RM Parent Magazine | February | 2022 by RM Publishing

FEBRUARY 2022 • RMPARENT.COM

Unlock an ESCAPE ROOM Putting anger in check

Birding adventures

Parenting with positivity

Develop an online safety plan

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

CAMP GUIDE: 2022 PREVIEW

rings a e y v r e s 25 of ents RATIN CELEB

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par olorado

SPECIAL SECTION: Women+Family HEALTH GUIDE RMPARENT

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FEBRUARY 2022

Departments PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Year three…Relax, nothing is in control

AS WE GROW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Putting anger in check—Strategies for controlling feelings

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . 10 Escape room adventures—Work together to solve puzzles

LEARN AND LIVE . . . . . . . . . . 12

Special Sections WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE Practice mindfulness to improve attention, and more. Create healthy eating habits from the start. Keep this winter safe with reminders from SafeKids Larimer County.

IEW 2022 PREV

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . . 16

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0 Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 Let’s talk about sex—Human development and reproduction

School District News GR-E 6 School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 McAuliffe is the first major bond project to be completed, On-time graduation rate increases

Poudre School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 PSD students, staff gave back to the community during the holiday season, Rocky Mountain students shared holiday cheer with families in need, Shop with a Cop: Kids and local officers wrap gifts, explore museum together

Thompson School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 TSD honors the 50th anniversary of Title IX by featuring a series of profiles of district graduates who have a unique perspective on Title IX. Check online and read their stories about the impact it has had on their lives.

HEALTH GU IDE

Create hea lthy eating hab its PAGE 4

Mindfulne ss matters PAGE 2

Winter wonderlan d safet y PAGE 6

2022 PREVIEW

Get a first look at camps and progroms these providers have coming up for your family.

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14

Body boundaries for beginners—Holding personal space for empathy and consent

FEBRUARY 2022

CAMP GUIDE CAMP GUIDE

Practice mindfulness and gratitude—Teach steps for a healthy, happy, grateful life

Spreading love and help where it’s needed—Fire recovery, Valentine mailing, suicide prevention, child support, teen mindfulness

Women+ F amily

ADVER

TISING

SUPPL

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Features 18 D EVELOP AN ONLINE SAFETY PLAN

Online threats to children include cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, porn and more. Understand the threats that children face online and help them avoid those threats.

20 PARENTING WITH POSITIVITY

Create connection rather than power struggles. Use positive strategies to grow happy, healthy kids.

ABOUT THE COVER: Juliette loves mermaids, unicorns, riding her scooter and doing arts and crafts. Photo shot by Cheri Schonfeld, courtesy of Sky's Open Design. www.skysopendesign.com

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perspective Year three…

Relax, nothing is in control

e are now officially in year three of the pandemic in America. The first case here was confirmed on January 20, 2020 in Washington state. And what a long, strange road it’s been since then. I think that we’re all getting a little weary and sometimes it comes out sideways. Plenty of signs and statistics show how we’re fraying, and not just at the edges, but also as a country, communities, and in our personal interactions as we go about our day. People are ruder to servers. Road rage is up. Fuses are just shorter. Tolerance for the viewpoints of others is shrinking. Drug and alcohol use is up. I think we have a natural tendency to want to feel in control of our worlds, from the big picture to our smaller personal spheres. Although I believe that security and control are illusions, I recognize that we seek them to feel more comfortable. I’ve found that when I accept insecurity and lack of control, I’m able to relax more into the day. I’m more open to letting whatever is going to happen happen. It’s the resisting what is that causes so much anxiety. The philosopher Alan Watts said: "The desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing. To hold your breath is to lose your breath. A society based on the quest for security is nothing but a breath-retention contest in which everyone is as taut as a drum and as purple as a beet. So we’re anxious because we want everything to be alright and we want the world to follow our view of it. If we mask and we’re vaccinated, we want everyone to be that way. If we get our news from a particular source, we want everyone to share that world view. And if things in our life don’t line up just how we’ve planned them then we get “taut as a drum and purple as a beet.” By now, I think we’re best off if we just accept that there are many ways to see the world and to live in the world and that our way of seeing things is just one narrow point of view. Someone else can see the same situation and have a very different way of interpreting it. Can we relax enough with what the world offers us and not constantly be wishing for it to be different than it is? That is one key to happiness. As John Milton wrote, “The mind is its own place and, in itself, can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven.” I think we have an especially appropriate lineup of stories for you this month. Check out Lynn Nichols’ stories about parenting with positivity and dealing with anger. Lea Hanson writes about online safety and Emily Zaynard discusses body boundaries. For fun, try Theresa Baer’s articles. One gives you some solid ways to try birding with the family and the other is about escape rooms, which somehow fits for now, if not without a little irony from what I wrote earlier. Relax, nothing is in control, Scott 6

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FEBRUARY 2022 • Volume 25, Issue 9 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Susan Harting susan.rmpublishing@gmail.com COVER PHOTO

Cheri Schonfeld www.skysopendesign.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Theresa Baer, Lea Hanson, Lynn U. Nichols, Emily Zaynard

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING PO Box 740 Fort Collins, CO 80522 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. ©2022 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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as we grow Putting anger in check Strategies for controlling feelings

LY NN U. NICHOLS

earning to express anger in a healthy way is one of the best traits we can instill in our kids. How kids deal with anger often influences whether or not they will have successful relationships with friends, siblings, and teammates. Almost every day, kids are faced with a situation that challenges them, whether it is a conflict over a possession, a verbal or physical confrontation, feeling like they’ve been treated unfairly, or simply someone telling them to do something they don’t want to do. Many of us weren’t taught healthy ways to express anger, like using assertive words or speaking directly about our feelings in the moment. When negative feelings are discouraged, people learn to stuff their anger. Yet, anger doesn’t simply go away. It tends to come out sideways, or worse yet, explosively. Consider these quick skills that you can reinforce in your kids to help them deal with anger—their own or someone else’s—in a healthy way. SPEAKING UP IN THE MOMENT If conflict is resolved in the moment, it can stay in the moment. From an early age, model and encourage ways to stand up and be assertive. Even preschoolers can learn statements like, ‘Stop it, I don’t like that.’ Teach your kids language to resolve conflict, as in, ‘When you [do that/say that], I feel [sad, frustrated, angry, etc.].’ Speaking up goes hand-inhand with helping your children identify their feelings. If you notice an emotion, help define it, as in, ‘You slammed your math book. It seems like you are frustrated. When you start feeling that way, stop and ask for help.’ Society sometimes says boys can only have two emotions, happy or sad. Help your son, especially, identify the different feelings that mimic anger, including feeling frustrated, sad, hurt, confused, or scared.

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As soon as your children seem ready, encourage them to solve their own conflicts at school, with friends, or on the field. It’s tempting to step in and do it yourself, but it’s much better if they learn the important skill of being assertive and asking for what they need. While they are first learning, you can go with them to provide encouragement and practice, but stay silent and eventually back out altogether. KEEPING THINGS CIVIL If your child starts saying mean things, like, ‘You are the worst mom ever!’ or ‘I hate you!’ don’t take the bait. Stay calm and say, ‘I know you are mad, but it’s not okay to say those things to me. Go in the other room. I don’t want to be around you right now.’ It can be hard to say, but it sends a clear message that disrespecting others will not be tolerated. PRACTICING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS Anger can stem from not feeling heard, or something not going a child’s way. Instead of trying to solve your child’s problem, as in coming up with solutions or giving advice, empathize with how

they are feeling and ask open-ended questions, as in, ‘What are some ways you could solve this?’ Help brainstorm possibilities, if needed, but always put the choice in their hands. If they choose unacceptable solutions, steer them to consider more positive options. PHYSICAL FIGHTING IS A LINE THAT’S NEVER CROSSED Kids need to know that hitting is never an acceptable solution, and consequences for hitting can be established up front as a standing house rule. As in, if you hit, you go to your room or you lose a privilege. Help your child gauge their anger. Consider using a stoplight metaphor. After a sibling battle, have them look back and measure their anger. Was it red (ready to hit), yellow (frustration/annoyance), or green (no anger)? Once they start noticing when their anger is building, they can deescalate the situation by walking away, taking five big breaths, counting to 10, or coming and sharing their feelings with you. Putting time and space between the feeling and their next action helps curb anger.

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family activities

Escape room adventures Work together to solve puzzles

THERESA BAER

n escape room is a themed game where players seek and discover clues to solve puzzles in a limited amount of time in order to “escape” a room or set of rooms. If you’re looking for an immersive adventure for your family, escape rooms are a great option for providing problem-solving, communication, teamwork and just plain fun. However, not all are age appropriate for all kids. Most commercial escape rooms you visit have a minimum age limit of 10–12 years depending on the setting, plot and degree of the challenge. Children must be old enough to follow instructions and rules and be capable of handling the props in the room appropriately. The maturity and cleverness of your children should also be taken into consideration. They should be mature enough not to have nightmares about a particular setting/plot and clever enough to participate in solving the puzzles to avoid becoming frustrated or bored. For families with younger children, look online for printable escape room adventures you can prepare and do at home. Some are free and some have a fee to download, but options abound for ages as young as kindergarteners with themes based upon fairy tales, books, math, science, history, animals, holidays and more. Virtual or digital escape rooms are also available to complete at home using video conferencing software and web-based activities to present puzzles and challenges to participating teams. Free virtual escape rooms often utilize Google Forms. For families with older children or teens, here are some local options: ESTES PARK • Time Emporium 541 Big Thompson Ave. Bldg. P, Unit C, www.time-emporium.com 10

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• YMCA of the Rockies Escape Room 2515 Tunnel Rd., 970-586-3341 x1104, www.ymcarockies.org

• Somewhere Secret 222 Walnut St., 970-235-1199 www.somewheresecret.com

FORT COLLINS • ConTRAPtions, 3720 S. College Ave. Ste. B, 970-226-3843 www.escape.place • Enigma Escape Rooms, 151 S. College Ave. Ste. J, 970-568-8636 www.enigmafortcollins.com • Fort Collins Escape Room, 4025 S. Mason St., 970-484-5433 www.fortcollinsescaperoom.com • Fort Fun Escape Experience, 1513 E. Mulberry St., 970-825-5010 www.fortfun.biz/escape-rooms • The Markey Escape Rooms, 1611 S. College Ave., 970-449-9792 www.themarkey.com • Time Emporium, 400 N. College Ave. www.time-emporium.com

GREELEY • H D Escape Rooms 810 9th St. Ste. L100 www.hdescaperooms.com • Ruse Escape Room 929 38th Avenue Ct. Ste. 109 970-541-1822 www.ruseescaperoom.com LOVELAND • Loveland Escape Rooms Clueology 907 Van Buren Ave., 970-776-0356 www.lovelandescaperooms.com • Time Emporium, 391 Denver Ave. www.time-emporium.com • Time Escape Loveland 770 N. Lincoln Ave., 970-624-0024 www.timeescapeloveland.com

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learn and live

Birding adventures

Experience nature, discover wildlife, inspire stewardship THERESA BAER

irding, or bird-watching, offers a way to experience nature and see wildlife in their natural habitats, and with over 400 species of birds making Colorado their home, according to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, there are plenty to see. Greg Osland with Colorado Field Ornithologists in Loveland says, “Birding is a good way to stimulate children’s’ natural curiosity.” EQUIPMENT NEEDED Osland says, “Close views of birds are most impactful. A basic pair of binoculars will provide dramatic views of the birds and help families with identifying species.” But with younger children, the naked eye works fine for spotting birds. Experts also propose a good bird reference book or field guide to take along such as “National Geographic Kids Ultimate Explorers Field Guide: Birds" or “Birds of Colorado” that include photos, fun facts, activities and even bird jokes. The Fort Collins Audubon Society also offers multiple checklists of birds you will likely encounter at several areas in Larimer County. PREPPING THE KIDS After they’ve got the gear, explain to your kids the process of birding. They will need to be super quiet to not scare birds away and to see more of what birds do such as maybe feeding chicks, making a nest or taking a bath. Children also need to know they should never touch nests or remove eggs. WHERE TO GO & WHAT TO SEE Start with your own backyard or nearby park. Osland suggests, “A good way to begin is to watch birds coming to backyard feeders, especially in winter. Watch feeders for Black-capped Chickadees, House Finches, Northern Flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Juncos, 12

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February Bird Events & Resources etc. Families may visit the feeders by the [Fort Collins Museum of Discovery] to see birds close-up. A walk on the nearby trail through the Lee Martinez woods could provide views of Red-tail Hawks, Wild Turkeys, and Nuthatches, while ducks may be seen in the river. Fossil Creek Reservoir has platforms next to the water that enable birders to see hundreds of waterfowl and some raptors, such as Bald Eagles. The best time to find birds is early to mid-morning, but feeder birds and waterfowl can be viewed throughout the day.” Local enthusiasts also recommend the CSU Environmental Learning Center. Wherever you choose, start with short outings and include water and snacks to keep participants happy. FUN WAYS TO INTERACT Ask questions about what your kids see. What color feathers do the birds have? Describe their feet or beaks. What do you think the birds are doing? Let your kids look up the birds in the field guide. Ask what they hear. Listening for the bird calls, songs or little baby peeps may help your family locate, identify and understand the birds’ actions and what they are trying to communicate. Look for signs of life such as nests, feathers or poop.

Eagle Watches Fridays & Saturdays in February, 3:30– 5pm, Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, FC, www.fcgov.com/events Weird Science: It’s the Great Backyard Bird Count Thursday, February 10, 4:30–5pm, Clearview Library District Zoom Meeting Ages 6–12, Register to receive link: https://clearview.libnet.info/event/5978595 Great Backyard Bird Count February 18–21 Learn how to participate as an individual or in a group: www.birdcount.org/participate Fort Collins Audubon Society Free birding field trips throughout the year. www.fortcollinsaudubon.org/pages/ localbirding.html Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Free community presentations for all ages online and in person: www.rmrp.org/news/events

FUN & EDUCATIONAL Many North American birds are facing extinction due to climate change. Getting your family interested in nature and these beautiful living creatures can inspire a love for the environment we need to preserve. What may start as a fun family hobby could become a lifetime of stewardship!

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community news Spreading love and help where it’s needed

Fire recovery, Valentine mailing, suicide prevention, child support, teen mindfulness THERESA BAER

BOULDER COUNTY FIRE RELIEF AND RECOVERY Our hearts go out to the victims of the Boulder County fires. Their lives will be altered forever by the devastating losses they have experienced. If you or someone you know is in need of relief information for basic needs, financial help, housing and more, call 2-1-1 or visit www.211colorado. org. If you are able to donate towards relief and recovery efforts, please visit www.coloradogives.org/ bouldercountywildfirefund. LOVELAND’S VALENTINE RE-MAILING PROGRAM For the past 76 years, the Loveland Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Postal Service have teamed up to provide the internationally known Valentine Remailing Program to have valentines postmarked in the Sweetheart City. All valentines sent through the Loveland Valentine Program before or on February 4 will be postmarked and mailed on February 4. Every day after February 4, the Valentine will be postmarked on the day it is received. Please note the following deadlines for your mailing needs and view dropoff locations at https://loveland.org/ programs/valentine-re-mailing-program. • February 2 for International • February 7 for Continental U.S • February 9 for Colorado/ Wyoming 5210+ CHALLENGE THIS MONTH The Healthy Kids Club at UCHealth is hosting its annual 5210+ Challenge again this month where students, staff and families keep track of their activity minutes and other 5210+ healthy habits and prize money is awarded to schools with the highest percentage of participants. The challenge encourages 14

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participants to accomplish the following each day of the month: eat five (5) servings of fruits and vegetables; watch two (2) hours or fewer of screen time; get one (1) hour or more of physical activity; drink zero (0) sugary drinks; plus (+) sleep nine or more hours. This year, 105 schools are signed up to participate and will send information home with students. Families can also access tips and resources on the Healthy Kids website at www.healthykidsclub.org. FORT COLLINS BIKE TO WORK (OR WHEREVER) DAY Winter Bike to Work (or Wherever) Day is Friday, February 11 from 7am to 9:30am where local businesses and organizations provide free breakfast, comradery and maybe swag or goodies to community members who ride a bike to work (or scoot, walk or roll wherever) during the event times. So hop on your bike, etc. and look

to www.fcgov.com/bicycling/biketo-work-day for a map of breakfast stations all around Fort Collins. VIRTUAL COMMUNITY SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAININGS The Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County is offering free monthly virtual QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Trainings all year that share the three steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Sessions are 60-90-minutes, evidencedbased, full-certification trainings that offer 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and will take place the third Wednesday of each month with start times alternating between noon and 5:30pm. Participants will learn: the scope of the suicide problem (nationally and locally); myths and facts of suicide; warning signs of suicide or mental distress; how to ask someone if they are suicidal; how to encourage them to get

connected to care; and where to go for help, including what local resources are available. View dates/times and register at https://bit.ly/3Gv0szv. GROW WITH ME SALE NEXT MONTH The next Grow with Me Kids Sale will take place Friday, March 11 from 10am–7pm and Saturday, March 12 from 8am–2pm at The Ranch Events Complex, First National Bank Building, 5280 Arena Circle in Loveland. Register now to sell your outgrown kids items and plan to shop for clothes, toys, books, shoes, baby and maternity items at 50– 90 percent off retail prices. Learn more at www.growwithmesale.com. GREELEY COMMISSIONS/BOARDS FOR ADULTS AND YOUTH Residents can provide valuable input on various aspects of the City of Greeley such as Parks and Recreation, Historic Preservation, Housing, Downtown Development, Planning, Budgets and more. Even youth between the ages of 11 and 18 can contribute by providing the City with a greater understanding of their concerns through the Youth Commission. The Youth Commission consists of 14 members total–11 appointed by the City Council and three adult advisers appointed by the commission with two-year terms and a two-term limit. Meetings occur the fourth Monday of each month and the average time commitment is three hours per month. Vacancies occur often. Learn more about all Boards and Commissions and apply online at greeleygov.com/boards.

EASIER TO APPLY FOR, RECEIVE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES The Colorado Department of Human Services has made child support services more accessible for Coloradans by eliminating the $20 application fee. Effective January 1, no fees will be required to apply for and receive child support services. The Child Support Services Program website says, “In addition, all child support payments are now disbursed to custodial parents electronically. This means if you are not currently enrolled in the direct deposit, you will receive a Child Support Payment Card automatically.” More information is available online at https://childsupport.state.co.us.

GREELEY LIFEGUARD TRAINING FOR AGES 15+ Plan now for summer jobs! Youth ages 15 years and up that would like to be hired as lifeguards this summer should consider the American Red Cross Lifeguard Training sessions happening February 19–21, March 18–20 or April 23–25 from 9am to 5pm each day. Participants must be able to complete a 300-yard swim, tread water for two minutes and finish a timed event. The cost for Greeley residents is $195 and non-residents pay $205. Sessions take place at the Greeley Recreation Center, 651 10th Avenue. Learn more and register at https://greeleyrec.com/ program/lifeguard-training. HEADSPACE PLATFORM HELPS TEENS BE KIND TO THEIR MINDS Larimer County recently shared that Peer Health Exchange (www. peerhealthexchange.org) and Headspace (www.headspace.com/ teens) have partnered to provide free support to young adults, ages 13–18, dealing with anxiety and stress. To support their mental health and wellbeing, Headspace provides “hundreds of meditations and mindfulness exercises to help [youth] learn the skills [youth] needed to be healthier and happier.” Learn more and sign up for the free tools at www. peerhealthexchange.org/headspace. RMPARENT

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healthy living

Body boundaries for beginners Holding personal space for empathy and consent EMILY ZAY NAR D

s we hover closer to Valentine’s Day, the candy hearts pop up on store shelves and our relationships take center stage as a cause for celebration. This is an ideal opportunity to connect with kids around what healthy relationships look like and to practice some of those characteristics in your family’s day-today life. Learning about bodily integrity, setting and communicating boundaries, and practicing them in a safe space are all actions that you can take to set your children up for relationship success. Building healthy habits from an early age allows children to confidently practice boundaries and respect them in others, well into adulthood. I’M THE BOSS OF MY BODY Instilling bodily integrity means teaching kids they are the “boss” of their body and their personal space. When it comes to their body, they have the right to say “no touching” even to family members, grown-ups, friends, or peers. Val Macri-Lind, MS, LMFT and Clinical Director of Childsafe clarifies that, “It’s important for parents to make the distinction between things like hugging and holding hands, and touching private parts. The rules are different and need to be explained to children. These are complicated concepts, which is why we have to start early in children’s development with simple lessons and building to more complex conversations as they get older.“ NO HARD FEELINGS Often, asserting boundaries around their bodies can feel difficult for kids and can contradict concepts like being polite, being respectful and not “talking back.” It is important to explore those scenarios with kids. 16

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Macri-Lind points out that, “Kids can be taught to set boundaries with others in a clear, respectful manner. ‘No thanks, I don’t feel like hugging right now. Maybe later.’” In fact, establishing boundaries around touch can lead to the development of additional social skills. Macri-Lind tells us that, “Asking permission and expecting others to also ask permission is all about consent and empathy. It’s about respecting the rights and feelings around body integrity for ourselves and others.” Managing their own feelings when on either side of these interactions builds interpersonal skills as well. Macri-Lind advises that “Kids can be taught not to take it personally if their friend doesn’t want a hug, even if they’re feeling hurt. This is an opportunity to reinforce the reciprocal nature of relationships.”

PRACTICE MAKES POWER Setting and recognizing everyone’s right to be the boss of their body is a skill that needs practice. Empower kids to assert their bodily integrity by creating safe spaces to do so. “Parents can role play situations with their kids, where they might have to set a limit with someone else. They can play the “what if ” game to give kids practice saying the words. This is also an opportunity to prepare them to accept someone else’s boundaries and reinforce that others also have rights when it comes to their personal space,” Macri-Lind suggests. Families can practice their skills by taking every opportunity to respect each other’s boundaries and honor the need for personal space. Macri-Lind points out that “‘No’ is often difficult to say and difficult to hear, but as a wise woman once said, ‘If no is not an option, then yes is meaningless.’"

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Online threats to children include cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, porn and more

Develop an

Lea Hanson

online safety plan S

ome of today’s most realistic risks to our kids’ safety are things that either didn’t happen before or happen in whole new way simply as a result of access to the internet; a thing that didn’t even exist when most parents and caregivers were that age. Threats to children’s internet safety include invasions of privacy, cyberbullying, sexting, harassment, and more. Just as we protect our kids from any risk, we need to protect them from these as well. When kids are young, we often physically do the work to protect them while later in life we teach them to do the work for themselves. We might carry our toddler across the street so they don't get hit by a car, but eventually we teach them how to safely look both ways before walking across on their own. Similarly, when kids first start being exposed to screens, they are watching shows or playing games that have been previously downloaded and the devices are not hooked up to Wi-Fi. Eventually

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however, most will manage the use of their own fully data-enabled smartphone content without our supervision. And we need to ensure they’re able to safely and responsibly do so. Obvious options to protect your children include parental controls, apps, and tracking software. But the most effective way and longterm solution to keep your kids safe is to talk with them honestly about online risks, how to avoid them, how to make safe decisions and reactions when something risky or dangerous happens, and how they ought to come to you when something goes wrong. Almost every American child and teen has access to the internet. They socialize in online games or on smartphones just as they would on a playground. They live largely in a digital community. But like any community, there are risks and dangers. The adult(s) in the home are the best suited to monitor kids’ online activity. They are also the most often

trusted adults to whom most kids will turn if they experience online dangers. Understanding what your children or teens do online is vital to protecting them from digital threats. Fort Collins Police Sergeant Heather Moore says, “Kids need to fully understand online risks.” Moore says the most common risks can be mitigated by only chatting with people they know, ensuring their online accounts are private, avoiding people they don’t know or trust, and simply just trusting their gut—if something makes them feel uncomfortable, tell a trusted adult about it. Kids and parents should stay alert— people aren’t always who they seem or present themselves to be in online environments. “Faking identity is just too easy in online environments these days,” Moore says. THE P-WORD (PORN) Internet safety for kids depends on parents first being aware of online

Tips for an online safety plan I perused some sites with tips presented and published by local agencies and police department. Here is a collective of tips most agree with: Discuss internet safety and develop an online safety plan with children before they engage in online activity. Establish clear guidelines, teach children to spot red flags, and encourage children to have open communication with you. Supervise young children’s use of the internet, including periodically checking their profiles and posts. Keep electronic devices in open, common areas of the home and consider setting time limits for their use.

risks and understanding how to help their children and teens avoid them. “Too many parents today are simply just naïve to the content their kids are exposed to and how early it happens,” Moore says. The average age of first exposure to pornography is 11 years old. Those aren’t reassuring statistics for parents. Despite this, it’s surprisingly difficult for parents to find straightforward, expert advice on porn and their kids. Tweens and teens are at the age of natural curiosity about sex. When presented with the opportunity and such easy access, many are choosing to view pornography—and doing it more than once. Sadly, today’s porn content is drastically more graphic, violent, deviant, and destructive than anything ever seen before. Highly sexualized, violent material poses many risks for a developing brain. In the adolescent years when

brains are still developing, viewing porn can deform the pleasure centers of their brain. And, can create expectations or worries about sexual activities that ought to be safe and healthy and consensual. Parents should not only stay abreast of what’s actually happening in kids’ worlds in general, but they should also stay involved in their specific child’s digital world. This means knowing the apps they use, using parental controls, and blocking and reporting people who make them feel uncomfortable. IMPACT OF COVID ON ONLINE SAFETY Due to school closings, stay-at-home orders, and hybrid learning because of the COVID-19 pandemic, children’s increased online presence can too easily put them at greater risk of child exploitation and being exposed to topics that are too mature or explicit.

Review games, apps, and social media sites before they are downloaded or used by children. Pay particular attention to apps and sites that feature end-to-end encryption, direct messaging, video chats, file uploads, and user anonymity, which are frequently relied upon by online child predators. Adjust privacy settings and use parental controls for online games, apps, social medial sites, and electronic devices. Tell children to avoid sharing personal information, photos, and videos online in public forums or with people they do not know in real life. Explain to your children that images posted online will be permanently on the internet. Teach children about body safety and boundaries, including the importance of saying ‘no’ to inappropriate requests both in the physical world and the virtual world. Encourage children to tell a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult if anyone asks them to engage in sexual activity or other inappropriate behavior.

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Parenting with

+ Positivity Lynn U Nichols

Raise healthy, happy kids

ave you ever heard yourself speak the exact same words that your parents said to you as a child, even when those words go against your entire parenting philosophy? It’s remarkable how easy it is to automatically repeat our parents’ messages, especially under stress. With mindfulness, we can reset those responses and become better parents, ones who use positive strategies rather than negative ones to grow healthy, happy kids. “It’s good to have some level of selfawareness as a parent. You can’t know how you are impacting your child if you are not aware of the patterns that you have learned,” says Dannie Mironski, MA, NCC, LPC, co-owner of Parent-Child Interaction Center, which offers a full range of counseling services for teens, adults, and couples in areas such as stress management, depression, conflict management, anger management, anxiety, and sexuality to families in Fort Collins and Boulder. Positive parenting creates connection rather than power struggles. It starts with accepting children for who they are—and working from that place—rather than trying to get them to be someone they are not. It focuses on setting clear limits and

| RMPARENT

boundaries that help kids feel secure. Finally, it is about proactive responses rather than reactive responses to unwanted behaviors. If all of this sounds good to you, read on. REWARD THE BEHAVIOR THAT YOU WANT As a parent, you might be frustrated by a certain behavior that your child has, like whining. Instead of focusing on how to stop the whining, focus on the behavior you want instead—acceptance. Give pointed, sincere praise, as in, “I really liked how you got right to cleaning your room.” “Any positive behaviors that you see in your kids that you want to see continue, you need to praise,” Mironski says. “Instead of simply saying, ‘Great job!’ be specific.” Give your praise an extra punch by offering a reward for continued good behavior. For example, you could say, “If you finish all of your chores, we can ride our bikes to the park later.” When picking a reward, choose something that your child feels passionate about. But if your child starts expecting a reward every time they do what they are asked, you’ve gone too far. If that happens, it’s time to remind them that getting a treat is a special thing that only happens sometimes. Go for the slot-machine effect—sometimes they hit the jackpot, other times they don’t. The uncertainty motivates them to keep trying. BAN THE WORDS NO, DON’T, AND STOP IT It’s easy to simply bark out commands to our kids, but it’s rarely effective. Instead, try the ‘when/then’ technique and begin your request with ‘I want’ rather than an order, as suggested by Dr. Bill Sears from Harvard Medical School. For example, you could replace, “Stop texting and start your homework,” with “When you finish one of your math sheets, then you can take a break and text your friend.” Putting the words, “I want…” in front of a command might kick in your child’s

desire to please you, and it tends to make kids react less defensively than a straight up order. For example, you could say, “I want you to put down your phone and start your homework.” When you start a sentence with the ‘I’ point of view, it’s less accusing. “It’s all about the language that we use with our kids. When parents tell me that they are saying ‘no, quit, stop it, don’t’ all day long, I suggest replacing these words with a positive opposite,” Mironski says. An example of a positive opposite is rather than saying, “Stop jumping on the couch” you say, “I need you to sit calmly on the couch.” If a child is yelling, rather than commanding them to stop, tell them that you need them to be quiet instead. There’s a lot you can do to keep things moving on a positive track and curtail situations that render consequences. You can steer your kids in the right direction by using positive techniques such as giving choices, announcing that you will be changing activities before doing so, and making eye contact when you talk with your child to encourage listening and connection. Of course, when a major rule is broken—especially one that has to do with safety or physical altercations—consequences are more than appropriate. Remember, you don’t have to correct everything your child does that’s not ideal. Practice what Mironski calls ‘strategic ignoring’ by letting little things slide and focusing on a few key behaviors at a time. ANNOUNCE AND CELEBRATE GOOD BEHAVIOR Honest praise, humor and affection are the best rewards of all for good behavior. Become a sportscaster and announce all the positive things your kids do. For example, if you are in a restaurant, you can say: ‘I like how you are sitting there without wiggling.’ Or, ‘Wow! You’ve got

your napkin on your lap!’ and on and on. When you notice good behavior, it will build on itself. It’s more work than reacting with a quick ‘stop it’ but it’s worth it in the end. When it comes to promoting desirable behavior, it’s always best to tell your kids what you expect up front. Also, avoid putting your kids in situations in which they are likely to fail, like dragging them along to the grocery store at the end of a long day. “It feels easier in the moment to use negative reinforcement, but negative words are not as effective and they can lower self-esteem,” Mironski says. “When kids get used to hearing negative messages they might feel like they can’t do anything right.” She recommends pausing before you respond. Negative outbursts often come from the ego rather than from a thoughtful parenting place. “As long as your positive reinforcement outweighs your negative reinforcement, you are good to go,” she adds. ESTABLISH HOUSE RULES AND CONSEQUENCES UP FRONT Structure helps kids feel secure. It also teaches them that the world works by some fairly lawful emotional and social rules. It’s great to put in place certain house rules, but you don’t want to go overboard. Too many rules and too many consequences become ineffective and overwhelming. Consider the top five behaviors you’d like to limit. Most parents choose rules around safety, physical fighting (as in, ‘you hit, you sit’), respecting others, and media use. When a top five rule is broken, don’t overtalk about it. Rather, instigate a quick, decisive consequence in a calm but firm manner. It’s best to have the consequence match the theme and size of the offense. Once a consequence is over, it’s over. Don’t rehash it. This removes any judgment or shame and gives kids a fresh start to choose a better approach next time.

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Women+ Family FEBRUARY 2022

HEALTH GUIDE

Create healthy eating habits PAGE 4

Mindfulness matters PAGE 2

Winter wonderland safety PAGE 6

WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

Mindfulness matters

Improve attention, reduce stress and feel compassion and empathy LEA HANSON

he concept of mindfulness has become an increasingly understood term and an everbroadening demographic is welcoming the practice into their lives and daily routines. Practicing mindfulness has been shown to improve attention and reduce stress as well as increase the ability to regulate emotions and feel compassion and empathy. Mindfulness also is widely considered an effective psychotherapy treatment for adults, children, and adolescents with aggression, ADHD, or mental health problems such as anxiety. Mindfulness can not only help kids have empathy and compassion, it can also help academic performance. Because practicing mindfulness enhances kids’ self-concept, self-regulation, and self-management, and planning and organizational skills, the impact the practice can have on kids’ student identities is noticeable. And for kids who struggle with school—whether academically, environmentally, or both—this can feel like a life-changer. Students learn about attending to the here and now and being present with the people that they interact with, with themselves, [and] with their environment in a non-judgmental way. HOW TO TEACH MINDFULNESS AT HOME Practicing mindfulness at home is the best way to ensure the mindset “sticks” and becomes embedded into everyday life for the long haul. Here are some strategies for teaching mindfulness at home: • Take a “Brain Break”—Taking a brain break means taking a deep breath and calming oneself for three to five minutes to quiet the mind, be present, and just focus. Parents can encourage 2 | RMPARENT

their kids to take a brain break during homework time, during stressful situations, or simply when transitioning from one activity to the next. • Go on “Listening Walks”— Practicing mindful awareness during everyday activities is a way to embed the practice into life while experiencing fewer big changes and shifts. Like walking and eating, to teach kids to truly be in that moment

| WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

and not thinking about tomorrow’s math test or Saturday’s birthday party. Parents can do a “listening walk” with their children, asking them what sounds they hear, what the sounds remind them of, and how they help them remember a happy time or appreciate a happy experience. • Use Technology—We know now that screens can be teachers as well as brain killers. Apps like Stop, Breathe & Think offer kids interactive activities in a gamified way that can help kids understand mindfulness in a way that feels current and relatable.

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Feeding right from the first bite Create healthy eating habits

LY NN U. NICHOLS

f course you want your toddler to grow big and strong, but first you have to get them to eat their (dreaded!) broccoli. Here are some ideas on getting kids to eat healthy from the start. OFFER IT AGAIN, AND AGAIN Rarely does a toddler like a food from the get go. It’s easy to assume your older baby or toddler doesn’t like a food if you’ve offered it a few times and they’ve rejected it. Don’t stop trying. Kids rarely like foods on the first try and it can take 1020 offerings before they’ll eat a vegetable. Kids have to get used to not only taste, but texture and color as well. Try serving vegetables both raw and cooked, and pair a new food with one they already like to encourage an open mind. MAKE IT A GAME There is nothing wrong with wooing your kids to eat by making food fun. Try cookie cutter sandwiches, sending carrots swimming in a pool of dip, or ‘broccoli’ trees that must be destroyed by your child, the dinosaur. Once the pandemic is under control, take your toddler to the grocery store with you. Let them choose a new fruit or vegetable to try, and engage them in preparing it. Kids are more apt to eat something they selected or helped cook. The same goes for gardening—when young kids plant seeds and water growing plants, they are invested in eating what their masterpieces produce. MAKE MEALTIME FAMILY TIME Think of meals as family-connection time. Doing so not only makes for good eating habits but leads to more success in life. Here’s some motivation to have regular sit down dinners: A researcher at Harvard studied family dinners for 15 years, finding that when kids and parents sat down and ate together 4 | RMPARENT

regularly the kids were stronger readers and had better vocabularies than their peers. Another study found that regular family meals resulted in better scores on standardized tests at school. Eating together also lets kids see parents enjoying a variety of foods—something that’s vital in learning healthy eating habits. Also, don’t force your child to eat. Your job is simply to serve a healthy meal, not to make them eat it. Bribing with dessert is also discouraged because it sets food up as a reward—something that can backfire later in life. SERVE WELL BALANCED MEALS AND SNACKS Toddlers can gravitate toward cereal and breads, but they need a good mix of carbohydrates (breads, crackers), protein (meats, eggs) and fats (avocados, nuts) every day to stay healthy and grow well. When eaten alone, carbohydrates make your child’s blood sugar levels spike, leaving him or her giddy and overactive, and then crashing with low energy or tears. Protein and healthy fats have a more sustained release of energy. Consider breakfasts that include eggs,

| WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

beans, yogurt, cheese, meat and fruit for a solid start to the day. When it comes to snacks, remember that toddlers need to eat frequently. While you don’t want to provide too much food, aim for something that balances carbs, protein and fats, like a few crackers with cheese or apple slices with a little peanut butter. STICK TO A FEW GUIDELINES Know that toddlers might eat a bunch one day and not much the next. That’s okay as long as they have access to healthy food. To avoid becoming a short order cook, make it a rule to never serve your toddler something different than what you are eating. If they are struggling, tell them to choose two items on their plate and try at least a bite. Also, keep in mind that toddlers eat portions that are in proportion to their size. In other words, much less than what you are eating. It also helps to think about your child’s healthy food intake over the course of a week rather than a day. Finally, resist labeling food good or bad. Instead, talk about healthy foods and how they give your toddler the strength to play and have fun.

WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

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WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

Winter wonderland safety Make this winter safe at home and at play

hether your family is at home cozying up to a warm fire or out enjoying all the activities winter brings, Safe Kids reminds you to keep safety in check. AT HOME “Families today are better at understanding the importance of having working smoke alarms in every sleeping area, and most recently carbon monoxide (CO) alarms,” says Alison, Safe Kids Larimer County coordinator. “Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it is odorless, invisible, and it can kill. CO can make a child seriously ill in small doses that might not noticeably affect an adult.” According to a recent study, children younger than 5 years old have the highest estimated rate of CO-related visits to the emergency room among all age groups in the United States. More than 25 kids die from CO poisoning every year. Important safety tips to protect your families from CO poisoning:

• Prevent CO buildup in the first place—make sure heating appliances are in good working order and used only in well-ventilated areas. • Don’t run a car engine in the garage, even to warm it up; move the car outside first. • Install a CO alarm outside every sleeping area, on every level of your home and at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning appliance. • When you test your smoke alarm each month, check the batteries on your CO alarms at the same time—replace the batteries twice a year. • Never use a stove for heating. Have all gas, oil or coal burning appliances inspected every year to ensure they’re working correctly and are properly ventilated.

If a CO leak is suspected, call 9-1-1 immediately. Get out of the house into fresh air. Do not open doors or windows. Fire personnel will want to verify a leak and identify the source so it can be fixed. Symptoms of CO poisoning include 6 | RMPARENT

headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or confusion. “CO alarms are available at hardware stores for about $20,” adds Weston. “That is a small price to pay to help detect odorless, poisonous gases in the home before it’s too late.” AT PLAY Don’t leave safety at home when headed out to enjoy winter sports! Parents are reminded to use proper safety equipment, training and supervision when it comes to themselves and their children. Nationwide, more than a quarter million children a year are injured while participating in winter sports. Safe Kids Larimer County offers a few simple precautions:

• Kids need to be dressed appropriately, take lessons, be actively supervised and stick to safe terrain. For most winter activities, protective headgear is recommended. • Helmets are a must for anyone skiing, snowboarding, sledding or ice skating. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, ski helmets could prevent or reduce the effects of 53 percent of the head injuries suffered by children younger than15 while

| WOMEN + FAMILY HEALTH GUIDE

skiing or snowboarding. • Did you know? Roughly 3,000 kids a year suffer serious head injuries from sledding. A good sledding hill does not lead to a street, a body of water or a crowded gathering place. In addition, the CPSC reminds parents and kids to inspect sleds regularly for worn, damaged or loose parts that could break or snag at high speed. • Children under 6 should not be riding a snowmobile, and nobody under 16 should be driving one. All snowmobile drivers and passengers should be wearing helmets designed for high-speed motor sport —a bike helmet isn’t sufficient for going up to 90 miles per hour. • Dress in layers. Wear sunscreen. Stay hydrated. Kids—or caregivers—who become distracted or irritable, or begin to hyperventilate, may be suffering from hypothermia or altitude sickness, or they may be too tired to participate safely in winter sports. They need to go indoors, rest and warm up.

Remember that even though winter is not ‘trauma season,’ parents should never take vacation from safety. For more information, please visit www.safekids.org or contact Safe Kids Larimer County at 970-495-7502.

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greeley district 6 news McAuliffe is first major bond project completed Students at McAuliffe STEM Academy returned to class on January 4, walking into a new entrance and a new wing of their school with many “oohs” and “ahhs.” “Is this the future?” one young student remarked as he looked at the circular lights on the ceiling of the entryway. The new, 55,000-square-foot addition nearly doubles the size of McAuliffe and will result in the removal of all portable classrooms from the site. In addition, the secure front entrance and administrative offices of the school are now located in the new wing, on the north side of the building facing 4th Street. The expanded north parking lot includes a four-lane drop-off area for parents and additional parking for staff and visitors. While there are still a few minor construction projects that need to be completed in the school, including the remodeling of the old administrative office, students are enjoying the new middle school classrooms, STEM labs, expanded cafeteria, a new gymnasium and more. In addition, all the classrooms in the older part of the building have been renovated. ON-TIME GRADUATION RATE INCREASES The on-time graduation rate for GreeleyEvans School District 6 seniors jumped last year, exceeding the state average by nearly three percentage points. Graduation rates for Colorado school districts were released by the Colorado Department of Education, and for the fourth year in a row, Greeley-Evans School District 6 has seen an increase in its on-time graduation rates. The 2021 on-time graduation rate for District 6 is 84.1 percent, exceeding the state average of 81.7 percent. The completion rate for District 6, which includes students who take longer than four years to graduate, is 85.8 percent. A total of 1,264 students graduated from District 6 high schools in 2021. The 2021 graduation rate shows improvement over the 2020 graduation 24

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rate of 82 percent and is a significant increase over the 2017 graduation rate of 78.7 percent. “This is reflective of the work of our strategic plan. Our focus on personalized learning, as well as career and college readiness, is really paying off for the students in District 6,” says Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch. “The intentional work of our staff to make sure every student has a plan for high school graduation and beyond is showing in these numbers. Our students are working hard to reach their goals with the support of our hardworking staff. I am very proud of this work.” District 6 also exceeds the state graduation rate for Caucasian, Latino and Black students, for students who live in economically disadvantaged households, for students in special education, for students with limited English language skills, and in several other areas. District 6 still has work to do to ensure all students graduate from high school on time. That is why creating robust personalized learning plans for all students and focusing on college and career preparation are still prominent in Innovation2030, the district’s new strategic plan launching this year. “This has to continue to be our focus moving forward,” Dr. Pilch says. “Every student can and should graduate on time. We just need to ensure they have the right support and path to cross

the finish line.” The dropout rate for District 6 is holding at 1.7 percent this year, slightly below the state average of 1.8 percent. Here are the graduation rates by school in District 6: • Greeley Central High School: 90.4% • Early College Academy: 100% • Jefferson High School/Greeley-Evans Alternative Program: 50.6% • Northridge High School: 93.1% • Greeley West High School: 91% • Frontier Academy High School: 98.8% • Union Colony Preparatory: 100% • University High School: 97.4%

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poudre school district news PSD students, staff gave back

During the recent holiday season, Poudre School District students, staff and families worked together on meaningful service projects, collecting food, clothing, toys, and gifts for those in need across the PSD community. Lesher Middle School hosted its 11th annual Adopt-A-Family program. The school adopts roughly 20 families from its feeder elementary schools. Families donate essential household items, new clothing, gifts, gift cards, wrapping paper, and more. Tavelli Elementary School refers their families to Adopt-A-Family and coordinates donations of coats and boots provided by Northern Fort Collins Business Association. Shepardson Elementary School collected 2,125 food items for Thanksgiving dinner boxes, nine gift cards, and a $500 donation from OtterCares Illumination fund to purchase 25 additional gift cards. Shepardson also has a giving tree to provide presents for several Shepardson families. Cache La Poudre Elementary School donated over 600 pounds of food and essential toiletries to the Food Bank of Larimer County. Cache La Poudre Elementary also hosted a winter coat drive. 26

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Johnson Elementary School hosted their traditional “Giving Tree.” Families purchased needed items to assist families through tough times. Read more at psdschools.org/news. SHOP WITH A COP: KIDS AND OFFICERS WRAP GIFTS, EXPLORE MUSEUM After buying gifts for family and friends, students from Putnam Elementary spent an afternoon at the Fort Collins

Museum of Discovery wrapping their presents with some help from area law enforcement officers. Tito, a third grader, and the officer he was paired with took the wrapping job seriously, strategizing how to best wrap his gifts for family members. “We wrapped two or three gifts like a tootsie roll,” Tito said. “Then we went to the museum with my friend and his officer.” Through the Shop with a Cop program, selected Putnam Elementary School students bought gifts for others for the holiday season and then wrapped them, spending time with law enforcement officers from the Larimer County Sherriff ’s Department, Fort Collins Police Services, Search and Rescue, Colorado State Troopers, and others. Read more at psdschools.org/news. ROCKY MOUNTAIN STUDENTS SHARED HOLIDAY CHEER WITH FAMILIES IN NEED Rocky Mountain High School students and staff once again transformed the school’s communal area into a dream-come-true holiday gift shop with giant stacks of presents filling every nook and cranny.

As they prepared for their 26th annual Adopt-A-Family event, students weaved down aisles of beautifully wrapped gifts that included new bicycles, scooters, skateboards, large stuffed animals, doll houses, and more. This year the Rocky community adopted 43 families for their traditional Adopt-A-Family school-wide service project. Students and staff collected donations of toys, gifts and necessities like food, household supplies and outerwear to distribute to these families during the holiday season. Elizabeth, a senior at Rocky, has volunteered with the program in various roles every year while in high school. As a family leader this year, she accompanied many recipients through fun activities like cookie decorating and taking pictures in a photo booth during a one-day holiday event for the families. “I like the overall feeling of the event. The over-commercialized holiday is turned into a time of providing joy and hope and putting the good back in Christmas,” said Elizabeth, who plans to continue being involved in service projects after high school. The project makes an enormous difference to the families and has a positive impact on participating students. Most of Elizabeth’s friends are excited about the opportunity to help others. “Even people in classes who are not usually enthused about service projects get involved and everyone is generous,” she shared. “We all come together as a school body to serve the greater community.” Community organizations and alumni also often volunteer to help or sponsor the families Rocky has adopted. “Anyone who is involved with Adopt-A-Family would tell you it is the most wonderful time of the year,” said Rocky Mountain High School Assistant Principal Tyler Nickel. “Everyone is able to participate and learn the joy of giving.” HEALTH PROTOCOLS For the latest on COVID-19 protocols, visit the PSD 2021-22 Health and Safety webpage. RMPARENT

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thompson school district news The 50th anniversary of Title IX This year is the 50th anniversary of Title IX, a federal civil rights law that was passed as a section of the Education Amendments in 1972. To help commemorate the anniversary, TSD is featuring a series of profiles of past district graduates who have a unique perspective on Title IX and who will share their personal stories on the impact it has had on their lives. The profiles can be viewed on our website: https://www. thompsonschools.org/titleIX MICHELLE BIRD—TVHS GRADUATE & 4-YEAR SWIMMER For 18 years of her life, it was rare for Michelle Bird not to spend a significant part of every day in a swimming pool. Michelle started swimming competitively when she was four years old and didn’t stop competing until she graduated from college. Although she acknowledges that she missed out on some things spending so many years swimming year-round, she also says if given the chance, she wouldn’t change a thing. “Just like any competitive athlete, I missed out on birthday parties. My family didn’t go on vacations in the summer,” Michelle says. “As a kid, it was harder to see the benefit of it, but looking back on it now, everything good in my life is because of swimming.” Michelle has worked for Larimer County since 2012, and currently serves as the Director of Public Affairs, overseeing communications and engagement, in addition to many other responsibilities. Like many athletes, she credits having a foundation in sports with helping her to accomplish her goals and find success in her career. “I was very lucky to have great coaches growing up,” Michelle says, referring to Tom Hewson who coached her at the club level, and Kris Ayers, her 28

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coach at TVHS. Michelle also believes that her sister Nicole, who is seven years older than Michelle, shaped her as an athlete. “I grew up watching her swim. I learned a lot about my attitude toward competition from her. She was a sophisticated athlete. She always went into races mentally ready.” In high school, Michelle routinely got up at 4:30 in the morning to swim, but that was nothing compared to the grueling practices she encountered in college. Michelle earned a full-ride swimming scholarship to Texas A&M, where she was a Big 12 Conference Champion and a Division I All-American in 2004. Swimming for a collegiate team meant several hours spent in the pool every day,

in addition to classes, weightlifting, and aerobic workouts. “I didn’t have a social life like a normal person in college. We had some time with our team and had fun, but everything was basically built around swimming. That’s what they were paying us to do,” she says. But it was all that hard work— in addition to a very supportive family and some excellent role models—that Michelle says shaped her into the adult she became. “I learned that failure isn’t fatal. It’s OK to fail,” she explains. “Also teamwork, being able to work with other people, and being able to build relationships. And that being nervous is OK. It just means you care. You get nervous before a race, and you learn that that’s OK. That’s your body’s natural reaction to caring.” Michelle believes that if it weren’t for her many years spent swimming, she wouldn’t have the career she loves today. “I know I am who I am today

because of swimming and my family. I very much pride myself on my work ethic,” she says. Michelle also credits the legislation enacted by Title IX for giving her the opportunities to excel. “My mom came from a very athletic family, but there weren’t athletics for her,”

Michelle says. “My mom never had that opportunity, but in one generation, we went from my mom not being able to do that, to me being able to have my education paid for because of athletics. I’m incredibly grateful for that, and I realize how lucky I was to be born when I was and be able to compete because of Title IX.”

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FEBRUARY 2022

EVENTS CALENDAR Please check websites for the status of the following events as cancelations or postponements may have been announced after our publication date.

FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH 14 Loveland Lights at Chapungu Enjoy a walkable light and music display for Valentine’s season. All ages. Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, Sky Pond Drive behind Macy’s, LV. Nightly 5–9pm. www.valentines.visitloveland.com. FEBRUARY 11 & 12 Loveland Sweetheart Festival Lights, music, palace of sweets, kids zone/ contest, vendors, beer garden, photo stations and more! All ages. Downtown Loveland Foundry Plaza, 3rd Street between Lincoln and Cleveland Avenues, LV. Friday 5–9pm; Saturday 1–9pm. www.valentines.visitloveland.com.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14 Loveland Valentine’s Day Group Wedding Adult couples can get married or renew their vows in the Sweetheart City this Valentine’s Day! Guests are discouraged. $95/couple. The Giant LOVE Sculpture by The Loveland Visitor’s Center, 5400 Stone Creek Cir., LV. 4pm. www.valentinesdayinloveland.com. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 25th Annual Empty Bowls Enjoy local soup creations and get a handmade bowl in support of the Food Bank for Larimer County’s hunger-relief efforts. Walk-through format for all ages. $50/ person; $75/VIP entry. The Hilton in Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 4pm–7pm. 970-493-4477 www.emptybowlslarimer.org.

LIBRARY & BOOK EVENTS

MONDAYS Homeschool Hangout Weekly event for homeschoolers, virtual learners and traditional students to socialize with one another while doing a different game, craft or movie. Ages 11–19. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 3:30–5pm. www.mylibrary.us.

SECOND TUESDAYS We Are Board Hang out and play board games with your friends. Bring your favorite game or select from the library’s collection. Snacks provided! Ages 12–19. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 4–6pm. www.mylibrary.us. Loteria Mexicana for Teens Play while practicing your Spanish and win prizes! Loteria Mexicana is a traditional game similar to Bingo. Ages 11–17. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4:30–5:30pm. www.lovlib.org/events. FRIDAYS Beyond the Classroom Interactive, enrichment experiences are ideal for online or home-schoolers and more. February topics include: wood burning, cryogenics, and books to movies. Registration required. Grades 3–5. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave. GR. 2–3pm. www.mylibrary.us. SATURDAYS Family Fun Saturdays Fun STEM projects and activities for the family every week. Lincoln Park Library, 1012 11th St., GR. 2–4pm. www.mylibrary.us.

FEBRUARY 1 THROUGH 28 Winter Weave Along Warm your heart and community by adding to weaving art installations in the lobby at Old Town Library. Supplies provided. All ages/abilities/imaginations. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. www.poudrelibraries.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Getting Crafty: 1, 2, 3, Sew with Me Are you ready to get stitching? This week in Getting Crafty we’ll learn the basics of sewing and make an easy felt project! Ages 6–12. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 4:30–5pm. 970-686-5603, https://clearview.libnet. info/event/5952656. THURSDAYS, FEBRUARY 3, 10, 17, 24 Waggin’ Tales Kids practice reading with a licensed theraphy dog. Visit the Children’s desk before the program to sign up your child/ family for a 10–15minute session. All ages. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4–5pm. www.lovlib.org/events. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Family Art Challenge: 360 Degrees of Fun! This month’s challenge will have your family using circle patterns to create your own art piece to display at the library. Pick up kits at Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS and listen to the overview on Facebook All ages. Registration required. Clearview Library District Facebook meeting. 4–4:30pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearview.libnet.info/event/5957448. FEBRUARY 7 THROUGH 14 Hearts Storytime Take-Home Kit Pick up a storytime kit with lots of Valentines fun and a heart craft, while supplies last. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 7 School’s Out: Cryogenics Learn about energy and especially lack of energy at freezing temperatures. Youth will observe the effects of liquid nitrogen and how it causes frozen flowers to shatter like glass with Patrick Pulis, 4-H Youth Developer. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

WEDNESDAYS, FEBRUARY 9, 23 American Sign Language (ASL) Event Learn different ASL words while singing songs and hearing stories. Ages 0–6. Clearview Library District Facebook meeting. 10–10:30am. 970-686-5603, https:// clearview.libnet.info/event/5958063. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Weird Science: It’s the Great Backyard Bird Count Learn about ornithology (the science of studying birds), complete an activity to help our winged neighbors and discover what a community scientist is and how to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count February 18–21. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 4:30–5pm. 970-686-5603, https://clearview.libnet. info/event/5978595. Family Take & Make Crafts: Valentines Beginning Feb. 3, pick up a craft kit and join the Feb. 10 session on YouTube channel to make Valentine crafts as a family to give or simply enjoy. All ages. Clearview Library District YouTube channel. 6–6:30pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearview.libnet.info/event/5958400. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Clearview Homeschooler’s Academy: We Love STEAM For the month of love, do experiments to show your love for STEAM. Make Valentine slime, build with paper heart shapes and melt candies into heart ornaments. All ages. Clearview Library District YouTube channel. 1–2pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearview.libnet.info/event/5954531. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Lil STEAM Monthly meeting to hear a story and explore the story’s theme with a STEAMrelated activity. This month, hear “Extra Yarn” then learn to construct our own loom. Ages 3–5. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 10–10:30am. 970-686-5603, https://clearview.libnet. info/event/5957852.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Getting Crafty: Kindness Rocks! This week, think about how we can use our creativity to make our neighbors smile and make kindness rocks to leave around our neighborhoods and communities. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 4:30–5pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearview.libnet.info/event/5952601. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Y is for Yoga (and Stories) Build literacy skills and healthy minds and bodies through books, songs, rhymes and yoga. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 10–11am. www.lovlib.org/events. CSU Bug Zoo Volunteers from CSU share a deeper appreciation for arthropods. All ages. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV.1–2pm. www.lovlib.org/events. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Amor & Plastilina / Love & Clay ¿Conoces los beneficios que aporta el modelar plastilina? Fall in love with clay modeling in this virtual makerspace in Spanish with simultaneous interpretation to English. Join author and illustrator Memo Plastilina to learn the benefits while creating your own piece of art. Ages 5–12. Registration required to receive Zoom link and free materials. Poudre River Public Library District Zoom meeting. 10–11:30am. www.poudrelibraries.org. Kids’ Tech Afternoon Come play with some of the library’s robots and technology. Grades K–5 and their families. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 2–3:30pm. www.lovlib.org/events. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23 We Dream in STEAM: I’ve Been Slimed! Learn how polymers work and the wonderful science of non-Newtonian fluids while making our own slime. Pick up takehome kits at Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. Ages 9–12. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 4:30–5pm. 970-686-5603, https:// clearview.libnet.info/event/5958225. RMPARENT

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Weird Science: Help! I’m Falling! Whether skydiving sounds fun or scary, it wouldn’t be an option without parachutes. Learn about air resistance, experiment with parachute engineering and design a skydiving device of our own. Pick up kits at Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. Ages 6–12. Clearview Library District Zoom meeting. Register to receive meeting link. Virtual, Zoom link. 4:30–5pm. 970686-5603, https://clearview.libnet.info/ event/5968541.

CONNECT TO NATURE

FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS THROUGH FEBRUARY Eagle Watch Bald eagles from the north make Fort Collins their winter home. Drop in to hear volunteer naturalists explain the eagles’ natural history and view them through spotting scopes and binoculars. No registration required. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, Carpenter Rd./CR 32, approximately one mile west of I-25, or two miles east of Timberline on the north side of Carpenter Rd., FC. 3:30–5pm. www.fcgov.com/events. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Skygazing Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes and share their knowledge about the stars, planets, galaxies and more. Registration suggested. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, Carpenter Rd./CR 32, approximately one mile west of I-25, or two miles east of Timberline on the north side of Carpenter Rd., FC. 7–9pm. www.fcgov.com/events. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 Winter Nature Walk: Geology, Wildlife and the Shortgrass Prairie Explore the geological forces that created our hogbacks and get acquainted with life in a prairie dog town with volunteer naturalists. Easy 2-2.5 miles but likely muddy. Registration required. Coyote Ridge Natural Area, FC. 2:30–4pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Windsor’s Magical Forest The trees recycled through Windsor’s Christmas Tree Recycling program will be available for families to build a forest, forts, kingdoms, castles, large nests and more. Tool, trees and hot chocolate provided. Eastman Park River Experience, 7025 Eastman Park Dr., WS. Noon–3pm. www.recreationliveshere.com.

MUSEUM EVENTS

SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS OtterBox Digital Dome Shows Blast off to discovery viewing short films on a gigantic 39-foot diameter dome screen. Shows vary by day: One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure; Dream to Fly; and CAPCOM GO! The Apollo Story. $2–4 plus museum admission. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. www.fcmod.org. THROUGH FEBRUARY 26 Art Exhibit: A Vision of Community Local artist Sieger Hartgers expresses a fondness for Greeley, depicting the city as a unique and welcoming place through colorful, photo-referenced paintings and prints. Tointon Gallery for the Visual Arts, 651 10th Ave., GR. 9am–5pm M–F; 9am– 2pm Saturdays. greeleygov.com/activities/ public-art/tointon-gallery. THROUGH MARCH 13 Katie Caron With unexpected and self-reflective materials, Colorado artist Caron generates immersive environments that both reflect upon and question individual influence within the social landscape. All ages. $7/ages 13+. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, LV. Museum hours. www.thelovelandmuseum.org. THROUGH APRIL 10 Jennie Kiessling: In the Garden, In the Distance In small painted and drawn works, artist Jennie Kiessling explores the heights of geometric abstraction rooted in a personal structure. All ages. $7/ages 13+. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, LV. Museum hours. www.thelovelandmuseum.org.

THROUGH APRIL 17 Gateway to The Rockies: A Visual Trip Down Highway 34 Exhibit Property Record Cards trace the development of support businesses along this heavily traveled corridor. Historic advertising materials provide additional proof Highway 34 provided a Gateway to the Rockies. All ages. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, LV. Museum hours. www.thelovelandmuseum.org. FEBRUARY 4 THROUGH MAY 21 Girl Scouts Impact the World Explore how Girl Scouts, started in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, evolved into a global movement. $5/adults; $3/students/ seniors Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 11am–5pm Tuesday–Saturday. 221-4600 www.globalvillagemuseum.org. FEBRUARY 5 THROUGH MAY 1 Tom Mazzullo Exhibit Works in metalpoint, an old drawing medium that employs precious metal to make marks on surfaces. All ages. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave. LV. Museum hours. www.thelovelandmuseum.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10 Kid + Adult Art Class: Homemade Valentines Create your own hand-made Valentine cards that will add a special touch to someone’s holiday. Ages 5–12 with an adult. $32/member; $40/non-member. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 5–6:30pm. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org. Stories from the Life of the Founder of Girl Scouts Explore Juliette Gordon Low’s history, hear family stories and see some of her personal belongings. All ages. Registration required. Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures, 200 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 6–7:30pm. 221-4600 www.globalvillagemuseum.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 Youth Art: Glow Art Bring your painting to life with glow paint!. Grades 1–5. $24/member; $30/nonmember. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 3:45–5pm. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Tot Art Class: Love From the Crayons Children and their adult helpers will explore a book about all the colors of love and then create an abstract project on canvas. Ages 3–5 with an adult. $16/ member; $20/non-member. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 10–11:30am. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Youth Art: Matisse Collage Learn more about Matisse and how fun collage can be. Grades 1–5. $24/member; $30/non-member. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 3:45– 5pm. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

ENTERTAINMENT

THROUGH FEBRUARY 12 OpenStage Theatre presents: Sense and Sensibility The classic Jane Austen tale of the Dashwood sisters gets a spirited update from a fresh female playwright. Full of humor and bold theatricality, the show examines our reactions, both reasonable and ridiculous, to societal pressure. $10–$27. Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. Times vary. 970-221-6730, www.lctix.com. FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4 We Are Messengers Fronted by Irishman Darren Mulligan, We Are Messengers makes rowdy music for broken, messy people and points them to Jesus. Streaming available. $20–38. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. https://ucstars.com. FEBRUARY 10 THROUGH MARCH 13 Curtains The musical comedy whodunit. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown. Times vary. 970-744-3747, www.coloradocandlelight.com. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11 California Guitar Trio with Montreal Guitar Trio Progressive rock, world, jazz and classical music. Ages teen–adult. $39; $54 VIP. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 The Queen’s Cartoonists Unique musical performances synchronized to video of Golden Age and modern animations. The Queen’s Cartoonists will lead the audience through a world of virtuosic musicianship, multiinstrumental mayhem and comedy. $15. Lincoln Center Performance Hall 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 2pm and 6pm. 970-221-6730, www.lctix.com. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 National Geographic Live: Improbably Ascent Witness one-handed athlete Maureen Beck ascend the Lotus Flower Tower in Canada’s Cirque of the Unclimbables, overcoming rough weather, sudden illness and a food shortage on this month-long expedition. $12–$25. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, 417 W. Magnolia St. FC. 7:30pm. 970-221-6730 www.lctix.com. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Lee Brice Concert Country music singer and songwriter performs live. All ages. Budweiser Events Center, LV. Doors open 6:30pm; Show starts 7:30pm. www.treventscomplex.com. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26 2022 Oscar Nominated Short Films View this year’s Oscar nominated short films. Ages teen–adult. $17/adult; $14/ student. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 1pm. www.rialtotheatercenter.org. Choir! Choir! Choir! The duo takes a non-traditional approach; there are no auditions, and the audience is the choir. Just show up and they’ll teach you an original arrangement to a song you love. $15. Lincoln Center Performance Hall, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 2pm and 6pm. 970-221-6730, www.lctix.com.

ACTIVE-ITIES

THROUGH FEBRUARY 5 Old Town Square Skate Rink Free admission and skate rentals. Open weekends plus extended holiday days. Old Town Square, FC. Times vary. 970-2216683, www.downtownfortcollins.com/ skate-rink.

THROUGH FEBRUARY 28 Skate The Pond at Foothills Bring your skates (or rent a pair at The Skate Shack) and hit the ice on northern Colorado’s largest outdoor rink.$7/adults and kids 4+, $3 skate rental. The Pond at Foothills, 215 E. Foothills Pkwy., FC. Days/times vary. https://shopfoothills.com. Ice Rink at The Promenade Shops at Centerra Your admission includes complimentary skates, all-day admission and skate assistants at no extra cost. $8.50/child 12 & under, $10.50/ages 13+. Skate with Santa Dec. 9 and 16. The Promenade Shops at Centerra, 5971 Sky Pond Dr., LV. www.TheIceRinkAtTheShops.com. MOST SATURDAYS Kids Nite Out Loveland & Windsor Kid’s Nite Out (KNO) Across America provides games and activities such as swimming, dancing to a DJ, sports tournaments, arts and crafts, and more. Ages 7–14. $15/person; dinner vouchers, +$7. Chilson Recreation Center, 700 E. 4th St., LV or Windsor Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th St., WS. 7–10:30pm. www.kidsniteout.org. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5 Sled Hockey Expo Check out how to play hockey on the ice in a sled for free including a skills competition and exhibition game. Basic instruction and equipment provided. All ages. Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave., GR. 1:45–4:45pm. https://greeleygov.com/greeley-calendar. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Catch Me If You Can 5k, 10k, & 10 Mile Run/Walk Walk, run or race through this winter’s third event of the Front Range Freeze Winter series. All ages. $25–40. SweetWater Brewing Company, 1020 E. Lincoln Ave., FC. 9am. www.frontrangefreeze.com/february-races. Sweetheart Classic Race Run to raise money for local high school and middle school cross country teams. Runners will enjoy diverse terrain and views, from downtown out to River’s Edge Natural Area. Downtown Loveland, 4th Street, LV. 2:30pm. https://runsignup.com/ Race/CO/Loveland/SweetheartClassic.

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time out Human development and reproduction Let’s talk about sex

LEA HANSON

y fifth grader had—let’s call it what it is—sex ed—right before the holiday break. Let me first commend the school district on what I found mostly to be comprehensive curriculum. All genders together teaching matter-of-fact terms and information. One thing I appreciated from the parent perspective was how this content showed up at home. My daughter already knew most of the information. Such as where babies come from, how most types of sex happen, and proper names of the body parts… and least all external ones and some internal. I was prepared for her to be annoyed when I asked about what they learned each day. And when I commented or the topic or asked questions, I was prepared for eye-rolling and rude responses. I was not prepared for how dirty-minded fifth graders are. I remembered that happening later. Overhearing her talk with friends, stories she tells me about her day, and more. These curious kids are trying to see what acceptable behavior and language looks like in their friend group. They’re also testing what their friends are receptive and open to when it comes to asking questions and sharing personal information. My daughter went to a sleepover with five girls and when she came home, she told me about one girl who drew penises on the sleeping girls’ cheeks. She was comfortable with the situation, so I joined her in laughing about the absurdity of it. I was more wondering if the penis was even correctly drawn and when she showed me what they drawings looked like, it was… below average in accuracy. The topics of periods and period products is also a regular topic of conversation now. And it’s something she 36

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talks about regularly with her friends, even though menstruation is in the far future for most. The group of girls did a holiday gift exchange and she asked if she could put some tampons in the gift bag as “accessories.” I said yes. Finally, the concept of sexuality and gender identity is a topic permeating each one of these topics. It amazes me how open-minded kids today are (at least the ones I know). My kid—and likely yours—knows more than some adults do in this area. Even better, displays zero judgement about diverse identities and doesn’t refer to them as “choices.” I am grateful for how kids

today are—for the most part —growing up with gender identity and sexuality as concepts that don’t seem to be contentious. She has peers who are gay, trans, and pan (when she told me this one, I asked her if she even knew what that one meant. And she did.). She tells me a lot and that’s not a gift that is lost on me. However, I have learned I am the least annoying when I don’t weigh in and don’t ask for elaboration. It’s difficult for me to be silent and just absorb what’s happening with her, but I am grateful I’m not kept in the dark. Hopefully conversations stay this open.

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MARCH 26 & MARCH 27 From 12pm – 5pm

Explore the opportunities & meet the organizers! Day Camps & Classes Residential Camps Athletic Camps Academic Camps

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RM Parent Magazine | February | 2022

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