HOME RIGHT AT
DECEMBER 2017
GROWING FRUITFUL CHILDREN The Pineapple School Page 4
Photo by: Greg Harrison
Christmas Handbell Concert – Sunday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro Ave. 78232; 210-494-8884.
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Experience PEACE at Summit Christian Center Saturday, Dec. 16, 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 17, 10:30 a.m. Christmas carols and worship service, photos with Santa, The Christmas Story reading and cookie decorating. Children may wear pajamas during the children’s service. Summit Christian Center, 2575 Marshall Road 78259; www.summitsa.com.
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The Stars at Night Race – Saturday, Dec. 16, 5:45 p.m. Nighttime half marathon, relay and St. Nick at Night 10k & 5k runs. San Antonio’s nighttime run at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort on the illuminated golf cart paths. 23808 Resort Parkway 78261; www.stnickrunthenight.com.
´ Kid’s Tumbling Camp – Wednesday, Dec. 27 – Friday, Dec. 29, 1 – 4 p.m. Keep the kids ages 4-13 busy and active over the holiday break with a fun-filled afternoon of tumbling and gymnastics. Mays Family YMCA, 21654 Blanco Road 78260; www.ymcasatx.org/maysfamily. 6th annual San Antonio Coffee Festival - Saturday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. A celebration of coffee and coffee-related arts and crafts. Local coffee artisans will roast and brew 40+ coffees. La Villita Historic Arts Village, 418 Villita St. 78205; lavillita@sanantonio.gov.
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Parents’ Day Out – Saturday, Dec. 16, noon- 4 p.m. Enjoy a day out or catch up on last minute shopping while the little ones are having a fun-filled, wellsupervised, active day at the YMCA. Mays Family YMCA, 21654 Blanco Road 78260; www.ymcasatx.org/maysfamily. Registration $15.
12/10
Bush Middle School PTA Holiday Band, Choir and Orchestra Concert – Wedesday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m. Bush Middle School, 1500 Evans Road 78258.
12/16
Reagan High School Holiday Orchestra Concert Wednesday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258.
Christmas Choral Cantata - Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, 14700 San Pedro Ave. 78232; 210-494-8884.
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Reagan Reindeer Run – Saturday, Dec. 9, 7 a.m. registration; 8:10 a.m., 1K start; 8:30 a.m., 5K start. Presented by iRun, benefitting Reagan Spirit. Santa Claus, elves, rocking Christmas music at each mile marker, face painting, food and hot chocolate, medals, photos with Santa, and Jeep raffle drawing. Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan Drive 78258; rattlerreindeer5K.com.
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Upcoming Events
High School Football Showcases – Saturday, Jan. 6. Noon and 5 p.m. The 18th U.S. Army All-American Bowl will feature the best high school football players and band members in the country. Then stay for the All-Star football game at 5 p.m., which highlights more than 100 of the best football players from Bexar and surrounding counties. Alamodome,100 Montana Street TX 78283; www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com. 210-820-2102.
Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.
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Growing Fruitful Children at The Pineapple School, a Spanish Immersion Early Learning Center
La Cocina de Lodo (The Mud Kitchen) encourages children to explore and create with kitchen tools and natural materials. By Amy Morgan
learn a language, you must have the culture your heart” – Susan Carvajal. “T oinreally
Those words sum up the mission of the Pineapple School – a place where children two months through five years of age grow and learn surrounded by the rich, colorful language and culture of Latin America. The Stone Oak campus, at 20615 Huebner Road, opened 2.5 years ago, joining its predecessor at 12222 Huebner Road.
“Children who learn a second language score statistically higher on standardized tests,” Susan said. “Studies have shown they are better problem solvers, have better reasoning skills and are better listeners.” Many of the families of children attending the Pineapple School have some connection to a Latin American heritage, but they don’t speak Spanish at home.
The Pineapple School is family owned and operated. Susan is a pediatric nurse practitioner who also holds a master’s degree in early childhood education. She and her husband, Dr. Hugo Carvajal, a pediatrician, owned a childcare center in Galveston when their three children were young. Eldest daughter, Krisana Puccio, fondly remembers attending preschool with her mother and siblings. Krisana met her husband, Juan, while attending business school in Costa Rica. The couple recognized the value of learning a second language at a young age, when languages are most easily absorbed. The Puccios wanted their home to be bilingual and bi-cultural, and hoped others would be like-minded when selecting an early learning center for their children. Together with Susan and Hugo, they created the Pineapple School.
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Students practice fine motor skills while constructing casas.
The Pineapple School hires Spanish-speaking teachers from different Latin American countries. According to Krisana, each is selected not just for their experience working with young children but also for their cariño, their nurturing, caring demeanor. School hours run from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., so students eat nutritious, Latin-inspired meals (such as picadillo, caldo de pollo and plantains) prepared onsite. Children develop a taste for Latin American food, while learning valuable lessons as they naturally interact during a family-style mealtime.
A teacher models how to use measuring tools.
Complete with Spanish immersion, the Pineapple School offers a year-round early learning program. Utilizing a handson learning approach, children are encouraged to explore with all their senses. The enriched curriculum focuses on developing the individual child in all areas of learning and teaches important skills like investigating, problem-solving and teamwork. “We strive to make learning fun and engaging. That’s one thing we want our students to take with them – a love for learning,” Krisana said.
Outside areas and activities are separated for age appropriate play.
Latin-inspired celebrations provide great opportunities for learning and experiencing the Latin culture. At Christmas this year, the children will create handmade ornaments to sell at a mercado. In November, the school celebrated Fiesta de Calabaza (Pumpkin Feast). Each year the Pineapple School children enjoy Carnaval Calaca, a Día de Los Muertos family celebration, in which they recognize the life of an author – this year being Dr. Seuss. La Plaza offers space for running, jumping and riding vehículos.
Upon entering the Pineapple School, the Latin American influence is instantly sensed. Colorful patterned tiles grace the floor, Spanish music plays throughout and the aroma of homemade comida fills the air. “What you see first is what we value most,” Susan added, as she pointed out El Patio, a large colorful common area where children gather to dance and sing, and La Biblioteca, its shelves filled with favorite books. Classrooms are designed with large windows to provide natural light and visibility. Jessie Bakke, Susan and Hugo’s younger daughter, helps run the Stone Oak campus with the school’s Director, Haydee Guerrero. With a background in landscape architecture, Jessie designed the playground to include a variety of play spaces in a natural setting. El Bosque includes a winding trail with trees and playhouses; La Cocina de Lodo (The Mud Kitchen) encourages children to explore and create with kitchen tools and natural materials. La Plaza offers space for running, jumping, riding vehículos and climbing.
“My favorite thing about the cultural immersion that we offer is that this exposure to different traditions and beliefs will stick with the children, and they will be more open and accepting of others,” Jessie said. “And I am so proud that the Pineapple School can touch their lives in that capacity.” For more info, please attend our OPEN HOUSE! Saturday, January 6th, 9:30am – 11:00am 20615 Huebner Rd. | (210) 967-3432 RSVP required: stoneoak@pineappleschool.com Parents and children welcome! Find us on Instagram @thepineappleschool and on Facebook! www.pineappleschool.com
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Family, Faith and Football Student Spotlight By Amy Morgan he future looked rosy last spring for Reagan High School senior Austin Ortega. He was the football team’s starting long snapper, and his years of dedication to the sport were about to culminate in his final varsity year.
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Then he broke his right hand in May and had to sit out the spring football game (and struggle writing with a cast through AP tests and finals.) Even worse, on the heels of that injury, he broke the slowest healing bone in his left hand. That repair required surgery and kept him out of competition all summer, including the national camps where long snappers complete so much of their training and make contact with college coaches. Ortega has kept his positive attitude throughout adversity and disappointment, relying on his faith and inspiration from his family to keep his spirits up. “My dad has been there for me. He sends me motivational texts and helps me ice and rehab,” Ortega said. As soon as he could take off his brace, Ortega and his dad, Abel, Jr., were out snapping together, retaining that muscle memory crucial to a long snapper’s success. On his worst days, Ortega remembers the legacy of his grandfather, who survived the Bataan Death March and was a WWII POW in Japan for 3 ½ years. “My grandpa told me, ‘An Ortega never quits,’ which has really helped me with my hand. What I have gone through doesn’t even compare to the tough times he survived. I know that if he could get through that, I can get through this,” Ortega said. “I will never forget his memory. Adversity made him stronger, and my challenges make me stronger.” While still living, Abel, Sr., shared stories of his experiences with his family. Abel, Jr. compiled them into a book, Courage on Bataan and Beyond, which is sold on Amazon or through Abel, Jr. Ortega treasures his autographed copy addressed to him by his grandpa as well as a bullet fired in the 21-gun salute at the funeral. Ortega’s faith is an important part of his life, he said, and credits his parents influencing him for Christ at a young age. He has served as a leader in Reagan’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) chapter for the last four years. He appreciates FCA’s influence in strengthening his faith and keeping him on the right path. Football Coach Lyndon Hamilton has words of praise, “Austin bleeds green. I can remember him as an incoming 9th grader, he was always rocking the Reagan brand,” Hamilton said. “Austin is Mr. Reagan, he never misses a basketball or baseball game and is full of energy. He is a huge piece of our football team and understands his role as a senior, setting the example for the underclassmen.” Currently ranked in the top 150 in the nation for long snapping, he has recently received a Preferred Walk-on offer from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Ortega learned from his brother, Justin, a 2010 Reagan graduate who long snapped at Texas A&M. “Justin taught me from the ground up,” Ortega said. “He told me just to block out everybody.” Texas A & M is the alma mater of his mother, Lorrie’s, side of the family. Although he loves the tradition, Ortega is leaning toward attending Texas State. He believes their communication department is a better fit for the sports broadcasting career to which he aspires. He is proud of the faith in God, work ethic and responsibility his parents have instilled in him. It’s also the little things in life that make him smile, like his mom bringing him lunch at school on Thursdays. Ortega is very grateful for the sacrifices his parents have made for him over the years by taking him to football camps and select baseball tournaments all over the country. Those experiences have taught him how to become a team player, be competitive and improve on the things he loves. Another family highlight includes eating at his favorite restaurant - Alamo Café. “That’s the best part of the day, when my parents say, ‘Grab the keys, we’re going out.’ That’s the way to my heart right there,” Ortega said.
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Austin Ortega is currently ranked in the top 150 in the nation for long snapping. He has recently received a Preferred Walk-on offer from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
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SENIOR MOMENT
Modern Miracle By Amy Morgan
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he life of Joe Glavan, Ed.D., is a modern miracle. The journey of the vibrant, enthusiastic 92-year-old has reached high peaks and low valleys – many just in the past two years. At age 91, Glavan was training to participate in his second Olympic-style Senior Games. The year before he had won a silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle swim and completed the mile walk. He enjoyed water aerobics and the exercise room at Independence Hill Retirement Community, where he has lived since 2012. But he began to notice his strength and coordination waning and soon became unable to walk or even feed himself. He had to leave his home and, as his condition deteriorated, move from assisted living, to skilled nursing, to hospice. He needed surgery but could not find a surgeon willing to operate on someone his age. Just steps from death’s door, he instructed his children to dispose of his possessions. His daughter, Katrina, clinging to hope, found one last physician willing to perform the needed surgery –spine surgeon Adewale Adeniran, M.D. The last chance surgery on July 8, 2016, corrected the spinal myelopathy in Glavan’s neck and gave him a new lease on life. “It is amazing what you take for granted,” Glavan said. “I lost the functionality of my hands. It was hard to find where my mouth was. I couldn’t even get out of bed.” He set three motivating goals: to be able to feed himself, to walk, and lastly, to move back to his beloved home in Independence Hill. The new physical therapy facilities at North Central Baptist Hospital were where he began his rehab after surgery. They still remember him, as he was one of their first patients and such a joyous man. It was there he focused the same determination he had devoted to his Olympic training into regaining command of his physical abilities. He started redeveloping his fine motor skills: squeezing small rubber balls in his hands, manipulating tiny beads imbedded in play dough and working on his core strength. He incorporated 15 minutes of cardio exercise on the stationary bicycle or elliptical machine, a habit he continues daily. His balance was poor, he said, and it was necessary for the former athlete to relearn how to walk. Glavan described how the therapists would throw balls at him from different angles while he was standing to help him improve his balance. “It is a slow process,” he said. “I didn’t realize how weak I was compared to how I used to be.” By the end of September 2016, he was able to move back to Independence Hill Assisted Living, and in January 2017, he was strong enough to return to his independent apartment in Independence Hill Retirement Community. Now he can take care of his personal needs and is looking forward to getting in the pool for water aerobics again soon. “When I get out of water aerobics I feel like a million bucks!” he said.
Joe Glaven, 92, shows off his silver medal he won for the 50-meter freestyle swim at the Olympic-style Senior Games a couple years ago. He can’t wait to get back into the pool.
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Until then, Glavan enjoys being back home. He loves the food, especially the delicious salmon. Katrina and her husband, Keith, join him for dinner every Sunday, and Wednesdays she takes him to the Parman library to check out the latest audio book releases. He listens to approximately 200 books a year, he said, with spy novels a favorite. And most days Glavan joins a group of fellow sharks for a rousing game of cards. They have a regular schedule of poker, bridge, pinochle and Ma-Jong. He keeps his ill-gotten gains - a large tin of nickels - ready for the next game. “The people I play with are really good,” he said, “and that makes it fun.” Glavan’s two other children, Joe and Denise, live in Colorado, where he retired from his position as Assistant Superintendent of Pueblo Colorado School District 60. His son traveled with him on the WWII Honor Flight to Washington D.C., a few years ago, where the U.S. Marine Corps veteran remembered his days serving in Okinawa, China and Guam when he was just 17. His latest goal: to be the oldest living WWII veteran.
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PET TIP
Holiday Joy starts with Toys!
By Courtney Crowley
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ne of the greatest joys of the holiday season is sharing love through giving. And what evokes more excitement than the gift of toys so much so that we donate them through organizations like Toys for Tots, Blue Santa, and Elf Louise. As you make your lists and search for that perfect toy, don’t forget to include your furry children. Toys can help keep your dog from getting bored and becoming destructive. They can be a great motivational prize for training and help Fido burn extra energy. And it feels good to demonstrate your love for your pet with a gift. Finding the perfect present for your pup is not always easy. The pet retail industry has grown so much in the past years, a variety of toys are available at many different retailers - so much so it can be overwhelming to find the most appropriate selection for your pooch. Keep in mind your dog’s size, activity level and age when selecting a toy. If you have a puppy, remember the perfect toy for him will change as he grows. Ask your vet for suggestions about what is best for your dog. When selecting, assess a toy’s strength, especially if your dog likes to tear things apart. Plush toys are a favorite gift, but they can be easy to destroy. Some manufacturers have created more durable plush toys for heavy chewers by double stitching seams, using stronger material, and stuffing with alternative fillings. Check a toy’s tag to see if it is a good fit for your furry family member.
Sound effects are another popular feature of dog toys. They can range from a common squeaker or crinkle sound, to an elaborate recording of the owner’s voice. Some toys even incorporate an on and off switch so the noise does not have to be constant – saving your ears! Sound effects encourage the dog to interact with the toy, but always supervise if the toy does contain an internal component your dog could remove, because it could become a choking hazard. In the same vein, choose a toy that is large enough so that it is not accidentally swallowed. As you make your list and check it twice, enjoy sharing holiday cheer with all your family members – furry or otherwise.
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Methodist Stone Oak Opens New Patient Tower!
On October 26th, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital celebrated the grand opening of their new 100 bed patient tower. Former Spurs player Sean Elliott was the guest emcee for the event and everyone enjoyed a surprise appearance from the Spurs Coyote. The new 4-story patient tower adds 102 additional beds and over one hundred thousand square feet of medical facility to Methodist Stone Oak Hospital.
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4-Story Tower 102 More Beds 100K Additional Sq. Ft. The recent expansion at Methodist Stone Oak Hospital is a direct response to meet the growing needs of our community, and to make sure patients, families and friends have a place to park that is complimentary and convenient. The new expansion includes: • 4-story tower, with more than 100K additional sq.ft. • Renovation of approx. 20K sq.ft. on existing floor • 102 additional beds • More space for Women’s Services and NICU • 15-bed acute rehabilitation facility • 4-story parking garage As our community grows, so will Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. Our goal is to continue expanding in order to provide the most complete and innovative health care for everyone who walks through our doors.
1139 E. Sonterra Blvd. • San Antonio, TX 78258 www.StoneOakHealth.com
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