October RM Parent by RM Publishing

OCTOBER 2014 • RMPARENT.COM

Fun Fall

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OCTOBER 2014

Departments

Special Section

PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

FUN & FIT

Be the pebble—choose to be kind, gentle and caring

AS WE GROW . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Waking up dry—try these bed-wetting solutions

Explore the possibilities for this fall and see what programs these providers have for your families.

ADVERTISIN G SUPPLEMEN T

FAMILY ACTIVITIES . . . . . . . 10 Discover Denver!—free family-friendly fall fun

GIVE ME A BREAK . . . . . . . . 12 Color your world—enjoy the season with a fall-foliage walk or drive

Features

COMMUNITY NEWS . . . . . . . 14 Respiratory illness and asthma exacerbation, Greeley promises community excellence, water fluoridation in Loveland, rough it in a tipi, text to 9-1-1 available in Larimer County, recycle unwanted electronic devices.

NUTRITION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 6

The trick of treats—facing the scariest part of All Hallow’s Eve

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

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

Reasonable commitment—guidelines for my little flip-floppers

18 RAISING AN

EMPATHETIC CHILD

Empathy is both a learned skill and an innate personality trait. It’s being able to stand in another person’s shoes, that feeling of deep understanding, often brought about by our own life experiences. Sharing our own stories with our kids helps create empathy, and connection—and teaches them to do the same.

School District News Thompson School District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Namaqua Elementary School creates outdoor classroom, PTA organization at Cottonwood Plains Elementary creates garden, new reading program helps students catch up, Thompson School District at this year’s Old Fashioned Corn Roast Parade in Loveland.

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

PSD calendar of events, Suicide Prevention Trainings offered, Red Feather Lakes Elementary Preschool students hang on to their antlers, Preston Middle School students learn about 3D printers.

Greeley-Evans District 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Ninety-five District 6 students earn AP Scholar status, Unity event links two Romero Academy campuses, District 6 hosts fifth annual Citizens Academy, Teachers Closet now open for District 6 staff.

Lunchbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 School menus for Poudre, Thompson, Greeley-Evans and Windsor

SPOOKY FALL FUN

With all the Halloween happenings and fall festivals taking place in northern Colorado this year, your family has no excuse to stay in! We’ve got it all: places to safely trick-or-treat, scary mazes, and events and activities for all ages. So make your choices for frightening (and not-sofrightening) fun for the family!

ABOUT THE COVER: Kaydance, 4, loves to dance and play with her friends. Photo by Cheri Schonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com.

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perspective Be the pebble

Choose to be kind, gentle and caring

ow! Lynn Nichols lays it right out there in her story about raising empathetic kids (page 18). Basically, if we want our kids to be empathetic and therefore kinder, gentler, and more caring, we need to model that ourselves and take opportunities to help them learn that. But that’s a tall order! We tend to reward competitiveness and, if not outright aggression, some form of pushing yourself to the top of the heap. And we’re constantly comparing ourselves to our neighbors and our family members and, even the fictional people whom we see on the TV. And then there’s the media barrage telling us we need to be better at this and drive this and eat this and on and on it goes and kinder, gentler and more caring are at best teeny, tiny blips on the fringe of the radar screen. Jeez, I hope I don’t sound like I’m despairing! I’m just struck by the boldness of Lynn’s premise (or what I perceive it to be.) She even starts out asking what makes us happy! Most of the time we don’t even slow down enough to consider that we might or might not be happy. In our speedy, packed lives, we just steam along...meeting the next deadline, running to the next soccer practice... I’m really glad that we’re running this story, and I’ll maybe push it a little further. If we want to change the world, if we want to make it a better place, a less polarized and aggressive place, it’s not going to be by forcing my beliefs and values on you and yours on me. That just causes more conflict. I think we truly can start simply by being kinder, gentler and more caring in all our interactions. Lynn’s lessons for the children and really lessons for all of us are not just there so that we can make a polite society. It’s much bigger than that. It is the key to what makes us happy and what makes us human. We can be the pebble whose ripples of kindness flow out. If we’re kind, our kids are more likely to be kind, and our neighbors and our friends, too. Empathy...where everything is not just about me. Funny I notice that when I remember to approach the world that way (and I’m far from the shining example of this) that I am in fact happier. It’s a selfish unselfishness... OK...enough of that! Onto the fun for the month. We have highlighted lots of things for you and the family to do: an entire feature about all the fall festivals and Halloween happenings, our usual extensive calendar, Denver for Free, and some good ideas to get out and see the fall foliage. Have a fantastic fall, Scott

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OCTOBER 2014 • Volume 19, Issue 5 PUBLISHER Scott Titterington, (970)221-9210 scott.rmpublishing@gmail.com EDITOR Kristin Titterington, (970)221-9210 kristin.rmpublishing@gmail.com CALENDAR EDITOR Kim Sharpe calendar@rockymountainpub.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Emily Zaynard emily.rmpublishing@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Greg Hoffman, (970)689-6832 greg.rmpublishing@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION Wendee Brungardt Sharon Klahn, Kyle Moyer COVER PHOTO Cheri Shonfeld, schonfeldphotography.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Richard Keller, Kim Lipker, Lynn U Nichols, Kim Sharpe

ROCKY MOUNTAIN PUBLISHING 825 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, CO 80521 Voice 221-9210 Fax 221-8556 editor@rockymountainpub.com www.RMParent.com Rocky Mountain Parent magazine is published monthly by Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. Publication of this paper does not consitute an endorsement of the products or services advertised. RMP reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The opinions expressed by contributors or writers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rocky Mountain Publishing. ©2014 Rocky Mountain Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without express written permission is prohibited.

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as we grow

Waking up dry

Try these bed-wetting solutions LY NN U. NICHOLS

f your kindergartener or first grader still wets the bed, don’t be overly alarmed. According to the Mayo Clinic, 15 percent of 5- to 7-year-olds still wet the bed. Maybe your preschooler can stay dry during the day, but has trouble at night. That’s because staying dry at night is the last milestone of toilet training, and can take a good year or two to master. Whatever the reason, know that your child will get the hang of it eventually—and practice patience. The good news is that there are things you can do. Keep the following pointers in mind to help your little wetter get on track: • Reduce fluids in the evenings and stop liquids a full hour before bedtime. If she demands a drink at night, make it a few sips. • Don’t let her drink caffeinated beverages during the day. • Make sure your bedtime routine includes using the potty before tucking in. • It’s okay for your child to wear a pull-up to bed to avoid frequent sheet changes. • For sleepovers, stash a pull-up in the sleeping bag. Bring pull-ups along when traveling. It seems when a child sleeps in a new place, there’s a greater chance of wetting. • If your child is older and you are extra concerned, try medication to control the bed-wetting, under your doctor’s supervision. • If you are really desperate, consider a moisture alarm—a device worn in your child’s underwear that wakes them at the first sign of wetness. • Try bladder stretching exercises, like those found in the book Waking Up Dry: How to End Bed Wetting Forever, by Martin Scarf, Ph.D. • Some parents try waking up their child at regular intervals to use the bathroom then stretching out those intervals until their child makes it through the night dry. If this seems too disruptive, you might wake up your child on the nights you are up, anyway. • Even if he wets three nights in a row, resist

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any judging comments. Remember, he’s not wetting on purpose and the older he is the more personal shame he feels about it, anyway. It’s okay to have him help strip the bed or carry the sheets to the wash. • If you were a wetter, share stories to ease her embarrassment and let her know it’s normal for your family. • Praise your child on dry mornings or after a stretch of dry nights. • Most importantly, be patient and go easy on your child. You might think that he will never outgrow bed-wetting, but hang in there, he will!

WHY KIDS WET THE BED In the past, some people, even doctors, viewed bed-wetting as a behavioral problem, assuming kids wet because they were either acting out or just plain lazy. Today, experts believe bed-wetting is due mostly to physical reasons, sometimes a small, spastic bladder or because your child is a deep sleeper. Kids rarely, if ever, wet the bed on purpose. More than likely, your child is a deep sleeper—the most common reason for wetting. Other times, bed wetting is a matter

of bladder control. Some kids contend with a small bladder that contracts rapidly when it gets full and makes “holding it” not an option. Occasionally, bed-wetting is caused by another physical factor, such as a urinary tract infection, muscle control problem or an abnormal urinary system. Bed-wetting is genetically dominant, like having brown eyes. In fact, bed-wetting is so genetic that if one parent wet the bed as a child, there’s a 45 percent chance their child will. If both did, odds jump to 75 percent. It’s also helpful to know that more boys wet than girls—at a rate of 2 to 1. Sometimes, kids wet after a very stressful change in their lives, like divorce, moving or newly-developed, intense fears. Finally, don’t expect perfection overnight. If your child is 4, even 5 and still wets, be patient. There will be stops and starts. Just when you put that plastic bed liner away after a few months of dry, he’ll wet again. Most kids who wet outgrow their incontinence by age 7. Changing wet sheets isn’t fun, but know that your child won’t wet forever.

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family activities

Discover Denver! Free family-friendly fall fun

KIM LIPKER

all fun is plentiful in northern Colorado. But if you want to get out of town, Denver and the surrounding area has a lot to offer—for FREE—in the autumn months. A short drive away, find a unique blend of family-friendly recreational activities. FESTIVALS

Pumpkin Harvest Festival, Oct. 4-5 Four Mile Historic Park, 715 S. Forest Ave.

At Four Mile Historic Park’s Pumpkin Harvest Festival, you can find a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, create your own scarecrow, play historic games or make an historic craft. Be sure to visit the mountain men and Native American encampment, take a horse-drawn ride and tour the Four Mile House. Festival of Scarecrows, Oct. 11 Historic Olde Town Arvada, Main St.

Head to Historic Olde Town Arvada for the Festival of Scarecrows with a scarecrow contest, a pumpkin patch, kids costume parade, community booth, hay wagon rides, giant pumpkin contests and dozens of scarecrows popping up around the town. Denver Zombie Crawl, Oct. 18 Downtown Denver

The Denver Zombie Crawl has been dubbed the largest zombie event in the nation, and this year is the ninth annual crawl where organizers are shooting for a new Guinness Book World Record. FREE ATTRACTIONS & TOURS Denver Zoo Free Days, Nov. 3, 14, 20 Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St.

The Denver Zoo has three free days in November, so plan now. Located in Denver’s City Park, the Zoo spans more than 75 acres and is home to more than 4,000 animals including Amur leopards, okapi, black rhinocer10

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os, elephants, vampire bats, orangutan, Komodo dragons and more. Denver Museum of Nature and Science Free Day, Oct. 27 2001 Colorado Blvd.

Explore the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. A maze of a place, filled with treasures of the earth, dinosaurs, dioramas, space exhibits, science experiments, a digital planetarium and IMAX theatre. Denver Botanic Gardens: York Street Location Free Day, Nov. 14-15 Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St.

The Denver Botanic Gardens is a 23acre oasis in the middle of the city, with 45 different gardens, as well as one of the nation’s top 10 conservatories. Enjoy the the stroll and explore the new Mordecai Children’s Garden.

Denver Botanic Gardens: Chatfield Location Free Day, Nov. 4 Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Littleton

Facilities include nature trails, a wildlife observation area, display gardens, a historical farm, a 19th century one-room schoolhouse, working beehives and picnic areas. Denver Art Museum Free Days, Oct. 4 and Nov. 1 Denver Art Museum, 100 W. 14th Ave. Pkwy.

The Denver Art Museum’s Hamilton Building is an architectural marvel. Explore the Museum’s galleries showcasing a world-famous American Indian art collection, as well as art from around the world. Molly Brown House Free Day, Nov. 11 Molly Brown House Museum, 1340 Pennsylvania St.

Learn all about the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown.

For more information on visiting Denver go to www.denver.org.

Denver Firefighters Museum Free Day, Oct. 11 Denver Firefighters Museum, 1326 Tremont Pl.

The Denver Firefighters Museum is one of Denver’s great hidden gems, located in the heart of downtown. Learn about some real American heroes, try on some firefighters gear, get behind the wheel of an antique fire engine and slide down the pole!

U.S. Mint Tour, Always Free 320 W. Colfax Ave.

Learn how to make money! The U.S. Mint produces 50 million coins a day, each one stamped with a little “D” for Denver. Free tours show every step in the process of turning a dull, blank, metal slug into shiny pocket change. Colorado State Capitol Tour, Free Weekdays 200 E. Colfax Ave.

Tour magnificent, gold-domed Colorado Capitol Building. Stand at exactly a mile high on the steps, see Allen True’s beautiful murals and listen in on the Colorado General Assembly. Free tours are available 10am-3pm, Mondays through Fridays.

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give me a break

Color your world

Enjoy the season with a fall-foliage walk or drive KIM SHARPE

range might be the new black, but it’s not really a color I gravitate toward. Having blonde hair and green eyes, I prefer pinks and blues; they look better on me. But I do appreciate colors in the warm tone palette when we’re talking about the shades of orange, gold and red that light landscapes on fire when foliage changes color in autumn. I mentioned last month, fall is my favorite season and I listed many reasons why, including breaking out my sweaters from their summer storage, riding my bicycle through crunchy leaves and getting back into daily routines that the school year seems to demand. HIGH-COUNTRY DRIVES Another activity I enjoy in the fall is taking a break to view the aspens in Colorado’s high country, which lucky for us, is right out our backdoor—or close to it. The Poudre Canyon and Big Thompson Canyon both lead up to some spectacular locations where ribbons of gold weave through the mountainsides to create colorful tapestries. I like to drive up the Poudre to

Gould, and then take Jackson County Road 27 to Rand and onto State Highway 125 over Willow Creek Pass. You can loop back around through Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park and back down the Big Thompson Canyon. I also like to go up the Big Thompson and take the Peak to Peak Highway from Estes Park to Central City. If you drive this route earlier in the day, the Diamond face of Longs Peak is lit by the sun and the aspens beneath it resemble a shimmering gold crown that serves as its setting. COLORFUL TRAILS One of my favorite fall hikes or backpacking trips is up the West Branch Trail of the Rawah Wilderness Area off Laramie River Road. And a very closeby hiking area that provides stunning views of autumn colors is Lory State Park on the west side Horsetooth Reservoir. Try the short (about 1.5 mile) Arthur’s Rock Trail; it’s well maintained and not too demanding.

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GREEN TO YELLOW AND ORANGE AND MORE If you want to make fall color viewing more than a respite from the daily grind, you can mention a few factoids about why leaves change color and turn your jaunt into a bit of a science field trip. You can explain that trees and shrubs with leaves that change colors and eventually drop off are deciduous versus evergreens. Add that shorter days and longer nights signal to deciduous foliage the growing season is over. Part of the process is that chlorophyll, a color pigment that makes leaves green, is masked and other color pigments, such as carotenoid (orange), xanthophyll (yellow) and anthocyanins (red and purple) show through. Cooler temperatures dictate the intensity of the colors. For a full-blown explanation of why leaves change color in the fall, check out www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/ FallFoliage/ScienceFallColor.html. Whether you make a fall foliage viewing trip full of facts or not, make sure it’s full of fun!

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community news

Making NoCo even better

Communities aim for health, excellence and sustainability KIM SHARPE

Health, excellence and sustainability. All three features describe qualities northern Colorado communities strive for. From making sure our children and youth are as healthy and supported as possible to having enriching recreational options to protecting our environment, the region’s leaders put many initiatives in place to ensure a high quality of life for its citizens. When situations arise that threaten that quality, those same leaders make sure to communicate necessary information to help keep people safe and make sound decisions. What follows is no exception. VIRUSES GOING VIRAL Recent reports in the Denver area and other cities across the country have called attention to an increase in pediatric patients with severe respiratory illness and asthma exacerbation. Some patients have required hospitalization, and some have needed care in pediatric intensive care units. The culprit seems to be an uncommon respiratory virus, Enterovirus 68 or EV-D68. In Colorado, testing by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention laboratory has confirmed 19 of 25 specimens submitted by Children’s Hospital Colorado tested positive for EVD68. Investigation into this outbreak is ongoing, and the department is working with Colorado hospitals and the CDC. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is not aware of any patients who have died because of this condition. It’s important to note that most enteroviruses are very common viruses; there are more than 100 types. It is estimated that 10 to 15 million enterovirus infections occur in the United States each year. And while EV-D68 infections are thought to occur less commonly than infections from other enteroviruses, 14

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they aren’t necessarily more dangerous. Enteroviruses can cause respiratory illness, febrile rash, and neurologic illnesses, such as aseptic meningitis (swelling of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord) and encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Most infected people have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, but some infections can be serious. Serious symptoms of EV-D68 include difficulty breathing, difficulty getting enough oxygen, and wheezing. A minority of patients has a fever. Infants, children, and teenagers are most likely to get infected with enteroviruses and become sick. Children and youth with compromised respiratory systems, like those who suffer from asthma, are at a higher risk of serious complications from enteroviruses. Most enterovirus infections in the United States occur seasonally during the summer and fall. There are no vaccines to prevent EV-D68 infections and no antiviral medications to treat them. Like with other viruses, precautionary measures include:

• Washing hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds • Avoiding touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands • Avoiding kissing, hugging and sharing cups and eating utensils with people who are sick • Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs, especially if someone is sick • Making sure vaccinations, including the influenza vaccine, are up to date.

For more information about entoviruses, visit www.cdc.gov/non-polioenterovirus. GREELEY PROMISES COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE As a part of its Achieving Community

Excellence (ACE) program, the City of Greeley recently announced its G.Town Promise, which will provide Greeley, and Evans youth who attend Greeley-Evans District 6, charter and private schools with the additional help they need to become successful, productive adults and to provide a quality workforce for Greeley and Evans. The ACE program was created to support the Greeley City Council’s objective to improve Greeley’s civic infrastructure. Council members believe that the power of aligned principled relationships is what builds and sustains community excellence. The purpose of ACE is to build a variety of positive, meaningful relationships in Greeley that will help the community and all its residents achieve the highest levels of success and the best quality of life possible. For more information, visit http:// greeleygov.com/gtownpromise.aspx. CITY OF LOVELAND DISCUSSES WATER FLUORIDATION The City of Loveland has augmented the municipal water supply with fluoride since 1952. Over the course of the past several decades and as recently as the end of September, there have been many public discussions about whether or not to continue this practice. Ruth Hecker, the City of Loveland water quality lab supervisor, says, “Every municipality addresses this issue because there are always questions and concerns on either side of it.” Hecker adds that the City follows the recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado health department about adding fluoride to drinking water, and that there haven’t been any recent changes in what the EPA recommends. Loveland’s water supply, which comes from the Big Thompson River

Texting to 9-1-1 provides accessibility to the hearing and speech impaired population, provides an alternative to reach help in a dangerous situation when a voice call is not possible, and in the county’s high country where a voice call fails, but texting is successful. For more information, visit www.leta911.org.

and the Western Slope, has naturally occurring fluoride at an average level of .25 parts per million. The EPA recommends that fluoride in drinking water be at .7 parts per million, so the City adds enough fluoride to bring it to that level. And the City is vigilant about monitoring its water supply. “The fluoride level in our water supply is tested three times in every 24-hour period at the water plant, plus inline testing is constant,” Hecker explains. For more information, contact Hecker at 970-962-2575 or ruth. hecker@cityofloveland.org. ROUGH IT IN A TIPI Campers visiting Flatiron Reservoir southwest of Loveland can now spend the night in a tipi. Three tipis are available for reservation April 30-October 15 via www.larimercamping.com. “The tipis are a great addition to our system,” said Chris Fleming, Blue Mountain District manager for Larimer County Natural Resources. “We’re always trying to add fun new things to the camping experiences we offer and we think these will be a big hit, especially with families!” Tipis rent for $35 per night, and sleep four adults and a couple of kids comfortably. Visitors will be able to pitch a tent next to the tipi in each site for additional space (up to 8 people max in each site). Each site is equipped with a fire grate, a picnic

table and a string of electric lights that illuminates the tipi interior. Visitors should plan to bring their own cots or sleeping mats and bedding. Two out of the three tipi sites are ADA accessible. No smoking or dogs will be allowed inside of the tipis. For more information about the new tipis at Flatiron Reservoir County Park visit www.larimer.org/natural resources and make reservations at www.larimercamping.com. To learn more about Larimer County’s parks and open spaces in general, visit www. larimer.org/naturalresources. TEXT TO 9-1-1 AVAILABLE IN LARIMER COUNTY Larimer County residents now have the ability to send a text message to 9-1-1 as part of the 9-1-1 service of the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority (LETA911). LETA911 is the governing authority for 9-1-1 in Larimer County, Colorado, and joins only two percent of all 9-1-1 dispatch centers across the nation in being capable of receiving a text message. During the testing period last summer, Fort Collins 9-1-1 received a text message for help from a citizen that felt a voice call would add danger to the situation. The citizen was alone in her apartment, heard a noise that sounded as if someone broke into her apartment and hid in the bathroom. She says, “I sent a text because I felt it was too dangerous to call.”

RECYCLE UNWANTED ELECTRONIC DEVICES To promote a healthy, sustainable environment and encourage environmental stewardship, the recycling station located inside the Larimer County Landfill accepts unwanted electronics. There is a fee of 40 cents per pound for electronics recycling (cash only). Customers are responsible for unloading their electronics onto the scale. Items accepted for recycling include computers/CPUs and peripherals, fax machines, photocopiers, printers and toner cartridges, televisions, VCR and DVD players, microwave ovens, electric alarm clocks, stereos, and landline and cell phones. Unacceptable items include fire and smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, dismantled computers, televisions, small appliances or other electrical equipment such as electric weed eaters or electric mowers. These are considered waste and charged as such for landfill disposal. The electronics recycling station is open 8am-4:30pm, Monday through Saturday. The Larimer County Landfill is located at 5887 S. Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins (about 2 miles south of Harmony Road.) For more information, call 970372-3362.

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nutrition The trick of treats

Facing the scariest part of All Hallow’s Eve RICHARD KELLER

et ready to be inundated by a plethora of chocolate-covered products in the supermarket. No, Willy Wonka has not taken over the world and brainwashed your kids. It’s time for the annual celebration of tricking and treating–well, not so much tricking–that we call Halloween. Now lasting all of October instead of the last week of the month, All Hallow’s Eve can be scarier for parents than The Blair Witch Project or a political commercial. The good news: There are some things you can do to abate the craving of SweetTarts by your children. Here are a few recommendations. WORK WITH THE HEALTHY SWEETS Not all sugary treats are bad. For example, dark chocolate with over 70 percent cocoa is full of good fats and disease-preventing anti-oxidants. Sugarless gum in your kids’ treat bags is also good to work with, unless your children have braces. Like you do with your other foods, read the labels of all of the candy gathered. Those with the fewest ingredients can probably be eaten while those containing high fructose corn syrup or numerous dyes should be put aside. GIVE GOOD TREATS TO RECEIVE GOOD TREATS Yes, trick-or-treating is a rite of initiation for a child; however, that doesn’t mean there aren’t alternatives to this practice. One choice is to have a Halloween party or some event where the kids go to select houses of known neighbors for healthier treats. A Halloween gathering could be a potluck of sorts, where friends and family bring their nutritious treats along to sit aside those provided by you. Make the event fun by setting up stations around the house and yard where the kids can pick up the goodies after performing an activity.

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SET LIMITS To prevent your children from chowing down to their hearts’ content on Halloween evening, speak to them about stretching out their candy appreciation. Give them permission to select two to three pieces of candy the night of the holiday. Next, bribe them with a piece of candy in their lunch or after dinner in lieu of eating a certain amount of fruits and vegetables a day. Should they not be big produce eaters, give them an alternative of 30 to 60 minutes of exercise-based activity in order to receive their candy allotment.

RECOMMEND A BUYBACK PROGRAM Local dentists take part in the Halloween Buyback Program (www.halloween candybuyback.com/). Places like Fort Collins’ ToothZone take uneaten candy in exchange for coupons used for restaurants, attractions and other services. Don’t worry, the dentists and their staff don’t eat the candy. Instead it’s packaged up and sent to Operation Gratitude or other groups that support U.S. military troops deployed in harm’s way. In the end, your children help themselves as well as overseas soldiers who are grateful for a little bit of home.

Alternative Halloween treats Clemson University (http://www.clemson. edu/extension/hgic/food/nutrition/nutrition/ life_stages/hgic4112.html) In addition to offering ideas such as Halloween Pasta and Jack O’ Lantern Pizzas, the site for the Clemson Cooperative Extension provides suggestions on healthy treats to give to kids as well as some non-food items to add to their goody bags. Live Well Colorado (http://www.pinterest. com/livewellco/healthy-halloween-ideas/) Head to the Pinterest board of Live Well Colorado and you’ll find a large number of

healthy treats to serve during your Halloween party. For example, a layered dip in yellows and oranges, fruit treat kabobs with monster faces and sweet potato skeleton fingers.

Cooking Light (http://www.cookinglight. com/entertaining/holidays-occasions/ healthy-halloween) Come to this site to fine recipes for chocolate spiderweb cookies, spiced pumpkin biscuits, candy apple punch and Jackson Pollock candied apples. All recipes at the Cooking Light website strive to utilize healthy alternative ingredients.

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Raising an

empathetic child Understanding others helps create a better world Lynn U Nichols

s parents, many of us say we just want our kids to be happy. But what is happiness? Is it being the best player on the team? Achieving top grades? Having a big house to live in? These things bring about a lot of feelings, like satisfaction and pride, but they don’t bring happiness. We all have our own definition of happiness. What’s yours? Likely a part of your answer involves having close friends and family. Intimate relationships are not achieved, they are fostered: by listening, understanding and really being there for each other. In other words, by showing empathy. The best way to describe empathy is standing in another person’s shoes. It’s that feeling of deep understanding, often brought about by our own life experiences. We know what it’s like to be sad, disappointed, worried, or excited and filled with joy. We know what it feels like to fail, to be on the outside of a group, or to be at the top of our game. Sharing our own stories with our kids helps create empathy, and connection— and teaches them to do the same. Empathy is both a learned skill and an innate personality trait. “We are all born with a certain temperament. Some kids naturally internalize and feel other kids’ feelings. Others need guidance from parents or other adults to recognize how another child might feel. All kids are capable of empathy, whether it comes naturally or not,” says Dr. Usha Udupa, a child psychiatrist with Mountain Crest 18

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Behavioral Health Center, a division of Poudre Valley Health System. Once a child identifies that another child is hurt or sad, she often responds with kindness or an offer to help. It’s not uncommon to see a 3-year-old handing a crying baby a toy to cheer him up or asking a friend who falls down if she is okay. Even when empathy doesn’t come naturally, kids learn that when they say, do or act a certain way (hit, yell or hurt), they often get a negative reaction, and when they are kind, helpful and caring, they get a positive one. It’s never too early to teach empathy. Try these following tips to hone your child’s empathy skills: STRENGTHEN HER AWARENESS OF FEELINGS One way to teach empathy is to point out to your child her own feelings and reactions to certain situations. Start by stating the obvious—if a friend gives your daughter a compliment, say, ‘It sure feels good to get a compliment, doesn’t it?’ By recognizing her own feelings, your daughter understands the joy of getting a compliment and is more likely to start giving compliments to others. The same is true for hurtful situations. If your daughter makes a birthday list and leaves off a friend, you can help her understand the consequences of her actions by reminding her of a time when she was left out and how that felt—and questioning, ‘Will Sara feel that way, too?’ Make a point of helping your child recognize what she is feeling in any given moment, and connecting it to an action. For example, you can say, ‘Look, that little boy is sad because he can’t find his dog. He must really miss his dog. Let’s go help him.’ Also, when reading, take the opportunity to ask how a character feels, or why she thinks that character feels that way. GIVE PRAISE FOR KIND ACTS You can also teach empathy by praising your child when he does a kind act. Rewarding kind acts with praise gives the message that you value kindness. “Parental approval is very important for kids. If you sense they are being kind to

please you, that’s okay. Even if they do it for your attention, it’s forming a habit of kindness and over time, the rewards of giving will take over,” says Udupa. You can also reward with special activities or treats. For example, if your kids are getting along great you can say: ‘I like the way you and your brother are helping each other and being kind today. Let’s take a break and go on a bike ride together.’ Doing so teaches that kindness brings reward—mostly internally but sometimes externally as well. BE EMPATHETIC YOURSELF Of course, kids learn most from watching their parents in action. The best way to teach empathy is to simply model it yourself. Offer to pick up your neighbor’s papers while they are out of town or walk the dog of the elderly woman down the street. Bring flowers or a card to a friend who needs a boost, hold the door for the person behind you at the bank and offer for someone to go ahead in the grocery line. If this is the way you live your life, so will your kids. Don’t forget to model good listening—a key ingredient in empathy. When your kids talk to you, stop, look them in the eyes, and listen. Reflect back what they are saying to you. Offer comfort or join in on their joy. Really be there for them, and for others, too. POINT OUT OTHER PEOPLE’S PERSPECTIVES Young kids tend to think everyone feels the same as they do, and that life is basically the same for everyone. Spaghetti is their favorite food, so everyone must love it. They live in a house, so everyone else does, too. Teaching kids that people have different opinions and points of view— and that one way isn’t better than the other—helps foster empathy. Help kids stand in other people’s shoes by adding perspective-taking comments when you read books, watch shows or attend a community event. For example, you could ride the city bus if it’s something you normally don’t do, or attend a cultural event that shows different customs and traditions from yours.

Take the chance to point out how people who look or act differently than you often have the same feelings or wants and needs as you. This helps break down barriers between race, age and gender. “Kids in general are afraid of what they’re not familiar with—anyone who looks differently or talks differently makes kids feel uncomfortable. It’s less an issue of racism and more an issue of feeling comfortable. Teach your kids that when someone is different it’s not wrong, just interesting, by exposing them to different races and cultures whenever you can,” Udupa advises. MODEL TOLERANCE AND UNDERSTANDING It is easy to read the paper and rant and rave about something someone did, or drive down the road and complain about another person’s driving habits. Complaining out loud teaches intolerance—and basically says, ‘If everyone acted like I do, thought like I do, looked like I do, felt like I do, the world would be a better place.’ When you can, voice understanding of other people’s differences. Emulate Paul McCartney’s live and let live philosophy and your kids will, too. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUR KIDS TO HELP AND PRACTICE EMPATHY Tap into what your kids care about or are good at, and encourage them to share this caring or skill. For example, does he love animals? Set him up to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Is she good at math? Encourage her to be a tutor to a younger neighborhood child who struggles with math. “Single out your kids’ strengths and help them find ways to apply those strengths. Doing so not only boosts their own confidence, but helps them connect and feel needed—something that’s especially important for teens who are often insecure by nature,” Udupa concludes. Teach empathy every chance you get, and you’ll not only boost your child’s happiness, but make the world a better place in the process. UC Health sponsored this article.

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Spooky fall fun

Explore mazes, haunted houses, farms and more Katie Harris

ith all the Halloween happenings taking place in northern Colorado this year, your family will have no excuse to stay in! We’ve got it all: the best places to safely trick-or-treat, the scariest mazes around, and events and activities for all ages. Read on to make your choices for frightening (and not-so-frightening) fun for the family this month! TRICK-OR-TREAT Halloween Family Fun Festival

Join hundreds of costumed Lovelanders as they make their way up and down 4th St. where shopkeepers pass out candy each year. There will also be vendor booths, costume contests and entertainment at Peter’s Park and 5th St. The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, 10am-2pm, and is free for all! Visit www.cityofloveland. org for more information. 20

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Howl-O-Ween

On Oct. 25 and 26, 4-8pm, young and old alike can participate in “twilight trick-or-treating” at the Centennial Village Museum in Greeley (1475 A St). Cost is $2 per person (Children under 2 are free). For more information visit www.greeleymuseums.com. Tiny Tot Halloween

Children 7 and under can trick-or-treat safely on the streets of Old Town Fort Collins during the annual Tiny Tot Halloween event on Friday, Oct. 31 at 10am. Meet in Old Town Square with your costumed kid and trick-or-treat as a group at the shops on College Avenue. Afterwards, stick around for a cookie and dance party in the square. This is a free event! Visit http://downtownfortcollins.com/events/ tiny-tot-halloween for details. Treatsylvania

The Farm at Lee Martinez in Fort

Collins (600 N. Sherwood) will feature its 24th annual trick-or-treat event this month. Activities include hayrides, a pumpkin patch, a “not-sospooky” haunted house and of course, plenty of treats! This is a family event and children must be accompanied by an adult. Join in on the fun Oct. 24 and 25, 6-8pm, and Oct. 26, 1-3pm and 5-7pm. Visit www.fcgov.com/ recreation/thefarm.php for more information. FALL HARVEST FUN Bartels Farm

Visit the farm in October between 10am and 6pm daily for free “punkin chunkin” and farm animal visits, $2 hay rides, a corn maze priced at $6/kid and $8/adult, and a great family farm-style pumpkin patch! This Fort Collins farm is located at 3424 E. Douglas Rd. You can contact www.bartelsfarm.com for more information.

Fritzler Corn Maze

Fritzler’s Corn Maze (20861 CR 33, LaSalle) is the self-proclaimed oldest corn maze in Colorado and it doesn’t disappoint! When you visit you’ll find more than just a maze. Other attractions include a jumping pillow, pig races, and even a helicopter ride over the maze on Sunday afternoons! Fritzler is open Fridays, 5-10pm; Saturdays, 11am-10pm; and Sundays noon6pm; with additional weekday hours starting Oct. 15. Admissions vary and combo tickets are available. Visit www. fritzlermaze.com for details. Harvest Farm

With wagon rides, a corn maze, duck races, face painting, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, goat city, bunnington bunny village, pig races and more, you won’t leave disappointed after visiting Harvest Farm, plus you’ll be supporting Denver Rescue Mission every time you visit. Hours of operation are Fridays and Saturdays from 10am-9pm, Sundays from noon-7pm, Oct. 3-26. Admission is $15/ adults, $10/child, and free for children under 3. Harvest Farm is located at 4240 E. CR 66 in Wellington, and details can be found at www.harvestfarm.net. Miller Farms

This fall, experience life on a real working farm in Platteville (13912 CR 19). When you visit during the fall festival you’ll not only have the opportunity to ride out to the fields and pick bags full of veggies to bring home, there are plenty of activities for the kids as well. The festival runs through mid-November, 10am-6pm daily. The cost, including 5 bags of veggies per person, is $20/ adult and $15/child. Family

and group rates are also available. Visit www.millerfarms.net for details. Osborn Farm

Find pumpkins and squash galore at this farm! Located at 1230 S. Boise Ave, Osborn Farm has been owned by the same family since 1861 and is truly a piece of Loveland history. The farm is open 10am-6pm daily through the end of October, weather permitting and items are individually priced. Visit www. osbornfarm.com for more information. HAUNTED HAPPENINGS Haunted Adventure

Miller Farms has been a staple of the northern Colorado community since 1949, but many have yet to visit the farm on October nights, when the fields are home to a creepy swamp monster! If you dare to join in on the hunt, meet at the farm just before dark Oct. 10-31. The farm is located at 13912 CR 19 in Platteville. Cost is $10, and more eerie details can be found at www.miller farms.net. Scream Acres at the Fritzler Maze

You never know what’ll be lurking around the next corner when the Fritzler Corn Maze is transformed after dark into Scream Acres, a quarter-acre maze from your worst nightmares! The haunted maze is open Friday and Saturday nights just after dark in early October, and Wednesday through Saturday nights starting Oct. 15th. Other haunted events at Fritzler include an Interactive Ghost Haunt and Haunted Paintball Zombie Slayer. Admission costs vary and combo tickets are available. Fritzler Maze is located at 20861 CR 33 in LaSalle. Visit www.screamacres. net for details. FOR THE LITTLE ONES Halloween Enchanted Garden

Fort Collins gem, the Gardens on Spring Creek (2145 Centre Ave) will once again present a host of Halloween activities for the smallest of ghouls and goblins. On October

25th, from 10am-2pm, children 2 to 8 years old can dress in costume and visit the garden for games, crafts, live music, an on-site magician, magical talking pumpkin and more! Cost is $5/child and tickets can be purchased at the door or at http://www.fcgov.com/gardens. Halloween party

Register ASAP for the Chilson Recreation Center’s Halloween Party for 2 to 5 year olds, featuring crafts, games, snacks and trick-or-treating. Register in person at the Chilson Center (700 E. Fourth Street, Loveland) or online at http://www.ci.loveland.co.us/index. aspx?page=276. Cost is $12. SPECIAL EVENTS Community Halloween Party

Visit the Windsor Community Recreation Center (250 N. 11th St.) on Friday, Oct. 31st, 6-8pm, for free games and treats for everyone, thanks to the Windsor Police Department and Windsor Optimist Club. http://www.windsor gov.com for more information. Halloween Hullabaloo

Get ready to show off your costume at this year’s Halloween Hullabaloo, which will feature awards for best costume in each age group, as well as best group and best pet! Other activities at this year’s hullabaloo will include hayrides, hay maze, trunk-n-treat, and even pumpkin bowling! The free event will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 from noon-4pm at Centerra, with the street festival events happening between Noodles and Chipotle, and the costume contest at 3pm on the main stage. Halloween on the Promenade

On Sunday, Oct. 26, noon-3pm, the Promenade Shops at Centerra will host its annual free Halloween event in front of Rock Bottom. Activities will include games, prizes, snacks, crafts, a pumpkin patch, horse drawn hayrides, a petting zoo and live music. Dress in costume and receive a goody bag! There will also be a dog costume contest at 2pm! Non-perishable food items are requested to support KidsPak. Visit www.thepromenad shopsatcenterra.com for details. RMPARENT

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thompson school district news New reading program helps students catch up

United Way of Larimer County has launched a new reading program in Thompson School District aimed at helping elementary students who are not reading at grade level to become competent readers. Colorado Reading Corps is being rolled out at 14 elementary schools where approximately 400 students in kindergarten through third grade will receive one-on-one tutoring during the 2014-2015 school year. “Learning to read and gaining the ability to read at an advanced level is one of the most important skills that we teach our children,” says Thompson School District Superintendent Dr. Stan Scheer. “Colorado Reading Corps will be a terrific fit in our current literacy curriculum, and we are excited to be working with United Way of Larimer County on this project. We look forward to partnering with their staff and AmeriCorps members as we strive to help every single child to become lifelong readers.” Funded through a state grant from Serve Colorado as well as matching funds from United Way of Larimer County’s Smart Start for Kids Initiative, the tutoring program has had great success in school districts throughout Colorado, in24

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cluding Jeffco Public Schools, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools. “We know that third grade reading proficiency is a key indicator to a child’s future success in school, work and life,” says Erin Zimmermann, United Way’s

education director. “We are thrilled to bring this program to our community and build on the incredible work already happening in our schools.” Nationally recognized, Colorado Reading Corps is a research-based, data-driven program that utilizes AmeriCorps members trained in literacy interventions to provide tutoring to students who are at risk of falling behind in reading proficiency. On average, AmeriCorps members work with about 18 students a day, providing 20 minutes of individually tailored tutoring for 13-14 weeks. At TSD schools, 18 AmeriCorps members will serve in the program and two additional members will implement school readiness and read-aloud volunteer strategies in Larimer County. The program aligns with United Way of Larimer County’s Community Impact Plan, which, in part, focuses on school readiness and literacy as keys to future success. VAN BUREN AT CORN ROAST PARADE Thompson School District had an

extensive presence at this year’s Old Fashioned Corn Roast Parade in Loveland, featuring marching bands, appearances by the school communities and members of the Board of Education, and even a very colorful team from the district’s Nutrition Services department. The Old Fashioned Corn Roast Festival is Loveland’s longest running community event and brings together businesses, families and visitors alike to celebrate the community’s agricultural roots. The festival contained two full blocks of family fun, adventure, entertainment and

interactive activities. The Loveland Chamber of Commerce, thanks to the help of various sponsors and partners, produces it. GARDEN AT COTTONWOOD PLAINS The PTA organization at Cottonwood Plains Elementary School wrote a grant and received $2,000 from Whole Foods to create a garden at the school. In addition to great leadership from CSU architects who donated their expertise, several businesses donated materials and many volunteers spent hours digging trenches and pounding rebar.

NEW SCULPTURE Parents and staff at Namaqua Elementary School have worked diligently to create an outdoor classroom for the students. To add some additional flavor to the location, a local artist (“Chainsaw Mama”) donated her time and skills to carve a cottonwood tree stump on the school grounds.

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poudre school district news Suicide Prevention Trainings offered this fall PSD is offering suicide prevention trainings again this fall. Sign up to learn warning signs and how you can help someone at risk for suicide. During the 90-minute training, you will learn to recognize someone at risk for suicide, learn intervention skills and learn about resources in PSD and the Fort Collins community. You will also learn myths and facts about suicide, as well as understand it as a public health concern. There is no charge; however, registration is required. Please call 490-3264 for registration details. Trainings are: • Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6:30–8pm, Fort Collins High School Media Center, 3400 Lambkin Way. Must register by Oct. 3. • Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:30–8pm, Boltz Middle School Media Center, 720 Boltz Dr. Must register by Nov. 7. • Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6:30–8pm, Blevins Middle School Media Center, 2101 S. Taft Hill Rd. Must register by Dec. 1.

Preston Middle School students learned about the school’s unique 3D printers when Media Specialist Tracey Winey “printed” a scaled-down replica of a T. rex skull.

PSD Calendar of Events Oct. 14.... 6 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting, JSSC, 2407 LaPorte Ave. Oct. 14.... 6 to 8pm, Out-of-State College Fair, Poudre High School, 201 Impala Drive. Oct. 16.... K -5 Parent/Teacher Conferences; no school for K-5 students; teachers on duty Oct. 17.... K -12 Parent/Teacher Conferences; K-12 schools closed; teachers on duty Oct. 20.... 6 to 8:30pm, Family Financial Aid College Night (Post-Secondary Planning Night), Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way. Oct. 28.... 6 :30pm, Board of Education business meeting and work session, JSSC, 2407 LaPorte Ave.

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Red Feather Lakes Elementary Preschool students hang on to their antlers on a windy first day of preschool!

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greeley-evans district 6 news Ninety-five District 6 students earn AP Scholar status Ninety-five students from GreeleyEvans School District 6 high schools have earned prestigious AP Scholar Awards from the national College Board organization for their exceptional achievement on Advanced Placement exams taken in May 2014. In 2013, 73 students earned these awards; in 2012, 57 students earned AP honors. Greeley Central High School led among traditional and charter high schools with 35 AP scholars this year. And, for the first time in recent history, all three traditional high schools – Greeley Central, Greeley West and Northridge – each had one student qualify as a National AP Scholar, the College Board’s highest honor. The College Board’s Advanced Placement program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses and exams while in high school. District 6 offers more than 20 Advanced Placement courses to high school students. Students who score well on AP exams are eligible to receive college credit, advanced placement in college, or both at more than 3,200 colleges and universities across the United States. At the end of each summer, the College Board recognizes those students who have taken multiple AP exams and scored well on them: • AP Scholar: Students who earned scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. • AP Scholar with Honor: Students who earned an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and had scores of 3 or higher on at least four exams. • AP Scholar with Distinction: Students who earned an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and had scores of 3 or higher on at least five exams. • National AP Scholar: Students who earned an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and had scores of 4 or higher on at least eight exams.

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The 2014 College Board Advanced Placement Scholars from District 6 are listed below. Some of these students were seniors in May 2014 and are now attending colleges and universities across the United States. Others were juniors in May, and are now in their senior year of high school. Greeley Central High School

AP Scholar: Hannah Campbell; Katy Campbell; Jacqueline Chavez; Mallory Cranwell; Laura Cutler; Vanessa Dominguez; Alexander Flesher; Reyna Gonzalez; Caitlin Graefe; Brandon Hall; Brianna Hardy; Enrique Hernandez; Alec Hutchison; Loran Moir; Zachary Nelson; Preston Rupple; Conner Shaw; Amber Wertz; Isabelle Wolfe; AP Scholar with Honor: Brenna Cron; William Hunter; Rachel Myers; Tessa Smith; Geny Varghese; AP Scholar with Distinction: Shiru Guo; Barbara Lundebjerg; Joseph Martinez; Mathilda Newman; Patrick Ryan; Brendan Scheidt; Holly Sloan-Whipple; Alexandra Trevino; Katiana Uyemura; National AP Scholar: Patrick Ryan.

Greeley West High School

AP Scholar: Jacob Arscott; Christopher Campbell; Sergio Chacon; Cheyenne Fitzsimons; Danielle Garcia; Nathaniel Gorsline; Nikki Harris; Colton Kindvall; Casey Roth; Julissa Rubio Soto; Brandon Shevela; AP Scholar with Honor: Addison Vergara; AP Scholar with Distinction: Lindsay Dalton; Chase Harms; Ryan Kenigsberg; Elizabeth Parker; Jacob Rogers; National AP Scholar: Ryan Kenigsberg.

Northridge High School

AP Scholar: Cassidy Francies; Josh French; Jordan Gage; Alexandra Hirsch; Jacob Lobarto; Justus Martin; Ashley Munoz; Matthew Sargent; Clara Sauvageau; Jazmyn Trujillo-Martin; Rachel Weaver, Natalie Williams; AP Scholar with Honor: Claire Arndt; Amanda Cary, Rhyane Hemphill;

Connor Seivley; AP Scholar with Distinction: Danie lle Araujo; Jacquelyn English; Anna Harkabus; Tayud Mongkolrat and Katrina San Nicolas. National AP Scholar: Katrina San Nicolas. Frontier Academy Charter School AP Scholar: Taylor Bancroft; Madison Davis; Annalee Hoover; Hayden Shade; Madison Zenk; AP Scholar with Honor: Andrew Moline; Victoria Palmer; Annie Sears; Kane Shirley;

Union Colony Preparatory School

AP Scholar: Paitlynn Gonzalez and Anna Hoyt AP Scholar with Distinction: Lauren Kellers

University Schools Charter School

AP Scholar: Jack Fraser; Hawah Kallon; Abigail Rastatter; Robert Schreibman; Thaddeus Strohauer; AP Scholar with Honor: Amie Bray and Castilleja Olmsted; AP Scholar with Distinction: Brendan Azama.

UNITY EVENT LINKS TWO ROMERO ACADEMY CAMPUSES Friday, August 29 was a historic day for the new Romero Academy of Applied Science. The two campuses hosted a special event - Hands Across Romero – as a symbolic way to unite the two K-8 campuses. Students from both the K-3 campus and the 4-8 campus left their buildings at 9am, walking toward a center point between the two buildings. When the students met, they stopped and linked hands. A camera mounted on an unmanned aerial device then flew the one-half mile stretch between the two schools and took a picture of the unified students and staff. After, all the students returned to the K-3 campus for a special outdoor assembly. The students got to hear the schools’ new song for the first time, then, were treated to a very special event. Greeley artist and District 6 graduate Armando Silva did a live painting to some lively music. When he was done,

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faces were melding into a Lobo, the school’s mascot. Romero Academy of Applied Science, a two-campus K-8, was created last year from the consolidation of East Memorial Elementary School and Bella Romero K-7. It allows Romero to be the only non-charter K -8 school on the East side of Greeley. The site will also be a pilot school for the district’s blended learning initiative, which will leverage technology to help differentiate instruction and improve student achievement. Congratulations to the Romero Academy students, families and staff for becoming one, big family! DISTRICT 6 HOSTS FIFTH ANNUAL CITIZENS ACADEMY Greeley-Evans School District 6 is hosting its fifth annual Citizens Academy beginning October 6, and continuing monthly throughout the school year. The Citizens Academy is a program aimed at giving residents an expanded glimpse into the operation of the 13th largest school district in the state. Participants visit various sites and schools throughout the district, meet staff, visit classrooms and other district sites, have the opportunity to learn more about the district and have their questions answered. Topics covered include district finances and budgeting, curriculum and instruction, school safety and discipline, special programs such as Career Pathways and the new Blended Learning initiative, classroom management, transportation services, student nutrition and 30

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wellness, and facility maintenance. This year, the academy has added a session for participants to visit a K-8 school, and learn more about this unique option in District 6. The Academy will meet from 11am to 1pm the first Monday of the month during the 2014-15 school year, beginning Oct. 6. Here is the full schedule of meetings:

• Monday, Oct. 6, District 6 Administration Building, 1025 9th Avenue, Greeley • Monday, Nov. 3, Centennial Elementary School, 1400 37th Street, Evans • Monday, Dec. 1, Winograd K-8, 320 North 71st Avenue, Greeley • Monday, Feb. 2, John Evans Middle School, 2900 15th Avenue, Greeley • Monday, Mar. 2, Jefferson High School, 1315 4th Avenue, Greeley • Monday, Apr. 6, Transportation Office, 155 East 27th Street, Greeley • Monday, May 4, District 6 Service Center, 2508 4th Avenue, Greeley

There is no cost to attend the Academy, and participants will receive lunch during the meetings. The class size will be small in order to allow indepth questions and answers. To register for the Academy or to find out more information, please contact Communications Director Theresa Myers at 3486003 or tmyers@ greeleyschools.org.

TEACHERS CLOSET NOW OPEN FOR DISTRICT 6 STAFF The Teachers Closet is now officially open at the Service Center, Central Warehouse, 2508 4th Ave. The Communications Department hosted an open house for this new program on Wednesday, Aug.27. The Program accepts new and very gently used supplies, craft materials and other items for staff to use in the schools and classrooms. This includes art supplies, school supplies, office supplies and many miscellaneous items. Teachers and other school staff are invited to visit the Teachers Closet and take items that will help them with student instruction or can be used for educational purposes at their schools. All items are free and have been donated from businesses and organizations. The Teachers Closet will now be open Tuesdays from 7:30-9:30am and Wednesdays from 3-5pm. Staff members can stop by during those hours, or make a special appointment to visit the Teachers Closet at another time. Items will not be available to take unless a communications staff person is present. If you know anyone who would like to donate items to the Teachers Closet, or you would like to make an appointment to visit the Teachers Closet, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Cassie Noble cnoble@greeleyschools.org or at (970) 348-6223.

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lunchbox POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT— Elementary student lunches are $2.35, secondary student lunches are $2.60 and reduced lunches are $0.40. Entrees offered daily: Elementary—a variety of fruits and vegetables, milk and juices; Secondary--hot and cold sandwiches, fruits and vegetables, deli salad and pizza. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Orange chicken w/rice & veggies; chicken patty sandwich 2 Bean & cheese burrito; chicken nuggets 3 Pepperoni/veggie pizza 6 Baked potato bar w/chili or broccoli & cheese; chicken patty sandwich 7 Lasagna; ranch chicken bites 8 Sweet & sour meatballs; hamburger/ cheeseburger 9 Beef tacos; turkey & cheese wraps 10 BBQ chicken/cheese pizza 13 Toasted cheese sandwich & tomato soup; chicken nuggets 14 Chicken Alfredo penne pasta; ham & cheese sub

15 Asian Teriyaki bowl; chicken drumstick & biscuit 16-17 No school! 20 Taco burger; mac & cheese 21 Chicken Cordon Blue casserole; turkey gravy & roll 22 Asian noodles w/chicken & veggies; trout treasures 23 Chicken fajita bowl; chicken patty s andwich 24 Cheese/Hawaiian pizza 27 Hambuger/cheeseburger; pulled pork sandwich 28 Cheese raviolis; spaghetti & meat sauce 29 Orange chicken w/rice & veggies; chicken patty sandwich

30 Beef & bean burrito; chicken nuggets 31 Pepperoni/veggie pizza MIDDLE SCHOOLS 1 Sweet & sour chicken or meatballs 2 Fajita rice bowl w/chicken or beef 3 Smothered burrito w/shredded pork 6 Pulled pork sandwich; bbq chicken sandwich 7 Cheese ravioli; spaghetti w/meatballs 8 Asian teriyaki bowl; chicken nuggets 9 Taco bar 10 Trout melt sandwich, mac & cheese 13 Taco burger; southwest chicken sandwich 14 Lasagna; chicken nuggets 15 Orange chicken; beef w/rice 16 Burrito bar

17 No school! 20 Pancake & sausage wrap; ranch chicken bites w/biscuit 21 Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole; meatball sub 22 Asian noodles w/chicken; beef & veggies 23 Taco bar 24 Baked chicken & roll; chili cheese dog 27 Philly cheesesteak sandwich w/chicken or beef 28 Chicken Alfredo; penne & meatsauce 29 Sweet & sour chicken; meatballs over fried rice 30 Fajita rice bowl w/chicken or beef 31 Smothered burrito w/shredded pork or bean & cheese

THOMPSON R2J SCHOOL DISTRICT — Elementary lunches are $2.75. Secondary school lunches are $3. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Offered daily: PBJs & fruit. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Hamburger; chef salad 2 Nachos w/cheese or meat; taco salad 3 Fish tacos; garden entrée salad 6 Mac & cheese; Caesar salad 7 Pizza; chicken tender salad 8 Chicken breast strips; chef salad 9 Chicken burrito bowl; taco salad 10 Chicken Caesar wrap; garden entrée salad 13 Grilled chicken sandwich; Caesar salad 14 Pesto pasta w/chicken; chicken tender salad

15 Pizza/calzone; chef salad 16-17 No school! 20 Chicken breast nuggets; Caesar salad 21 French bread boat; chicken tender salad 22 BBQ chicken breast; chef salad 23-24 No School! 27 Pancake w/breakfast sausage; Caesar salad 28 Pizza stick w/sauce; chicken tender salad 29 Hamburger; chef salad 30 Nachos w/meat or cheese; taco salad 31 Fish tacos; garden entrée salad

SECONDARY SCHOOL 1 Burger bar 2 Nachos w/meat or cheese; lasagna 3 Fish tacos; grilled chicken sandwich 6 Mac & cheese; chicken fajita wrap 7 Pizza; spicy chicken sandwich 8 Fiesta bar 9 Chicken burrito bowl; meatball sandwich 10 Chicken Caesar wrap; French bread boat 13 Grilled chicken sandwich; nachos w/ meat or cheese 14 Pesto pasta w/chicken; hamburger 15 Pizza bar

16-17 No school! 20 Chicken breast nuggets; Sloppy Joe 21 French bread boat; hot ham & cheese sandwich 22 Salad & sandwich 23-24 No school! 27 Waffles, chicken breast strips; pulled pork sandwich 28 Tuscan pasta salad; spicy chicken sandwich 29 Burger bar 30 Nachos w/cheese or meat; lasagna 31 Fish tacos; grilled chicken sandwich

GREELEY DISTRICT 6 —To obtain a complete meal, student gets an entrée and can select 1-3 sides. Elementary lunches are $2.50, and middle school lunches are $2.75, reduced-price lunches are $.40. Offered daily: PBJ. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Chicken taco; PBJ 2 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 3 Hawaiian/cheese pizza 6 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 7 Bean & cheese burrito; green chile 8 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 9 Roasted turkey w/roll; Italian hoagie 10 BBQ chicken/cheese pizza; PBJ 13 Sloppy Joe; chicken fajita wrap 14 Teriyaki chicken w/rice; club hoagie 15 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 16 Pot roast w/egg noodles; ham & cheese hoagie

17 No school! 20 Hamburger/cheeseburger; chicken salad sandwich 21 Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich; turkey & cheese wrap 22 Pasta w/meat sauce; PBJ 23 Toasted cheese sandwich w/tomato soup; Italian hoagie 24 Cheese/taco pizza; PBJ 27 BBQ pork sandwich; chicken fajita wrap 28 Cheese ravioli w/red sauce & breadstick; club hoagie 29 Chicken soft taco; PBJ 30 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 31 Hawaiian/cheese pizza; PBJ

MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Chicken taco; PBJ 2 Turkey pot pie; ham & cheese hoagie 3 Hawaiian/cheese pizza; PBJ 6 Mac & cheese w/roll; chicken salad sandwich 7 Bean & cheese burrito; green chile 8 Herb chicken w/roll; PBJ 9 Roasted turkey w/roll; Italian hoagie 10 BBQ chicken/cheese pizza; PBJ 13 Sloppy Joe; chicken fajita wrap 14 Teriyaki chicken w/rice; club hoagie 15 Lasagna w/breadstick; PBJ 16 Pot roast w/egg noodles; ham & cheese hoagie

WINDSOR SCHOOL DISTRICT — Price for elementary lunch is $2.35, for middle school students, $2.55. Reduced lunches are $0.40. Salad bar is served daily with entrees. Offered daily: PBJ and yogurt. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 1 Cheesy nachos 2 Popcorn chicken 3 Cheese/pepperoni pizza 6 Taco 7 Curly spaghetti w/sauce and meatballs 8 Waffles w/sausage 9 Chicken tenders 10 Cheese/veggie pizza 13 Mac n’cheese

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14 Chicken drumstick 15 Chicken Alfredo 16 Big Daddy pizza 17 No school! 20 No lunch—elementary professional day 21 Hamburger 22 Teriyaki chicken 23 Ravioli 24 Cheese stuffed breadsticks & dip

27 Chicken sandwich 28 Turkey Lo Mein 29 Cheesy nachos 30 Popcorn chicken 31 Stuffed crust cheese/ pepperoni pizza SECONDARY SCHOOL 1 Cheesy nachos 2 Popcorn chicken 3 California club turkey wrap

6 Taco 7 Curly spaghetti w/sauce and meatballs 8 Waffles w/sausage 9 Chicken tenders 10 Steak & cheese sandwich 13 Mac n’cheese 14 Sloppy Joes 15 Chicken Alfredo 16 Meatball sub 17 No school!

20 Pigs in a blanket 21 Cheeseburger 22 Teriyaki chicken 23 Ravioli 24 Pepperoni calzone 27 Chicken sandwich 28 Turkey Lo Mein 29 Cheesy nachos 30 Popcorn chicken 31 Hot & spicy chicken sandwich

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OCTOBER 2014 ONGOING OCTOBER 4, 5, 10-12 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Washington Irving’s classic short story presented by the Stampede Troupe. Adult: $15 Student: $8 Tickets are required for all ages, including infants and children seated on a parent’s lap. Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. Show times vary. 970-3565000 or www.ucstars.com. OCTOBER 9-11 Cirque Mechanics’ Pedal Punk A rowdy steampunk circus on wheels that tells a charming story that will thrill you with its daring. Ticket prices and show times vary. The Lincoln Center Performance Hall, 417 West Magnolia St.,FC. 970221-6730 or www.fcgov.com/lctix. OCTOBER 10-12 The 4th Annual Cross of the North This USAC sanctioned event is a community event for all ages built around cyclocross races. In addition, each day features food and kids’ activities. Event is free, please bring a donation to benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County. The Ranch Events Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, LV. Times vary. 302-588-4343 or www.crossofthe north.com. OCTOBER 17-19, 24, 25 The Canterville Ghost Just in time for Halloween, Debut Theatre Company brings life to Oscar Wilde’s classic story, The Canterville Ghost, a beloved tale about life and death, and why love is stronger than both. Suitable for all ages. $8. The Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, 417 W. Magnolia, FC. Show times vary. 970221-6730 or www.lctix.com.

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THROUGH OCTOBER 4 Journey to the West The journey of a Buddhist monk and his boisterous band of heavenly exiles. Ticket prices and show times vary. Lincoln Center Magnolia Theatre, 417 W. Magnolia St., FC. 970-221-6730 or www.fcgov.com/lctix. TUESDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER Loveland Farmers’ Market Hobby Lobby Parking Lot, N. Garfield & Orchards, LV. 11am-3pm. 970-4954889 or www.fortcollinsfm.com. TUESDAYS THRU SATURDAYS, THROUGH OCTOBER 11 RMBO Fall Migratory Bird Banding Station See the birds up close and help release them after data collection is completed. Free. Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court, FC. (The banding station is located on the west side of the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery on the sidewalk access to the Poudre River Trail.) 7-10am. 970 221-6738 or www.fcmod.org THROUGH NOVEMBER 2 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Ticket prices and show times vary. Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, 4747 Market Place Drive, Johnstown. 970-744-3747 or www.coloradocandlelight.com. THROUGH NOVEMBER 22 Miss Saigon This epic musical tells the tragic tale of young bar girl who falls in love with an American GI as their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. Call or visit website for ticket prices and show times. Midtown Arts Center, 3750 S. Mason St., FC. 970-225-2555 or www. midtownartscenter.com.

FRIDAYS Friday Morning Sing Alongs Sing, dance and shake up a storm. Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys, 111 North College Ave., FC. 11am-12noon. www.downtownfortcollins.com. SATURDAYS Drake Road Farmers’ Market 802 W. Drake Rd., FC. 10am-1pm. 970-218-5521 or www.drakeroadfarmers market.com. Greeley Farmers’ Market Union Pacific Depot, 902 7th Ave., GR. 970350-9783 or www.greeleygov.com/Community Development/FarmersMarket.aspx. SUNDAYS Fort Collins Farmers’ Market 215 E. Foothills Pkwy., FC. 11am-3pm. 970-495-4889 or www.fortcollinsfm.com. CAMC Farmers’ Market Ace Hardware Parking Lot, 1001 E. Harmony Road, FC. 11am-3pm. camcfarmersmarketseo@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 Foraging Native Plants: Roots Learn about what roots of Colorado native plants can be used for food or medicine. Must RSVP. $5 or a volunteer exchange. The TGP Educational Garden at Shire CSA, 713 E. Prospect Road, FC. 4-6pm. 970-587-3827 or www. visitftcollins.com/events. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3 First Friday Gallery Walk Stroll Fort Collins city streets and experience the city’s art galleries which feature paintings, sculptures, Free. Old Town Fort Collins. 6-9pm. www.downtownfortcollins.com.

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Excel Basics Learn the basics in this 2-hour class. Computer Comfort class is strongly recommended before taking this class. No registration required. Free. Harmony Library, Computer Lab, 4616 South Shields St., FC. 9-11am. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibraries.org. Comedian Josh Blue Perhaps best known as the comedian who puts the Cerebral in Cerebral Palsy and winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. Tickets: $29 advance, $34 day of the show. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www.cityofloveland.org/rialto.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4 Rock for the Cause Season 2 American alternative rock band, Switchfoot, will headline Rock for the Cause Season 2 presented by Let Art Live. $22-26. Budweiser Events Center, 5290 Arena Circle, LV. 6pm. 970 6194100 or www.budweisereventscenter.com. Tinker Fairy Story Time The event will include a story time, singalong, photo opportunities and a chance to get an autographed book. Tickets cost $10 and include a $1 off coupon for Old Firehouse Books purchases. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 10am 970484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 Locally Grown: A Musical Feast Celebrate the harvest season with a locally sourced dinner and musical selections from composer Aaron Copland’s short opera, The Tender Land. $35-65. Fort Collins Country Club, 1920 Country Club Road, FC. 5pm. 970-2216730 or www.lctix.com. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7 Make Your Own Website Go through the step-by-step process to set up your own website, using Weebly. There’s no need to own a domain. Participants should have a current email address, good keyboard, mouse and web navigation skills. Registration required. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6pm, 888861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. 36

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Healthy Juicing with Wunderjuice: Parent/Child Class All classes are family centered and nature based. Pre-registration required. Ages 5+ with a parent/caregiver. $10 per child; adults are free. Scholarships available. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 6-7:30pm. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8 View a Total Lunar Eclipse Telescopes available to view the total lunar eclipse, which will occur between 4:25-5:25am. Dress warmly. Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area, 7574 S. Timberline Road, FC. (Meet at the parking lot off Carpenter Road.) 3-7am. 970-416-2815 or www.fcgov.com/ naturalareas. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 Excel Beyond Basics Go beyond the basics in this two-hour class. The Excel Basics class is strongly recommended before taking this class. No registration required. Free. Harmony Library, Computer Lab, 4616 South Shields St., FC. 9-11am. 970-221-6740 or www.poudrelibrairies.org. Ladybug Girl Ladybug Girl Halloween Party with games, crafts and lots of books! Wear costumes and receive a copy of Happy Halloween, Ladybug Girl. Ladybug Girl will make an appearance for fun and photos. $10. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 10am 970-484-7898 or www.oldfirehousebooks.com. Ventriloquist Lynn Trefzger Lynn’s off-the-wall audience interplay is spontaneously funny; no two shows are alike! $5. Children under age 2 are free (obtain free ticket at box office). Union Colony Civic Center, 701 10th Ave., GR. 6:30pm. 970356-5000 or www.ucstars.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 Be Ready/PBIS Parent Fair This event is for parents with kids ages birth-8. There will be a free book giveaway, activities for children and a resource fair for parents. Matthews House Community Life Center, 220 N. Grant Ave., FC. 9am-12noon. 970-407-7000 or www.uwaylc.org.

The Firestone Art and Music Show Reception Enjoy the work of local artists and an art reception featuring music, refreshments and activities for the whole family. Carbon Valley Library, 7 Park Ave., Firestone. 1-4pm. 888-861-7323 or www.mylibrary.us.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 13 Paws to READ Therapy dogs sit quietly and calmly while children read aloud to them. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR, 6:30-8:30pm. 970-506-8628 or www.MyLibrary.us. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 14 iLearn Technology: Gmail Learn email skills crucial for staying connected in today’s world. Must create a Gmail account PRIOR to start of class. Free. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 2:30-5:30pm. 970-9622599 or www.cityofloveland.org. Facebook for Beginners Must have current email account and basic computer skills. Existing Facebook account is preferable. Registration required. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 6-8pm, 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 Author Visit with Clive Thompson Author of “Smarter than You Think”. Free. Hilton, 425 West Prospect Road, FC. 7-9pm. 970-221-6740 or www. poudrelibrairies.org. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16 Local History Series: Widow Phoebe Steel Donlyn Arbuthnot, will portray the widow Phoebe Steele, one of the area’s earliest female farmers. Erie Community Center, 450 Powers St., Erie. 7-8pm. 720685-5222 or www.MyLibrary.us. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17 Teen Zombie Lock-In The night will include zombies vs. humans tag, undead crafts, and more! Bring your own Nerf gun. Ages 13-18. Registration required. Centennial Park Library, 2227 23rd Ave., GR. 7-10pm. 970-506-8618 or www.MyLibrary.us.

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An Intimate Evening with Rusty Young from POCO Vocalist and songwriter best known as one of the frontmen in the seminal country rock band Poco. $25 advance, $30 day of the show. The Rialto Theater Center, 228 E. 4th St., LV. 7:30pm. 970-962-2120 or www.cityofloveland.org/rialto.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 The French Nest Open-Air Market An opportunity for crafters to showcase their talents. Food, face painting and music, too. Civic Center Park, 225 Laporte Ave.,FC. 9am-3pm. www. thefrenchnestmarket.com. Sensory Story Time for Children with Special Needs We will use preschool-level books, songs, and movement. Registration is required and limited to 12 families. Farr Regional Library, 1939 61st Ave., GR. 10:30-11am. 970-506-8567 or www.MyLibrary.us. Evans Library Grand Opening Opening ceremony, tours, entertainment, refreshments and giveaways. Riverside Library & Cultural Center, 3700 Golden St., Evans. 10am-2pm, 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21 Craigslist 101 Learn how to navigate Craigslist like a pro. Participants should have good mouse and keyboard skills, basic experience in navigating the web and a current email address. Registration required. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th St., GR. 10am, 888-861-7323 or www.MyLibrary.us. Magician’s Apprentice Professional magician Richard Nakata shares his secrets with aspiring magicians. Grades 3-5. Registration required. Erie Library, 400 Powers St., Erie. 4-6pm. 720-685-5223 or www.MyLibrary.us. NaNoWriMo Meet and Greet Have you ever wanted to write a novel? Here’s your chance. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is almost upon us. Come to this meeting to learn about other NaNoWriMo events around town, meet other writers, discuss ways to generate ideas and characters, learn

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how to reach the 50,000 word goal and overcome writer’s block. For writers of all ages. Free. Old Town Library, Community Room Combo, 201 Peterson St., FC. 7-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www. poudrelibraries.org.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23 Scary Glow Eyes Make glowing eyes for Halloween decorating. Free. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 12noon-1pm. 970-962-2754 or www.cityofloveland.org. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 School-Out Science Children, K-5th grade, can enjoy some hands-on science experiments. Free. Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Ave., LV. 3-4pm. 970-962-3319 or www. cityofloveland.org. Halloween Party, Hogwarts Style Join in on games, crafts and snacks. Costumes are strongly encouraged; a photo booth will be provided! Ages 7-12. $12. (Adults do not need tickets to supervise their children at this event.) Old Fire-house Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 Halloween Enchanted Garden Everything sweet, but without the candy! Be sure to wear a costume. Activities planned for children 8 years and younger with a parent/caregiver. $5 per child donation suggested at the door. Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., FC. 10am-2pm. 970-416-2486 or www.fcgov.com/gardens. Live Comic Book Theater In this comic book free-for-all, a group of talented actors will team up with the audience to bring some of comic history’s best and worst stories to life! Moxi Theater, 802 9th St., GR. 3pm, 888-8617323, www.ReadCon.us

Meet and Greet with Stephanie Ohnmacht Stephanie was a contestant on Season 1 of the Lifetime TV Project Runway Spinoff “Under the Gunn” with Tim Gunn. Clarion Hotel, 701 8th St., GR. 3:30-4:30pm, 888-861-7323, www. ReadCon.us.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28 Harry’s Halloween Celebrate Halloween Harry Potter style! Get sorted into a Hogwarts house, enjoy wizard treats, take your picture with the trio and make your own wand. Lincoln Park Library, 919 7th Street Suite 100, GR. 6-8pm. 888-861-7323 or www. MyLibrary.us. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 Visit with Author Gregory D. Zeigler Zeigler will speak about his new book The Straw That Broke. An ‘environmental thriller’, it is a new genre that explores the often troubling predictions for our planet. Old Firehouse Books, 232 Walnut St., FC. 6pm. 970-484-7898 or www. oldfirehousebooks.com. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 Spooky Stories in Library Park A night filled with stories to give you chills. Located in the haunted cabins on the southwest corner of the park. Bring chairs and blankets to sit on and dress warmly. Feel free to come in costume. In case of inclement weather the program will be moved inside Old Town Library. Ages 6 and older. Free. Library Park, West Lawn, 201 Peterson St., FC. 6:30-8pm. 970-221-6740 or www. poudrelibraries.org. Historical Café: Hats & History History comes in many forms and Colleen Estes Cassell has found a way to study U.S. history through fashion, especially the hats that were worn. She makes history come alive as she models some of the 500 hats she has collected. Lunch will be served. Please indicate special dietary needs at registration. $16-20. Fort Collins Senior Center, 1200 Raintree Drive, FC. 11:30-1:30pm. 970 221-6644 or www.fcgov.com/news.

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time out

Reasonable commitment Guidelines for my little flip-floppers

KATIE HARRIS

his past weekend my kids walked away from our town’s annual 5K with first place male and first place female in their division. I’m not here just to brag. Although I am incredibly proud of them, that’s not what this is about. Here’s the thing. My 5- and 6-yearold son and daughter are like most kids their ages. Impatient, easily frustrated, and fickle when it comes to extracurricular activities. They become enamored with a new sport only to lose interest as fast as you can say Enrollment Fee. Between the two kids, we’ve tried soccer, T-ball, swimming, karate, dance, and oh yeah, they’ve recently informed me that they’re both ready to “quit” school anytime too. The routine completion of enrollment paperwork followed by withdrawal forms gets old quickly, and I know I’m not alone because it’s been a hot topic in my circle of parental friends for years. In that time I’ve come to one definitive truth: 5- and 6-yearold kids have absolutely no idea what their interests are. Heck, how many of us adults really do? This is a tricky call for today’s parent. Rebelling against the strict “no quitters” policy our parents and grandparents stood by, there seems to be a trend towards leniency in today’s moms and dads. We see hints of it in the controversial “everyone’s a winner for trying” ideology that has been making it’s way into schools and kids’ programs in recent years. When our children commit to something, but then refuse to give it their all and follow through, how do we as parents react, and how do our reactions affect them later in life? I tend to be on the fence. On the one hand, I want my children to understand the importance of honoring their commitments; on the other hand, I don’t want them to be miserable. 42

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I don’t have all the answers, but what I have learned over the years is that every situation is different. With that in mind, I’ve laid out a set of guidelines for my two little flipfloppers that I think is fair to them, to us as parents, and to their coaches and teammates. The first biggie is that they can quit because they’ve lost interest, but not because it’s hard. The second unbreakable rule is that they have to finish out their minimum commitment before they’re allowed to call it quits. Whether it’s the end of the month-long session, or the end of the current billing period, they know they can’t just walk out then and there. I also ask that they talk to their coach personally to thank them and let them know they’ve decided to take a break. Although intimidating, I

think it’s good form. That’s our family plan, in the making over several years of trial and error. Most recently my son decided he’s bored with horseback riding lessons and wants to stop for a while, and I reminded him of the rules of quitting. He seems to be doing okay with the idea. I can’t say it’s gotten 100 percent easier for me to see them walk away from activities that they seem to have potential in, but I guess that brings me to my final rule: I’m not allowed to live vicariously through my kids, no matter how tempting. The enjoyment I get from watching my 5-yearold guide his horse around the arena is not a qualified reason to make him continue riding. Another hard parenting lesson I suppose. Which brings us back to the 5K last weekend. It’s true, they won. Granted there were fewer than 300 total participants in our small town event, and only a minuscule percentage of those in the 6 and under division, but it was an accomplishment nonetheless. One that they didn’t achieve by quitting. In that half-hour time frame I saw the opportunity to teach my children what they can accomplish when they keep trying, even when it gets hard. While I can’t force them to stick with everything they set their mind to, I’m grateful for those fleeting moments that show them what they can achieve when they do.

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