RMParent March 2015

MARCH 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

FIRST-YEAR

FIVE

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Play ball,

ROAD-TRIPPIN’

Spring Break FOR

PLAY FAIR...

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Babbling

babies

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Magical FAIRY

GARDENS

IT’S ABOUT THE

Journey

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HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

SPECIAL SECTION

2015

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

HHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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

Harbingers of spring—feeling the flow of the seasons

WOMEN’S HEALTH . . . . . . . . 8 Babble on—how babies learn to talk

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10 On the road—take a Colorado spring break escape

GIVE ME A BREAK . . . . . . . . 12 It’s about the journey—build family bonds during spring break

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 It takes a village—protect against measles, save water, sign up for camp sites, recylce...

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . 1 6

A magical little world—invite the fairies into your home with a garden just for them

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

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 0

Parents: the one-stop shop—baker, banker, pencil pusher—it’s all available at Mom and Dad’s store

Special Sections SUMMER CAMP GUIDE AND DIRECTORY

MARCH 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

Camp Directory

BY CATEGORY PAGE 14 ALPHABETICAL PAGE 16

SUMMER CAMPS

Enrich your child’s life this summer with a camp experience. Spend some time planning together then pick from the many opportunities: day or residential, adventures, tech topics, academics, nutrition, athletics, arts and more.

And find out what are the key questions to ask when choosing a camp to help ensure a safe environment for your child.

EXPAND HORIZONS PAGE 8

SAFE AT

CAMP PAGE 12 LIST OF

ADVERTISERS PAGE 44

Features TAKE ME OUT TO 18 THE BALLGAME AND BE NICE!

Supporting youth athletic events is vital whether you are a parent, athlete, coach, spectator or official. And this is a great time to polish up on good sportsmanship and check out the great resources we have locally for building a strong youth athletic community.

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 MLK Day Loveland celebrates diversity, TVHS leaders participate in LEAD conference, Erwin wins GRAMMY award, Coyote Ridge hosts economic unit, MESA Foam Fighters at Lucile Erwin

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 PSD calendar of events, outstanding student SuperArt, interested in PSD preschool, Every Voice Matters at Laurel

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Graduation rate exceeds state average for 3rd year, dropout rate down in D6 schools, McAuliffe students raise money for Aven’s Village playground, Jefferson students help build Habitat for Humanity Home

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THE FIRST-YEAR FIVE One of the biggest mistakes new parents

make is comparing their baby’s growth to another. Yes, there are physical milestones babies achieve during the first years of life but each baby’s development is different and individual and they meet their motor and speech milestones at their own paces.

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

ABOUT THE COVER: Cyrus, 4, loves music, singing, riding his bke as fast as he can, dinosaurs, and playing with his dog. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Harbingers of spring Feeling the flow of the seasons

O

ur dog Charlie and I went for a walk around a quiet lake at sunrise. I watched a muskrat dive and followed its bubbles through the water until it surfaced while a light breeze distorted the mirror of the pinking foothills as geese flapped overhead reflecting the morning sun on their white breasts. Definitely worth getting out of bed for and the right way to start my day.

Nature has a restorative quality. In fact, just being outside seems to change my perspective on the day. Walking down the sidewalk makes me feel good, too. Maybe it’s the exercise or the fresh air or seeing how someone arranged the landscaping in his yard in an interesting way...whatever it is.

Maybe it’s the noticing.

In any case, I’m always excited when we get to our Camp Guide.

For me, it’s like the first harbinger of spring. You know, summer can’t be too far off if we’re putting out the Camp Guide! It’s going to be Daylight Savings Time before you know it. (March 8, by the way). And every year I’m amazed at the programs available out there! How to choose? Katie Harris give you some idea of how to approach it in her feature in the Camp Guide about what camps offer.

Although we know that summer is still a ways off, Spring Break is in fact just around the corner. I’m going to sneak off for a short backpacking trip with daughter Aly to Escalante Canyon in southern Utah.

I’m super psyched. I haven’t slept in a tent since last summer. Kim Sharpe nails it when she talks about her family adventures to the desert in her Give Me a Break column on page 12. Again, something about being unplugged in solitude with friends and family (or by yourself ). I think it might have an element of perspective to it. We slow down. We breathe deep. We listen to the birds and the flow of water.

In any case, it’s good to get out with the family and Kim Lipker offers you many choices for a Spring Break road trip. And (I just wear this phrase out) again, something about being in the car together, headed for a fun destination with the regular routines left behind that makes for great moments. And great present moments make for great futures. The good times we spend together lead to more good times in the future. It just happens that way.

I’m sure we have a winter storm or two between us and spring, but the days are almost as light as they are dark again. It happens every year, I’ve noticed...

Happy trails to you, Scott

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MARCH 2015 • Volume 19, Issue 10 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, Richard Keller, Kim Lipker, Lynn Nichols, Kim Sharpe ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised.

RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2015 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS:

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first years Keep in mind that there is a wide range of normal when it comes to acquiring speech and language skills. Some kids will master the s sound at 18 months, while others won’t until they are 6 years old.

GIVE THEM A BOOST Parents have a lot of power and influence when it comes to helping kids acquire language skills. Here are some ways you can help your baby master speech: • Imitate your baby’s babbling sounds— This teaches him the turn-taking method of conversation. It also makes him feel understood and acknowledged.

• Talk to your child about what’s happening—Narrate what you and your

Babble on...

How babies learn to talk LY N N U. N I C H O L S

T

hose first sounds that emerge from your baby’s mouth at around four months are not just to make you melt. Your baby is practicing the building blocks of speech. It’s a task that will continue for years, until they become masters between ages 5 and 7. They may meet some obstacles along the way, but with your help they’ll arrive at the journey’s end with a powerful tool: language.

THE BEAUTY OF BABBLE Remarkably, babies everywhere babble the same sounds—sounds that make up every language in the world. As they grow older, they only babble the sounds of their native tongue. Babies listen significantly longer to words or sounds spoken in their own language versus those foreign to them.

At 18 months, most babies know 50 words and by the time they turn 2 that number jumps to 200 and grows rapidly from there like a snowball accumulating girth as it rolls downhill.

EXPECT SOME BUMPS As with most things in life, learning to use language is full of trial and error.

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Kids naturally make certain mistakes, such as confusing pronouns (using me in place of I, or her in place of she). Kids also commonly make grammatical errors such as, ‘I isn’t hungry’ or confuse pasttense with present, as in ‘I ranned after the ball.’ By age 5, kids are mostly using correct grammar.

Some sounds are naturally harder to make. These include s, z l, and r, sh and th. The easy sounds, the ones babies first learn to babble, are p, b, m, and the vowels. Sound errors are common until age 3 or 4, but if your child is making several errors at that age an evaluation for a speech and language delay might be wise. For example, if your 3-year-old is talking away and you have no idea what she is saying, it’s time for an evaluation.

Watch for red flags that may indicate your baby needs extra help: not babbling by 12 months, no first word by 15 months, excessive drooling and pacifier use after age 3. Early intervention is the key to tackling speech and language delays. Hearing loss, cleft lip and palate, autism, fragile x syndrome or a learning disability can cause delays.

child are doing. Use repetition and highlight words. Simplify explanations into twoword phrases for babies. As they get older, offer them both a sentence and a related two-word phrase since kids often understand a lot more than they can express. For example, you could say, ‘That big, brown dog is really barking loud. Dog bark.’

• When speaking with your kids, OWL— that is, Observe and Wait for a response, then Listen to what they have to say. Allow your child to lead the conversation.

• Read to your kids —Reading to your baby and toddler has been directly linked to school success later on. The more you read the better; make it a part of your daily routine.

• Use sing-song language—Singing and rhyming not only make things fun, they help your baby remember words and phrases and practice a variety of sounds.

Make language learning a game for better comprehension.

Acquiring language is a rich and wondrous journey for both you and your child. Enjoy every new word and misstep along the way.

Speech milestones 1 year 2 years 3 years 5 years

first word two-word sentences 2- to 4-word sentences full sentences

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family activities

On the road

Take a Colorado spring break escape KIM LIPKER

I

f your family is looking for an escape— spring into the car and go. Find myriad great destinations close to home.

Why not head to Estes Park, Boulder, Denver, or Colorado Springs?

Ski resorts are always an option, but you should try to explore lesser known high-country locales. Glenwood Springs, Dillon, Leadville, and the beauties of the San Juan Skyway are just a few suggestions.

If it is a true driving trip you are looking for, like the San Juan Skyway Loop, pick a Colorado Historic and Scenic Byway and follow the route.

COLORADO MOUNTAIN TOWNS Leadville has a history filled with dramatic stories of people who made and lost fortunes. Continue past Leadville to the Mount Elbert Lodge and stay overnight at one of my favorite places. Here you can snowshoe, cross-country ski, or just relax by the fire.

Dillon, located in Summit County, on the shores of Dillon Reservoir, has access to shopping, skiing, and other winter sports. On the Western Slope, Glenwood Springs, another resortfeeder town, has access to large ski areas and plenty of other activities, such as the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.

DENVER Denver is a great place to book a room for a few nights and call it a vacation.

Where else can you stomp through the wilds of Africa in the morning (at the Denver Zoo) and see a Broadway production in the evening?

Check out the host of museums and landmarks in Denver: Denver Art Museum, Denver Mint, Denver Museum of Natural History, Colorado History Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Black American West Museum, and the Molly Brown House are just a few places to visit

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during your stay. Don’t forget the aquarium, the zoo, and the botanic gardens.

COLORADO SPRINGS Colorado Springs, which inspired Pikes Peak native Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful is such an inspiring place. Visit its attractions, from Pikes Peak to the Garden of the Gods. Families will find a variety of places to stay and eat while there and will not run out of things to do.

ESTES PARK March and April are perfect, uncrowded months to visit Rocky Mountain National Park. The crowds have waned, the weather is mild (usually), the snow is perfect for playing, and the first signs of spring are poking their way into the park.

BOULDER Boulder has many family favorites such as the Boulder Creek Path, Chautauqua Park, National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Pearl Street Mall. If the weather is nice you will see street performers on Pearl Street and have an opportunity to walk around, shop, and eat.

Anywhere whet your appetite?

Visit online for more information: San Juan Skyway www.coloradobyways.org Leadville www.leadvilleusa.com Dillon www.townofdillon.com Glenwood Springs www.glenwood chamber.com Estes Park www.nps.gov/romo and www.visitestespark.com Denver www.denver.org Colorado Springs www.pikes-peak.com or www.experiencecos.com Boulder www.bouldercoloradousa.com

Family road trip tips

Whether you’re traveling 30 minutes, or six hours in the car, follow this road survival guide and have fun.

• Map out the trip. After picking your destination, use a free online service like www. mapquest.com to plot your exact route.

• Check your drive. The trips listed here can be traveled in a day or less, but be sure to take a break every hour or two to stretch your legs or visit the facilities.

• Stay flexible. While you should plan the big pieces of your trip, like route, food, accommodations and packing – it is important to be flexible when you hit the road.

• Pack carefully. Have plenty of food, entertainment and clothes within reach. Stock up on clean-up essentials like baby wipes and a roll of paper towels.

• Hydrate. Have plenty of water on hand.

• Stay safe and healthy. Everyone must be in a car seat or using a seat belt. Stay alert and pull off the road if weather conditions get severe. Always let someone know where you are going.

family

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give me a break

It’s about the journey...

Build family bonds during spring break

KIM SHARPE

T

he vast Bureau of Land Management area between Moab, Utah, and Lake Powell was my family’s spring break playground for years. We’d load camping gear and kids in the truck and head southwest as soon as school let out for the annual, weeklong vacation.

Our budget was tight, so a trip to a sunny beach or famed amusement park wasn’t in our cards. Instead, we spent a nominal amount on fuel, the ordinary amount on groceries and enjoyed an immense return on our investment. The hours spent exploring the Canyonlands and hiking through the desert are some of our family’s favorite memories. Unexpectedly discovering a relic left behind by an Ancient Puebloan was always a treat (and perhaps has contributed to one of my sons earning a degree in archeology).

Sometimes we’d take along a telescope the boys had received as a gift.

Stargazing in the middle of nowhere offers an ethereal sense of an extraordinary kind. And the quiet. The quiet is so intense it’s deafening! But we fixed that every evening by engaging in family jam sessions. With a combination of voices, guitars and rocks for percussion, we’d sing and play many nights away.

One year our desert trip plans were hijacked by an unexpected job commitment, so except for that one day spoiled by work, we enjoyed a “stay-cation.”

Rather than bemoaning our fate to have to remain in town, we took advantage of much that northern Colorado offers and reminded ourselves that the place we call “home” is a vacation destination for many. We hiked up to Horsetooth Rock, checked out a couple local museums and rode our bikes for miles.

Regardless of where we journeyed—whether to the desert or to Downtown—the most important aspect of our spring break plans was that we 12

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took time to have fun together. In our hurry-up, deadline-driven world, it’s so easy to delete unstructured downtime from the daily list of to-do’s. I’m certainly guilty of this (okay, that’s an understatement of the colossal kind) and really miss that one week in March when we would unplug from the grid and just “be.” There’s nothing like a break from everyday routines for tightening family bonds and rejuvenating singular souls. In my case, the annual trek down south where I could get back in touch with the natural rhythm of the

earth inspired song writing, as well as writing another chapter of my family’s shared history. Here’s an excerpt from one song I wrote titled “Nature’s Solace.”

Desert landscape dry.

Stars light up the sky.

Canyons deep. Cacti bloom.

Tears, no more to cry. © 2009 Kim Sharpe I encourage you to take a break this spring, in whatever way and anywhere you can. You may be surprised at what it inspires in you.

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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

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community news

It takes a village

Protect against measles, save water, sign up for camp sites, recycle...

KIM SHARPE

T

here’s a resurgence of the measles disease in the United States that seems to have stemmed from a contamination at California’s Disney Land.

This follows on the heels of an uptick in reported cases of measles and mumps throughout the U.S. in summer 2014.

The measles virus is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a virus that spreads when a person sneezes or coughs. It can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis (brain inflammation). In unvaccinated pregnant women, measles also can cause miscarriage or premature birth.

Measles symptoms include fever; cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; and a rash that usually begins two to four days after the onset of other symptoms and starts on a person’s face at the hairline and then spreads downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet.

In January of this year, 84 cases in 14 states were diagnosed. That was an estimated 67 cases since December 28, 2014, linked to the Disney outbreak. Fifteen percent of cases were hospitalized.

Outbreaks are harder to control when infections occur in communities with lower levels of vaccination. One in 12 U.S. children are not getting the first dose of MMR on time. Colorado’s kindergarteners have the lowest vaccination rate in the nation at 81.7 percent, according to the Colorado Children’s Immunization Coalition and Children’s Hospital Colorado.

Repeated messaging from the CDC is that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective and necessary because of the continued worldwide incidence of measles.

The CDC also says that children are particularly vulnerable to measles and its complications, and that it is important to vaccinate on schedule.

The CDC recommends: • Children get their first valid dose of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) 14

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at 12 months of age and their second dose at Kindergarten entry. (A second dose can be administered as early as four weeks after the first dose.)

• Children traveling abroad receive a dose of MMR between 6 and 12 months of age. (Because this early dose may not infer optimum immunity, two doses after 12 months of age should additionally be administered.)

• Individuals born after 1957 should have evidence of two doses of MMR. For those born before 1957, it is recommended that you consult with your doctor regarding the need for vaccination. There are some people born before 1957 who work with vulnerable populations and may need one or two doses of MMR. TAKE A JOURNEY THROUGH LARIMER COUNTY GOVERNMENT Larimer County 101 (LC101) is a series of classes offered to the public to provide an inside look at the workings of Larimer County government and the services it provides. Participants attend three-hour, evening meetings once a week for nine weeks and learn about services from County officials. The classes are kept as interactive as possible. Attendees are asked to solve problems, ask questions, provide input, role play, complete homework and more. The series culminates with a graduation night on week nine. Participants

will interact with Larimer County elected officials and staff, and get to know other interested citizens.

The 2015 LC101 class will take place on Thursdays from March 26 to May 21.

Class topics include: Larimer County history; the Virtual Courthouse; how elections work; how land use decisions are made; navigating the criminal justice system; building and maintaining roads and bridges; how to fund engineering projects; understanding Human Services; public health and restaurant inspections; jobs and the Workforce Center; property taxes; the county budget; the Extension; and more.

For more information, contact Deni La Rue, Larimer County community information manager, at 970-498-7150 or dlarue@​larimer.org.

LARIMER COUNTY PARK CAMPSITES FILLING UP FAST Larimer County Natural Resources anticipates a busy summer for campgrounds at Horsetooth Reservoir, Carter Lake, Flatiron and Pinewood Reservoirs as well as Hermit Park. Advance reservations for the Horsetooth campground are up 38 percent and reservations for Carter Lake area campgrounds are almost 50 percent higher than last year at this time. Reservations for Memorial Day and 4th of July holidays are all but filled. Hermit Park, just south of Estes Park, has campgrounds and cabins

Protect yourself and your children from measles For more information about the measles and vaccines, visit these websites: • CDC News page: www.cdc.gov/media • CDC Measles and Vaccination page: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/vacc-in-short. htm • CDC Measles and Shot Facts sheet: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/measles/fs-parents. html • American Academy of Pediatrics Measles information sheet: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpdvac/measles/downloads/dis-measles-color-office.pdf • Immunization Action Coalition: www.immunize.org/askexperts/experts_mmr.asp

that also are filling fast.

Because campsite reservations can be made 180 days in advance, many of the best campsites for summer weekends already are taken. According to Brad Frye, reservation specialist, “a reservation for August 7 can be made as early as February 8.” His advice to campers: “If you plan to make a reservation, remember that 180 day window!

Early summer weekends are filling fast, so think ahead about making reservations for later this summer. Or plan a mid-week stay when the parks are quieter and there are lots of great campsites available.”

A newly remodeled Pinewood Reservoir campground also should help with reservation choices. Pinewood, southwest of Loveland, has 15 brand new electric sites soon to be made available for reservations, and numerous walk-in tent sites overlooking the lake. Please keep in mind that the Pinewood access road is steep and winding and not recommended for larger trailers and RVs. For Larimer County Park campground reservations, please visit www. larimercamping.com or call 1-800-3977795. For additional information about camping and entrance fees, campground amenities, reservoirs and Larimer County Open Spaces, visit www.larimer.org/ naturalresources or call 970-619-4570.

FORT COLLINS AND GREELEY PROMOTE WATER CONSERVATION Communities up and down the Front Range are water conscious. Fort Collins and Greeley are no exceptions.

Fort Collins residents are invited to celebrate “Fix a Leak Week,” March 16-22. The celebration is part of the Fort Collins Utilities and Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® program.

Household leaks can waste 1 trillion gallons of water and a lot of extra money on utility bills annually nationwide. The City encourages residents to identify and repair leaks in their homes by replacing faucet washers and gaskets, and worn toilet flappers. For more leak repair tips, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Greeley’s Water Conservation Program offers many programs to assist and incentivize indoor water efficiency.

Greeley residents and businesses can sign up for a free Indoor Water

Efficiency Audits. The water auditor will seek out leaks, look for high water use appliances replace fixtures, such as showerheads and aerators, suggest repairs or upgrades, and more. To schedule an audit, call 970-336-4228 or visit www.greeleygov.com/audit.

Rebates Greeley offers water conservation rebates to residential and commercial water customers. The city now is only rebating products purchased in 2015. The items rebated for indoor use include low-flow toilets, high-efficiency clothes washers, and a variety of products for commercial customers. Complete details on the program and application materials are available online: www. greeleygov.com/rebates.

WaterInsight is a web portal that Greeley’s Water Conservation program utilizes to provide personalized information on household water use. Greeley water customers can opt-in to WaterInsight, by logging into www.greeleygov. com/waterinsight using a Greeley water account number to create their profile.

For more information on these and other water conservation programs in Greeley, visit www.greeleygov.com/wc.

NEW APP PUTS LOVELAND TRASH INFO AT RESIDENTS’ FINGERTIPS Loveland claims it’s the undisputed northern Colorado recycling champion,

but notes the City can get even better at steering its cast-offs away from the Larimer County landfill. It also is working to make the mundane weekly chore of taking out the garbage more efficient and mistake-free.

Simple, practical and portable, the City’s new, free ReCollect mobile app for smart phones, tablets and other handheld, digital devices is offered by Loveland’s Solid Waste Division. It puts information about recycling and conventional trash disposal at residents’ fingertips.

Reminders about trash collection days, yard waste pickups, changing holiday schedules are automatic for users, and information about what can and cannot be picked up in recycling bins is always available on demand.

The app is likely to save the City money on making separate trips for missed trash pick-ups, and give residents plenty of notice about weather delays and advance notice of when trash trucks do double-duty as snowplows.

“Every household puts their trash out each week, 52 weeks a year,” Loveland Streets and Solid Waste Manager Mick Mercer says. “This is something every one of them can use. I think this will resonate with people here.”

To download the app, go to the Solid Waste Division webpages at www. cityofloveland.org/solidwaste.

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healthy living

A magical little world

Invite the fairies into your home with a garden just for them LEA HANSON

FAIRY GARDEN LOCATION Select a location to take advantage of the natural elements of your garden.

Many miniature plants and delicate fairies require protection from the elements and garden travelers. Use your natural landscape and create your fairy garden in the shade of a tree or nestle against hills, rock outcroppings, stumps etc. to protect your fairy gardens from both the elements and wandering feet.

You can also create your fairy gardens in flowerpots and raised containers to provide miniature portable fairy gardens that provide great protection.

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Use flowerpots, raised terracotta saucers, bowls, garden carts, and virtually any discarded material to create a magical one-of-a-kind fairy garden.

FAIRY GARDEN PLANTS Any type of plant, tree, and flower can easily be incorporated into your fairy gardens. Be sure to select plants of your particular gardening environment and zone.

You can also include faux miniature bonsai trees and tiny flowers for a touch of beautiful color that doesn’t require any maintenance.

FAIRY HOUSES When creating your fairy garden you’ll need some type of fairy house that encourages fairies to make their home. A proper fairy house also provides an out-

let to hide from humans. A fairy house can be any type of miniature dwelling; it can be purchased or created from scratch and throwaway materials.

Once you’ve created a home, fill it with tiny fairy garden furniture, miniatures, and garden accessories to create a unique fairy garden in which fairies will love living. Bonser and Fiona’s co-owner, Tracey Traenkle, run a ‘take it off the shelf and try it’ approach. She says, “We encourage people to try many different things to find what’s perfect for their project.”

Create magical meandering paths through your fairy gardens with enchanted stones, gravel, and bark. Add a sprinkle of glittery fairy dust to your displays to capture traces of the fairies traveling through your garden. Options are endless for creative minds.

PHOTO BY CHERI SCHONFELD

F

airy Gardens are miniature gardens made to appeal to the whimsical side in gardeners—especially young ones. The miniature gardens are for people who believe fairies are nearby and just waiting for the perfect place to call home. Fairies and other magical wee folk have long been fixtures in fables, myths, and folklore. They are are magical miniature creatures who bring luck, prosperity, and good health to the chosen few whose garden they inhabit. Lora Bonser with Fiona’s Fairy Garden says the process of making a fairy garden is a fun, hands-on experience for all ages.

She says, “It’s fun to see how creative everyone in a family can be. Even the littlest kids have the ability to execute a creative task. And they don’t even realize how creative they can be until they walk in the door and start working together on a process such as this.”

Fairies are playful, jovial creatures that enjoy a good prank and will frolic about with glee in your garden when you’re not looking.

Creating a fairy garden is easier than you think. While the most important element to fairy gardening is to believe in the magic of fairies, there are other details to consider.

Where to learn more

• Fort Collins Nursery (www.fortcollinsnursery.com/workshops/fairy-gardening-classes/) offers fairy garden classes on the third Saturday of each month (except May).

• Fiona’s Fairy Garden (http://tra389.wix.com/fionasfairygarden#) in Loveland specializes in tabletop fairy gardens and hosts fairy garden parties.

• Gulley Greenhouse & Garden Center in Fort Collins offers materials on fairy garden care (www.gulleygreenhouse.com/pc/Fairy-Garden-Care.pdf).

• The Windsor Gardener (www.thewindsorgardener.com/) in Windsor offers resources on fairy gardens.

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TAKE ME OUT TO

THE BALLGAME

Sportsmanship

remains a strong value in spring youth sports.

KIM LIPKER

N

othing shakes off winter and football hangovers like the promise of spring sports. In our own back yards, kids of all ages are digging out their face guards, polishing up the lacrosse sticks, finding bats and getting on the ball. Supporting youth athletic events is vital whether you are a parent, athlete, coach, spectator or official. These events help student athletes develop positive habits and fundamental skills that they use now and in the future. This is also a great time for parents, athletes, coaches, spectators and officials to polish up on good sportsmanship and check out the great resources we have locally for building a strong youth athletic community.

EVERYONE IS A CHAMPION Our community has a spectacular youth sports organization called Character in Athletics—Make it a Priority or CHAMP. According to CHAMP, their mission is to be a catalyst in the educational and youth athletic community in the greater Fort Collins area. Their pro18

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gram is also designed to help the community deliver a character-focused athletic experience and reinforce a positive character foundation in student athletes.

CHAMP’s mission is to “serve our youth not only now but in the future as they become productive adults, parents, coaches, and leaders in our community.”

At the heart of the CHAMP program are three things that help them achieve their mission: 1. Promoting awareness of the role and need for character training in youth athletics.

2. Providing resources to the coaches and team community to enable them to effectively bring character training and development to their teams.

3. Recognizing the efforts of coaches and teams to make character a priority while competing in athletics.

Building Coaches of Character is CHAMP’s effort to reach the part of the team community who CHAMP feels has the greatest potential to impact

our youth–the coaches. This program gathers well-respected youth coaches of character from throughout the community who in turn provide training sessions, mentoring and “coaching with character” resources to youth athletic coaches at Poudre School District High Schools, Junior High Schools and area youth athletic clubs.

CHAMP ELITE PARENT PROGRAM Though CHAMP understands that the role of the coach is so very important to development of the athlete, the parent is recognized as the key element towards a coach’s success or failure during a given season. The primary objective at CHAMP is to give recognition to individuals and teams that display character during their season.

The folks at CHAMP are frequently asked: “Do you have anything for parents?” In response, CHAMP provides awareness and resources for a number of youth-sports-related parenting topics.

They include: Game day tips for parents, the three main questions parents must

answer in sports, how to handle a difficult coach and more.

Here is a sample of CHAMPS “Car Ride Rules” for before, during, and after games: Before the game

• Speak greatness into your child.

• Tell your child you are proud of her regardless of how well she play.s • Focus on his attitude and effort.

• Remind your child to play hard and enjoy the competition, that it is “ok” to be nervous, it is normal.

• Make a commitment to yourself to act appropriately no matter what others may do.

During the game

• Understand your role; you are a fan and not the coach or an official.

• Let the coaches coach and avoid giving your child or other players advice during the game.

• Pick the “right” seat or surroundings for growth.

• Cheer good plays and good efforts by both teams.

• Mention good calls by officials to others.

After the game

• Stick around for post-game activities with the team.

• Thank the officials for doing a difficult job.

• Thank the coaches for their effort.

• Let your child tell you about the game and avoid giving your postgame analysis unless asked.

• Tell your child again that you are proud of him, especially if the game did not go well.

• Take her out for a treat—regardless of her performance. Ice cream is always great!

Visit www.champfc.com for more information about CHAMP and links to additional character-building resources. On their website, they provide a great link to a parenting self-assessment test www.coachesofexcellence.com.

SPORTSMANSHIP Poudre School District Interscholastic athletic programs put together an entire athletic handbook that details everything you would ever want to know

about high school sports. There are guidelines here for coaches, administration, athletes, parents and spectators. www.psdschools.org/sites/default/files/ Athletic_Handbook.pdf Poudre School District; Weld School Districts (Windsor and Greeley); and Thompson Valley School District are all in compliance with the constitution and bylaws of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) and affiliated leagues.

According to the CHSAA and our neighboring high schools, sportsmanship is very specifically defined. Not only are these good guidelines for spectator sports, but perhaps good ideas to incorporate into interacting with others in our daily lives: Sportsmanship is:

1. Respect for yourself, your coach, your team, the officials and the opponent.

2. Positive behavior when you win and positive behavior when you lose.

3. Appreciation of talented athletic ability, talented athletes and talented teams.

THE COACH The coach is the central figure in the sportsmanship pattern of the school and community. The coach is the leader and example.

The Coach:

1. Treats own players and opponents with respect.

2. Inspires in the athletes a love for the game and the desire to compete fairly.

3. Is a role model for the type of person he/she wants the athletes to be.

4. Disciplines those on the team who display unsportsmanlike behavior.

5. Respects the judgment and interpretation of the rules by the officials.

6. Knows he/she is a teacher and understands the athletic arena is a classroom.

The Spectator:

1. Attempts to understand and be informed of the playing rules.

2. Appreciates a good play no matter who makes it.

3. Cooperates with and responds

enthusiastically to cheerleaders.

4. S hows compassion for an injured player, applauds positive performances, does not heckle, jeer or distract players, and avoids use of profane and obnoxious language and behavior.

5. R espects the judgment and strategy of the coach and does not criticize players or coaches for loss of a game.

6. R espects property of others and authority of those who administer the competition.

7. R espects the integrity and judgment of game officials. Understands that they are doing their best to help promote the student/ athlete, and admire their willingness to participate in full view of the public.

The Player

1. Treats own coaches and opponents with respect.

2. P lays hard, but plays within the rules.

3. E xercises self-control at all times, setting the example for others to follow.

4. R espects officials and accepts their decisions without gesture or argument.

5. W ins without boasting, loses without excuses, and never quits.

6. A lways remembers that it is a privilege to represent the school and community.

The Official

1. K nows the rules and their interpretations.

2. P laces welfare of the participants above all other considerations.

3. Treats players and coaches courteously and demands the same from them.

4. Works cooperatively with fellow officials, timers and/or scorers for an efficient contest.

5. I s fair and firm in all decisions, never compensating for a previous mistake.

6. M aintains confidence, poise and self-control from start to finish.

For information about the Colorado High School Athletic Association visit www2.chsaa.org/.

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THE FIRST-YEAR

FIVE

Physical milestones for your developing baby Lynn U Nichols

I

f this is your first baby most likely you’re on the lookout for anything that might be amiss with your child.

After all, that beautiful, vulnerable bundle of new life depends on you completely to grow, learn and develop properly, and that’s a lot of pressure! One of the biggest mistakes new moms make is comparing their baby’s growth to another. Yes, there are physical milestones babies achieve during the first years of life but every baby is different—and if yours develops a bit late that’s no sign of his or her future chance to be a track star or soccer champ.

“Each baby’s development is different and individual. Babies meet their motor and speech milestones at their own pace,” says Elizabeth Hubble, OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins.

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1. HOLDING HEAD UP (ABOUT 1 TO 2 MONTHS) By one month or soon after, your baby will likely be able to lift his head while lying on his stomach, and by two months he might be able to do so while lying on his back, riding in a car seat or hanging out in a front pack. It’s best to wait to use a backpack or jogging stroller until he can hold his head up steadily.

While many babies dislike spending time on their tummy at first, it’s an important position to put them in to help develop all major motor skills, and to strengthen neck, back, shoulder and arms. Every day, give your new baby a few sessions of tummy time for as long as she can tolerate it. Tummy time is the building block of learning to roll over, crawl, sit up and walk.

“Tummy time lays the foundation

for nearly every skill you master in life.

We strongly encourage families to play with their babies on their tummy for 30 or more minutes a day. This may seem like a long time, but if you do a few minutes here and there it will add up,” Hubble says.

To help you remember, Hubble suggests giving your baby a few minutes of tummy time after every diaper change. Another great bonus of tummy time is developing the fine motor skills of her hands. This is a vital skill for later when she starts crawling and much later when she starts handwriting. Tummy time also helps babies develop flexion in their hips and legs.

2. ROLLING OVER (ABOUT 4 TO 6 MONTHS) It may seem simple, but rolling over is a huge physical achievement for your

little one. To make it happen, they have to coordinate several major muscles all at once. Typically, babies roll over for the first time between four and six months.

Rolling over is a good skill to have as it exercises the brain, too. It helps the left and right sides talk to each other, vital for later reading and writing.

Want to lend a hand? If your baby is showing signs of trying—getting a ways and then stops—help him by strengthening his core muscles with tummy time or holding his hands and gently pulling him up from a laying position. If you want, figure out which way he seems to prefer to roll, right or left, then wave a toy next to that side.

You can even help shift his weight a tiny bit so he’s able to continue the roll over himself.

“The first year of life is like a natural Pilates or yoga program that focuses on core stability and strength. Core stability lays the foundation for the gross motor milestones but also for fine motor coordination in the arms. Your baby’s arms are only going to work as well as his or her body can hold them up,” Hubble explains.

3. SITTING UP (ABOUT 6 TO 8 MONTHS) We often sit all day so sitting seems simple, but it demands a strong upper body. Likely, your baby has been practicing sitting up and can do so with your

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help, but as she approaches 6 months she may start sitting up on her own. To help her along, gently pull her from a laying position to a sitting position to develop needed neck and back muscles.

She can practice sitting up on your lap—likely her favorite spot. Or, roll a ball to her and let her try to roll it back.

If she teeters too much or slumps over, be patient. She’s not quite ready to sit up on her own.

4. CRAWLING (7 TO 10 MONTHS) Of all milestones, crawling might be the biggest next to walking, of course.

That’s because it’s the first time your baby can motor around on his own.

Early signs of crawling are rocking backward and forward, and trying to push off with his knees.

Before you freak out that your 10 month old is not crawling, know this: some babies skip crawling all together and go straight to walking. As long as he is getting mobile somehow—scooting on his bottom, rolling to get places or shuffling on his stomach—he’s likely fine. Does your baby sleep on his back?

That might be why he’s not crawling.

A study in Pediatrics found that back sleepers were twice as likely to skip crawling than their stomach-sleeping counterparts. Encourage crawling skills with tummy time.

“We promote the Safe to Sleep Campaign supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) as it has significantly reduced Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. But with babies sleeping on their backs we do see more delay in development due to babies not spending enough time on their tummies. But tummy time should only happen while they are awake,” Hubble adds.

5. WALKING (9 TO 18 MONTHS) Is your baby pulling up on the coffee table? Is she doing the crab walk or climbing stairs? How about sitting from a standing position? If so, walking is right around the corner. If you’d like her to reach this ultimate milestone, give her lots of praise when she pulls up to a standing position then take her hands and let her walk in front of you as you

When your child needs extra help If your doctor says your child needs extra help, seek care early. The Children’s Therapy Services (CTS) at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins provides evaluation, testing, consultation and treatment for children with developmental needs.

Services include physical therapy and occupational therapy as well as speech and music therapy. Call 970-495-8780 for more information.

walk behind. You can let go of one hand for a second or two to help her practice her balance. Help her along by removing any rickety furniture as she will likely walk from one piece of furniture to the next and steady herself along the way once she begins.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR If your baby misses the timeline on one milestone, rest easy. If he is late on multiple ones, it’s time to check in with your doctor. Catching a developmental delay early is important for future success. Yet keep in mind, the term normal as applied to physical development is fairly broad. Hubble encourages parents attend all well-child checks with their physicians.

The best thing to help your child develop is the easiest—play with them: “I encourage parents to play and interact with their babies. As a mom or dad, you are the best toy your baby has—your face, your voice, your touch, and your smell. Get down on the floor with your baby, talk and make funny noises, laugh and smile,” Hubble says.

Some experts argue that all the equipment we have for babies—bouncy chairs, swings, saucers and walkers— may not only be hurting your budget, they could be slowing down your baby’s physical development.

“If you use these items, don’t feel like a bad parent. We all need a break to make dinner or sit down, but it’s best to use these devices in moderation and no more than 20-30 minutes at a time and 1-3 times per day,” Hubble concludes.

UCHealth sponsored this article.

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thompson school district news MLK Day Loveland celebrates diversity including a commercial advertisement to promote the business, a detailed poster and samples of the goods and services they were providing. The unit culminated with the 2nd graders “shopping” at the Marketplace.

MESA FOAM FIGHTERS AT LUCILE ERWIN Congratulations to the MESA Foam Fighters program at Lucile Erwin Middle School for receiving a very generous grant from OtterBox in the amount of $10,000! THANK YOU OtterBox for all that you and your team do to support the students of Thompson School District!

Mountain View High School served as the host site for the 2015 “Loveland Celebrates Diversity” program on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, sponsored by the Loveland MLK Committee.

The event featured speeches from TSD Superintendent Dr. Stan Scheer, Loveland Mayor Cecil Gutierrez and City Manager Bill Cahill.The program also included presentations by students and music by the Berthoud High School “Bridge Between” Show Choir. District students participated in an art contest in advance of the gathering. The creations were then displayed on-site for all visitors to experience.

Thompson School District extends its sincere thanks to the Loveland MLK Committee for its partnership and hard work in organizing this event for students, families and the community. Photos courtesy of the Reporter Herald.

ERWIN WINS GRAMMY AWARD Congratulations to Lucile Erwin Middle School on being chosen as a 2015 GRAMMY Signature Schools Enterprise Award Semifinalist by the GRAMMY Foundation in Santa Monica, Calif. All GRAMMY Signature 24

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Schools Enterprise Award winners will receive monetary grants and recognition.

Erwin’s 8th grade GRAMMY Program involves students in creating poetry, music, figurative language and live performances in their own version of The Grammy Awards. Students choose nominees for each category and a panel of faculty select the winners, which are recognized with a trophy. High school students also volunteer to help this program succeed.

Winners will be announced in March.Typically only high schools are eligible, yet Erwin’s program encompasses high school students. Congrats to all!

COYOTE RIDGE HOSTS ECONOMIC UNIT Coyote Ridge Elementary School hosted a “2nd Grade Economics within Communities” (How We Organize Ourselves) unit, which allowed students to research countries around the world.

Using the information gathered, each group of students created a business that responded to the needs of their country. Students considered the culture, climate, natural resources and lifestyle of the country. The students then marketed their business to their classmates,

TVHS LEADERS PARTICIPATE IN LEAD CONFERENCE Student Council leaders from Thompson Valley High School visited the White House for a tour as part of their recent trip to Washington, D.C. The team spent four days in the capital city participating in the Leadership Experience and Development (LEAD) Conference with 1,200 other student leaders from around the globe.

LEAD conferences offer experiential leadership skills development at an affordable price to students and advisers of the National Honor Society, the National Junior Honor Society, the National Association of Student Councils and the Tri-M Music Honor Society.

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poudre school district news

Every Voice Matters at Laurel! teachers selected the pieces on display.

Works include drawings, paintings, fabric, photographs, and other mediums.

In an airy classroom at Laurel Elementary School of Arts and Technology, a small boy with red hair scrambles in front of a wall of fresh paintings on blue paper.

“I laugh a lot like a hyena,” he says, grinning shyly as he explains his artwork to his second-grade peers.

A poised woman with her hair in an elegant bun nods encouragement as the next student comes forward.

“I am as calm as a sloth in a tree,” the girl says, moving her arms slowly through the air.

Judy Bejarano, artistic director of Impact Dance Company, a contemporary modern dance company, developed the workshop, called Every Voice Matters, six years ago. Students first write a simile, then transform it into a painting and finally a movement.

“We’re looking to help the students engage in their own personal story—to express what’s important to them,” Bejarano explains.

The process is the point, with the workshop modeled after the dancers’ own creative process. When putting together a production, they often begin with writing and allow their artistic expression to evolve into other forms.

“They’re able to find themselves in a different way,” explains outreach coordinator Amber Mazurana. “During the movement section of the workshop they’re experiencing a thought or belief physically.”

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After walking down the hall from their classroom, the animals let loose in the gymnasium, which soon resembles the plains of Africa. A group of hermit crabs scuttles out from a circle in one corner. Lions chase each other around in figure-eights. Students act out words like fly and float.

At the end of the afternoon, Impact Dance performs a piece called BORDER/Lines about breaking down boundaries that divide people from one another. Murmurs and gasps ripple across the student body as one dancer lifts another high above his head.

A special section of the performance included student dancers, and some second graders explain their similes. “I am as snuggly as my dog sleeping on the couch,” one boy says, then accents his statement with a loud snore into the microphone. The room erupts in laughter, and the dance continues.

OUTSTANDING STUDENT SUPERART! ON DISPLAY AT JSSC Student artists, whose original artistic creations have been selected for the yearlong 2015 SuperArt! Superintendent’s Art show, were recently honored at a Feb. 17 special reception at the Johannsen Support Services Center, 2407 Laporte Ave. The year-long SuperArt! display is now open to the public from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the JSSC. Featured artwork will also air on Channel 10. PSD art

INTERESTED IN PSD PRESCHOOL? PSD Early Childhood Education is excited to announce six open houses for families interested in the Early Childhood 3-5 Preschool program for the 2015-2016 school year. Open houses will be held in Early Childhood classrooms to allow families to visit and experience the program first-hand.

Early Childhood staff will be available to answer questions about enrollment, curriculum and comprehensive services offered.

PSD preschool is currently offered at 22 elementary schools and seven community sites.

Remaining open houses include:

• 1 to 3pm Friday, March 27, Irish Elementary, 515 Irish Dr., FC • 10am to noon, Friday, April 3, Linton Elementary, 4100 Caribou Dr., FC • 10am to noon, Friday, April 17, O’Dea Elementary, 312 Princeton, FC • 1 to 3pm, Friday, April 24, Eyestone Elementary, 4000 Wilson Ave., Wellington

For more information about preschool or about applying for the no-cost tuition-based program, contact the PSD Early Childhood enrollment office, 220 N. Grant Ave., or call 490-3204.

PSD Calendar of Events March 10 .... 6 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Ave. March 13 .... K -5 Teacher Work Day, No school for elementary students.

March 16-20 .... S pring Break, SCHOOLS CLOSED, Johannsen Support Services Complex is open March 24 .... 6 :30pm Board of Education business meeting and work session, Johannsen Support Services Complex, 2407 LaPorte Avenue.

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greeley-evans district 6 news Graduation rate exceeds state average for 3rd year The graduation rate for Greeley-Evans School District 6 exceeded the state average for the third year in a row, with 77.8 percent of students graduating within four years. The state average for four-year graduation is 77.3 percent.

District 6 continues its upward 10-year trend on improving graduation rates. This year’s rate is slightly lower than last year’s 80 percent four-year graduation rate and greatly exceeds the 2010 graduation rate of 64.2 percent.

“We expect these minor fluctuations from year to year. Overall, we continue to see a positive trend in our ability to graduate more students,” said Interim Superintendent Wayne Eads.

“We are continuing to monitor our systems and implement interventions to make sure every student completes high school successfully.”

The Colorado Department of Education released the graduation rates.

Graduation rates are defined by the state

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of Colorado as the number of students who enter ninth grade and graduate in four years. The completion rate is defined as the number of students who graduate, regardless of how long it takes.

The completion rate this year for District 6 is 80.4 percent, also exceeding the state completion rate of 79.5 percent The rate has also increased for Hispanic students; 74.1 percent in 2014 compared to 63.4 percent in 2011. The graduation rate for students who are economically disadvantaged was 71.7 percent in 2014, compared with and 62.8 percent in 2011.

When compared with peer districts that have students of similar demographics and similar financial resources, District 6 helps more students graduate. Here are some of the graduation rates in similar and surrounding districts: Pueblo City 60, 71.9 percent; Denver Public Schools, 62.8 percent; Aurora Public Schools, 55.9 percent; Falcon 49, 64.5 percent; and Thompson Valley, 74.5 percent.

Fewer students are also dropping out of District 6 schools. This year, the overall dropout rate was 2.7 percent, a slight increase over last year’s 2.1 percent dropout rate. Excluding students in al-

ternative schools, the dropout rate is 1.1 percent, an improvement over last year at 1.6 percent. The state average drop out rate is 2.4 percent.

MCAULIFFE STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR AVEN’S VILLAGE PLAYGROUND Congratulations to students at McAuliffe Elementary School, who raised $1,054 for Aven’s Village, an accessible playground that is slated for construction at Island Grove Regional Park.

Aven Mondy is a kindergarten student at McAuliffe and the namesake for the new playground, which will be accessible to children of all abilities. The city of Greeley has currently budgeted $700,000 for the $1.3 million project. The rest of the funding is coming through private donations and grants.

The fourth and fifth grade student councils at McAuliffe decided to hold a fundraiser for the playground by collecting $1 from students, who were then allowed to wear their favorite sports shirts to school. The sponsors of the student council said they were looking for a project that would allow students to give back to the community.

Sarah Boyd, a park planner with the city of Greeley, was tearful as she

collected the donation from McAuliffe students and teachers at a special ceremony at the school Thursday, February 12.

“What you guys have done, it’s warmed my heart,” Boyd said. “This project is going to be so cool. I welcome each and every one of you to be there when we open this park.”

Aven’s father, Ethan Mondy, was also at the ceremony to thank the students.

“These kids all wanted a park for Aven,” he said. “The biggest thing for me was that it was the whole school participating. This is going to be a park for everyone.”

Boyd said depending on funding, the city is hoping to open the park early in 2016.

JEFFERSON STUDENTS HELP BUILD HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOME A Habitat for Humanity homeowner is closer to having his dreams come true after 18 Jefferson High School students worked to help complete the family’s home recently.

The students are all in the Discov-

ery 2 and 3 classes at Jefferson. The objective of the project was for students to come together as a community to perform a service for the community. The group worked on the house from 8am3pm, performing a variety of tasks.

The homeowner, who was on site, was very appreciative of the help.

Homeowners, with the help of their friends and family, must perform 500 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction of their own home.

Habitat builds homes for families that qualify. In addition to the sweat equity, homeowners pay a mortgage for the home.

Pick up your FREE copy today!

Northern Colorado’s Favorite Parenting Magazine.

visit us online at:

rmparent.com

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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 Beef fried rice and egg roll 5 Beef tacos & cilantro lime rice; pig in a blanket 6 BBQ chicken or cheese pizza; veggie wrap 9 Chicken noodle soup & bread stick; chicken nuggets 10 Spaghetti & roasted veggie meat sauce; turkey gravy & roll 11 Asian Teriyaki rice bowl w/chicken; chicken drumstick

12 Chicken enchilada bake; chili cheese dog 13 Pepperoni & cheese pizza; Mediterranean pasta salad 16-20 No school!

23 Sloppy Joe; mac n’cheese 24 Penne & meat sauce; ham & cheese sandwich 25 Asian noodles w/chicken; trout treasures 26 Green chili pork bowl; hamburger/ cheeseburger 27 Meat Lovers/cheese pizza; chicken Caesar wrap 30 Taco burger; chicken nuggets

31 Beef lasagna; rotini w/roasted spring veggies & chicken 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 Bacon mac & cheese 9 Taco burger; southwest chicken sandwich 10 Beef lasagna; rotini w/roasted spring veggies & chicken 12 Beef & burrito bar

13 Turkey pot pie; baked chicken & biscuit 16-20 No school!

23 Chili cheese dog; chicken bites & biscuit 24 Spaghetti & roasted veggies/meat; meatball sub 25 Asian noodles w/chicken or beef 26 Green chili bowl w/pork or chicken 27 Pig in a blanket; mashed potato & chicken bowl 30 Philly cheesesteak (beef or chicken) 31 Chicken nuggets; penne & meat sauce

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 No school!

16 Mac n’cheese; Caesar salad

17 Chicken parmesan w/pasta; chicken tender salad 18 Popcorn chicken; chef salad 19-20 No school!

23 Grilled chicken sandwich; Caesar salad 24 Spaghetti & meatballs; chicken tender salad 25 Pizza stick; chef salad 26 Turkey noodle soup; taco salad 27 Orange chicken w/brown rice; garden entrée salad 30 Manager’s choice 31 Manager’s choice

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 No school!

16 Mac n’cheese; chicken fajita wrap

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

17 Chicken parmesan w/pasta; spicy

chicken patty sandwich 18 Fiesta bar 19-20 BBQ sliders; French bread boat 23 Grilled chicken sandwich; cheese nachos 24 Spaghetti & meatballs; pizza stick 25 Pizza bar 26 Turkey noodle soup; chicken breast nuggets 27 Orange chicken w/brown rice; pretzel w/cheese sauce 30 Manager’s choice 31 Manager’s choice

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. Menus unavailable at time of publication. Please check District 6 website.

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 Chicken patty sandwich; cheese sticks w/fruit cup 3 French toast sticks; corn dog 4 Chicken Alfredo; jamwich w/ cheese stick 5 Waffle stick; twin cheeseburger 6 MaxStix w/sauce; fish patty sandwich 9 Hot dog; jamwich w/cheese

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stick 10 Rotini w/meatballs; corndog 11 Taco; jamwich w/cheese sticks 12 Chicken drumstick; twin cheeseburger 13 Stuffed crust cheese or pepperoni pizza; fish patty sandwich 16 Nachos; jamwich w/cheese sticks 17 Chicken tenders; corn dog

18 Pork BBQ slider; jamwich w/ cheese sticks 19 Teriyaki chicken; twin cheeseburger 20 Cheesy cheese flatbread; fish patty sandwich 23 Mac n’cheese; jamwich w/ cheese sticks 24 Corn dog; chicken patty sandwich 25 Ham slice; jamwich w/ cheese sticks

26 Big Daddy’s cheese pizza; twin cheeseburger SECONDARY SCHOOLS 2 Chicken patty sandwich 3 French toast sticks 4 Chicken Alfredo 5 Waffle stick 6 fish patty sandwich 9 Wiener wrap 10 Curly spaghetti 11 Bean & cheese burrito 12 Potato bar

13 Steak & cheese sub; fish patty sandwich 16 Nachos 17 Chicken tenders 18 Pork BBQ slider 19 Teriyaki chicken 20 Meatball 23 Mac n’cheese 24 Chicken parmesan 25 Ham slice 26 Pepperoni calzone

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MARCH 2015 ONGOING ONGOING THROUGH MARCH 8 Hairspray The big hit musical and winner of eight Tony Awards 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. 970-744-3747 or www.coloradocandlelight.com.

MARCH 16-20 Spring Break Camps: Wild Roots Nature Art Camp Children will enjoy nature-based games, crafts and educational fun. Ages 5-11.

Registration required. $135. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-12noon. 970-416-2468 or www. fcgov.com/gardens.

MARCH 19-22 Disney on Ice Presents Worlds of Fantasy Rev up for nonstop fun with four favorite Disney stories when this show comes to Loveland. Prices and show times vary.

Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 970-619-4122 or www. budweisereventscenter.com/events.

THROUGH MARCH 11 Powerful Tools for Caregivers Family caregivers learn how to: reduce stress, better communicate feelings, balance life, deal with difficult emotions and locate helpful resources. Registration required. Estes Park Senior Center, 220 4th St., EP. 1-3pm. 970-586-2996.

Spring Break Camps: Discovering the Garden Hands on exploration of gardening and the natural world. Children will enjoy science experiments, nature-based activities, learn gardening tricks and even plant a raised bed. Ages 5-11. Registration required. $125. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 1-4pm. 970416-2468 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

THROUGH MARCH 21 Snowshoe Ecology Walk Learn terrain techniques as you explore the subalpine forest. No previous experience needed. Bring your own snowshoes; rentals are available through local outfitters. Ages 8-adult. Program dates vary. Reservations required. Rocky Mountain National Park, 1895 Fall River Rd., EP. 12:30pm. 970586-1223 or www.visitestespark.com.

THROUGH MARCH 14 Great Plates 2015 The Downtown Fort Collins Business Association supports the Food Bank for Larimer County in this annual fundraiser. Over 30 downtown restaurants will offer amazing dining specials for $25 or breakfast specials for $2.50. Locations vary. 5pm. www. downtownfortcollins.com.

MARCH 16 THROUGH APRIL 27 Stitches & Stories: Miniature Quilt Show March is National Quilting Month, and in celebration of quilts (and the stories behind them), Lincoln Park Library and Sew Downtown are sponsoring a Miniature Quilt show. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

THROUGH MARCH 100 Years: For the Love of Rocky This exhibit celebrates and recognizes the invaluable role of the Park in the maintenance of environmental heritage and development of Colorado’s Front Range. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 970-962-2410 or www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

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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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 prizes, such as diapers or car seats. 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. 970-3773388 ext. 212 or mkelsea@ecclc.org.

THROUGH MAY 6 Nurturing Program for Families This 12-week class provides gentle guidance and support for parents to foster practices that promote positive overall growth for children. The program is based on the nationally recognized Nurturing Parent philosophy. For families of 0-12 year olds. Workbook included. Registration required.

Single-$25; Couple-$35. Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountain, 800 8th Ave., Ste. 231, GR. 970-356-6751 or Kore.Joseph@lfsrm.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 1 Winter Survival Skills Explore contemporary, historic and prehistoric strategies for surviving in the Rockies—even in winter. Begin by looking at examples and discussing basic survival needs for short- and long-term survival situations. Then head outside to test skills, building shelter and making fire amid the snow. $70. Rocky Mountain National Park, 1895 Fall River Rd., EP. 9am-4:30pm. 970-586-3262 or www. visitestespark.com.

Eagle Watches See and learn about these majestic birds.

Bald eagles travel south to Fort Collins and sleep overnight in cottonwood trees at Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area.

Includes a short walk along a paved trail to the viewing area. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, 3340 Carpenter Rd., FC. 3:30-5pm. www.fcgov.com/naturalareas.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 3 Parent-child Class: Tiny Terrariums Enter the world of tiny terrariums.

Learn about closed-loop ecosystems and potting small plants into necklaces, terrarium magnets and hanging window ornaments. Ages 5 and older. $10. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 6-7:30pm. 970-416-2468 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 Nighttime Nature with Kevin Cook Writing Colorado, a year-long series, features 12 writers whose books reveal the essential character of this state.

Colorado’s landscapes and lifescapes inspired many writers in the last two and a half centuries. Their words, living long after they disappear, speak of yesterday’s Colorado to more clearly understand the Colorado of today. Loveland Public Library, Gertrude Scott Room, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 6-7pm. www. cityofloveland.org.

Spring Book Buzz Publishers have lined up the hottest books for Spring. Get the inside scoop on what’s coming up, expand your reading list and get the jump on all of your bookish friends. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 6pm. 888861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

Climate Protection: Every Action Counts Fort Collins has been a leader in climate protection for almost two decades. Learn how the City is continuing to address climate change and how you can help.

Registration required. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, FC. 7pm.

970-221-6700 or www.fcgov.com/reps.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 Full Moon Hike Explore the park by the light of the full moon. Outdoor clothing and gear appropriate for the conditions are required. Times and locations vary each month. Rocky Mountain National Park, 1895 Fall River Rd., EP. 970-586-1223 or www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/.

Author Event with Mark Sundeen & the ‘Man Who Quit Money’

Mark Sundeen will talk about his book, The Man Who Quit Money, along with the book’s subject, Daniel Suelo.

Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com.

Bad Art Show Impress the teen scene with your most awful art creation in this competition of the worst art! For teens and tweens, grades 6-12. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3:30-4:30pm. 970962-2548 or www.cityofloveland.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6 I “Heart” the 80s Big hair, neon, leg warmers, shoulder pads...like, totally! Celebrate the 80s at this special after hours teen event.

Test your knowledge of pop culture trivia, interact with some rad 80s movies, enjoy gnarly 80s snacks and try to Pin the Glove on Michael. Tubular costumes encouraged. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 888-861-7323 or www.

MyLibrary.us.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7 CPR and First Aid Training Class is led by AHA CPR and First Aid Instructor Melissa Neumeister of School Nurses on the Move. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring extra shoes to wear inside when there is wet or snowy weather. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Prices vary. Bright Horizons, 3513 Richmond Dr., FC. 9am1:45pm. Contact Melissa at 970-4207522 or mkoch6481@hotmail.com.

Day of Dance 2015 The entire family is welcome at this day full of dance demonstrations and lessons, health information, games and giveaways. Meet players from UNC sports teams. Greeley Family Fun Plex, 1501 65th Ave., GR. 9am-1pm. 970392-2222 or www.bannerhealth.com.

Fort Collins Symphony: Experience History & Culture Experience ancient to modern culture in this concert featuring an outstanding string section. From the British Isles comes Elgar’s Introduction and

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: 3/31/15 RMP0315

Expires: 3/31/15 RMP0315

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Allegro, with the burnished sound of an Englishman featuring Fort Collins’ principal players. Then travel to a different climate for Respighi’s arrangement of ancient tunes. Finally, Jeremy Cohen of the famed San Francisco String Quartet dazzles with Piazzolla’s creation of his own Four Seasons of Buenos Aires. Ticket prices Vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 Brian Sanders’ JUNK JUNK is known for their ingenious use of found objects and clever inventions that bridge the gap between dance and physical theater. The company strives to produce work that is both artistic and accessible while maintaining a ceaseless desire to try new things. Ticket prices vary. The Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 7:30pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8 The Harlem Globetrotters The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, bring their unrivaled family show to town. Prices vary. Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 2pm. 970-619-4122 or www. budweisereventscenter.com/events.

THURSDAY, MARCH 12 Kids’ Event with the Very Hungry Caterpillar Celebrate ‘Very Hungry Caterpillar Day’ with games, crafts and stories at Old Firehouse Books. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 12pm. 970-4847898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

MONDAY, MARCH 9 Virtuoso Series Concert For this interactive recital program, the public is encouraged to vote on the repertoire to be performed by visiting WesleyFerreira.com. Options include masterworks of Brahms, 19th century operatic transcriptions, the clarinet works of 20th century composers such as Poulenc and Bernstein, and present day compositions including jazz influenced works. Prices vary. Organ Recital Hall, 1400 Remington St., FC. 970-491-2787 or www.CSUArtsTickets.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 10 TeaInk Teens can enjoy tea, a snack, and some creative writing challenges. No writing experience required, just an open mind.

For tweens and teens, grades 6-12.

Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4-5pm. 970-962-2548 or www. cityofloveland.org.

Author Event with C.J. Box C.J. Box, author of the best selling Joe Pickett western series, will be speaking and signing books in promotion for his latest novel, Endangered. $5, serves as a $5-off coupon for Endangered. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, FC. 7pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 13 School’s Out Day Camp School’s Out Day Camps are available for children ages 5-11. Pack a lunch and spend a day gardening, cooking, crafting and discovering. $45/child. The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 9am-4pm. 970-416-2468 or www.fcgov. com/gardens.

Fiddle in the Gallery Experience thrilling and invigorating Celtic music in the Main Gallery of the Museum while taking in the art of Xylem: Innovation in Botanic Art. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6-8pm. 970-962-2410 or www.lovelandmuseumgallery.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Sharin’ O’ The Green 5K Run/Walk This fun and festive 5K runs through old town Fort Collins, starting and ending at Library Park. After the race, catch the St. Patty’s day parade. Of-age participants can turn in race bib for a beer, courtesy of Odell Brewing. All proceeds benefit Partners Mentoring Youth programs in northern Colorado. Registration required. Prices Vary. Library Park, 200 Mathews St., FC. 970-484-7123 or www.PartnersMentoringYouth.org/ Events.aspx.

Blarney on the Block St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Celebration in downtown Greeley. Parade at 2pm on 8th and 9th St. Entertainment, games and activities for the kids, and more.

Downtown Greeley 1-6pm. 970-356-6775 or www.greeleydowntown.com.

Pi Day Lovers of Pi and Pie won’t want to miss this party! Have fun with games, free pie and author Natasha Wing. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 2pm. 970484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks. com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 Traditional Irish Music Adam Agee and Jon Sousa present an enchanted evening of traditional Irish music on fiddle, guitar and tenor banjo.

Their connection to their instuments and the transcendent energy in their music is guaranteed to captivate audiences of all ages. Ticket prices vary. Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2120 or www. rialtotheatercenter.org.

The Singing of the Green Once every seven years or so, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Tuesday, the regular rehearsal night for the Larimer Chorale. On St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is a little Irish, so putting on the green and singing a free concert is a must. Opera Galleria, 123 N. College Ave., FC. 7:30-8pm. www. downtownfortcollins.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Colorado Children’s Day The idea behind Colorado Children’s Day has been a life-long dream of Loveland resident Annie Hall. With her efforts, the day is now celebrated in other cities throughout the state of Colorado. Enjoy events and activities for kids and families. Foote Lagoon Amphitheater, 500 E. 3rd St., LV. 1-4pm. www.ci.loveland.co.us.

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PechaKucha Night PechaKucha Nights are informal and fun gatherings in which creative people get together to share their ideas, works, thoughts and experiences. In the PechaKucha 20x20 format, show 20 images in 20 seconds. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 7pm. 970-962-2410 or www. lovelandmuseumgallery.com.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 The Colors of Spring Liquid watercolors will be used to create wild birds, butterflies and bugs to liven up windows at home. Parents/guardians must accompany children for the duration of the class. Registration required. $8 per child ($6 for museum members). Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 10:30-11:30am. 970-962-2410 or www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

Movie at the Community Recreation Center DARE TO BE SQUARE and show off your style with a box of your very own to wear during the movie The Box Trolls at the Community Recreation Center.

Decorate a box and then watch the movie on the big screen. Box creation begins at 6pm, show time at 7pm.

Paint, boxes and tape will be provided.

Community Recreation Center, 250 N. 11th St., Windsor. 6-9pm. 970-6743500 or www.windsorgov.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 10 Things You Can’t Do in the Library Have you ever wanted to play loud music in the library? What about running an obstacle, race remote control cars or scream as loud as you can? Grades 6-12.

Registration required. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., Evans. 6pm. 888-8617323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Author Event with Jacqueline Winspear Jacqueline Winspear, author of the bestselling Maisie Dobbs series, will speak about and sign copies of her WWI novel, The Care and Management of Lies. Fort Collins Hilton, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 970-484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 26 Wildflowers and Other Plants of the Larimer County Foothills Larimer County Natural Resources and Colorado Native Plant Society collaborate to teach about and explore plants from the Larimer County foothills. Larimer County Natural Resources’s new publication of the same name will be available for purchase during this program. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 6-7pm. 970-962-2410 or www. lovelandmuseumgallery.com.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Traffic Skills 101 Class TS101 is a course for beginners, returning and seasoned cyclists alike that will give you the confidence to ride safely and legally in traffic or on the trail.

Learn how to conduct bicycle safety checks, fix a flat, on-bike skills, and crash avoidance techniques. Participants should be prepared to ride their bicycle for about six miles. A helmet and bicycle in good working condition are required.

Ages 14 and up. Registration required.

8:30am-4pm. www.fcgov.bicycling.

Runners Race to Beat Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Beat Beethoven is part of the Fort Collins Symphony’s Outside the Box series, which is a series of events designed to introduce classical music in a unique, accessible way to diverse audiences in the community. As the opening chords of the acclaimed 5th Symphony flow through the event PA system, runners will try to finish the course before Beethoven has completed his final note – approximately 33 minutes to finish the race. Registration available until March 27. $30. Old Town Square, FC. 9am. http://www.fcsymphony.org/ events/beatbeethoven5k-2015.html.

Mini Critter Quest: Bug Safari Explore bugs from the desert to the rainforest and everywhere in between in this hands-on program. This program is recommended for ages 3-5. Registration required. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., Evans. 10am. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

MONDAY, MARCH 30 Let’s Go LEGO Blocks Design a trap for a villain...or super hero!

Curtis Mork, the LEGO King will get you started, then let your imagination soar. Mork brings all the pieces needed to try out your LEGO building skills.

Parents are encouraged to attend with child. Class times vary. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 888-8617323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31 Safe Sitter Safe sitter is a one-day, six-hour class designed for 11-13 year olds to learn care of the choking infant and child, babysitting as a business, child care essentials, safety for the sitter, preventing injuries and injury and behavior management. Registration required. Windsor Recreation Center, 250 11th St., Windsor. 9am-3pm. 970-6743500.

Missin’ Who Need to soften the blow of a Who-less spring? Get your fill of Doctor Who at the Missin’ Who extravaganza. Make a duct tape Rose pen, a sonic screwdriver, River’s diary, a Perler Bead TARDIS, and play Doctor Who Jeopardy! Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 5pm.

888-861-7323 or www.My Library.us.

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

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Group Power FCC Club Fit Zumba Water Aerobics

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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

fortcollinsclub.net RMPARENT

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time out

Parents: the one stop shop

Baker, banker, pencil pusher—it’s all available at Mom and Dad’s Store RICHARD KELLER

“D

ad, pick me up pack of lead pencils when you go out.”

“Wait. What? Didn’t I pick you up a pack of pencils a few weeks ago?”

“Yes, but I used them all.”

“You sure about that?”

“Well, I used some of them. I gave a few away, and traded some for cookies during lunch in the cafeteria. And, I think I flushed one down the toilet.”

“You know, I’m not made of money.”

“I know, Dad.” “Good.”

“But you can take some out at the ATM.” “Fine.”

“Oh, and pick me up some bubble gum while you’re out as well.”

“Chewed it all?”

“Um, lost it in a poker game.”

“But you’re eleven!”

“It was that or Blackjack.”

So goes a typical conversation in my household, minus the poker – my kids normally play Texas Hold ‘Em. It seems I’m not home more than a microsecond before one or all of them come up to me asking to purchase something which I have no money for. And when I provide an emphatically negative answer they nod and turn right to my wife to ask the same question.

It’s like we’re like the five-and-dime stores my wife and I used to visit in our childhood before Wal-Mart invaded.

Since our children can’t visit Ben Franklin or Kresge’s, it falls on us to provide everything they need.

The biggest things are gum, lead pencils, and office supplies. Sure, I can take my computer paper and staples off federal taxes because I run my publishing company out of the home office; however, it doesn’t mean I’m the local Staples. Yet, my kids regularly take pens, paper clips, and printer paper by the 40

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handful. I spend less replenishing groceries than I do pens.

And, to channel Jerry Seinfeld, what’s the deal with lead pencils? When my wife and I were kids back in the Middle Ages we used good old Number 2, yellow pencils. Okay, it was a while ago, so maybe it was Number 1.5. We ran out of lead, we made an excuse to chat with our friends near the pencil sharpener. Now, the older kids use all the wimpy lead of one mechanical pencil

pencils got low we would need to use the last one until the lead and the eraser met.

Today, thanks to the office supply stores, mass merchandisers and the dreaded Dollar Tree, all of this is available at the flick of the wrist – to insert the credit card into the reader. In other words, this age of convenience has turned into one of inconvenience for us parents of school-aged children. And we can’t tell them no because they’ll tell their friends, who’ll tell their parents

in one class. Meanwhile, my elementary school-aged kids are using the same Number 2 pencils we purchased for them back in August.

Something has changed in Mom and Dad’s One Stop Shop over the last few decades. In that era known as Back in My Day, we got school supplies and gum at the beginning of the school year and it had to last until the last day. This is why so many kids stuck their A.B.C. (Already Been Chewed) gum on their bedposts each night. And if our supply of

how cheap we are. The next thing you know, we’re getting glared at during the next choir performance.

Nevertheless, I think it’s time for us parents to take a stand, close up the One Stop Shop, and set limits for our children when it comes to things like gum, pencils, and underwear. If it lasted all year for us it can do the same for our kids. And, despite the fact they may blame their high therapy bills on us later in life, they’ll be more responsible.

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