinema Cafe, 300 E. Mountain Ave., FC. 6:30-8:24pm. www.tugg.com/events/12104.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 Fort Collins Gallery Walk Each month, over 20 fine and “folk” art galleries display new showings and open their doors for this self-guided tour. Downtown FC. 6-9pm. www. downtownfortcollins.com.

Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now! An award-winning off-Broadway show featuring rapid fire tap mixed with live musical performances and a human beat box. $54 in advance, $59 day of show.

The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www. cityofloveland.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Spirit Girls...and Moms Too! Physicians facilitate a discussion of normal puberty-related events, plus treats and activities to enjoy together. $10 (Spirit Club Members - free). McKee Conference & Wellness Center, 2000 Boise Ave., LV. 9:3011:30am. 970-203-6631 or McKeeSpiritof Women@BannerHealth.com.

Guided Winter Ride A leisurely guided ride through Fort Collins. Registration required. Northside Azatlan Community Center, 112 E. Willow St., FC. 10am-12pm. http://fcgov.BIKEWINTER-14-15-Guided-Winter-RideRSVP.sgizmo.com/s3/.

A general dentistry practice that’s all about kids and young adults, ages 0-20!

Book your child’s dental exam today!

FREE EXAM

for children under 2!

970-635-4353

126 E. 29th St. • Loveland www.kindergrins.com Monday - Thursday 8-5

$75 New Patient Exam

Receive a $15 Target Gift Card

Includes Exams, Cleaning, Fluoride, X-Rays.

for each NEW Patient Visit.

One coupon per patient. New patients only and without insurance. Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit.

One coupon per family. New patients only and without insurance. Not valid with any other offer. Must present coupon at visit.

Expires: 2/28/15 RMP0215

Expires: 2/28/15 RMP0215

Open all day, every day over the holidays

December 19 to January 5!

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CSI: Critter Scene Investigations Learn the stories behind animals’ everyday lives as you read scats, tracks and signs. Registration is required.

Program is free, but $6 parking pass or annual permit required for each vehicle.

Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, FC. 10am-12pm. 970-619-4489 or www. larimer.org/nregistration.

Movie Night: The Wiz The Wiz retells the events of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” through the eyes of a young kindergarten teacher who’s “never been below 125th Street.” Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-9pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Sweet Treats for Teens Create Cheesecakelets with Honey Balsamic Strawberries and Strawberry Butter. Learn all the skills to get your kitchen creations five-star ratings! Erie Community Library, Meeting Room, 400 Powers St., Erie. 4-5pm. 888-861-7323.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Author Event with William Ury William Ury is the bestselling co-author of Getting to Yes and has written a new book on negotiation, Getting to Yes With Yourself. Fort Collins Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 7pm. 970-484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Victorian Valentines Create your own valentine with lace, buttons and goodies to collage. For grades 3-6. Registration required. $20 per child ($16 for museum members).

Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 4:30-6pm. 970-9622410 or www.cityofloveland.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13 Let Love Take Flight Create beautiful gifts and decorations inspired by Valentine’s Day. Parents must accompany children for the entire class. Registration required. Children -$8 (museum members - $6). Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10:30-11:30am. 970-962-2410 or www.cityofloveland.org.

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An Evening of Comedy and Vaudeville Featuring Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald and Peter Davison Comedian/veterinarian Kevin Fitzgerald is best known from the popular TV show “Emergency Vets.” Peter Davison presents a one-of-a-kind solo performance. $25 in advance, $29 day of show. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www.cityofloveland.org.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Princess Story Time with the Snow Princess and the Snow Queen The newest princesses will sign books, read a story and lead a sing-along. $10 with a $1 coupon for an Old Firehouse Books purchase. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 10am. 970-484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

Colorado Jazz Repertory Orchestra: Love is in the Air This thrilling big-band jazz concert features Denver’s top jazz musicians and internationally touring jazz vocalist Heidi Schmidt. $22 in advance, $18 student/senior in advance, $26 day of show. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www.cityofloveland.org.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 The Fort Collins Symphony Guild 2015 Musical Zoo This musical and educational adventure targets the young, and the young at heart. $2 per person; free for children 2 and under. Timberline Church, 2908 South Timberline Road, FC. 2:30-5:30pm. 970482-4387 or Www.fcsymphonyguild.org/ education/musical-zoo.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16 School’s Out Day Camps For children ages 5-11. Pack a lunch and come spend a day gardening, composting, cooking, crafting and discovering. Scholarships are available.

Preregistration is required. $45 per child. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-4pm. 970-4162468 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Russian National Ballet Theatre: The Sleeping Beauty A baby princess, condemned at her christening by an evil fairy to prick her finger and die on her 16th birthday, is saved by the gift of the good Lilac Fairy, who declares the princess will only sleep until awakened by the kiss of a prince.

Composed by Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Ticket prices vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30-10pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 An Introduction to Plants in Chinese Art In traditional Chinese art, plants are accurately depicted, but only a few species of plants are included. The same plants appear over and over for their symbolism or meaning. In this amusing and enlightening talk, you’ll learn to read the season from the plants in the art; ideas associated with plants and colors in Chinese art; and changes in plants in Chinese art during the last dynasty and since. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6pm. 970-962-2410 or www.cityofloveland.org.

Informational Session on Colorado’s Best Hot Springs Author Deborah Frazier will divulge her secrets as an expert on Colorado’s many hot spring destinations. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 970-4847898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Free Admission Day at the Loveland Museum/Gallery Enjoy the current main gallery art exhibition “XYLEM: Innovation in Botanic Art”, other current art exhibits and the history exhibitions for free.

Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10am-5pm. 970-6194489 or lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

Downtown Fort Collins Foodie Walk This is a self-guided walk through Downtown Fort Collins that features new food tasting opportunities, presentations and themes each month. Downtown FC. 5-8pm. www. downtownfortcollins.com.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Boys 2 Men: Understanding the Brains and Bodies of Boys An overview of physical, mental and behavioral changes, how to discuss challenging subjects and find trusted resources. In addition, boys will learn basic self-defense skills from martial arts experts! $10 (free to Spirit Club Members). McKee Conference & Wellness Center, 2000 Boise Ave., LV. 9:30-11:30am. 970-203-6631 or McKeeSpiritof Women@BannerHealth. com.

3rd Annual Night for the Museum: Minstrels, Mirth and Magic Master of Ceremonies John Roberts invites you to The Global Village Museum’s 3rd Annual Fundraiser.

Enjoy a sit-down dinner, games with prizes, a live auction and entertainers. $50/ticket. Fort Collins Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 4-8pm. 970-2214600 or www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Discovering Dinosaurs Through hands-on experience with fossils and casts, students will discover the adaptations and behaviors of some of Earth’s famous past residents. Students will explore how dinosaurs hunted, ate and defended themselves. This is a CU Science Discovery Program. Registration required; for ages 4-6. Erie Community Library, Meeting Room, 400 Powers St., Erie. 4:15-5:15pm. 888-861-7323.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Author Event with Phil Connors Phil Connors is the author of a Colorado-favorite, Fire Season: Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout. His new book is All the Wrong Places. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970484-7898 or oldfirehousebooks.com.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 CSI: Critter Scene Investigations Help is needed to piece together clues in animal tracks to identify the perpetrators involved in a true story. In the telling

light of day, you will be trained to recognize different types of animal tracks with your own identification book. From there, it will take top-notch detective skills to recreate the critter scene. Join Larimer County Naturalists as you search for the truth. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6-7pm. 970-619-4489 or www. lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Artist Trading Cards Make mini masterpieces with mixed media. Use yarn to capture the movement of Van Gogh’s landscapes, paint and markers to produce Monet’s flowers and much more. Parents/ guardians must accompany child for duration of the class, Registration required. Children -$8 (museum members - $6). Loveland Museum/ Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10:30-11:30am. 970-962-2410 or www. cityofloveland.org.

un F s ’ It shy l a r T a It’s cation Edu s ’ t I It’s the

Garbage Garage Larimer County’s waste & recycling education center at the Larimer County Landfill in Fort Collins

(970) 498-5772 larimer.org/solidwaste

DO SOMETHING FOR

Yourself!

FITNESS CLASSES FOR MOMS ON-THE-GO visit www.fortcollinsclub.net for schedules

· · · ·

Group Power FCC Club Fit Zumba Water Aerobics

· · · ·

UJAM Spin Yoga Pilate

Take the online Life Traits Quiz and get 2 weeks of

FREE MEMBERSHIP! (New Members Only)

970-224-CLUB

1307 East Prospect Road

Fort Collins, CO 80525

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time out

The easy lie

A mom wrestles with the complex nature of truth-telling LEA HANSON

T

he first lie I told my child was with the best of intention. She had a fire safety lesson that included a fire drill at her pre-school and was traumatized. Her teachers said that she was scared and cried the entire tine. She was in tears most of the afternoon and evening. For days she was obsessed with talking about our house burning down. She asked over and over whether we had working smoke detectors. She had multiple bad dreams. She was very worried.

She was not comforted with any true story. The fact that we had smoke detectors in the home did not soothe her. She was not calmed in knowing her dad and I would race to her aid in any dangerous situation. She was legitimately anxious and nothing made her feel better. Then, one day, I told her our house was painted in special paint that protected it from burning and BAM! Not only did she believe me but also she felt much better and safer.

It wasn’t a predetermined lie; I didn’t plan it out. It just came out of my mouth one day…and it worked. In hindsight, it was the gateway lie. Now, in general I’m not that parent who relates to all of those lists of ‘the things my childfree self said before having children’ and how none of them are really true now that I’m a parent. I mean, my kid gets almost no screen time, she eats what we serve her for meals, and we’re pretty consistent disciplinarians. But, evidently, I am also kind of a liar.

Since the gateway lie, it’s like I can’t stop. I am amazed by how easy it is and how gullible my child can be. “Mom, did you leave onions off my part of the pizza?” “Yes, of course I did!” Lie: you can’t even taste them. “Mom! Why can’t we get ice cream?!” “Because the store is closed.” Lie: you won’t get angry if you think this is true. “MOM! How did all 40

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this art from school get into the recycle bin?!” “Oh no! I must have put it there by accident.” Lie: I throw away 75 percent of your art.

Note: I don’t think lying is okay.

I almost never lie to other people.

And—for the record—when I do it’s for a “normal” reason that anyone would lie about like, “No, you don’t look fat in that dress.” So why is lying to a kid okay in my mind? At best, I there’s incongruence; at worst, I’m a hypocrite.

Neither of those things feels good to me. Is it just because it’s easy? I mean, she believes in magic, fire-proof paint so

lying? I don’t think so—I really think I tell the truth because it’s honest and the right thing to do. And, interestingly enough, we talk about honesty a lot in our house and I think my kid has a pretty good grasp of what’s the truth and what’s a lie.

To further muddy the waters, my kid lies. Sometimes elaborate tales, even. But, isn’t that normal for a 4-year-old? Just the other night she told a detailed story about how at school she had worked hard and long to make a beautiful picture and another kid came and grabbed it from

clearly she’ll believe anything. Is it because I’m being a lazy parent who knows my kid will simply shrug it off when she thinks Walrus Ice Cream is closed but will whine and cry her face off if I say no to going?

And, here’s something else: When will my child start knowing I am lying? Do I not lie to adults simply because I know they’ll know I’m

her hand and threw it right in the garbage. We don’t need to go into the details on why I’m pretty sure this is made up, but long story short, I’m almost certain it is.

Don’t think I can’t see the wheels turning. Lying breeds lying, and no wonder my child does it, right? Maybe so.

But I think it’s more complicated than that. I’ll let you know in a year or so.

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