SAVVY | DECEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018 · SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

A Perfect Blend

Co-Parenting During the Holidays

p lus TOYS & GIFTS

That Keep on Teaching

A SEASON OF GIVING 6 Nonprofits For Year-End Donations

HELP KIDS BE

BRAVE this holiday season Willow, age 3

Champion a Child

Your gift of $25, $50 or more will help champion children and the everyday heroes at Arkansas Children’s.

giving.archildrens.org (800) 880-7491 2

DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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YOUR FIRST THREE ORDERS ARE ON US! Use Promo Code: WELCOME

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DECEMBER 2018 5 EDITOR’S NOTE 8 ADVENTURE & FUN CALENDAR & MORE!

10 MAMA SAID

A UNIFIED THEORY OF HOLIDAY GREETING CARDS

12 A SEASON OF GIVING

6 NONPROFITS FOR YEAR-END DONATIONS

16 A PERFECT BLEND

STEP-BY-STEP CO-PARENTING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS AND BEYOND

20 GOOD EATS

HOLIDAY GOODIES & GIFTS

26 GIFTS THAT KEEP ON TEACHING

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, GIVE TOYS THAT TEACH AS WELL AS ENTERTAIN.

30 KID APPROVED - HOLIDAY MAGIC LORA MATTHEY-HICKS

ON THE COVER (CLOCKWISE FROM BACK LEFT) WILL HANEY, EMILY SULLENGER, PATRICK SULLENGER, PAYTON SULLENGER, JACK SULLENGER, KARSON HANEY AND WIT SULLENGER

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DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Photo by Stacy Kinzler

Merry and Bright We’re almost to the finish line; we can do it! After the shopping, wrapping, Christmas card mailing and cooking, we get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our holiday labor — whether that’s curling up on the couch with a fork and half a leftover chocolate pie or seeing the faces of loved ones light up when they open that perfect gift from you. Christmas can be such a magical time for kids and this issue of Savvy is full of ideas to crank up the holiday spirit in your home.

Zara Abbasi is the queen of edible holiday treats! Flip to page 20 to find recipes (and cute packaging ideas) for sweet and savory holiday gifts that are thoughtful, easy to make and won’t bust your budget.

They’re a great way to put a homemade touch on gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends and family.

If your kids have a few things on their Christmas list besides handmade goods, then you’ll want to flip to page 26 for a list of the top toys that encourage learning. We consulted local child development experts and online lists to compile some parent- and kid-approved gifts to round out your holiday shopping!

Above all, the holidays are a great opportunity for family bonding… which can sometimes lead to added stress, especially when you’re managing a blended family. Savvy leans on the parenting expertise of Centers for Youth and Families, and Emily Sullenger (co-parent and stepmom), on page 16 for tips on how to help stepsiblings and co-parents blend seamlessly.

We hope you find something in the pages of the December Savvy to make your family’s holiday merry and bright!

Amy Gordy Editor, Savvy Kids amy@arktimes.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Give the Gift of Education It’s never too early to open an Arkansas 529 account to help your loved ones start saving for their child’s education. This holiday season, give the gift that keeps on giving. Get started by opening an account today!

To learn more, call 501-682-1406 or visit Arkansas529.org.

PUBLISHER KATHERINE DANIELS | katherine@arktimes.com EDITOR AMY GORDY | amy@arktimes.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR MANDY KEENER ART DIRECTOR KATIE HASSELL SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE LESA THOMAS ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES JENNIFER CORBITT HEATHER SHOEMAKE PRODUCTION MANAGER | CONTROLLER WELDON WILSON ADVERTISING TRAFFIC MANAGER ROLAND R. GLADDEN ADVERTISING COORDINATOR LARISSA GUDINO

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DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

contributors 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.

t s e f h c n i r G 21 r e b m e c e F r i d a y , D & 11 am 9:30 am

How The Grinch Stole Christmas! read by Craig O’Neill

Dress in your Whoville attire Carols • Crafts • Photos

Reserve your free tickets at

CALS.org.

Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center 4800 W. 10th Street • Little Rock

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.

ZARA ABBASI lives in Little Rock with her husband and three children. 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, pop-up dinners, writing articles and doing anything food related. Follow her on Instagram @Zaramadeit for her newest cake creations and dinner ideas.

HEY READERS!

We are looking for a few great local nonprofits to profile throughout our 10 year anniversary.

E-mail us at katherine@arktimes.com SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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December ADVENTURE & FUN

Sunday

Monday

Hanukkah 2 3 Hanukkah

Hanukkah (Start)

Wednesday

Thursday

9 Hanukkah 10 (End)

11 Sesame 12 Street Live

13 ASO

1

7 Hanukkah 8

17

23

“Great 24 Christmas 25 Kwanazaa 26 27 (Start) Russian

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DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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19 Solstice 20 Winter

Nutcracker”

31

14 ASO

“Home for the Holidays”

16

New Years Eve Noon Year Countdown

8

Hanukkah Hanukkah 4 Hanukkah

5 6 Bernice

Storytime With Santa

“Finding Neverland”

Friday Saturday Reindeer on the River

Garden Tree Lighting

Reindeer on the River

Hanukkah

Tuesday

2018

Grinchfest!

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“Home for the Holidays”

21 Neverland” 22

28

“Finding

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1-2 REINDEER ON THE RIVER

Santa’s reindeer will be in Little Rock live to lead the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday parade on Dec. 1, and again on Dec. 2 at the River Market from noon to 5 p.m. for photos for a meet-and-greet event. holidaysinlittlerock.com

6 BERNICE GARDEN TREE LIGHTING The Bernice Garden rings in the holiday season from 5-7 p.m. with its annual tree lighting ceremony and holiday festivities. The event features the Booker T. Washington Elementary School and the Dunbar Middle School choirs singing carols,as well as holiday eats and treats. thebernicegarden.org

10 STORYTIME WITH SANTA

Bring the kids to gather around the main branch of Laman Library for the monthly Family Storytime at 6 p.m. Kids can enjoy a family-friendly story to please all ages followed by a meetand-greet and photo opportunity with Santa Claus. lamanlibrary.org

GRAN GRAN’S TOY LIBRARY Wednesdays & Fridays The toy library inside CALS’s Nixon Library in Jacksonville allows parents to check out toys just like library books. The toy library is open for 30 minutes on Wednesdays and Fridays, following Nixon Library’s preschool and toddler programs at 10:30 a.m. The toys are primarily designed for children ages 6 months to 5 years. 501-457-5038

21 GRINCHFEST!

Come dressed in your favorite Whoville attire for the annual Grinchfest at Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center at 9:30 and 11 a.m. TV personality Craig O’Neill brings Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” to life during this annual holiday-themed storytime complete with carols, holiday crafts, ice cream provided by the Purple Cow and, of course, the Grinch! Reserve your free tickets at cals.org.

22-23 “FINDING NEVERLAND”

This breathtaking musical "captures the kid-at-heart." It’s directed by visionary Tony® Award-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning film, “Finding Neverland,” which tells the story behind one of the world's most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Recommend for ages 7 and up. robinsoncentersecondact.com

12 SESAME STREET LIVE — MAKE YOUR MAGIC

Catch this magical (Sesame Street) show at either 11:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. at Verizon Arena. When magician extraordinaire Justin visits Sesame Street to put on a magic show for the whole neighborhood, Elmo wants to be part of the big event. But there’s one problem … Elmo doesn’t know how to do magic! verizonarena.com

14-15 ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” The Arkansas Symphony invites you to bring family and friends to the Robinson Performance Hall for a funpacked holiday music extravaganza Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. or Dec. 15 at 9 p.m. Put on a holiday sweater, grab your favorite holiday candy and settle in to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year! arkansassymphony.org

27 “GREAT RUSSIAN N UTC RACK ER”

The Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker returns to Robinson Center with shows at 3 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 27. You won’t want to miss this holiday classic ballet filled with impressive Russian dancers, hand-painted sets, and a Dove of Peace with a 20-foot wingspan. robinsoncentersecondact.com

31 NOON YEAR COUNTDOWN

Ring in the “Noon Year” with the whole family at this kid-friendly celebration at the Museum of Discovery. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., enjoy kid-friendly activities and, of course, a big countdown to the noon hour! museumofdiscovery.org SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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MAMA SAID...

A

A Unified Theory of Holiday Greeting Cards

mong the cartons and storage tubs of Christmas decorations that come down from our attic each holiday season, one of the first to be opened is the card box. In it I keep the garland I swag across the family room wall with its little red and green clothespins, ready to display greetings from friends, family and acquaintances as they arrive in the mail. It also houses colored markers, rubber stamps and the sealed package of cards I always forget I purchased at post-holiday clearance price last year, when I’ve already ordered this year’s at full price. And it serves as the time capsule where I keep the cards and photos from year to year that I deem too precious to go in the recycle bin when it’s time to put it all away again. Oh, and it’s where I keep the running list of who sends us cards, because that’s who gets them from us. It wasn’t always that way, but a few years ago, I shifted to a quid pro quo mindset, at least where all but close relatives are concerned. Siblings, aunts, uncles and favorite cousins get cards just because. Everyone else has to earn their holiday themed postage stamp. It sounds mercenary, but if cards aren’t your thing, I figure you won’t miss ours.

There are usually a couple dozen names or so on the incoming list. I appreciate every single one. There’s something delightfully archaic about getting a card in the mail. Even the ones that aren’t personalized in the slightest — someone at least cared enough to lick the envelope. That counts.

Having sent and received holiday greeting cards for over 20 years, I see no reason not to declare myself an expert and make sweeping generalizations about what people’s greeting cards say about them. Which of these applies to you?

The Bare Minimalist: You uploaded your family photo to a card template and chose a message generic enough to cover everyone on your list:

“SEASONS GREETINGS TO YOU FROM US” You had a coupon code for same-day pick up. You printed your labels from your computer at work and used the drive-up drop box at the post office.

Your seasonal social obligation is fulfilled and no human interaction was involved. You are a robot.

The Imposters: You compose your greetings in your pet’s name. Someday your pet will find out what you’ve been up to and sue you for identity theft.

The Statement Makers: The true meaning of the season is an opportunity to preach what it means to you — with aggressively typeset Bible quotes or cards that are supposed to be planted in the ground.

Nobody wants you at their New Year’s Eve party.

Hashtag Blessed: You are living your best life and you have the professionally styled portrait session to prove it! Everything is amazing! What a year! So much to be grateful for! Your friends have established a secret tip line for any evidence of your personal failings. 1-800-RU4-REAL The Traditionalist: You thoughtfully chose a card with the recipient in mind and composed a handwritten note with fond remembrances of holidays past and warm wishes for the year to come. You are either my mom or aunt.

As for me, I’ve fit into most of these categories at one season of our family life or another (except pet ventriloquism, but I am not above putting hats on cats and sweaters on dogs for a photo opportunity, and we all know it’s a short, steep slide from there). I don’t mind if our cards induce a cringe or an eyeroll, as long as they kindle some warm fuzzies along the way, and make somebody’s midwinter a little less bleak.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE PITTMAN FAMILY HOLIDAY CARDS!

Kyran Pittman is mom to three sons, sweetheart to their dad, and author of numerous stories about life with all four. Her memoir, “Planting Dandelions,” was published by Riverhead in 2011.

10 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

A SEASON OF Christmastime can often feel like a season of excess. Encourage your family to take pause this month and remember those in need around the state as you plan year-end giving.

BY DWAIN HEBDA

A

s you complete your gift list this year, don’t forget to include something for a worthy charity in our community. Central Arkansas abounds with worthwhile organizations making a difference in the lives of children and families. And all of them rely on donations to help fulfill their mission to serve the less fortunate. Savvy has selected six of these organizations for your consideration this year; please be generous as they work to make life better for all.

ARKANSAS DREAM CENTER

The Arkansas Dream Center lives by a simple but lofty goal: “To see every Arkansan chasing after their God-given dream!” Among the ways the organization accomplishes this mission is through community activism to tackle childhood hunger, strengthening families and providing hope and healing to people of all backgrounds. Its Restoration Home offers a safe place to women overcoming issues in their lives and puts them on a path to a fresh start. And through its after school and summer programs, ARDC invests in the next generation to help pave the way to a brighter future. For every dollar donated, 80 to 85 percent goes directly toward programming.

“We serve all populations across Arkansas, through children’s out of school programs, children’s feeding programs, youth programs, programs to support parents, programs to support women in crisis, programs to support foster kids and their families and programs to support the homeless,” said Drew Davis, executive director.

Arkansas Dream Center 1116 W. Daisy L Gatson Bates Drive Little Rock, AR 72202 Additional locations in North Little Rock, Conway, Cabot, Heber Springs, Fort Smith, Russellville and Fayetteville 501- 232-0630 ardreamcenter.tv

12 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

THE CALL

The CALL is a faith-based organization whose mission is to educate, equip and encourage the Christian community to provide a future and hope for children in foster care. Active in 47 Arkansas counties and working in concert with the Division of Children and Family Services, The CALL has recruited roughly 67 percent of current foster care families in the state. Since 2007, The CALL has impacted more than 11,000 children and youth, who have been cared for by more than 1,600 families, and found forever homes for more than 900 children.

“Your gift will provide the required training for families who want to open their hearts and homes to a child or youth in care,” said Jill Bobo, development director. “Your gift will provide support and wrap-around services for families caring for kids from hard places including clothing and supplies for the children in their care. Your gift will rewrite a child or youth’s story; you will give love, build futures and change lives.”

The CALL P.O. Box 25524 Little Rock, AR 72221 501-907-1048 thecallinarkansas.org

NO KID HUNGRY

A program of the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, No Kid Hungry provides financial and technical assistance to schools, churches and other nonprofit Arkansas organizations supporting one of several No Kid Hungry initiatives. These include Breakfast After the Bell programs that make breakfast part of the school day and Summer Meals programs that provide nutritious meals in safe, supervised locations statewide during summer break. The group also supports Afterschool Meals programs that provide a nutritious supper to children who might otherwise go hungry, and Cooking Matters, which trains children and adults how to make the most of their grocery dollars.

“We know that when children get the nutritious food they need, and nutrition education, it has a huge impact on their academic performance, behavior and future orientation to food,” said Nancy Conley, communications director. “One hundred percent of donations to the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance earmarked for the Arkansas No Kid Hungry campaign go to support No Kid Hungry programs.”

Arkansas No Kid Hungry c/o Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance 1400 W. Markham St., Ste. 304 Little Rock, AR 72201 501-399-9999 arhungeralliance.org

TIPS FOR YEAR-END Tax laws change all the time. To ensure you understand what is and is not deductible come tax season, always consult a qualified tax expert, such as a CPA, as part of your overall giving strategy.

For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, ask for a receipt from the charity that includes the name of the charity, date of the contribution and a reasonably-detailed description of the donated property. If that’s not possible, keep a written record of the donation that includes this information.

Only deal with organizations you know and trust and deal directly with their staffer in charge of donations. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; reputable organizations are happy to discuss how your donations are used. To avoid scams, treat unsolicited phone calls looking for contributions with extreme caution.

Special rules and forms usually apply for large cash contributions and in the case of large material donations such as a car or boat. Again, consult your tax expert prior to making the donation to make sure you keep up with IRS requirements.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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EL ZÓCALO IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER El Zócalo mans “town square” in Spanish, and that image personifies the work the organization does to help promote a dignified life for immigrants in Arkansas as they work to find their place in the community. All donations are used for El Zócalo's programs that directly serve immigrant families in Central Arkansas as they work to overcome poverty, language and cultural barriers. Among these are programs that provide food and clothing to those living in poverty; financial literacy to help families rise out of poverty and understand U.S. financial systems; and assistance accessing health care, social services and schooling.

A 501c3 nonprofit organization, El Zócalo also provides emotional health services to help families dealing with separation from family members and the effects of being victims of violence. Finally, the organization provides education to help people overcome language barriers and learn other skills needed for life in America, from using a computer to understanding labels in the grocery store.

El Zócalo P.O. Box 250953 Little Rock, AR 72225 501-301-4652 zocalocenter.com

HEARTS & HOOVES

Hearts & Hooves began in June 2001, dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities through partnerships with horses. The group offers therapeutic riding lessons and hippotherapy treatment that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse as part of various kinds of therapy.

The group also offers programs that help humans dealing with certain types of trauma: Operation Equine for veterans and Project Endeavor for at-risk youth. En route to serving thousands of children and individuals, Hearts & Hooves has earned Premier Accredited Center status through Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH).

“We are working on finding the funds to expand our offerings for veterans and at-risk youth, as well as starting a program that fully funds classes for kids in foster care and families of those in hospice care,” said Michelle Easter, executive director. “Also on our ‘dreams board’ is to start a seniors program – Silver Saddles – which would improve health and quality of life, as well as provide social time with other seniors to improve mental function.”

Hearts & Hooves 2308 Kellogg Acres Road Sherwood, AR 72120 501-834-8509 heartsandhooves.com

14 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

RECYCLE BIKES FOR KIDS

In keeping with its mission of providing one free bike to any kid and to offer adults the opportunity to earn a bike of their own, Recycle Bikes for Kids has distributed over 14,000 bikes back into the community since its inception in 2008. The group collects bikes through individual donations, community-based bike drives and scrapyard donations, then repairs, cleans and shines the bikes for redistribution to recipients. Bikes and helmets are given away at community events, through other organizations and directly to children in the community.

In addition, Recycle Bikes for Kids gives individuals 16 years and older the chance to obtain a bike through the organization’s Earn a Bike Program. That initiative requires the individual to volunteer a set number of hours before choosing a bike to fix for themselves. To date, the Recycle Bikes for Kids program has refurbished and given away more than 14,000 bikes and counting.

Recycle Bikes for Kids 717 E. 10th St. North Little Rock, AR 72114 501-563-8264 recyclebikesforkids.org

Bernice Garden

Whether attending the Big Jingle Jubilee Holiday Parade, enjoying a performance of the Nutcracker at the Robinson Center, or enjoying the Nog-Off at the Historic Arkansas Museum, you’ll enjoy Little Rock’s myriad of holiday activities. For a complete listing of Little Rock holiday offerings and special events, go to LittleRock.com and find one to share with family and friends.

LittleRock.com

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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A Perfect Blend Step-by-step co-parenting through the holidays and beyond

BY MELISSA TUCKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMBER UTNAGE PHOTOGRAPHY

16 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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avigating daily life is hard enough for nuclear families, but add stepsiblings, stepparents and co-parents to the mix and you’ve got a recipe for mayhem, which can become even more hectic around the holidays.

When things get confusing, especially for blended families, The Parent Center at the Centers for Youth and Families has a program geared towards helping parents and caregivers become better at their jobs.

Beth McAlpine, a parent education coordinator and parent educator at Centers, says good communication and establishing leadership roles is key for blended families.

“The biggest thing I see with families who are blended is, who is in charge? Who is the authority and where does that come from and the difference in expectations between the different sets of kids,” McAlpine said.

For newly blended families, she recommends the biological parent be the “default parent” and the one to discipline their own children.

“In the beginning, when that parent is the default parent, if the kid tries to go to the stepparent, they should say, ‘I have to talk to your mom about that.’

The kids feel more accountable to people who care about them and respect them, while the stepparent is supportive, observing and loving,” she said. “It’s OK to delay the consequence or the response if you don’t know the answer or if you’re not sure how your spouse is going to react.”

The “default parent” strategy was the tactic Emily Sullenger took with her husband, Patrick, when they married 18 months ago. Emily and Patrick coparent five children together, and in the beginning, she considered herself more like “a grandparent” to her husband’s three kids.

“You love them like they’re your own, but you respect those boundaries,” Emily Sullenger said. “Because the big decisions go to the parents. You understand that you’re not the decision maker, and you have someone else to consult.”

She and Patrick took the transition slowly.

“Before we told the kids we were dating, we hung out as friends and let them get to know each otherand get to know us,” she said. “By the time we got married, everybody had been friends and had playdates and hung out in group settings, so it was as an easy transition from friends to family.”

For other families going through the same process, The Parent Center offers a stepfamilies class called “Strengthening Your Stepfamily,” which lasts four weeks and helps parents anticipate problems that might arise, so they can put a plan in place beforehand.

“When you have a blended family, often you have the co-parent of each parent and essentially have four parents, which can be confusing for the child,” McAlpine said. “The parents need to have discussions on what are the expectations for all the kids in our house and how is our household going to run? It’s a great opportunity to start some new traditions, and new habits.”

Good communication and establishing leadership roles is key for blended families.

(Clockwise from top left) Will Haney, Payton Sullenger, Jack Sullenger, Karson Haney and Whit Sullenger became friends long before they became stepsiblings.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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The class is held twice a year, typically in the late winter and summer, and costs $40 per family. Students will learn how to parent the “love and logic” way, McAlpine said.

“It teaches kids to be responsible for their own behavior, and it uses empathy and natural consequences,” she said.

“You don’t have to get mad; you’re going to let them feel the consequence of their own bad decisions and figure out how to fix it.”

She also suggests stepparents try a tactic called “attending” to build trust, which means “noticing” positive things about the children and saying them out loud but remaining neutral in your observations.

“Say ‘I noticed,’” she suggested. “With older kids it could be, “I noticed you wearing your glasses,” but it essentially means, ‘I see you for who you are,” she said.

“It’s not a criticism, and it’s not praise, because some kids will argue with you. But you’re noticing positive things,” she said.

Parents also shouldn’t feel overly guilty about conflict in the home between stepsiblings, she said.

“They’re in a safe environment, while they’re home, learning to deal with difficult people. And it’s not something they need to feel bad about because

For Emily and Patrick Sullenger, helping

the children bond ahead of time was key.

18 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

allowing them that opportunity to figure it out is really helpful,” she said.

She also sees stepparents taking a child’s behavior personally, which is not helpful. The kids have their own internal struggles and may be going through the grieving process.

“Kids can be mean, especially the older they get.

They’re insecure because of the changes happening, and most kids will harbor unrealistic hopes that their parents will eventually get back together. It doesn’t matter how dysfunctional or how long they’ve been divorced, but for a while it’s part of the stages of grieving, there’s this hope, if I undermine this new relationship enough, it’ll be back to where we were.

For some kids that’s a fleeting moment and some really hang on to it.”

For the Sullenger family, helping the children bond ahead of time was key.

“Of course there are hard moments, especially when helping kids understand the dynamics and the changes,” Emily said. “But I also think it helps that they’re all really close, and they enjoy each other, and they consider each other friends first and then family.”

Holiday Survival Tips for Blended Families

You can be part of

GIVING HOPE this holiday season

From the Centers for Youth and Families:

Share the holiday. Whether it is splitting time evenly or using technology to connect with family members that may be far away, make a way for them to feel connected.

Start a new tradition. Celebrating doesn’t have to be “traditional.” Have a “non-traditional dinner” like tacos or spaghetti; pick family members names and have each child shop for someone; adopt a family in need and shop as a family. Make the celebration fun, and ask the kids for input on what they would like to do.

Embrace traditions from each family.

Celebrating traditions that are familiar is comforting to children.

Surround them with extended family. This may break up the monotony of celebrating several times; a change of dynamics also keeps the family interested in spending time together.

Negotiate and compromise, but plan ahead for all scenarios. Planning the holiday between two or more families is complicated, and unexpected events do happen, but starting the conversation about the specifics earlier rather than later helps to navigate the bumps. Remember – it is all about the kids.

Enjoy the moment. Take the time to enjoy the time you have together, even if it is not ideal. Blending families is a process.

Your donation will bring joy and hope to youth who are struggling with trauma this holiday season.

Call 501.666.9436 or visit www.cfyf.org for more information.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Christmas isn’t complete without giving (and hopefully receiving!) a few homemade holiday treats

BY ZARA ABBASI PHOTOGRAPHY BY KATIE CHILDS

20 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

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nyone else out of breath? I am! I just ran a sprint through the last two holidays trying to get everything done on time, see friends, rush from one gathering to another (not to mention the potlucks!).

So. Much. Stuff!! But, wait … there’s more! Now for the low, low price of your sanity, you get to make your very own handcrafted gifts for friends and family! How fun is that?! “Not very, Zara. You were apparently oxygen deprived during that sprint you were running!” Ok, I get it, but hear me out. There’s a way you can make handcrafted holiday gifts that spares your sanity but gives you a stellar and thought-out product that will make you proud.

We can do this together! We can be crafty while busy if we stay focused! Let’s make a decision and stick to it. It doesn’t have to be the perfect thing to give; it just needs to be thought out and deliberate. So, think of your audience. Are they cooks? Allergic to nuts? Avoid sweets but love savory, or vice versa? These are great questions to ask to get you started.

After finding out your audience, think of the time and budget constraints that you’re facing. You know what’s cooler than hand-crafted holiday gifts? Sleep and paying your bills on time. But, seriously, don’t take on a project that your body and bank will later regret. It’s possible to make really cute things without a scary time and money commitment.

Lastly, let’s think about packaging. This is where your “wow factor” comes into play. At least it does for me. This is what I love to do most (after making the products, of course), because don’t we all love a beautifully wrapped gift?

There are tons of ways to package your products: You can keep it simple with craft paper and different twines and ribbons, use tin cans that we’re so accustomed to during the holidays, use glassine bags, wax paper and perfect little stickers from Miss Em Prints or make your own.

Now that we got the details out of the way, let’s get to work because these are easy, yummy and don’t take too much effort to make.

Chocolate Fruit and Nut Clusters

How simple are these? You barely need a recipe for them. It’s as if you’re creating your own personalized chocolate bars — like you’re Willy Wonka! And, then you’ll be handing out golden tickets and scolding kids for breaking your rules! Look at you go!

Ok, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s make the chocolate first. I can’t emphasize how simple these are; and people will truly thank you for not adding to their waistline this holiday season.

Your favorite chocolate, chopped (chips will work too) Nuts of your choice or a combination Dried fruit of your choice Sea salt Parchment paper 1. Rejoice because, did you see that ingredient list? It doesn’t even have measurements! That’s how easy it is. Wait until you see the rest of the directions.

2. Melt the chopped chocolate in a glass bowl and check every 30 seconds and stir to ensure it doesn’t burn. This is as hard as it gets.

3. After the chocolate is melted, pour directly on to the parchment paper. You can pour little circles or little logs or something more abstract like a bark if you’d like. The choice is yours.

4. Before the chocolate cools, start adding your dried fruit and nuts. Use any combination that you’d like.

5. Sprinkle with just a touch of sea salt, and allow to cool before packaging.

6. After cooling, package into little clear bags or another package of your choosing and include a loving tag.

7. Pat yourself on the back because you made a super cute gift that’s actually kind of healthy for your friends and not to mention, really delicious.

8. Optional: add flecks of gold leaf (if you want to get artsy) or top with melted caramel for another layer of flavor.

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Marshmallow or Sandwich Cracker Pops

If you need to make a ton of cute individual gifts for kids or a child’s class, then these marshmallow pops are the cutest and easiest things to make. If you want to go the savory route, you can still use this premise but with sandwich crackers.

You’ve probably seen these around and for good reason. These get an adorable reaction out of kids, and they’re a fun activity that you can do with children in your own family. Sometimes we just need good, old-fashioned snacks that aren’t too serious to get us in the holiday spirit, and these fit the bill.

Large marshmallows or sandwich crackers Candy eyes (can be found at your local craft supply store) Melting candy wafers (brown) Orange and yellow M&Ms Long cake pop or popsicle sticks Small foam board to hold up sticks while marshmallows are drying 1. For marshmallows, insert a rounded popsicle stick in the bottom of each and set aside.

2. Melt the brown candy wafers in a heat-proof dish in the microwave, making sure to check every 30 seconds. Be sure not to scorch the candy.

3. Once the candy is melted, dip each side of the marshmallow in the chocolate at an angle. Add a little melted candy to the back of the eyes with a toothpick and add on to the face of the penguin.

4. Add a yellow M&M candy on its side vertically as its nose and then two orange ones at the bottom, as feet, making sure to affix with melted candy and letting it cool properly.

5. If using sandwich crackers, you can dip completely into the chocolate and add mini pretzels at the top with eyes and a red candy as the nose to make a cute reindeer. Feel free to omit chocolate completely if it will contrast with your sandwich cracker flavors.

6. Cool and rest all the treats on the thick foam and package in clear bags with cute ribbon.

EVERYTHING FOR YOUR PERFECT HOLIDAY CELEBRATION! THEMED OUTFITS, COSTUMES, DECORATIONS, TABLEWARE & MORE

22 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Gingerbread Cake

Were the other two recipes a little too easy for you? Are you one of those people who must turn on your stove or oven to feel like it’s really the holidays? Well, this recipe is for you! It’s the epitome of a holiday gift: it’s real GINGERBREAD! It’s not terribly hard to make, it screams “holidays,” and it’s honestly delicious not to mention, your friends and family will love you for this gem.

1¾ cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¾ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 2/3 cup dark brown sugar ½ cup molasses 1 egg, beaten ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon almond extract 2/3 cup boiling water 1. Grease and flour an 8- or 9-inch cake pan (or small individual pans if using those). Preheat oven to 325°F. 2. Stir the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and spices together. Cream the butter and slowly add in the brown sugar, and cream completely. Stir in molasses.

3. Add the beaten egg into the creamed mixture and stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.

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4. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture in thirds, making sure to mix each time until just incorporated.

5. Gradually add boiling water, stirring after each addition. Pour into greased and floured pan(s).

6. Bake for about 50 minutes if using the large pan and 15-20 minutes if using smaller pans. Check earlier than you have to so that it’s not overbaked. Use a toothpick or cake tester to check for doneness.

7. Once cooled, package the cakes in small boxes with decorative tags/stickers or individually if using disposable cardboard pans.

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SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Compound Butter

People often don’t think about giving compound butter as a gift and we should! This would be such a welcomed gift in my home and better yet, I would absolutely put it to use! It’s so simple to make, requires zero baking or cooking, and the variations are so endless that it would be tragic to not give this a shot. I’m including a few different variations to give you some options. The garlic herb butter is a classic and can be used on breads, rolls and while roasting meats. A tablespoon here and there can also add immense flavor to soups and on top of grilled steaks. The same goes for the green chili cilantro butter — use on anything savory for a twist on the classic. The sweeter ones are great on biscuits, pancakes and scones. There are several possibilities, which is what makes this handmade gift so special and useful. Hope you’ll give this a try!

For Herbed Butter:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon minced garlic or garlic paste ½ tablespoon minced oregano ½ tablespoon minced parsley 1 tablespoon minced rosemary 1 tablespoon minced sage 1 tablespoon minced thyme *optional: add 2 teaspoons lemon zest

1. The directions for any of the compound butters will be identical. The most important thing to do is to make sure that the butter is very soft and then mix together all ingredients for that particular butter.

2. After mixing, place the butter mixture in plastic wrap and roll into a log, making sure to twist ends.

3. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to let the flavors come together and let the butter harden again.

4. After the butter has hardened, wrap the butter in pretty paper or something simple like craft paper, and seal with ribbon, twine or a personalized sticker.

5. Make sure to advise the recipient to place in the fridge. Shelf life is the same as the expiration date on your pack of butter.

For Green Chili Cilantro Butter:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1-2 tablespoons minced cilantro (depending on strength you prefer) 2 teaspoons minced garlic or garlic paste 2 tablespoons chopped roasted green chilies (if using can, make sure to drain and dry chilies) 2 teaspoons cumin powder 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder

24 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

For Marmalade Butter:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoons marmalade 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

For Cinnamon Butter:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

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. l a . e E R L s i B I e S l S g O g P u s i r Y t S e R h E T V O C d an RE In Arkansas, mental health issues are affecting people of all ages and the suicide rate across all ages is at an all-time high.

But there is hope. The BridgeWay provides a continuum of care that is safe, secure and serene. Just as each patient is different, so too are our programs. The BridgeWay is the only psychiatric hospital in Arkansas with distinct programs for seniors 55 and older, adults 18 and older, adolescents, ages 13-17, and children, ages 4-12. Whether it is for mood, thought or substance abuse disorders, we provide separate units for each population.

21 BridgeWay Road, North Little Rock, AR 72113 1-800-BRIDGEWAY | thebridgeway.com SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Gifts That Keeps On TEACHING

This holiday season, give toys that teach as well as entertain. Check out our list of top toys for all ages and stages!

BY DWAIN HEBDA

L

ooking for that perfect toy for the wee ones on your list this holiday season? We surveyed some local child development specialists as well as “Best Of” toy rankings to find toys and games that help children learn and grow while they’re playing.

A. Critter Clinic Toy Vet Play Set

Recommended ages: 2 to 6 Why we love it: This toy provides opportunities for imaginative play and developing fine motor skills. It also helps with language concepts such as naming animals, producing animal sounds and matching/naming colors.

B. Melissa & Doug Shape Sorting Cube

Recommended ages: 2-4 years Why we love it: Shape sorting and stacking games are experts’ favorites for toddlers. Not only do they develop fine motors skills, but color and shape recognition, sorting and problemsolving skills. This model offers solid wood construction and bright, non-toxic colored shapes.

C. Fisher Price Chatter Telephone

Recommended ages: 1 to 3 Why we love it: Few toys get it right like the smiling rotary dial telephone that has entertained generations of youngsters. Pull it along by its string and listen to it chatter and watch the eyes move – Fisher Price has modernized the look a bit, but it’s still captivating fun for toddlers.

D. Play-Doh

Recommended ages: 3 and up Why we love it: Drawn from the way-back machine, Play-Doh still ranks very high with educators who love the imagination-inducing nature of the colorful globs of moldable dough. There are plenty of themed kits that you can buy, but all you really need is the starter pack to keep little ones entertained.

E. Fisher-Price Think & Learn Code-a-Pillar

Recommended for ages 3 to 6 Why we love it: It’s never too early to learn coding, as this toy attests for preschoolers. By rearranging the sequence of the caterpillar’s segments, kids learn which sequences produce what movement.

F. Educational Insights Board Games

Recommended ages: 3 and up Why we love it: Early childhood occupational therapists rave about these games and their ability to develop fine motor, visual and sensory processing and modulation skills. Titles include “The Sneaky Snacky Squirrel,” “Shelby’s Snack Shack,” “Frankie’s Food Truck Fiasco,” “Koala Kapers,” and “Pancake Pileup.”

26 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Toys, Check ‘Em Out!

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The “Toybrary” opens in Jacksonville’s Nixon Library A new and novel service has come to Jacksonville's Esther DeWitt Nixon Library – toys for checkout. The feature, Gran Gran’s Toy Library, launched last September and provides patrons the opportunity to check out toys and games for just the cost of a library card. The toybrary was modeled after Toybrary of Austin, a venture by Jacksonville native Liza Wilson, and is named after her late grandmother, Ruth Nixon Wilson. Liza Wilson contacted her hometown library with an offer to create the new service here and donated approximately 100 toys to get the program rolling.

The new service targets children ages 5 and under whose parents may check out two toys per child for two weeks. The toys themselves are educational in nature and are “analog” — nothing in the collection requires batteries, lights up or makes excessive noise.

According to library management, the new concept has been a hit not only with children, but certain adults, such as grandparents who are hosting visiting grandchildren.

Gran Gran’s Toy Library is open for 30 minutes starting at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays following the library's regular programs for preschoolers and toddlers, respectively. For more information, contact the Nixon Library at 501-457-5038.

E

Are you: Less than 12 weeks pregnant 18 years of age or older BMI over 30 Healthy

Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center is currently enrolling women in a research study comparing health and lifestyle behaviors during pregnancy. Monetary compensation plus a 1 year supply of diapers provided.

Contact us to see if you are eligible

501-364-3309 ACNCstudies@archildrens.org

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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G. Frozen Science Kit

Recommended ages: 4 and up Why we love it: Science kits are really in demand and Frozen Science delivers more than 15 experiments for under $20. Utilizing its InstaSnow polymer, kids get all the fun of playing in the snow without the frostbite. Good Housekeeping included the kit in its 2016 toy awards

H. Alex Toys Button Art

Recommended ages: 18 months and up Why we love it: Designed for preschoolers to develop hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and creative thinking, the toy allows children to match and snap chunky buttons to complete the pictures. It’s a great toy to stimulate the imagination of your little artist.

I. Kerplunk

Recommended ages: 5-8 and up Why we love it: Old-school games are back in a big way (Did they ever go away?). Kerplunk and its co-horts Battleship, Operation and Connect Four all have stood the test of time for the way they develop strategic thinking and problem solving to fuel your family game night.

Kids’ Holiday Reading List

Books make great gifts and are fun to read, too. There are hundreds to choose from; here are some favorites by age group: INFANTS “Belly Button Book” by Sandra Boynton “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” by Laura Numeroff TODDLERS “Yummy Yucky” by Leslie Patricelli “Sheep in the Jeep” by Nancy E. Shaw

and Margot Apple “Green Eggs and Ham” by Dr. Seuss BEGINNING READERS “What This Story Needs Is a Pig in a Wig”

by Emma J. Virjan “Go, Dog. Go!” by P.D. Eastman “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak ELEMENTARY AGE “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White “Where the Sidewalk Ends” by Shel Silverstein “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney MIDDLE SCHOOL “Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret”

by Judy Blume “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

by J.K. Rowling TEENS “Geek Girl” by Holly Smale “The Rain” by Virginia Bergin “The Crossover” by Kwame Alexander

28 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

Savvy December Issue Job# 201810085.pdf

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J. Cranium Scribblish

Recommended ages: 8 and up Why we love it: Remember the game “telephone” you played as a kid?

This follows the same premise, except instead of whispering something from one person to the next, each player completes a series of drawings and captions. Artistic ability is not a priority; quick, creative thought is.

K. Hexbug Vex Zip Flyer

Recommended ages: 8 and up Why we love it: A 2017 Toy of the Year finalist, this kit provides more than 100 snap-together pieces to build the launcher and then allows for sending the zip flyers up to 30 feet in the air. A great toy for parentchild time, too.

L. Mobi Math Tiles Game

Recommended ages: 6 and up Why we love it: Crossword games have been around a long time, but Mobi takes the concept and applies it to mathematics. Players try to arrange their numeric and mathematical symbol tiles into equations.

It’s a great game that challenges all ages.

M. Dig it Up! Discovery Kit

Recommended ages: 8 and up Why we love it: This popular series invites budding paleontologists to dig up the fossils hidden in the prehistoric rock. There are several kits to choose from; for slightly older children, look for the T-Rex version.

Once the kiddos dig up the bones, they can reconstruct the skeleton.

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Recommended ages: 3-4 and up Why we love it: Another throwback game which – like its cousins Ants in the Pants, Lite Brite and Hungry Hungry Hippo – develops fine motor coordination. They’re all as much fun as you remember, too.

Recommended ages: 3 and up Why we love it: Based on the New York Times best seller, the game revolves around completing sequences of colored game pieces. Easy enough for a toddler, yet complex enough to challenge teens’ and adults’ decision-making and critical thinking skills, it’s a game they’ll never outgrow.

P. Snap Circuits SC-300 Electronics Discovery Kit

Recommended ages: 8 and up Why we love it: A great STEM starter kit, Snap Circuits allows kids to build their own working circuit with a single switch that turns on an LED or plays a tone. Additional kits allow kids to construct even more elaborate functions such as digital voice recorders, burglar alarms and other electronics.

Family $85 Unlimited admission for one year for five people. $10 for each additional person.

• Free admission to over 350 science centers, including Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville • 10% discount on Explore Store purchases • 50% discount on Tesla coil show tickets • $25 off birthday party and select summer camp registrations • Enrollment in Birthday Club and Gift Concierge services

Contributing $125

Compiled with the help of Kathy Chambers with Early Childhood Special Services, Washington Elementary; Jason Brown, Better Beginnings/Arkansas Department of Human Services and Krysten Levin, ACCESS schools.

Unlimited admission for one year for seven people. $10 for each additional person.

• All benefits listed in Family Membership • Half-price admission to over 200 children’s museums • Two one-time guest passes for friends and family

More membership options available. Purchase at www.museumofdiscovery.org or call 501.396.7050

SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

29

kid approved LORA MATTHEY-HICKS IS A NORTH LITTLE ROCK NATIVE AND MOM TO

ARTHUR, 4, AND FLORENCE, 2. SHE HAS TAUGHT ART IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK SCHOOLS FOR 14 YEARS, AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, HAS HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH HER HUSBAND, ADAM, WHO TEACHES CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS IN NORTH LITTLE ROCK. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LORA HOPES TO SPEND MOST OF HER TIME WORKING JIGSAW PUZZLES AND READING WITH THE FAMILY, PREFERABLY WITH A PEPPERMINT MOCHA IN HAND.

WE GET CHRISTMAS PJS, USUALLY FROM RHEA LANA, BECAUSE WE WEAR THEM FOR ONLY A MONTH!

STARTING AROUND THANKSGIVING THROUGH NEW YEARS, WE ALWAYS HAVE A CHRISTMAS JIGSAW PUZZLE GOING ON A CARD TABLE IN THE LIVING ROOM. ARTHUR LOVES GETTING PIECES IN, AND ANY FAMILY OR FRIENDS THAT STOP BY USUALLY HELP WORK IT, TOO.

“HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS” IS A FAVORITE, AND SINCE WE’RE NOT SUPER INTO SANTA, WE MAKE GRINCH TREATS, WHICH ARE THESE GREEN MINT MERENGUES I USED TO MAKE WITH MY MOM WHEN I WAS YOUNG. WE LEAVE THOSE OUT FOR THE GRINCH, ALONG WITH A FEW TREATS FOR HIS DOG.

WE’VE ADDED A COUPLE ORNAMENTS TO OUR TREE EACH YEAR BASED ON WHAT THE KIDS ARE INTO. LAST YEAR WAS DOUGHNUTS, THIS YEAR WILL PROBABLY BE DINOSAURS!

WE CAN’T LET THE SEASON PASS WITHOUT MAKING CINNAMON CLAY ORNAMENTS TO GIVE AWAY. THEY SMELL WONDERFUL FOR YEARS AND MAKE GREAT TEACHER GIFTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN PAIRED UP WITH KID-MADE COOKIES.

WE HAVE A CHALKBOARD DOOR THAT WE ROTATE SEASONALLY WITH A NEW DRAWING. IT’S SO FUN SEEING HOW MY KIDS’ DRAWING SKILLS DEVELOP SEASON TO SEASON. THE CHRISTMAS DRAWING IS ALWAYS A FAVORITE

30 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

WHEN ARTHUR WAS LITTLE, TO KEEP HIM FROM CONTINUALLY “REDECORATING” OUR TREE, I GLUED SOME GREEN FLANNEL TO A CARDBOARD TREE SHAPE TO HANG ON THE WALL. I CUT OUT LOTS OF FELT “ORNAMENTS” SO HE COULD REARRANGE HIS OWN TREE AS MUCH AS HE WANTED.

LITTLE ROCK WATER RECLAMATION AUTHORITY

WISHES YOU

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! DO YOUR PART TO HELP PROTECT OUR HEALTH, OUR ENVIRONMENT AND YOUR SEWER LINES! Dispose of fats, oils and grease properly this holiday season. Fats, oils and grease, especially from cooking, can clog pipes – including pipes that are your responsibility as a homeowner.

Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority has a safe, simple and FREE solution for disposing of grease this holiday season. Our Can the Grease© kit includes an aluminum can, heat-resistant liners and an informational packet to help keep your pipes clog free so you can focus on what matters most this season.

st Reque EE R your F ay! kit tod 1490 or .688.

1 tg Call 50 .com/c a r w r l visit

Cook it.

Can it.

Trash it.

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501. 376. 2903 SAVVYKIDSAR.COM | DECEMBER 2018

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Welcome to Little Rock School District

2019-2020 OPEN ENROLLMENT

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.

• 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year • Nearly 200 National Board Certified Teachers • Parkview and Central ranked 3rd and 6th nationally in US News & World Report • Roberts Elementary (2017) joined Forest Park Elementary (2012) with National Blue Ribbon designation • K-12 Gifted and Talented + Advanced Placement Programs • State’s only K-8 STEM Academy • Home of the 2017-18 6A State Basketball, 6A/7A Swimming, & 2018-19 6A Boys Tennis Champions • $20 Million in scholarships awarded in 2018 • New Little Rock Southwest High School opens in 2020

Little Rock School District

2019-2020 OPEN ENROLLMENT:

DECEMBER 3 - 14 P3 - 12 * D a t e s a n d t i m e s s u b j e c t t o c h a n g e . Vi s i t L R S D . o r g f o r c a l e n d a r u p d a t e s .

LRSD.org

32 DECEMBER 2018 | SAVVYKIDSAR.COM

T H E P OW E R O F U S !