September RMParent 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013 • RMPARENT.COM

Read to read Fall family camping

Losing the baby fat

Sustainable

Living Fair

Soothing

baby teeth

Souring on

sweetEner

after the

Special Section:

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SEPTEMBER 2013

Departments Perspective . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Special ordinary times—magical time at camp

FIRST YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Baby’s oral obsession—tricks to break pacifier use and soothe teething

Family activities . . . . . . . 10 Crowd-free camping—pack up the family and enjoy the fall beauty

Special Sections AFTER THE BELL Explore the possibilities for this fall and see what programs these providers have for your families

after

the

bell A DV E R T I S I N G

Healthy living . . . . . . . . . 12 Annual Sustainable Living Fair offers weekend of education and fun—workshops, speakers, exhibitors, kid center, local cuisine and more...

Community news . . . . . . 14

Big hearts in northern Colorado, Doing community together, Understanding autism, Connect for Health Colorado

Nutrition . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

The lowdown on high fructose corn syrup— you decide what’s best for your family’s health

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 0

Events and activities for parents, kids and families

Time out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Frogs, birds and stars—family follows “crazy” dream and moves to the country

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 New Garfield Elementary mural celebrates LISA, Thompson School District launches new website designs

Poudre School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

PSD welcomed approximately 25,760 students to school on Aug. 20., Volunteer opportunities plentiful at mountain school, PSD students continue to perform higher than students statewide on TCAP tests, stay cool in school with these beat-the-heat tips

S U P P L E M E N T

Features 18

Dropping the baby fat

You’ve just had a baby and want to get back in shape. Being sleep-deprived doesn’t help motivate you to work out.

Follow six tips to get back to your prepregnancy weight. See the list of some classes designed for new moms.

20

Ready to read

Many programs in northern Colorado encourage literacy for kids. In order to be successful in school and later in life kids need to be literate.

They need access to books through programs such as the Book Trust.

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 District 6 TCAP scores show marked improvement, Marine Corps Junior Officers Training Corps begins at Northridge High School, Apply for free or reduced lunch online

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

ABOUT THE COVER: Abrianna, who turns 7 years old this month, loves to play with her two dogs, swim, ride her bike and play with her cousins.

Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography. com.

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perspective Special ordinary times Magical time at camp

W

hen Aly was two weeks old, we went camping for a few days in Rocky Mountain National Park.

We had a small dome tent, and Aly slept soundly in a basket. That was the start of a lifelong love of the outdoors for her. This summer she was the camp director for the Educo Adventure Camp and I think she slept indoors fewer than 10 nights all summer. And she was really excited to see all the young campers discovering the natural world. No other setting that I know compares to the woods for creating opportunities for personal growth.

We have pictures of Andy on his first backpacking trip with us.

I’m guessing he is two. We didn’t get too far on that trip, but it didn’t matter. The important thing was that we were out having a small adventure as a family.

Andy, now 24, and I, along with my brother, Troy, went on a backpacking-fishing trip this summer to the Snowy Range in southern Wyoming. We don’t get together very often to just take time like that to be together. Andy lives in Olympia, WA, and Troy lives in Paris, so the stars have to align pretty well for us for something like that to happen. It was a magical three days. Starting with the drive and hour spent at the fly shop in Laramie. Even the pizza and beverages at the restaurant in Centennial seemed to take on special significance though what we were doing was pretty ordinary. All of us have spent a bit of time sleeping in tents on the ground in the backcountry. We fished and just hung out. No other setting would have worked as well for us to just be—together. No phones, no distractions (except for the fish!), no clocks, no schedule...again special times doing basically ordinary things. The difference was that we were out...out of doors, out of our usual routines, out of touch.

In her story on fall family camping (page 10), Katie Harris gives you plenty of ideas about where to go camping this fall. She points out that fall is the time to get out—fewer people, cool days, and the beauty of the season. It’s not hard to go...pick up a cheap tent, figure out some bedding, maybe get a stove, and go...even if it’s only for one night. It’s funny how that hanging out in camp, going for a walk, playing cribbage can be so great...again, special times doing mundane things.

In Time Out at the end of the magazine, Katie writes about her family’s move to the country and how that has changed their routines.

It seems her kids are losing the TV habit and tuning into the natural world around them. It’s worth a read. Moving out of the city is not for all of us, but her story can inspire us to at least get out with the kids when we can.

I’m just sayin’ Scott Titterington, Publisher 6

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SEPTEMBER 2013 • Volume 18, Issue 4 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com Calendar editor Aly Titterington 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, Cherese Macy, Rob’s Bike Courier Service COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lea Hanson, Katie Harris, Richard Keller, Kim Sharpe, Lynn Utzman-Nichols

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Ave., 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. ©2013 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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first years

Baby’s oral obsession

Tricks to break pacifier use and soothe teething L y nn U t z m a n N i c h o ls

W

ith young babies, it’s all about the mouth. It makes sense, since sucking means survival.

That’s why pacifiers are so desirable. But what’s with all that drool? If your baby’s drool seems more robust than usual, it could mean she is getting ready to pop a tooth—but babies drool anyway, simply because they haven’t learned how to swallow all that extra saliva yet, like us savvy adults. Let’s talk pacifiers and teething— two issues you are bound to deal with as a young parent.

To pacifier or not to pacifier Pacifiers can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your child’s age. When your baby is small, a pacifier comes down like the hand of God and calms her crying.

But it’s not so heavenly a few years later when she’s a toddler who’s wailing because she can’t find her favorite nookie, or you fear the constant use might affect her jaw or bite.

This begs the question: should you or shouldn’t you? If you don’t start the habit you don’t have to break it. But then there’s the crying to deal with. Not all babies love pacifiers. Breast-fed babies are more apt to refuse them and spit them out. Other babies take to them immediately with great ferocity.

Breaking the pacifier habit There’s no right answer when it comes to pacifiers, but here’s a few tips on breaking the habit when you are ready to do so. Consider doing it before age two when it becomes engrained. Have a plan set for the big break and have all caretakers on board.

When your toddler reaches for his pacifier, interrupt contact by asking him to sing a song with you—that gets his mouth busy with something other than sucking.

Toddlers reach for their nookie when they are bored. Have plenty of fun 8

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quick games or activities at hand to interrupt her desire.

Give your toddler some control. Have him choose when to use his pacifier—before bed, while reading, when watching his favorite show. Once it’s established that the pacifier isn’t used all the time but only for certain activities, slowly take some choices away. Maybe it becomes something just used for naps or bedtime.

Create a star chart. For every hour

teeth push through tender tissue! Here are some ideas—traditional, homegrown and alternative—on soothing his pain: Acetaminophen. Teething can give her a fever. How do you know she is teething and not just sick? The fever will be mild, under 101 degrees. Offer infant acetaminophen, especially at bedtime as babies feel the pain more at night.

Teething rings. Buy a pack of cooling teething rings and throw them in the

(or two hours or day) that your child doesn’t use his pacifier, let him put a star on his chart. When he earns a set amount of stars he can choose a new toy or do a special activity.

freezer. It feels good for him to chomp on them to ease his swelling.

Homeopathic remedies. Some parents swear by homeopathics such as chamomilla to ease teething woes. Experts recommend multi-dose homeopathic remedies from your favorite natural grocery store.

Frozen washcloth. This tried-n-true method works. Wet a washcloth, wring it out, and place it the freezer. Let her suck, chew and drool.

Slushies. Freeze water, diluted chamomile tea or even breast milk in ice cube trays. Turn them into a slushy delight and spoon-feed to your baby.

Babies have an oral obsession, it’s true—but it’s all worth it when they smile.

Soothing teething pain In the first two years of life your baby is busy doing lots of things—one is growing teeth. He’ll start showing signs of teething around three months and it will continue until around two years when he has a full set of teeth. Bottom front teeth come first, followed by the top. He will get his first pearly white between 5 and 12 months of age. That’s when things get messy and loud with a lot of drooling and fussing. It hurts when

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family activities

Crowd-free camping

Pack up the family and enjoy the fall beauty K A T I E HA R R I S

K

ids are back in school, tourists have headed home, and cooler evenings are upon us... September-October is prime camping season!

It’s true, there’s no better time to pitch a tent than early autumn, when the campgrounds empty out and the average temperatures are ideal for being outdoors. Enjoy all the benefits of these favorite camping spots, without the crowds!

Larimer County parks www.larimercamping.com or call 800-3977795 for reservations • $15-30/night/site • Open year round • Full hook-ups • RVs, trailers and tents allowed • Leashed dogs allowed • Reservations recommended but not required

Carter Lake, Loveland/Berthoud: Bring

your boat (or rent one at the on-site marina) for a day of water skiing, sailing and fishing! Three separate boat ramps are available for use through Sept. 30, daily from 6am10pm. Carter Lake is three miles by one mile, and surrounded by public land. Not a boater? Carter is a beautiful place for camping, rock climbing, hiking, and swimming at the seasonal swim beach, which closes in mid-September.

Flatiron Reservoir, Loveland/Berthoud:

Located just a few miles from Carter Lake, a stay at Flatiron offers the peace and tranquility of a quiet reservoir, with the option of a short trip over to Carter Lake for boating and water sports.

Horsetooth Reservoir, Fort Collins area:

Boating, water skiing, fishing, picnicking, swimming at two swim beaches through mid-September, rock climb10

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ing, and hiking miles of trails across Horsetooth Mountain, including the kid-friendly and scenic nearby Horsetooth Falls hike.

KOAs www.koa.com • Starting at $26/night/site, cabins starting at $59/night/site • Full hook-ups • RVs, trailers and tents allowed, plus cabins available for rent • Leashed dogs allowed • Reservations recommended Estes Park KOA: Situated next door to Sombrero Ranch riding stable, the Estes KOA is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Go on a trail ride, hike Rocky Mountain National Park, explore the downtown shops, cross the street to Lake Estes, or stay at the KOA for the pancake breakfast, ice cream social, basketball, arcade and more! Call 800562-1887 for reservations or 970-5862888 for more information, or visit koa. com/campgrounds/estes-park/. (Open through Oct. 15.)

Fort Collins Lakeside KOA: This KOA boasts a 10-acre lake for fishing, as well as bumper boats and paddle boats! Guests can also enjoy a minigolf course, jumping pillow and surrey bike, as well as a recreation trail that wraps around the lake. Many activities cost extra and, while the KOA is open year-round, activities shut down in September or October, depending on weather. Call 800-5629168 or visit www.fclakesidecg.com/ for details and reservations.

Fort Collins/Poudre Canyon KOA: A perfect spot for families with tweens and teens, the Poudre Canyon KOA is nestled along the Poudre River, where

guests enjoy rafting and kayaking, as well as hiking, four-wheeling, and mountain biking. Call 800-562-2648 for reservations or 970-493-9758 for more information, or visit koa.com/ campgrounds/fort-collins-poudrecanyon/. (Open through Sept. 30) Rocky Mountain National Park campgrounds www.recreation.gov, 877-444-6777 • $14/$20/night/site plus park entrance fees where applicable • No electric, water, or sewer hook-ups • Leashed dogs allowed only in designated campgrounds Moraine Park: Situated in a forest of fragrant Ponderosa Pines, just above the Moraine Park meadow, Moraine Park offers an opportunity for back-to-thebasics camping in beautiful RMNP. Four handicap-accessible sites available, flush or vault toilets on site. RVs, trailers and tents allowed (Up to 40-ft. equipment length). Open year-round, but closed temporarily Sept. 29 through October for road repaving. First-come, first-served.

Aspenglen Campground: Located just west of the Fall River park entrance station on Highway 34, this campground is a short trip to civilization while still located in a beautiful and secluded pine forest. RVs, trailers and tents allowed (Up to 30-ft equipment length). Open through Sept. 28. Reservations recommended.

Longs Peak Campground: This campground is located nine miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7, close to the Longs Peak trailhead, where campers can catch multiple trails. Flush or vault toilets available. Tents only. Open through Nov. 3. First-come, first-served.

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healthy living

Annual Fair offers education and fun speakers, exhibitors, kid center, local cuisine and more...

L e a H a ns o n

C

omposting, recycling and reusing, water conservation, and gardening are all examples of living more healthily… and more sustainably. Luckily, in northern Colorado the available resources and support are bountiful and easy to access. One way to check out numerous options at once is to attend the Sustainable Living Fair. Learn more online at www.sustainablelivingassocia tion.org/sustainable-living-fair/.

Hosted by the Sustainable Living Association, the 14th Annual Sustainable Living Fair will be held September 14 and 15 at Legacy Park in Fort Collins.

The fair offers a weekend filled with solution-based, family-oriented events designed to educate each member of your family. Your admission ticket gives you access to acclaimed speakers, 75 workshops, and more than 250 exhibitors that will spark ideas as well as offer support and solutions for implementing them.

This year’s speakers include Joel Salatin, Larry Korn, Greg Michaud, and Congressman Jared Polis.

Joel Salatin Salatin owns and operates Polyface Farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.

Salatin is a full-time, third generation alternative farmer who continues to live the core values of a community-based farm that supports the local community.

He speaks Sunday at 2pm.

Larry Korn An educator, consultant, editor and author in the fields of permaculture, natural farming, sustainable landscaping and local food production, Korn spent several years working on the Japanese island of Skikoku as a student of Masanobu Fukuoka, farmer, philosopher, and a leader in the worldwide sustainable agriculture movement. He speaks Saturday at noon.

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Congressman Jared Polis Polis is an independent leader who uses his private and public sector experience to find pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing Colorado and the nation.

Polis believes that education is the single most meaningful investment America

beginners and advanced an opportunity to learn and grow their knowledge. Review the website (http://sustainableliving association.org/sustainable-living-fair/ workshops/) for details more details including times offered; some require pre-registration and paying a participation fee although most are free.

Spend the day or spend the weekend. Taste local cuisine by visiting choice exhibitors and plan to have lunch at the Real Food Market and Beer Garden to feast on fare from a number of locally owned eateries from northern Colorado.

Volunteers are welcome and needed and this year’s team still has space for those looking to be involved in the planning and implementation of the event.

can make in its economic future and in its people. He speaks Sunday at noon.

The list of exhibitors for this year’s event is lengthy and worth looking forward to. Ranging from climate change to organic gardening and holistic health to straw-bale homes, the variety of vendors and resources is seemingly unlimited.

This year’s 75 workshops feature education and training in the areas of green living, yoga, renewable energy, eating and growing locally, natural parenting, and green building. Workshops are generally 50 minutes and are planned to offer both

Review and submit the online registration form at http://sustainableliving association.org/sustainable-living-fair/ volunteer/ if you are interested in serving your community and passion in this community-minded manner. Volunteers are deeply appreciated and wellcompensated with free admission, an official fair T-shirt, and shift beverages.

Tickets are $10 for a one-day pass and $15 for both days and can be purchased at the fair’s entrance; kids under 12 are free. The fair is open 10am to 6pm Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday.

Greg Michaud Michaud and his wife, Patty, run the Old Feed Store and instruct the Sustainable Living Association’s Backyard Chicken series and Biointensive Gardening Course. Greg is a long-time holistic gardener turned sustainable ecofarmer/health-foodie with training in organic certification inspection. He speaks Saturday at 2pm.

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community news

Big hearts in northern Colorado

Network of health and human-service organizations support families B y K I M S HA R P E

N

orthern Colorado has an extensive network of health and human service organizations, as well as many people with big hearts who want to help others.

Doing community together This past summer, Loveland’s House of Neighborly Service (HNS) celebrated 52 years of providing low-income individuals and families in southern Larimer County with “help for today and hope for tomorrow” and it is still going strong. Each day, the agency helps approximately 45 families with emergency food baskets, clothing, utility and transportation assistance, prescription vouchers and shelter.

With only three staff members, HNS relies heavily on volunteers.

“Our volunteers are critical to the mission of the House of Neighborly Service. There’s no way we could accomplish the services we provide [without them],” says Glorie Magrum, HNS executive director.

The agency also is celebrating a new home that will more than quadruple its space from 12,500 square feet to about 60,000 once all renovations are complete at the new 1511 East 11th Street location. It is close to public transportation, offers plenty of onsite parking and is situated in the heart of the neighborhoods they serve.

Not only will the additional room allow HNS to better do the work it has been known for since 1961, but it will also make possible the establishment of a Community Life Center in south Larimer County where people can access services provided by other agencies under the same roof. It will be a one-stop-shop of social services where many agencies share offices, increasing affordability and providing important “incubator” space for start-

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up nonprofits. Specifically, the new center will offer:

• Shared satellite offices for government entities • After-school tutoring, adult-learning opportunities and computer labs • Recreation facilities for youth and families to gather and engage in healthy activities • Cultural activities, such as art and music classes • Gathering spaces for community members, clubs and other organizations • Community wellness programs including parenting and nutrition classes, dental care and health education • Mentoring programs for youth and adults • Extensive opportunities for volunteers of all ages.

“This integrated network of care will improve the quality of services and increase positive outcomes for southern Larimer County residents.

Bringing together all of these community resources under one roof will build on HNS’ ‘hand up versus hand out’ approach to aiding people in need,” says Magrum. “The intention is not to feed, clothe or provide help to the same people indefinitely. Every client at the Community Life Center will sit down for a one-on-one interview with a trained caseworker, be directed to appropriate services, receive clear guidelines for accountability and, when possible, participate in follow-up interviews to evaluate improvement.

Success will be defined by the initial impact of the Community Life Center on a client’s life and our ability to help each client towards self-reliance.”

The Loveland center will complement The Matthews House Community Life Center that opened in Fort Collins in July 2012 and serves residents of northern Larimer County.

It is located at Fullana Early Learning Center, 220 N. Grant Ave., FC. Understanding autism On Saturday, November 16, 2013, the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County will host the 10th Annual After School Zone Conference for service providers, educators and teachers who work with school-age children in out-of-school hours. This year, however, the morning keynote address will be open to the public. Temple Grandin, doctor of animal science and professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author, autistic activist, and consultant to the livestock industry on animal behavior, will speak about her experiences, struggles and successes living with autism. Grandin promotes “sensory therapy” as a way to help some individuals with autism, especially some children, “…be calmer, more attentive and [it] may aid in speech development.”

The conference will be held at Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Ave., in Loveland. Registration is required to attend Grandin’s address and a small fee will be charged. Her books and CD’s also will be available for purchase. For information call the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County at (970) 373-3388 or online at www.ecclc.org.

Connect for Health Colorado On October 1, Coloradans—individuals, families and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees—can begin shopping for health insurance online through Connect for Health Colorado’s website (www.connectforhealthco. com). The site will allow people to compare plans and make choices based on plan cost, coverage and participating health-care providers.

The Affordable Care Act, signed into law by President Obama on March 23, 2010, requires all Americans to have health insurance. States were given the option to participate in a federally developed online marketplace of health insurance plans or develop their own. Colorado was one of 17 states that opted for the latter.

The new online marketplace also will allow people to learn if they qualify for a new tax credit to help reduce the cost of their health insurance premiums, co-pays and deductibles. The tax credit generally will be available to individuals earning between $15,000 and $46,000 a year, couples earning between about $20,000 and $62,000 a year, and families of four earning between about $31,000 and $94,000 a year. This cost-savings program is for individuals, couples and families who need health insurance, but are not eligible for public health coverage, such as Medicaid, and do not have access to affordable family coverage through a large employer.

Knowing this may all feel complicated and confusing, the Connect for Health Assistance Network will provide local, in-person assistance to individuals, families and small businesses looking for health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado.

Certified Health Coverage Guides located at assistance sites across the state will provide unbiased assistance with considering health plan options, applying for insurance affordability programs and enrolling in health coverage. In addition, they will conduct outreach and public education about Connect for Health Colorado and the range of health coverage and financial assistance options.

The Health District of Northern Colorado is partnering with other community agencies to provide the assistance at multiple locations in Fort Collins and Loveland. Individuals in Larimer County who need or want more personalized help with newly available health options will be able to get it at several locations. In Fort Collins, help will be available at the Larimer County Department of Human Services, Family Medicine

Center, Salud Family Health Center and a fourth site that has yet to be determined. Help also will be available at the Larimer County offices in Loveland, Estes Park and at various other locations in Larimer County on a rotating basis.

The Northern Colorado Health Alliance will be managing assistance sites located throughout Weld County.

The Alliance also is the regional hub for northern Colorado, overseeing implementation of assistance sites in 18 northeastern Colorado counties.

“Having access to quality health insurance and new financial assistance to reduce costs is a huge benefit for the people in our community,” says Karen

Spink, the Health District’s director of special projects. “We are excited to begin helping residents and small businesses in Larimer County find the health insurance plan that meets their needs through Connect for Health Colorado starting this fall.”

Assistance centers will open in October, at the same time as the Connect for Health Colorado marketplace.

Health insurance plans purchased through the marketplace go into effect January 1, 2014. Enrollment assistance also will be available for low-income residents who qualify for Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) or Medicaid, for which more people in Colorado will be eligible beginning in 2014.

Connect for Health Colorado Resources General Information: www.ConnectforHealthCO.com or 1-855-PLANS4YOU (855-752-6749) Frequently Asked Questions: www.connectforhealthco.com/how-it-works/faqs/.

Tax Credit Calculators: www.connectforhealthco.com/how-it-works/calculators/

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nutrition The lowdown on high fructose corn syrup You decide what’s best for your family’s health R i c h a rd K eller

R

egular readers of this column have heard me state ad nausea to read the labels of your favorite foods to see what ingredients they contain. This does two things–it keeps you informed of what goes into your body and helps you make a decision on whether to substitute a certain product for one more organic or even homemade. A few columns ago I listed the more common ingredients you could find, except one–high fructose corn syrup.

Found in almost every product, even those you wouldn’t expect, this ingredient has been given a very bad rap by physicians and dieticians over the last few decades. Thing is, some people don’t understand why it can be bad for them and their family members. To help you make the decision on purchasing items made with this ingredient, here are a few things to know.

What is high fructose corn syrup?

Known as HFCS for short, high fructose corn syrup is a liquid made from the grain vegetable that is sweetened by the simple monosaccharide found in many plants known as fruit sugar.

Its invention came about in 1957 when chemists converted some of corn syrup’s natural glucose to fructose. Ten years later it reached the commercial market.

By 2003, each person consumed 43 pounds of HFCS each year.

Where is it found?

HFCS can be found in thousands of pre-packaged foods, including soda, ice cream, baking mixes, and other products where it’s a substitute for standard sugar.

In some products the high fructose corn syrup gets added as an additional sweetening agent to sugar. In addition to dessert items, HFCS is listed as an ingredient in items like Ritz snack crackers and store-labeled, pre-packaged bread.

Other products where the sweetened

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corn syrup is added include fruit juices, breakfast cereals, yogurt, salad dressing, tomato sauce, and nutrition bars.

Health concerns The proliferation of HFCS in food has been a cause of concern for many in the health world since the dawn of the 21st century. Proponents of the sweetened corn syrup have said it’s no different than using common table sugar. Those on the opposite side of the debate agree

with the statement but don’t believe HFCS breaks down in the body the same way as granular sugar.

High fructose corn syrup can produce the same health problems as the consumption of too much normal sugar. This includes increased weight, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and high triglyceride levels–all boosters for the risk of heart disease. Some health experts also say HFCS is preserved in barrels with the use of mercury–a highly poisonous chemical that can lead to serious illness.

What should YOU do Everyone has an opinion on high fruc-

tose corn syrup, and you’re no different.

What you decide to do depends on how far you want to go to make your family’s diet as healthy and nutritious as possible. Should you want to pull away from products containing HFCS, here are a few tips.

Read every ingredient on a food label, because high fructose corn syrup may not be listed as one of the first ingredients, For example, HFCS is found at the bottom of the list in packages of

saltines and oyster crackers.

Try to go organic or all natural as much as possible. Products sold at stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts try to stay away from artificial sweeteners in their products, relying on cane sugar or cane syrup. Still, read the ingredients carefully to make sure HFCS has not slipped in somewhere.

Make it yourself when you can. You may feel it’s a pain to make your own tomato sauce or salad dressing, but the ingredients you use are much healthier than what is pre-packaged for convenience. In the end, you may discover what you make tastes better than what you buy at the store.

Fun s ’ t I y ash al r T It’s cation du E s ’ It It’s the

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

(970) 498-5772 larimer.org/solidwaste

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Dropping the baby fat Six tips to get you back to your pre-pregnancy weight

By Lynn Utzman-Nichols

I

f you’ve just had a baby, the last thing you probably want to do is go to step class. Being sleepdeprived has a way of zapping all motivation for working out. That’s okay.

Let yourself heal. You can think about exercise again when you’ve gained a foothold in the sleep department, and your body regains strength. You might be feeling like your body isn’t your own—breastfeeding on the hour and wearing your pregnancy pants the first week or two can do that to you.

Don’t lose faith. A day will come again when you can proudly say that you’ve reached your pre-pregnancy weight.

It may not come easily, but with dedication and creativity, and a lot of patience, you’ll get there.

Start small and fit it in when you can Julia Tompkins, personal trainer and yoga instructor at UCHealth’s Poudre Valley Medical Fitness Center knows firsthand what it takes to get back in shape after having babies. She had twins. And a C-section. And they were preemies. “I gained 70 pounds. Being a personal trainer, I knew what I needed to do to take it off, and I knew it would take some work,” she says. Her twins Olivia and Lucia are now 4. She hit her pre-pregnancy weight at 13 months.

Today, she helps other new moms get back in shape.

Her initial advice? Be easy on yourself. “Weight gain in pregnancy is completely different than other weight gain. It’s not like you were sitting on the couch being lazy, you were growing a baby,” Tompkins says. Your first goal is to simply take it easy and listen to your body. “The first few weeks you need to heal and honor your need to sleep. Follow your doctor’s orders, especially if you have had a C-section,” she adds.

If you have had a C-section or muscle tearing during the birth, she recommends you ask your OB to refer you to a physical therapist. “Pregnancy and birth are traumatic for your body.

Muscles get stretched out and become extended, or if cut, they may no longer fire correctly. The message from the head to the muscle isn’t always received, especially with a C-section.” That’s why physical therapy is wise. It reestablishes those connections.

She tells how her babies were in the NICU for 33 days. Every day she’d go and spend hours with them. For a break, she’d walk a short lap around the hospital. “Start small, and trust that it will come. I went from walking a block at first to running a half marathon six months later,” she adds.

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Experienced female personal trainers and prenatal specialists walk you through exercises at the gym and teach you the best way to work out, relieve stress, eat well and maintain optimal health for you and your baby. You’ll also learn tips on how to get back in shape after delivery.

The class comes with a membership to Poudre Valley Medical Fitness—UCHealth’s newest, well-equipped gym—plus a 60-minute prenatal massage from Twenty Three Trees!

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ercise. Since time is no longer yours to direct, you need to shed the idea that the only true exercise happens in the gym or on the running trail. Instead, see exercise as something to fit into broken moments. Or something to schedule with your husband, best friend, or baby sitter. Even a half hour away can have amazing results. It not only helps you get back into shape, but it gives you a fresh perspective.

“Think of it as stress relief, a chance for quiet and sanity, time for yourself and a break from caring for your baby,” Tompkins advises.

Think outside of the box Tompkins didn’t have time to make it to the gym. Instead, she got creative.

When she had ten minutes, she’d work a little circuit at home: “I’d run my stairs, up and down, up and down. I’d use free weights and get in a few curls and lunges. Or I’d pop in an exercise video for as long as I could. Ten minutes was better than nothing, and it would add up throughout the day,” she says. National guidelines for exercise advocate getting in 30 minutes or more each day—and if it’s broken up, that’s okay. Tompkins personal philosophy is to “sweat every day.”

She also used a double running stroller to walk or jog with the twins— complete with two running bras to ensure her breasts would not hurt.

“Sometimes I’d bring exercise bands to the park and as they sat in the stroller I’d do rows and bicep curls in the grass,” she says. Tompkins advises new moms to join an exercise class, even if it is just once a week at first, such as Stroller Fit groups where new moms get together and walk or jog local bike paths. Or,

take advantage of exercise videos on cable, Netflix or on DVDs. “It works to exercise alone, but when you can, attend a class. I find people push themselves harder in a class; the social aspect keeps them on track,” adds Tompkins.

You can also use your baby as a weight, but Tompkins finds this “more romantic than practical.” If you want to give it a try, put baby on your belly while you do full sit ups or place baby on the floor and from a standing position squat down, then do a pushup, and give her a kiss before doing it all over again. Another great idea is renting a treadmill. “A lot of people don’t know you can do that. It worked great for me since my babies were young during the winter. I’d use the treadmill during naps or after I put them down for the night,” she says.

Find a time that works for you.

Maybe staying up after that last feeding at 4:30am and going for a jog while baby is sleeping and your partner is at home works for you. Maybe it’s more realistic in the evening. “The time of day that you exercise doesn’t matter,” advises Tompkins.

Do something that you enjoy that fits your abilities The key to sticking to any exercise plan is finding an activity you actually enjoy doing. “A lot of people think running is the answer, but it’s not if you hate doing it or you have bad knees. I had a client who despised exercising, so she would pay me to walk with her. I introduced Kangoo boots to her—where you bounce more than run—and she loved it,” Tompkins exclaims. Try something new; ask others what they like or return to a sport you enjoyed in your youth.

Set goals and make it a priority It’s a well-known fact that if you have a goal you are more likely to make progress. Set a reasonable goal for yourself around exercise today, and then revise it in a month. Signing up for a halfmarathon six months out kept Tompkins motivated and moving. “But be realistic. What kind of exercise goals were you meeting before pregnancy? Let that guide you,” she advises. Maybe a 5k or

leisurely bike tour is more realistic.

Recording your goal and telling someone else about your goal helps keep you on track. Tompkins suggests tracking your exercise with an app like myfitnesspal.com. She isn’t a big fan of dieting, but does recommend a balanced diet: “It’s okay to have a treat every once in a while. Don’t deny yourself, but portion control can really make a difference.” Once you find a healthy balance with exercise and eating the pounds will come off slowly and steadily. “Maintaining a healthy weight is about making it a lifestyle,” she says.

Also, don’t feel guilty taking time away from your baby to exercise.

“Mommy guilt is rough, but you need to take care of yourself so you can do a good job taking care of your baby.

Make exercise a priority that’s not optional,” Tompkins says.

Face the dreaded plateau head-on If you are breastfeeding, you’ll notice some quick shedding of pounds—that’s because breastfeeding burns an extra 400 to 600 calories a day. “During breastfeeding you do lose weight but at a certain point your body starts getting used to it, it seems. I have noticed women lose weight in the first month, and then I watch them plateau as they breastfeed less and less,” Tompkins says.

The same happens with exercise.

You may be humming along losing weight and suddenly no matter how much you exercise your body insists on sticking to the last number on the scale. “When I started to plateau, as

most women do, I really had to watch what I ate. I had to get serious about portion control and my choices. I could have a glass of wine, but not dessert, too,” she says.

If you find yourself in a plateau, try switching up your routine. Work out the same times or more per week, but try something new. “If you have been walking and you feel ready to run, change it up to a run/walk routine, or if you have been doing Zumba, exchange one session for kick boxing instead,” Tompkins suggests.

Cardiovascular exercise helps burn calories and helps improve your cardiovascular fitness. If you don’t like running, try jumping jacks, walking lunges, kettle bells, Pilates, Zumba, swimming or circuit training.

Strength training is important, too. But if you have to choose between the two because of time, go with cardio.

“You are going to have to work at it, and you might get frustrated. Some weight will fall off easily, some won’t,” Tompkins says.

Be patient Finally, don’t expect those extra pounds to disappear overnight. At the six-week check-up, most moms still have about 15 pounds to go, and that last 15 pounds may take up to one or even two years.

“Remember, it took you nine months to put on, it will take at least that long to take it off,” says Tompkins, who says slow weight loss is more sustainable than fast. “I like to think the best things in life take time,” she concludes.

This article is sponsored by UCHealth.

Must-do exercises for new moms

After you get your doctor’s clearance to exercise, Tompkins recommends you focus on strengthening your core muscles, especially the pelvis. “Your core is between the bottom of your ribs and your hips and it wraps all the way around your body like a corset. It’s the foundation of your strength,” she says.

Planks: You might be familiar with these from yoga class. “At first start on your knees, then move to your toes. As you progress, add rotation and side planks with your hands lifted up towards the ceiling.”

Pelvic tilts: Your pelvic muscles have been

Full sit-ups: “I’m not a fan of crunches.

through a lot and need re-strengthening. “Lay on the floor on your back with your spine curved. Next, flatten your back to the floor and feel your pelvic muscles engage. Relax your legs and tush. Take turns marching each leg.”

Do a full sit up, thinking about one vertebra at a time touching the floor. The slower you go, the more effective it is.”

you to do!

Kegals: Yes, the ones your doctor advised

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Ready to read

By Kim Sharpe

I

magine opening this magazine and not being able to read a single word of it. You would have to try to glean information by looking at photographs and other images. While you might get a general sense of the message, you would never be able to appreciate the details and finer points of the information. Not fully or accurately comprehending the written word would only be part of the problem, however.

If you were illiterate, you would be two to four times more likely to be unemployed or have a low income, perhaps even living in poverty. Your access to lifelong learning and training to learn new skills would be diminished. You likely would have a low self-esteem, which often leads to depression. And your health would suffer because “illiterate individuals have more workplace accidents, take longer to recover and more often misuse medication through ignorance of health-care resources and because they have trouble reading and understanding the relevant…warnings, dosage, contraindications, etc.,” according to the Literacy Foundation.

Unfortunately, this type of reality is possible for too many northern Colorado children. In Larimer County, 22 percent of students are not reading at

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Programs encourage literacy for kids in northern Colorado

grade level by the end of third grade. In Weld County, 38 percent of third-grade students aren’t reading at grade level.

“Research shows that children who are not proficient readers by the end of third grade have difficulties throughout the course of their schooling, perform poorly in other subjects and may never graduate.

Further, the alternatives to reading achievement—grade retention, special-education assignment and long-term remedial programs—are costly and typically less effective for students. In a technological society, the demands for higher literacy are ever increasing, creating more serious consequences for those who fall short,” according to the Education Commission of the States, a national education policy organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

Recognizing the seriousness of illiteracy, and the toll it takes on individuals and society as a whole, many groups are rallying to address the issue in northern Colorado.

Success in school Be Ready is a collaboration focused on helping all children in Larimer County prepare to be successful in school, which includes not only early literacy skills, but nurturing physical, social and emotional health. More than 25 community partners are uniting to raise awareness around

what it truly means to be ready for school, including Poudre School District, Thompson School District, Estes Park School District, Early Childhood Council of Larimer County, Colorado State University, United Way of Larimer County, and many childcare providers, nonprofit groups and other service providers.

Be Ready partners are committed to helping parents and the community understand the specific needs of children from birth to age five in three focused areas: health and activity; language and learning; and feelings and behavior.

“And ‘READY’ stands for Read, Explore, Ask, Discover and Play,” explains Mims Harris, facilitator of United Way of Larimer County’s School Readiness Team. “As a member of the senior generation, it’s important to me that little children be adequately prepared and successful in school because they will be taking care of us.”

Parents and other individuals can visit the BeReadyLarimerCounty.org website for activities and resources designed to help fill children’s lives with the experiences they need to succeed in school. There also is a link to sign up for periodic updates about the Be Ready campaign. Additionally, the United Way of Larimer County is hosting a

Be Ready Fair on Saturday, October 5, at the Community Life Center in Fort Collins. All parents with young children are invited to attend this free event with their family to learn more about school readiness, connect with resources and experience hands-on activities.

The United Way of Weld County coordinates a similar program. Raising A Reader fosters healthy brain development, parent-child bonding and early literacy skills critical for school success by engaging parents in a routine of daily “book cuddling” with their children from birth to age five. Each week, Raising A Reader participants take home four developmentally appropriate, multicultural children’s books. The program also includes an introduction about how to use the public library, setting up families for a lifetime of book enjoyment.

These types of programs—those that try to address children’s developmental and literacy needs from birth—are not new. In 1964, United States President Lyndon B. Johnson declared “A War on Poverty” and the government’s Project Head Start, launched in 1965, was one of the tactical weapons aimed at helping families break the poverty cycle by providing preschool children of lowincome families with services to meet their emotional, social, health, nutritional and psychological needs, including preparing them to read. As the war wages on, more strategies abound.

reading with them.

“It’s so neat to see these kindergartners on up through fifth graders get truly excited about their new books,” says Book Trust Board Member Darcy McClure. “We’re truly inspiring their love of reading.”

Because our world is becoming increasingly filled with digital technology, Unite for Literacy, a Fort Collins-based business, has developed an online library, called “The Wonderously Infinite Global Library.” The e-library is filled with free books for children and young readers, birth to eight years old. Mike McGuffey, United for Literacy founder and CEO, says, “It is my life’s work to give children all over the world access to books in their own homes which I believe is the key to literacy.”

A unique feature of the e-books found within the Unite for Literacy library (library.uniteforliteracy.com) is that while they are written in English, they are translated into 15 various languages, so children—or their parents or care takers—can listen to the books read in English or the language of their choosing. The company plans to record the books in as many as 300 languages.

The Bright Beginnings program takes a little bit different tack in helping children develop into reading, thriving adults by

educating parents about the development stages and needs of their babies through 36 months and equipping them with resources for local community support, child development education, health and safety, child-care information and health insurance options. Bright Beginnings services are delivered through personal in-home visits or in a small group setting at various locations. Age-appropriate books also are delivered during the visits.

Annually, about 3,000 families in Larimer and Weld Counties participate in Bright Beginnings. Of those, nearly 95 percent say the program “increased their confidence as parents and say they will use the education materials they received.” A majority reported having changed their parenting as a result of what they learned.

The local Bright Beginnings programs are part of a statewide network of Colorado Bright Beginnings (brightbeginningsusa. org) programs established in 1995.

“Ultimately, young children are our future,” says Erin Zimmerman, Be Ready and United Way of Larimer County’s education initiative manager. “By investing in our children while they’re young, we’re going to have a greater impact at building a successful tomorrow—not just for our kids, but for our whole society.”

Access to books A nonprofit organization that empowers nearly 4,000 northern Colorado children from families with a low income to choose and own books is Book Trust.

“We inspire a passion for reading by giving kids a chance to buy seven dollars worth of books from Scholastic Book Club each month of the school year. By giving those kids a chance to say ‘Here’s what I’m interested in and here’s what I want to read about’—what we find is they’re much more likely to read and become life-long readers,” says Amy Friedman, Book Trust’s executive director.”

Book Trust hosts monthly book deliveries where community members take the Scholastic books to children who ordered them and then spend time RMPARENT

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Northern Colorado’s Favorite Parenting Magazine.

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thompson school district news New Garfield Elementary mural celebrates LISA

Garfield Elementary School is excited to have local mural artist Chris Bates create a wonderful work of art on the north side of the campus. The mural honors the school’s mission as a Loveland area Integrated School of the Arts (LISA) site and represents its commitment to learning in, with, and through the arts.

This mural is an incredible addition to the school, neighborhood and the entire community! Mr. Bates will serve as an Artist-in-Residence at the school during the 2013-14 school year. He will be working with students to create two additional murals in the fall and spring.

Please come by and see the amazing things happening at Garfield!

Thompson School District launches new website designs Last month, the Thompson School District officially launched the re-design of the district’s website. The address remains the same: www.thompsonschools. org. New websites for several of the schools were launched as well. More 24

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school websites will be moved to the new design as they are completed.

The first thing that you will notice with the new sites is the revised design.

All of the sites have a similar feel and overall theme. Yet school sites are still

able to be customized in several ways, including the use of school colors and the ability to incorporate mascots, photos and content from the school. In today’s world, more and more people are relying on the Internet for data retrieval and research. The new websites will ensure that parents, students, and community members have a more consistent Web experience across the district’s sites. Parents of elementary school students, for example, will have an easier time locating information on the website of their student’s new school when they move on to middle school.

The new website system will also create a much more consistent message across the entire district. Plus, it will make it easier for the district to share information across all of the school websites for things such as school closures and other items of interest.

As before, each school will be able to post their own news items, photos, scheduling information and more. The district is confident that once the new system is completely in place, parents, students and community members will be happy with the changes that have been made.

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poudre school district news Volunteer opportunities plentiful at mountain school

Lori Schleber, VBC for Stove Prairie Elementary school, says they have dedicated staff and super volunteers.

Poudre School District has over 17,000 volunteers, consisting of parents, grandparents, seniors and community members. Managing that many volunteers in 48 schools is quite a feat! Helping the PSD’s Volunteers & Partnerships office manage the multitude of volunteers at each school site is a Volunteer Building Coordinator (VBC). These dedicated volunteers donate many hours to ensure the volunteer program at their school is a success. Some have done it for many years, starting in elementary schools, and continuing in this volunteer position even after their children move on to middle school and even high school!

Lori Schleber, Stove Prairie Elementary Volunteer Building Coordinator, has been in this position for two years. She started when her daughter, Ilsa, was in her second year of preschool at Stove Prairie.

“For a school that averages 50 students, we have at least two to three parent volunteers a day to help out at the school and in the classrooms,” says Schleber.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities at their school, such as parent drivers for field trips, teacher appreciation luncheons, fifth-grade recognition/graduation program, book fairs, Thursday folders, and their Breakfast of Champions. Stove Prairie does not have a hot lunch program, so parent volunteers help to ensure the students have a hot lunch opportunity.

The first Thursday of the month, parents 26

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provide a volunteer potluck with a hot, healthy lunch for the students. The remaining Thursdays, the students have the option of ordering pizza, with the proceeds going to fund the fifth graders field trip at the end of the year. Schleber says, “We have such dedicated staff and super parent volunteers!”

Stove Prairie has only one fundraiser and it is their annual Winter Festival.

This past year they held their 36th annual event and it was “a record breaker!” Parent volunteers log in hundreds of hours putting together a quilt by hand to raffle off at the festival. In order for this event to happen and be successful, every parent in the school participates. “Without our volunteers, we wouldn’t have been able to carry on the tradition,” says Schleber.

In her spare time, Schleber enjoys winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding, as well as summer activities such as wakeboarding and playing in her flower garden. She also enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.

Schleber adds, “I’m proud to represent our little mountain school!”

PSD students continue to top students statewide on TCAP tests Poudre School District students continue to perform higher than students statewide in all 27 areas tested on the spring 2013 Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP) tests. TCAP

replaced the Colorado Standardized Assessment Program tests.

As it has in the 15-year history of standardized tests, PSD’s district-wide averages for students scoring proficient and advanced remain well ahead of state averages, ranging from four percent to 17percent higher across all subjects, at all grade levels. PSD increased the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced relative to 2012 in each of the four tested subject areas: reading, writing, math and science.

“PSD students continue to perform well which is a testament to the hard work of staff and students,” says Dr. Sandra Smyser, superintendent. “We will continue with our plans to improve instruction in every classroom through professional development and our new teaching and learning framework.”

PSD showed significant gains on the 2013 test in each subject area.

Parents will receive their students’ individual TCAP results from their school this fall. These reports detail each student’s progress toward meeting standards and provide an explanation of the performance categories. In addition to the traditional TCAP reports, parents will receive individual student Growth and Achievement Reports. These reports provide a longitudinal history of each student’s performance and growth on TCAP. Stay cool in school with these beat-the-heat tips As the 2013-14 school year begins, here are some tips for dealing with potentially warm classrooms during the first few weeks of school in Poudre School District: Encourage students to wear lightweight clothing if possible Send students to school with water bottles (your school should allow students access to water bottles, even if school policy typically does not allow water bottles in the classrooms.)

Make sure students remain well hydrated during the day.

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greeley-evans district 6 news District 6 TCAP scores show marked improvement The percentage of Greeley-Evans School District 6 students scoring proficient or advanced on the 2012-13 state assessments went up in every tested category – reading, writing, math and science.

The number of students scoring proficient or advanced on the 2012-13 Transitional Colorado Assessment Program test either increased or maintained in 22 out of 27 categories at the tested grade levels. Improvement was seen in 19 categories.

TCAP test results were released to the public Aug. 14. All-time high scores for the district were seen for third-grade reading, sixth-grade reading, sixth-grade math, seventh-grade math and eight-grade math. Of the 27 categories tested at the various grade levels, only five saw decreases.

In addition, 16 schools realized double-digit increases in proficient or advanced scores in reading; 16 schools had double-digit gains in writing; 17 schools had double-digit increases in math and seven schools improved in science by double digits.

“We are very pleased that the work we’ve been doing to align curriculum and improve instruction is being seen in these results,” says Superintendent Ranelle Lang. “This represents much hard work on the part of our students and staff.”

Lang also pointed out that District 6 students are “beating the odds” by continuing to improve on state assessments. The demographics of District 6 students have changed significantly over the past decade.

Currently, about 26 percent of students in District 6 are English Language Learners, or more than 5,000 students. In 2005, this was 23 percent. The number of students living in poverty has also gone up, from 49 percent in 2005 to 60 percent in 2013.

District 6 has also lost more than $23 million in state funding over the last five years.

“I am proud that we’ve been able to improve student achievement in light of some of the challenges we face,” Lang says.

Complete TCAP results are available 28

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on the Colorado Department of Education website at www.schoolview.org/index.asp.

Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps begins at Northridge High School More than 200 students have enrolled in the new Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program, which will begin this semester at Northridge High School.

The ribbon was cut on the MCJROTC program at a community ceremony Aug. 13 at the school. Local and state dignitaries were in attendance to welcome the new program to District 6.

The school district received final approval from the U.S. Marines last year to initiate the program. MCJROTC will be open to all District 6 high school students. It is the only MCJROTC program in northern Colorado and only the second to be approved in Colorado.

The program offers skills that will be valuable to any student, not only those who are interested in military service. The program emphasizes: • Being an informed and responsible citizen.

• Character building through training in ethics, leadership and self-discipline.

• Career exploration and educational opportunities after high school.

• Learning about national security and the U.S. military.

• Relationship building.

Students or parents interested in the program should contact Northridge High School at (970) 348-3200.

Apply for free or reduced lunch online Greeley-Evans School District 6 parents and students can now apply online for free or reduced meals by visiting https:// www.applyforlunch.com/Application to fill out an application.

Free and reduced meal applications are also available in English or Spanish at all school offices and kitchens, or at the Nutrition Office located at 2508

4th Ave., Greeley, CO 80631. For more information, call (970) 348-6600. All parents are urged to complete an application for their family, even if they are unsure as to whether they qualify.

Completed applications must contain: • Student(s) Name(s) • Adult Social Security number OR check the box indicating, “I do not have a Social Security Number” • If an income application, total household gross income or check the box indicating “No income” • Adult signature

Federal guidelines require a new application for free and reduced meals be filed each year. All applications must be completed on an official form or online.

No information can be collected over the phone or by fax.

Applications must be completed within 30 student contact days from the first day of school, or children who previously qualified will automatically change for full-pay status. If approved, students will receive nutritionally balanced, reduced or free breakfast and lunch each school day.

SAVE $5 OFF a purchase of $30 or more!

EXPIRES SEPT 30, 2013 RMP0913

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lunchbox Poudre School District— Elementary student lunches are $2.25, secondary student lunches are $2.50 and reduced lunches

are $0.40. Entrees offered daily: Elementary—a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk and juices; Secondary--hot and cold sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, deli salad and pizza.

Elementary school 3 Grilled cheese sandwich & tomato soup; chicken sandwich; PBJ 4 Lasagna; chef salad; chicken nuggets 5 Veggie wrap; BBQ chicken sandwich; cheese pizza 6 Hummus & veggies; chicken broccoli Alfredo; beef tacos 9 Sloppy Joe; turkey & cheese deli; unbreaded chicken bites 10 Yogurt & fruit box; chili & cinnamon roll; cheeseburger 11 Mac & cheese; pig in a blanket; Mandarin chicken salad 12 Turkey gravy & potatoes; PBJ; chicken sandwich

13 Spaghetti; chef salad; cheese pizza 16 No school 17 Veggie lasagna; cheeseburger; turkey & cheese wrap 18 Asian rice bowl; cheese pizza; hummus & veggies 19 Chicken drumstick; beef burrito; PBJ 20 Mac & cheese; French toast sticks; tuna salad sandwich 23 Yogurt & fruit box; Chinese-American rice w/egg roll; chicken quesadilla 24 Beef burrito; chicken nuggets; PBJ 25 Chef salad; hamburger; corn dog 26 Veggie wrap; Teriyaki chicken; grilled chicken sandwich

27 Turkey & cheese deli; cheese pizza; black bean tostada 30 Ham & cheese deli; chicken sandwich; turkey pot pie Secondary schools 3 Chicken nuggets; beef tacos 4 Italian lasagna; chicken soup & sandwich 5 Baked chicken; burrito 6 Vegetable paella w/tofu; chicken fajita w/tortilla 9 Beef Szechwan; chicken taco 10 Mac & cheese; Chinese-American rice & egg roll 11 Unbreaded chicken bites; beef tamale bake 12 Penne pasta w/sauces; pig in a

blanket 13 Cheese ravioli; turkey pot pie 16 Mac & cheese; Asian rice bowl 17 Veggie lasagna; chicken nugget 18 Burrito; fruit & yogurt parfait 19 Chicken; spaghetti & meatballs 20 Chicken broccoli Alfredo; beef tacos 23 Nachos el Grande; penne pasta w/ sauces 24 Teriyaki chicken; beef tacos 25 Chicken nuggets; grilled cheese soup & tomato soup 26 Orange chicken w/rice; Philly cheesesteak 27 Asian noodle bowl; burrito 30 Mac & cheese; chicken taco

Thompson R2J School District — Elementary lunches are $2.50. Secondary school lunches are $2.75. Reduced lunches are

$0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit.

Elementary schoolS 3 Pizza stick 4 Hamburger 5 Nachos w/meat & cheese 6 Baja fish taco w/bean salad 9 Mac & cheese 10 Pizza 11 Chicken strips 12 Chicken burrito bowl 13 Ham & cheese pocket 16 Grilled chicken sandwich

17 Pesto pasta 18 BBQ pork sliders 19 Beef & bean tostada 20 Orange chicken 23 Chicken nuggets 24 French bread boat 25 BBQ chicken breast 26 Chicken fajita taco 27 Vegetable lasagna 30 Pancakes & sausage Secondary schools

3 Tuscan pasta salad; chicken patty 4 Burger bar; sweet potato 5 Nachos; Lasagna w/beef 6 Baja fish taco; grilled chicken 9 Mac & cheese; vegetable quesadilla 10 Cheese pizza; chicken fajita wrap 11 Fiesta bar 12 Chicken burrito bowl;

meatball sandwich 13 Ham & cheese pocket; French bread boat 16 Grilled chicken sandwich; nachos 17 Pesto pasta; burger 18 Pizza bar 19 Beef and bean tostada; chicken nuggets 20 Orange chicken; pretzel w/ cheddar cheese

23 Chicken nuggets; sloppy Joe 24 French bread boat; hot ham & cheese 25 Pick two: Ham, BBQ chicken or hummus wrap 26 Chicken fajita taco; Cuban sandwich 27 Vegetable lasagna; chicken parmesan 30 Chicken & waffles; BBQ pulled pork

Greeley District 6 —To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.25, and middle school lunches are $2.50, reduced-price lunches are $.40. Offered daily: PBJ. Elementary schools 3 Waffles w/sausage; ham, egg, cheese biscuit 4 Chicken Alfredo pasta; PBJ 5 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 6 Hawaiian or cheese pizza; PBJ 9 Pork carnitas w/tortilla; chicken salad sandwich

10 Chicken cordon bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 11 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; PBJ 12 BBQ chicken; ham & cheese hoagie 13 Veggie pizza; tuna salad sandwich 16 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken salad sandwich 17 Teriyaki chicken; turkey & cheese

wrap 18 Hamburger or cheeseburger; PBJ 19 Buffalo chicken sandwich; ham & cheese hoagie 20 No school!

23 Chili w/cinnamon roll; chicken salad sandwich 24 Burrito; turkey & cheese wrap 25 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ

26 Turkey; ham & cheese hoagie 27 Cheese or taco pizza; tuna salad sandwich 30 Mac & cheese; chicken salad sandwich Secondary schools Please see website for menu

Windsor School District — Price for elementary lunch is $2.30, for middle school students, $2.50. Reduced lunches are

$0.40. Salad bar is served daily with entrees. Offered daily: PBJ and yogurt.

3 Chicken sandwich 4 Cheesy nachos 5 Stuffed shells 6 Steak and cheese sandwich 9 Taco 10 Teriyaki chicken 11 Waffle sticks 12 Chicken Alfredo 13 Cheese or pepperoni pizza

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16 No school!

17 Chicken nuggets 18 Chili w/cinnamon roll 19 Beef Stroganoff 20 Cheese or Hawaiian pizza 23 Taco 24 Burger 25 Chicken tenders 26 Mac & cheese

27 Cheese-stuffed breadsticks & dip 30 Popcorn chicken Secondary schools 3 Chicken sandwich 4 Cheesy nachos 5 Stuffed shells 6 Steak and cheese sandwich 9 Taco

10 Teriyaki chicken 11 Waffle sticks 12 Chicken Alfredo 13 BBQ sandwich 16 Pepperoni calzone 17 Chicken nuggets 18 Chili w/cinnamon roll 19 Beef Stroganoff 20 Hot and spicy chicken

sandwich 23 Taco 24 Cheeseburger 25 Chicken tenders 26 Mac & cheese 27 Meatball sub 30 Popcorn chicken

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SEPTEMBER 2013 ONGOING Through September 8 Tartuffe by Moliere One of the theatre’s most celebrated and hilarious comedies. CSU Center for the Arts, FC. 8pm. 970-491-2787 or www.

CSUArtsTickets.com.

September 6 – November 23 Les Miserables Featuring the world’s most-celebrated musical score, Victor Hugo’s classic novel is set against the backdrop of 19thcentury France and tells an enthralling story of love, sacrifice and redemption.

Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. midtownartscenter.com.

September 7 – October 5 RENT Steeped in the confounding era of the HIV/AIDS epidemic during 1989 and 1990, RENT tells a story about being

alive and learning to love. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

September 12 – November 3 She Loves Me! Funny, intelligent, honest and sentimental, this is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance and nostalgia. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Dr., Johnstown, CO. 970-744-3747 or www. coloradocandlelight.com.

September 14-15 14th Annual Sustainable Living Fair This event offers solution-based, interactive, family oriented events designed to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about renewable energy, alternative transportation,

sustainable & local agriculture, green building and more. Legacy Park, 300 Woodland Dr., FC. 970-224-3247 or www.sustainablelivingassociation.org.

September 20-21 FORToberfest A funky hometown celebration of bicycles, bands and beer. Downtown, FC. 970-484-6500 or www. downtownfortcollins.com.

Tuesday, September 3 Great Decisions Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs.

Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, September 4 Nature Notes Club Express yourself during this hike through journaling, photography, painting and other artistic means.

Contact Heather for details on location and time. 970-679-4489.

Thursday, September 5 Outdoor Adventure and Safety for Your Dog Learn about where to go, what to bring, and everything else you need to know to plan a mountain adventure with your pup. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

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Nature Nuggets: Happy Birds Bring your little ones to learn about birds with stories and hands-on activities. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, Larimer County. 10-11am.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org or www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Cakecups... introducing

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970-225-1040

buttercreamcupcakery.com

172 North College Avenue

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Tell Me More About the Moon Enjoy a brief family-friendly astronomy program followed by skygazing with telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County.

7:15-10pm. www.naturetracker.fcgov. com.

Sunday, September 8 Genealogy: Land Records We’ll cover the most popular genealogy research subjects including birth, marriage, death and church records, census records, directories, genealogy websites and more. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Poudre River Downtown Project Open House Learn about opportunities and constraints along the Cache La Poudre River corridor from Shields to Mulberry.

Review and give input on concepts for improvements in recreation, habitat, and flood control. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 6-8pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Friday, September 6 5th Annual Fall Harvest Brewfest Presented by Wilbur’s Total Beverage.

Enjoy 100+ beers from over 30 different breweries. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 7-10pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Scrabble @ Your Library Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 10am-12pm. 970-221-6122 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

“From Underneath” Photo Contest Awards Reception Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

First Friday Gallery Walk Featuring over 20 galleries and special exhibits. Downtown, FC. 6-9pm. 970-484-6500 or www.downtownfortcollins.com.

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Saturday, September 7 Nelsen’s Old Town Car Show Hundreds of great hot-rods, vintage cars and classic trucks will be on display.

Downtown, FC. 10am-5pm. 970-4846500 or www.downtownfortcollins.com.

About the Rope: Not the Dope Join us for a lively presentation that includes live music to share the past, present, and future of hemp in Colorado.

Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 2pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Movie Night: Swing Kids Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Bear Necessities Watch a captivating presentation about local bruins that ranges from their habits to habitats. Hermit Park Open Space, west of Estes Park off Hwy 36. 10am. 970679-4489.

Birds of the Poudre Take a walk to discover the many species of birds that live near the river or migrate through the area.

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. 9-11am. www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Monday, September 9 Tiny Trekkers Join our naturalist for a fun-filled morning with crafts, stories and fun facts. The Devil’s Backbone Open Space, W of LV. 10am. 970-679-4489 or www. larimer.org.

Tuesday, September 10 Kevin Cook: Western Grebe Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. Noon. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

International Night: Macedonia Join Vlatko and Vesna Bashovski on a journey through their homeland Macedonia, one of the seven countries that became independent after the break-up of Yugoslavia. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Soapstone Surprise Discover the amazing archaeological and natural secrets of this special place.

Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Larimer County. 9-10:30am. www.naturetracker. fcgov.com.

Wednesday, September 11 Rocky Mountain Raptors: Eagles Meet the eagles of Colorado. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6122 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

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Thursday, September 12 Love Does: An Evening with Bob Goff Join us for an evening with this New York Times Bestselling author. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 6:45pm.

970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Puppets on Patrol Learn about how to care for natural areas and how to explore and appreciate these beautiful places. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County. 10-11am. www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Nooks @ Your Library In this class we will show you how to download library eBooks to your Nook from home anytime. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 3:30pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Nature Nuggets: Happy Birds Bring your little ones to learn about birds with stories and hands-on activities. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, Larimer County. 10-11am.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org or www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Teens Create: Macramé Projects Teens will learn basic macramé techniques and complete several projects including jewelry. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6122 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Sunday, September 15 Game Day @ Your Library Play a board or card game from our collection or bring a favorite from home.

Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1-5pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday, September 13 Ignite Fort Collins Enjoy this night of presentation on a variety of topics. Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. 7pm. 970-221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

Teen IRS: Interesting Reader Society Meeting Join this crew to discuss books, music, movies and more. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30pm. 970-2216122 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Operation Preservation: History Comes Alive Celebrate the early pioneer history.

Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County. 1-4pm. www.naturetracker. fcgov.com.

Harmony in the Round with Park Hill Brass This internationally renowned Big Band from the Boulder area will be playing music of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s.

Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Writing Workshop: Building a Better Book We’ll discuss developing the core concept and casting your characters, as well as breakdown the story beats of a modern novel in detail. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Morning on the Prairie Discover the wide variety of wildlife at Coyote Ridge, including prairie dogs, rattlesnakes, coyotes, burrowing owls and more. Coyote Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County. 9am-Noon. www. naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Skygazing at Fossil Creek Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes for viewing the sky, and share their knowledge about stars, planets, galaxies, and more. Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, Larimer County. 8-10pm.

970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org.

Saturday, September 14 Hogbacks and Backbones Walk through millions of years of geologic history visible from the trail.

The Devil ’s Backbone Open Space, W of LV. 10am. 970-679-4489 or www.larimer.org.

Hike to a Homestead Learn about the early history of the settlers who braved this harsh landscape. Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Larimer County. 9am-2pm. www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

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Fr

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Like us on Facebook

(970) 224-2866 |111 N. College Ave. RMPARENT

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Monday, September 16 Money Matters: Free Online Money Management Tools Learn how to sharpen your money management skills by using one of the many free online tools. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-2216740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, September 18 Money Matters: Free Online Money Management Tools Learn how to sharpen your money management skills by using one of the many free online tools. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Authors Alive!

Author Tracie McMillan will discuss her book The American Way of Eating.

Hilton Fort Collins, 425 W. Prospect Rd., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Kindles @ Your Library We will go through the basics of checking out and downloading library eBooks to all types of Kindles. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6122 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Clever Coyotes Learn more about those clever coyotes from a canine expert. City of Fort Collins Building, 215 N. Mason, FC. 12:301:30pm. www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

A Tribute to Black Pioneers in Music Performance This concert honors those who broke the color barriers in music and composition.

CSU Griffin Concert Hall, FC. 8pm. 970491-2787 or www.CSUArtsTickets.com.

Thursday, September 19 The 5 Steps of Genealogical Proof Julie Miller, Board Certified Genealogist, will present her program on the important steps to verify your genealogy. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6:30pm. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

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Friday, September 20 Birding Tour of Three Bells Conservation Easement This beautiful, conserved area, normally closed to the public, boasts a lovely section of the Poudre River, home to many different bird species. River Bluffs Open Space, Larimer County. 7am. 970679-4489 or www.larimer.org.

Downtown Fort Collins Foodie Walk Enjoy a self-guided tour of fantastic spice, specialty & culinary shops.

Downtown, FC. 5-8pm. 970-484-6500 or www.downtownfortcollins.com.

Saturday, September 21 Learn Bachata and Merengue Experience a multimedia presentation followed by a free dance lesson. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 1pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

NoCo Nature Festival The Birding Fair has a new name and more pizzazz! Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, Larimer County. 7am-3pm. 970679-4489 or www.larimer.org.

Band Together for Birds Enjoy a birding walk along the river.

Meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Ct., FC. 9-10am. www.naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Spring Kite Farm Dinner Spring Kite Farm will host their first farm dinner. They have partnered with Jax Restaurant, New Belgium, Odells and Equinox to create an unforgettable evening featuring a four-course meal and live music

by Halden Wofford and Friends.

Spring Kite Farm, 2917 S. Taft Rd., FC. 5pm. 970-556-3994 or www. fortifiedcollaborations.com.

Sunday, September 22 Smithsonian at Soapstone Hear about the Smithsonian visit to Soapstone Prairie in the 1930s and learn about the excavation of this important archaeological site.

Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Larimer County. 9-10:30am. www. naturetracker.fcgov.com.

Helping Kids Grow Into a

Sustainable Lifestyle

By Bridget Tisthammer – Fort Collins Nursery

“Taylor, come put your Coke can in the

their own needs.” That’s clear, but “Let’s be

and butterflies to your garden. Have

recycling!”

sustainable!” doesn’t have the ring to it that

shower races—see who can take a show-

“Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!” has. And the

er the fastest (and actually get clean).

three Rs are easier for kids to understand.

Recycle schoolwork when it’s no longer

“Sure, Alex, I’ll take you to a thrift store. Turn the lights off in your room.”

“Well, I really don’t need this brownie

I think kids have caught on to the con-

mix gift basket, but Jane would love it. I’ll

cept of “reduce, reuse, recycle.” Now when

send it to her.”

I take my daughter to a thrift shop, she’s no

Does any of this sound familiar? We’ve

longer buying “used” clothes, she’s buying

all become acutely aware of the mantras,

“recycled” clothes. When my gas-guzzling

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle, or Live Sustainably.

SUV was ready to croak, we chose a station

Sustainability—it’s hard to describe

wagon that doubled my gas mileage. When

exactly what sustainability is and how

we changed our lightbulbs from incandes-

it fits into normal living. We’re familiar

cent to compact fluorescent, we lightened

with the concept of sustainable ecologi-

the load at the landfill and reduced our en-

cal systems, such as forests, where each

ergy load for lighting by 75%. And I’m not

part of the whole—predators, prey,

“regifting” when I send the brownie basket

trees, undergrowth, lakes, sun, rain and

to my sister. I’m recycling! My husband

fire—play an important role in main-

thinks that every time we adopt a dog from

taining the forest’s balance and ability

a rescue group, we’re recycling a dog.

to survive.

But what does it mean for us human beings, as we go through the routines of

There are lots of ways to get your kids involved in creating a sustainable lifestyle, and not only for human benefit,

needed and save unused school supplies for the next year.

Here are some more ideas for getting your kids involved in sustainability:

• • • • • • • •

Take your kids to a farmers’ market. Point out why local food is better for the environment.

Set up a compost pile to recycle food waste.

Take the family on a bike ride instead of driving to your destination.

Pick up litter whenever possible.

Explain why you buy sprays that don’t contain CFCs. Involve your kids in creating a bird, butterfly or bee habitat in your backyard.

Help your kids design and maintain a xeric or vegetable garden.

Arrange carpools for kids’ activities.

There are countless ways to teach your

daily living? Well, let’s start with the defi-

but for the environment as well. Have

kids about sustainability. Challenge your-

nition created by the Brundtland Commis-

your kids help you plant native plants

self to find new ways to live sustainably.

sion of the United Nations: “sustainable

that provide food and habitat, such as

Mother Earth and future generations are

development is development that meets the

gambel oak, currants, thimbleberries,

counting on us to keep this beautiful world

needs of the present without compromising

chokecherries and American plums.

going, so let’s put the tools in our kids’

the ability of future generations to meet

Native plants will bring more bees, birds

hands to make it happen.

-PAID ADVERTISEMENT-

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Monday, September 23 Meet the 2012 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Hear Jennifer Pharr Davis talk about the earned her the title. Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Tiny Trekkers Join our naturalist for a fun-filled morning with crafts, stories and fun facts. The Devil’s Backbone Open Space, W of LV. 10am. 970-679-4489 or www. larimer.org.

Tuesday, September 24 Buying Your First/New Dog You’ll surely make the right choice in a dog after hearing Terry Jester explain the differences among breeds and how best to pick the right dog from the right place. Council Tree Library, 2733 Council Tree Ave., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6122 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Wednesday, September 25 Apps for Preschoolers Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Thursday, September 26 Fort Collins Reads Book Discussion: In the Garden of Beasts Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Friday, September 27 Library eBooks on Your iPads, iPhones, Smartphones and Tablets In this class we will show you how to download and check out library materials. Harmony Library, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 10:30am. 970-221-6740 or www.PoudreLibraries.org.

Take It Outside with Your Commissioner Ask anything you’d like about the county in a spectacular outdoor setting.

The Devil’s Backbone Open Space, W of LV. 9am. 970-679-4489 or www. larimer.org.

History Comes Alive: Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History This engaging program remembers and honors women of the 19th century. Learn about the mavericks and trailblazers who dared to do the unexpected and led the way to new opportunities for women. Front Range Community Center, 4616 S. Shields St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Tell Me More About Constellations Enjoy a brief family-friendly astronomy program followed by skygazing with telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Larimer County.

6:30-10pm. www.naturetracker.fcgov. com.

Saturday, September 28 Movie Night: The Mask of Zorro Old Town Public Library, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7pm. 970-221-6740 or www.

PoudreLibraries.org.

Project Noah Hike Buff up your nature knowledge with this hike focused on Project Noah, a smart phone app that lets you be the scientist!

The Devil’s Backbone Open Space, W of LV. 10am. 970-679-4489 or www. larimer.org.

Geology: Walking the Gangplank Hike to the landform known as the gangplank and discover geological secrets of this beautiful landscape.

Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Larimer County. 8am-Noon. www.naturetracker. fcgov.com.

Visit us online at:

RMParent.com

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So much MORE than your

NEIGHBORHOOD POOL!

ADDITIONAL SERVICES AND AMENITIES OFFERED AT FCC • FCC Club Fit • Rocky Mountain Physical Therapy on-site • Personal Trainers • Raquetball and Handball Courts • Salon Giorgio: Full Service Salon and Spa • Summer Camps for Kids • Over 30 Yoga Classes per week

• Kids’ Club House: Air Hockey, X boxes, foosball, and more!

• Kids’ Club Daycare • Swim Team • Swim Lessons • Spring Creek Trail access • Kiddie pool with family changing area nearby • Outdoor pool with a slide!

• Children’s playground • Sand Volleyball court

CONTACT MEMBERSHIP FOR MORE DETAILS

970-224-CLUB membership@fcc.net

www.fortcollinsclub.net

1307 East Prospect Road Fort Collins, CO 80525 Follow us on:

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time out

Frogs, birds and stars...

Family follows “crazy” dream and moves to the country k a t i e h a rr i s

E

arlier this summer, my husband, Jeremy, and I schlepped all of our belongings, two children and three dogs to a new home. A year in the making, we were finally moving into our dream home, downsizing in square footage and surprising almost everyone by giving up our newer home in a subdivision that encompassed an elementary school, a playground, and tons of kids and family friends.

We were moving to a smaller house, a place in the country, where the drives would be longer, neighbor kids would be few and far between, and the closest playground was several miles away.

We were trading house size for land, far away from shops and traffic and intersections and traffic signals.

We left behind the swing set Jeremy and I built last summer, along with the enormous unfinished basement, which we’d converted into a massive toy collector/playroom for the kids. We left behind shiny new paint and new carpet, and paved streets where the kids used to ride their bikes, and we moved to a modest 80s house, on a dirt road where the car bumps along to the tune of “Old McDonald” on the ruts and potholes on our way to and from home. Our friends must have thought we were crazy.

We’ve been in our new home for a couple of months now and, between the unpacking, the cleaning and rearranging, the moments together as a family have been sparse. But when I do find time to sit down with my 4- and 5-year-olds, here’s what I’ve learned (in their words): There’s a bucket of bird seed in the shed and we need to keep the feeders full because the other thing there is is a mama bird with eggs in a nest in the dead tree right outside our house and the eggs might hatch soon.

If you go outside late at night you can hear frogs over by the lake and 42

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they sound like they’re dying but it’s okay because really that’s just what they sound like.

There are a whole bunch of bunnies living under the shed and the dogs like to try to chase them but they always get away.

The little yellow wild flowers growing in the front pasture are Haley’s favorite.

There are cactuses that grow big flowers on them up on the hill on the top pasture, so don’t go up there unless you wear your boots, plus there might be snakes too.

There was a baby toad in the

stayed up after everyone else fell asleep, listening to crickets and watching bats swoop down over the top of the tent.

The kids snored away, exhausted as they had been everyday since our move, from exploring and learning and having so much room to run. A part of me must have worried that we were making a mistake moving away from it all; that the kids would be bored without friends nearby, or that they’d get sick of being outside all the time. But only a small part. When you have a dream sometimes you just have to follow it, no matter how crazy it might sound. In our new life, my kids haven’t watched

window well and I almost caught him mom! What do baby toads eat again?

A few nights ago we pitched a tent in the yard and camped out. The kids wanted to see what the sky looked like at night without all the city lights and neighbors’ porch lights blocking out the stars. We let them stay up late and search for constellations in the clear night sky. The moon looked ten times brighter than it’s ever looked before. I

TV in a month. They’re starting to forget the theme song to “Bubble Guppies,” but they’ve learned that a toad eats spiders, but only the ones that are smaller than their heads. And that baby flycatchers stay in their nest for four days before flying out to nearby branches, and then away into the wild.

And they know now that sometimes, the stars shine brightest when there’s no one else around.

R U E T N E

V D

A

MENT CENTER P O L E V DE D L I CH

ADVENTURE

S D I K .

0 970.33. 18TH ST. Y E 5800 W L E E GR

RE ADVENTU

Childcare

• Accepting Infants (6 weeks) to 12 yrs • Day Camp Program for School-Age Children with Awesome Daily Field Trips

s c i t s a n Gym LESSONS

• Daily Gym Time with access to Zip Line, Trampolines, Climbing Walls, In-Air Obstacle Course and much More!

• Full and Partial Day Preschool with emphasis on School Readiness

• Qualistar Rated Program with high-quality staff and curriculum • Nurturing Environment • Nutritious Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks • Enrichment Activities

ls • All skill leve t classes • Mom and To staff • High quality

0.0632 3 3 .

0 7 9 L L A C info! for more

E

TUR N E V D A

s e i t r a P

ties roup Par G e g r a ay & L • Birthd t Discoun • Group ft. Gym • 6500sq e • Zip Lin ourse ay to d o bstacle C t O l l a ir a C • In alls ty! mbing W li C k c your par o k o •R o b lines • Trampo able rds Avail a C t if G •

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Specials for Fall Enrollment, Call Now!

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