www.stjohnsparent.com / March/April 2017 • 3
Contents
16
March/April 2017
10
features
10 13 14 18 20 22 24 26
A Palette of Possible Plants
40 32
features 27 38 32
Great Easter Gifts Earth Day Books Money Matters: Raising Money Savvy Kids
education
Camp Directory Make Your Food-Allergic Child a Happy Camper Inspired & Informed: Choosing the Perfect Camp for Each Child in the Family Seven Disney Springs™ Hotels Tricks & Treats for St. Patrick’s Day Shhh! Create Your Own Little Library Easter Events On The Cover
Hendrick Photo by:
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12 38
Summer & School Year VPK is Just Around the Corner St. Johns School News
every issue 28 30 33 36
March 2017 Calendar of Events April 2017 Calendar of Events Easter Fashion St. Johns County Library Events
Coming Up... May/June 2017 The Mom Issue! / Top Teachers/ Summer Fun National Bike Month, Pets Week, Teacher’s Day Spotlight, Mental Illness, Drowning Awareness, Natural Disaster Planning, Ice Cream! Summer Celebrations, Birthday Parties, Swimming Also: Veterinarians, Pet Adoption, Pet Grooming
www.StJohnsParent.com (386) 437-0300
Reader Services Calendar Submissions: We publish information about family events within and surrounding our county. We would love to hear from you! If you have a family event, fundraiser or childrens activity/program please send your information to editor@bradymediainc.com Deadline for submitting information is approximately one month prior to the month in which the event will occur.
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Feedback: We Welcome Your Feedback & Thoughts. In our continuous effort to improve our publications, we look forward to your thoughts, questions and feedback on how we can better tailor information to your families needs. Please feel free to send me
www.stjohnsparent.com / March/April 2017 • 5
with
What’s New in Print & Online
St. Johns Parent
Camp Directors...
It’s not too early to start promoting your Spring & Summer Camps!
New In Schools, On Newsstands & Online
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6 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
The Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo showcases places that build life-long memories for children! Volusia & Flagler County parents will find it much easier and faster to choose a summer camp for their children at the only expo of its kind in the area. The 2017 Camp Fair & Summer Vacation Expo provides busy parents with a one-stop resource for information regarding available daily activities, cost, and much more, with a variety of summer conveniences assembled under one roof. The expo features demonstrations all day long by karate classes, the police department, the fire department, and much more. This year’s we will be holding two Camp Fair and Summer Vacation Expos in both Flagler and Volusia counties! The first Camp Fair and Summer Vacation Expo will be held at Veteran’s Park in Flagler Beach on April 21st from 5PM - 9PM. This event will be held at the same time as Surf 97.3’s Movie Nights by the Surf. The event will feature prizes & giveaways, music, food, and a Kids Zone. Come spend a beautiful evening by the beach and find your perfect summer camp or vacation getaway! The second Camp Fair and Summer Vacation Expo will be held at the Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Daytona Beach on April 30th from 10AM - 4PM. The best part is that while parents search for their child’s summer camp or plan their next vacation, kids can jump the day away! Each paid admission to Sky Zone will also receive FREE PASSES for the next visit. The event will feature prizes & giveaways, music, food, and a Kids Zone. Parents may also register to win a Family Weekend Disney Springs Resort stay! Exhibitors, reserve your spaces today by calling (386) 437-0300 or email events@bradymediainc.com. Parents please fell free to call with any questions.
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Publisher / Editor Charlene Michaux charlie@bradymediainc.com 386-547-0161 Photography Marina Pierre 386-283-8005 marina@marinas-photography.com Contributing Writers Christina Katz Deb Wind Lara Krupicka Christa Melnyk Hines
Flagler Parent, Volusia Parent, and St. Johns Parent Magazines are published by Brady Media, Inc. and are copyrighted 2008. Brady Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission from Brady Media, Inc. is prohibited. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent reserve the right to reject advertisements or listings that are not in keeping with the publication’s satndard. Submissions are welcome, but the publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of unsolicited materials. Flagler Parent and Volusia Parent do not endorse or assume responsibility for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. The Flagler County or Volusia County School Boards are not affiliated with these publications in any manner, nor do they endorse ro assume any responsibility for any of the information or advertisements contained in therein.
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www.stjohnsparent.com / March/April 2017 • 9
2 Invest In Perennial Flowers
feature
Once young gardeners understand the concept of annual bloomers, it's time to introduce them to flowers that come back year after year. Be sure to convey the savings in time and money, since perennials are planted only once and enjoyed many times. Check perennials each year to see if they need to be split and spread out. You might also want to relocate a few of your re-seeding perennials so you can enjoy them in other parts of your yard. Good choices for first-time planters include: gloriosa daisy, ageratum, coneflower, coreopsis, sedum, peony, bearded iris, daylily, lily, lamb's ear, hollyhocks, verbena, gazania, California poppy, and hosta. Pay attention to whether perennials enjoy shade or sun or both, and they will pay you back in beauty year after year.
3
Vote For Veggies
4
Favor Fruit Plants
5
Let's Hear It For The Herbs
Few things are as satisfying as watching food grow from seed to table. Or purchase veggie starters at your local garden shops. In cool weather try: carrots, lettuce, radishes, peas, spinach, kale, swiss chard, and broccoli. In Warm weather try: beans, cucumbers, spring onions, cherry, or grape tomatoes, round zucchini, and patty pan squash. All of these foods are super-easy to grow.
A Palette of Possible Plants: 10 Types To Try To Grow Eager Gardeners
Children of all ages adore eating fruit fresh warmed by the sun. Whether you have a few plants scattered around the yard or a whole fruit garden, every berry swallowed is sure to fetch a smile. Try planting strawberries, thornless Blackberry, thornless raspberry, golden raspberry, and blueberries for years of enjoyment. Blackberries grow vigorously but can become invasive.
by Christina Katz
Parents can use the power of variety to entice children outdoors to experiment in the dirt. A garden offers a myriad of lessons in sowing, tending, reaping, and resting, all critical processes to creativity. For kids, the goal should never be a perfectly manicured result, but a colorful canvas exploding with organic self-expression. Let your child experience the joy of gardening first-hand by giving him a garden plot in which to experiment. Introduce him to all of the possibilities and then let him choose how to plant it. In life we learn from doing, and the lessons that stick with kids will come from personal experience, as well. A garden of your child's own is a great metaphor for many of life's experiences. Here is a list of possible things your child can grow in a window box, a four-foot by four-foot plot of soil, or a bed along the side of the house. Let her relish in the possibilities as she learns how to make choices most pleasing to her. Gardening can be an art, when you open up to the possibilities of personal expression.
1
Plant Annual Flowers
By far the easiest to grow with the most immediate results are annual flowers. Start with annuals if your little gardener has never dug in the soil before. Hardy annuals for first-time planters include flower seeds that germinate quickly like sunflowers (various varieties and heights), cosmos, sweet alyssum, zinnia, pansies, snapdragons, gomphrena, strawflowers, tithonia, impatiens, petunia, and calendula. For even more immediate gratification, pick out a colorful variety of annuals at the store, plant them, and enjoy the results within an hour.
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Herb gardens are great for tweens and teens, testing culinary skills in the kitchen, but herbs can also provide pleasure at any age. My daughter has been popping mint leaves into her mouth since she could walk. We enjoy a little mint or lemon balm in iced tea, thyme and chives in scrambled eggs, and oregano and basil in a fresh salad. Including herbs in your diet is easy. Try planting mint (many varieties but also invasive, so use containers), lemon balm, chives, catnip, oregano, basil, dill, parsley, rosemary, and thyme to get started.
6 Eat Edible Flowers
Want to add a whimsical touch to ice cubes, cupcakes, and salads? Then experiment with edible flowers. Try planting colorful nasturtiums (annual), culinary lavender (perennial), pansies (annual), violas (annuals), roses (perennial), calendula (annual), and geraniums (annual and perennial). Try tastetesting petals alone, in combination with each other, and mixed into foods like shortbread (lavender) or used for decoration when serving food.
Gardening Books by Sharon Lovejoy
“My garden is a work in process that grows more beautiful each year. My daughter enjoys participating in the ongoing story we create in our yard to delight ourselves with trial and error,” or as gardening with children author Sharon Lovejoy puts it, “with trowel and error.” Here is a list of her books that make gardening with children of all ages more fun.
Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together With Children
7
Make Way For Giants
Sunflower Houses:
Pumpkins and melons can become quite large and over-crowd a small garden plot. For this reason, stake out a spot for them where they will have room to sprawl over a sunny, mulched area. Corn is another plant that likely requires it's own space and can be grown in blocks of rows that get even sun all day long. Growing large plants is dramatic fun for young gardeners that is sure to make a lasting impression.
Inspiration From The Garden-A Book For Children And Their Grown-ups
8 Fancy Flowering Bushes
Create beds of sweet-smelling, flowering bushes if you want to attract lots of hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard. Butterflies like large, flat rocks in the sun and a sandy puddle for drinking safely. Choose a sunny, non-windy area. Try planting butterfly bush (non-invasive variety), bee balm, salvia, lilac, mock orange, glossy abelia, buttonbush, ninebark, spicebush, milkweed, and clethra.
9 Vie For Vines
Nothing makes me happier than seeing sweet-smelling honeysuckle twining up the iron grate that holds our mailbox. Look around your yard for things that can be climbed or invest in inexpensive trellises. Then plant coral honeysuckle, cardinal climber, cypress vine, climbing hempweed, morning glory, scarlet runner bean, sweet pea, everlasting pea, and trumpet vine. Beans will also climb and can run along a garden-stake wall or climb a tee-pee.
10
Consider Fun Inedibles
Some of my favorite things to grow are just for decoration, not to eat. Inedibles also make great fall gifts. Try gourds combinations for a nice basket display, Indian corn for wreathes, and bottle gourds to turn into birdhouses. Chinese lantern stems make bright orange fall décor and wreathes, just remember the plants can be invasive.
Trowel & Error: Over 700 Organic Remedies, Shortcuts, And Tips For The Gardener
Camp Granny: 130 Green Projects
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education
Summer & School Year VPK is Just Around the Corner! If you’re the parent of a four-year-old, you’ve probably noticed that the little one you thought would never be out of diapers is now a talkative, busy, creative, preschooler. That means they’re ready for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)! VPK is available as a 2017 Summer program (child must be 5 on or before September 1, 2017) and as a 2017 – 2018 School year program (Child must be 4 on or before September 1, 2017). The 2017 Summer Program for four year olds who have not yet been enrolled in VPK offers 300 total hours of VPK instruction and the 2017 – 2018 School Year program offers 540 total hours of VPK instruction. Both are specifically designed to make sure children are prepared to learn when they enter kindergarten. In fact, the VPK curriculum used by your child’s VPK provider must address the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards for Four-YearOlds. These are organized in five categories: • Physical Development • Approaches to Learning • Social and Emotional Development
School Year programs are currently available. The process is quick and easy! Simply apply on-line at https://www.elcfv.org/families/vpk/ . You’ll need to upload proof of your child’s age. Documents that will meet this requirement include a birth certificate or Florida immunization record. You’ll also need proof of residence; a valid ID or utility bill that displays your current physical, not Post Office Box, address. You will not be able to get a certificate without these documents. Once you have your VPK eligibility certificate in hand, you may take it to the VPK program of your choice to enroll your child. Your child’s current child care provider may offer VPK. If not, a listing of current VPK programs is available on our website https://www.elcfv.org/families/vpk/prov ider-search-database/ or upon request by contacting our office.
• Language, Communication, and Emergent Literacy • Cognitive Development and General Knowledge These standards were created to offer a framework for VPK providers as they get your child ready for kindergarten. They help providers and families understand what children should know and be able to do when they complete a VPK program. While VPK providers must use a curriculum, there are many to choose from and families will see variations from one provider to another. Any curriculum used for VPK, though, should include learning through play since that’s the way your four-year-old learns best. In order to choose the VPK program that’s right for you and your child, it’s important to shop around. Options include Family Home Child Care, Faith Based and Private Centers and Public School settings. The best way to get to know a program is to stop by for a visit. While VPK programs have open door policies, making an appointment will help ensure that the director or teacher will have time to answer all your questions, take you on a tour and show you the wonderful opportunities your 4 year-old will have at their program. Always follow up with an unannounced visit. The program should welcome you back to confirm what you learned at your first meeting. To enroll your child in a VPK program you must first receive a certificate of eligibility from the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia (ELCFV). Certificates for Summer 2017 Fall 2017/2018 12 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler & Volusia (ELCFV) administers subsidized School Readiness early learning child care programs for children birth to age five and the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program for four-year olds. For information about ELCFV programs and services, call 386 3232400 or toll free 877 352-0065 or visit www.elcfv.org. Follow the ELCFV on Facebook: search ELCFV.
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feature
Make Your Food-Allergic Child
A Happy Camper
Attending summer day camp is often a rite of passage for kids. But when you have a child with life-threatening food allergies, camp is more complicated than filling out forms and dropping your kid off each morning. But with planning, cooperation and communication, day camp can be a great experience for food-allergic children. Many camps are willing to accommodate food allergies. Of course, each child’s medical condition is different, so check with your allergist first. Once you have chosen a camp, research the camp’s policies on food allergies. If there is no written policy in place, pick up the phone and talk personally with the director. “Be proactive,” says Tom Madeyski, Executive Director/Vice President of a YMCA county camp. “Don’t be shy, ask a lot of questions.” If you find that the director is willing to accommodate your child, here are some questions to ask. A peanut allergy will be used as an example in these questions, but you can easily substitute wheat, dairy, etc. Do campers bring a sack lunch? If so, is there a safe place for your child to eat, such as a nut-free table away, from any foods they’re allergic to? Is there a policy in place for other kids to wash or wipe their hands and faces after eating foods that contain peanuts? If meals are prepared at the camp, ask if any of the foods contain peanuts. If not, is there any possibility of cross-contact with peanuts either in the kitchen or before the food arrives? If camp meals aren’t safe for your child, can you send in ‘safe’ food? 14 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
Will there be any craft projects using peanuts, such as bird feeders made with peanut butter? If so, can a substitution be made? Crafts using allergenic materials are often overlooked when thinking about food allergies. But even if it is not meant to be eaten, allergenic materials can get into the eyes, nose or mouth during crafting and cause an allergic reaction. Who handles medical care at the camp? Is there a nurse or first-aid person on-site? If so, are they trained to use an epinephrine autoinjector such as an EpiPen®? Who substitutes for the medical staff if they are away? Sitting down personally with the medical staff person and describing your child’s typical allergic signs and symptoms is best. If the staff has never used an epinephrine auto-injector, teach them how. You should have a clear, written allergy action plan with a picture of
your child attached. “Err on the side of too much information, especially on written medical forms,” says Madeyski. Even if there is medical staff on-site, train the adult who will spend the day with your child how to recognize an allergic reaction as well. He or she will be the person who will need to get your child help. Ideally, every adult who will be in contact with your child should be aware of the allergy and know what to do if a reaction occurs. For day campers, it’s always a good idea to go in each morning with your child. This way, you can see if the staff has changed or a new volunteer is present, and you can make sure that they are informed of your child’s needs. “Directly interact with those who will care for your child,” says Madeyski. Who will carry your child’s medicine? Make sure that person knows the correct temperature to store epinephrine. An EpiPen® shouldn’t be left out in the sun or in a hot car. Refer to the instructions in your own epinephrine auto-injector or talk to your pharmacist for storage requirements. How far away is the nearest hospital or clinic? What is the response time? Will there be field trips away from the main campsite? If so, are the driver and leader trained to handle your child’s allergy? Will they have cell phones or two-way radios to communicate should an emergency occur? This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a jumping-off point to get you started. Every child is different, and food allergies vary in severity. Always discuss your child’s individual needs with their medical provider in deciding if it is safe for your child to go to camp. And once your child is cleared for camp, prepare everyone so that your child can have a happy camping experience.
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Spring Break Camps Arts Camp The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach Come join us for a week or a day of fun and creativity! The Cultural Center at Ponte Vedra Beach presents the 11th Annual Spring Break Arts Camp for young artists of all skill levels. Children ages 4 to 8 are encouraged to express their imagination using real artist's materials and guidance from our talented and creative art instructors. Supplies and snack included, campers should bring a brown bag lunch. 9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m. Ages 4-8 and 9-16 Daily Rate: Members: $40 - Non-members: $50 Early Registration Discounted Rate: Members: $36 - Non-members: $45 To register for a camp, click on the member or non-member links. For more information, call Anna at 50 Executive Way, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Phone: (904) 280-0614x204 Fax: (904) 280-0616 www.ccpvb.org Donovin Darius’ Spring Break Football Camps Fruit Cove Plantation Park, Fruit Cove, FL 904-290-3320 Camps@DonovinDarius.com www.DariusNextLevelTraining.com This Spring Break Football Camp Series is designed to give athletes of all ages and skill levels an opportunity to sharpen their skills during their specific spring break vacations from school. March 24th ~ 9:00am – 12:00pm Grades: Elementary, Middle School, High School Cornerstone Park - PonteVedra Age: 7 – 14 years Experimenting with Art - Spring Break Art Camp St. Augustine 140 Gateway Circle, St Johns, Florida, 32259 904-287-8603 www.stjohns.kidzart.com Small creatures - BIG art! Join us this Spring Break at the KidzArt Studio for a mixed media camp all about bugs & nature. Your budding artist will explore many techniques to complete their individual portfolios of work using pastels, watercolors, collage and much more. Exciting projects that are sure to delight boys and girls alike. Please dress for a mess! Our studio camps are 9am-1pm! Please pack a peanut-free snack and/or bag lunch and refreshment for your child. Each camper receives one free camp t-shirt with each week of registration order as many extras as you want at checkout! Hours: 9am-1pm Age: 5-10 Haven Horse Ranch Ages 7 – 16 years Cost: $255 for three day or $365 for a five day camp. 733 County Road 208, St. Augustine, FL 904-813-5710 www.havenhorsranch.org First Coast YMCA Spring Break Camp Ponte Vedra YMCA 904-543-9622 170 Landrum Lane Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 904-471-9622
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St. Augustine YMCA 500 Pope Rd. St. Augustine, FL 32080 School’s Out / Spring Break Camp When school is out, camp is in at the Y. Join us during school holidays and Spring Break for fun games and activities that are sure to keep kids ages 5-12 having fun and learning along the way. They will have the opportunity to make new friends and engage in indoor and outdoor activities in a safe, positive environment. Dates, times and prices vary by location. Plus, you can sign up for any number of days. Both members and non-members are welcome to attend, so invite your friends! Hours: 6:30am – 6:00pm
Shinsei Martial Arts Shinsei Martial Arts All Day Spring Camp is an enriching solution to your summer needs. Kids can be dropped off between 7:309AM and picked up 5-6:30P Half/Full: Half Day Morning, Full Day Hours: 7:30am - 6:30pm Grades: Elementary, Middle School Age: 5 - 13 Years Area: St. Augustine 150 St. Johns Business Pl, Suite 304, St. Augustine, FL 904-392-9005 allie@shinseikarate.org
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Spring Camps March 21- 25 999 Anastasia Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32080 904-824-3337 kgirven@alligatorfarm.com www.alligatorfarm.com A camp T-shirt is included in each weeklong camp session. Weekly Cost: $130 for members, $150 for non-members
Sylvan Spring Break STEM Camps If you’re looking for ways to introduce your child to new and fun experiences, you’ve got to check out our Sylvan EDGE camps. Half/Full: Full Day Age: 2nd grade through age 12 Area: Ponte Vedra 880 A1A N Ste 7, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (904) 280-8410
Coastal Kicks Soccer Camp Mini-kickers ages 3 and 4 - An introduction to the beautiful game and an early start! Half/Full: Half Day Morning, Full Day Grades: Preschool, Elementary Age: 3 - 10 years Area: Ponte Vedra (904) 372-9960 info@coastalkicks.com Julington Creek Plantation Activities for both camps include: Swimming, Basketball, Volleyball, Golf, Arts ‘n Crafts & Group Activities. Half/Full: Full Day Hours: 8:00am – 5:30pm Grades: Elementary, Middle School Age: 5 - 12 950 Davis Pond Blvd., St. Johns, FL (904) 821-3639 Julington Creek Plantation Skateboard Camp Campers will learn the basic fundamentals of skateboarding as well as park etiquette and safety Half/Full: Full Day Hours: 9:00am - 3:00pm Grades: Elementary, Middle School Age: 4-15 950 Davis Pond Blvd., St. Johns, FL (904) 821-3639 jdavidson@jcpcdd.org Kidzfactory Spring Break Theatre Games Mania! Theatre games, improv, theatre fun! Half/Full: Half Day Morning Hours: 9:00am - 12:00pm Area: St. Augustine 11 Old Mission Ave, St. Augustine, FL 904-825-1164 thelimelighttheatre@gmail.com Paks Ponte Vedra Each Camper will be provided a t-shirt and karate pants – theirs to keep, along with a camp belt! Half/Full: Full Day Age: 6 – 16 Area: St. Augustine 10440 US Highway 1 North, Suite 115, St. Augustine, FL 904-829-8087 info@pakspontevedra.com
TPC Sawgrass – Skills Specific The TOUR Academy TPC Sawgrass offers an exceptional instruction facility situated in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Half/Full: Half Day Morning Hours: 9:00AM – 12:00PM Grades: Middle School, High School Age: 12-17 Area: Ponte Vedra 110 Championship Way, Ponte Vedra, FL 800-766-7939 World Golf Village – Spring Break Full Day The PGA TOUR Golf Academy at World Golf Village offers an exceptional instruction facility located in in historic St. Augustine, Florida. Half/Full: Full Day Mar. 16 – 18 Hours: 9:00AM – 4:00PM Age: 7 - 12 years Area: St. Augustine 326 World Golf Village Blvd, St Augustine, FL 800-766-7939
Visit
Stjohnspare
nt.com
for up-to-d ate
Spring & Su mmer Camp Information
CAMP DIRECTORY FLAGLER COUNTY SPRING BREAK CAMPS Roma Court Academy Spring Break Camp Our Spring Break Camp is a popular pick for area parents looking to make sure their child's break is well balanced with fun, discovery and learning. Ages: 5-12 Cost: $100Wk / $25 Day Hours: 6:30 am – 6:00pm 515 Palm Coast Parkway SW Suite 27, Palm Coast 386-445-0834, info@romacourtacademy.com www.romacourtacademy.com Sunshine Academy Spring Break Camp Sunshine Academy Spring Break Camp Teachers Develop Lesson Plans Based Upon Our Themes. 1230 Palm Coast Pkwy. Palm Coast 386-445-2822, academyofsunshine@yahoo.com 170 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach 386-439-9985, sunshineacademy@yahoo.com www.academyofsunshine.com Sunshine Academy of Flagler A Fun-filled week of hands-on learning activities. Hours / Days: Monday - Friday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM (Up to 10 hours per day) Grades/Ages: Kindergarten - 4th Grade Cost: $35 / day drop in $30/ day scheduled $125 Full Week Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Included 170 Old Kings Rd. South Flagler Beach, FL 32136 386-439-9985 www.academyofsunshine.com
OUT OF AREA ... St. Augustine Alligator Farm & Zoological Park Spring Break Camp (Scutes, Scales & Slippery Skin) “Scute” on over to the Alligator Farm and discover what makes us world-famous! From crocodilians and turtles to lizards and snakes, we will investigate what makes reptiles so fascinating. A t-shirt and water bottle is included in each weeklong camp. Lunch and a snack will be provided daily. Dates: March 13 – 17, 2017 Hours: 9am – 4pm For students currently in Kindergarten through 5th grade Cost: $210/members or $230/non-members (price for the week) 999 Anastasia Blvd., St. Augustine, FL 32080 904-824-3337 ext. 29 bmcdermott@alligatorfarm.com www.alligatorfarm.com Central Florida Zoo Spring Break Camp Passport to Adventures Discover some of history's mysteries at the Zoo as we set out on an exciting expedition into the past. Meet a bald eagle up close to learn the important role our nation's symbol has played in our history. Who was first in space, humans or animals? Which spotted cat has been used by Pharaohs, royalty and emperors as a symbol of nobility? It's a journey you won't forget! Hours: 9:00am-4:00pm Ages: 6-12 Cost: $170 Annual Pass Holders, $190 Non-Pass Holders Before Care: 8:00am-9:00am - $5.00 per day After Care: 4:00pm-5:30pm - $5.00 per day 3755 NW Hwy 17-92, Sanford, FL 407-323-4450 ext. 123 education@centralfloridazoo.org www.centralfloridazoo.org
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feature
Inspired & Informed: Choosing the Perfect Camp For Each Child in the Family
by Christina Katz
A mistake parents can make when choosing a camp is confusing their child's needs with their own needs. If you want your child to be happy at camp, focus on who he or she is rather than on who you were as a camper. Your goal is to create a harmonious relationship between each of your children and the camp experience, not for your child to follow in your well-worn hiking boots. Going to camp should be a choice for every child. Don't force camp on a child who is terrified by the idea. At the same time, feel free to plant the seed in your children's minds from an early age that camp is a fun, life-enhancing adventure for those willing to try it. If older siblings have gone to camp and liked it, then younger siblings may already be eager to go themselves. But if your child is not enthusiastic, don't push camp on them without learning more.
Camp Considerations Feel free to present your camp experiences and what you got out of them to your kids, and invite others in the family to do the same. At the same time, however, communicate clearly your understanding that your child is not you or anyone else, and that you like and respect the person your child is already. Sending a child to camp to correct or fix things about them is backwards. The person who needs to change their attitude in this scenario is the parent, not the child. If you have worries or concerns about your child, don't send your child to camp to address those feelings. Find someone you can talk to so you can learn to accept your 18 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
children for who they are and meet their range of individual needs. Kids who are secure and comfortable in their own skin thrive at camp, whereas kids who are insecure and anxious may flounder.
A Range Of Choices Sending kids to camp may have been your idea, but in order for kids to feel good about the adventure, they need to buy in to the idea, as well. The first question to ask yourself is, which types of camp are best suited to your child's physical, emotional, and mental needs? Would day camp or overnight camp be the better choice at this developmental stage? If choosing overnight
camp, would your child prefer to be close or far from home? Also consider the mission and style of the camp. Would your child prefer to rough it for a week in the White Mountains or stay in a cozy, family-style camp with modern amenities closer to home? Parents may need to let go of the idea that what was good for them as children is good for their kids. What was good for you as a child may traumatize a sensitive child or a child with special needs. Strive to meet your kids where they are. Parents may experience some grieving in letting go of preconceived notions of sharing childhood experiences with their children. But try to leave the past in the past, so you can make the healthiest choices for your family in the present. For example, if you were a rugged and athletic child, these traits may have been widely admired, as they usually are. If your family of origin had a bias against sensitive or artsy kids, you will want to be aware of a possible unconscious tendency in yourself. You may also need to steel your mind against what others think about who your child is. You are not taking a poll. This is not the 1950's or even the 1980's. Try to view the camp landscape through the eyes of each of your children instead of through the eyes of others or tradition. What if you are different from your child in even more profound ways than personality? What if the two of you have very little in common at all? Would you both crave the same types of camp experiences? Would you even be likely to choose the same camps?
Individuation Workbooks For Parents Do your kids a favor and see them for who they truly are. Love each of them to the best of your ability. If you struggle with any of this, admit it, and get some help. Often, parents are so busy taking care of everyone else that they neglect themselves. Individuation is an ongoing process that begins in childhood and continues for a lifetime. Parents can benefit by finding self-expression practices that help them keep up with their own needs. When parents take care of their own emotional needs, the need to project their needs onto their children diminishes and healthy boundaries can be restored. These workbooks are a good place to start for any parent who is feeling out of touch.
Be Respectful Children know intuitively when they are liked and accepted. They also know when parts of them are disliked and rejected. To look at a child and compare him or her to your childhood self or to siblings or peers is disrespectful and hurtful. To really see your child and accept him or her for who she is means loving and respecting your child as is. Each child is an individual with so much to offer the world, whether you can see and accept this or not. If you choose the best camp for your child, you can relax knowing the folks in charge will see the value in your child. When you can see the value in your child, others see it, too. Trying to force a child to be more like you, when the child is not you, may seem harmless and common in our society, but there is a cost. A child can feel when she is being criticized, so even if you are trying to bring the two of you closer together by putting your child through paces you were put through as a kid, your child may feel unseen and unknown. You can't send a child who is not like you to camp and get a version of yourself back. Not only does camp not work this way, life doesn't work this way. Take a good, long look at each of your children. Resist the urge to see them as a version of yourself. None of them are you. There will never be another you in all the world. Once you see, understand, and accept each of your children, then you can work together to choose the perfect camp.
Types Of Camps This list breaks types of camps down to the most basic types. Camps can become much more specialized as you explore within categories, so this list is just to help you get started considering all your options.
Day Overnight Sports Education Leadership Technology Arts Wilderness
Girls Boys Co-ed Family Religious Traditional Specialized School vacation
The Artist's Way Workbook by Julia Cameron
The Inner Child Workbook by Cathryn L. Taylor
The Secret Me by Shane Windham
The Creative Journal by Lucia Capacchione
Journal To The Self by Kathleen Adams
Start Where You Are by Meera Lee Patel
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The Disney SpringsTM Resort Area Hotels’ “Escape” rates for stays through April 16, 2017, are: • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – Orlando Lake Buena Vista (pictured) -- rates from $139 per suite, per night • B Resort & Spa – rates from $104 per room, per night (which is 30% off) • Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel – rates from $89 per room, per night. • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – rates from $116 per room, per night • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – rates from $116 per room, per night • Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney SpringsTM Area – rates from $129 per room, per night • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney SpringsTM Resort Area – rates from $77 per room, per night.
Seven Disney Springs Hotels TM
Offering Appealing “Escape” Rates Through April Looking for a fun nearby getaway? You should consider taking advantage of the special “Escape” rates that are being offered by the seven Disney SpringsTM Resort Area Hotels in Central Florida. Available for stays through April 16, 2017, the special rates are a great way to experience the 2017 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival and the Garden RocksTM Concert Series at Epcot®. It also is a wonderful time to take in the many new offerings in the Walt Disney World® Resort, including the many exceptional new venues at the dramatically transformed Disney SpringsTM area, formerly known as the Downtown Disney® Area. The vibrant new waterfront Disney SpringsTM offers a high-quality diverse mix of more than 150 shops, dining choices and entertainment options across its four outdoor neighborhoods. In addition to the seven Disney SpringsTM Resort Area Hotels having an ideal location with an easy walk to the significantly expanded Disney SpringsTM, these seven Official Walt Disney World® Hotels also provide shuttle transportation every 30 minutes to all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks, two water parks, and at night to the Disney SpringsTM area. Plus, as a bonus, guests at these hotels also receive the “Disney SpringsTM Passport” booklet that features exclusive discounts and specials from Disney SpringsTM merchants on entertainment, shopping and dining. 20 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
For more information on the special rates, or to make a reservation, visit DisneySpringsHotels.com, specifically http://bit.ly/Escape17 . The special rates are available for stays through April 16, 2017, based on availability. Some blackout dates may apply, and availability may be limited. The rates do not include the Resort Services Fee or daily parking fee (if applicable), taxes or gratuities. The offer is not valid with any other special offers, promotions, existing reservations, or for groups.
Visiting provides the opportunity to take in such special events as: • Atlanta Braves Springs Training – through March 29, 2017 at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex • 2017 Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival – March 1May 29, 2017 at Epcot® • Garden RocksTM Concert Series – Fridays-Mondays March 1-May 29, 2017 at Epcot® Note that Theme Park admission or a separate ticket may be required. Disney SpringsTM Resort Area Hotels (DisneySpringsHotels.com) includes: • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton – Orlando Lake Buena Vista (pictured) -- the luxurious and recently renovated resort hotel features 229 spacious suites, and is the only all-suite resort hotel in the Disney SpringsTM Resort Area • B Resort & Spa -- the stylish resort opened in June 2014 with newly renovated guest rooms and the B Indulged® AVEDA Spa • Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort Hotel – the 18-story resort overlooks scenic Lake Buena Vista and the Walt Disney World® Resort • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – situated on 27 lush acres just steps from the Disney SpringsTM Area • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – the closest hotel to Disney SpringsTM, the resort offers seven restaurants and lounges • Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney SpringsTM Area -- features modern Florida décor and complimentary Wi-Fi • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista Disney SpringsTM Resort Area -- features six dining options, and the Oasis Aquatic Pool Playground. Located in the heart of the Disney SpringsTM area, the Disney SpringsTM Resort Area Hotels feature an ideal location within walking distance of exceptional shopping, dining and entertainment venues. Visit DisneySpringsHotels.com.
The Endless Vacation!
The AAA Four Diamond rated Reunion Resort encompasses 2,300 acres of lush landscape and nature preserves, providing a peaceful respite in the midst of the magic and mayhem of Orlando’s attractions. Leaving crowds and long lines far behind, the resort features 360 resort style accommodations ranging from luxury suites, and condos, to multi-room villas and private 4-12 bedroom vacation homes. Recognized by Golfweek, Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine as a top golf destination resort, Reunion is the only location in the world featuring three signature championship golf courses designed by golf’s greatest legends: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. Reunion also features seven casual and fine dining options including an award-winning rooftop steakhouse, elegant indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, six hydro-grid clay tennis courts, a full service boutique spa, 10 community pools and a 5-acre waterpark including slides, a water playground and a 1,000-ft. lazy river, which Travel Channel named among their top 10 “Over the Top” waterparks in the world. Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure have also named Reunion as a Top Destination for families in the U.S. With its infinite supply of business and leisure features, Reunion Resort is truly a destination with endless vacation possibilities.
7593 Gathering Dr., Kissimmee, FL 32747 • 407.662.1800 • www.reunionresort.com www.stjohnsparent.com / March/April 2017 • 21
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Tricks and Treats
for St.Patrick’s Day 8 Fun Leprechaun Tricks to Play on Your Kids
From the time your sleepyheads wake until they leave for school or daycare, they will enjoy finding the tricks and treats a leprechaun left behind on the night before St. Patrick’s Day.
Begin St. Patrick’s Day by sneaking into your kids’ rooms and up colorful 6 Serve 1 putting shamrock stickers on their cheeks or feet! rainbow pancakes or
2
Use a green eyeliner pencil or green dry erase marker to write a message on the bathroom mirror from a tricky leprechaun such as “Can’t Catch Me!”
green paint to place a tiny footprint on each side 3 ofUsethewashable toilet seat, then for extra giggles, add a few drops of green food coloring to the toilet water! To make leprechaun footprints, spread a thin layer of green washable paint onto a paper plate. Make a fist, and press the pinky side of your fist into the paint. (thumb side up) Then, press the side of your fist onto the surface you would like to print. This will make a little leprechaun footprint. Create the toes of the foot by dipping your pinky into the paint and using your pinky to make five dots above the footprint.
4
Turn everything topsy turvy in the dining area! Flip chairs upside down, leave cabinet doors open and add more green footprints on the refrigerator door.
a few drops of green food color to the kids’ milk. If your 5 Add kiddos are juice drinkers, decorate the rims of their glasses with rainbow sugar. In a small plate, spread three different colors of decorating sugar, but don’t mix up the colors. Wet the rim of each glass with water, then dredge the rim in the sugar. 22 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
waffles. Divide the batter into three parts, and then tint with food color. Put each color of batter into a plastic sandwich bag. Close tightly, then push the batter into one of the bottom corners of the bag. Snip the corner off with scissors and squeeze out the batter as you would from a pastry bag. Squeeze one dollop of each color in the waffle maker for rainbow waffles. Create each pancake from all three colors as well. Serve with whipped cream and green sprinkles! gold coins or paper shamrocks around the house for kids 7 Hide to find. 8 Fill the kids’ shoes with gold chocolate coins for a special treat. The kids will be delighted to have a new, fun ritual to celebrate in spring, but be prepared for them to trick you later!
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Shhhh!
Create Your Own Little Library
by Lara Krupicka
My family loves to read. And we love sharing great books with others and discovering new reads. So when I heard about the Little Free Library movement, I knew we had to get involved. These small book-filled structures situated along neighborhood sidewalks encourage passers-by to take home any book they fancy and invite them to participate by donating books if they wish. In our case though, we didn't only want to visit a Little Free Library - we wanted to host one. If you would like to do the same, then read on! Little libraries come in all shapes and sizes. You could put out a plastic container of books with a sign inviting people to take a book. Or, if you have basic construction skills or know someone who does, you could build a wooden library. Just follow these eleven steps: Decide on a design. What type of roof will your library have? Will the peak face the front or the side? Double door or single? One shelf or two? Do you want to make it in the shape of your favorite object? How much of an overhang will you leave on your roof? This may sound like a lot to consider for such a simple building. However, it all makes a difference when it comes down to construction. Once you have made those decisions, you will want to plot out measurements for each piece of your library - floor, sides, door, window, back, roof. A common finished size for Little Free Libraries is 20" wide x 18" to 28" tall x 12" to 15" deep.
1
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Gather materials. You will need: 5/8" plywood for the structure itself 4" x 4" post for mounting it on nails or screws wood glue caulk exterior-grade paint
hinges door handle acrylic sheet for a window in the door hook and eye to latch door closed
Some library stewards aim for an environmental-friendly creation by salvaging construction supplies from what they already have. 24 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
Cut and sand the wood. Measure and mark the dimensions of each piece. Then using a circular or table saw, cut the pieces to size. For the front of your library, you will also need to mark the opening for your door and cut it out. Then, in the piece you removed, you will want to cut the opening for your window. For the window itself, cut a piece of acrylic one inch larger than your opening (to overlap ½" on all sides). If you don't own a saw and can't borrow one, bring your measurements when you purchase the wood. Many lumber and big box stores will cut to order for free or a nominal fee. Once your wood is cut, sand it. Start with a rough grade of sandpaper and sand each piece, making passes with increasingly finer grits. Your patrons will appreciate not having their clothing catch on a rough door or splinters in their fingers as they pull a book out.
3
Paint the library. Before you assemble your building, mark which side of each piece will face inside. Paint those first rather than awkwardly reaching inside a finished library. When the paint has dried, flip the pieces over and paint the outside, unless you are painting a special design on the exterior, in which case you should assemble your library before painting the rest.
4
Assemble your library. Position the sides of your library at the edge of the floor piece, painted sides facing in. Drill pilot holes before nailing or screwing them together. Do this for both sides and back. Then place the front piece with cutout in position and fasten as you did the others. For added stability, you can run a line of wood glue along the edge of each board before fastening.
5
Attach the window and door. Attach the acrylic sheet to the backside of the door: center the acrylic atop the door interior, insert short screws with washers snug against the edges of the window so that the heads overlap the acrylic to hold it in place. Fasten the hinges on the door, ensuring it hangs plumb as you do so. Then attach the handle and hook and eye.
6
Caulk the interior. Run a bead of caulk along all the corners where the sides of your building meet. You may want to leave the edges where the walls meet the floor untouched. In the event that moisture enters your library, it will have a place to escape.
7
Attach the roof. Match your roof pieces at the peak, measuring for an even overhang on all sides. Clamp in place and fasten as you did the sides. Then caulk inside along all roof and wall joints.
8
Insert your library post. Dig a posthole approximately two feet deep. Drop in your post. Using a level to position the post upright in all directions, fill halfway with crushed stone followed by sand, tamping down between layers. To make it even sturdier, mix and pour concrete around the base.
9
Mount your library to the post. You could add two angle braces (like those used on mailboxes) for extra support.
10
Host your grand opening! Fill library with books, leaving space for visitors to add their own contributions. Attach a Little Free Library charter sign (obtained through littlefreelibrary.org), if you have one. Then invite your friends and neighbors for an unveiling party!
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Serving as Little Free Library stewards (as owners are called) can be satisfying for kids and adults alike - watching cars pause in the street to look at your building, receiving messages from friends about the books from your library their kids are reading, venturing out to see what new books have appeared and which ones have been claimed. The few hours of work that go into building one pay off many times over in community interactions and promoting literacy. www.stjohnsparent.com / March/April 2017 • 25
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APR 16
APRIL 15
3PM The parade heads south down Avenida Menendez. The annual parade featuring horsedrawn carriages, marching bands, floats, drill teams, the Easter Bunny, and St. Augustine’s Royal Family. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to find parking and secure a spot along the downtown streets. www.oldestcityeaster.org/easter-parade.html
7:30AM This festive, Easter-themed beach run was established in 1967 by the City of Daytona Beach. The race was first held on Easter Sunday to provide an activity for visiting college students and is now the longest consecutive footrace in the State of Florida. Participants enjoy a scenic run on the World’s Most Famous Beach while traveling out and back for the 4-mile race, 2-mile fun run or health walk. Kids are also welcome to participate in the 1/4-mile race, 100 and 50-yard dash. The Easter Beach Run is professionally chip-timed by the 5K Race Director. runsignup.com
ST. AUGUSTINE EASTER PARADE
APRIL 8
Easter Celebration Egg Hunt Palm Coast United Methodist Church annual North Campus Easter Egg Hunt. PCUMC North Campus. Free. Donations welcome. www.palmcoastumc.org
APRIL 15
Eggstravaganza One of Palm Coast's favorite holiday family events occurs every Easter holiday. The keys to the success of the program are the huge family crowds that support the event each year and the highly anticipated arrival of the holiday bunny on a fire truck. In 2016, 17,000 eggs will be hidden on the park grounds and so many youngsters are expected at the event, Parks & Recreation staff divided the main event hunt into smaller, more manageable age groups. Since 2014, the City has buried only bio-degradable eggs on the park grounds, aligning with Palm Coast's environmentally sensitive reputation as one of the top-rated green communities in the region. Central Park in Town Center 975 Central Avenue, Palm Coast, FL
26 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
50th Annual Easter Beach Run
APRIL 8
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Come and join us for breakfast with Easter Bunny 10:45 AM. Breakfast catered by Bob Evans! Purchase your tickets online for only $10.00. Limited tickets will be sold. Breakfast, Arts & Crafts, Easter Bunny Meet & Greet, Free photo opportunities with the Easter Bunny, special Appearance by Buddy the Eagle! Buddy Taylor Middle School Cafeteria 4500 Belle Terre PKWY, Palm Coast 386-446-6700
Forget the candy – this year, fill their baskets with fun instead! We’ve found some smart alternatives to sugary snacks for this year’s Easter treats. Hot Wheels® PlayTape Track Kids can instantly build the racing world of their dreams for fast-action adventure anytime, anywhere. PlayTape sticks to any flat surface and is easy to tear by hand and reposition. It peels up without any residue and is recyclable, so cleaning up is a snap. Just Unroll, Stick, and Race! For ages 3 years+. MSRP: $4.99-$5.99. Currently available in stores at Toys “R” Us and Hobby Lobby nationwide
Playfoam Sparkle 4-Pack Let your creativity sparkle this Easter with the Playfoam Sparkle 4-Pack from Educational Insights. Playfoam can be squished and squashed again and again for hours of creative tactile play! Playfoam never dries out so the creativity never ends—and the secret no-stick formula means you can take it anywhere for creative fun on the go. For ages 3+. MSRP: $7.08. Available online at www.Amazon.com
Marcus & Marcus Silicone Bath Toys
Disney Baby SoapSox
are must have gifts for your tub-loving little ones! Each squirter is made of BPA free and phthalate free silicone. They are not just fun to play with but mold-free! Available in 5 animal character designs: Marcus the Lion, Pokey the Pig, Lola the Giraffe, Ollie the Elephant and Willo the Whale. They also come in Submarine and Rocketship. For 6 months+. MSRP: $7.99-$9.99. Available online at www.Amazon.com
If stuffed animals are a must-have for the basket, take it to the next level with the new line of Disney Baby SoapSox. These adorable, plush characters are made to go from playtime to bath time! All six beloved Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse, come with built-in finger pockets that allow for secure scrubbing, while a clever opening for liquid or bar soap makes sudsing up feel like playtime. For ages Birth +. MSRP: $14.95. www.SoapSoxkids.com
HABA’s Shakin Eggs Shape Sorting Flower Puzzle from Playgro Encourage your baby to recognize various shapes and their sizes, this practices trial and error, mental prediction and problem solving. The cute flower acts as a central part of this 22 piece sorting puzzle, perfect for the inquisitive mind. For ages 12 months+. MSRP: $14.99. Available online at www.Amazon.com
Shake things up this Easter with HABA’s Shakin Eggs. Develop your child's musical abilities early with these brightly colored eggs that all make different noises. Most are shakin' but one of the five is twistin’. For ages 2 years+. MSRP: $19.99. Available online at www.HABAusa.com and www.Target.com
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feature Helpful Resources in Books:
Money Matters:
Raising Money Savvy Kids
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who are Grounded, Generous and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber
by Christa Melnyk Hines
Kids may not always listen to the life lessons we try to impart, but when it comes to money, they are an amazingly attentive audience. T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm, found in a recent survey that 65 percent of kids approach their parents about money matters. Provide guidance about managing money now and you'll set your children on the course for a lifetime of financial responsibility and long-term security. Shape savvy spenders. For Megan Lynch, whose daughters are ages 5, 3, and 10 weeks, understanding money is an important life skill. "It took me a really long time to learn to budget and get my credit on track," Lynch says. "I want my girls to know that being responsible with their finances will reap better rewards than the instant gratification of just blowing it all."
Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze
First, distinguish between wants and needs. Your child will become a more prudent spender, who fulfills needs first and saves for wish-list items to purchase later. Lynch's girls use a piggy bank to watch their money grow. "We are trying to teach them that saving up for something special takes time and patience and in the end, they are always proud of how much money they were able to save," she says. Basic budgeting. For novice money managers, offer budgeting and planning tips. Trish Batten provides some guidance for her daughter Kendall, but overall she gives her the freedom to make her own decisions about how she spends money. "Recently she had a goal to save up for a pet, then got invited by a friend to the American Girl Doll Store," Batten says. "She chose to dip into her money for American Doll items. Her savings for a pet dwindled significantly for what a nine-year-old is able to save up and she is just now realizing it." Allowance is another tool for teaching kids as young as four basic budgeting skills. Make the connection between work and earnings by assigning chores that benefit the entire family, like feeding pets or washing the dishes. Wondering how much to pay? "Err on the side of frugality," English says. "Keep it low enough so the child learns some discipline and learns to save." Provide enough allowance each week to cover one of your child's needs, such as lunch money, and a little extra to go towards a want. "Whatever is left they can spend on discretionary items." Avoid bail-outs. If your child spends all of his allowance without considering his weekly expenses, natural consequences like brown-bagging lunch for the rest of the week will quickly teach him the value of planning and budgeting his money. If your child wants to earn more money, offer extra chores for additional allowance. Talk family finances. Early on, lead by example. "(Kendall) sees when we give to charity, save money, pay bills, use coupons and such," Batten says. "We talk about what we are doing and why we are doing it." Once your children enter middle school or high school, involve them in family budget discussions to help them understand weekly expenditures. Divide the week's expenses into envelopes. Even if you wish your finances looked different, "be transparent with kids about your family budget," English says. The lesson? When a child sees that money isn't in the budget for the designer jeans she wants, she can save some of her own earnings to purchase the jeans herself. Open a savings account. By the time your kids are seven or eight-years-old, encourage them to put birthday money or allowance left over at the end of the week into a savings account in their name. With a savings account, children learn about interest and how their money can grow. To get her started, consider matching your child's already accumulated savings. 32 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
The Everything Kids Money Book by Brette McWhorter Sember
Online resources: Financial Fitness for Life Parent Guide, http://fffl.councilforeconed.org/book -overview.php?gradeLevel=ParentGuides Interactive websites geared toward youth audiences include: http://www.genirevolution.org/ http://www.handsonbanking.com/en/ http://www.practicalmoneyskills. com/games/trainingcamp/
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St. Johns County Public Libraries Visit One of These St. Johns County Library Locations Today!
Anastasia Island Branch: East St. Johns County
Hastings Branch: Southwest St. Johns County
Ponte Vedra Beach Branch: Northeast St. Johns County
124 Seagrove Main St St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 Phone: (904)209-3730
6195 S. Main St. Hastings, FL 32145 Phone:(904) 827-6970
101 Library Blvd. Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 Phone: (904)827-6950 Monday - Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday & Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… 1st & 3rd Tuesdays @10:15am: Just for Babies Tuesdays @11am: Family Storytime
Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday & Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-7pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-3pm Sunday & Monday: Closed
Storytimes… Wednesdays @10:15am: Toddler/Baby Storytime @10:45am: Craft Time @11:05am: Preschool Storytime
Storytimes… Fridays @10:30am: Family Storytime @11am: Stay 'n Play
Bartram Trail Branch: Northwest St. Johns County
Central / East St. Johns County
60 Davis Pond Blvd. Fruit Cove, FL 32259 Phone: (904) 827-6960 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Tuesdays @11:05am: Just for Babies Wednesdays @10:10am: Toddler Storytime
Main Library:
1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32084 Phone:(904) 827-6940 Monday - Wednesday: 10am-8pm Thursday & Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Thursdays @10:15am: Just for Babies @11am: Toddler Storytime @11:30am Preschool Storytime
Southeast Branch: Southeast St. Johns County 6670 US 1 South St. Augustine, FL 32086 Phone:(904)827-6900 Fax:(904)827-6905 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm Wednesday, Friday: 10am-6pm Saturday: 10am-5pm Sunday: Closed Storytimes… Wednesdays @10:30am: Little Ones Storytime @11am: Family Storytime
For a an extensive listing of library events please visit www.StJohnsParent.com
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St. Johns SCHOOL NEWS
education
March/April 2017
Early Registration for Kindergarten
The St. Johns County School District (SJCSD) will hold early registration for children entering kindergarten for the 2017-2018 school year. Wednesday, February 15
1 – 5 p.m.
Friday, March 24 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 4
1 – 5 p.m.
Monday, May 15 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. To be eligible for public kindergarten in the SJCSD, children must be 5 years old on or before September 1 and must reside in St. Johns County. Parents must register children at the school where they are zoned for the 2017-2018 school year. To find your school, enter your street address on the Attendance Zone Locator athttp://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/zoning/. Students zoned for new Elementary School “M” will need to register at Pacetti Bay Middle School, located at 245 Meadowlark Lane, St. Augustine. Contact the Student Services Department at 547-7598 for additional information on registration and zoning. Requirements for registration: • Birth certificate • Documentation of a health examination performed on or after August 11, 2016 • Proof of completed required immunizations on Form DH680 • Proof of residence per the Residency and Guardianship Policy located at www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/student/residency/ Voluntary Pre-kindergarten (VPK) early registration will also take place at select schools on the above dates and times. Children entering the VPK program must be 4 years old on or before September 1. The St. Johns County School District VPK offers a high-quality early childhood education program with small class sizes and degreed teachers with certification in disabilities. VPK is available at John A. Crookshank, Cunningham Creek, Durbin Creek, Ketterlinus, Otis Mason, Mill Creek, Ocean Palms, Osceola, PVPV/Rawlings, South Woods, Timberlin Creek and Wards Creek elementary schools as well as The Webster School and Valley Ridge Academy. The SJCSD Head Start Program is currently taking applications for the 2017-2018 school year at the Head Start Office located at 102 Martin Luther King Ave. in St. Augustine. For additional information on VPK or Head Start, please contact Early Childhood Services at 547-4897.
38 • March/April 2017 / www.stjohnsparent.com
Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) has selected 2016’s “Preschool Teacher of the Year” recipient, as well as honoring all the nominations at their fourth annual Early Educators Conference. The conference was held on January 21, 2017 and it marked the third consecutive year where a preschool teacher received the prestigious award. The preschool teacher recognition spans across the six counties ELC covers and acknowledges the quality, creativity and hard work of those who teach children during a time when, according to researchers, rapid brain development can be leveraged toward long-term academic achievement. This year’s Preschool Teacher of the Year winner was St. Johns County’s Marie Klingner of Memorial Lutheran Chapel School in St. Augustine. Marie creates “teachable moments” all day and her consistent support enables children to reach their highest potential. This year’s Preschool Teacher of the Year nominees included: Elizabeth Biskentawi of Lighthouse Learning Center in Orange Park; Giana Jackson of Rainbow Center in Bradford county; Damaris Jimenez of Polka Dot Kids Center in Palatka; Jill Maunz of Shadowlawn Elementary in Green Cove Springs and Lori Studenski of Amdromeda Preschool in Orange Park. “We celebrate and thank the important role these teachers have in supporting our youngest learners, who are our future leaders,” said Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager at ELC of North Florida. The nominees were recognized at the Early Educators Conference with a luncheon and awards ceremony sponsored by Kaplan Early Learning. Lisa Murphy, the founder and CEO of Ooey Gooey, Inc. was the speaker for the day. Lisa has been involved with early childhood education for over 20 years; teaching and working with children in various environments including Head Start, kindergarten, private preschools, family childcare, park and rec centers, group homes and many child care centers. “What a joy to see this conference full to capacity. What inspires me is to see so many early educators together in one place all interested in bettering themselves as teachers. They have a special enthusiasm that other educators do not have and it is a privilege to organize conferences like this to better equip them with the tools they need in the classroom,” said Slava Shevchenko, Director at Academy of Sunshine. Studies show that the best opportunity to influence children’s lifetime learning is before kindergarten when their most rapid period of brain growth occurs and it is part of ELC’s mission to give educators the support they need to help children be better prepared to learn. A special presentation to award the winner for the ELC preschool teacher of the year was also part of this year’s conference. Marie Klingner from Memorial Chaplin School in St. Augustine, was the recipient of a $500 cash prize donated and presented by Brian Williams of, Kaplan Early Learning Company. For more information about upcoming early literacy events, please contact Joan Whitson at jwhitson@elcnorthflorida.org.