RM Parent Magazine | April | 2022

APRIL 2022 • RMPARENT.COM

Go fly a

KITE!

Climbing the walls— at a gym

Bedwetting solutions

Taming temper tantrums

Goodbye to the sugar blues

Seasonal allergies

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APRIL 2022

Departments

Special Sections Program & A YOuth

PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Wahhhhh!—Tantrums are no fun for anyone

FIRST YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Got a bedwetter? Try this—Tips and advice for parents

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . . 10

YOUTH PROGRAM & ACTIVITY GUIDE Arts, sports, adventure… find great programs and activities for your kids.

Go fly a kite!—Essential flying tips and events

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 For the benefit of our community—Earth Day challenge, homelessness, mental health, bullying, board openings

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . 16

Goodbye to the sugar blues—Nourish bodies with nutritional foods

Gu ide

ADVERT I SUPPLE SING MENT

Reaching new heights—Climbing builds physical, mental and social skills

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

ctivity

Features 18 SNEEZES AND WHEEZES

Learn to spot, prevent and treat seasonal allergies. For many, along with spring comes allergies. Know the signs and symptoms and find out what you can do to control them. Allergies can also trigger asthma, which needs a medical diagnosis.

CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4 Events and activities for parents, kids and families

YOUTH VIEW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Taking the reins for climate action—Youth train others to shape the world they’re inheriting

School District News GR-E 6 School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 D6 student saves teacher’s life

Poudre School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Colleagues reflect on Kruse P.E. teacher’s impact, PSD Foundation awards over $12,000 in grants, Dr. Temple Grandin shares her story

22 T AMING TEMPER TANTRUMS

Teach your toddler to deal with frustration. Children throw tantrums to deal with frustrations and to gain control. With your help they can learn to control their temper and gain some independence.

Thompson School District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 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 and share their stories on the impact it has had on their lives. Featured this month: Amy (Medina) Cooper—Mountain View Class of 2010

ABOUT THE COVER: Cover kid Sullivan, loves dance, art, fashion and musicals. Photo shot

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perspective Wahhhhh!

Tantrums are no fun for anyone

W

e all get angry. It’s just part of being human. It’s what we do with our anger that oftentimes determines how happy we are and how happy those around us are.

If you’re 2 years old, you might throw a tantrum and it seems that you’ll throw that tantrum at the most inopportune time and place, at least from your parents’ perspective. From your view, it’s the most effective setting. Lynn Nichols does a great job, in her feature this month, walking us through the cause of tantrums and effective ways to work with your child as they melt down into an unrecognizable pool of emotion.

Of course, learning to deal with our anger is a life-long journey. In the worst-case scenarios, anger devolves to hatred and blame. But let’s stick with just regular anger for now. We tend to get angry when we don’t get what we want: “I was really hoping that you could go with me to the shopping center on Saturday, but no, I see you have way more important things to do than spend time with me!”

Or when we get something we don’t want: “These eggs are over-medium not over-easy like I ordered! I can’t stand when they do that! Breakfast is ruined!”

So we got angry. It’s as natural as taking the next breath. What do we do with it?

I’ve read, somewhere that I can’t remember but I really did, that the initial anger response lasts for 90 seconds and then it leaves, goes away, departs for good. After that we have to fuel that anger with our thoughts to keep it going.

It’s like a runaway train that only has enough fuel to go one mile but if we keep pumping in diesel, it’ll keep roaring down the tracks until something stops it and that’s probably going to be ugly. And if we keep fueling it, it can even morph into hatred.

I think that’s why we were always told growing up to count to 10 when we were angry. We need a break from the emotions that are screaming at us.

Let’s say that we tried this out and we successfully let the anger go, let the strong emotion dissolve into space. We didn’t just repress it, choke down and suck it up as they say, because it’s going to come boiling back sometime.

What do we do now? We still didn’t want an over-medium egg and we still want you to go to the mall with me.

Ideally, once that strong emotion has exited, we have an opportunity to have a discussion.

This is a big topic and we’re going to have to leave some for later, like aren’t there legitimate times to be angry and let that anger drive you to help make change?

Anyway, I hope that we all feel a little less stress as we go about our lives with a little more regularity. I try to remember, sometimes more successfully than others, that everyone is still feeling a little more wound up than normal.

Let’s all give ourselves and everyone around us little break. We could use it!

Scott 6

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APRIL 2022 • Volume 25, Issue 11 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, Luli Harrison Lynn U. Nichols, Kim Sharpe

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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first years Got a bedwetter? Try this Tips and advice for parents

LY NN U. NICHOLS

Y

ou’ve got your toddler or early preschooler potty trained during the day, but they still wet the bed at night. Or, your young child can hold it while at home, but they wet when you travel or during a sleepover.

Staying dry at night is the last milestone of toilet training, and it can take a good year or two to master. Even if your child is approaching school age, don’t worry. According to studies, about 40 percent of 3-year-olds wet the bed and about 15 percent of 5- to 7-yearolds still wet the bed. Your child will get there eventually.

It helps to know that bedwetting is not a sign of anything. Your child is just fine. It’s not a sign that they are being rebellious or that they are developing slowly—that’s old way of thinking.

More than likely, your child is simply a deep sleeper—the most common reason for wetting. Bladder control is complex, and involves a coordinated effort from muscles, nerves, the brain and spinal cord. When asleep, it becomes even more challenging.

Children with deep sleep patterns may also walk or talk in their sleep, or have night terrors.

Bedwetting can also be caused by a small, spastic bladder. Even bladder size runs in families! Kids simply don’t wet the bed on purpose. When kids have small bladders that contract rapidly when they get full, “holding it” is not an option.

Occasionally, bedwetting is caused by another physical factor, such as a urinary tract infection, muscle control problem or an abnormal urinary system.

Bedwetting is genetically dominant, like having brown eyes. More often than not, you’ll remember you or your spouse having bedwetting episodes, or a sibling who did. In fact, bedwetting is so genetic that if one parent wet the bed as a child, there’s a 45 percent chance their child 8

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will. If both did, odds jump to 75 percent.

It’s also helpful to know that more boys wet than girls—at a rate of 2 to 1. Sometimes, kids wet after a very stressful change in their lives, like divorce, moving or newly-developed, intense fears.

The good news is that there are things you can do besides buying a plastic mattress pad and extra sheets.

Try these tips to help your little wetter get on track: • Reduce fluids in the evenings and stop liquids a full hour before bedtime. If she demands a drink at night, make it a few sips.

• Make sure your bedtime routine includes using the potty right before tucking in.

• It’s okay for your child to wear a pull-up to bed to avoid frequent sheet changes.

• For sleepovers, stash a pull-up in the sleeping bag. Bring pull-ups along when traveling.

Some parents try waking up their child at regular intervals to use the bathroom then stretching out those intervals until their child makes it through the night dry. If this seems

too disruptive, you might wake up your child on the nights you are up, anyway.

Another option is waking your child up to use the bathroom before you go to bed, giving them a second opportunity to empty their bladder.

Even if he wets three nights in a row, resist any judging comments.

Remember, he’s not wetting on purpose and the older he is the more personal shame he probably feels about it. It’s okay to have him help strip the bed or carry the sheets to the wash in a positive way.

• If you were a wetter, share stories to ease her embarrassment and let her know it’s normal for your family.

• Make sure your child knows it’s okay to get up during the night to use the bathroom. Encourage comfort in doing this by lighting their path to the bathroom with night lights.

• Most importantly, be patient and go easy on your child. You might think that he will never outgrow bedwetting, but hang in there, he will!

Changing wet sheets isn’t fun but know that you won’t be doing it forever.

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family activities

Reaching new heights

Climbing builds physical, mental and social skills LEA HANSON

T

he connection between children and climbing involves more than curiosity or pent-up energy. Because of the crucial purpose exploration serves in childhood growth, climbing offers a number of multi-faceted benefits.

The developmental benefits of climbing can be divided into five categories: physical, mental, social, sensory awareness, and health.

PHYSICAL/STRENGTH BENEFITS Though kids view climbing as a fun pastime, the physical activity helps to support body and skill development. The physical benefits of a climbing frame for preschoolers and elementary children may include: • Increased muscle tone and strength • Improved fine and gross motor skills • Sharpened visual perception • Refined speed, coordination, agility, and balance

In fact, physical activity influences both cognitive development and motor skills in preschool children.

EMOTIONAL/MENTAL BENEFITS When children are climbing, they engage their brains in valuable ways.

Whether it’s on a rock wall or a ladder structure, they must determine how they’ll climb to the top and what actions they need to complete to do so. This thinking provides the following mental benefits: • Practicing decision-making skills • Completing an activity that requires a specific sequence • Solving low-risk problems • Visualizing solutions to a challenge

SOCIAL BENEFITS The social benefits of climbing span several necessary skills and developmental milestones. The interactions children have when climbing on a playground 10

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NoCo Climbing Options

The following is a sample of climbing options in northern Colorado.

Ascent Climbing and Fitness 150 Joseph Allen Drive, Fort Collins; 970-999-5596; http://ascentstudio.com/ Greeley Rec Center Climbing Wall 651 10th Ave, Greeley; 970-350-9400; greeleyrec.com Whetstone Climbing 220 Smokey Street, Fort Collins; 970-795-8356; https://whetstoneclimbing.com/ Wooden Mountain Bouldering Gym 1503 Taurus Court, Loveland; 970-4504520; http://www.woodenmountain.com/

help them master self-control and emotional regulation. As they wait their turn to climb and face new climbing challenges, these skills are put to the test.

Climbing also provides some of the following emotional benefits for kids: • Gaining confidence in their ability to face challenges • Learning to cope with fear and stress when working through difficult tasks • Developing self-reliance as they work to scale a climber on their own

Climbing can also provide an excellent opportunity to engage in pretend play. Whether kids imagine they’re scaling a mountain or climbing a ladder into a pirate ship, play serves a vital developmental role.

SENSORY AWARENESS BENEFITS Climbing allows children to experiment with and improve their sensory awareness. There are numerous kinetic tasks within climbing that support this growth, including:

• Pushing against rungs or footholds to climb • Stretching to reach the next handhold • Swinging from one handhold to the next • Pulling on a handhold to climb

PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS Climbing facilitates healthy body processes that can help promote overall wellness and proper physical development. Some of the health benefits of climbing include: • Increased cardiovascular flow • Increased flexibility • Improved coordination

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learn and live

Go fly a kite!

Essential flying tips and events THERESA BAER

W

atching a colorful kite dip, dive and swirl high in the sky is enchanting, and being the person flying that kite can be empowering to both young and old. But getting a kite into the air and keeping it there can be challenging. Given the right weather conditions and following these simple steps, you and your children can have great fun together on Colorado’s breezy days.

Robin McCracken of Rocky Mountain Kite Association recommends simple, single-line flat surface kites, saying, “Delta wing kites are the best choice in Colorado. They are like a glider and easy for anybody to fly–you don’t have to run with it to get it into the air. ” McCracken continued, “Pocket sleds are also easy to fly but they tend to collapse in Colorado due to our turbulent winds so it could be frustrating. Stay away from traditional diamond kites–they need too much adjustment and some just don’t fly.” Look to local toy and hobby retailers or online for plastic styles ranging from $5–10 or nylon which tend to last longer starting around $20.

Choose a day with steady, gentle to moderate winds of eight to 15 miles per hour–those with enough of a breeze to move branches on the trees. McCracken suggested early morning or later in the afternoon along Colorado’s front range. Visit a wide-open space free of trees, power lines and fences. Remember to never fly kites near an airport as the Federal Aviation Administration prohibits kite flying within 12

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Upcoming events: five miles of airport boundaries.

Launch it! For little children, let out about 10 feet of line to make it easier to catch the wind and control the kite. Stand with the wind blowing on your back.

Occasionally you or your child might have to run against the wind to get the kite to take flight. But if you’ve picked a good day, you won’t have to run–just hold the string in one hand and hold the kite up against the wind with your other hand and let go. Once the kite is up in the air, slowly let out more line. Releasing the line too quickly can cause the kite to drop. If that happens, stop releasing string and give the line a tug to get it rising again.

Generally, the higher you get the kite in the air, the more steady the wind. To bring the kite in, simply wrap the line tightly around the handle and when the kite is within reach, gently grab it and hold on.

Arvada Kite Festival Sunday, April 10, 10am–3pm, Stenger Soccer Complex, 58th Avenue and Quail Street, Arvada, CO. www.arvadafestivals. com/arvada-kite-festival

Fort Collins Kids in the Park Sunday, April 24, 10am–2pm, Twin Silos Park, FC. First 1,000 kids receive free kitemaking kits to decorate. www.fcgov.com/ recreation/kidsinthepark Loveland Kite Festival Saturday, May 21, 10am–3pm, Loveland Sports Park, 950 N. Boyd Lake Ave., LV. First 300 kids receive free kite. https://aspire3d.org/kitefestival

Once your family has mastered flying simple single-line kites, consider upgrading to stunt kites with additional lines that allow you to steer–an excellent outdoor challenge for older children and teens. The American Kitefliers Association (kite.org) offers additional information on all aspects of kite flying. For more inspiration, check out these upcoming kite festivals with kite giveaways and fantastic flying demonstrations. Happy flying!

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community news For the benefit of our community

Earth day challenge, homelessness, mental health, bullying, board openings THERESA BAER

JOIN THE EARTH DAY CHALLENGE The Earth Day Challenge is an online competition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and win prizes! Through April 30, participants earn points to win prizes such sustainable gifts or gift cards and every household that earns 5,000 points will be entered into the drawing for the Grand Prize of one year of free curbside composting or $200 in grocery store gift cards. This year, the goal is to remove 1,500 tons of CO2 collectively!

Learn more about prizes and how the challenge works at fcgov.com/ earthdaychallenge, and consider an easy way to start earning points is to sign up for a free home efficiency assessment through Larimer County (see below.)

FREE HOME EFFICIENCY ASSESSMENTS Larimer County Conservation Corps performs home efficiency assessments as a free service to Fort Collins Utilities and Loveland Water and Power customers. Corps members also educate residents about water and energy efficiency practices and services as well retro-fit water-conserving shower heads and faucet aerators, smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, clotheslines, light bulbs, furnace air filters, and highefficiency toilets based on residents’ needs. Learn more and schedule your assessment online at www.larimer.org/ ewd/lccc/energy.

GREELEY REC CENTER REOPENS CLIMBING WALL After a nearly two-year hiatus, the Greeley Recreation Center reopened their final facility amenity–the indoor climbing wall–which is the only public climbing wall in Greeley. Bouldering is offered Monday through Friday from 6am until 8pm and Saturday from 8am until 2pm while top rope with climbing staff is available Monday and 14

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Wednesday from 4pm until 8pm plus the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10am until 2pm. Visit greeleyrec.com for more information.

GARDENING RESOURCES Resource Central is once again offering “waterwise gardening made easy with professionally designed, perennial kits including starters plants, plant-bynumber maps and seasonal plant care information.” These garden-in-a-box kits are available for ordering now with pickup in May/June across the Front Range including Fort Collins, Greeley and Loveland. Plus select water providers offer a limited number of $25 discounts! Learn more and order before they are sold out at www. resourcecentral.org/gardens/shop.

Look to CSU Extension for more gardening resources including free webinars on topics such as vegetable

varieties, trees, irrigation, beneficial insects and much more. The events are scheduled through December and registration is required. Visit CSUHort. blogspot.com for details and to register.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON MENTAL HEALTH/SUICIDE PREVENTION Imagine Zero of Larimer County welcomes parents to this month’s interactive community conversation, “Connect with Intention around Mental Health,” to discuss what is going well around mental and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention across the lifespan in Larimer, identify gaps, and come up with creative solutions. This free event happens Tuesday, April 12 from 8:30am until 3:30pm at The Ranch, South Exhibition Hall, 5280 Arena Circle in Loveland, and will include a large group training, breakout sessions, and time for networking and collaboration between

agencies and individuals. Learn more and register at https://connectwithintention. eventbrite.com.

GREELEY COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON HOMELESSNESS In February, Greeley officials hosted community conversations on homelessness and housing alternatives and a video was released to the community of the in-person meeting.

In March, city officials asked residents to watch the video and complete a survey to provide their feedback, which will then be combined into the next round of community conversations tentatively scheduled for April 13 and 14. To learn more about the city’s efforts to address homelessness and housing options and to stay informed about future the conversations this month, visit greeleygov.com/ homelessandhousingservices.

LARIMER COUNTY BOARDS & COMMISSIONS OPENINGS Apply by April 21 for Larimer County Boards and Commissions openings where you could serve an important role in making recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on a variety of important matters including Environmental and Science topics;

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Open Lands; Parks; Workforce Development, and many more. View the 19 Boards with 81 openings at www.larimer.org/ spotlights/2022 and apply online at www.larimer.org/boards. New members begin their term on July 1.

LIBRARY USED BOOK SALES Looking for used books at great prices? Friends of the Loveland Library will host their spring sale this month at The Ranch Events Complex, McKee Building at 5280

Arena Circle in Loveland. The public is invited to visit on Saturday, April 23 from 10am until 4pm. Additional hours are available for members. Visit www.friendsofthelovelandlibrary.org for details.

In Fort Collins, another Friends of the Library Sale is set for Friday through Sunday, April 22–24 at the Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields Street. Hours are Friday from 9am to 6pm, Saturday from 9am to 5pm and Sunday from noon to 4pm. Learn more at www.prfol.org.

BULLYING RESOURCES According to the Larimer County Office on Aging, “Bullying is acting in ways that scare or harm another person…Bullying can take many forms, including: Physical harm, such as hitting, shoving, or tripping; emotional harm, such as making fun of the way a child acts, looks, or talks.

Writing mean things about someone in emails or online journals (blogs) is also bullying.” If your child(ren) experience bullying behavior or exhibit signs of bullying others, Larimer County has resources to help. Visit https:// larimer.co.networkofcare.org/aging/ library/article.aspx?hwid=uf4870.

Topics include: What is bullying; characteristics of children who bully/ who are bullied; how to discourage bullying; how adults can help; and the role of schools in bullying.

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healthy living

Goodbye to the sugar blues Nourish bodies with nutritional foods

LEA HANSON

M

ore than two-thirds of all packaged foods contain added sweeteners. Why should we care? Studies show sugar has a negative impact on academic performance, learning, and memory.

Children experience metabolic outcomes like fatty liver disease, diabetes, heart disease, and various inflammatory conditions. Tina Zilmer, LMT, CNMT at the Greeley Nutritional Center (https://www.greeleynutritionalcenter. com) says, “Sugar has become so available to us; it’s in almost everything.

It’s even added into things that are savory, like ketchup. So, I think our tastebuds are simply acclimated to eating/tasting higher levels of sugar.”

But isn’t it natural for kids to like sugar? Sure, babies are born with a builtin preference for sweetness. It’s there for evolutionary protection to favor breast milk, which is sweet. But that system wasn’t designed for our current food supply; it was designed for survival.

Now we have grocery stores where 70 percent of packaged foods have added sugar and 80 percent of kids’ foods have added sugar. We have this imbalance between what we were designed to do from an evolutionary perspective and the realities of our current environment. Plus, Zilmer says, “Sugar is 100 percent addictive.

It lights up our brains, it raises the levels of neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine) in our brains, and we eventually start to crave it and then need it.”

So how do we change? Zilmer says, “People who come to me are looking for a change. The best way to wean your family off sugar is to focus on what you can have instead of what you can’t have. One for the easiest ways is to focus more on whole foods and ensure

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you’re getting at least two fruits and six vegetables each day.”

There are numerous simple strategies to identify hidden sugars, find suitable alternatives, or gradually reduce sugar intake. This could be as simple as deciding to put nut butter, ricotta, or cream cheese on your toast in the morning instead of jam. You could switch to a lowersugar breakfast cereal. Zilmer put it this way: “When you eat sugar, your body’s mineral bank is depleted. So, oftentimes we think we’re craving sweets but we’re really craving nutrition. Therefore, if you truly nourish your body with the things you need, your cravings will go down.”

Parents know it doesn’t work to just announce one day, “No more sugar!” That would backfire quickly, and it’s not sustainable. Zilmer says

the most effective strategy is not to eliminate sugar but focus on lessening the amount little by little. “Food is an important part of food culture and celebration,” she says. But there are some fairly easy ways to replace sugar with something not as bad for our bodies. “If you are considering removing or lowering the amount of sugar in your family’s diet, we acknowledge that is a huge endeavor.

The biggest thing is for parents to role model and first remove sugar from their own diets.”

Other tips include using natural sweeteners, such as fruit and honey.

“Use fruit as much as you can,” Zilmer says. “You can also use Stevia without it affecting blood sugar levels. Bodies might go through some separation but eventually your brain and palette will get used to having less sugar.”

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Sneezes

and wheezes

Kim Sharpe

A

s spring blooms and summer heats up, you may notice that your child begins to sneeze or constantly have a runny nose. The reason for that could be that they’re allergic to pollen. When trees bud and grasses grow, they release a powdery substance into the air that can wreak havoc inside sensitive nasal passages.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.2 million US kids under 18 years old—or about 7 percent—have allergic rhinitis, commonly known as seasonal

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allergies or hay fever. That percentage may not seem like a lot unless your child is one of those affected.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Most hay fever symptoms are annoying rather than serious, and they’re present at certain times of the year rather than year-round.

Typically, trees and grass trigger spring and summer allergies; weeds and decaying foliage laden with mold trigger autumn allergies.

Cyndi Desormeaux, a certified physician

How to spot, prevent and treat seasonal allergies

assistant at The Children’s Health Place in Greeley, says to suspect your child may have hay fever if a change in seasons brings about sneezing; a clear runny nose; an itchy nose; nasal congestion; itchy, red, watery eyes; and possibly dark under-eye circles. Another telltale sign is “what’s known as the ‘allergic crease’—a red line across the bridge of a child’s nose that’s caused by them frequently pushing up on their nose to wipe it,” she says.

Note that allergies aren’t accompanied by a fever, unlike the term “hay fever” may imply.

If seasonal allergies run in your family, your child has a higher chance of having allergies, too, and they can show up from about the age of 2 on up into the teenage years.

Allergy testing can help identify exactly what your child’s triggers are, but Desormeaux says it’s rarely necessary to test for seasonal allergies.

She says a better strategy is to learn your child’s patterns. If you notice that by early spring every year your child begins to sneeze and have a runny nose, chances are they have hay fever. You can help your child by being prepared to prevent their symptoms.

PREVENTION IS KEY The best action to take against hay fever symptoms is to address them as soon as or even before they start. Parents can do a lot to control their child’s allergic discomfort by managing their environment, primarily by keeping their bedroom as allergy free as possible.

Desormeaux says to focus on their bedroom because a child spends at least eight to 10 hours per day there.

• Keep the room well vacuumed, vacuuming floors, and drapes or blinds often.

• Use a HEPA filter on your furnace and change it frequently.

• Keep pets out of your child’s room. Even if your child isn’t allergic to a pet, the animal can carry pollen on its fur or hair and be a transport vehicle for allergens.

• Bathe your child or have them shower and wash their hair after coming indoors for the day and before going to bed.

• Rinse nasal passages with saline solution every evening.

• Change your child’s pillowcase every night. Pollen falls onto bedding throughout each day and changing a pillowcase gives your child a clean surface to rub their face in through the night.

• Keep bedroom windows closed at night to limit the amount of pollen that blows in.

One thing Desormeaux says not to do is to keep your child indoors. “We

want our kids outside playing and doing sports.” Active kids are healthy kids.

MEDICINE CAN HELP While prevention goes a long way to curb allergy symptoms, sometimes combining prevention with treatment will help your child feel better and suffer less. Most allergy medications, once only available with a doctor’s prescription, are available over the counter at local pharmacies.

If you know your child has allergies that don’t respond to preventive measures alone, start them early on a daily dose of antihistamines.

Other treatments might include using a nasal spray at bedtime to reduce swelling in the passages which causes congestion, and eye drops, to relieve itchy eyes. Ask a pharmacist to recommend products to try.

ASTHMA: A GAME CHANGER Most allergies produce annoying symptoms that don’t require a physician’s care. However, that all changes if allergies trigger asthma, which can be a life-threatening respiratory condition.

Asthma can have a variety of triggers, such as viruses (think the common cold) and allergies.

If your child’s sneezing is accompanied by wheezing (a whistling sound when they exhale), shortness of breath, and coughing at night or after physical activity or playing sports, they could have asthma which needs a medical diagnosis.

Desormeaux says that if you treat your child for allergies and the treatments don’t work, your child should be seen by a primary care doctor as soon as possible. If their symptoms worsen, like they have lip, tongue or throat swelling, and trouble breathing, sleeping, talking or walking, seek medical care immediately.

Like allergies, asthma isn’t curable, but it is controllable by avoiding triggers, managing symptoms and using medications as instructed.

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Taming temper Lynn U Nichols

tantrums S

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o, your sweet toddler has suddenly become an emotional wreck, throwing a tantrum or wailing at what seems like the littlest thing or the most inopportune time. There’s no denying it, when toddlers fling themselves on the floor and start screaming and spinning in the middle of the department store, it’s embarrassing.

You may be wondering if there’s something wrong with your child. He is probably fine.

Most temper tantrums are not pathological.

More likely, your little one is frustrated, and a tantrum is his way of letting you know.

There are two main reasons a child throws a tantrum—to voice frustration or make a bid for control.

“If your child has big explosions and tantrums, it may not be because of any kind of diagnoses. Most likely they can’t identify their emotion, or they can’t express it. It might be that they are experiencing a new feeling and they don’t have a word for it yet,” says Dannie Mironski, MA, LPCC, NCC, 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.

To better deal with temper tantrums, you have to first understand the why behind them.

Have you ever traveled to a foreign country with a repertoire of only 50 words in the native language?

If so, then you know what a toddler feels like.

Maybe you felt frustrated. Or helpless. Hopefully you didn’t get on the floor and kick and scream.

Toddlers simply don’t have the words or skills to

do or say what they want. And that’s both scary and frustrating. Here are some tips to tame tantrums: GIVE THEM THE WORDS If your toddler is trying to do a puzzle and starts hitting the board out of frustration, help him identify what he’s feeling and find a way to settle down.

As in, ‘You sound frustrated right now. How about we leave the puzzle, and you sit in my lap and we will read this book, instead.’ Also, help model coping mechanisms. For example, take exaggerated deep breaths.

With toddlers, give them words for what they are feeling. If she is screaming at the top of her lungs because her sister took her favorite toy, you could say, ‘You are angry because she grabbed your toy.

You are right, she shouldn’t do that.

Together, let’s ask her to give you the toy back and let her know she can play with it when you are done.’

If she hits her sister out of frustration, acknowledge her feelings but state the rule and consequence for hitting, even if it leads to an even bigger tantrum. You can say, ‘It’s okay that you feel angry right now, but it’s not okay to hit others. You hit; you sit.’

“Your child is likely having trouble verbalizing emotions so she’s acting out,” Mironski says. “I have a parent mantra that says, ‘It is not the kid, it’s the behavior, and we can fix the behavior.”

ACKNOWLEDGE HER INDEPENDENCE As a parent of a 2- or 3-year-old, you’ve probably heard her say, “I do it!” a hundred times. It’s your daughter’s way of gaining independence and controlling her world.

While it’s not always practical to be patient and let your child take the lead, try to do it when you can.

Remember, she might take five minutes to get her socks and shoes on, but she’s learning. When she succeeds, she gains confidence. Besides, the five-minute wait is much better than dealing with a meltdown afterwards.

IGNORE THE TANTRUM Rather than trying to stop your toddler, let him express himself. Do your best to ignore his outburst and not interact.

Go about your business without responding. Even leave the room if he’s safe. If you stop and respond, your son sees that he has changed your behavior.

This only feeds his tantrum. Worse yet, if you give in to his request, he’s learned that tantrums get him what he wants.

Wait it out.

“Practice strategic ignoring. You can ignore anything that’s not a safety concern,” Mironski adds.

If you want to lay down the law, try saying in a calm voice, ‘I noticed your tantrum, but that won’t get my attention. You need to use your words to get my attention. All that behavior gets you is a timeout.’ Then, give a timeout for no more than two minutes.

If your parenting style is gentler, give immediate, positive attention the second the tantrum is done. You could say, ‘Good job getting under control.

Now, how can I help you?’ Most likely, your child is just as upset by the tantrum as you are. He realizes he can’t control his emotions, and control is what he wants.

OFFER PRAISE WHEN IT PETERS OUT If you can find a positive thing to say about the tantrum, you are instructing your child on how to control his behavior. You could say, ‘Good job, that tantrum didn’t last as long as the last one.’ Or, ‘You didn’t throw yourself down and kick like last time!’

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. 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. Give pointed, sincere praise, as in, ‘I really liked how

you calmed yourself by petting the cat.’

“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.”

CHECK YOUR OWN SHAME If your child melts down in public, there’s a good chance you feel conspicuous and maybe even shameful.

You might be thinking, ‘They think I’m a bad mother/father.’ Or, ‘They are judging me, and they think I can’t control my child.’ You may even get a dirty look from an unsympathetic person to match your feelings. Try to remember that most people around you understand.

If they were ever parents, they remember going through something similar.

Don’t let embarrassment cause you to give in or respond with anger. Let your toddler carry on, or if that’s too humiliating, take her outside, or to the car, where she can have her tantrum in peace. If you have to, leave your cart right where it is. Once your child calms down, you can go back inside.

CURBING TANTRUMS BEFORE THEY START As parents, we try to jam in as much as we can because life is so busy. After preschool, why not get gas and run to the grocery store on the way home, since you are out? Yet, toddlers don’t have the patience or understanding of time that we have. Your child gives you clues that they are ramping up to a tantrum by rubbing his eyes, fussing, whining or asking to go home or get down. Take that to heart. Let go of all the things you have to do that are running through your mind and head home or take a break at the park and let him recharge with a snack or run his energy out.

If a tantrum happens, do your best to remain calm and speak softly. If you can, hold your child to provide comfort.

Some toddlers have grander, wilder tantrums than others, but rest assured, that’s rarely the case. Like all stages, this too will pass.

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greeley district 6 news D6 student saves life One early spring day in 2021, Daniel Ibarra knew something wasn’t quite right during his first hour math class at Brentwood Middle School.

One of his favorite teachers, Andy Hartshorn, wasn’t feeling well. His voice was trembling, and he was sweating.

“Although he was smiling, I could tell he was in a lot of pain. He felt very sick,” Ibarra said. “So I went up to him—I would have gone up to anyone who looked like that—and I said, ‘You look like crap.

You need to go see a doctor.’”

Hartshorn recalls that he told Daniel he was fine. He had seen a doctor a week ago, and it was just a virus. But Daniel persisted.

“Later in the day he came to my room. He said ‘Hi, have you called the doctor yet?’ He just told me ‘I really care about you, and I don’t think you are doing well,’” Hartshorn said. “That struck a chord with me. I remember thinking this is something I probably should do, but I didn’t have time to do it. So I decided to call the doctor. They didn’t have availability. I told them my symptoms.

They called back about five minutes later and said they had an available slot right now if I could come in.”

Hartshorn didn’t return to school that day. He was quickly admitted to the hospital, where doctors told his wife that he might not make it through the night.

“I had a pretty massive infection, and I was in a bad place. I had pretty severe sepsis. I was hallucinating. They said I had a heart attack. It snowballed from there and I was just very, very ill,” Hartshorn said. “I do remember them saying if they don’t get this right, this could be the end, that could be my last day on earth. So, that was a lot to hear.”

Hartshorn did respond to the intravenous antibiotics, which he was on for the next eight weeks to battle the infection that nearly cost him his life.

While he is not 100 percent physically, he is back at work at Brentwood, where he is now the Assistant Principal.

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And, he said, he is alive today because of Daniel Ibarra.

“I am here because he said something. If he wouldn’t have said something, I would not have gone to the doctor that day and I very likely wouldn’t have lived to the next day. I was that ill,” Hartshorn said. “You have a student, a person as a 14-year-old, he said something that literally is the reason I am alive. He spoke up.”

Ironically, earlier in the day Ibarra had taken part in a lesson with Hartshorn using the 7 Mindsets curriculum. It was a lesson about how children do have a voice and should use it to advocate for themselves and others. It was about the importance of speaking up.

“Honestly, I didn’t feel like I did something heroic. I just told him what I think everyone had told him.”

Daniel said. “I care about Andy. He is a really good guy. We need more

Andys, honestly.”

Hartshorn believes the world needs a few more Daniels. Hartshorn and Daniel have a permanent bond now.

Daniel learned the power in speaking up to help another human being, and Hartshorn learned the importance of listening to a young person whose words might sometimes get drowned out.

“He’s very modest. I hope he hears how much this has meant to myself, my family, my loved ones. It’s not hyperbole, the outcome could have been really bad,” Hartshorn said. “He is one of those people who just makes the world better.

I think he is starting to realize that. I hope he does. He will move mountains.”

“You miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take. You should always speak your mind,” Daniel said.

“Being kind to people should be a very common thing. Sadly, it isn’t, and I want to change that.”

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poudre school district news Decades in the making: Colleagues reflect on teacher’s impact STUDENTS BUILD FRIENDSHIPS, EARN COLLEGE CREDITS, PLAYING VIDEO GAMES Noah Osborne, a senior at Poudre High School and student at Futures Lab, says that being in the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate finale during the state championship meant a lot to him.

Through this experience, Osborne learned that you should never let anything get in the way of your own success.

Originally, Osborne joined the Lab Rats team to bolster his video game skills. However, he learned that he would gain more than skills, he would gain friendships.

Read more at psdschools.org Kruse Elementary School teacher Scott Wood still has a parent letter excusing one long-ago student from his P.E. class because it’s one he can’t forget.

Now—Timnath Elementary School Principal Jill Barela was in fifth grade when a can of orange juice concentrate fell out of the freezer onto her toe. She couldn’t participate in her P.E. class at Kruse because of her injury.

“He told me he held onto that note because it was one of the best excuse notes of all time,” Barela says, sharing memories about her teacher-turnedcolleague.

This school year, Kruse Elementary celebrates its 30th anniversary. Wood has been there since day one, making a positive impact with students, families and staff.

Read more at psdschools.org/news.

PSD FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $12,000 IN GRANTS For the first time since 2020, the Poudre School District Foundation awarded $12,000 in grants to educators for classroom programs related to workforce readiness, mental health, literacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Read more at psdschools.org/news.

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NEW HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER OPENS AT LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL More than 50 people came together Feb. 21, 2022, to celebrate the opening of the Health and Wellness Center at Lincoln Middle School in Fort Collins. The new health center gives students access to physical and behavioral healthcare services from a familiar and easily accessible location: at school.

Read more at psdschools.org/news.

PSD STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT HEALTHY HEARTS FROM COMMUNITY PARTNERS Rice Elementary School fifth graders had an amazing experience working with the UCHealth staff learning about healthy hearts in February.

“Students gained an awareness of how snacks and food choices impact their health and how important physical activity is for a healthy lifestyle,” says Melissa Duve, Rice principal.

Rice students also learned about eating

in moderation and how reading labels can help students select healthier food choices. “Our students loved participating in the fun activities,” Duve says.

TRAUT CORE KNOWLEDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HOSTS HEART DISSECTION As a culmination of the fourth-grade circulatory system unit, students worked in teams as they dissected a sheep heart.

“This hands-on opportunity brings their learning to life and allows them to see all the intricate components of a real heart,” says Alissa Kendall, Traut principal.

“We are lucky to have a close partnership with the CSU (Colorado State University) veterinary school; each year, several vet students come to assist with the dissections, answer student’s questions, and serve as an audience for the students to share what they have learned.”

In addition to exploring sheep hearts, students examined a sheep pluck (the trachea and lungs) and watched as it changed when inflated with air.

The school also hosted a Healthy

Hearts screening, in partnership with UCHealth, for interested students.

Events like the heart dissection are important for students to apply and extend their learning. Poudre School District is grateful to the community partners who make these learning opportunities possible.

DR. TEMPLE GRANDIN SHARES HER STORY, INSPIRING STUDENTS AT DUNN Dr. Temple Grandin spoke with fifth graders at Dunn Elementary School in-person and the presentation was livestreamed for the rest of the school on Feb. 28, 2022.

Dr. Grandin talked about being creative and how great it is to be different and weird. She encouraged students to think in diverse ways, both visually and verbally, illustrating her point by describing how she sees life as a series of pictures. She reminded students that they should treat one another with kindness, especially those who might be different, and not worry about the process of learning.

“Making mistakes is an opportunity to try again,” Dr. Grandin says.

“Dr. Temple Grandin shared her knowledge as she inspired Dunn IB students to be open-minded, discover their enthusiasms and persevere through their mistakes,” says Erica Simpson, assistant principal at Dunn. “Dunn students asked questions and engaged together to build understanding and connection for everybody in the Dunn community and beyond.”

Dr. Grandin urged students to find out what they are interested in, by connecting to art, music, construction, and more.

“We are beyond grateful to have had Dr. Temple Grandin come to our school,” says Abby Himlie, principal of Dunn. “Our teachers read one of her children’s books to the students the week prior to her visit and the kids were star struck and inspired to hear her speak.”

For the latest on COVID-19 protocols, visit the PSD 2021-22 Health and Safety webpage.

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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.

AMY (MEDINA) COOPER—MOUNTAIN VIEW CLASS OF 2010 As she enters her sixth year working in tech for local company Madwire, Amy (Medina) Cooper is used to being in a field where there are many more men than women. While reflecting on the many years she spent as an athlete at Mountain View High School and later at Colorado State University, she thinks that perhaps growing up in a generation where Title IX was always around is something she just accepted and ran with.

“In the moment, I didn’t realize or appreciate the impact Title IX had,” Amy says now. “Even as a kid, I was saying I wanted to beat my brother’s (track) records. I don’t know if it’s just a combination of the coaches I had or the way I was raised, but I’ve never had the feeling that I couldn’t do something.”

Maybe that resolve and confidence is what led Amy, a four-year track and volleyball standout at MVHS, to earn a track scholarship to CSU, where she competed for all four years as a jumper and won the Mountain West Conference Championship in the spring of her sophomore year.

Today she will tell you that the lessons she gained as an athlete are some of the most important she has ever learned.

“High schoolers have so many things they have to deal with, but sports helped me so much to be confident and responsible and not to care what people think,” Amy says.

Amy also believes college would have 30

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been a much different experience without having track as part of her daily life.

“The great thing about track is it brings men and women into your life.

We understood what each other were going through. I stuck to my little closeknit family.”

But an equally challenging transition for Amy was when she graduated from college and it was time

to end her career as an athlete.

Amy found herself feeling a little unsure of her future after she graduated and wondering what she should do next. It was while she was working at Starbucks that she found her path.

“Madwire was just down the street and people kept coming in the door and they seemed so happy,” she says. “At that time, the company was under 200 people.

I just got the email and messaged the CEO, and he gave me a shot.”

And she has been in tech since then, once again believing that she could accomplish any goal she set her mind to and never questioning if it might be more challenging because she was a woman.

“I think that naivete made it so I never doubted it,” she says. “Women before me either had to fight for it or didn’t get the chance to fight at all. I’m grateful for the women before me who fought for it.”

And with all of that gratitude, Amy keeps in mind she has a responsibility to pay it forward.

“I feel like I keep stepping into spaces where people paved the way for me,” she says. “My goal is to make a better space for those who follow me.”

To read the entire story, please visit: https://www.thompsonschools. org/titleix CAMP X-STREAM FOR GRADES K-5TH Camp X-STREAM is a free, threeweeks summer program that provides an opportunity for students to engage in hands-on learning as they explore Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art & Math. Are you ready for a summer of WOW? Dates: June 13-30 Days: Monday-Thursday from 8am-12pm Locations: Monroe, Ponderosa, Riverview & Walt Clark Schools

X-STREAM CHOICE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL X-STREAM Choice provides teens with a menu of free elective camp classes spanning three, week-long sessions.

Students may select one, two, or all three sessions, mixing and matching classes that interest them each week.

Session 1: June 13-16

Session 2: June 20-23 Session 3: June 27-30 Days: Monday-Thursday from 8am-12pm Locations: Riverview & Walt Clark Schools only

Register Today: https://thompson. revtrak.net/camp-xstream/ Email: campxstream@tsd.org Website: www.thompsonschools.org/ summerprograms REGISTER NOW FOR THOMPSON INTEGRATED EARLY CHILDHOOD PRESCHOOL Do you want your child socially, emotionally and academically ready for Kindergarten?

If your child is 3 or 4, check us out!

Bonus: You may qualify for additional services. Our compassionate and knowledgeable team will work closely with you to ensure you receive all available services for which you are eligible.

For more information: https://www. thompsonschools.org/preschool

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APRIL 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

THIRD WEDNESDAYS THROUGH DECEMBER Virtual QPR Suicide Prevention Training Anyone can learn the three steps– Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)–to help save a life from suicide in these virtual community training sessions. Registration required for meeting link. Alliance For Suicide Prevention of Larimer County Zoom meeting. https://bit.ly/3Gv0szv.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Super Science Celebration Experience dazzling demos and hands-on activities with real scientists at this free carnival-style, community event All ages.

Windsor Community Rec Center 250 N. 11th St., WS. 10am–noon. www.recreationliveshere.com.

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SUNDAY, APRIL 3 NoCo Grocery Grab Partners is raffling off the chance to win three top prizes—$1000, $750, or $500 shopping spree at Lucky’s Market in Fort Collins. $20/entry. Online and at Lucky’s Market, 425 S College Ave., FC. 6am start, 970-484-7123, https:// poweredbypartners.org/events/ncgg2022.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 Connect with Intention around Mental Health Interactive community conversation includes group training, breakouts and networking between agencies/individuals.

The Ranch, South Exhibition Hall, 5280 Arena Cir., LV. 8:30am–3:30pm. https:// connectwithintention.eventbrite.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Northern Colorado Children’s Festival Engage in hands-on activities to help develop fine motor skills, learn about science and the human body, provide resources about healthy eating, local education resources and participate in craft activities. Ages 0–8 and their family.

DoubleTree by Hilton Greeley at Lincoln Park, GR. 10am–2pm. www.facebook. com/events/316082333817639.

APRIL 22 & 23 FoCoMX: Fort Collins Music Experiment Celebrate the Northern Colorado music scene with this festival featuring over 300 local artists and bands! $50–$60. Old Town Square, FC. www.FoCoMX.org.

Fort Collins Parks & Rec Hiring Fair Learn about available job opportunities such as park maintenance, game scorekeepers, lifeguards, horticulture, camp counselors, etc. Edora Pool Ice Center (EPIC), 1801 Riverside Ave., FC. 10am–2pm. www.facebook.com/ events/335938675131997.

Spring Artisan Market Visit 50+ Northern Colorado artisans.

Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Dr., FC. 10am–4pm. www.fcgov.com/ recreation/artisan-market.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 12th Annual Earth Day Fort Collins Enjoy activities, events, informational booths, arts & crafts, live music, speakers, local food and beer garden. Free (bring a non-perishable food item for Larimer County Food Bank.) All ages. Civic Center Park, FC. 11am–5pm. www.sustainablelivingassociation.org/ earth-day-fort-collins-2.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Kids in the Park Encourage kids to get outside and play.

Learn about new and exciting recreation activities, play in the park, dance to live music, enjoy food truck snacks and fly kites! Twin Silos Park, 5552 Ziegler Rd., FC. 10am–2pm. www.fcgov.com/ recreation/kidsinthepark.

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 Child Abuse Prevention Workshop Free workshop for parents and adults who work with children to learn how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child abuse. Adults only. RSVP required.

Life Stories, 1640 25th Ave., GR. 970-353-5970, www.lifestoriesweld.org/ april-26-darkness-to-light-communityworkshop-life-stories.

FAMILY FINANCE EVENTS

APRIL 14, MAY 12, JUNE 9, JULY 14, AUGUST 11, SEPTEMBER 15 Financial Seminars for Families Free monthly seminars to learn more about financial security, understand your current financial standing and your future needs. Topics include: Protection from the Unexpected, Money Talks; College Funding; Flexibility in Retirement; Tax Diversity; Child Gifting. WIT Fitness, 1224 Automation Dr. Unit B WS. Times vary. 970-301-3320 www.facebook.com/SusanHartingnyl.

LIBRARY EVENTS

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.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Family Art Challenge: Recycled 3D Sculpture In conjunction with Earth Day, families create an art piece using recycled materials. Some materials provided in kit at Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. Listen to overview on Facebook. All ages. Registration required.

Clearview Library District Facebook meeting. 4–4:30pm. 970-686-5603, https:// clearview.libnet.info/event/6106936.

Noches en Familia at the Museum(Children’s Day) ¡Celebra el Día de los Niños, la cultura, las tradiciones y la comunidad. Un programa literario bilingüe que conecta a la comunidad con la cultura Latinx a través de cuentos infantiles, música, títeres, manualidades, comida, juegos e invitados especiales. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. 5pm doors open; 5:30pm literacy program. www.poudrelibraries.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Children’s Concert by Front Range Chamber Players Enjoy musical renditions of The Boy Who Cried Wolf and The Great Race/Tortoise and the Hare. Ages 5+. Registration required. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 11:30am–12:15pm and 1–1:45pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

APRIL 4 THROUGH 10 Storytime Take-Home Kit: I Can Make a Rainbow Pick up a children’s storytime kit for lots of rainbow fun and a craft, while supplies last. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave. GR. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Weird Science: Save the Trees!

Consider recycling and sustainability as you explore the science behind paper making and make some homemade paper of our own. Ages 6–12. Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 3–4pm.

970-686-5603, https://clearview.libnet. info/event/6106735.

MONDAY, APRIL 11 Teen Cooking Challenge: Dirt Dessert (with Take’n’Make Kit) Make a deceptively decadent dirt dessert.

Kits available beginning April 4. Ages 12–18. Register to receive meeting link.

Clearview Library District Zoom meeting.

6–7pm. 970-686-5603, https://clearview. libnet.info/event/6085835.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 We Dream in STEAM: What’s a Wobble Bot? Learn about making simple circuits and robots. Ages 9–12. Registration required.

Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 4:30–5:30pm. 970-686-5603 https://clearview.libnet.info/event/6106689.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Ozobots STREAM Activity Explore coding basics with the tiny but oh-so smart Ozobot. Grades 3–5.

Registration required. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields, FC. 10–11:30am. www.poudrelibraries.org.

What a Hoot!: A Nature’s Educators Presentation Learn about owls, then meet real ones and hear their stories. Ages 5+. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1–2pm. www.lovlib.org/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Celebra el Día de los Niños con Hanoch Piven Acompaña al reconocido artista israelí Hanoch Piven, en una plática y taller de arte virtual donde crearás un autoretrato sinigual. Para niños y público de todas las edades. Presentado en español con interpretación al inglés disponible.

Old Town Library or Zoom meeting.

10–11:30am. www.poudrelibraries.org.

In-Person Watch Party: Día de los Niños with Hanoch Piven Celebrate Children’s Day honoring linguistic and cultural diversity. Join Israeli artist Hanoch Piven for a virtual presentation and art workshop to create a self-portrait using found objects. Old Town Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 10–11:30am. www.poudrelibraries.org.

APRIL 22 THROUGH 24 Friends of the Library Sale Buy used books! Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. Friday 9am–6pm; Saturday9am–5pm; Sunday Noon–4pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

APRIL 22 THROUGH 30 Earth Day Take and Makes for Tweens Make your own seed bomb; learn about water-wise species and identifying native plants, and explore ideas for other Earthfriendly crafts. Grades 4–8. Pick up at all three PRPLD libraries. FC. www.poudrelibraries.org.

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TUESDAY, APRIL 26 You Got This: Life Skills for Independent Living Get on the road to self-sufficiency. Every month discover real-world topics that are essential to living independently. Ages 14–23. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, South parking lot 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 4:30–6:30pm. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 There’s Hope: Suicide Prevention Education for Teens Teens, join North Range Behavioral Health for SAFE:Teen© and learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, how to ask for and give help, and what resources are available. Ages 12–18.

Registration required. Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 5:30–7pm.

970-686-5603, https://clearview.libnet. info/event/6127093.

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 Getting Crafty: Whimsical Windchimes Make windy weather more cheerful by creating simple wind chimes. Ages 6–12.

Windsor-Severance Library, 720 3rd St., WS. 3–4pm. 970-686-5603, https:// clearview.libnet.info/event/6106689.

El día de los niños/El día de los libros Children’s Day/Book Day Celebrate with bilingual music, songs, storytime and a free book for each child!

Ages 0–PreK and families. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 5–6:30pm. www.lovlib.org/events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 Paint Pouring for Teens Blend, pour and tilt for infinite color/ pattern combinations. Supplies/instruction provided. Registration required. Grades 6–12. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave. #200, FC. 3:30–4:30pm or 5:30–6:30pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 Mom Kits Caregivers of infants/toddlers: Complete a request to receive a kit full of resources, books and community information on topics such as becoming a mom, pregnancy loss, breastfeeding, infant development, sleep, toddlerhood, parenting styles, etc. Riverside Library, 3700 Golden St., Evans. All day. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

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Baby Animals at the Library Pet, feed or even hold the smaller farm such as rabbits, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, cows, donkeys and alpacas.

Centennial Park Library, South parking lot, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 1–3pm. https://mylibrary.evanced.info/signup.

Homemade Chips & Dips for Teens Learn to make chips using veggies and whole grains and pair with tasty dips for healthy snacking. Registration required to receive Zoom link. PRPLD Zoom meeting.

FC. 2–4pm. www.poudrelibraries.org.

CONNECT TO NATURE

MONDAYS, TUESDAYS & SATURDAYS The Gardens Read and Seed in English, en Español ¡Es tiempo de explorar en los Jardines!

Garden story, movement/song plus natureinspired activity. Ages 2–4 with adult.

Registration required. Free/members; $8/ non-member child; $11/ non-member adult (includes gardens/butterfly house.)

Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. English M/T 10:15–11am & 11:15am–Noon; Spanish Sat. 10:15–11am. www.fcgov.com/gardens/read-and-seed.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Skygazing Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes and share 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. 8–10pm. www.fcgov.com/events.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 Earth Day Trail Project Assist with trail maintenance needs of Blue Sky trail. Learn what it takes to keep a heavily used trail in good shape for a quality outdoor recreation experience.

Ages 16+. Blue Sky Trailhead at Horsetooth Reservoir, From Harmony & Taft, take CR 38E 5.5 miles west towards Inlet Bay– trailhead on right, FC. 8am–2pm. https://offero.larimer.org/calendar.

APRIL 26 THROUGH 28 All About Garbage & Recycling Trucks Learn about recycling trucks, play a sorting game and make a mini garbage truck. Ages 3–6. Garbage Garage Education Center, 5887 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC. 10:30–11:30am. 970-498-5772, https:// lcsweducationcenter.eventbrite.com.

MUSEUM EVENTS

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 MAY 1 Tom Mazzullo Exhibit: Silverpoint 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.

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.

SECOND THURSDAYS Greeley History Museum: Museum at Twilight Explore the galleries and enjoy light refreshments during evening hours. In April, learn about local refugee experiences and resources. Greeley History Museum, 714 8th St., GR. 4–8pm. 970-350-9220 greeleymuseums.com.

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FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Noches en Familia at the Museum(Children’s Day) ¡Celebra el Día de los Niños, la cultura, las tradiciones y la comunidad. Un programa literario bilingüe que conecta a la comunidad con la cultura Latinx a través de cuentos infantiles, música, títeres, manualidades, comida, juegos e invitados especiales. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. 5pm doors open; 5:30pm literacy program. www.poudrelibraries.org.

APRIL 1 THROUGH 30 Art Exhibit: Aerials Featuring Denver artists Barbara Baer and M.A. Guthrie, the exhibit features mobiles (kinetic work hung from the ceiling) and 2D works. Tointon Gallery for the Visual Arts, 651 10th Ave., GR. 9am–5pm M–F; 9am–2pm Saturdays. greeleygov.com/ activities/public-art/tointon-gallery.

APRIL 6 & 7 A Day in the Life of a Recycling Truck Driver Learn about trash and recycling removal followed by fun DIY upcycled activity.

Ages 7+. Garbage Garage Education Center, 5887 S. Taft Hill Rd., FC. 10:30–11:30am. 970-498-5772, https:// lcsweducationcenter.eventbrite.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Pastel Workshop for Teens Free workshop to learn from Jennie Kiessling how to create your own abstract art. Ages 13–18. Registration required and limited to 12. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, LV. 5–7pm. www. thelovelandmuseum.org/programs-events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Air Supply Enjoy the trademark sounds of the Australian band through six decades. $48/$60. Streaming available. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7:30pm. https://ucstars.com.

APRIL 15 THROUGH 24 Baby Animal Days Meet baby animals and enjoy wagon rides on Saturdays (weather permitting). Excludes Easter Sunday. All ages. $3–$8. Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St., GR. 10am–3pm daily. www.greeleymuseums.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2 Kiwanis Club of Greeley’s Stars of Tomorrow Show 2022 Professionally judged talent show for the youth of Weld County, grades 1–12. $8/ student; $13/adult. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave., GR. 7pm. https://ucstars.com.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Homeschool Day: Fantastic Farmers Tour a 1900s farm laborer’s cottage, view original tools, then do soil science and plant your own vegetable. Grades PreK– 12. Art & Heritage Center, 116 5th St., WS. 10am–2pm. www.recreationliveshere.com.

Kid + Adult Art Class: Magical Window Bring an 8”x10” photocopy of a pet and paint a fabulous portrait. Ages 5–12 with adult. $32/member; $40/non-member.

Loveland Museum Beet Education Center 201 E. 5th St, LV. 5–6:30pm. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 Youth Art: Creature Painting Learn to paint Pop Art-style creatures using the color wheel. Grades 1–5. $24/ member; $30/non-member. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 3:45–5pm. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

APRIL 21 THROUGH MAY 6 Designs & Images: A celebration of the creative process View this 47-year long tradition showcasing the visual arts in Poudre School District. All ages. Hatton Gallery, CSU Visual Arts Building, 551 W. Pitkin, FC. https://art.colostate.edu/events.

Fashion Show of Girl Scout Uniforms Free, virtual fashion show, Girl Scouts will model over 30 vintage uniforms from 1919 to 2000.Global Village Museum of Arts and Cultures Zoom presentation. 6–7:30pm. 2214600, www.globalvillagemuseum.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day Workshop Build a pinhole camera, load the paper, take a photograph, then develop your picture! Ages 13+. $40/member; $50/ non-member. Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave, LV. Noon–4pm. www. thelovelandmuseum.org/programs-events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8 Tot Art Class: The Boy Whose Head was Filled with Stars Children and their adult helpers will explore this book and create a bejeweled constellation on black canvas. Ages 3–5 with an adult. $16/member; $20/nonmember. Loveland Museum Beet Education Center, 201 E. 5th St, LV. 10–11:30am. www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org.

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ENTERTAINMENT

THROUGH APRIL 16 Murder on the Orient Express Agatha Christie’s famous murder mystery.

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown. Times vary.

970-744-3747 www.coloradocandlelight.com.

APRIL 2 & 3 Wicked West Comic Expo See dozens of comic creators, crafters, toy and collectible vendors, prop makers and table-top gaming. $15/ages 12+; $5/ages 11 and under. The Ranch Events Complex, LV. 10am–6pm. www.treventscomplex.com.

APRIL 8 & 9 Lost Marbles Theatrics: Beauty and the Beast A young woman goes to work off her father’s debt at a ruined castle, where not all is as it seems. All ages. $16. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 2pm and 7pm. www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 2022 Colorado All State Bands Tickets required regardless of age. $10/ student or senior; $15/adult. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave., GR. 4pm. https://ucstars.com.

APRIL 15 & 16 Spring Craft & Gift Show Huge craft show also features Colorado’s Biggest Egg Toss & Egg Hunt! $5/adult; $3/child. The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Cir., LV. 2pm Friday; 9am Saturday. www.treventscomplex.com.

Toughest Monster Truck Tour Three huge shows plus opportunity to take photos, and get autographs. $25/adult; $15/ child. Budweiser Events Center, 5280 Arena Cir., LV. Times vary. www.treventscomplex.com.

Easter Events

SATURDAY, APRIL 9 Fort Collins Marketplace Easter Event All participating merchants will hand out filled eggs while supplies last–bring your baskets–plus face painting, balloon twisting, Easter Bunny visits and crafts.

Fort Collins Marketplace, College Ave. & Horsetooth Rd., FC. Noon–2pm. www.facebook.com/events/361587069149889.

APRIL 9, 10, 16 Easter Bunny Photos Bring your own camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny! First 300 kids receive a goody bag, while supplies last.

Harper Mae Children’s Boutique, 5943 Sky Pond Dr. E172, LV. Noon–3pm. www. thepromenadeshopsatcenterra.com/events.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Easter Eggstravaganza Search for eggs in the water during the egg splash in the indoor pool; take part in a traditional egg hunt and enjoy open gym activities, games and a chance to win door prizes. Ages 3–5. Register for desired wave preference. $7. Windsor Community Rec Center, 250 N. 11th St. WS. 10am–noon. https://bit.ly/35OY3Su.

Eggs-tra Special Glow Hunt Glow in the dark egg hunt, Easter bunny sightings, photo booth, glow Mobile Recreation Trailer games and more. Ages 3–12. Register by age group. $10 pre-reg; $15 day of. Loveland Sports Park, 950 N. Boyd Lake Ave., LV. 6–9pm. www.lovgov.org/webtrac.

APRIL 15 & 16 Spring Craft & Gift Show Huge craft show also features Colorado’s Biggest Egg Toss & Egg Hunt! $5/adult; $3/child. The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Cir., LV. 2pm Friday; 9am Saturday. www.treventscomplex.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Morning Fresh Dairy Egg-Stravaganza Yard games, crafts, bike/merchandise raffles, a jelly bean guessing game, photomooth and more. Register for tours that include petting calves, sampling milks and noosa yoghurt, and a special gift.

Morning Fresh Dairy, 5821 W. CR 54E, Bellvue. 10am–4pm. www.morningfreshdairy.com/tours-andevents/eggstravaganza.

Cinderella’s Tea Party & Easter Parade Join Cinderella for a special pink tea party with cookies and etiquette lesson, dancing, sing-along, enchanting games, then parade downtown! $20.

Magical Moments, 920 9th Ave, GR. 10–11:30am. www.facebook.com/ events/422382359662384.

Easter Egg Hunt & Community Food Drive Kids can hunt for treat-filled Easter eggs. Bring a non-perishable food item to support the food bank.

Library Park, 207 Peterson St., FC. 11am–2pm. www.eventbrite.com/e/ easter-egg-hunt-community-food-driveregistration-274572211877.

Wellington Easter Egg Hunt Bring your baskets! Kids are separated into age-appropriate groups to collect 4,000+ treasure-filled eggs. Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and enjoy the coffee truck. All ages. Wellington Community Park, 8760 Buffalo Creek Pkwy.Wellington. 1pm. www.wellingtoncolorado.gov.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Face Vocal Band Enjoy the all-vocal rock stylings. All ages. $38. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 Secrets of Space Experience the wonders of the galaxy through science, technology, engineering and math. All ages. $5/all seats. Union Colony Civic Center, Monfort Concert Hall, 701 10th Ave., GR. 6:30pm. https://ucstars.com.

APRIL 23 & 24 NoCo Theatrix Presents Matilda Jr Ode to the power of imagination. All ages. $13/all seats. Union Colony Civic Center, Hensel Phelps Theatre, 701 10th Ave., GR. 2:30pm or 6:30pm. https://ucstars.com.

APRIL 28 THROUGH JUNE 26 Singin’ in the Rain Song, dance, and an onstage rainstorm.

Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Dr., Johnstown.

Times vary. 970-744-3747 www.coloradocandlelight.com.

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APRIL 29 & 30 Loveland Choral Society: The Sensational 60’s The Beatles, Motown, Rock n’ Roll greats, Folk Legends, etc. plus a nostalgic return to Woodstock. All ages. $23/adult; $18/child 14 & under. Rialto Theater, 228 E. 4th St., LV. Times vary. www.rialtotheatercenter.org.

ACTIVE-ITIES

MOST SATURDAYS Kids Nite Out Loveland & Windsor Kid’s Nite Out (KNO) Across America provides games and activities with different themes each event. 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.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10 Horsetooth Half Marathon Iconic and challenging course finishing at New Belgium Brewery. Horsetooth Reservoir to New Belgium Brewing, FC. 8:30am. www.horsetooth-half.com.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15 THROUGH SUNDAY, APRIL 17 Run the Ranch Trail race to Loveland includes your choice of six distances: 5K, 10K, 4hr, 6hr, 12hr and 12hr 4-person relay. West of Loveland. www.sweetheartcityracing.com.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16 American Girl Doll Skate Bring your friends, your doll and enjoy ice skating, a group lesson and fun activities. $6 plus $3 skate rental. Greeley Ice Haus, 900 8th Ave., GR. 11am–1:30pm. https:// greeleyrec.com/greeley-ice-haus.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23 FCMS Earth Day 5K and Sticker Walk Earth Day themed timed 5K race plus 1-mile children’s Sticker Walk. All ages, open to public. Fossil Creek Park, 5821 S. Lemay Ave., FC. 8:30–10am. www.focomontessori.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24 13th Annual Flying Pig Charity 5K Run, jog or walk. All ages. Spring Canyon Park, 2520 W. Horsetooth Rd., FC. 8:30– 11am. www.foothillsgateway.org/event/ flying-pig-5k-2022.

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youth view Taking the reins for climate action Youth train others to shape the world they’re inheriting LULI HARRISON

L

earning about climate change is vital for us, our younger generations, and we must act before it is too late. Humans have created a climate emergency, releasing large amounts of greenhouse-gas emissions into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels, deforestation, overfilling landfills, and industrialization. If we continue, the consequences of climate change will be irreversible.

The good news, though, is that our planet’s youth are technologically savvy and extremely adaptable, and we can use these skills to reduce the impact of climate change. It begins when students understand the causes behind climate change and the role that they play. They can then use their resources and agency to build a climate-conscious global community.

To inspire youth in Fort Collins, the Sustainable Living Association has organized a group of high school students to lead an event on climate change. The Youth Climate Action Day takes place Saturday, April 23 at Earth Day Fort Collins at Civic Center Park.

A passionate team of young people will

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lead and execute the event in five educational areas where students will listen to their peers, voice their own questions and feelings, and take action.

In the “Talk about it” section of the event—discussion about why climate change is occurring and how to productively communicate it—students will learn to effectively speak on climate issues. Similarly, in the “Learn about it” segment, students will talk about questions they have, while a youth panel will host a discussion moderated by a climate expert about the science behind climate change.

In addition to these conversations, students will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on work. During the “Act on it” portion, everyone will collaborate in a community-service

project, and in the “DIY,” students will learn how to compost and why it is a simple way to mitigate climate change.

At the end of the event, students will come together to advocate and fundraise for the cause of climate change.

Students who attend this event will not only want to make change but will also be able to act. With their new tools, resources and knowledge, they can develop their own simple lifestyle habits, take further steps to communicate climate change and, ultimately, create a movement.

Luli Harrison is a senior at Rocky Mountain High School focusing on journalism and is one of the core student coordinators for the First Youth Climate Action Day event.

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