SAVVY | August 2018

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5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN

- CALENDAR, CRAFTS AND MORE! -

12 MAMA SAID

- GIVE YOURSELF A LITTLE GRACE -

13 HEALTH & WELLNESS

- NEW SCHOOL YEAR, NEW FEARS -

15 QUICK AND EASY WEEKNIGHT MEALS

- PUT DINNER ON THE TABLE BEFORE THE KIDS' FAVORITE TV SHOW IS OVER! -

18 STEPPING THROUGH SCHOOL DAYS

- ADVICE TO GUIDE YOUR CHILD THROUGH THE STAGES

AND PHASES OF EDUCATION -

22 FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE

- ENGAGEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY ARE CENTRAL TO STUDENTS' SUCCESS -

24 CREATING GOOD HOMEWORK AND STUDY SKILLS 26 COLLEGE CRIB NOTES

- MAKE THE RIGHT MOVES AFTER HIGH SCHOOL -

33 COLLEGIANS SHARE FIRST-YEAR WISDOM

- THREE SOPHOMORES SHARE WHAT THEY HAVE LEARNED -

36 FAMILY GUIDE TO FAYETTEVILLE - PLENTY TO DO FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! -

38 KID APPROVED - ZARA ABBASI -

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AUGUST 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

INCLUDED ON THE COVER: LORELAI BRATTON, HUNTER FELTON, TRIPP FREEMAN, ISABELLA FRIEDMAN, JACKSON FRIEDMAN, DYLAN GARZA, ZOLA GODFREY-NEWSAM, MICHAEL HOUSE, SPENCER KIRK, RYAN KIRK, BRIGHTON LUDWIG, SARA LUNSFORD, KENLEY POLLARD, KENDALL SANDERS, DUSTIN WIRTZ, STECKS ZIMMEREBNER. *JULY 2018 COVER PHOTO SPELLING CORRECTION FOR AVA SINGLETON

DOG DAYS OF BACK TO SCHOOL I have mixed feelings about August. When school lets out in early June we all shake our heads and say, “I can’t believe summer break is so short!” But now that the start of school is upon us, temps are high enough that even a dip at the pool is lukewarm at best. It’s too hot for day camp, too hot for a game of catch in the yard, it’s basically too hot for anything but heading back to school.

A new school year can be a stressful thing: new classmates, a new schedule, different teacher, more advanced curriculum and more rigid expectations of behavior—maybe even an entirely new school.

That’s a lot to process for a little one, and back-to-school anxiety is definitely a real thing. We talk with a pediatric psychologist at UAMS on page 13 about what to look for and how to ease those anxious little minds to make the transition back to school easy for kids, parents and teachers.

As kids get older and rise through the grades, our roles as parents may change depending on what our kids need. We talk with Centers for Youth and Families beginning on page 18 to get advice on how to communicate with your child and her teacher, and how to best prepare her for what’s to come next throughout elementary, middle and high school.

Got a kid getting ready to leave the nest? We give the CliffsNotes on what to expect after high school beginning on page 26. Find out about the types of job training available, the price of tuition, necessary application paperwork, who’s hiring, and tips to get the most out of college visits.

There’s nothing more fundamental when it comes to parenting than what’s for dinner.

On weeknights when moms and dads get home from work at 5 p.m., rush to practice, scouts or PTA meetings and have just a few precious minutes to prepare a family meal, we have just the solution you’re looking for. On page 15, Kerry Guice offers up some of her kid-approved, 30-minute meals that dirty up minimal dishes (faster cleanup) and use healthy ingredients, so you can feel good about what’s on the table.

No matter what age and grade your family is navigating through, we hope there’s something within the pages of our back-to-school issue to ease your parenting journey.

We look forward to all of those smiling, first day of school pics hitting social media, and we’ll breathe a quiet sigh of relief as this signals that the heat of summer (surely?!) will break soon.

ME ON MY WAY OUT OF THE NEST!

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvy Kids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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contributors

KERRY GUICE is a writer, recipe developer and photographer living in Little Rock with her husband and two busy kids. When she’s not working or driving kids from one activity to the next, she’s planning her family’s next outdoor adventure.

ANGELA E. THOMAS is a proud University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate and a member of its Alumni Board. For 11 years, she served Central Arkansas as editor for a locally owned magazine. Thomas is founder and owner of the greeting card company GODsent Greetings.

DWAIN HEBDA is a writer and editor living in Little Rock. He and his wife, Darlene, are the parents of four grown children. The empty-nesters spend their time traveling, working out and spoiling their two dogs.

KATIE CHILDS is a wedding, lifestyle and commercial photographer based in North Little Rock. When she’s not behind the camera, Katie and her husband, Jon, can be found rock climbing with their two pups in Northwest Arkansas and listening to embarrassing rap music.

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BACK TO SCHOOL BASH FOR ALL OF OUR “LEARN TO” CLASSES!

WHEN: Sept 15-18 Learn to Ice Skate: Sat 9a, Tues 6p Learn to Play Hockey: Sat 10:30a • Learn to Roller Skate: Mon 6p WHAT: A chance to find your sport for free! Come and try out any of our “learn to” classes at their scheduled time Sept 15-18 for a free trial class. If you sign-up for any of the classes during the Back to School Bash, you will receive the promo pricing of $150 plus tax!

WHAT’S INCLUDED IN PROMO PRICE: 8 lessons, free skates, and a 2 month season pass. We are also offering a free swag bag for the first 50 people to attend the event.

MELISSA TUCKER spends her days working in web marketing. When not at work, you’ll probably find her at the gym, on the playground with her kids or checking out too many books from the library.

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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AUG. 3

ADVENTURE & FUN

Roll up your sleeves with the Junior League of Little Rock at their community project, Stuff the Bus, and help them deliver thousands of school supplies to seven Little Rock School District elementary schools including Baseline, Chicot, Geyer Springs, Meadowcliff, Romine, Stephens and Watson. Over the past 12 years, Stuff the Bus has grown tremendously, and this year, the project will serve more than 3,300 students! jllr.org/community-impact-stuffthe-bus

TAX-FREE WEEKEND! AUG. 4-5

Get your back-to-school shopping done on this tax-free weekend! Shop for certain school supplies, art supplies, school instructional materials and clothing without paying sales tax.

LIL' FARMERS KIDS CLUB AUG. 11

Get your kids, age 12 and under, involved in learning about healthy eating at this fun, handson event at the Little Rock farmers market from 10 to 11 a.m. Supplies are limited to the first 25 participants. facebook.com/LRFarmersMarket

WALK WITH ME 5K & FAMILY FUN WALK AUG. 18

Raise money for Easterseals Arkansas and get some exercise at this 5K and family fun run complete with food, drinks and childrens' activities including face painting, bounce houses and more! easterseals.rallybound.org

“THE WIZARD OF OZ”

AUG. 14

Cool off with a classic at Riverdale 10 VIP Cinema and catch a 7 p.m. screening of the original 1939 “Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland. Kids of all ages will love this epic, dream of a journey on the big screen. riverdale10.com

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AUGUST 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Dr. Keith Jones and the team at Small Bites provide affordable, specialized pediatric dental care for infants, children, teens and kids with special needs.

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wiggle worms introduces children to science with hands-on activities tuesdays and saturdays at 10 a.m. (ages 6 and under) thursdays at 3:30 p.m. (ages 10 and under) included in museum admission or free for members museumofdiscovery.org

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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ADVENTURE & FUN

DIY PENCIL POUCH

BACK-TO-SCHOOL JUST GOT CRAFTY WITH FUN, HOMEMEADE PENCIL POUCHES!

YOU'LL NEED: Ultra-fine-point Sharpies Canvas pencil bag Ruler Pencil

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HOW TO: 1. Use a pencil to draw or sketch your design onto the canvas bag. We used a ruler to draw a grid, then used that grid to make the designs.

2. Plan your design on paper before you start. Pick your colors. The permanent ink will not wash out.

3. Place a few sheets of paper or cardboard (cut to fit) into the pouch so the ink does not seep through the fabric.

4. Start coloring your design.

Have fun!

TIPS: YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRAW OUT A DESIGN, JUST HAVE FUN JUST DRAWING FREEHAND. OUTLINE YOUR DESIGN WITH A THICKER BLACK SHARPIE MARKER.

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MAMA SAID...

Give Yourself A Little Grace

D

o you ever feel like you’re dogpaddling through life, like you’re barely keeping your head above water and if you take on one more thing you’ll surely sink? Is this the plight of parenting? Of mothers? Do we all feel overworked, overscheduled and overcommitted?

I often feel like I’m doing everything halfway, and none of it is great. I get frustrated and down on myself when things fall through the cracks. I should be more organized, I think. I just wasted an entire hour on Facebook. But Suzy’s mom bakes. I forgot to sign the kids up for soccer and now it’s too late. We had pizza three nights last week. The uniform isn’t clean. We don’t read to the kids enough. I can never find time to work out. I forgot to pay the gas bill. I should call my mother more. The car is 2,000 miles overdue for an oil change.

So. Many. Things. It’s easy to work ourselves into a frenzy when we’re hustling to do it all. But do we have to? Do it all, I mean.

We think we do, especially for the first child or two. (By the third, they practically raise themselves.)

We plan to make our own baby food, to be the Best Room Parent Ever, to do every single thing, and do it all perfectly. Instagram and Pinterest abound with unrealistic images that pressure us to do more, to be more. But, aren’t we enough?

We are. It’s taken me this long, but I’m finally learning to allow myself some grace. Grace to simply be enough, and to forgive myself when I fail. Grace to lower my own parenting expectations and be all right with that, to not consider it yet another failure.

Because it’s not. There’s no first-place ribbon for parenting the hardest. The reward is happy kids

whose synapses all connected properly because their mom wasn’t a miserable wreck.

The pressure in my chest began to ease when I finally realized I already had the one thing necessary to define what it means to be enough— instincts. The same ones that told me when it was time to stop nursing or to make a change in sleeping arrangements. The one I count on to know when my kids are old enough for a sleepover, or to talk about the birds and bees. My instincts said all the peripheral stuff was just noise, that what really mattered were the tiny moments when I put my phone down and listened. What really mattered was taking the time to teach my daughter to cook instead of rushing through it to move on to the next thing on the schedule. My instincts said, I know what is enough, not social media, not society, and not other moms.

The hard thing about frustration is it has a way of compounding. It piles on and piles on, and with each day brings one more thing we know we won’t do as well as we should. When we feel like we’re failing, it’s hard to love ourselves. But as long as we’re trying, we are enough. You are enough. I hope you’ll consider giving yourself a little grace.

THE FIRST-PLACE RIBBON FOR PARENTING IS HAPPY KIDS!

Jen Holman is determined to be a voice of reason amongst reality TV and momjudgment-gone-wild. Her newest novel (as yet unpublished) won the 2017 Rosemary award for excellence in young adult fiction. She lives in Little Rock with her husband and three (im)perfect children.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

New School Year, New Fears

HOW TO TACKLE BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY IN KIDS OF ALL AGES

By Melissa Tucker

S

tarting a new year in school can be exciting, but nerves can also get the best of kids as they return to class.

“It’s not an unusual thing for kids to be anxious this time of year,” said Jayne Bellando, a pediatric psychologist and professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. “For adults, if you start a new job, it’s scary. Teachers are always anxious this time of year as well.”

Oftentimes fears can be exacerbated by offhand comments or something they’ve heard. She said it’s important to connect with children about their fears and to not make assumptions, because they might surprise you.

“One child was afraid of the next grade because of a comment a family member made. This is a kid who is smart and makes good grades, but because their cousin said the next grade was the hardest grade, there’s this anxiety that wasn’t there before,” she said. “I also remember a young man, this was years ago, who was told teachers have eyes in the back of their heads, so he thought they were mutants. And those are the things adults will not think about until they try to get more information.”

Further complicating matters, many times younger children will express their anxiety in non-traditional ways.

“It may not look like it does with adults,” she said. “You may see some traditional behaviors you would identify as anxiety but you may also see anger, impatience, sullen behavior or somatic complaints.”

Because parents may be confused by these different symptoms, Bellando suggests a few ways to help them talk about their fears, such as asking them to draw or roleplay their feelings with toys or dolls.

“You could ask them to draw a picture of them at school or draw a picture of a body, and talk about how stress shows itself in different places on people’s bodies,” she said. “Some people get a headache, some have a hard time breathing, some people’s hands shake, draw a red circle, or draw butterflies in their stomach or identify where scared feelings are.”

Another idea is if the parent pretends to be nervous about the first day of school and asks the child to talk them through it.

“Have your child be the teacher or the nice friend who will help you, the scared child, feel better,” she said. “The words they’re going to say are the words you’d want them to say to themselves.”

She also suggests recalling a time when your child overcame a challenge.

“Remind them of the times they have been worried and what they did to overcome it,” she said. “Remembering successes helps us all feel more capable and more resilient in the face of new challenges. Be proactive and brainstorm a plan for your child to help with worries.”

Older children may be more inclined to talk, but Bellando warns parents to be careful about their reactions.

“The most important thing for a parent is not to automatically jump into, ‘It’s going to be ok’ or lecturing them. Don’t say, ‘When I was a kid ...’ because that’s going to shut the conversation down big time,” she said. “You have to guard against trying to do that to your older kids. They’ll say, ‘You don’t understand.’”

Better things to say are, “How does that make you feel? That must’ve been scary. How can I help you feel better?”

She says parents should be open to conversation when pre-teens and teens are ready, which may not always be convenient.

“The kids are not going to talk when you want them to,” she said.

“You have to be open for those moments and go ahead and seize them. You may have to turn off the stove and let dinner get cold and take that opportunity to talk.”

Even still, sometimes anxiety can overwhelm children, and then it’s time to consider professional help, such as counselors, psychologists or therapists. She suggests scheduling a meeting with the teacher in mid-September to get an idea of how the child is doing and how to proceed, if the child is having issues.

“Don’t wait until your child is really struggling to start that discussion with teachers,” she said, adding that children with learning differences are most at risk for anxiety.

“For these kids, additional services and support may be needed.

Schools are required to have free and appropriate education for all children. You have rights and so does your child.”

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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Quick and Easy Weeknight Meals Put dinner on the table before the kids' favorite TV show is over!

Story and Photography by Kerry Guice

E

very stage of having kids has its perks and hardships.

The first two years are a foggy, blissful blur of long nights, squishy snuggles, diaper changes and never leaving the house. Then life turns into an exciting tornado of blossoming personalities, potty training and lots of chasing (lots and lots of chasing). Once they become school age, there's a sigh and a feeling that you've really found the “sweet spot” of motherhood. Or so you think. After only a few years, the homework starts coming home, the playdates start, and the after-school activities start filling your calendar (and you can't just pick only one because they like everything and you can't deprive them from discovering what their Olympic-level talent is!). Then, they start driving, dating and before you know it they're leaving for college!

I'm currently in the after-school activity whirlwind. My 7-year-old is athletic and fast with the energy of a chipmunk on Starbucks, so he's into soccer, basketball and tennis. My 9-year-old just made the competitive gymnastics team so she's now training six hours a week, and plays tennis. They both also have more of a social life than I ever will. Needless

to say, dinnertime is a challenge! Violet gets home from the gym at 7 p.m., so if it's not fast, we're going to bed too late.

I try to keep a few fast dinner ideas on rotation, and these two have been favorites lately. They're so easy to switch out ingredients, depending on what I find in the pantry and refrigerator. They also have enough ingredient options that everyone in my family can find enough of the things they like to fill them up (no beans for my kids' burrito bowls, and no onions on my husband's sheet pan dinner plate). Both recipes also include minimal dishes afterward, which allows this mom more time to snuggle these quickly growing kids to bed, because—as busy as life feels now—one day I'll have all the time in the world to make dinner, and I'll miss these days!

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SHEET PAN CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE Serves 4

8-10 fingerling potatoes, sliced in half ½ red onion, sliced thick 4 baby bell peppers (or 1 bell pepper), roughly chopped into large chunks 8-10 large broccoli florets 4 chicken thighs, cut into chunks 6-8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced thick 1 corn cob, sliced into 6 pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt and pepper ½ teaspoon each of: Garlic powder Oregano Paprika Chili powder Cumin Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In small bowl, whisk all seasonings into the olive oil. Arrange the meats and veggies on the pan, then drizzle with the seasoned oil.

Toss lightly to coat. Roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes, tossing ingredients once, halfway through roasting. Substitute or add any of your favorite veggies or meats!

BURRITO BOWLS Serves 2-4

2 bags Uncle Ben's Basmati Ready Rice 90-second pouches 1 cup chopped lettuce ½ cup shredded cheese ½ cup chopped tomato 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped Juice of 1 lime 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1 avocado, chopped ½ cup corn ½ cup canned beans, rinsed Salsa Sour cream Spicy pumpkin seeds 1 pound ground beef 1 teaspoon each: Salt Pepper Chili powder Cumin Oregano Cornstarch Brown ground beef over medium heat, stirring occasionally, adding the seasonings and cornstarch just as it begins to brown. While beef is cooking, combine tomato, avocado, green onion, cilantro, corn and lime juice in small bowl.

Toss to combine with a pinch of salt and pepper. Microwave rice for 90 seconds (you can heat in the bags, but I remove the rice from the bags and heat in a microwavable covered dish because I don't like microwaving plastic). To assemble, spoon some rice into the bottom of a bowl. Then a layer of beans, followed by the meat, a layer of cheese, the lettuce, and then spoon on the tomato and corn mixture. Garnish with sour cream, salsa and spicy pumpkin seeds. Serve with or without tortilla chips on the side.

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STEPPING THROUGH SCHOOL DAYS

Advice to guide your child through the stages and phases of education

By Dwain Hebda

F

rom the clean-slate promise of new school supplies to the wide grins of first-day photos and the anticipation leading up to that first bell, heading back to school is a landmark event no matter how many times you go through it.

Getting your children through the various stages of their education doesn't get any easier, the challenges simply change at each level. Savvy reached out to Beth McAlpine, parent education coordinator at Centers for Youth and Families in Little Rock, for some advice on how to manage the controlled chaos of your children's school years.

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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL In a lot of ways, elementary school is the easiest phase because schools tend to be the most proactive in keeping parents in the loop. You can't very well rely on a second-grader to relay school announcements and scheduling notes, so much of the needed information is funneled directly through to parents. However, parents shouldn't think that the primary education years are a one-way street.

"Parents need to be partners with the teacher at every level," McAlpine said. "Any concerns you have, let the teacher know. For instance, say, 'We've had a lot of anxiety about coming back to school today; just wanted to let you know that they might be a little bit upset.' The more information the teacher has, the better they are going to be able to deal with the student if she starts to cry."

Children of all ages and abilities can feel some anxiety about school, particularly if it’s a landmark year, such as the first day of

preschool or the first year to be attending school all day. Simply changing teachers or wings of the building can all cause initial uneasiness, something that can be eased by activities to help kids get used to what's coming.

"Start early," McAlpine said. "Three weeks beforehand, have them go to bed earlier at night; you don’t want to start that the night before the first day, that’s going to be a disaster.

"Talk about it. 'Hey how many more days?' Get a calendar and start crossing things off, 'School starts in six more days.' 'Oh, look, here's you teacher let's draw her a picture and send her something tomorrow, what do you want to do?'"

McAlpine said the elementary level is all about giving children a measure of control with what's happening, something as simple as allowing them to pick out the first-day outfit or the contents of their lunch. That also extends to the first-day goodbye, which is generally as tough on parents as it is on kids.

"As for goodbyes, you can practice that if you think it's going to be a big deal," McAlpine said "Are we going to have a special hug, a special goodbye or make it short and sweet. Talk about if they want you to walk them in or drop them off. Give them choices."

MIDDLE SCHOOL Middle school is tricky business. Schools get larger, academic expectations get tougher, and activities are more numerous.

In addition, students' physical changes and emerging social constructs kick in, making the middle years very complicated for many students to navigate.

"The first thing is just being in a totally different building," McAlpine said. "Maybe they're coming from a very small class where they’ve been in school with a lot of these kids for a very long time. Now they're going to be mixed up in groups where they're meeting a lot of new people."

Certain variables can make middle school more difficult for some students than others. For instance, kids who are changing schools, who are stepping into a larger system or who haven't had an older sibling to observe can have a tougher time than other peers without these challenges.

"Coming from a small school setting is an adjustment," McAlpine said. "You have to change your expectations about what teachers are going to do, how they're going to respond. If you come from a class of 30 and now you have a class of 200, that’s very different, and it's going to look and feel different."

Parents should be particularly active during the middle school years, McAlpine said. Not only are kids asked to do more and have more activities, but expectations generally start to shift from automatically communicating with parents to putting more accountability on the kids. Thus, it takes more proactive effort for parents to stay connected.

"Find out the best way to communicate with teachers and other parents," McAlpine said. "Besides going to orientation, get on their email lists, sign up for the e-blast, check out the website, get on the Facebook page, follow them on Twitter and Instagram. There SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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are so many ways that you can stay informed."

It's also a good idea to keep an eye on the number of extracurricular activities kids are in during this phase. The stress of trying to juggle everything—including more demanding homework—is more than a lot of kids can handle.

"It's OK to take a break from a sport if it's affecting school work and attitude and the family, because those are the most

HIGH SCHOOL Many parents find today's educational system blurs the hard line that used to exist between middle school and high school, but that hasn't entirely erased the stress that comes with making the transition. And, as McAlpine pointed out, it's certainly fraught with challenges for parents, too.

"Some of these schools are so big and you meet a lot of different people and its harder to monitor," she said. "You don’t know these families like you did in elementary and middle school; you don’t know where they're coming from, where they live, what kind of rules or expectations they have."

High schoolers are generally less communicative about struggling socially or academically. You can keep track of the latter through homework tracking tools that many schools make available these days, but other issues are often harder to detect. "[Teens are] generally going to be more argumentative, 'It doesn’t matter,' kind of thing," McAlpine said. "That’s what you're gonna get when they're stressed out. Some kids will withdraw and want to play more video games or sleep or be more on social

20 AUGUST 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

important things," McAlpine said. "Another thing is, let's say they are opting to take algebra in 8th grade rather than waiting for 9th grade. And they are stressed out, they don’t get it, and you're doing three hours of homework, getting nowhere and now you're having to hire a tutor. It's OK to say, you know what, this is not for you right now. We'll do it another year."

media, or not be on social media, depending on what's going on.

Other kids will go the other direction and be really social; they’ve got this social circle that they've engineered so that they can avoid everything else. That’s their escape."

High schoolers generally crave independence, so providing them with appropriate latitude is key to their developing good decisionmaking skills. McAlpine said talking kids through real-world issues while they still live at home is critical.

"Part of this is making our homes look exactly like the real world as much as we can," McAlpine said. "Give them chores and jobs and a lot of that responsibility, within reason. Saying to your high school senior, for instance, 'I know you want to go out with your friends tonight, what time do you think you need to be home?

What time do you have to get up in the morning to do what's expected of you?'"

"Especially as you start bridging that gap to college, you need to start talking about what's going to happen in one short year or three short months or whatever it is. 'OK, you're going to be living on your own, how much money do you think you'll need every week? Where are you going to go to the grocery store? You’ve got a 9 o'clock class, what time do you think you need to get out of bed?' They start seeing that cause and effect, cause and effect."

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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PHOTO BY BRIAN CHILSON

From the Principal’s Office Engagement and opportunity are central to students' success

By Dwain Hebda

N

ancy Rousseau, principal of Little Rock Central High School, has been in charge of the landmark school for 16 years and counting. Multiply that by the thousands that make up the average student body every year and that's a lot of young faces, eager potential, tardy slips, parent conferences and everything else that goes with the sacred responsibility of educating children.

But there's one thing above all else that binds all those years and classes and students, and that's the simple, yet powerful, conviction that all young people have greatness in them, should they choose to embrace it. It's a belief Rousseau drills constantly into the students with the help of staffers, faculty members and parents.

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"Central is probably the most diverse school in the state," she said. "We have kids who come from 26 countries, who speak 27 languages. We have over 1,100 children who are what we would designate as economically disadvantaged. That being said, when they come to us every child has the opportunity to leave here fully prepared for college, career, the military, workforce, whatever."

"Parents send us the best they have," she added. "We have a tremendous team here to get these kids prepared for their success."

Rousseau said the process begins freshman year when all students take an evaluation that serves as a baseline measurement of the student's interests. It doesn't lock them into anything, but it does give an early look at where the child's interests may lead them given the right opportunity and exposure.

"What we do is expose the kids to lots of options so that they have the opportunity to find their niche," she said. "For example, the military. We give them tables outside the lunchroom. They do it all year long and the

kids talk to them about the various services."

"Or, say the child wants to learn a skill; after sophomore year, if the children show that interest, we partner with Metropolitan Votechnical School."

Rousseau said this individualized approach strikes a chord with parents, many of whom stay actively involved in their children's education. She called that participation a critical aspect of success.

"The children who are the most successful are those whose parents are part of this teamwork," she said. "The parents are so involved from the very beginning. We have a ton of parent meetings. They’re exposed to what our goals are at the school, what the kids are learning and how they can help their children."

The proof is in the school's graduates, who last year accepted a grand total of over $12 million in scholarships from colleges large and small. It's an accomplishment that Rousseau details with pride in her voice, even as she prepares to do it all over again in the coming term.

"A child’s success in high school and beyond is totally a team effort and a partnership between the school and the home," she said. "It is such a partnership. I can tell you that the parents who reach out to the school and to the counselors and stay on top of their children’s academic program, theirs are the kids who fare the best."

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Nancy’s Tips for Success s "O ne of the first thi ng 1. Co un se lors Co un t: a h lis ab est is ry pa rent to do that I wo uld ad vis e eve e. on er mb nu r, ild ’s cou ns elo rel ation sh ip wi th the ch ail em r’s elo ns have the cou Ab sol ute ly. Be su re yo u e nu mb er. " on ph ect addre ss and dir ule "Once the child ’s sched 2. Ta lk to Te ac he rs : , Say . ers ch ail all the tea is set , go ahead and em I would appreciate your t. ren pa ‘I’m an involved is at any point if my child communication with me ss.’" cla the in cy ien any de fic str ug gling or is showing y ery pa rent ha s the abilit 3. Watch Grad es : "Ev s de gra ’ nts d check stude eve ry day to sig n in an up way, pa rents can ke ep at Th l. throu gh eS choo e." ss or fai lur wi th the ir ch ild ’s succe as ild is as con scientio us 4. Ke ep Ta bs : "If a ch nd a age the l cal I have wh at he or she shou ld be , we ts ren pa lps he te bo ok . It bo ok , wh ich is like a da d, ’s da ily ass ign me nts an ild ch the ke ep on top of the in nts me ign ass to wr ite by req uir ing that ch ild er rtn pa to y nit rtu po op m the age nd a bo ok , gives the ." t ass ign me nts are done wi th the ch ild to see tha ed . ts have go t to be involv 5. Be Pres en t: "Pa ren e to e to op en ho us es, com I always tel l the m, com nic ate mu com to s ng eti al me any and all inform ation mics or wh ate ver." ab ou t pro gra ms , acade

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cals.org/student-portal SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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By Angela E. Thomas

P

reparing for college while maintaining a high GPA can be stressful. How can you help alleviate stress and help your teen become a more successful student while preparing for the rigors of collegiate studies? We offer the following advice from Ann Fellinger, who teaches a student success course at the University of Arkansas, Pulaski Technical College. Fellinger has nearly three decades of experience as a college instructor and for the last three years has tutored students to improve their study skills.

“All students should do a skills assessment to find their learning preferences. Most students take in information in one of three ways,” Fellinger said. He or she may be a visual learner, an auditory learner or may learn best through hands-on methods.

“For a student who learns visually, using notes to prepare for a test can be frustrating. People who learn using hand-on methods— boys tend to have a stronger hands-on preference—need a tactile way to process information better,” she added.

Once an individual’s learning preferences are known, finding effective studying techniques is fairly easy.

“There’s so much technology available. For instance, graphics are a great way to study. Many visual students use things like color or icons to illustrate concepts. I have students who [when studying] use blue ink for their main points, green ink for subpoints or supporting details, and red ink for definitions. This is just an example. Students should develop their own methods.”

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Students who process information through auditory learning are the most successful in classrooms in which teachers employ traditional teaching methods.

“They tend to be good listeners and like reading.

They’re simply ‘built better’ for the classroom than fidgety students. They benefit from reading notes and using flash cards; however, these students may not like videos as they tend to fare better with word-based methods,” Fellinger said.

She said fidgety students are often labeled as hyperactive, but their brains simply process better when they move than when they are sitting still. “I suggest they tap their foot softly or hold something in their hands, like those fidget spinners, or create something they can hold in their hands, such as flash cards, because they involve movement.”

She recommends the website and app Quizlet, which allows student to create materials, such as flashcards, games and diagrams.

“It’s important to remember, one size doesn’t fit all, and that what gets students through school, kindergarten to 12th grade, isn’t necessarily what will get them through college.”

As most teachers use traditional methods, Fellinger suggests students should learn how to take notes with the goal of later packaging into a meaningful study guide that works for them, such as an outline, flash cards or by using Quizlet, based on their learning preferences. Students may also try taking notes in the Cornell format, which incorporates visual impact and helps clearly define the main points and subpoints.

To help students prepare for ACT and SAT tests, Felling said: practice. “There’s no substitute for practice. Plan to invest time, and if you can afford it, money. However, there is a number of ACT and SAT tests that have been released to the public.

Students can download them and practice taking them,” Fellinger said. “Most high schools offer boot camps to prepare, and juniors can take the ACT for free. Students should plan to take the test more than once.”

“Additionally, use your strengths. If you are working on the reading section of the ACT, and you don’t like prose or literature, but you like facts, start with science. Do the test out of order.”

She offers the following advice: “Without a doubt, the biggest mistake students make is not reading the instructions, the questions and the answers all the way through. One word can change the answer. Also, students shouldn’t be afraid to mark on the test, to make notes and circle key words.”

Finally, to help ensure a successful college career, Fellinger said students should consider classes such as the course she teaches. Students learn key study skills, get essential information about financial aid and how to plan their degree paths.

Study Check List Get Organized Homework, class assignments, tests, games and extracurricular activities, church activities … it’s difficult to keep up with it all. Don’t rely on mental notes. Purchase a hardcopy planner and/ or download an app, like Wunderlist or Trello.

Designate a Study Area Create an area that’s comfortable and organized, stocked with pens, pencils, paper, all the items necessary for your laptop/computer, i.e., charging cords, etc. Additionally, make sure it’s aesthetically pleasing—if it looks good, you’re more likely to spend time there.

Eliminate the Distractions While studying in your local coffee shop may seem appealing, it can be incredibly distracting, and distractions cost time and encourage procrastination. Stash your cell phone and tablet— social media is a rabbit hole—and unplug the TV. If you need a bit of background noise, consider white noise or a radio set on classical music.

Consider a Study Group According to Sylvan Learning, working in groups can helps students grasp concepts they’re having difficulty with and help them complete assignments quickly.

Think Positively A positive mindset can make all the difference.

If your child makes negative statements like “I’m just not good with math,” encourage him to change it to “I’m well prepared, and I will overcome this challenge!” *Based on information from sylanlearning.com.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FORTH SMITH

COLLEGE CRIB NOTES

Make the right moves after high school

By Dwain Hebda

C

ontrary to what you might have heard it's no walk in the park to be in high school these days. The world is a dangerous, uncertain and competitive place, and the added stress that comes with choosing a college can be overwhelming.

Happily, there are options and strategies for students and their families to consider which path to take, including the traditional four-year route, two-year community colleges, and skills training that prepares young people for a variety of careers. Let's look at some pros and cons of each.

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TYPES OF TRAINING Colleges and universities are ingrained into the American consciousness.

The immigrant generation of some families often saw a college degree as confirmation that their offspring were fully integrated as Americans; for other families, it was simply maintaining a family tradition.

But beyond being the dream (or expectation) many parents had for their children, a college degree has also been widely considered for decades to be the ante for any professional-track, white collar job.

But is it really all that it's cracked up to be, particularly at the four-year level? Recent data suggests that Americans are increasingly skeptical about such degrees delivering enough return on investment.

Last year, a poll by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal found that49 percent of Americans agreed a four-year degree was worth the cost because it helped one earn more over a lifetime. But 47 percent said it wasn't worth it, because people often graduate without specific, marketable job skills.

A four-year college degree has its advantages. On the one hand, four-year institutions are still generally perceived as more prestigious—and therefore the education more valuable—to many employers. There are also networking and mentoring opportunities that come with the traditional college experience and those connections can be very valuable when trying to land

a job. And the simple fact is, some job fields require a four-year degree to get in and get ahead, period.

Two-year schools, meanwhile, have built their reputation on providing practical, marketable coursework that prepares a student for the working world.

Two-year colleges also tend to offer skills training (what used to be called "the trades") in electrical, welding, truck driving, practical nursing and other highly sought-after fields.

Two-year schools have traditionally suffered from a perceived lack of quality instruction and they generally don't have the money to spend that their four-year cousins do. Still, many two-year schools have found ways to provide innovative programs through partnerships in the community. What's more, they can generally adopt these programs faster than a big campus system.

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UNIQUE DEGREES

The working world is constantly evolving, requiring new blends of skills and proficiencies. The following are some of the more unusual—but no less in-demand— majors available through Arkansas colleges and universities.

BUSINESS DATA ANALYTICS Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Arkansas Tech University, Russellville The degree, the first of its kind in Arkansas, trains students to compile, analyze and create business intelligence and action plans based on a company's internal data. The program was co-designed by the school and corporations, including Walmart and Dillard's. Job growth in this well-paying field is expected to be brisk for the foreseeable future.

FORESTRY Bachelor of Science Natural Resources Management University of Arkansas at Monticello, Monticello This degree trains students to maintain the health of forests, which in Arkansas represents a huge economic impact from timber production to hunting and wild life tourism. A Master of Science degree in Forest Resources is also offered through the school. UAM supporters fund more than 50 fully endowed student scholarships.

AVIATION Associate of Applied Science, Aviation Maintenance Technology Arkansas State University Mid-South, West Memphis Study the structure and repair of aircraft airframe and powerplant technology. Learn to inspect, tear down and repair various aircraft systems including hydraulics, landing gear, flight control and both reciprocating and turbine engines.

CULINARY ARTS Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute/University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, North Little Rock Learn the finer points of becoming a chef as well as a number of other kitchen, front of the house and back of the house restaurant operations. Coursework includes Beverage and Wine Studies, Candies and Chocolates and Breakfast Cookery, to name a few.

VIDEO GAME DESIGN Bachelor of Fine Arts, Game, Animation and Simulation Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia Design your own 3D games or a 3D prototype for a new product using animation techniques, production elements and management of game environments. In addition to mastering the technology in a game setting, students learn to prototype 3D designs for medical equipment, transportation and the military among other applications.

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THE PRICE OF SUCCESS The cost of higher education has always been a serious consideration for most families, but the pace at which this cost has escalated in recent years is staggering. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, annual total cost (tuition, fees, room and board) for a four-year public education has doubled since 2000 to just under $20,000 for the 2015-2016 school year. Four-year private schools, while growing at a slower rate, are also steep and averaged almost $40,000 in the 2015-2016 academic year.

The cost of a two-year college education also rose sharply— more than double over the same period, in fact—but because that's still half of what four-year colleges charge it looks good by comparison. And, obviously, a two-year degree takes half as long as a four-year education, representing another area of savings.

One trend that takes the equation a step further is for students to take college courses while still in high school. Several of Arkansas's community colleges offer programs that allow high schoolers to take college coursework at greatly reduced or no cost. For those who fully leverage this option, typically offered to juniors and seniors, some are graduating with two-year associates degrees at the same time they receive their high school diploma, while saving a bundle in the process.

APPLICATION AND PAPERWORK The two most important initial pieces of paperwork are the school's application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA (https://fafsa.ed.gov/) is a document that looks at a household's financial resources to determine eligibility for various government loan and grant programs. Complete this form first; not only is it lengthy, but every college application you do will require you to link your FAFSA to it.

Colleges will use the FAFSA to determine if you qualify for additional financial aid through the institution itself.

The college application can also be lengthy and is often the first impression the admissions department has of the student, so take it seriously. Some applications require an essay and some even require a live interview; prepare for these components carefully, just as you would an important term paper or job interview.

The timing of application is as much an art as a science. Some schools will offer preferential consideration for early commitment and in some cases waiting too long can cost you financial aid.

However, committing too early could leave less room for the student to reconsider. In almost every case, college applications come with a fee, so be reasonably sure your student is interested in the school before filling it out.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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A big part of the discussion about what to do after high school should focus on the outcome, that is, what professional prospects exist for a person with the requisite skills, including pay, job market and potential for future growth. Once a student can focus on where they're going, it becomes much easier to figure out what they need to do to get there.

In Arkansas, the most in-demand jobs may surprise you.

According to zippia.com, the ten fastest-growing jobs in the state include eight in the health care field (including physical therapist, medical assistant, nurse practitioner) and working in the service industry (restaurant, hospitality and so on).

The list's other occupation, CNC machine operator, falls into the skilled labor category, which as a group presents arguably the biggest opportunity and has the greatest need for people of any other sector in the state.

In fact, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) has identified jobs within Targeted Industry Sectors as those the state is making a concerted effort to recruit new people to, especially young people. Arkansas isn't alone is its need for such workers; the shortage for these and other skilled positions is rampant nationwide.

Sectors include distribution and logistics services (such as trucking and transportation); paper and timber production (positions both in the field and in high-tech processing plants) and steel production (with various manufacturing roles).

Many jobs in these targeted sectors require specific skillsets, such as plumbers, pipefitters, machinists, technicians, heavy equipment operators and industrial maintenance workers.

The advantage of these skills is students can gain a working proficiency in two years or less. More than that, in some cases, training and apprenticeships are paid for by an employer.

Here's how it works: Let's say a high school graduate is hired on by a commercial electrical company to be an electrician, regardless of technical experience. The new hire learns the trade through a combination of on-the-job training under the supervision of a veteran and one to two nights per week of apprenticeship classes at a trade school or through a local union, for up to four years. The employer typically picks up the cost for that training.

The best part is that incremental pay bumps can happen MAY IS MENTAL MONTH & as frequently as every sixHEALTH months, given satisfactory work performance, good grades or both. once completed, NATIONAL FOSTER CAREAnd, MONTH tradespeople earn top dollar. Median starting pay for an electrician is over $40,000 per year; for plumbers, it's $37,000 and for welders, it's $35,000, although high demand is driving those figures up in many areas around the state.

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PHOTO COURTESY HARDING UNIVERSITY

Finding your dream school With so many options in two- and four-year colleges and technical training programs, a student must have a game plan to make the right decision. Savvy asked Katie Young, UA Little Rock director of admissions for her best tips for discovering your dream school.

VISITS ARE ESSENTIAL A campus visit is required to make an informed decision.

Young also said the most informed campus visit includes a talk with admissions staff who should be able to answer all your questions. It should also include a campus tour, ideally led by a current student who can tell you what it's like to attend that school. And finally, speak with a member of the faculty in the area you're considering.

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NARROW THINGS DOWN There is such a thing as too many campus visits; after a while, everything looks the same and fatigue starts to wear on everybody. Visiting 10, 15 or more colleges wastes your time and costs you money. Young suggested research to narrow down the field to a maximum of about four or five schools to tour.

LEARN YOUR SHORTCUTS There are a number of shortcuts that can help the process.

For instance, college fairs are a good way to sample a number of schools in the space of a high school gym. You should also pay attention to "come and see" weekends held at many schools, a campus-wide open house specifically for prospective students.

And, application fees are often waived during such events as an incentive to generate applications.

TRUST YOUR GUT As you go along, you will probably notice that many colleges look and sound alike from a curriculum and facilities standpoint. What separates them is the environment, or "feel" of the place, something Young said is often overlooked. Trusting one's gut and going where one feels they fit in is one of the bestkept secrets of college success.

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32 AUGUST 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

COLLEGIANS SHARE FIRST-YEAR WISDOM

By Dwain Hebda

C

ollege is a time for self-discovery, which means no one is truly prepared for it and all the dramatic life changes that come with it. In many respects, learning the ins and outs of life away from home is an education in and of itself. Savvy enlisted the help of second-year college students to provide some perspective on what they thought they knew—and what they learned—during their first year at university.

JOEY ELLIS Hometown: Sherwood, AR

High School: Catholic High School, Little Rock

College: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville I brought way too many clothes. I didn’t use a good one-fourth or one-third of the clothes that I brought because they hand out free T-shirts all the time. Overpacking was a big thing that I shouldn’t have done.

Also, I took everything really, really seriously, like, by-the-book. I found out that things are more relaxed and people give you more grace periods and stuff. I figured out how to go with the flow a little bit more.

Time management is so key in college; it’s a different atmosphere from high school where everything is out of the classroom and it's on you. I didn't have a steady homework flux like I did in high school, so I would wait until like 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, stay up to do it and then I'd have an 8 a.m. class the next day. I was way, way too tired, or sometimes I'd sleep through my alarm.

Try not to over-extend yourself the first semester. You can't join 17 different clubs and try to do every single one. That's just going to kill you. The first week I tried to do all these things, I felt so defeated. I finally found a stride and knew what I needed to do and what I wanted to do and separated myself from some other groups. When I picked just a couple, I was able to time manage a lot better.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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JOJO VAZQUEZ Hometown Hot Springs, AR

High School: Hot Springs High School

College: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, Conn.

I did not expect to find myself in college, to feel more comfortable in my own skin, especially being around different people than I was in high school. I also didn’t expect to go through so many challenges that made me get to the point where I'm more comfortable with myself. But those challenges were also very hard.

I would suggest preparing yourself spiritually for college because it's a crazy world nowadays and it's hard for young people to find God. I would definitely suggest finding a campus ministry even though I didn’t have one. I was kind of spiritually isolated in that perspective, so I had to own up to my own [Catholic] faith. I had no one watching over me or telling me what to do. I found a church home and I volunteered with a youth group and that helped as well.

The “Freshman 15” is certainly real. I tried to stay away from it and take care of myself more, trying not to overeat and started going to the gym. I didn’t do sports in high school and I think the challenge was definitely trying to get myself to do that stuff. Because you can just whine about it, 'Nooo, I don’t wanna goooo.' But once you start doing it and you make it part of your routine it's like, nothing.

I would definitely recommend taking care of yourself and staying in healthy relationships. That’s also self-care. Remember, being in relationships is not so much about pleasing others, it's more like staying true to yourself.

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COLTON KETTER Hometown: Charleston, AR

High School: Charleston High School

College: Arkansas Tech University, Russellville

First off, I went in thinking I got this, I can get myself up every morning. Well, I'm not a morning person and I found out really quick that Mom and Dad aren't there to wake you up every morning.

It's a struggle to get up especially when you stay up really late studying each night. It's definitely a habit that you have to grow into.

Also, I went into college thinking everybody is going to be the complete opposite of me, that there was going to be no one like me. I was actually surprised to find out how many were just like me, just a lot of freshmen who are scared, thinking, 'Oh no, what do I do here? How am I going to get to do this? How am I going to be here on time?' Although we all may be different, there's a lot of people that are in the exact same boat you are.

Maintaining balance at college all goes back to time management, setting enough time for everything in your life. Knowing how to get that certain ratio of time of when you need to study and when you need to do homework, but also time to have a social life where you're going to have healthy relationships with your peers. If you have too much of one thing, it's just going to crumble and it's not going to end up well. So, I think just managing time is a great way to find that perfect balance.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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FAMILY GUIDE TO FAYETTEVILLE

It’s Razorback season in Northwest Arkansas, and if you are headed to a game with the kids in tow, or just heading north to take in the Ozarks this fall, there is plenty to do for the whole family!

By Jessica DeBari

E

veryone knows about the Scott Family Amazeum and Crystal Bridges by now, so what do you do if you don’t want to drive all over Northwest Arkansas for the weekend? I live and work in downtown Fayetteville and have two little boys who need constant entertainment, so let’s walk through one of my family’s ideal fall weekends in Fayetteville:

Saturday Start your Saturday at the Fayetteville farmers market, of course! It’s open through October, and is always packed with music, food, fresh delights and happy people. The nearby Little Bread Company has the best bagels in the south, (in the opinion of this former New Yorker and bagel snob).

After breakfast, if you so happen to have an aerial enthusiast in your midst (both of my boys are obsessed with planes), head down to the Arkansas Air and Military Museum on the south side of town. With two hangars full of planes, helicopters and countless rare memorabilia, this museum will prove a fascinating experience for history buffs and kids alike.

Hit up The Farmer's Table on your way back from the air museum. With an incredible menu of fresh, farm-to-table delights, this cozy restaurant is very family friendly; it almost feels like going to eat at your grandma’s house!

If you want to burn up some energy after lunch, head over to the Mt. Kessler trailhead. This park has something for everyone, with numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty, a brand new extensive playground, and sweeping views of the Boston Mountains all around.

If the weather is nice, for dinner head uptown to JJ’s Bar and Grill, the JBGB! They have a large outdoor seating area with great, local beers and a large enclosed playground for the kids to play in, so you can actually relax while you eat and drink!

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Sunday For a sweet breakfast head over to the up-and-coming Mill district with some delicious granola and fruit bowls at Mamaka, a fantastically indulgent experience in a breezy indoor/outdoor space with swings for the littles! They have smoothies that would rival the best shake joint.

The bike trails in Fayetteville are a beautiful experience, and they can get you absolutely everywhere without any traffic. If you don’t bring bikes there are several rental places, but the widest selection of bikes for the whole family is at Phat Tire.

Once you are on your bikes, head toward Lake Fayetteville on the bike trail. The trail is very safe for children. The trail follows a streambed, which keeps your ride cooler and allows for fantastic views along the way. Once at Lake Fayetteville you can either circle the lake or go directly to the Botanical Gardens, where you will find beautiful, imaginative play gardens and spaces for the kids.

For lunch, stop at Apple Blossom, a brewery and restaurant right by Lake Fayetteville. With an extensive menu of local brews and enough space and deck area for loud families and bikes, it’s one of our favorite stops on a bike-riding day.

A last stop on your way biking back to Phat Tire should definitely be the Puritan Coffee & Beer and Burton’s Creamery—they are an ice cream and brew duo newly built in the Uptown Apartments. It’s the perfect way to end a bike ride, and the kids can try out the singing swings while there!

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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kid approved ZARA ABBASI

LIVES IN LITTLE ROCK WITH HER HUSBAND AND THREE CHILDREN AND COMES FROM AN EXTREMELY TIGHT-KNIT FAMILY. SHE IS A LICENSED ATTORNEY BUT YOU KNOW HER BETTER AS LITTLE ROCK’S FRIENDLY PASTRY CHEF AND CUSTOM CAKE MAKER. SHE KEEPS BUSY WITH DESSERT ORDERS, POPUP DINNERS, WRITING ARTICLES AND DOING ANYTHING FOOD RELATED. HER OTHER HOBBY IS TRAVELING THE WORLD WITH HER FAMILY. FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM @ZARAMADEIT FOR HER NEWEST CAKE CREATIONS AND DINNER IDEAS.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST HEADACHES I HAVE IS DEALING WITH THE BURST OF ENERGY RUNNING THROUGH OUR DOORS AFTER SCHOOL. WE ALL BENEFIT FROM HAVING A MINI CHECKLIST TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE QUICKLY. THIS CAN BE AS BASIC AS A HAND WRITTEN LIST ON THE FRIDGE, OR SOMETHING MORE INTERACTIVE LIKE A DRY ERASE BOARD WITH TASKS AND BOXES TO CHECK OFF.

IS THERE A MORE DREAD-INDUCING ASPECT OF RETURNING TO SCHOOL THAN COMING UP WITH HEALTHY-ISH AND DIFFERENT MEALS THAT THE KIDS WILL ACTUALLY EAT? OTHER THAN PINTEREST, LALA LUNCHBOX IS AMAZING. IT’S AN INTERACTIVE APP THAT LETS YOU SELECT ITEMS, PLAN LUNCHES BASED ON WHAT YOU HAVE, AND HELP WITH GROCERY LISTS. EVEN THE KIDS CAN GET INVOLVED AND PLAN THEIR OWN LUNCHES.

WITH SO MANY OPTIONS OUT THERE, IT’S REALLY HARD TO PICK A GOOD LUNCHBOX THAT’LL LAST AND BE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH FOR A VARIETY OF MEALS. MY TWO FAVORITES ARE CUTE AND COLORFUL LUNCHBLOX SETS AND THE VERSATILE AND SLIGHTLY MORE SOPHISTICATED TAKENAKA BENTO BOXES.

APPARENTLY, SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN ONLY THINK ABOUT SNACKS, SNACKS AND MORE SNACKS, SO I TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE BY HAVING A STATION SET UP IN THE PANTRY AND IN THE FRIDGE FOR COLDER SNACKS. THIS SOUNDS LIKE ONE OF THOSE “AIN’T NO ONE GOT TIME FOR THIS!” MOMENTS, BUT TRUST ME, TAKE TIME TO GET THIS IN PLACE BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS AND YOUR LIVES WILL BE MUCH EASIER.

WITH THE SCHOOL YEAR, COMES THE PLETHORA OF SCHOOL-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND SPORTS MEETS AND PRACTICES. IT BECOMES EASY TO GET SUCKED INTO EVENT AFTER EVENT IF YOU CAN’T VISUALLY SEE WHAT’S ON THE DOCKET. IF YOU’RE OLD-SCHOOL LIKE ME, THEN A HANDY PAPER CALENDAR WORKS WELL. OTHERWISE, COZI HAS A WONDERFUL INTERACTIVE FAMILY CALENDAR THAT EVERYONE CAN USE.

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SOMETIMES A SMALL NOTE CAN GO A LONG WAY. I USUALLY ADD A LITTLE POST-IT NOTE OR STICKER IN THE KIDS’ LUNCHBOXES. RECENTLY, I CAME ACROSS THESE CUTE SCRATCH-OFF LUNCH BOX NOTES AND MY KIDS LOVE THEM.

THERE ARE SO MANY APPS OUT THERE NOWADAYS TO MAKE OUR LIVES EASIER! START WITH RETAILMENOT. THIS HELPS YOU FIND THE BEST DEALS AND COMES IN HANDY WITH ALL THAT BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOPPING. GFLASH HELPS STUDENTS CREATE QUICK FLASH CARDS ON ANY SUBJECT. THIS IS A GREAT TOOL TO INTERACT WITH YOUR KIDS WITH WHAT THEY’RE LEARNING IN SCHOOL. HERECOMESTHEBUS IS ANOTHER GREAT APP IF YOUR KIDS TAKE THE BUS. YOU CAN TRACK YOUR BUS AND MAKE SURE YOU’RE PREPARED INSTEAD OF BEING TOO EARLY (WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?) OR TOO LATE! AND, ANOTHER ONE THAT’S GREAT IS ARTKIVE. THIS CLEVER APP TAKES ALL YOUR KIDS’ DRAWINGS AND IMPORTANT WORK AND TURNS THEM INTO A PRINTED BOOK. THIS HELPS WITH THE LONG-TERM CLUTTER, WHICH IS ALWAYS A WIN!

St. Jude patient Bertha | Ewing sarcoma

Jude patient Bertha | Ewing sarcoma St.St. Jude patient Bertha | Ewing sarcoma

Bertha’s Story Bertha’sStory Story Bertha’s

When Bertha was 13 years old, she was found to suffer from Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer. Bertha underwent a year of treatment at a hospital near her home. But two years later, the cancer returned and When Bertha 13 years old, was found to suffer from Ewing sarcoma, type of bone cancer. Bertha Bertha and herwas family turned toshe St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for heracontinuing treatment

When underwent Bertha was 13 years old, sheat was found to suffer from But Ewing type of bone cancer. a year of treatment a hospital near her home. twosarcoma, years later,athe cancer returned andBertha and care. At St. Jude, Bertha’s treatment includes chemotherapy. Treatments invented at St. Jude have

underwent year offamily treatment hospital near herResearch home. But two years later, the cancer returned and Berthaaand her turnedat toaSt. Jude Children’s Hospital® for her continuing treatment helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since it opened more

Bertha and family turned to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® for her continuing treatment and care.

At St. Jude, Bertha’s treatment includes Treatments invented at St. Jude than 50her years ago.

For Bertha, St. Jude has becomechemotherapy. her home away from home.

“They really care forhave the

helped the overall cancer survivalchemotherapy. rate from 20% towants more to than since it opened more and care.

At push St. Jude, Bertha’s treatment includes Treatments invented at St. Jude have patients here, because a childhood hospital isn’t somewhere where everyone be,”80% she said. “This place feels

than 50the years ago. For Bertha, St. Jude has become her home away from home.

“They really care for themore helped push overall childhood cancer survival rate 20% to more thanWhen 80%she since it opened like a second home.”

Bertha plays the piano and likes tofrom sing in her church choir. grows up, patients a hospital isn’thas somewhere everyone wants be,” she said. “This she wantshere, to bebecause a child life specialist. than 50 years ago.

For Bertha, St. Jude becomewhere her home away fromtohome.

“They reallyplace carefeels for the like a second home.” Bertha plays the piano and likes to sing in her church choir. When she grows up,

patients here, because a hospital isn’t somewhere where everyone wants to be,” she said. “This place feels she wants to be a child life specialist.

like a second home.” Bertha plays the piano and likes to sing in her church choir. When she grows up, she wants to be a child life specialist.

stjude.org stjude.org

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | AUGUST 2018

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Building STRONG SCHOOLS and Even STRONGER COMMUNITIES.

Find out what’s NEW and EXCITING in the LRSD! LRSD offers a variety of educational opportunities to meet your child’s needs. If you are looking for classrooms that are interesting, innovative and rigorous, be sure to check out the Little Rock School District! Our mission is to equip students with skills and knowledge to realize aspirations, think critically and independently, learn continuously and become productive citizens. We do this through open access to a diverse, innovative and challenging curriculum in a secure environment.

• Nearly 200 National Board Certified Teachers • Parkview and Central ranked 3rd and 6th nationally in US News & World Report

Check-in August 1-2, 2018 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Parents who have not already checked in using Gateway online registration, should visit lrsd.org or complete check-in at your child’s school.

Other valuable information will also be available at schools during Check-in.

• Roberts Elementary (2017) joined Forest Park Elementary (2012) with National Blue Ribbon designation • State’s only K-8 STEM Academy • Home of the 2017-18 6A State Basketball & 6A/7A Swimming Champions • $20 Million in scholarships awarded in 2018 • New Little Rock Southwest High School opening in 2020

LRSD.org

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First day of school is August 13th!