School Notes Alachua County
This magazine is not sponsored or endorsed by The School Board of Alachua County
December 2014
A Community Partnership Publication
School Notes Alachua County
A Community Partnership Publication
Cade Cricchio, Talbot Elementary
Hey kids – Win your class a pizza party! It is easy! Look inside!
Taste The
Difference!
Now Serving 3 Gainesville Locations Piesanos Pints & Pies (40 Taps) University Location 1250 W. University Ave 352-375-2337
Piesanos pints & pies Millhopper Road Location 5200 NW 43rd St 352-371-7437
Piesanos Archer Road Location 5757 SW 75th St 352-371-8646
www.piesanostogo.com
facebook/piesanos
Free Kids Pizza
with purchase of an adult entree
(Dine in only) One coupon per visit.
Expires: 2/15/2015
Not valid with any other discount/promotion.
Free Mozzarella Sticks with purchase of $15
(Dine in only) One coupon per visit.
Expires: 2/15/2015
Not valid with any other discount/promotion.
DECEMBER/JANUARY’S ART THEME IS:
What are your Dreams?
Write or draw about the dreams you have for your future. You can also include how you are going to make them come true. Include specific details & an awesome illustration.
Hint: Be creative & unique!
The most colorful & creative are typically our winners!
Email your work to us by January 17, 2015 alachuacountyschoolnotes@gmail.com or by mail PO Box 141571, Gainesville, FL 32614
Hey kids –You can win a PIZZA PARTY for your entire class! Your artwork could be published in our magazine & on our website! Want to advertise in School Notes? Call 352-328-4780 Our main goal is to encourage, support and enhance full-time sequential art and music programs for all elementary students in Alachua County Public Schools. Fan of the Arts believe that Arts education is critical for the total education for all children. The Friends of Alachua County Public School Elementary Arts Programs Fund managed by the Gainesville Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Our purpose is to promote and support quality elementary art and music education programs not covered by tax dollars.
Please contact alachuacountyschoolnotes@gmail.com to find out the teacher & school. Make sure your child puts their full name, teacher & school on the back of their artwork!
These are the winners of this month’s pizza party! On Cover: Cade Cricchio Talbot Elementary
Mary Moawad
Mia Billingsley
Sam Nichol
The Wonder of Christmas: Remembering children for whom it’s less wonderful By Jenn Petion Director of Community and Government Relations, Partnership for Strong Families
The holidays are a time when we as parents, grandparents or caregivers get to enjoy the wonder in our children’s eyes as they experience the magic of the season. The lights on the tree, the carols, the spirit of the season and what it represents. Yet it’s also an opportunity to teach them gratitude for everything they have, starting with a safe and loving home or even presents under the tree. Many children in our community who’ve experienced abuse or neglect would not have these things this holiday season if not for a Partner Family (foster home) giving them a safe place to stay or a generous community partner who has sponsored them for the holidays. One of my favorite things about the Wish Upon a Star program our agency coordinates every holiday season is when parents use it to teach their little ones about giving and having empathy for their classmates who may not be able to be home for Christmas because home is not safe. For many of the children in our care, having a few presents under the tree lets them know that despite whatever trauma has occurred, there is someone in the community who cares about them and what they are going through. As you enjoy this holiday season – whether your family does it big or small – take a moment to reflect on the children who are living with relatives or licensed caregivers and don’t get to enjoy the comforts of home or the peace of knowing where they will live in the future. Then think about what you can do in the New Year and beyond for these children. Perhaps that means sponsoring them next year for Christmas, or just maybe that means welcoming one more pair of pajama-clad feet and eyes full of wonder into your home next year. To learn more about foster care and how to help children in our community who’ve experienced abuse or neglect, visit www.pfsf.org.
In Florida each year, there are 18,000-20,000 children who are not able to live at home because home is no longer safe. No matter how little time you may have to offer, there is something you can do to make a child’s life story a better one.
How You Can Help
If You Have Just a few MInutes:
Make a financial contribution to support children in foster care or donate goods such as diapers, school supplies and new school uniforms.
If You Have Just a few Hours:
Participate in our yearly Back to School Drive and Wish Upon a Star Holiday Toy Drive or mentor a child.
If You Have a LIttLe More tIMe:
Become a Partner or Adoptive Parent and help preserve a sense of connection and permanency in the lives of children in foster care. www.partnerfamily.org
Call Today for a Complimentary Consultation!
Expires January 31, 2015
*must present coupon at consult
5010 NEWBERRY RD, SUITE B, GAINESVLLE, FL 32607
Canvas & Pottery Paint-It-Yourself Studio
Canvas Painting
Chunk Candles
Paint it Yourself
Pottery
Mosaics
MONDAY - SATURDAY 10AM - 9PM • SUNDAY 12PM - 6PM
(352) 373-8847 • CORKSCOLORS.COM 3415 W University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32607
$3 OFF KIDS & FAMILY CLASS
FREE CUSTOMIZATION on any footprint/handprint platter
EXPIRES 1/15/15
EXPIRES 1/15/15
Give the Gift of
CONFIDENCE $
69 FOR A *
6 WEEK TRIAL Become a member during your trial &
RECEIVE A FREE PIZZA PARTY WITH 15 FRIENDS!*
Plus A Free Uniform
*Special valid 11/1-1/15/15. Valid for first time students only. Free party with membership activation. No cash value. Offers may not be combined. Rates and services may vary by location. Independently Owned & Operated. ©2014 PRO Martial Arts Franchise Corp. Franchises Available.
GAINESVILLE: 352-491-2527 5827 SW 75th Street promartialarts.com
®
Horseback Riding Riding Lessons Polo Lessons Horse Camps Pony Parties Show Team 4H Club Leasing Boarding Sales SW Haile Blvd & TowerRoad
352.665.7433 haileequestrian.com
Ea Online Booking!
SAFE & FUN!
TREE-CLIMBING EVENTS FOR SMALL & BIG KID PARTIES & FIELD TRIPS.
CANOPYCLIMBERS.COM
CLIMB. CONNECT. EXPLORE.
Is Low Self-Esteem Katie Hurley is a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, mom & wife. www.praticalkatie.com
Parenting can be a journey full of ups and downs. We all experience unexpected obstacles at times, and it isn’t always easy to remain brave and positive when the hits just keep on coming. Research published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology suggests that while positive reframing from friends and loved ones can enhance self-esteem in people struggling with low self-esteem, consoling a friend with low self-esteem can be exhausting and can make those doing the consoling feel worse about themselves. This suggests that self-esteem can actually be contagious. The flip side, of course, is that positivity can also be contagious. So what can parents do when low self-esteem and negative core beliefs have a trickle-down effect? You can start by taking care of you. Parental emotional health is as important to the kids as it is to the parents. Parents are the lenses through which children catch a first glimpse of the larger world around them, and that glimpse can be very powerful.​ Talk about emotions. While it makes good sense to attempt to protect children from adult stressors that are beyond their developmental level of processing, it’s nearly impossible to hide in plain sight when you are struggling with your sense of self on a daily basis. Talking about emotions in kid-friendly language helps children understand that all people struggle at times and that ups and downs are both normal and to be expected. It also opens the door to close communication and discussion of feelings and emotions as kids grow. Label and verbalize your feelings with your kids. If you try to hide your emotions, you risk projecting those emotions to your kids. If you communicate with your kids, you can problem solve. Talk about coping strategies. Low self-esteem can feel like a bottomless pit of negativity. Once you get stuck in the loop, it takes hard work and mindfulness to break the cycle. Kids feel helpless when they see their parents struggling in silence. They tend to internalize the negative emotions in the room and often engage in self-blame. Breaking the cycle of negativity begins with identifying emotions and
Contagious?
establishing adaptive coping strategies. Talk about what helps lift your own mood and sense of self and then discuss what might work for the kids. Create a family list of “self-esteem boosters” to hang on the wall. Revisit them when low self-esteem emerges. Practice asking for help. Parenting can be all consuming at times, and this results in superhero parenting. While it might feel like you can handle just about anything as long as you keep pushing forward, suppressing feelings and emotions only leads to increased resentment. This can trigger that vicious cycle of negativity and low self-esteem once again. Give yourself permission to be a little less perfect and a little less heroic, and learn to seek help from friends and family. Asking for help isn’t an admission of defeat. Asking for help is proof that you take your own emotional health seriously and that you understand the power of adaptive coping strategies. It also teaches your children a very valuable life lesson: United we thrive, divided we struggle. Choose to thrive. Your family will be better for it.
Florida Museum of Natural History
See it before it vanishes Jan. 4!
Dispel the myths and discover the true story of this 60-foot-long marine predator that dominated the world’s oceans for 15 million years. Produced with support from the National Science Foundation.
$7 adults, ($6 Fla. residents and seniors), $4.50 ages 3-17
3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL 32611 • 352-846-2000 www.flmnh.ufl.edu • Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. • Sun. 1-5 p.m.
The Fun Goes Year-Round! Convenient locations, great programs.
Foundations After-School Out of School Days Camp Winter & Spring Break Camps www.CityofGainesvilleParks.org
352-334-5067
Workout Tips for Working Moms Jacqueline Valdez, Elegant Body Pilates Studio These tips will help working mothers squeeze fitness into their day. With the extra demands and more time restraints it can be difficult.
1 2 3 4 5 6
Decide that you must workout for your mental health as well as your physical health. Make exercise a priority. Decide what time of the day you want to do your workout. Try getting a workout done first thing in the morning before the hectic day begins. Do exercises that can be easily done at home. Yoga, Pilates, Cardio Kickboxing and walking are great examples. Discover workouts that include the little one/s. Some gyms offer “mommy and me” classes that you can both step into. Take time during your lunch break to throw your sneakers on and go for a brisk walk or do some body weight exercises for 15 minutes. Pushups, lunges and squats are an example of what can be done at break-time. Get your family involved in fitness. Plan walks, bike rides or workout in the backyard. Playing sports with the entire family during the weekday or even the weekend is also a great way to get a workout in.
Remember it’s important to take care of you. If you don’t take care of your own needs, including getting fit and healthy, you won’t feel well enough to do the things you need to do. Give yourself permission to do what’s best for you. Devoting time to your own health will benefit everyone involved: your boss, family and most of all YOU!
Setting Limits on Technology and How This Improves School Performance Written by Elizabeth Patton, LMHC School Counselor, Queen of Peace Catholic Academy
Video games and academic performance might sound like two opposite ends of a spectrum but when a child is under-performing in the classroom, he or she is likely attracted to the world of gaming. With the almost instant reinforcement afforded by most games and the sense of accomplishment that comes with each new level (gem, world, etc) achieved, it’s no surprise that some students would rather participate in an imaginary world where they feel some success. By the time the student reaches the 3rd grade or higher, the pattern of avoiding academic work and spending most free time with electronic games has become entrenched. Instead of fighting about homework or time spent reading, the parent is likely to disengage from the battle. Most parents that have reached this point might feel out of control and have no idea how to begin setting limits for their struggling student.
Taking small steps is the key, especially in the beginning. Begin monitoring the amount of time the child spends in front of a screen. Once you have a baseline, you can slowly decrease the time while adding in some basic incentives. One such incentive might be the idea of “earning” screen time by participating in chores. As the child adapts to this process, a next step might be to have the child read a short story and give you (verbally or in writing) one or more of the following: the main idea, one idea for improving the story, a character description, an alternative ending to the story, a new setting, etc. With each academic endeavor, the child may earn some gaming time. Spending time reading with your student might set the course for success. Of course, there are many academic programs on-line and these might be a good way to start for the more reluctant student. Teachers and guidance counselors are an excellent resource for ideas as well. Screen time for children is a hot topic and many articles and research studies have been published suggesting guidelines. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children over 2 years should have no more than 1-2 hours of quality entertainment media per day. Common Sense Media takes another angle and says that while no number fits every child, the biggest consideration should be the quality of the media and how it fits into the child and the family’s lifestyle. An important step in this process is to remove all screens from the child’s sleeping area. Achieving a sleep pattern that is free from distractions is one of the best life habits that a child will learn. It is well-documented that sleep deprivation can increase disruptive behaviors and decrease academic success.
‘Tis The season To AmAzing CHi Color
$10
oFF
(with this ad, reg. $50)
Oaks Mall Plaza (352) 333-0303
6763 W. NeWberry rd. (in Oaks Mall Plaza behind starbucks, near Jason’s deli) M-F 9-7 • Sat 9-6 • Sun 11-4
look fantastic. Kids Cut
Shampoo & Lite Dry Specialty cuts, blow-dry style or curling iron extra. Not valid with other offers.
7
$
ACSN - Exp. 12/19/14
*ACSN*
95
ADULT CUT
Shampoo & Lite Dry Specialty cuts, blow-dry style or curling iron extra. Not valid with other offers.
ACSN - Exp. 12/19/14
*ACSN*
$
9
95
12 Non-Toy Gifts for Children Rachel Jones, nourishingminimalism.com
1. Classes. Music, dance, riding, drawing, classes are a great way toencourage children in their interests and let them know that you pay attention to them and what they enjoy. 2. Memberships. Zoo, science museum, children’s museum, YMCA membership, etc. These are particularly great for family gifts! Many young families want to enjoy day outings, but affording them can be a challenge, so give them the gift of a yearly membership. 3. Subscriptions. Kids enjoy getting things int he mail. Why not encourage their reading by getting them a magazine subscription for something they are interested in! 4. Events. Movie tickets, tickets to a play, concert or sports event are really exciting! Having an event to look forward to makes the rest of life more enjoyable. 5. Activities. Mini golf, bowling, skating rink. These are so much fun! And a big part of the fun is going together. Children love spending time with the adults in their lives, they want to see you enjoying your time as well as enjoying them. 6. Recipe and Ingredients. Kids love cooking with their parents. Baking something special or cooking dinner is an ideal time to spend together and learn life skills. Print
out a recipe, purchase all the ingredients and set a date for cooking together. 7. Crafting Date. Our daughter loves making crafts. I do to, I really do enjoy the creative aspect. But I rarely take time out to do it with her. These crafting dates mean the world to our creative little girl. Keep a basket of craft supplies and get out a book for inspiration. We like this book. 8. Arts and Craft supplies. If your craft box is running low, stock up a little on things you need. Add in something fun the kids haven’t used before. A gift of art and craft supplies often brings on the imagination and kids can’t wait to get to work! 9. Coupons. An envelope of coupons that they can “spend” at any time: I’ll do one chore- no questions asked, movie and popcorn night, you pick the movie!, 1:1 game of cards or basketball (whatever the child’s interest is in), sit and read a book with me, Stay up 1/2 hour past bedtime 10. Restaurant Gift Card. Dinner, ice cream, coffee, cupcake- whatever suits their fancy! Give them the freedom of inviting whoever they wish: it may be mom or dad, it may be a grandparent, aunt or even teacher that they would like to spend more time with. 11. Dress Up Clothes. These do need to be limited, but 2 dresses and couple play silkscan get hours and hours of play! 12. Outdoor Supplies. If you are an outdoorsy family, giving kids their own fishing tackle or gardening equipment can be a big deal. It’s also something that gets left on the shelf in the garage, so you always know right where to find it.
What will you do with the time you saved? • We cover the jobs that are important to you • Competitive rates
• We handle regular cleaning to BIG jobs • One time cleans or regular house keeping services • Gift certificates for those special THANK YOUS
Contact us for customized clean! YourCleaningGenie.com • 352.414.5771
Superintendent Lays Out Goals for Alachua County Public Schools
Alachua County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Owen Roberts has begun laying the foundation for a series of strategies aimed at boosting student achievement at all schools. In his ‘100 Days Report’ before the School Board and about 500 community members, Roberts laid out his goals for the next five years. They include all students graduating from high school ready for college or careers and with an appreciation for the arts, healthy lifestyle habits and their role in society. “I want all students prepared to be productive members of our community and society,” said Roberts. “Every child, regardless of background, should have that opportunity.” In a nod to NASA’s successful launch of a spacecraft that is ultimately destined to take humans to Mars, Roberts referred to his five-year plan as the district’s ‘MARS Mission—Moving Alachua to Reach the Stars.’ During his presentation, Roberts also outlined some of the strategies he is implementing to help the district reach its goals, including five goals he calls ‘transformative.’ They include an early childhood education initiative that will provide all children from birth to grade 3 with health, educational and other services they’ll need to succeed in school and beyond. They also include a renewed focus on language development. Work has already begun on a STEAM initiative (science, technology, education, arts and math) that will promote academic achievement, emotional development, creativity and other skills necessary in the 21st Century. He’s proposing the development of a Parent Academy to provide parents with the skills they need to more effectively help their children. Roberts also plans to establish a Global Studies magnet program that would offer students in kindergarten through 12th grade the opportunity to learn new languages and cultures and develop a sense of social responsibility. Roberts has already begun reaching out to local civic, business, advocacy and social service organizations to work with the district on some of those strategies. “Schools are an important catalyst for change, but they cannot do it alone,” he said. “I believe we have the capital, the capacity and the commitment in Alachua County to make transformative changes in our schools and in the broader community.” Roberts also presented facts and figures about the current state of the community and schools, including those areas facing significant challenges, such as poverty, teen pregnancy, child abuse and other crimes. He stressed that addressing those challenges will benefit everyone. “We are not safe, successful and free unless all of us are safe, successful and free,” he said. Roberts’ ‘100 Days Report’ in Powerpoint is available on the district’s website at www.sbac.edu. A video of the full presentation to the School Board and the community will be posted to the same site.
From designer handbags bags to electronics, Gadgets & Gold is excited to sell you the latest items for great bargain prices and buy unwanted treasures you might not need- ultimately keeping more money in your pockets. Gold • Silver • Platinum • Coins • Good & Broken Jewelry Designer Purses • Electronics • Cell Phones Antiques & Collectibles • Musical Instruments Flat Screen TV’s • Motorcycles & Scooters Laptops & Tablets • Cameras & Much, much more...
6450 SW Archer Road in Kanapaha Station 352-363-6062
Keep Them Safe
Our children are our most valuable asset. They are the future of America and hold all of our hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. Protecting them should always be our number one priority as parents, teachers and other adults. Sadly, children are also the most vulnerable members of society. It has become harder than ever to keep them safe from becoming victims of crime due to society’s addiction to social media and the World Wide Web. The same advances in computers and telecommunication technology that allow our children to reach out to new sources of knowledge and cultural experiences are also leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and harm by computer-sex offenders.
We Make Yards Happy. And their owners too.
378-LAWN
www.themasterslawncare.com WEED CONTROL • FERTILIZATION CHINCH BUG PREVENTION FUNGUS/DISEASE CONTROL
Internet Safety Tips: • Never let your child(ren) have access to the internet unless you are in the same room. • Talk with your child(ren) about safe practices online and let them know it is never ok to share personal information online without your permission. • Remind your child(ren) to watch what they post because it is forever. Anything that is posted online can never really be removed and it can show up anywhere. • Educate yourself on how they access the Internet, where they like to go, and who they talk with. The best policy is to never talk with someone you do not know in real life. The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit offers free internet safety presentations to children, parents, and groups. Please call 352-374-1800 to schedule a class.
FU LL
TI M E
-
PA R T
TI M E
MO T H E R ’ S H E LPE R - OV E R N IGHT CA R E
FULL SERVICE, NOT JUST PLACEMENT!
352.538.2012
YOU Need a Mission Statement Stacie Nelson, motherhoodonadime.com
1) It gives you perspective. It feels as though this season of your life is here to stay, but in reality, it is quickly passing by. When you’re in the midst of the diaper changes, the continual illnesses, the sleepless nights, the endless character training (your child’s… and your own), you need to know that what you’re doing matters (and it does matter tremendously)! Constantly reminding yourself of the purpose and mission you’ve been given can give you perspective. 2) It encourages you when you’re doubting. In those moments when I want to give up, I can look to the mission I’ve been given and be reminded that I am fulfilling my mission. My emotions often waver, but my mission is unchanging. 3) It will guide your decision-making. There are so many opportunities and things people want you to be involved in. Most of them are good things, and so it becomes challenging to decide what’s best. If you’re like me, you’ll end up with too much on your plate. When that happens, you’ll eventually burn out, or you’ll waste your life doing things that aren’t meaningful to you (but you feel like you should do them because someone else wants you to). If you have a clear mission statement, you can evaluate opportunities in light of what is really important to you. You can say “Yes” to the things that fit with your purpose…. and “No” to the things that are good, but aren’t the best.
Invite your child’s favorite character
to the party!
Call today: 352-587-2665 www.capesntiaras.com
Forming a Mission Statement: 1) What are your passions? Take a few minutes and jot down the things in life you are most passionate about. What do you just have to do? What inspires you? What makes you feel complete? 2) What are your values? Not to be morbid, but imagine your own funeral. Really…take a few minutes to do this. What do you hope people will say about you? What are the things you value most that you hope others will see in your life? Even if it isn’t who you are now, write it down. Sometimes you need to begin at the end to even know where to begin! 3) List your roles. Are you a mom? A wife? A daughter? Teacher? Business owner? Think about the many roles you have and just make a list. On all of these questions, write as little or as much as you want. As you look back through your writing, I’m sure you’ll find some overlap between questions — and that is okay. Look back through what you’ve written. Does anything jump out at you right away? Do you see any “themes” in your notes? As you read through, you will notice one or two main missions. Then, break the general theme down into your life roles. Two points to remember when writing a mission statement: 1) Make it broad, but not too vague. Your mission statement encompasses your life, so in that respect it is going to be broad! But your mission statement is also focusing in on one or two main purposes, so it needs to have some detail! 2) Allow room for change. If you have written a good mission statement, it should still be applicable ten, twenty, or even fifty years down the road. However, life sometimes throws a curve and you need to make changes, so just remember it is not set in stone.
3010 SW Archer Rd
352-727-4480 Expires 1/15/15
$3.00 Car Wash
Includes Free Vacuum Enter Car Wash Code: 2005
Mon - Sat: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Sun: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
The Six Components of Reading Amy Shockley, ACPS District Literacy Coach
The National Reading Panel (2000) identified five essential components in the process of reading : Phonemic awareness, Phonics, Fluency, Vocabulary, and Comprehension. To be a success reader, children must develop in all of these areas. Below is an explanation of the five components of reading and a newcomer to the official list of essential components is introduced. Phonemic Awareness: The strongest indicator for a child’s success in learning to reading, phonemic awareness is the understanding that words are created from phonemes (the small units of sound in language). Phonemic awareness may sound like phonics, but the difference is it pertains only to sounds. Phonics: The connection between the sounds and the letter symbols, and how they can combine to create words. Phonics turns a whole bunch of squiggly and straight lines that don’t mean anything into symbols that are connected to sounds. Phonics is dependent on understanding and knowing the alphabet. Letter symbols must be learned so that the reader can ‘attach’ the sound(s) to each letter. Fluency: A reader’s ability to read words with accuracy, expression, and speed. Many processes must come together at the same time for fluent reading to occur. Whether reading orally or silently, fluent readers can adjust their rate of reading to address what is happening in the text. Fluency is crucial for comprehension to occur. A reader must string the words together quickly to create sentences and paragraphs that provide the meaning of the text. If he is constantly slowing down to figure out words,
or is reading so quickly that he is not processing the text- the reader will not be able to create meaning for himself. Vocabulary: Recognizing and knowing the meaning of words is crucial to the process of reading. Children begin to connect the words they know in their oral vocabulary to their reading vocabulary throughout instruction. Readers will develop and ‘grow’ their vocabulary throughout their lives. Comprehension: The MAIN REASON WE READ! All other components of reading work together to create comprehension of text for the reader. Comprehension is the most complex component of reading as it involves all components and requires the reader to apply thinking skills. It is the understanding of what is being read. But wait...there’s more! Research has suggested that an influential part of the foundation for reading, oral language, is another critical aspect in creating meaning from reading. Florida has broadened the scope of the formula for success from 5 to 6 components of reading...oral language has made the list! Oral Language: Simply put, oral language is listening and speaking. However, it involves many smaller pieces: developing meaning for words children hear and say, learning the rules of how words are linked together, understanding those small units of meaning can combine in words (ie. preschool- pre has meaning and school has meaning), understanding the sound structure of language, and finally the social use of language such as when to use ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’. Oral language typically develops rapidly throughout preschool, lays the groundwork for effective communication, and is the foundation for success in literacy. These six components of reading represent the pieces of the puzzle that must be put together in order for children to become successful readers!
Brain Teasers Riddle I have streets but no pavement, I have cities but no buildings, I have forests but no trees, I have rivers yet no water. What am I?
Knock, Knock Joke Knock, knock Who’s there? Philip Philip who? Philip the car, we’re out of gas.
Pencil Puzzle On a piece of paper, draw five straight lines like this: I I I I I See if you can use five more lines to make nine. Submitted by Ky Manske, Jordan Glen School
ADD SOME FLAVOR TO YOUR HOLIDAYS.
FREE
ZAX KIDZ MEAL ®
For Kids 10 and under. Offer valid at these locations only:
Make holiday gatherings even more festive with Zaxby’s® catering. Choose from any of your Zaxby’s favorites, like the Nibblerz Platter, the Chicken Fingerz Platter or the Wings Platter. Our delicious, party-sized portions will make any gathering a tasteful event. Place your catering order today and pick up Zaxby’s gift cards for all of the chicken lovers on your list! Please contact Casey Goodenow, Catering Sales Manager, to order. Call 706.612.3091 or e-mail Cgoodenow@zax-inc.com
3710 S.W. Archer Rd. • Gainesville 352.338.0555 2424 N.W. 43rd St. • Gainesville 352.376.8700 1 N.W. 10th Ave. • Gainesville 352.377.8889
Offer expires 1/15/15. Must present card to receive offer. Each restaurant independently owned and operated. Offer not valid at any other locations. No cash value. No substitutions. One offer per guest, per visit. © 2014 Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. “Zaxby‘s” is registered trademark of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc.
Riddle Which one is faster, hot or cold? Hot. You can catch cold. Word Scramble Unscramble the letters to make words that make a sentence. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Het dre drib ustj tae a taf rowm. Brain Teaser A farmer has seventeen sheep. All but nine of them die. How many sheep does he have left?
Answers can be found at alachuacountyschoolnotes.org
Is your child struggling in school? Advanced methods will improve your child’s brain capabities
– Cindy P., Gainesville
“Within 3 weeks, Wow, I think I have a different daughter!”
Call 352-332-2420 for a Free Consultation www.listenez.com
• • • •
Focus Memory Sensory-Motor Reading • Language • Auditory
December 31st Proudly Presents the 2nd AnnuAl
rwyill! r u A PREMIER FAMILY FESTIVAL H s et tick sell out! WITH SNOW, ICE SLIDES & A FIREWORK SHOW! more fireworks more snow & ice slides more hamster balls more food more activities more princesses & superheros
For tickets and festival information, visit‌
www.NewYearsForKids.org sPeciAl thAnk you to the following sPonsors:
KTK
$15 off a phone repair or $20 off a tablet repair EXPIRES 1/15/15
$15 off a phone repair or $20 off a tablet repair EXPIRES 11/30/14
5off
y
A PURCHASE OF ArPURCHASErOFr y5-rORrMOREr $30 OR MORE
Limitronercouponrperrcustomerrperrday/rExcludingrallralcoholvrtobaccovr Limit one coupon per customer per day.rr Excluding all alcohol, tobacco, lotteryritemsvrmoneyrservicesvrpostagerstampsvrgiftrcardsvrfuelrandr lottery items, money services, postage stamps, gift cards and prescriptions. prescriptions/rCustomerrisrresponsibleforrallrapplicablertaxes/rReproductionr Customer is responsible for all applicable taxes. Reproduction or transfer of orrtransferrofrthisrcouponrconstitutesrfraud/rOfferrgoodr123-132-13212331313r this coupon constitutes fraud. Offer good until 1/15/2015 at your neighborhood Publix only in Alachua County. atryourrneighborhoodrPublix/r R
LUar11469 LU# 15122