RMParent August 2015 by RM Publishing

AUGUST 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

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AUGUST 2015

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

Hear ye, hear ye--respect in the debate culture

WOMEN’S HEALTH . . . . . . . . 8

Raising sons who respect girls—role-modeling at home paves the way for strong relationships

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10 Top 10 outings—squeeze in a few excursions before summer ends

GIVE ME A BREAK . . . . . . . . 12 Aiming for aimless—before summer ends seek some lazy days and quiet ways

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Health, wellness focus of northern Colorado amenities—farmers’ markets, new recreation trails, satisfied citizens

HEALTHY LIVING . . . . . . . . 1 6 What’s on your kids’ school lunch plates?— healthful options include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy

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

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

TIME OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Solo road trip—sometimes a parent needs a little space to himself

Special Sections PROGRAM & ACTIVITY GUIDE & BACK TO SCHOOL GUIDE

PROGRAM& ACTIVITY guide AUGUST 2015 • RMPARENT.COM

Progra m

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ALPHABETICAL • PAGE 26 •••••••••••••

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Back-to-School

UPDATES Find activities that are Page 10 right for your child in this extensive guide of programs throughout the region. Plus, check out the changes that are coming to your school district this fall—expanding programs, updated curricula, new schools, fresh leaders, online expansions and more...

Features 18 KIDS WHO CUT

According to studies, 12-37 percent of middle school teens cut and 12-20 percent of older teens cut. As far as selfinjury behaviors go, cutting is the most common. Kids cut their arms, thighs and hips (easy to hide) and sometimes other areas like their necks and backs.

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 New district information guide, dual-language immersion program now available in Thompson School District, TSD introduces two new administrators, meet TSD’s new principals

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Teachers give positive feedback on TELL survey, Math Toolkit gives parents strategies to support their child

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Ribbon cut on new Prairie Heights Middle School, new superintendent at the helm of District 6, school kickoff community celebration scheduled

20 EXPERIENCE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY

Libraries are keeping up with changing technology and cultural demands in many ways to make your library experience interesting, engaging and relevant. While still serving traditional patrons, libraries are expanding offerings to include events in the community, acting as social hubs, providing creative spaces and more. And they are kid-friendly! ABOUT THE COVER: Sophia, 8, loves languages, science, music, art and reading. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Hear ye, hear ye

Respect in the debate culture

hen was the last time you had a dialog with someone? Not a conversation, but a discussion where you held one point of view and the other person held a different point of view. It could have been with a son or daughter about what was appropriate to wear to school or downtown to dinner with the family. Or maybe it was with a co-worker about a new project going in town. Were you a good listener? Did you try to understand the other person’s point of view, or did your “dialog” more resemble a debate where you were trying to get across your point and weren’t really interested in what the other person was trying to say? I do it all the time—especially with the kids. They’re adults now, but I find myself still spouting, and as usual I’m probably wrong anyway. I can catch myself better now. I recognize the here-goes-dad-again look…and sometimes I respond by shutting up and laughing and sometimes I’m just so right that I intentionally ignore the signs and carry on with my epistle. It even happens with the dogs. I don’t try to understand why it’s so important to Charlie to keep the evil squirrel invaders at bay. I just tell him to shut up and lie down. Of course Charlie’s not even two and pretty excitable so maybe my approach is appropriate in that case. And he did eat the couch, and 6 pairs of my shoes, and 14 hats, and 15 socks but only one from each pair…am I sounding bitter and vindictive? And that’s what happens in our debate culture: We get bitter and vindictive because we can’t understand why all those stupid people can’t see the obvious truth as we see it. Too ranty? So what set it off ? Well, it was basically Lynn Nichols’s column on page 8 about teaching your boys to respect girls. Seem like a leap to this? It is. But the common denominator is respect. We feel threatened by anything or anyone that isn’t like us or doesn’t agree with us or isn’t in our “club.” So we respond with righteousness, put-downiness, and disrespect. It’s basically a defense mechanism to help keep us safe…in a mental kind of way. I don’t have a degree in psychology, but I have plenty of gray hair and I think that counts for something. So what I’m suggesting (and this is as much a reminder to myself as anything) is that we listen and then listen some more and then maybe try a little bit to understand. And then instead of spouting the same thing over again, we think for a moment about how it’s going to be heard by the other person. I know my wife, Kristin, is smirking a little bit as she reads this and my kids would say, yeah, good one dad, but I like the advice…it’s just hard to apply. Thanks for listening…right? Scott

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AUGUST 2015 • Volume 20, Issue 3 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, Kris Kodrich, Lynn U. Nichols, Kim Sharpe

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

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women’s health

Raising sons who respect girls Role-modeling at home paves the way for strong relationships LY NN U. NICHOLS

t’s easy to assume that dads have the most power when it comes to influencing boys. Dads give boys an up close, real life example of what it means to be a man—how men act, think, talk and emote. Yet as moms we shouldn’t assume we can slack. We have a lot of influence in shaping what kind of men our boys become and maybe even a little more on teaching them how to treat women. Together, mom and dad also make a big impact on showing what a healthy relationship looks like, which promotes mutual respect. Here are five simple checks you can apply to your own life to see if you are on the right track to raising boys who will not only respect women but also know how to maintain an intimate relationship. ASSESS YOUR POWER Do you have power in the household? Does your word go unquestioned a good share of the time? When you and your spouse have a disagreement, do the tone, words and messages stay respectful between both of you? Does your husband refrain from spouting stereotypes about women—they can’t drive, they are unpredictable or too emotional, and so on? If your boys see you holding the power card equally with your husband you are on the right track. PROMOTE INTIMACY Allowing boys to reveal their softer side and get used to showing and sharing emotions is a gift you give to not only your son, but also his future partner. Intimacy is the key to happiness, and a big player in respect. When we let someone in, flaws and all, we learn to accept them as they are and stereotypes and disrespect fall away. If you offer unconditional love and a willing ear, your sons will learn intimacy. Hugging, hi-fiving, spontaneously dancing in the living room

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also helps promote emotional openness, as does letting your kids see you and your spouse share affections. CONFRONT HIM WHEN NEEDED Boys are bound to see other boys disrespect women, or witness on the news a favorite professional athlete or actor getting called out for domestic violence or abuse. It’s easy for them to stay silent or even jump on the bandwagon. If your son uses disrespectful names for women or laughs when their friends do, pull them aside and let them know you disapprove of their behavior. Then, empower them with the right words and actions if they witness such rude behavior from their friends. A simple “that’s not cool” and walking away often works. If you witness a situation or watch anti-women behavior unfold in the media, use it as a teaching moment. Tell about a time a boy or man disrespected you and how it made you feel. Share your views on how stereotypes and double standards hurt. DON’T PLAY INTO THE STEREOTYPES THAT KEEP WOMEN DOWN Do you pick up after your son, do his

laundry and never ask him to do dishes, vacuum or scrub a toilet? If so, he’s learning that’s all women’s work. Do you make comments about your weight, your looks or show envy of beautiful women on television and magazines? If so, you are teaching them a woman’s worth is in her looks. Show your sons you are strong and confident in yourself and stand outside the cookie-cutter stereotypes they are inundated with every day in television, movies, social media and the halls at school. TEACH HIM HOW TO APOLOGIZE Better yet, encourage your spouse to do so. When a child witnesses a father apologizing for poor behavior and admitting they weren’t acting their best, a powerful message is sent. We all make mistakes, we are not perfect, if we hurt someone, we tell them we are sorry and admit what we did wrong. Even boys. It’s a lesson kids don’t always get to witness but it holds a ton of weight in teaching appropriate behavior and promoting intimacy in relationships. If you treat your son respectfully, he will learn the habit of treating others with respect.

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family activities

Top 10 outings

Squeeze in a few excursions before summer ends KATIE HARRIS

ow that the first day of school is a mere weeks away, and many outdoor destinations will be closing shop for the season soon, it’s time to prioritize. But hey, why stress when we’ve got everything under control for you right here! Your very own “Top 10 must-do-before-summer-2015comes-to-an-end” list is below, just waiting for you to spring into action! 10. COOL OFF AT A SPRAY PARK Relatively new to the scene, spray parks are a unique summer treasure for our kids’ generation. They’re a safe way for tots and non-swimmers to enjoy the water, and a fun place for older kids to cool off while enjoying the on-site play equipment offered at most of these parks. Call or visit your local parks and recreation department for a list of facilities near you. 9. RIDE THE TRAIN One of my family’s summer rituals is riding the Buckhorn Northern train at North Lake Park in Loveland. Even now that the kids are older, we still manage to squeeze into the caboose for a claustrophobia-ridden, heat-intense ride (parents, you know what I’m talking about). If you’re in the Fort Collins area, the Fort Collins Trolley traverses Old Town from City Park to Howes St. and offers another fun, kid-friendly experience to add to your summer routine. 8. SCULPTURE PARK Chapungu Park at Centerra and Benson Park in Loveland are perfect places to explore Loveland’s rich art culture without spending a beautiful summer day cooped up at an indoor museum. While you’re there, encourage your kids to think creatively about the pieces and their meanings. Consider it a bit of summer art education, without the textbooks!

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7. HAVE A PICNIC Probably the simplest idea on this list, just packing the lunch you’re going to make anyway and taking it outside can go a long way in making it feel more like summer. 6. GO FRUIT OR VEGGIE PICKING Miller Farms in Platteville offers farm tours throughout the year, and Berry Patch Farms in Brighton let’s you pick your own berries and flowers when in season. Closer to home, you can find a variety of farmer’s markets. Teach kids where food comes from and the value of eating healthy. 5. GET YOUR COUNTRY ON August is peak season for local fairs, including those hosted by Larimer County, Weld County, and Boulder County. Meet the farm animals at the petting zoo, take in a show or two, and maybe even don a cowboy hat and attend a rodeo. Yee haw! 4. WATCH A MOVIE OUTSIDE Curl up together and enjoy a movie or two under the stars at the Holiday Twin Drive-in in Fort Collins.

3. ATTEND A FESTIVAL August will make way for New West Fest in Fort Collins, which will include “kids’ music adventure” and “kids’ world” for 2015. The annual Corn Roast will take place in Loveland this month, with all the locally grown corn you can eat, along with a parade, vendors and entertainment! 2. GO FOR A HIKE Whether you spend a morning in Rocky Mountain National Park, hike up to Horsetooth Rock in Fort Collins or Devil’s Backbone in Loveland, or explore the Poudre River Trail in Greeley, your whole family will feel great after a day of adventure and exercise. 1. SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH It just isn’t summer until you’ve come home at the end of the day with a car full of sand, pruny fingertips, and pink noses! Consider Windsor Lake or Lake Loveland and check with their respective parks and recreation departments for hours of operation.

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give me a break

Aiming for aimless

Before summer ends seek some lazy days and quiet ways KIM SHARPE

h, those lazy days of summer. When the temperatures rise, it’s tempting to find a bit of shade and lounge about rather than work up a sweat. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we should do. Summertime should include a lot of downtime. Time to day dream, wander a bit aimlessly and, well…do nothing. I admit I don’t take nearly enough time to relax. (Insert loud guffaw here.) But if I did, I’d hang out more in my own yard and relax under a shade tree or on the deck under the umbrella. Or I’d find an alternate relaxing space to wind down and enjoy the last few days of summer before the fall routine winds back up. I also should visit more of the dozens of local parks and open spaces throughout Larimer and Weld Counties when I need a break. Some of the favorites include Fort Collins City Park, Fossil Creek Park and Spring Canyon Community Park. Greeley’s Glenmere and Bittersweet Parks are popular, too. The seats and small green spaces sprinkled along the Poudre River Trail make for great stops along that route which winds from Windsor (soon to be Fort

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Collins) through Greeley. In Loveland, many individuals and families enjoy Centennial Park, North Lake Park and Veteran’s Park for picnics and play. Up in Estes, the path and sitting areas located around Lake Estes provide a great escape from the hubbub. And of course, there’s THE park—as in Rocky Mountain National Park. Its more than 250,000 acres of fresh mountain air and scenery can’t be beat for finding ample space to spend some quiet time—now if I can just get there more often! Once, after a meeting I attended in Estes, I drove down Devil’s Gulch Road, which follows the North Fork of the Big Thompson River through Glen Haven all the way to Drake and the intersection of Highway 34. I stopped somewhere along the way, sat myself on a streamside rock and just enjoyed the soothing sound of the water rushing by. It was so spur of the moment and really refreshing. Another way I can imagine I’d gain peace and quiet is by meandering

through local art galleries and museums. The many paintings and photographs on display would surely detract my mind from obsessing about all of life’s little details. If I wanted to combine the great outdoors and art at the same time, I’d go to the Benson Sculpture Gardens and Park across the street from North Lake Park. I’m sure they offer a beautiful, serene spot to stroll about and lose oneself in carefree thought. Then there are books. Talk about a great way to get lost for a while! I love to read and do so almost every night before my eyelids drop shut. So, I get in about three to five minutes of casual reading time a day. To find those good reads, I really do enjoy visiting bookstores and libraries. I love all the enticing displays of “must reads” and often leave with at least one literary work to dive into. So as we enter into the last weeks of summer, make sure to make time to do nothing wherever you feel like. I’ll aim to take my own advice and join you.

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community news

Health, wellness focus of amenities Farmer’s Markets, new recreation trails, satisfied citizens KIM SHARPE

Northern Colorado continues to add programs and services for residents and visitors to enjoy, always keeping health and wellness in mind. Make sure to take advantage of the ones listed below. NEW CHILDREN’S PROGRAM AT THE GREELEY FARMERS’ MARKET In partnership with the Make TODAY Count! campaign and the Healthy Kids Club of University of Colorado Health, the Greeley Farmers’ Market is launching a new monthly program for children ages 3 to 12. The Growing Kids Program features a Kid’s Zone at the Market; it’s free and open to the community. The Kid’s Zone will take place on the second Saturday of each month, 9:30-11:30am, with kidoriented activities focused on healthy living, such as planting seeds, cooking lessons, scavenger hunts, vegetable art and making smoothies by riding a blender bike. Each participating child will receive a special $2 coupon to spend at the market on fruits and vegetables, plus a reusable shopping bag. Make TODAY Count! is working together with community partners to improve well-being, increase healthy eating and increase active living. Make TODAY Count! is powered by a growing collaboration and commitment of individuals, agencies and businesses throughout Colorado’s Weld County. It is supported by a community benefit grant from Kaiser Permanente and coordinated by the North Colorado Health Alliance. For more information, please contact Carlee Rosen at crosen.alliance@ nocoha.org or 970-350-4673. For more about Make TODAY Count!, visit www. maketodaycount.org or www.facebook. com/MakeTodayCountCampaign. NEW TRAIL CONNECTING LOVELAND AND FORT COLLINS SOON TO BE A REALITY Funding has been secured to build a 14

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multi-use, recreation and commuter trail connecting Loveland and Fort Collins. The 4.4-mile Long View Corridor Trail will run along the east side of N.Taft Ave. in Loveland and S. Shields St. in Fort Collins, providing a safe, detached, non-motorized alternative for traveling between the two cities. No such trail currently exists connecting Loveland and Fort Collins. The Long View Corridor Trail will pass through three City of Fort Collins natural areas, one Larimer County open space and one City of Loveland natural area. The five public spaces, consisting of protected agricultural lands and wildlife habitat, will offer future trail users sweeping views of the foothills and mountains. On the north end, the trail will tie into a sidewalk and underpass leading into the City of Fort Collins’ Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area and existing Fossil Creek Trail. “With Cathy Fromme Prairie al-

ready having a concrete trail system, pedestrian underpass and trailhead in place, it will be a great destination for folks using the Long View Corridor Trail,” says Jason Stutzman, City of Fort Collins Project Manager. On the south end, the trail will tie into the Loveland Recreation Trail at the City of Loveland’s newly acquired Sunset Vista Natural Area on the corner of 57th St. and North Taft Ave. At Sunset Vista, Loveland plans to build a trailhead, parking lot and other amenities. “The acquisition of Sunset Vista Natural Area was the catalyst for securing grant funds to build the Long View Corridor Trail,” says Janet Meisel-Burns, Loveland’s senior park planner. Although Fort Collins and Larimer County had secured most of the land needed to build the trail, the acquisition of Sunset Vista Natural Area allowed the trail to be fully built so that visitors could use it to connect to existing trails. “Cyclists and walkers will be able to get from

Loveland to Fort Collins, and vice versa, safely, without having to ride or walk on busy N. Taft Ave./S. Shields St.”, Meisel-Burns explains. Transportation and safety were the top priorities for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) when they awarded Larimer County a $1 million grant for this trail in January. “Paved trails are more than just a recreation amenity; with additional growth planned along the Front Range, it’s wise to provide alternative forms of transportation, such as bike paths,” says Jeffrey Boring, Larimer County resource specialist. The $1 million award was CDOT’s largest award for this grant cycle. “The Long View Corridor Trail project was selected because it provides critical connections to existing community trail networks. This connection increases travel options for northern Colorado’s transportation network and helps increase bicycle and pedestrian safety,” says Karen Schneiders, CDOT transportation planner. In addition to the $1 million CDOT grant, final funding for the trail was secured in June when Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) announced a $999,550 grant from its Paths to Parks initiative to Larimer County, City of Loveland and City of Fort Collins to build the trail. “Children today are not getting outdoors as much as their parents did, so one of GOCO’s top priorities is to fund projects that create safe, easy avenues to the outdoors,” GOCO Executive Director Lise Aangeenbrug states. “This trail will allow kids and their families to access five open space and natural areas, four of which did not allow public access prior to the Long View Corridor Trail.” Construction of the Long View Corridor Trail and the trailhead at Sunset Vista Natural Area will begin in 2016 with a grand opening planned for 2017. The Long View Corridor Trail is part of series of regional trails in the works for Larimer County, Fort Collins and Loveland. To learn more about regional trails, visit: http://www.larimer. org/openlands/regional-trails.htm.

CAMPAIGN CONNECTS KIDS TO NATURE Help your children get into nature with Larimer County Natural Resources’ new Junior Ranger Guide. The 20-page activity guide aims to connect kids ages 7-12 to the amazing parks and open spaces in Larimer County, teaching them how to enjoy and care for plants, animals and ecosystems. Activities include learning to use a map, attending guided hikes and programs, interviewing a ranger and more. If kids complete five or more activities by the end of the summer, they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a kids’ backpack from REI Fort Collins. All children receive a Junior Ranger badge upon completing five activities. For information or to obtain a copy of the guide, stop by the Larimer County Natural Resources office, 1800 S. County Road 31, Loveland; contact Education Program Coordinator Heather Young at hyoung@larimer.org or 970619-4489; or visit www.larimer.org. To learn more about Larimer County’s parks and open spaces, visit www.larimer.org/naturalresources. LARIMER COUNTY CITIZEN SURVEY 2015 RESULTS RELEASED What do Larimer County residents think about County services? Every two years the Board of Larimer County Commissioners (BCC) conducts a scientific survey. The BCC considers the results for budget planning, to benchmark citizens’ opinions, and to identify areas of concern. The results of the 2015 Larimer County Citizen Survey are now available: http://larimer.org/bocc/ survey_results.htm. Sixty-seven percent of Larimer County residents who were randomly recruited chose to participate in the survey. Residents continue to be positive about performance of services and there is high stability in the data over time, the first survey was 2002. Attitudes toward the County government and perceptions of Larimer County as a place to work and live can be considered slightly positive to positive. Almost 50 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed they have “confidence” in County government

and felt the County was “moving in the right direction.” These “attitude” questions were first asked in 2010 and the responses have been stable without significant change. The most important services offered by the County, according to survey participants, continues to be: providing landfills, recycling and waste management services; wildfire protection; restaurant inspections; and prosecuting criminal cases. The performance of County services continued to be positively rated with the top performing primary services being registering voters and conducting elections, providing landfills, recycling and waste management, collecting property taxes and maintaining official records. Looking forward, survey participants site maintaining and repairing roads, promoting jobs, managing growth and traffic while being mindful of environmental impacts, and maintaining parks and opens spaces as important. Areas for improvement include: communicating with citizens; supporting mental health, substance abuse and detoxification services; and establishing and enforcing child support orders. Some of these services are slated in the County’s current Strategic Plan for projects that will garner improvements. Areas that performed well, yet were not as important include: The Ranch, 4-H, nontraditional land use programs and workforce services for businesses. The Larimer County website, the Virtual Courthouse, is the best way to get information about the County according to respondents of all ages. Other useful sources: friends, neighbors and co-workers; all forms of media; and utility bill inserts. There also is interest in a Mobile App, e-newsletter and online dialogue tools that allow citizens to communicate with the County. Larimer County worked with Colorado State University’s Dr. Jill Mosteller, a marketing faculty member in the College of Business on the survey. Mosteller says residents look at services in terms of personal impact and the more they are impacted by a service, such as the landfill, the more they are aware of the service. RMPARENT

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healthy living

What’s on your kids’ school lunch plate? Healthful options include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy LEA HANSON

hat’s considered to be a healthful lunch for schoolaged children has changed in the past few decades. Children of the 80s may have fond memories of individually packaged potato chips and Little Debbie snacks, but for most families these items are a thing of the past. In June 2011, MyPlate replaced the Food Pyramid with the intent to prompt consumers to think about building a healthful plate at meal times. Additionally, MyPlate is a new, simpler image of a plate divided into basic food groups that rely more heavily on fruits and vegetables than nutrition messages may have in the past. While not all school districts endorse or follow the MyPlate standards specifically, school districts around the country, including Poudre School District, Thompson School District, and Weld County School Districts utilize nutrition education programs to promote both nutritious food and increased nutrition awareness among students and their families. Many children consume at least half of their daily meals at school, so it is essential that kids’ lunches—whether packed or served from the school kitchen—are healthful. And, although Colorado often tops the list for lowest rate of obesity, our state still stands about in the middle of the 50 states for childhood obesity rates; a rate that is steadily increasing. The Colorado Health Foundation estimated in 2013 that if Colorado were to climb to No. 1 in childhood obesity prevention, it would have almost 25,000 fewer kids living at an unhealthy weight. Giving kids access to healthful and nutritious food is one of the best ways to support them growing into healthy adults. Schools are working hard to implement these healthier standards, but they could use some support. For those whose children eat school lunch, here are some ways you can support 16

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your school in its efforts for healthier food: • See the improvements to school lunches firsthand; have lunch with your child. • Review the school menu or ask your child what is being served. • Contact your district to find out how you can support the healthy school meals. • Join your school’s wellness policy or health committee (or start one). • Serve your child more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains at home so they are familiar with them at school.

Some parents dread late evening or early morning lunch packing, especially if there are multiple children in your family. But, packing a healthful school lunch doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or time consuming. For those who more often pack your child’s lunch, here are some tips for meal planning: • Follow MyPlate (or similar) recommendations, which include fruit, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy in each meal. • Do your best to create a lunch in which 50 percent is fruits and vegetables. • Stick with fresh fruit and vegetables whenever possible; avoid packing snacks such as chips, cookies or even store-bought granola bars.

• Make enough dinner for leftovers. You’ll save time as well as money; it’s so much easier to simply eat them again— or in a new way—the following day. • Try weekend meal planning: If leftovers aren’t your thing, consider making several small items the weekend prior. • Keep favorite staples on hand: whether it’s containers of yogurt or hummus, don’t be left without the favorite items. • Be conservative: too many choices can be more confusing than helpful.

For those with the resources and ability, there are lots of simple things parents/guardians can do to make lunches fun and exciting:

• Fun/colorful lunch boxes or bags • Compartment-style lunch boxes • Foods that require a little play such as dunking fruit in peanut butter • Foods that require some construction such as disassembled ‘ants on a log’ • Allow your child to assist with lunch packing • Shop with your child. Most of us are grocery shopping with our children in tow; allow them to be active participants in selecting the items they’d like to have included in their lunches that week.

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KIDS WHO

CUT

Why and what you can do to help LYNN U. NICHOLS

t’s hard to understand how hurting yourself can make you feel better, but that’s how it is with cutting. If you’ve noticed cuts on your teen or pre-teen’s arms, are finding bloody tissues in the trash, bloody clothing in their room or noticing blood spots in the shower, it may be time to explore if your teen is cutting. “Kids cut because they feel awful with all capital letters, and it gives them some temporary relief,” says Craig McFadden, a licensed behavioral health specialist with Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center in Fort Collins who has worked with teens who cut for years. According to reputable studies, 1237 percent of middle school teens cut and 12-20 percent of older teens cut in the U.S. Interestingly, 25 percent try it just once. The good news is nearly half (40 percent) stop within a year, but it can become a coping mechanism that teens bring into their adult lives. As far 18

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as self-injury behaviors go, cutting is the most common, followed by scratching. Some kids also burn themselves, bang their heads or punch themselves. Kids cut their arms, thighs and hips (easy to hide) and sometimes other areas like their necks and backs. More girls cut than boys.

McFadden adds. For those who try it once, it might be that a friend suggested it or they heard

WHY KIDS CUT “Cutting is a very secretive behavior, and teens cut for many different reasons. Kids who cut have huge, overwhelming feelings and they don’t have the words to express them. Maybe they are being abused or bullied or feeling anxious or depressed. Maybe they suffer from extreme perfectionism and it gives them a sense of control. Or it could be a mental health issue such as bipolar setting in where they can’t sleep, feel agitated and their thoughts are going fast. It can also be a way of punishing themselves. Cutting brings relief and momentary calm,”

• Unexplained cuts, scratches usually on arms and legs • Covering up with long sleeves even when it’s warm out • Skipping gym or the pool to avoid exposure • Finding razor blades or knives in their room • Seeing bloody rags, clothing or tissues in their room or trash • Finding blood splatters in the sink or shower

Signs of cutting Check in with your teen if you see the following:

“Generally, if you see evidence of blood around, ask about it and see how it feels when they answer. Is it plausible? If not, consider cutting,” says Craig McFadden with Mountain Crest.

about it and felt stressed so they thought they’d give it a try. Then they found out they didn’t like it and it didn’t help. But for those who get the 5- to 30-minute relief it brings, it feels worth it. If you suspect your child is cutting there are things you can do to help. McFadden offers sound advice for parents who are faced with this stressful parenting challenge. DON’T FREAK OUT “First, don’t freak out. Be concerned, not worried. To me, worried is fearful as in ‘Oh my God! Why are you doing that!’ and concerned is alert and thoughtful as in, ‘Tell me more about that.’ That’s what you want your teen to see. Kids do a quick radar sweep to see if you are okay and if you freak out they decide it’s better to hide their feelings,” McFadden says. He goes on to say that kids tend to personalize everything. If they sense they caused you stress they see it as their fault and they think they did something wrong. Once that happens they will start denying it’s a problem and simply learn to hide it better. That’s why taking on a curious yet concerned demeanor works best when dealing with cutting or any concerning behavior. McFadden likes to say big tears are for friends and spouses, little tears can be shared with kids. “Parents don’t realize how much we can scare our kids. We’re big animals to them! I believe in creating an emotionally safe environment. It’s important for parents to be accepting rather than shaming, to invite rather than distance, and of course it’s not easy,” he adds. UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEELINGS Before diving in too deeply with your child, take a minute to check in on your own feelings. After all, this is stressful, not straight-ahead parenting. Naturally, you feel shocked. You might also feel angry, sad, confused, scared or disappointed. You might judge yourself and think you are a bad parent or blame your child for making you upset. If you are not ready to talk, let your child know you hear them but you need some time to consider it. Tell them you’d like to talk in an hour or the next day

and take the time to learn about cutting, reach out to a friend, and explore your feelings. If you cope with your own feelings you will be better able to stay calm, be concerned rather than worried, and most importantly, not freak out. BE IN IT WITH YOUR KID The message you want to send is, ‘I’m here for you and you can count on me.’ You might reveal that you don’t like the cutting but you don’t want them to feel ashamed. Send the message that you are open and ready to listen. Do this by asking open-ended questions and letting your teen guide the conversation. McFadden often starts by asking, ‘What does it do for you?’ and showing understanding. He recommends that parents could say, ‘What I know about cutting is you are having big feelings that you don’t know what to do with, so what’s going on?’ “Get them talking about what they see as the next step. You may be 10 steps ahead of them but you need to start where they are. Ask them questions about what they think might help or what has helped before, or what other activities make them feel better,” he suggests. As tempting as it is, don’t believe promises that they will quit or help keep it a secret from others. Cutting needs to be taken seriously and addressed before it becomes a go-to coping technique, compulsion or they hurt themselves. SEEK HELP “Nobody wants to admit their kid needs help or that they need help help-

ing their kid, but usually individual therapy and parent-teen therapy are needed,” says McFadden. It may be tempting to minimize cutting or write it off as teens being teens, but it’s best to seek help from a trained therapist who can get to the crux of the issue and provide your teen with alternative coping skills. “If someone who feels awful has something that makes them feel better, they are not going to give it up easily. Cutting isn’t normal teen stuff, neither are large mood swings, isolating greatly or struggling in more than one sphere of their lives, like school, home or friends. Even if you think it’s a phase, get them evaluated so you know for sure,” McFadden concludes. UCHealth sponsored this article.

High-risk behaviors for cutting

Take note if your teen is exhibiting the following behaviors: • Isolating and antisocial behavior, angry outbursts • Dropping grades, losing friends • Perfectionism – Have to get As or they are a failure • Fatigue, poor sleep, appetite swings • Anxiety, depression • Abuse, bullying, substance abuse • Mental health diagnosis such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, psychosis, conduct disorder • A sense that something is “off”

Outpatient programs for teens

Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center, a division of UCHealth in Fort Collins, offers a full range of behavioral health treatment programs, including programs designed for teens. They offer two outpatient programs:

Intensive Outpatient Program for Teens

Runs six weeks; meets 3 times a week for 3 hours a day. Participants share their struggles and learn skills to help them work through difficult times. Teens ages 13 to 18 learn effective coping skills, using DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy).

Individual outpatient therapy for teens

Child and adolescent psychologists, licensed psychotherapists and psychiatrists offer individual psychotherapy, family therapy, and psychological testing. Mountain Crest Behavioral Healthcare Center 4601 Corbett Drive, Fort Collins, 970-207-4857

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Experience your local

library

Tech-savvy, interactive atmospheres drive “new” gathering places • Kim Sharpe

s times change, so do cultural institutions, if they want to remain relevant, that is. In this day and age when technological advances seem to occur overnight, institutions are scrambling to keep up; libraries are no exception. Libraries used to be tomb silent. Patrons, especially children, were often “shushed” by librarians. Food and drink were forbidden beyond library entrances. Libraries were privileged keepers of information. When the United States was in its infancy, libraries were privately funded and primarily open to subscribers (donors) only. It wasn’t until the late 1800s when the public library movement took off, precipitated by an influx of immigrants and a desire by the nation’s leaders to “Americanize” them. Jamie LaRue, CEO of LaRue and Associates Consulting, explains that public libraries were established by “highly educated and bored women. They began voluntarily staffing libraries as places of exposure of ideas to build citizens.” When libraries began to explode in number and demand, funding to sustain them 20

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was secured from Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate and philanthropist. During this time, libraries also changed from providing primarily factual information to places where people could acquire entertaining literature. As a matter of fact, most of the people who frequented libraries wanted to read fiction. So, libraries adopted a new belief, “It doesn’t matter what you read. Literature is literature. The more you read anything, the more intelligent you are and able to engage in citizenship,” LaRue says. Throughout the centuries, libraries have continued to evolve. Now, they are more and more becoming social gathering places that provide inviting spaces where people are encouraged to have conversations. Coffee carts or shops are now housed within library walls. And while still repositories of information, libraries are getting creative about how to make their resources as relevant and as accessible as possible. In a Pew Charitable Trust report titled “Library Services in the Digital Age,” the authors confirm that “…public libraries are trying to adjust their services to…new realities while still serving

the needs of patrons who rely on more traditional resources.” Kelli Johnson, the High Plains Library District’s public information manager, says, “Traditionally, when you say ‘library,’ people think ‘books.’ Now, we want people to think ‘experience.’” That experience may take place within a library building’s walls or it may take place in the community as libraries branch out to meet people where they are. One of the innovative ways the Loveland Library does outreach is through its new Library LIMO (Library Interactive Mobile Outreach). The bike mobile is equipped with a hot spot which makes it possible for people to be issued a library card and check out books on site. It visits many community events, including the local Farmers’ Markets, Storyteller in the Parks programs, Lagoon concerts, parades and more. LIBRARIES ARE SOCIAL HUBS As mentioned above, nowadays, it’s not uncommon to find a coffee shop inside of a library. “There’s a trend for libraries to provide a nice environment for people to gather and talk, perhaps with a cup of

coffee. Whatever makes the library experience more enjoyable, we welcome it as a part of people’s lives,” says Johnson. The Pew report documents that most Americans (59 percent of survey respondents 16 and older) feel libraries should have more comfortable spaces for reading, working and relaxing. Library staff members agree and say they’ve already made these spaces available or they should “definitely” do so in the future. LIBRARIES PROVIDE CREATIVE SPACES LaRue sees libraries increasingly becoming places where people create things, as well as places where those creations are distributed. This trend ties in with the broader Maker Movement that encourages the entrepreneurial spirit in everyone. Roger Levien, a world-renowned strategist and innovation consultant, in a report for the American Library Association, says that libraries can become “… focused on creation, where the library becomes a place where media is created by the availability of equipment and facilities to help creators create.” Given that 20 percent of the books on the New York Times best sellers list are self-published works, libraries seem a natural place where people can write and publish them with new technology such as the online smashwords.com. No longer are libraries just collections of works created by others, but rather, they are adopting “…new functions, providing communities with opportunities to create or co-create content for an individual’s own use, for use by the community or for inclusion in the library,” according to the Australian Library and Information Association. LIBRARIES ARE KID FRIENDLY Kids are shushed no more in modern libraries. As a matter of fact, librarians often encourage children to make joyful noises. For example, back in the day, story times were quiet times when children had to sit still, not speak and simply listen to someone read to them. In contrast, today’s story times may incorporate a welcome range of child comments, singing, dancing and digital enhancements. “As big promoters of literacy and reading with children we still have tradi-

tional programming, but we’re definitely adding digital and technological components to many of our programs,” says Jennifer Zachman, Poudre River Public Library District librarian. If people can’t physically travel to a bricks-and-mortar library location to access literature for their children, there are quality, online options, like the digital Unite for Literacy library (www.unite forliteracy.com) that complements the rich offerings of school and community libraries. Freely sharing its 160+ books for beginning readers (the target audience is birth to 8 years old) these are also narrated by native speakers in up to 30 languages adding important services for immigrant and indigenous populations. Created and shared from their home in Fort Collins, Unite for Literacy’s books are conveniently readable by anyone with a mobile device like a laptop, tablet or smartphone. Parents with small children and English learners now have picture books at their fingertips, to enjoy at their own pace, virtually anywhere they go. “Our mission is to get free books in kids’ hands, because there’s such tremendous need to get relevant books in homes so kids show up to school ready to learn,” says Michael McGuffee, Unite for Literacy co-founder and CEO. “A research study that took place in 27 countries over a 20-year period shows that the best predictor of school success, as measured by graduation rates, is the number of books in a home. LIBRARIES AS TECH LEARNING CENTERS Even though virtual options for reading are increasing every day, libraries are trying to remain relevant by providing people with face-to-face, hands-on instruction about how to use technology. For example, according to the National Association for Education of Young Children, the debate regarding the potentially negative effects of screen time

for small children has matured. Retreating from the prior stance that all screen time is bad; research has recognized that the quality of adult and child conversation around the screen content, just like conversations about hard-copy books, determines a technology’s value. “As our methods of acquiring information migrate into the digital space, librarians have to be media mentors for parents when it comes to young children,” says Holly Hartman, Unite for Literacies director of publishing. “The reality is that children will be in front of screens to get information because that’s what we overwhelmingly model for them. That’s where the information and stimulation is going to be. Given that, librarians can lead the way in helping people figure out how to discern quality in content, how to manage a media diet, how to balance what their children are looking at and learning from. I think librarians are uniquely positioned to help with all of this because they are free from curriculum concerns about what we have to teach children.” Johnson says, the High Plains libraries now offer 30-minute, one-on-one sessions where patrons can get answers to technology questions and learn more about digital tools and resources to help their children. “We also provide “Tech Petting Zoos” where people can come and learn more about devices, like tablets, with which they may not be familiar.” Beth Gudmestad, supervisory of teen services at the Loveland Library, adds, “By helping patrons learn new technologies, we’re leveling the playing field for everyone regardless of socioeconomic status.” Basically, libraries are working hard to improve people’s lives by offering services and programs that are a reflection of real life. Johnson says, “We ask ourselves, ‘what will make someone’s life better and what will make them happy?’ That’s how we plan our programming.”

Local library district websites Find out what your local library offers: • Berthoud Community Library—www.berthoud.colibraries.org • High Plains Library District—www.mylibrary.us • Loveland Public Library—www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org • Poudre River Public Library District—www.poudrelibraries.org

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thompson school district news TSD launches District Information Guide Thompson School District is pleased to announce the arrival of the 2015-2016 District Information Guide, which is available on the district website at www. thompsonschools.org. The guide contains registration details, school start and release times and other pertinent “back-to-school” material. It also includes information on a variety of district programs and services and can help serve as a road map to understanding all that Thompson School District has to offer. A direct link to the information hub can be found at www.thompson schools.org/districtinformation. DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE A Dual Language Immersion Program, housed at Truscott Elementary School and Cottonwood Plains Elementary School, will begin this fall with kindergarteners. In the program, children will be taught in both English and Spanish, not only acquiring the robust knowledge that they would gain in a traditional educational setting, but also fully immersing themselves into a cultural world that will greatly benefit them throughout their lives. Over the years, as their time in the program continues, students will become completely fluent and literate in both languages. THOMPSON SCHOOL DISTRICT INTRODUCES TWO NEW ADMINISTRATORS Tom Texeira moved to the district’s administrative team from Thompson Valley High School, where he was serving as an assistant principal. The position of director of human resources was newly created as part of a reorganization within the department. Before serving as an assistant principal at TVHS for three-and-a-half years, Texeira worked as an administrator at Mountain View High School and as a teacher at Thompson Valley High School and Walt Clark Middle School. He 26

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earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Pedagogy from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., and a master’s degree in Reading (Education) from the University of Northern Colorado. He has also earned administrative licensure through Colorado State University. “I am fully devoted to education and to Thompson School District,” Texeira says. “I’ve been a part of TSD for 15 years now. My children attend this district and I completely believe in the positive work that I see every day. I’m really excited to work with the community in a bigger scope and to do what I can to make a terrific difference for our students and staff members.” Josh Smith is managing the Instructional Support and Technology Services department. He filled the position vacated by Erv Klein, who served as Chief Technology Officer and has departed the district. Smith comes to Thompson School District having served as the director of technology for the Sheridan School District in Denver since 2012. His previous career experience also includes service as technical director and director of technology for Woodmen Valley Chapel and First Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs and director of technology for the Woodland Park School District in Woodland Park, Colo. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science degree in IT Management from Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs and has also devoted many hours of service to organizations such as the Colorado Association of Leaders in Education Technology, the Colorado Association of School Executives, the Colorado Technology Association, the Colorado Student Information Systems User Group, and the Colorado Association of School Business Officials. “It is with great excitement that I join the team at Thompson School District,” Smith says. “I look forward to serving the entire community with them.”

MEET THOMPSON SCHOOL DISTRICT’S NEW PRINCIPALS The following schools will greet new principals in the 2015-2016 school year. This list is current as of July 9, 2015. Alex Martin has been named principal at Carrie Martin Elementary School. Martin is filling the position vacated by Deanna Terry, who retired from the district. Martin previously served as assistant principal at Laurel Elementary School in Poudre School District. He held a variety of positions during his overall time in Poudre, including assistant principal (TOSA) at Dunn and Johnson elementary schools and as a special education teacher at several buildings. Martin earned a Bachelor of General Studies degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in History and Geology from the University of Kansas. He also earned a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership Ph.D. program at Colorado State University. Emily Paris MacNiven has been named principal at Winona Elementary School. MacNiven is filling the position vacated by Larry Shores, who decided to return to a 5th-grade teaching position at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School. MacNiven had served at Provost Academy Colorado since 2011, most recently in the position of executive director. The academy serves at-risk students in grades 9 through 12. Throughout her career, she also garnered vast experience as a school counselor, director of instruction, and as a bilingual kindergarten teacher, among other positions. MacNiven earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education/ Bilingual-Bicultural Education/ESL and Spanish and a Master of Arts in School Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. She also holds a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership and Policies Studies from the University of Texas.

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poudre school district news Teachers give feedback in latest TELL survey The teachers have spoken, and they’re happy. About 70 percent of teachers in Poudre School District participated in the Teaching, Empowering, Leading and Learning (TELL) Survey, an anonymous questionnaire designed to assess teaching conditions in Colorado. PSD received high marks for fostering excellent school environments, with 95 percent of respondents agreeing that they have reliable access to technology, a safe work environment and a supportive community. Teachers in PSD ranked community and parent involvement in their schools about 10 percent higher than the state average, particularly in the area of parent/teacher communication. Since the biennial survey was last offered in 2013, teacher satisfaction with school leadership opportunities rose, with more teachers agreeing that they are recognized as educational leaders and affect school decision making. One area teachers identified for growth is management of student conduct and clear communication of behavioral expectations. District leaders will incorporate the teachers’ feedback into future administrative decisions, and the comprehensive results will influence statewide policy. MATH TOOLKIT GIVES PARENTS STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THEIR CHILD With the new Colorado Academic Standards emphasizing understanding and application of mathematical concepts rather than the purely procedural math many parents grew up learning, helping students with homework can be a frustrating process. In order to help parents support their children, PSD designed a 28

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new resource called the Math Tool Kit, which explains how and why standards have changed over the years and offers strategies for homework help. Sections of the toolkit called “Theory and Research” and “Standards” address the reasoning behind the shift, and explain exactly what teachers’ goals are for students in each grade. “We want to help parents help kids,” said Megan Korponic, math facilitator. “The goal is to mend the communication piece between the parent and child at home.” The other sections of the toolkit teach parents how to help students with their homework, providing online resourc-

es and lists of guiding questions like, “Where do you think you should begin?” “It’s a list of questions that isn’t content related,” Kelly Shank, math facilitator said. “They’re designed to put ownership of learning back on the student. We want to help parents empower students to learn.”

PSD Calendar of Events August 11 .... 5 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting, JSSC, 2407 Laporte Ave. August 20 .... F irst day of school for grades 9-12 August 24 .... F irst day of school for grades K-8 August 25 .... 5 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting, JSSC, 2407 Laporte Ave.

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greeley-evans district 6 news Ribbon cut on new Prairie Heights Middle School More than 300 people gathered to cut the ribbon and see first-hand the newest school in Greeley-Evans School District 6: Prairie Heights Middle School. Prairie Heights Middle School is a 103,000-square-foot facility that replaces John Evans Middle School, which is being torn down this summer. Prairie Heights was funded through a Building Excellent Schools Today grant and an $8 million bond issue passed by Greeley and Evans voters in 2012 that provided matching funds for the grant. The school features state-of-theart design and technology that allows natural light to flood classrooms and hallways, and create a secure learning environment for students and staff. “This really is a great day,” said Board of Education President Roger DeWitt. “This school wouldn’t have been possible without incredible community support. It will be an amazing school for our students.” A short ceremony featured speeches and recognitions by DeWitt, Chief Operations Officer Wayne Eads, former school board member Jesse Quinby, Superintendent Deirdre Pilch and former Superintendent Ranelle Lang. “It’s always fun to open a new school,” Eads said. “This has been a great project to work on, with many, many people contributing. We thank everyone involved in the construction of this school.” After the program, attendees were invited to tour the school, visit classrooms and walk through office space. The school was designed by SlaterPaull/ RB+B architects and constructed by FCI Constructors, Inc. For more information about Prairie Heights Middle School, visit www. greeleyschools.org. NEW SUPERINTENDENT AT THE HELM OF DISTRICT 6 Dr. Deirdre Pilch, new superintendent 30

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of Greeley-Evans School District 6, started work July 1 and has hit the ground running, meeting with administrators, principals, support staff and representatives of teacher groups, as well as community members in an effort to introduce herself and learn more about District 6 and the cities of Greeley and Evans. Dr. Pilch has worked in public education for 28 years, as a teacher, assistant principal, middle school and high school principal, curriculum

director, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent and adjunct college professor. Most recently she served as the deputy superintendent in the Boulder Valley School District. She says she sought the job in District 6 because she believes the district is moving in the right direction to meet the academic needs and aspirations of a widely diverse student population. She wants to help the district move to the next level. “There are many, many things to be proud of in District 6,” Dr. Pilch says. “I plan to build on these and continue to strive to ensure each and every child succeeds and fulfills his and her potential.” SCHOOL KICKOFF COMMUNITY CELEBRATION SCHEDULED Greeley-Evans School District 6 is hosting its second annual School Kickoff Community Celebration on August 8 from 10:30am and 1:30pm at Island Grove Regional Park, 501 North 14th Avenue in Greeley. Through sponsorships and donations, District 6 has raised enough money to give away 2,200 backpacks filled with school supplies. A free

lunch for 2,000 participants will also be served, and more than 65 community booths will provide activities and information for families. The event also includes a petting zoo provided by the agriculture students at Greeley West High School, free face painting, carnival games, student entertainment and many fun activities for families to enjoy. Emergency vehicles from the Greeley police and fire departments, a Greeley-Evans Transit bus and District 6 school bus will also be available for viewing and tours. NextCare will be on site to perform sports physicals for students at a cost of $10. Backpacks will be given out to District 6 students only. Students must be present at the event to receive a backpack. Upon entering the park, students and their parents need to visit the backpack wristband booth. Students will be given a wristband that they can use to get the free backpack, which will be distributed in the Island Grove Event Center, anytime during the

event. Wristbands will be given out beginning at 10am and the backpack giveaway will begin at 10:30am. Students must provide their names, the school they attend and their age to receive a backpack. Lost wristbands will not be replaced. Lunch service will begin at 11:30am and will be served until supplies run out. Kenney’s Catering is preparing the food. U.S. Foods, Meadowgold, Horton Cattle Co. and PepsiCo provided large food donations. More than 100 volunteers help make this event possible, performing a variety of tasks from stuffing backpacks to serving lunch and parking cars. The title sponsor for the event is Banner Health/North

Colorado Medical Center. Premier sponsors are Monfort Family Foundation Fund, High Plains Library District, JBSUSA, ABC Bright Beginnings, NCMC Foundation, and Flood and Peterson. Generous backpack sponsors are Staples Foundation, FMS Bank, Kaiser Permanente, Aims Community College, The Community Foundation Serving Greeley and Weld CountyLittler Fund, The Success Foundation, Greeley UPS Stores, the University of Northern Colorado, Weld Schools Credit Union, Our Saviors Lutheran Church and the Northern Colorado Latino Chamber of Commerce. More than 20 other sponsors provided funding for school supplies, sports physicals, beverages and student entertainment. For more information on the School Kickoff Community Celebration, please visit www. greeley schools.org/kickoff.

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AUGUST 2015 ONGOING THROUGH AUGUST 4 Larimer County Fair and Rodeo The annual fair and rodeo features fun and excitement for the entire family. Enjoy a carnival, rodeo, contests, great food, dog and pony show, horse show, live music and more. The Ranch Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. Hours vary. www.larimercountyfair.org. AUGUST 1,8,15,22 AND 29 Sounds of Summer This free summer concert series features live, family friendly entertainment. Front Range Village, 2720 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. www. shopfrontrangevillage.com. AUGUST 4 AND 18 Bright by Three Infant Group Learn simple ways to begin shaping your child’s future. Medical Center of the Rockies, 2500 Rocky Mountain Ave., LV. Noon1pm. 970-495-7500 or www.uchealth.org. AUGUST 7 AND 8 Plains Indian “Survivor Man” Camp An overnight experience where kids learn the survival skills of the Native Americans essential for life on the high plains. Ages 8-16. Registration required. Centennial Village Museum, 1475 A St., GR. 4pm-10:30am. 970-350-9220 or www.greeleymuseums.com.

AUGUST 14 THROUGH 16 Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest This free community music festival features a variety of genres and includes a family-centered Kids’ Music Adventure. Historic Downtown Fort Collins, FC. Festival times vary. www. downtownfortcollins.com. AUGUST 21 AND 22 Old Fashioned Corn Roast This fun event includes a parade, corn shucking competition, corn eating contest, and all the roasted and boiled corn anyone could eat. Downtown Loveland, 4th St. and Lincoln, LV. 970667-6311. THROUGH AUGUST 23 The World of Jan Brett Original artwork, sketchbooks and themed reading environments rom this beloved children’s author/illustrator are featured f. Fort Collins Museum of Art, 201 S. College Ave., FC. Ticket prices and museum hours vary. 970-482-2787 or www.ftcma.org.

THROUGH AUGUST 29 Oklahoma! Oklahoma is one of the crown jewels of American Musical Theater. Never before done by Midtown, this show will not disappoint. $49. Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. Show times vary. 970-225-2555 or www. midtownartscenter.com. AUGUST 27 THROUGH 29 Fort Collins Fringe Festival This festival provides a platform for emerging and established artists to perform fun, original, affordable theatre for the community while creating connections between artists, audiences, businesses and organizations. Community Creative Center, 200 Matthews St., FC. Event times vary. www.fringefestivalfortcollins.com. AUGUST 28 THROUGH 30 Handmade in Colorado Expo A showcase of some of Colorado’s best handmade arts, crafts, food and goods. Estes Park Events Center, 1125 Rooftop Way, EP. Event hours vary. 720-2727467 or www.visitestespark.com.

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AUGUST 28 THROUGH 30 Colorado Senior Pro Charity Rodeo Rodeo events, steer wrestling, roping, bronc riding and bull riding. There will be stick horse races for the kids and mutton bustin’. Ticket prices vary. Estes Park Events Complex, 1209 Manford Ave., EP. 3pm. 303-330-0216 or www.visitestespark.com. THROUGH AUGUST Youth Gardening Program Teens will grow their own gardens, and develop responsibility, teamwork, communication, problem solving and leadership. Prices vary. Downtown Loveland. Monday-Thursday, 9am-12pm; some Saturdays required. 970-682-4002 or www.LovelandYouthGardeners.org. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6 Windsor 125 Display at the Museum A custom exhibit honoring Windsor’s 125year history. Art and Heritage Center, 116 5th St., WS. Thursday-Sunday, 12-4pm. 970-674-2443 or www.windsorgov.com. THURSDAYS, AUGUST 20-SEPTEMBER 10 Learn to Ride for Women Ages 14+. Bicycles and helmets provided if you are unable to bring your own. Call 970-221-6987 to request a bike and/or helmet. Registration required. Parking lot north of 215 N. Mason St. Bldg, FC. 5:30-7pm. Webtrac.fcgov.com. Program number – 409591-01. THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang This family friendly musical will take you on a fantastic adventure. Ticket prices and show times vary. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Marketplace Drive, Johnstown. 970-744-3747 or www.coloradocandlelight.com. THROUGH OCTOBER 1 Youth Garden Tours Available to schools, homeschool groups, day cares, camps and youth groups. Seed-centric Tour, Tree-mendous Tour or Sensory-Based Garden Tour. $4/ child. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. All tours last 90 minutes. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov. com/gardens.

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MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS Read and Seed Youth Program Stories and crafts. Children ages 2- to 5-years-old with parent/caregiver. $3/child. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 10-10:45am and 11-11:45am. 970416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

MONDAY, AUGUST 3 Late Arrival Clues will start appearing in the library August 3, with new information available each Monday. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibary.us.

OPEN SCHEDULE Scout Badge Program Cooking, gardening and natural resource activities for all ages. One adult required for every five scouts. $10/scout. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. Yearround scheduling for two-hour classes. 970416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 4 Tiny Trekkers Nature program for your 2-to 5-year-old and you. Devil’s Backbone Open Space, LV. 10-11am. www.larimer.org.

Tree Trunk Activity Lessons For classroom, family or daycare. Arborthemed lessons about trees for Pre-Kmiddle school. Two arbor-themed kits available. Refundable deposit upon check out. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. Discovery Zone Root viewers, explorer tables, garden tools, tames and activities. Open to all ages. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. Saturdays – 10am12noon, Sundays – 12noon-2pm. 970416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 The Dog and Pony Variety Show at the Larimer County Fair A family-centric variety show filled with equine and canine acts. Ticket prices vary. The Ranch Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. 7pm. www. budweisereventscenter.com. SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 Animal Afternoon at the Library Children read books to story-loving animals. Old Town Library Community Room (C), 201 Peterson St., FC. 3-4pm. 970-221-6740, www.colapp.org. Entertainment at Barlow Plaza Enjoy the wonderment of magic with family friendly magician, Bradley Mayhew, as he performs bewildering magic tricks. Barlow Plaza (between Poppy’s Pizza & Mama Rose’s Restaurant), EP. 5:307:30pm. 800-443-7837.

Family Yard Games Parent and child together class Children ages 5+ with adult. Registration required. $10/child. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 6-7:30pm. 970-4162486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 Rocky Mountain Trailblazers: Kids’ Hiking Series Hike to four different beautiful locations in Rocky Mountain National Park. $10/ child. Bear Lake, 1895 Fall River Rd., EP. 9am-1:30pm. 970-586-3262 or www. visitestespark.com. Coding for Kids Learn the basics of computer programming in a fun and interactive way. Grades K-8. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 2pm. 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Entertainment at Barlow Plaza Branden Sipes performs along the beautiful Riverwalk outdoor plaza. Barlow Plaza (between Poppy’s Pizza & Mama Rose’s Restaurant), EP. 5:307:30pm. 800-443-7837. Lagoon Concert Enjoy the sweet vocals and lyrics by Danielle Ate the Sandwich. This is the Lagoon Concert Series’ final performance. CSU Lagoon, FC. 6:30pm. www.lagoonseries.com.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 Bugs, Beetles & Butterflies: Tiny But Amazing Creatures of Rocky While bugs are often seen as annoying and gross, they are actually quite extraordinary. $10/child. Lily Lake, EP. 10-11:30am. 970-586-3262 or www. visitestespark.com.

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MakeIt: Kids Woodworking Workshop Home Depot will teach a hands-on workshop. Kids get to keep their craft. Ages 5-12. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 2pm. 888-8617323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Thursday Night Live Presented by Bohemian Nights, featuring NOCO Funk and Soul Show (funk music). Armadillo Restaurant Parking Lot, 354 Walnut St., FC. 7-9pm. www.bohemiannights.com.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 Kids’ Fly-fishing & Stream Ecology Rocky Mountain Conservancy will work to give kids a taste of what fly-fishing is all about. $20/child. Rocky Mountain Conservancy, 1895 Fall River Rd., EP. 9am-1pm. 970-586-3262 or www. visitestespark.com. Neighborhood Nights Paddington Bear (PG). Merry Makers will be in the park painting faces and twisting balloons. Sanborn Park, 2031 28th Ave. Ct., GR. 7-8pm. www. greeleygov.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 Yoga in the Gardens These classes set in the lawn of the North Patio are suitable for all skill levels and led by a Miramont Lifestyle Fitness yoga instructor. $10. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 8:30-9:30am. 970-416-2468 or www. fcgov.com/gardens. On the Trail of Predators Learn all about the predators of the Rocky Mountains. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, W. of Loveland off Hwy 34. 8-11am. www.larimer.org. Poudre River Loves Reading – a Local Authors Book Fair Meet some of the many writers and illustrators active in the northern Colorado area at this book fair. Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 11am-4pm. 970-221-6740 or www. poudrelibraries.org.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 100 Years of Rocky Mountain National Park program: River Water Families come together in a unique art-making experience. Ages 6+. Registration required. $25/family. Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, 2939 N. Co Rd. 31D, LV. 11:30am-2pm. www. lovelandmuseumgallery.org. Animal Afternoon at the Library Children read books to friendly storyloving animals. Council Tree Library Community Room (C), 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 3-4pm. 970-221-6740, www.colapp.org.

MONDAY, AUGUST 10 Galactic Knight Story Time Meet this hero from the stars at a very special story time. $10. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 10am. 970-484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com. TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 Hollowell Park Nature Hunt: A Virtual Geocache Adventure Kids will learn about plants and animals and experience the adventure of using a GPS unit. $10/child. Hollowell Park, EP. 9:30am-12noon. 970-586-3262 or www. visitestespark.com. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 Live Music at Barlow Plaza Richard Geppinger performs along the beautiful Riverwalk outdoor venue. Barlow Plaza (located between Poppy’s Pizza & Mama Rose’s Restaurant), EP. 5:30-7:30pm. 800-443-7837 or www. visitestespark.com. Best Back to School Apps for Parents The best iOS and Android apps available for elementary aged kids will be evaluated. This class is for adults. Old Town Library, Community Room 1, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6:30-8:30pm. 970221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13 ArtBots Design a robot out of recycled items and then put your robot to work. Guests are invited to drop-in and create their robot anytime. Grades 6-12. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 1-3pm. 970-9622548 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 Parent’s Night Out Kids enjoy dinner and fun activities so parents can go play. Ages 6 mo10 yrs. Prices vary. Miramont South, 901 Oakridge, FC. 6-10pm. www. miramontlifestyle.com. Neighborhood Nights Big (PG). Kids big and small can chase, swoop, run and dance after soaring bubbles blasting from a bubble tower in the park. Bittersweet Park, 3501 16th St., GR. 6-8pm. www.greeleygov.com. Movie Night Dick Tracy (PG). Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-9pm. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19 Flashlight Tour for Kids Enjoy a guided tour with flashlights to highlight the artist’s special use of light as it mysteriously reveals and conceals. Grades 3 and higher with adult. Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 N. Lincoln Ave., LV. 1-2pm. 970-96202410 or www.lovelandmuseumgallery.org. THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 PEEPs – Pre-School Environmental Education Programs “Here Fishy, Fishy, Fishy”. Open to pre-school children ages 2-5 and their guardians, each program offers information and activities to bring children into the world of nature. Fairgrounds Park, 700 S. Railroad Ave., LV. 10-11am. 970-217-3173. SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 AgriCULTURE Fest & Feast An all-day celebration of Weld County. 8th St. Plaza, GR. www. greeleydowntown.com. Schrader Oil Co. Grand Prix The Schrader Oil Co. Grand Prix is a competitive tricycle race for charity. All entry fees and beer sales at event benefit Junior Achievement of Rocky Mtn. Inc. 320 N. College Ave., FC. www. socgrandprix.com.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 Animal Afternoon at the Library Children read books to story-loving animals. Harmony Library Community Room (H), 4616 S Shields St., FC. 3-4pm. 970-221-6740, www.colapp.org. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Rocky Mountain National Park Free Entrance Day RMNP offers guests free entrance to the park today. Rocky Mountain National Park, 1000 US Highway 36, EP. www. visitestespark.com.

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Enjoy locally grown produce and other food-stuffs at through early fall.

Y is for Yoga Books, songs, rhymes and yoga. Ages 3-6 and their caregivers. Clearview Library, 720 Third St., WS. 10-10:45am and 10:45-11:30am. 970-686-5603 www.clearviewlibrary.org.

TUESDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Loveland Farmers Market Vegetables, eggs, fruits, baked goods, meat, birdhouses, honey, specialty foods and goods. In front of Hobby Lobby, 3133 N. Garfield Ave., LV. 11am-3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com.

SATURDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26 Drake Road Farmers Market Vegetables, eggs, fruits, baked goods, meat, seafood, honey, specialty foods and goods from more than 40 vendors. 802 W. Drake Rd., FC. 10am-1pm. www. drakeroadfarmersmarket.com.

Suncatchers Catch the last rays of the summer season with this creative DIY craft. Grades 6-12. Loveland Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 4-5pm. 970-962-2548 or www.lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

WEDNESDAYS Native Hill Weekly Farm Stand High-quality, naturally grown produce, bread, coffee. Beaver’s Market, 1100 W. Mountain Ave., FC. 4-7pm. www.nativehillfarm.com/markets.

SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 24 Larimer County Farmers Market Breads and pastries, eggs and meat, fruits and vegetables, flowers, crafts and jewelry, jams and jellies, skin care, sauces and salsas, wine, yogurt and cheese. Larimer County Courthouse parking lot, 200 W. Oak St., FC. 8am-12noon. www.larimercounty farmersmarket.colostate.edu/index.shtml.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 Photographer’s Guide to Colorado’s National Parks Event Photograph Colorado with local experts, Bob and Cindy Maynard. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 970-4847898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29 Adult Summer Reading Party Celebrate summer reading with prizes, trivia and snacks at Old Firehouse Books. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 2-4pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com. Jazz in the Library – Poetry In Music with Primal Mates Combining the form of chamber music and art-song with the freedom and improvisation of jazz. Loveland Library, Library Galleria, 300 N. Adams, LV. 970-962-2000 or www. lovelandpubliclibrary.org.

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WEDNESDAYS, MID-JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER Fort Collins Farmers Market Vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, pet treats, specialty foods and goods from 40 vendors. Parking lot of ACE Hardware, 1001 E. Harmony Road, FC. 11am-3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com. WEDNESDAYS, JULY 8 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30 Greeley Farmer’s Market Locally grown and produced food products, including in-season fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, honey, baked goods, roasted chiles and more. Union Pacific Depot, 902 7th Ave., GR. 3-6pm. 970-3509783 or www.greeleygov.com/activities/ farmers-market. THURSDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 1 Estes Valley Farmers Market Produce, fruit, breads, cheeses, smoothies, flowers and more. 107 MacGregor Ave., EP (in Bond Park next to the public library). 8am-1pm. www.facebook.com/Estes ValleyFarmersMarket. THURSDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Wellington Farmers Market Baked goods, flowers, honey, sausage, jewelry, sauces, fruit, vegetables, birdhouses, coffee, desserts, pumpkins and skincare. 3815 Harrison Ave., Centennial Park, Wellington. 4-8pm (or dusk). www. wellingtoncofarmersmarket.org.

SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 31 Greeley Farmer’s Market Locally grown and produced food products, including in-season fruits and vegetables, meats, cheese, honey, baked goods, roasted chiles and more. Union Pacific Depot, 902 7th Ave., GR. 7:30am-12noon. 970-350-9783 or www.greeleygov.com/ activities/farmers-market. SUNDAYS, THROUGH MID-NOVEMBER Fort Collins Farmers Market Vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers, meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, pet treats, specialty foods and goods from about 40 vendors. Parking lot of ACE Hardware, 1001 E. Harmony Road, FC. 11am3pm. www.fortcollinsfm.com. SUNDAYS, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27 City of Loveland Farmers Market Produce, meats, cheeses, baked goods, packaged foods, wine, books and more from more than 40 vendors, plus live music. 700 S. Railroad Ave., LV (at the far north end of the old fairgrounds). 9am1:30pm. www.cityofloveland.org/index.aspx ?page=686.

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time out

Solo road trip

Sometimes a parent needs a little space to himself

ummer road trips with family are often crazy but delightful nonetheless. But let’s admit it—road trips are even better when you don’t have to pull into a McDonalds every hour for a potty break, or stop at every roadside souvenir shop you see. This summer, I somehow convinced my family that I could drive solo to Milwaukee to see the Rolling Stones in concert. I’d fly the kids and their mom out later for the traditional family picnics, beach time and squeaky Wisconsin cheese curds before we all hit the 1,000mile road back to Colorado together. So I headed out, jamming to Florence and the Machine, Death Cab for Cutie and Shakey Graves without the constant bombardment of “Dad, change the music.” I soon realized the pleasures of crossing the Great Plains unencumbered by sibling spats in the back seat, spilled sodas and pleas to stop for ice cream. Instead, I drove for six hours straight with nothing but Corn Nuts and Diet Dr. Pepper fueling me. I stopped for a greasy gyro at a dingy diner in downtown Lincoln. I had a beer in a local dive bar. I talked with shady characters. I pushed on past Omaha, and decided to find a place to sleep. No hotel or motel for me! I decided the parking lot at Harrah’s Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa, was a good choice. Nice bathrooms. Free soda. So I parked and slept like a baby. Until the thunderstorms rolled in at 3am. So I just moved the car to the parking structure and slept until sunrise, when I returned to the casino to freshen up. The same security guard gave me a knowing nod as I searched for the free coffee and I noticed the same elderly woman was still at the same poker table from the night before. Back on the road, I stopped to explore the East Village in Des Moines, checked out the slightly naughty T-shirts 42

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KRIS KODRICH

at the quirky Raygun store and stopped for a 2-for-1 craft beer special at a nearby tavern—at 11am. Nobody judged me. Later, I ate a loose meat sandwich at Iowa’s own Maid-Rite with nobody telling me how disgusting it looked. And I finally had the chance to explore the Amana Colonies that I had passed countless times over the years. Chatting

remark that stuck with me: “My 8-yearold daughter asked me if she could see the Rolling Stones,” Crow told the audience. “That’s when I realized I was a really crappy parent.” No, I don’t think it would have been horrible to have taken my girls to see the Stones. But, sometimes, even parents need a little space for themselves.

with a worker at the Millstream Brewing Co. there wouldn’t have been on my agenda if I had my kids along. The plan worked as indicated. The family joined me a few weeks later and we did the typical summer things like visiting Granny and other relatives, eating at great, cheap Mexican restaurants, checking out a friend’s new pontoon boat on Big Cedar Lake. Oh yes, the Stones were excellent. Even though my daughters may have been slightly amused to see the father of Captain Jack Sparrow in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies playing guitar, I realized that my girls wouldn’t have gotten any satisfaction from a Stones concert. The day after the Stones show, I saw Sheryl Crow in concert and she made a

Family road trips are slow and predictable—and also fun, but in a different kind of way. They include stops at places like the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument—we did, in fact, stop there on the way back as a family. They also include sleeping in hotels with pools—we found a $59.99 Best Western near the Harrah’s Casino that included a breakfast buffet. But I’m not going to lie. I still like road trips by myself, too. As parents, we sacrifice a lot for our kids. We all deserve a solo road trip every now and then. Kris Kodrich is the father of two daughters, ages 10 and 14, and teaches journalism at Colorado State University.

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