March/April 2021 by Adams Street Publishing Co.

FREE MAR/APR 2021

TIN

ver

ST AR TS

IT'S TIME FOR

Make it a season to remember! p14

d n a e r a c d l i h C e d i u G l o o h c Pres tions Toledo's best op w! p10 to learn and gro

Maker Minded Teach your kids

to love creating! p19

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Toledo’s Award-Winning Parent Newspaper Volume 29 • Issue 2 MAR/APR 2021

ONLINE FOLLOW US: toledoparent.com

Find, like and follow us /toledoparent

Then follow what we like! /toledoparent

We’re celebrating kids and family #toledoparent on Instagram!

MARCH/APRIL GIVEAWAY Dowdle Puzzles!

Creating the World You Need

Lilah in the Land of the Littles heals big feelings

Creating opportunities

The Ability Center accepting scholarship applications

Cov

er K

SEE

FREE

2021 N/FEB

most read online

CHIL

id!

Health ess

welln

r ise you d exerc 15 p eat an , . e il ss e m S welln way to

ss the Cla ead of cators: 'always

5 Edu ers, p1 l' work essentia

tter ds Ma p9

Wor

y, inolog ty term Disabili 

W NE MN LU CO

ing Learn me o H t a imal lover

 n zoo/a For the

p25

1 2 3

Folk artist Eric Dowdle has become a family favorite for his richly observed works that capture a sense of nostalgia and joy. Beyond their popularity as works of art, Dowdle’s drawings are wildly successful as the basis for a series of acclaimed jigsaw puzzles. Enjoy family time with this month’s Toledo Area Parent giveaway: Two Dowdle puzzles from DowdleFolkArt.com! The first, a 100-piece puzzle depicting a classic American Train Station, would be ideal for the younger members of the household to put together in an evening. The second, a 500-piece work featuring game day at Ohio State University’s football stadium, makes for an excellent weekend project!

Visit toledoparent.com to enter.

Family Favorites Nominations 2021

Congratulations to JENNIFER ROSENBROOK Winner of the Flower Garden Build and Spin in January/February contest!

Cover Kid Contest Head of the Class 2021

WORKING FROM HOME

...or hardly working? You tell us! Just like many in the era of COVID-19, Toledo Area Parent staffers and freelancers have put in plenty of hours from their homes. Here’s a look at some “working from home” photos as we put together this issue!

Jeff McGinnis, assignment editor

Aya Khalil, freelance writer

Collette Jacobs, publisher

Kimberly Feldkamp, freelance writer, with her family

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

Find Your Next Great Find your next great read with Read With the Library

the Library! Not sure what to read next? The Library can help!

Kids Astrology By Kimmie Rose

Try a Book Bundle

We’ll put together a bag of books, movies, or DVDs based on your age and preferred subject matter (mystery, romance, science fiction, and more – or let us surprise you!)

PISCES Feb. 19-March 20

can help!

Library staff love to read and then write about their favorite finds. Try a Book Bundle Check out their blogs about cooking, decorating, home repairs, We’ll put together a bag of books, parenting, and so much more.

movies, or DVDs based on your age and

Subscribe to monthly book listspreferred subject matter (mystery,

Get a list of our newest acquisitions sent right to your email you romance, science fiction, and so more – or can request materials while theylet are hot! us surprise you!)

Join a book group

Get personalized recommendations Join a book group to read more while also enjoying new friends Tellbook us titles you have in the and conversation. With 12 different groups that enjoyed meet via past,and and meeting we’ll maketime recommendations Zoom once a month, there is a genre for all! just for you! Call 419.259.5200 or any Library location or visit toledolibrary.org to get started!

Read our blog Library staff love to read and then write about their favorite finds. Check out their blogs about cooking, decorating, home repairs, parenting, and so much more. Subscribe to monthly book lists Get a list of our newest acquisitions sent right to your email so you can request materials while they are hot! Join a book group Join a book group to read more while also enjoying new friends and conversation. With 12 different book groups that meet via Zoom once a month, there is a genre and meeting time for all! Call 419.259.5200 or any Library location or visit toledolibrary.org to get started!

Your Pisces child is imaginative and extraordinarily intuitive. They will sometimes surprise you with dreams and visions that eventually become reality. They perceive but do not understand everything that is happening around them— they are still learning, after all! Your child can be somewhat dreamy and lost in their own little world at times, and this month is a perfect time for your little dreamer to express themselves. Ask your child what they want to do when they grow up and make a dream book with them. Take them on a trip to the Toledo Museum of Art, maybe sign up for a few classes. Have them look through pictures in magazines and let them draw. Be sure to let them use different colors and use all the five senses when putting their dreams on paper. They manifest best when seeing holographically!

ARIES

Tell us titles you have enjoyed in the past, and we’ll make recommendations just for you! Not sure what to read next? The Library

When are you happiest? Publisher/Editor in Chief

Collette Jacobs (cjacobs@toledoparent.com) AT HOME IN FRONT OF THE FIRE OR ON A SUNNY BEACH WITH A GOOD BOOK.

Co-publisher/Chief Financial Officer Mark I. Jacobs (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) WHEN WE’RE ON DEADLINE.

Editorial

Interim Assignment Editor Jeff McGinnis

Get personalized recommendations

Read our blog

Adams Street Publishing Co.

March 21-April 19 Your little Aries is strong willed, motivated and full of energy! They will be especially anxious this month as spring arrives. This child is tired of being cooped up inside and anxious to get outside for all the fun they can get into! It’s going to be a challenge to keep them focused. This is a perfect time to teach your little Aries that nature and humans can cooperate during this changing of the seasons. Go to the Toledo Public Library and pick up a book about Spring. “Spring is Here” by Will Hillenbrand is a great read and a way to calm your little Ram’s anxiety to go outside— now, now, now! By reading, you are exercising their energy in a different way and teaching them why everything outside is changing, and how they can help you prepare the yard so they can burn their adventurous energy off! This is a great month to teach your little Aries patience and discernment for everything in life!

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

(mcginnis@adamsstreetpublishing.com) PLAYING WITH MY NIECES.

Digital Media Nate Light (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) CHILLING WITH MY DOG OR WHEN RIDING A GOOD HILL ON MY MOUTAIN BIKE.

Digital Marketing & Social Media Margot Jacobs (margot@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DRINKING A MARGARITA POOLSIDE. Contributing Writers Erin Marsh, Tanni Haas, PhD, Janeen Lewis, Phoebe Samuel Rapp, Erin Holden

Advertising

Sales Coordinator/Classifieds Shannon Meyer

(smeyer@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

TETRIS BATTLE ROYALE TIME ON A MOVIE SCREEN WITH MY FAMILY. Sales Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@adamsstreetpublishing.com) SPEND MORE TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. Jenny Leach (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) ANYTIME I CAN BE WITH MY SON! Suzanne Bell (sbell@adamsstreetpublishing.com) HOME IN BED, WATCHING NETFLIX.

Art/Production

Production Manager Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) WHEN I’M CREATING. Senior Designer

Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BASEBALL GAME IN LATE SPRING WITH A BEER.

Administration

Accounting Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledoparent.com) CAMPING IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN Distribution Shannon Meyer (distribution@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

Advertising/General Info

For advertising and general information, call 419-244-9859 or fax 419-244-9871. E-mail ads to adsin@adamsstreetpublishing.com. Deadline for advertising copy 2 p.m. Friday before publication. Toledo Area Parent subscriptions are available by mail for $30 per year at Adams Street Publishing, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio 43604. One copy free per person per week; extra copies $1 each. Persons taking copies for any reason other than personal use are subject to prosecution. Letters to the editor must be limited to 300 words, are subject to editing, and should include the writer’s full name and phone number. Any letter submitted to the editor or publisher may be printed at the publisher’s discretion in issues subsequent to its receipt. Entire contents © 2021 by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

Also publishers of:

Audited by

Winter Wonderland Fun! Whether they were enjoying the snow outside or staying bundled up indoors, Toledo families shared how they have been making it through Ohio’s coldest days! Have a photo you want to share? Email it to toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing!

Neal and Ensley Spurgeon, 5 months old, making granola with dad, Perrysburg.

Evan Lott, 2.5 years old, Curtice.

Zoë Archer, 10th birthday celebration, Toledo.

Rylee Mae Royer, 2 years old, Sylvania.

Zoey Jo Nowicki, 1.5 years old & Peyton Nowicki, 5 years old, Toledo.

Evelyn Quigg, 4 years old, Toledo.

Layla Zychowicz, 8 years old, Toledo, with her dog Gingerbread.

www.toledoparent.com • March 2021 •

Cats may have lasting benefits for kids with autism

A new study from the University of Missouri suggests that owning a cat may have long-lasting benefits

for children with autism. Gretchen Carlisle, a research scientist at the Missouri Research Center for HumanAnimal Interaction, recruited families with autistic children ages 6-14 for a study which found that families who adopted a cat reported their child had a long-lasting bond with the pet and that the children’s anxiety levels decreased over time. The results were recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing.

Campbell donates to NWO Girls on the Run The local arm of a charity aimed at keeping young women active has received a $10,000 grant to bolster their efforts. Girls on the Run of Northwest Ohio announced the donation from the Campbell Soup Foundation in January. The money is part of a larger grant from Campbell aimed at offering strategic support during the fight against COVID-19, aimed at helping girls around the country and in “Campbell Communities,” including Napoleon, Ohio. Girls on the Run is a program that works to encourage preteen girls to maintain healthy lifestyles and grow self confidence through running.

Michelle Obama brings new kids’ series to Netflix

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will be the star and executive producer of a new cooking show aimed at kids. Obama announced the project, Wafﬂes + Mochi, via her Facebook page on February 9. “In many ways, this show is an extension of my work to support children’s health as First Lady,” Obama explained. The program’s focus is a pair of puppets learning about food and work to become chefs. Obama will act as a supermarket owner who helps guide Waffles and Mochi in their adventures. The series will be available for streaming on Netflix beginning on March 16. -JM Photo courtesy: Michelle Obama’s Facebook page

Bowinkles Bash delivers themed sleepovers for families

Give your child the sleepover of their dreams with the new Bowinkles Bash program. Billed as “Toledo’s first luxury sleepover rental

company,” parents can choose from a number of party themes for their kids— Unicorn, Superheroes, Harry Potter and more. Bowinkles provides all the decor, with either pickup or delivery options available. Prices vary depending on the size of the party, and every kid will get a goodie bag to keep. $150-300. 5627 Main St., Sylvania. 567-455-5939. bowinklesboutique.com

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

tween the lines

PHOTO BY VAPORESSO ON UNSPLASH

advice for parents with children 10-16 Super suds from Buff City

8 Signs That Your Kids May Be Vaping

Plant-based body wash creators Buff City Soap opened a new Toledo location at 3444 Secor Rd., near Whole Foods. What began in a firefighter’s garage in 2013 has expanded to dozens of locations around the country, with an eye on opening more than 1,000 within the next five years. The Toledo store joins one on Orchard Centre Dr. in Holland, which opened in 2019. facebook.com/BuffCitySoapToledo

Get some air!

By Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

Vaping is on the rise. According to the latest figures, an astonishing 20% of all high school students, or one in five students, vape regularly. But how do you know if your kids are among them? Drawing on the insights of reputable institutions such as the Centers for Disease Control, the Child Mind Institute, and the Partnership For DrugFree Kids, here is a list of potential warning signs for parents:

Increased Thirst. When you vape, your mouth and throat become dry. Kids who vape often start drinking more than usual. Many have dark circles under their eyes, another common sign of dehydration.

Desire For Spicy Food. Everyone needs moisture to taste the flavor of food. When our mouths get dry, we lose the ability to taste flavor. If you notice your kids suddenly want to eat more spicy food, or add more spice to their regular food, it could be a sign that they’ve started to vape. In fact, the more kids vape, the less flavorful food becomes to them. This is known as “vaper’s tongue.”

Frequent Nosebleeds. Vaping not only dries out the mouth and throat, but also the nose. When people vape, they typically exhale through their noses which causes the nasal passages to become dry. This, in turn, can lead to frequent nosebleeds.

Acne and Red Spots. Vaping, especially inhaling vaping liquids that contain nicotine, can also affect the skin. Nicotine ages the skin and slows down the healing of wounds. Kids who vape are more likely to have facial blemishes, including acne and red spots, that last longer and don’t heal easily.

Wheezing, Coughing, and Shortness of Breath. Vaping irritates the lungs and can lead to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. In extreme cases, an inflammation of the lungs can lead to bacterial infection and pneumonia.

Less Java. If your kids usually enjoy caffeinated drinks, like frappucinos or energy drinks, but suddenly start to avoid them, it could be a sign that they’re vaping. When combined with caffeine, the nicotine in many vaping liquids can make people anxious and irritable and cause severe mood swings. Vapers often give up caffeine to avoid these side effects.

Kids can find indoor excitement at the newlyopened Urban Air Adventure Park, located at 5243 Airport Hwy., in the former location of the Burlington Coat Factory. Featuring attractions like go-karts, a ropes course, climbing walls, the Sky Rider and more, Urban Air promises hours of fun. Attendees can enjoy the park’s activities for a two-hour window, with prices ranging from $14.99 to $34.99 depending on the attractions. For more information or to buy tickets, visit urbanairtrampolinepark.com

Mercy Health Children’s goes (with) Nationwide

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, a pediatric center based out of Columbus, announced that it will acquire Mercy Health Children’s Hospital effective January 1, 2022. The acquisition comes after a year of the two facilities working as affiliates. Nationwide has announced plans to recruit additional physicians and invest in future programs, though there are no immediate plans to expand the existing Cherry Street facility.

VOTING STARTS APRIL 1

Sweet Aromas In The Air. Since most kids prefer vaping liquids with sweet flavors, one sign that your kids may be vaping is a strange, sweet scent comng from their rooms like bubble gum or fruit punch. If you suddenly get a whiff when your kids aren’t home, they could be hiding vaping flavored liquids in the house.

Strange Techie Equipment In Their Rooms. A sign that your kids may be vaping is if you find unfamiliar, high tech-looking devices or spare parts in their rooms, especially the trash can. This can include things like atomizers, battery chargers, cartridges, flash drives, and metallic coils. Most vaping devices consist of multiple parts that need to be replaced on a regular basis.

Voting runs from April 1 until April 30

toledoparent.com

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILIES for parents of children with special needs

Research Non-Compliance Issues If the school indicates a plan to remove IEP services, the school might not be providing the accommodations. Often the district wants to declassify because the child “does not use” the IEP accommodations. This may be the fault of the school and a non-compliance issue of the district. Children may not use services because they are stigmatized and/or child may not be a good self-advocate. Using services is not the responsibility of the student, it’s the responsibility of the school team to enforce.

What To Do When The School Wants To Remove IEP Services By Toledo Parent Staff Jennifer’s son was on an IEP (Individual Education Plan) for seven years due to a diagnosis of ADHD and an LD (learning disability) in writing and reading. During her son’s most recent team meeting, the school personnel stated they would like to remove his services since he was doing well in school. Jennifer felt that if the services were removed that her son would not continue to receive good grades. According to the National Center for Statistics, the number of students receiving special education services has increased, from 6.4 million to 7.0 million between 2011–12 and 2017–18. The National Educational Association states that nationwide the current average per student cost in public schools is $7,552 and the average cost per special education student is an additional $9,369 per student (total average cost is $16,921 per special education student). This additional cost might be a reason school personnel would want to remove services for IEP students who are receiving high grades. “If a child is improving and meeting goals that does not mean declassification is the answer. In my practice, 99% of the time a child’s performance improves due to the IEP services. Removing the services could lead to regression,” says Dr. Kimberly Williams, a Pediatric Neuropsychologist and Clinical Psychologist. When the school recommends removing your child’s IEP services, here are some suggestions to follow:

Enable Your Right to Stay Put

Many parents don’t realize that if a school tries to remove IEP services, they can enact their legal right to “stay put” which means the services must stay in place. Under the law, parents are a member of the special education team (even though it may not feel that way at times). You can submit a letter requesting that the services “stay put” which means that the IEP cannot be removed.

Get Documents Time Stamped

Any letters such as a “stay put letter” that you submit needs to be time-stamped to prove that the school received the letter. If your case moves to mediation or due process, then you will need documentation to prove your case. If it isn’t stamped as received, school personnel can state they never received it. 8

Request Meeting Notes

You can request meeting notes from every IEP meeting. It is recommended that you do this for every meeting, even non-contentious ones so that you have a record of everything discussed.

Speak To Free Organizations

A Parent Training and Information Center is an organization that provides free information to parents of children with disabilities. This organization can provide you with free advice regarding the next steps to take. By federal mandate, every state must have a Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities. Ohio’s program, Disability Rights Ohio, can be accessed at disabilityrightsohio.org or by calling 800-282-9181.

IEP’s Don’t Expire

An IEP does not “expire.” It remains in effect until a new one is written, or [parents and educators] agree that an IEP for specialized instruction and related services are no longer needed. If you write a “stay-put letter” then the last IEP remains in place until the disagreement with the school is resolved.

7 Check if the Student Achieved the IEP Goals Parents must ask if the IEP goals and the objectives have fully been achieved. “Almost there” or “we anticipate improvements” does not count. If goals have not been achieved an IEP cannot be terminated. If it is determined that the IEP goals have been 100% achieved, then new goals may be necessary. Often the IEP goals and objectives are improperly written and the means to objectively measure success is inadequate. Parents should closely review the IEP goals and, with the ssistance of an organization like Disability Rights Ohio, consider having a neuropsychologist review them. Parents can say, “Based on the information presented, the child has not met his goals so the IEP has not been met.”

Request Additional Testing

If you don’t agree with the school’s evaluation, parents have the right to request additional testing. Parents can ask for an evaluation if one has not been completed within three years by the district. If an evaluation has been completed within three years and the parents don’t agree with the findings, then they can request that the school district provide an Independent Evaluation. Normally the parent is given a list of experts in the area and field to choose from and the amount the district will pay for the evaluation.

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Use Data

If your case goes to mediation or court, then they will want to see data such as official state test scores and evaluations. School grades are subjective and do not count as grounds to remove an IEP. Also, one data point (or evaluation test) is not enough evidence to remove an IEP. Sometimes schools respond to data and evidence. A parent can research and explain that ADHD is a lifelong disorder. Although children’s symptoms can improve, as curriculum demands change, they can still require accommodations. In the situation of the student receiving an IEP for seven years that already implies longstanding needs for support and if changes must occur, it should be gradual and not all at once. You can also provide other types of data such as a record of the number of hours, it takes to complete homework. Parents can present information that teachers wouldn’t necessarily see, such as a log of how late a student stays up completing homework or the stress they express to parents or other trusted adults. Often, school personnel see high grades and a student well prepared for class without understanding the effort it took to achieve the grades. Parents are a mandatory part of the IEP and so their evidence of how the student functions outside of the school is critical information that must be considered and written into the present “levels of performance” section of the plan. Parents can state, “Based on the data presented, there is still a gap in the child’s academics/behaviors that can only be addressed through specialized supports and services.”

Try to Collaborate with the School It may feel challenging to work with the school, but it is important to try to reach a middle ground because that is usually the best option for your child. It is important for parents to work with their school districts. Often, the best outcomes for kids occur when parents and school districts work together in a collaborative manner. While that is not always possible, that should be the goal.

Hire An Advocate or an Education Lawyer If you are unable to make any progress with collaborating with the school regarding your child’s special education services, it might be necessary to hire a professional. Special education attorneys and non attorney parent advocates can highly effective. Contact the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West at 419245-4150.



NEW MN U L O C



Learning at Home

Technology makes it cool to learn science and math By Erin Schoen Marsh

Photomath Helps Parents Solve Tricky Math Problems

At-home learning has proven that the new math is tricky to learn. With an app like Photomath, helping to solve those tricky math problems becomes easier.

Let’s face it, the new way to do math can be challenging for those of us who were taught 20 or more years ago. And learning from home has made helping kids with their math homework all the more difficult. Luckily, the app, Photomath, allows parents to help their kids solve math problems. Photomath is a camera calculator app that allows you to scan and solve math equations. The app is supported by both Android and iOS systems, and makes calculations simpler, easier, and fun. To use the app, you’ll need to open the camera, point it towards the math problem on the page, and Photomath will solve it for you. Additionally, Photomath provides a step-by-step breakdown of each solution. It’s the perfect way to work with your child to understand new math processes. The Photomath features handwriting recognition, simple user-interface with a top-notch performance level guaranteed. Photomath isn’t a large app, making it easy to download. It’s the perfect way to better understand math and to help your child reach mathematical success.

Other options:

The Imagination Station The Imagination Station offers a series of fun experiments for you to do at home with your kids. With simple, step-by-step instructions and common ingredients, you can learn about the chemistry behind lava lamps, making Alka-Seltzer rockets, learn why soap floats and much more. Check it out at imaginationstationtoledo.org.

Directions Credit Union Teach your kids about the meaning of money with Finances 101, linked through the Directions Credit Union website. Finances 101 is a free online game that is designed to entertain and educate young people about finances, including managing a virtual checkbook and growing to understand how money is a limited resource. directionscu.org

SciDome Planetarium The fascinating story of high-velocity jets of electrified gas erupting from the surface of the sun is examined in the documentary short Solar Superstorms. Hosted online by the SciDome Planetarium at the Works in partnership with Spitz, Inc, the short also provides a thorough breakdown of the inner workings of our nearest star. Watch at bit.ly/3triGM6

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

In an uncertain era, parents have much to keep in mind as they seek out childcare and preschools that are safe, affordable and effective. Learn about some of the Toledo area’s best options!

Children’s Discovery Center

What kind of diversity experience does the school offer? Enrollment is available to any child regardless of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Downtown Toledo: 338 N St Clair St. | 419-255-4890 West Toledo: 3839 Talmadge Rd.| 419-474-8303

What kind of support does your school offer for children with special needs? Child Assessments: Formal and informal assessments are conducted on each child to evaluate developmental progress of educational and social/emotional skills. If there are areas of concern, community referrals may be made upon the parent’s request.

Perrysburg: 11090 Avenue Rd. | 419-874-8203 childrensdiscoverycenters.com Is your curriculum playbased, academic-based or something different? Children’s Discovery Center was founded on a mission to cultivate and nurture young minds through the unique Reggio Emilia education model. Recognized around the world, this inquiry-based approach invites children to explore concepts by investigating, creating and collaboratively solving problems as a group. The teacher and children work together to design projects that encourage growth in physical, emotional, creative and intellectual development. The teacher facilitates higher level thinking with the child, and acts as a resource, guide and documenter of learning in the classroom. Since our educational philosophy views children as competent, capable and amazing, we seek to nurture their interests by creating developmentally appropriate learning centers that focus on each child’s interests. We also believe early childhood learning begins with discovery

in a compassionate environment. The atmosphere we have cultivated in our various centers is best described as adhering to The Seven Principles of Early Childhood Classroom Design: Nature Inspires Beauty, Color Generates Interest, Furnishings Define Space, Texture Adds Depth, Displays Enhance Environment, Elements Heighten Ambiance and Focal Points Attract Attention. Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days? We offer full and half days. We do provide lunch. Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents? We are open 7:00 am-6:00pm Monday- Friday. Some locations have extended hours.

What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold? The Executive Director has a Master’s degree in Education and thirty-eight years of experience in early childhood. The Chief Operating Officer holds a bachelor’s degree, has taken graduate coursework in early education, and has twenty-five years of experience in the field. Most teachers and center directors are graduates of accredited colleges and universities where they majored in Early Childhood, Elementary Education or a related field. What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating? Three. How long has the school been operating? Children’s Discovery Center has been operating since 1982.

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

What is your school’s goal/ mission? Children’s Discovery Center, a premier early care and education provider, respects the child, encourages learning through exploration, and supports the family within a creative, nurturing, and Christian environment. What sets your center apart from others?

Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood

STEAM Component Enrichment Classes Attractive Facilities and Equipment

Nutritionally Balanced Meals Christian Philosophy Accredited Kindergarten Parent Conferences & Newsletters

Cont’d on p12

VOTING STARTS APRIL 1

Voting runs from April 1 until April 30

toledoparent.com

Now Enrolling K- 3

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Educare Academy

What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating? All 10 locations are five-star rated.

Euclid: 631 Euclid Ave. | 419-691-6444 Oregon: 3158 Navarre Ave. | 419-693-6982

How long has the school been operating? We have been in business for over 50 years.

What kind of diversity does the school offer? All children are welcome in our centers. Cultural diversity in our classrooms involves celebrating those differences and creating a culture of inclusion and acceptance among students and the greater school community.

EducareAcademy.com

Is your curriculum playbased, academic-based, or something different? The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, Guided Edition is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features hands-on, project-based investigations as a pathway to learning. It includes the most up-to-date early childhood development research and offers the embedded support and guidance to bring a content-rich, developmentally appropriate curriculum to life effectively.

Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days? The program is 2 days a week. M/W or T/TH 9:003:15. Yes, breakfast, lunch, and snack are provided. Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up for working parents? Our program hours are 6:00am-6:00pm

What is the adult to child ratio? 1:12 What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold? Child Development Association (CDA), AA or BA in Early childhood education or related field. There is ongoing Professional development yearly (30 hours)

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

What kind of support does your school offer for children with special needs? We have partnerships with many facilities in our community. What sets your center apart from others? We have a SUTQ 5 star rating.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Sylvania Children’s Center

What kind of support does your school offer for children with special needs? We provide smaller class sizes, hands-on learning, and additional support and partnerships with agencies in the area.

3421 Talmadge Rd. | 419-537-1122 sylvaniachildren.com Is your curriculum playbased, academic-based or something different? Play and nature-based, with a focus on learning through the children’s interests. We love to facilitate engaged learning experiences for our community of learners! Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days? We do provide half day and full day options, as well as options to have a few days or a full week. We believe that lunch is an extension of the home and family, so our children pack a healthy lunch daily. We do provide at least 2 snacks daily as well. In the late Spring and early Summer, this could very likely be coming out of our garden. Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents? Our school day is from 8:30am3pm, however, we do offer Extended Care from 7:30am to 6pm.

What sets your center apart from others? We strive to build a community of learners with a focus on excellence. Our play-based environment is quite welcoming, naturebased, and completely surrounded around the needs of each child. We love what we do, and we think you can feel it as you come into our doors!

What is the adult to child ratio? As we are a NAEYC accredited Center as well as rated 5 stars on Step Up to Quality, our ratios are 1 to 4 for Infants, 1 to 6 for Toddlers, and 1 to 10 for Preschoolers! What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold? Our teachers hold degrees in Early Childhood Education. Our professional development requirements are double the state licensure requirements!

What is the school’s Step Up to Quality star rating? We are very proud of our 5 star rating and strive to continuously push for excellence! How long has the school been operating? 29 years and going! What kind of diversity experience does the school offer? We celebrate diversity both amongst our staff and children. Looking around, you will find an experience that welcomes all!

What does an average day look like at your childcare center? Our school day is from 8:30-3, but we offer care from 7:30am- 6pm. A very full day awaits every child that comes in, with much exploration and investigation. We love our outdoor playspace, and spend a lot of time there— rain or shine! Have you seen our garden? Let us offer you a favorite vegetable! Whether it’s reading a favorite book tucked away into the loft, or playing outdoors with your closest friend digging for buried treasure in our digging pit, we have something for everyone. What is your school’s goal/ mission? Our mission is to develop a community of learners committed to excellence in Early Childhood Education! It’s a partnership and a team effort, and we love the inclusion of all!

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Spring is coming soon! And you know what comes after spring? Yep, summer vacation! Yay! But how will you keep your kids occupied once school is out for the year? Time to think about how to make this a summer to remember.

+ SPOTLIGHTS

Children’s Theatre Workshop 2417 Collingwood Blvd. 419-244-5061 ctwtoledo.org No matter what your young star wants to focus on, the Children’s Theatre Workshop has an outlet for them this summer. Kids ages 4-12 can sign up for Theatre Day Camps, with plenty of theater games and activities. Performers ages 7-15 can join an Acting Day Camp, where they’ll get the chance to stretch their performing muscles in a “play in a week” format. And Musical Theatre Camps are open for anyone ages 7-18, where attendees will prepare and present a full musical production. Sessions and schedules vary.

SafeSplash + SwimLabs Swim School 1510 Spring Meadows Dr. #D-100, Holland. 419-370-2801 safesplash.com SafeSplash is aimed at making kids into lifelong swimmers, and their programs are aimed at consistent training that builds a child’s skill and confidence. To that end, SafeSplash offers swim camps over the course of the summer, consisting of one week, three day groups of lessons. The classes meet over three consecutive days, with two students to each teacher, and are designed help jump start the students’ development. Whether your child is just getting started or an advanced swimmer, SafeSplash has lessons they will find valuable. And if they’re really advanced, SafeSplash offers Stroke Clinics specifically for advanced swimmers, too. Sessions and schedules vary.

Camp Wise Overnight Camp in Chardon, Ohio 216-593-6250 campwise.org wisekids@mandeljcc.org For over 110 summers, Camp Wise has specialized in creating memorable experiences for children entering grades 2-12. At Camp Wise, children get to experience the adventure of a 40-foot-high zip line, the thrill of jet skiing on a private lake, the excitement of learning to ride a horse, and so much more while developing self-confidence, independence and friendships to last a lifetime, all in a safe and healthy environment. Visit our website to learn more! 2 week, 4 week, or 7 week summer options campwise.org/dates-and-rates Cont’d on p16

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

e t o V e Pleas ! for Us WHAT WE OFFER... n Warm

water class sizes n Convenient scheduling n Knowledgeable/ Educated instructors n Proven/successful curriculum n State of the art/ modern facility n Fun environment n Healthy/chemically balanced pool water n Small

419.370.2801 | 1510 Spring Meadows Drive #D-100 | Holland www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Cont’d from p14

Toledo Museum of Art 2444 Monroe St. 419-255-8000 toledomuseum.org Get creative! Youth ages 5-18 will have the opportunity to be inspired by works in the Toledo Museum of Art collections and special exhibitions, and create their own unique works of art. Exciting camp options include digital photography, stopmotion animation, drawing, painting and more. More information on scholarships and registration is available at toledomuseum.org/education/classes Spring Break Art Camp: April 5-10 (registration now open) Summer Art Camp: June 7-July 30 (registration open March 1)

N O I T A C U ED e d i Gu

MAKE SURE YOUR SCHOOL IS INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION! FREE BONUS EDIT ISSUE DATE: MAY 1ST RESERVE BY: APR. 15TH

RESERVE SPACE NOW!! Call 419.244.9859 or Email Sales@AdamsStreetPublishing.com 16

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Camp Invention 800-968-4332 invent.org/local Energize your kid’s creativity and confidence with our new Camp Invention® program, Recharge! When this nationally acclaimed program returns to the Toledo area, campers in grades K-6 will collaborate with friends in hands-on, open-ended STEM challenges. They’ll take apart a microphone to explore its inner workings, build and test a device to launch rubber ducks, and design morphing vehicles for the Super Road Rally! Each activity is designed to inspire curiosity, spark imaginations and give your young innovator the best summer ever. Visit invent.org/local to secure your spot and save! Given the challenges presented by the pandemic, we are planning to run the 2021 Camp Invention program in person and virtually, so you can choose the format that works best for your child. Even better, you have the option to change your format selection up to six weeks before the program start date. Camp Invention At-home, hosted by Grove Patterson Academy: June 14-18 Toledo Christian School, 2303 Brookford Dr., In-person and at-home available: June 7-11

toledoparent.com www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

FREE SEPT/OCT 2020

VOTING STARTS APRIL 1

School guide

COVER KID WINNER!

Toledo’s Cody Moring (3) won the Toledo Parent Cover Kid Contest.

This school year is so different, and Toledo Parent covers it all. p10

School Open House Guide

Schools are going above and beyond to accommodate their students? p14

How are local moms Want to teach your Check out some mask-wearing tips REALLY handling kids anti-racism? for kids as schools parenting during Start with two popular reopen. p13 COVID-19? p18 kids movies. p20

Make your child

Cover Kid! You sent in your photos, now it’s time to vote! Head to toledoparent.com and show your support for youir favorite Cover Kid candidates!

Voting begins 3/1/21 and runs to April 5. To vote, visit toledoareaparent.com and click on the contest link.

toledoparent.com Voting runs from April 1 until April 30 18

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Photography Sponsor: Raven Leigh Photography, LLC RavenLeighPhoto.mypixieset.com

Maker-Minded Raising DIY Kids By Janeen Lewis

When your electronic gadgets break, does your tween fix them? Do you have a child that builds elaborate housing for pets and dolls out of scraps of craft materials and cardboard boxes? Maybe you’re raising entrepreneurial teens with ideas that could make them the next Facebook or Snapchat inventor, app creator, or “Shark Tank” winner. If any of this sounds familiar, you may have a Maker on your hands. But what exactly does that mean? What is the Maker Movement? The Maker Movement is a quickly growing culture that embraces the idea that learning is done best through doing. It includes do-it-yourself individuals and groups that create things, and its members are producers more than consumers, says Irm Diorio, executive director of a maker space. While some makers work in maker spaces, others tinker in their homes and garages. Some maker interests include robotics, electronics, metalworking, woodworking and traditional arts and crafts. With affordable access to 3-D printers and computers, technology is often a part of the Maker Movement, but it doesn’t have to be. “Everyone is a maker,” Diorio says, and she encourages others to discover the maker in them. “It’s about finding what really inspires you— gardening, baking, sewing, anything that you would build with your hands. It’s fun and can be functional, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s all about letting your creativity take you for a ride.” Why do makers use maker spaces? Some makers discover other like-minded individuals at maker spaces, where adults and children can find the community and supplies they need. Maker spaces often house equipment like 3-D printers, laser cutters, wood lathes, saws, welding equipment and sewing machines. Maker spaces offer community, encouragement and expertise for those working on projects. How can parents support a maker-minded life? Help your child flourish at being a DIY kid. Depending on his or her age, here are some suggestions that will help guide kids as they grow.

PRESCHOOL:

ELEMENTARY:

Encourage natural curiosities,

Give them a maker space and fill it

inclinations or interests.

Start coding with and without

technology (there are lots of ideas at code.org).

Give them the tools of their

trade -- in junior size -- think miniature tool boxes with tools, junior sewing machines or real gardening tools small enough to fit their hands.

with the best tools that you can afford.

Volunteer to start a maker space at your child’s school.

Create an invention station where

your kids can do STEM challenges. Check out a cool design spinner at PBS Kids Design Squad Global Build.

Participate in a science fair.

Encourage participation in a maker faire.

Have a STEAM closet or basket at

home that allows kids to pull out supplies and invent, build, or create.

Provide a coding robot they can program with a tablet.

Join a Lego Robotics club.

Don’t be afraid to introduce

sophisticated vocabulary— don’t dumb it down.

MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL:

Encourage an apprenticeship in a trade or with a family member or friend who is an expert (such as a computer science expert, car or airplane mechanic, fashion designer, seamstress).

Attend a certified STEM High School. Join a robotics club.

Give them low cost technology like Raspberry Pi or Arduino to experiment and create their own technology products.

Introduce them to conductive thread so they

can make clothes that light up, or Makey Makey, an invention kit that can turn items as simple as bananas or staircases into computer touchpads.

Online Resources for the Maker-Minded Family Makezine.com - a site for the print magazine, Make, it offers ideas for projects, Maker news, links to Maker Faires and support for all things Maker. Makerfaire.com-shares information about Makerfaires all over the world. Makered.org - provides support for those interested in integrating maker education into learning environments. KiwiCo.com - purchase a monthly service that delivers art and science projects for kids of all ages to your door. CardboardChallenge.com - Learn about how to host or find a Cardboard Challenge in your area. A Cardboard Challenge allows kids to make creations using recycled materials and their imaginations. Thingiverse.com - this website shares user-created design project files to make using technology such as 3D printers and laser cutters. ToledoLibrary.org - The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library offers a variety of maker-minded programs for creators of all ages. More information is also available at 419-259-5200.

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

Hook a Book Lover

10 Clever Ways to Get Kids to Read by Janeen Lewis

One of the most important skills a parent can encourage is to make their child a reader. Consistent reading leads to successes in academics and gives kids a solid start in life. In fact, recent research shows that kids who read at least 15 minutes a day have accelerated reading gains. But no matter how diligently parents support reading, sometimes kids resist. Books have to compete with those oh-soscintillating devices, video games and TV streaming apps. Why not shake things up and try stealthy ways to create a book lover? These 10 ideas are sure to win over the most reluctant reader.

Free Stuff! If your kids don’t believe you, ask Alexa, Siri or Google “What free stuff can kids earn by reading?” and oodles of items will pop up. By merely recording the titles they are reading, my own children have earned Pizza Hut Personal Pan Pizzas, frozen yogurt, books from Barnes and Noble and amusement park tickets. One time my son turned in the most reading logs in our local summer

reading program and was rewarded by being interviewed on the radio by a DJ. She gave him a basket of goodies, including movie tickets for our whole family.

Let the books out. Don’t cage books up on the shelves! Put bins and baskets of books in the bathroom, in the car, and spread out books with inviting covers on the hard surfaces in your home. Research shows that kids from print-rich homes are better readers, and it helps if the books, magazines and newspapers are out where kids can see them.

Reward with extra bedtime reading. Have you noticed that your child who has a plague-like aversion to reading during the day suddenly develops a fondness for it at bedtime? Embrace this and let your child earn extra reading time at bedtime. If he or she reads for a specified amount of time or a certain number of books, extend lights out for a few minutes— as long as your child spends that time reading.

CENTRAL OHIO POISON CENTER

POISON

Make your book nook the envy of the neighborhood. Think of a tent with twinkle lights, plump pillows and comfy chairs. Make your child’s reading space as comfortable and inviting as you can. A reading space in a school was a model of the fictional Narnia ship Dawn Treader. Kids climbed a ladder to a reading nook on top that was cushioned with carpet and pillows. But you don’t have to get fancy— sometimes what adults think is simple is a kid’s reading castle. Drape a sleeping bag over the footboard of a bed for a makeshift tent or build a “reading cave” with old moving boxes.

Make it a double feature. Every year new films come out that are inspired by books. If your child wants to see a movie that was based on a book, have them read the book first and then rent the movie and watch it together. Compare the two, and have your child explain which he or she liked better, the movie or the book.

Almost anything can be poisonous if it’s used in the wrong way, in the wrong amount, or by the wrong person.

Text POISON to 797979 to receive contact to save in your cell phone.

Get graphic. Graphic novels may not be the conventional kind of books parents grew up with, but they may draw your child into reading. And while you are mixing it up, let them read comic books. Or throw in some audio books and let them read on a device sometimes. Imagine all the possibilities that might engage your child in reading.

Order a magazine subscription. Magazine subscriptions that come specifically for the kids of the house make them feel grown up and tempt them to read. Some good ones to try: Ask, Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, Sports Illustrated Kids, Cobblestone, Ladybug and Highlights.

Tickle a funny bone. From Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, to Peggy Parish’s Amelia Bedelia, or Sara Pennypacker’s Clementine, a funny story is a good way to hook a book lover. And if you read a humorous book with your child, you might find yourself chuckling along, too.

Let there be light. Let kids read with a flashlight under the covers! Also, there are a plethora of really cool reading lights in today’s universe. Headlamps are a unique option, and there are even book lights that keep track of minutes read.

Be a rock star reader yourself. Carve out time daily for your child to see you pouring over the paper, curling up with your favorite book, or discussing a tidbit from a magazine. Model a reading life, and your child will be more likely to embrace the same literature-loving values.

If you suspect a poisoning, don’t take a chance.

Cover Kid!

Open 24/7 and calls are answered by certified nurses and pharmacists.

TO VOTE, VISIT TOLEDOAREAPARENT.COM

or call 1-800-222-1222

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

You sent in your photos, now it’s time to vote! Head to toledoparent.com and show your support for youir favorite Cover Kid candidates!

VOTING BEGINS 3/1/21 AND RUNS TO APRIL 5.

Feline Foster Family

Helping cats became the LaPointes’ passion project By Phoebe Samuel Rapp

Stacey LaPointe, Promotional Marketing Specialist at Advance Advertising Ltd., moved to Toledo from Long Island in 1996, but how she feels like she has lived here her whole life. LePointe effuses, “Toledo is such a fantastic and welcoming city.” After meeting her husband Ryan at Marshall University in West Virginia, LePointe moved to Toledo, Ryan’s hometown thinking they were simply stopping by for a bit. Married in 2000, the couple have established their life and become part of the Toledo community. They now have two girls, Claire (14) and Katie (12) and three cats Charlotte (14), Rainy (7) and Clarabelle (1). LaPointe’s Toledo area community includes friends met through Paws and Whiskers of Toledo. LePointe recalls that a few years back her children wanted to volunteer at Paws & Whiskers. Explaining that her daughters love animals, especially cats. “We started visiting different shelters in the area and what we loved about Paws & Whiskers is how the cats were free range and a cat could ‘live there forever’ as my kids would say.” The fact that Paws and Whiskers is a no kill shelter confirmed for the LePointes that it was where they wanted to put their time. Labor of Love/Learning to Let Go What began as simply spending time and socializing with the cats in the shelter developed into a commitment to help clean their rooms, make cozy beds, doing laundry, feeding and grooming them. In the fall of 2019, the family decided to take home a little kitten named Jellybean that needed to be bottle fed as she had been separated too early from her mother. “We had her for about 2 months. Letting her go was one of the hardest, yet rewarding experiences,” LePointe recalls. Knowing that Jellybean was go-

What’s your favorite activity to do with your family? We love road trips. What was your favorite book to read to YOUR kids? Goodnight Moon, that was our go to every night for years!

Best local memory from when you were a kid? Making homemade eggnog and apple pie with my Grandma Aggie on Christmas Eve.

Claire, Katie, Ryan, Stacey with their furry family, Charlotte, Rainy and Clarabelle. The LaPointes have fostered 15 cats from Paws and Whiskers in the past year.

What’s your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself? I love painting my nails, does that count?

family took on— one mom and her four little kittens— were a light and joy that helped them through the challenges of the statewide quarantine. Over the last year, the family has had fifteen kittens/ cats in their foster care, adopting a little black cat at the beginning of 2021. When she first came to their home the black cat “was emaciated and timid {but she is] now a lovebug and the size of a puma (or perhaps a baby puma).” With the same birthday and name as one of her daughters, LePointe couldn’t ignore the signs that Clarabelle was meant to become a member of the family.

Describe your life in five words or less. Crazy but complete. What is your favorite Toledo hangout? Poco Piatti. Describe Toledo in a sentence? Everyone knows everyone. ing to an extraordinary couple made letting go a little easier. LePointe shares, “I think we realized we had a calling, and that was loving on these babies.” Thinking back to the beginning of the pandemic, the five cats that the LePointe

A Compassionate Community Resource Paws and Whiskers provides a level of care and compassion that stems from a genuine love and respect for the creatures in their care. Adoption fees range

from $75-100 dollars, which is invested to support the work of the shelter. Cats that are up for adoption are healthy, have had their shots, have been spayed or neutered, microchipped and dewormed. The shelter spends an average of $225 on each cat in their care. As Paws and Whiskers is a not for profit shelter, it operates through the efforts and financing from area cat lovers. “We have met so many wonderful people through the adoption process, some have become friends because of this bond we share.” LePointe describes the ladies at Paws & Whiskers as “loving, knowledgeable & helpful.” The community accessed through the shelter is a source of deep connection and service to the LePointe family and those they have come to know through foster care and adoption at Paws and Whiskers.

Thank You Toledo. It’s a pleaseure to serve you! 2019

TOLED O

$40 Off

$20 Off

Any Four Tires

Brake Service

In-Store savings

COUPON AND INSTALLATION REQUIRED. EXCLUES MICHELIN®, BF GOODICH® , AND UNIROYAL®. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS MAY APPLY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. EXPIRES 4/30/2021/ TAP

Includes FREE brake inspection COUPON REQUIRED. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS MAY APPLY. EXPIRES 4/30/2021/ TAP

25% Off

$24.95

Includes FREE estimate

Includes FREE inspection and FREE tire rotation

Mechanical Service

COUPON REQUIRED. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS MAY APPLY. EXPIRES 4/30/2021/ TAP

Oil Change

MOST CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS. UP TO 5 QTS. SYNTHETIC BLEND. FULL SYNTHETIC EXTRA. PLUS TAX AND DISPOSAL FEE. COUPON REQUIRED. NO OTHER DISCOUNTS MAY APPLY. EXPIRES 4/30/2021/ TAP

Convenient - No Mater where you live, there is a TIREMAN near by. Visit tireman.com for a list of locations. www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

A Pandemic Pregnancy Reﬂections of a local mom-to-be By Erin Holden

In June of 2020 my husband and I decided to start a family— during a pandemic, of all times. Neither of us felt incredibly sure about the timing, but, as my primary care physician wisely pointed out, I am 33 years old, so if I want to have a couple of kids I might want to get started. I know of mothers who wait far longer than I did to start their families, but I was starting to feel the pressure of my age. A preconception check up with my doctor was the first thing on my list before we officially started trying. Setting an appointment was a startlingly difficult task as I hadn’t already established an OB-GYN before COVID-19 hit. I called ten doctors, or more, before finding one who seemed both promising and who was seeing new patients. Our first appointment was virtual. “At our age, it’s a good idea to start trying if you want to have one or two,” the doctor told me. “If you’d asked me a few months ago whether it was safe to try, I would have said ‘no.’ Now I feel like it’s fine.”

Cost concerns The in person preconception check that followed turned out well and I was encouraged to start trying to conceive. Just one thing though...the insurance that I shared with my husband was only going to be available to us for a couple more months. He’d lost his job as a visiting lecturer at the University of Toledo due to COVID. After the grace period was up, we’d be faced with continuing the coverage through COBRA, or finding a plan through the Marketplace. After grueling research regarding several plans, I ultimately decided it was best retainng the health plan through COBRA, a monthly cost that is basically half of my income. We were less stable financially than we had ever been, so it is hard to say why we made the decision to get pregnant during a pandemic, other than the fact that we don’t know when this is all going to end.

ORTHODONTICS HAERIAN LUDWIG HANSEN SI MON

Sunshine

MAUMEE 4413 Keystone Maumee, OH 43537 419.887.1247

L A M B E RT V I L L E 7928 Secor Rd. • P.O. Box 860 Lambertville, MI 48144 734.854.6221

S Y LVA N I A 6407 Monroe St. Sylvania, OH 43560 419.882.1017

www.perfectbraces.com 22

Erin Holden, ready for a new family member. Update 2021 It’s now early 2021, roughly a year since the average American had first heard about COVID as a distant threat, a thing that was happening somewhere else, but still the daily caseloads are incredibly high. My husband and I chose to try because there was no way to know how long this thing— this anxiety-provoking, all-consuming thing— is going to last. It made sense for us to move forward, albeit cautiously, with our lives. So we did! A month after that in person visit to the doctor’s where we got the okay, we conceived on the first try, much to our amazement and delight. Reﬂections Now I’m 29 weeks along with our baby boy, who I write letters to sometimes about this strange world he’ll soon find himself in. What I find myself reflecting on most during my pregnancy in the time of COVID is how much perspective the whole experience has given me. We pay what could be a crippling amount for decent insurance, but there are countless things we’ve learned to do without. We’ve had to limit the amount of socializing we do with those we love to avoid the risk of me contracting the virus, but every interaction we do have, as well as the time we spend alone together, is precious. We had to cancel a planned small outdoor baby shower due to a COVID scare in our family, but we’ve had many people reach out to us asking what we need. The two of us have never felt more keenly the love and support we have from our circle. All of this is to say— if you are a mamma or aspiring mamma filled with self-doubt over this decision, as I was— take heart. It might not be the kind of pregnancy you see in the world of lifestyle Youtubers or in the movies, but there is joy and acceptance to be found

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

What are you reading right now? The First Forty Days by Heng Ou.

What are you listening to right now? Cribsheet by Emily Oster. What are you craving right now? Granola and milk. Fruit of all kinds. Anything sweet, though I’ve mostly cut out any refined sugars at this point because my sugar levels were elevated for a bit. What’s your favorite way to stay physically active during pregnancy? Yoga (specifically Yoga with Adriene on YouTube). Love her. Most stressful thing about pregnancy so far: The 3-hour glucose test.

in a pandemic pregnancy. Give yourself grace, be safe, and know that once that little being you’ve been creating during all this darkness finally gets here, you’ll be continually reminded of what it means to hope.

healthy kids Apps to Keep Kids Fit 6 apps to get kids moving

In an era where we’re all spending so much time indoors, keeping kids active is especially important. Physical activity benefits a child’s development in many ways, from building motor and cognitive skills to promoting the development of healthy bones and muscles. “The benefits of staying physically fit and staying active, it’s good for the body, the physiological benefits, but then there’s also just a huge mental aspect of just getting out and doing stuff,” said Chris Peters, owner/operator of SafeSplash in Holland. “They just get a good feeling about themselves,” said Sue Hays, owner of Mini Motions Dance Center on Tremainsville Rd. “When they leave class, they’re feeling healthier and they’re feeling more positive. And that’s what we want, we want them to feel happy and positive and healthy.” To help your kids stay mentally and physically fit in a way that’s both educational and fun, encourage them to download an app – or three. Here are some of the top fitness apps available, and the best part? They’re all free!

Eat-And-Move-O-Matic (ages 9-18) If you want your kids to understand the consequences of their food choices, Eat-And-Move-O-Matic is the right app for them. Created by the Learning Game Lab at New Mexico State University, the app teaches kids to be aware of what they eat or drink. It lets them compare the calories in their food choices with the type and length of time of physical activities like biking, running, or walking needed to burn off those calories. Monster Heart Medic (ages 9-12) Monster Heart Medic teaches kids about a topic few other apps cover: the cardiovascular system and how to stay heart-healthy. Created by the University of California, Berkeley, the app features a friendly monster named Ragnar who suffers from cardiovascular problems and needs their help. Kids help Ragnar by running various diagnostic tests to figure out what’s causing the problems. The app also has tips for leading a healthier life, from reputable organizations like the American Heart Association, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Stretch Break for Kids (ages 5-12) Do your kids spend hours at a time hunched over their laptops or phones without getting up? If so, encourage them to download Stretch Break for Kids. The app has various stretching exercises designed to relax the neck and back muscles that are most affected by bad posture and repetitive strain. The exercises are demonstrated by other kids, who prompt viewers at intervals to keep moving through the exercises.

Make a choice that will bring a smile to your favorite person’s face!

NFL Play 60 (ages 5-18) If your kids love sports, especially football, but it’s hard to get them to do any actual exercise, NFL Play 60 is the ideal app for them. Created by the NFL, in collaboration with the American Heart Association, the app allows kids to pretend that they’re professional football players, but instead of simply making their on-screen avatars run and jump, they have to get off the couch and actually run, jump, catch and turn to make their avatars move. The app also counts the steps they’ve taken while playing the game. Super Stretch Yoga (ages 9-18) Besides meditation, a great way for kids to relax their minds and bodies for optimal health is to practice yoga. Super Stretch Yoga, created by well-known yoga instructor Jessica Rosenberg, teaches kids yoga through video demonstrations by other kids, with a focus on breathing and movement. It’s narrated by a character named Super Stretch and features 12 different poses with different skill levels. Kids can use the built-in camera to take pictures of themselves doing the various poses. Three Good Things: A Happiness Journal (ages 5-18) It’s a science-backed fact that mental health is impacted by an overall sense of well-being. If your kids need a little boost and enjoy writing, encourage them to download Three Good Things: A Happiness Journal. The app helps kids think positively by writing daily about three good experiences they’ve had. The app has a feature that lets kids upload and share their writings on social media.

It’s National Choice Week! CONTACT USSchool FOR A TOUR TODAY NOW Enrolling for Fall 2021

Check us out and see for yourself why our unique school is the happy choice for your K-8 learner. We are sure to put a smile on their face and have them grinning from ear to ear every morning.

Join us at iLEAD Spring Meadows 1615 Timberwolf Drive in Holland

iLEADSpringMeadows.org Visit our website for more information about campus tours, COVID-19 learning updates, and how to enroll. For more information and to sign up for a tour:

419-491-7423

info@ileadspringmeadows.org

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

Downtown Just Got Yummier FOWL & FODDER DOWNTOWN

614 Adams St., Toledo Mon. - Fri. 10AM-8PM | Sat. - Sun. 8AM-8PM fowlandfodder.com I don’t know about you, but I am tired of cooking. I’m sick of rotating through the same meals, spending the time on prepping and cooking, and making slightly different versions of our adult meal for the kids (only to have one or both of them politely tell me the food is “not so good”). So as a special Friday night treat to myself, I asked my husband, who works in downtown Toledo, to grab curbside from Fowl & Fodder Downtown on his way home from work. Not only did I get a break from cooking, but the kids got a break from mom forcing them to try new foods! The new Fowl & Fodder menu has been completely revamped. Chef Aaron Lawson explains, “I came in with a small team, and what started as a small tweak in the menu progressed to a 10-day shutdown and a complete menu overhaul.” He adds that the Southern flair is evident within many dishes because “Southern has always been a part of my heritage, so it usually comes out naturally when I write menus, but with the name Fowl & Fodder being farm-related, we just took that and ran with it.” He slides in, chuckling, “I’d like to give a shout-out to my wife, Stephanie Lawson, and the family for being so supportive with me starting this new adventure in such a crazy time.” Perfect for families after work Fowl & Fodder Downtown online makes it easy to order and schedule your pickup time. I ordered shortly after lunch and scheduled curbside pickup for after work, making sure to enter my husband’s car make and model. A subsequent email explained the procedure upon picking up the food. Easy peasy! I ordered the Pork Belly Cuban— pressed cubano bread, Toledo Spirits Heart of Gold pickles, whipped goat cheese and smoked chile mustard— with house made chips. The sandwich was yummy and big enough to provide leftovers for next day’s lunch. My husband ordered the avocado melt beef burger with smoked tomato jam, chipotle crema, seasoned avocado, 24

New Fowl & Fodder Downtown menu wows By Erin Schoen Marsh

The short course:

Outdoor dining: Weather permitting. Online ordering: Yes. Carryout: Yes. Curbside: Yes. Kids’ Menu? Yes. UPCOMING EVENTS: Catering and family-style meals began in February. Follow Fowl & Fodder Downtown on Facebook at @ FowlAndFodderDowntownToled or Instagram @FowlAndFodderDowntown.

crispy goat cheese, and Balance Farms sunflower sprouts. The burger had that delicious homemade feel. While we both enjoyed our sandwiches, the chips were jaw-dropping good--some of the best house potato chips we’ve ever had! My kids each ordered the chicken & frittes: two crispy chicken tenders with potato sticks, the homemade, healthier version of the fried food the kids crave on the regular. The chicken tenders reminded me of a homemade version of KFC, but waaaaaay tastier and less greasy with all of the flavor reminiscent of grandma’s fried chicken. The potato sticks were actual potatoes, cut and cooked with love! For my 5-year-old sweet-tooth carb lover, we ordered the cake doughnuts for dessert. While all of the food was delicious, the donut holes were a crowd pleaser. Make sure to order them regardless of what time of day— you won’t regret it. Brunch next time! I love brunch. Absolutely love it. The next time we order from Fowl & Fodder Downtown, I play to try the tomato benedict, almond chicken and waffles, or the cornbread and chicken. Kids will love the pumpkin waffles, Southern waffles, French toast and (of course) the cake doughnuts.

Fowl and Fodder’s Pork Belly Cuban sandwich.

Family-style takeout Order a scratch-made menu packed with locally sourced ingredients! Hang up the apron and let Fowl & Fodder do the heavy lifting. Chef Lawson says, “With everything going on in the world right now and the added stress with kids and school— or even the lack of shelves being stock at the grocery stores— we wanted to offer an amazing and simple ‘take home and heat’ meal.” Though the menu hd yet to be finalized as of press time, dietary restrictions can be accommodated.

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Bottom Line: Fowl & Fodder Downtown has an eclectic, hyper seasonal menu that utilizes regional farms and locally crafted products. The creative twists on Southern fare will tantalize the taste buds. F&F Downtown is a one-stop shop for dining downtown with the fam, taking clients out for a socially-distant lunch, or safely picking up food after work for dinner. From brunch to lunch to dinner, they offer something for any time of the day, to please any palate, and to fit any budget.

CALENDAR MARCH DAILY Contactless Egg Hunt Celebrate the 17th Easter at Levis Commons by finding 17 named eggs at the Town Center. Submit an entry form with the locations of all the eggs and you could win the grand prize! Through March 31. 3201 Levis Commons Blvd., 419-931-8888. shopleviscommons.com Free

WEDNESDAYS Curbside Honey Buzz on over to Toledo GROWs’ front door every Wednesday to get your delicious, local honey! Jars are $10 each. Cash or check only. For orders of 5 or more jars, please call ahead. 123pm. 900 Oneida St. 419-720-8714. Toledogrows.org

MONDAY 3.1 The American Woman & World War II This exhibit highlights the monumental roles that women played in World War II, on both the national and local front, through an array of photos, periodicals and documents from the library’s collection. Exhibit is located in the Fact and Fiction Department and viewable during library hours. 9:30am. Main Library, 325 N. Michigan St. 419-2595200. toledolibrary.org Free

TUESDAY 3.2 Afternoon Interludes with BGSU College of Musical Arts Enjoy a live musical performance from the comfort of your own home. A musician from the BGSU College of Musical Arts will perform live in the library’s atrium, and it will stream live on the Wood County District Library Facebook page. 4pm. Virtual Event. 419-3525104. wcdpl.org Free Girl Scout Outdoor Art Party You and your girl are invited to an Outdoor Art Maker Party! She’ll enjoy the party, and you’ll learn how Girl Scouts can help her see the bigger picture. Girls will tap into their creativity and use objects provided or around your house (no shopping trip needed!) to make beautiful and fun pieces of art. 6-7pm. Virtual Event. 419-887-9481. gswo.org Free Missing Mammals of the Metroparks Over the past 200 years, the landscape of Northwest Ohio has changed drastically. Have you ever wondered what animals used to live here before settlement? Come learn what surprising wildlife used to exist here, and which animals might be making a comeback. $4. 6-8pm. Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com

Curbside Honey

Student Recital: DMA Showcase Current Doctoral of Musical Arts students perform a showcase recital as part of doctoral auditions. 8pm. Virtual Event. 419-372-2181. bgsu.edu/musical-arts Free

WEDNESDAY 3.3 Downloads from Nature Turn off your cell phone, leave your watch in the car and unplug. Slow, reflective walks that encourage attentiveness to present tense nature have been shown to lower heart rates, blood pressure and stress levels while they enhance wellbeing and sleep. $3. 6-7pm. Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Habitats (Ages 5-9) All living organisms need a place to call home. What might be home for a cockroach wouldn’t be a good home for a human. In this workshop, our extreme scientist will showcase some creepy, crawly critters and the habitats they need to survive. $65 members, $85 non-members. 10:30am. Virtual Event. 419-244-2674. imaginationstationtoledo.org Owl Pellet Dissections (Ages 10-13) No, it’s not owl poop… it’s an owl pellet and what’s inside will uncover how different organisms interact with each other in the food web. Are You Ready to Explore Science? Imagination Station is your resource to help bring science to life. $65 members, $85 non-members. 1:30pm. Virtual Event. 419-244-2674. imaginationstationtoledo.org

Buzz on over to Toledo GROWs’ front door every Wednesday to get your delicious, local honey! Made right here in the Glass City, Toledo GROWs has two beehives of its own to pollinate its crops, and are bottling up the resulting honey for shoppers to take home. You don’t even have to get out of your car! Jars are $10 each. Cash or check only. For orders of 5 or more jars, please call ahead. 12-3pm. 900 Oneida St. 419-720-8714. Toledogrows.org

Parents’ Night Off

Sometimes adults need a night off, and kids need a night outdoors. With this drop-off program, you can have both. Go out to dinner, see a movie, or enjoy some time to yourself as your kids spend an evening in the park filled with exciting, educational nature activities, including night hikes, crafts, games, and story time. $20. 5:30-9pm. Pearson Metropark, 761 Lallendorf Road, Oregon. 419-407-9700. Metroparkstoledo.com

Wood County Museum Open Late

Do you want to experience some of the fascinating exhibits at the Wood County Museum but can’t make it during the day? New in 2021, the Wood County Museum will be open for extended evening hours on the third Thursday of each month. This will offer a chance for visitors who normally cannot visit during the day to come out and take a tour! $7 for adults, $3 for children. 10am-8pm. Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green. 419-352-0967. woodcountyhistory.org

THURSDAY 3.4 Herbal Adventure Forum Keep your interest in herbal medicines alive through the winter with meaningful conversations around the craft of herbalism. Discussions will feature local plant ID and uses, how to make medicines and teas and sustainable harvesting. $3. 7-8pm. Brookwood, 5604 Swan Creek Dr. 419407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com

FRIDAY 3.5 Lenten Fish Fries The Season of Lent is here, and Blessed Sacrament will have take-out only fish fry dinners. Every Friday of Lent — not Good Friday. 4pm. Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2240 Castlewood Dr. 419-472-2288. blessedsacramenttoledo.com

SATURDAY 3.6 Toledo’s “Pet” Bull Project Adoption Event A group of pit bull owners, dog lovers, and trainers who have gotten together to help prevent animal cruelty including dog fighting in the Toledo and surrounding areas, will educate on the importance of spay & neuter and offer free trainings to help our dogs and their owners become good citizens. 12-3pm. Pet Supplies Plus, 4115 Talmadge Road. 567-315-8051. toledospetbullproject.com

Con’t on p26

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

Big & Little: Art on Safari (Ages 3-5) Discover the worlds of animals - real and imagined. After searching for creatures in the Museum’s galleries and learning about color and texture, little artists and their partners will create their own animal artwork using paint and sculpture materials. $75 members and $90 nonmembers. 10-11:30am. Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. 419-246-8000. toledomuseum.org Metropark Highlights Walk Dig a little deeper into the natural and cultural history of Secor Metropark with a walk to explore the features of its landscape. $3. 10-11:30am. Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com

SUNDAY 3.7

Nature Art Programs Let your creativity shine through stained glass! Create your own glass artwork with beginner friendly instructions and guidance from Metroparks and Toledo Stained Glass Guild. Let nature be your inspiration. No previous stained glass experience required! $50. 1-4pm. Brookwood, 5604 Swan Creek Dr. 419-2652920. metroparkstoledo.com

THURSDAY 3.11

Bike Programs Pedal through the parks with Metroparks naturalists. Enjoy evening rides, family rides, mountain biking classes, bike maintenance classes, and more! 6:308:30pm. Secor Metropark, 10001 W. Central Ave., Berkey. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Free

Online Waterville Daytime Book Group Good conversation, friendly faces and great books - that’s what book group is all about. Give and get recommendations about books at this lively discussion. Meetings take place via Zoom. Registered participants will be emailed meeting information prior to the event. 12pm. Virtual Event. 419-259-5200. toledolibrary.org Free Sugar Rush the Girl Scout Way Children can decorate a sweet treat and learn about joining the Girl Scouts in this Zoom event. Link sent after registration. 5-6pm. 419-887-9475. gswo.org

FRIDAY 3.12 Star Struck Gaze into the great beyond as an informed observer. Explore the sky with a naturalist to discover the science and stories surrounding celestial bodies. Program opportunities include stargazing, meteor shower viewing, moon viewing, telescope viewing, daytime sun viewing, and more! 8-9pm. Bend View Metropark, 10613 S. River Road. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo. com Free

SATURDAY 3.13 Steppin’ Up! A live virtual event to raise funds for the Toledo School for the Arts. Viewers will have to register before the event. 7pm. Register and view at: qtego.net/qlink/ ts4arts Free

SUNDAY 3.14 Virtual St. Patrick’s Celebration With so many Irish-themed events being canceled around the world, HeART Gallery is hosting a Virtual St. Patrick’s Celebration to ensure your day is filled with Irish cheer. Order a corned beef dinner-to-go, including carrots, cabbage, red potatoes and a creme de menthe dessert bar. Dinner can be ordered through kate@stpaulstoledo.org. $30. 4pm. Virtual Event. 419-270-3224. heartgalleryandstudios.com Home-Made Pierogi Class Chef Sarah leads a class on the way to make perfect pierogies, complete with traditional (and non-traditional) fillings. $50 for adults, $40 for children. 3-6pm. Foodology, 2059 W. Laskey. foodologytoledo.com

THURSDAY 3.18 Calling All Scouts! We’ve created many fun and engaging programs designed for Scouts in our area. If you wish to sign up your entire troop, consider requesting a private program via our website; click “discover” and “request a group program.” Although these activities are geared towards Scouts, any child is welcome to participate. $13. 4:30-7pm. Oak Openings Metropark, 4139 Girdham Road, Swanton. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Glide into Birding The best time to start birding is now! Join this bi-monthly webinar, featuring a different avian topic each session. Please register for each session independently to receive your personal Zoom link, which will be emailed to you prior to the session. Participation and questions are welcomed for personalized discussions. 9am. Virtual Event. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Free Wood County Museum Open Late New in 2021 the Wood County Museum will be open for extended evening hours on the third Thursday of each month. This will offer a chance for visitors who normally cannot visit during the day to come out and tour the museum. $7 for adults, $3 for children. 10am-8pm. Wood County Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green. 419-3520967. woodcountyhistory.org

FRIDAY 3.19 Doormat Class Come be creative, have some fun, and drink some great wine! Benfield Wines & Gifts along with Bless This Hot Mess is hosting a doormat painting class. $32. 7-9pm. 102 N Main St., Swanton. 419862-5427. benfieldwines.com

SATURDAY 3.20 Equinox Exploration The days are finally getting longer and spring is here! Come celebrate the vernal equinox with Naturalist Kelly with a hike to uncover what springtime secrets await at Wiregrass Lake Metropark. 6-7pm. 201 N Eber Rd, Holland. 419-4079700. metroparkstoledo.com Free

• March/April 2021 • www.toledoparent.com

Try it! Kayaking in a Pool Build confidence and vital skills with Paddle Sports Classes. In these programs you’ll explore paddling safety topics, build upon your technique, learn new strokes and simulate rescue situations in a safe and controlled environment. $40. 3-6pm. University of Toledo, 2801 W. Bancroft St. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com

THURSDAY 3.25

Pets on Parade This event hosted by the Girl Scouts will see attendees put their pets on a “virtual parade” while parents learn all about how their child can get involved in scouting. Children without a pet are welcome. 5pm. Virtual event. 419887-9475. gswo.org

FRIDAY 3.26 The Dance of the Night Partridge Claim your front row seat to nature’s featured spring performance. Walk the prairies to experience the sights and sounds of this unusual bird as it ascends and dives through the sky with a “twitter” and a “peent.” $2. 8-9:30pm. Wildwood Preserve Metropark, 5100 W. Central Ave. 419-407-9700. metroparkstoledo.com Virtual Public Glassblowing Demonstration From the Glass Pavilion Hot Shop, virtual glassblowing demonstrations are streamed live on the Toledo Museum of Art’s YouTube channel. Demonstrations sponsored by: O-I. 2pm. Virtual Event. 419-246-8000. toledomuseum.org Free

WEDNESDAY 3.31 Cookie Decorating Class Cookie Decorating by Sweet Rae’s is back by popular demand! This class will teach techniques for flooding and decorating Easter and Spring cookies! $60. 6pm. Nazareth Hall, 21211 West River Road, Grand Rapids. 419-832-2900. nazarethhall.com Genetics (Ages 5-9) Why do children look like their parents? It’s all because of genetics! In this virtual workshop, Extreme Scientists will extract the DNA from a strawberry to show you the raw material that makes up individual characteristics. $65 members, $85 non-members. 10:30am. Virtual Event. 419-244-2674. imaginationstationtoledo.org

APRIL THURSDAY 4.1 Small Ensemble: Horn Club and TubaEuphonium Ensemble The Horn Club and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble will perform. This recital is free and open to the public. 8pm. Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green. 419-372 2181. events.bgsu.edu Free

FRIDAY 4.2 Breakfast with the Bunny Enjoy a festive Easter Egg Hunt at the Toledo Zoo’s Africa! Overlook, then visit the big Bunny himself and enjoy an Animal Encounter and breakfast at the Malawi Event Center. Also on April 3. Member price: $33 for adults, $23 for children. Nonmember price: $38 for adults, $28 for children. 9-11 am. 2 Hippo Way, 419-385-5721. toledozoo.org

SATURDAY 4.3 Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Duke Farms The horseback riding center’s yearly Easter celebration returns! Featuring an egg hunt, the Easter Bunny, pony rides, a petting farm and much more. $5. Noon4pm. 44 W. Samaria Rd., Temperance, MI. 419-410-7193. dukefarmonline.com National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day Live music, painting, root beer floats and more will be on hand at this celebration of a classic American sandwich, with proceeds benefiting St. Paul’s Outdoor Mural Campaign. 1pm. 428 N. Erie St., 419-243-4214. stpaulstoledo.org Free

SUNDAY 4.4 Epworth Easter Sunday Worship Dr. Stephen Swisher, senior pastor, will lead a sunrise service at 6:30am at the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater. Parking and admission will be free, and coffee, hot chocolate, pastries and popcorn will also be available. 2700 Broadway St., 419385-5721. epworth.com Free

MONDAY 4.5 Weekday Youth Art Classes The Toledo Museum of Art will host several week-long art workshops for students on Spring Break. From a look at art with bold colors to an examination of digital photography, curious minds will find plenty to engage them in these courses. 10am-noon. April 5-9. $75 for members, $90 for nonmembers. 2445 Monroe St., 419-255-8000. toledomuseum.org

TUESDAY 4.6 Toledo Mud Hens Opening Day Play ball! The Glass City’s beloved baseball team returns to Fifth Third Field with a game against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Due to COVID restrictions, attendance is limited to 1,500 fans per game, with seats made available to members of the Mud Hens’ “Flock” ticket membership program first. For more information or to be alerted when tickets go on sale, visit milb.com/toledo.

THURSDAY 4.8 Hopping into Spring Paint Party Girls will learn how to paint their own bunny with a step-by-step live video tutorial. This is a free Zoom event, but you provide the supplies. The Zoom link will be provided after registration. 4-5pm. Virtual Event. 419-887-9481. gswo.org Free

FRIDAY 4.16 Children’s Theatre Workshop Register for Children’s Theatre Workshop “Honk, Jr” program! There are roles for singers & non-singers, ages 10-16. The program will take place at the historic Ohio Theatre, April 16-18, 2021. 6:30pm. Ohio Theatre, 3112 Lagrange St. 419-244-5061. ctwtoledo.org/ winter-2021 Forces of Nature: TSO Celebrates Metroparks Toledo Get outside yourself and explore the forces of nature within Toledo’s Metroparks. From sunrise at Howard Marsh to Sunset at Oak Openings, join the Toledo Symphony for a high-def musical tour through the nation’s number one parks system. 8pm. Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St. 419-246-8000. toledosymphony.com

SATURDAY 4.17 New Toledo Toy Show Over 175 tables of collectable and classic toys will be on display for the young and the young at heart. $5 for adults, kids 12 and under free. 9am-1pm. Total Sports Rossford, 10020 S. Compass Rd., Rossford. 419-874-9800. midmichigansupershows.com

SUNDAY 4.25 Mercy Health Glass City Marathon Since 1971, Toledo has hosted one of the fastest races in the country. As a top 25 fastest course and historically having 20+ percent of race finishers qualifying for the illustrious Boston Marathon, GCM has grown to be an annual favorite for a field of 10,000 runners and walkers from all corners of the globe. University of Toledo, 2801 W Bancroft St. glasscitymarathon.org

1. Pickle _______________________

marketplace

5. Cat _________________________

LINE CLASSIFIEDS: Only $20 per month for 20 words or less. Each additional word is 40 cents each and any artwork will be $5 extra. DISPLAY CLASSIFIEDS: Display classifieds with a box may be purchased for $25 per column inch. Photos are accepted with ads for an additional $5 per photo. DEADLINES: Ad copy must be received by the 15th of the month prior to publication. PAYMENT: Payment must be received before an ad can be placed. We accept checks, cash, money orders and credit cards (Visa/Mastercard). PHONE: 419-244-9859 E-MAIL: classifieds@adamsstreetpublishing.com REFUNDS: Sorry, NO REFUNDS given. MISPRINTS: Credit toward future ads.

HELP WANTED

2. Tent ________________________ 3. Frog _______________________ 4. Coupon _____________________ 6. Guitar _______________________ 7. Bee _________________________ 8. Circuit Board ________________

Winner will be selected from all correct entries. Entries must be received by the March 31. Winner will be notified by phone and receive $20 gift card to treasure hunt at ReStore. All 10 photos must be found and page numbers indicated to be considered correct. Sumit entries to distribution@ adamsstreetpublishing.com

9. Octopus ____________________ 10. Fireplace ____________________

MONDAY 4.12 Music at the Forefront: Spektral Quartet Guest ensemble Spektral Quartet will perform as part of the Music at the Forefront concert series sponsored by the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music. The concert is free and open to the public. 8pm. Moore Musical Arts Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green. 419-372-2181. events. bgsu.edu Free

www.toledoparent.com • March/April 2021 •

FREE SEPT/OCT 2020

School guide

COVER KID WINNER!

Toledo’s Cody Moring (3) won the Toledo Parent Cover Kid Contest.

This school year is so different, and Toledo Parent covers it all. p10

School Open House Guide

Schools are going above and beyond to accommodate their students? p14

Make your child

Cover Kid! You sent in your photos, now it’s time to vote! Head to toledoparent.com and show your support for youir favorite Cover Kid candidates!

Voting begins 3/1/21 and runs to April 5. To vote, visit toledoareaparent.com and click on the contest link.

Photography Sponsor: Raven Leigh Photography, LLC RavenLeighPhoto.mypixieset.com