SAVVYkids | August 2021

COMMITTED CO-PARENTING A BLENDED FAMILY THAT WORKS WELL.

BY KATHERINE WYRICK PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN CHILSON

PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS EXCITED

In addition to DVA, the 2021-2022 school year will also

TO PROVIDE EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE ONCE AGAIN

launch another new academic approach through the

TO ALL STUDENTS IN THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.

Academies of Central Arkansas created by Ford NGL. This is

Entering his fourth year as superintendent, Dr. Charles

an educational initiative to help students prepare for college

McNulty continues to improve education, opportunities,

and career by engaging them in project-based learning

and collaboration with stakeholders across the District.

to provide real world learning experiences for students.

PCSSD is looking forward to returning to a more traditional school setting but also offering a new full-time virtual schooling option for students known as the DRIVEN Virtual Academy.

DRIVEN is a two-part platform within the District that includes the School of Innovation and the Virtual Academy. The DRIVEN model engages students in online and in-person learning to meet students where they are and allow them to work at their own pace. DRIVEN School of Innovation is a program offered to students at Joe

All PCSSD high schools are implementing freshman

T. Robinson, Maumelle and Mills University Studies high

seminars, which is the first class taken by high school

schools. DRIVEN Virtual Academy (DVA) will serve K-12

students before selecting their pathway for 10-12 grade.

students in Pulaski County as well as surrounding areas.

In preparation for the academy concept in high school, all

DVA serves students whose families prefer a homeschool setting but want a structured, monitored

PCSSD middle schools are moving to a block schedule.

PCSSD will continue to enhance ongoing initiatives

curriculum. Additionally, it is beneficial for families

like our Big Rocks: AVID (Advancement Via Individual

who must travel often or are involved in extracurricular

Determination) and PBIS (Positive Behavior

activities and desire a more flexible option through

Interventions and Supports). AVID increases student

online or accelerated learning. Blended learning and

engagement, promotes classroom collaboration and

extended, in-person tutoring opportunities will add

activates deeper levels of learning with practical,

other resources to support students and families. DVA

useful tools and instructional strategies. PBIS assists

students may participate in PCSSD extracurricular

our schools with enhancing our school climates

activities upon meeting academic requirements.

and provides additional support to all students.

We look forward to seeing what the 2021-2022 school year will bring us. Every day in PCSSD, we are working to find solutions to continue to provide a quality education, equity, and excellence to our students.

ABOUT PCSSD

501.234.2000

Pulaski County Special School District spans more than 600 square miles in central Arkansas and requires highly skilled and passionate personnel to adapt educational policies and personalization to 25 schools. Every school is accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Education. PCSSD has served schools across Pulaski County since July 1927.

PCSSD is committed to creating a nationally recognized school district that assures that all students achieve at their maximum potential through collaborative, supportive and continuous efforts of all stakeholders.

W

hether you’re a stepparent, stepsibling, half-sibling or member of some other nontraditional type of blended family, you know that finding unity and balance despite your family’s unique dynamics can be challenging. Even for the most prepared, the process of integrating two families isn’t always seamless. Creating a functioning blended family is hard work that takes time and effort. Despite the inevitable ups and downs, however, a blended family is still just that — a family.

Experts say — and anecdotal evidence bears out — that you can’t expect your families to meld overnight. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, it can take one to two years for blended families to adjust to the changes. Parents who are proactive in reducing and addressing potential issues can make the transition easier.

Common problems can include sibling rivalry and stepparent discipline.

It’s a given that mistakes will be made, which is why it’s important to extend yourself, your partner and your kids some grace.

According to the most recent data from the Census Bureau, 16% of children are living in blended families, which are defined as a household with a stepparent, stepsibling or half-sibling.

We are now a nation in which the majority of families are divorced, with 1,300 new stepfamilies forming every day. Those statistics might sound grim, but a blended family can be a beautiful new beginning.

Case in point: Meet the Powers/Turner/Sniegocki clan — two families that have managed to form one cohesive, harmonious whole.

Though she shies away from the spotlight, Molly Powers was kind enough to offer us a glimpse into her unique, inspiring arrangement.

As a critical care nurse, Molly has faced her share of taxing, intense situations — including caring for critically ill COVID-19 patients during the pandemic. During this stressful time, her families — both of them — have provided her with a much-needed support system.

At this point you may want to grab pen and paper to make a chart.

Molly’s household includes three kids (two biological, one step) — Bee Powers (15), Zoey Powers (14) and Avery Turner (14) — her husband, Jordan Turner, and pups Pepper and Cici. “But,” she was quick to add, “our family is made up of eight people.”

Zac Powers (Molly’s ex-husband, father of Bee and Zoey), and Ryan and Liz Sniegocki (Avery’s mom, Jordan’s exwife, Molly’s friend) all live just a stone’s throw away from each other in midtown.

“We’re all just as at home at each other’s houses. The kids frequently walk or bike between homes when they’ve forgotten something or just need a change in environment. It’s a great system,” Molly said While it might not be the norm, it’s certainly something to aspire to, and for these parents and kids, it makes for one big, happy family.

MOLLY POWERS IS A CRITICAL CARE NURSE, OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST, AND AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE REMARKABLE BLENDED FAMILY SHE’S HELPED CREATE.

THE CROCKPOT THEORY OF CO-PARENTING

Licensed marriage and family therapist April Eldemire offers this highly relatable analogy for the modern parent: “One way to think of the difference between blended and nuclear families is that blended families are like a crockpot meal, while nuclear families are like a quick skillet sauté. Purely biological families are seared together with fierce devotion and love, yet stepfamilies stew together slowly, taking time to bond and become unshakeable.” (To extend the analogy: Teenagers may roast parents and each other, and parents may grill teenagers.

Tensions may simmer. Also, how does an air fryer fit into all of this?)

Eldemire writes, “A loving and well-adjusted stepfamily is possible when couples commit to taking the time and action necessary to get there.” She asserts that the strength of a couple’s relationship ultimately determines the family’s success and offers these tips: 1. Set realistic expectations.

2. Communication is key.

3. Parent together, not separately.

4. Create your own unique family system.

5. Stay connected to your partner.

6. Stay the course and don’t give up.

A Q&A with Molly

(nurse, mom, stepmom, wife, friend) What are your favorite family activities?

We are obsessed with waterfalls. Hiking, camping and floating rivers in canoes or tubes or whatever we can get our hands on.

Jordan and I actually got married on one of our camping trips at Lake Ouachita State Park! The kids are great travelers. We can tell them we’re headed to a cabin in Ponca in the morning, and they’ll have their backpacks ready at first light. I feel so lucky to live in a state where just a short drive takes us to outdoor fun and adventure.

As a critical care nurse, your job is intense and stressful during the best of times. How do you de-stress?

De-stress? What’s that? (Kidding!) I try not to over-schedule myself and allow myself to reschedule or cancel things if I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious. That seems to be the most stressful thing outside of work. Most people probably consider my lifestyle boring, but being at home with my clan is where I’m happiest and most comfortable.

How do you balance work and family life?

I’m fortunate enough to only work on weekends, so that gives me plenty of time during the week to spend with the family. I’ve been working this schedule since the children were little, so that freed me up to be room mom and volunteer at the schools. My husband recently changed his schedule to primarily weekends as well, so Monday through Thursday is family time. This was extremely important early in the pandemic when the kids were out of school. It also allows us to do activities during the week that are typically reserved for weekends and avoid the crowds and lines.

Any advice on how to integrate two families?

I think it helped that we were all friends initially. Jordan and Liz had Avery around the same time Zac and I had our two when we all lived in Hot Springs. We attended Avery’s second birthday party; Liz watched the kids when we were busy; Ryan and Liz went to the same church camp in high school.

We all moved to Little Rock at different times but came together easily and naturally, like it was supposed to be this way. The eight of us celebrate all the birthdays and holidays; we go camping and have random Wednesday night cookouts together. Communication is so important, though. I’ve found that communicating openly and honestly is the best way to prevent conflicts. We still get schedules mixed up occasionally, and that can be frustrating, but we try not to take ourselves too seriously. We’re in this together, so we’ve all got to support each other, but mostly let’s have fun! Pack your bags, kids, we’re all going to the lake.

ON THE COVER LEFT TO RIGHT BACK ROW: LIZ SNIEGOCKI, RYAN SNIEGOCKI, MOLLY TURNER, JORDAN TURNER, ZAC POWERS. LEFT TO RIGHT FRONT: BEE POWERS, ZEV POWERS, AVERY TURNER.

Great Things Happening at LRSD

Building STRONG SCHOOLS and Even STRONGER COMMUNITIES

OPTIONS TO MEET EVERY NEED

SAVVY kids PUBLISHER | BROOKE WALLACE | brooke@arktimes.com

EDITOR | KATHERINE WYRICK | katherinewyrick@arktimes.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE | LESA THOMAS ART DIRECTOR | KATIE HASSELL

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FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS AUGUST 16TH! If you haven’t registered, visit:

www.LRSD.org/register (Student Registration: K-12) or

www.LRSD.org/earlychildhood (Pre-K)

Reminder! Dads and father figures - don’t forget to snap a photo of you with your child at his/her school on the first day.

Then enter the LRSD “Fantastic Fathers” Facebook Photo Contest!