FIRST CLASS Get Ready, School Starts Soon
Welcome
back to school
THE PULASKI COUNTY SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT boasts many dedicated educators and administrators from 26 schools across central Arkansas, which now includes the DRIVEN Virtual Academy in its second year with PCSSD. These educators have dedicated their careers to investing in young people. With a new school year beginning, here are some tips from Oakbrooke Elementary principal, Dr. Kim Truslow, and Mills Middle principal Dr. Lisa Watson. What are you looking forward to as a new year begins? DR. TRUSLOW: I am looking forward to seeing the bright faces of students excited to learn in a new school year and to meet new friends, making memories along the way. I am looking forward to a “normal” school year with many activities and learning opportunities present. DR. WATSON: As an instructional leader of Mills Middle School, I am looking for scholars to showcase their creativity, be innovative, and ready to explore all areas of learning. What can families do to prepare for the first day of school as the weeks of summer wind down? DR. TRUSLOW: Families can begin new habits of going to bed early and getting into the school routine. Families can begin talking about how exciting a new school year is because it marks new beginnings and a fresh start to learning. Families can practice packing your backpack, opening your lunch, getting in and out of the car seat belt or booster seat, and talking about how their students will get home from school each day. What can families and students expect when school begins? DR. WATSON: Scholars and families can expect a school community that will meet the personalized academic and social needs of all scholars to prepare them for college and career readiness. Where differences are valued and respected. What are your goals for the 2022-2023 school year? DR. TRUSLOW: My goals for the 2022-2023 are to foster learning for all students where each student is known and nurtured to be the best version of themselves. My goals for the 2022-2023 school year is that every student will advance academically at least one school year in their learning and will be proud to say they are an Oakbrooke Bobcat! DR. WATSON: The goals for Mills Middle School for the 2022-2023 school year are to establish a positive learning environment where scholars’ voices are heard and they are participating in an engaging rigorous academic setting where scholars and staff are striving for excellence.
REGISTER NOW pcssd.org/register
ABOUT PCSSD
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 26 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.
AUGUST 2022 NEWS & NOTES HOMEMADE PIE DAY
Aug. 1
Keep your eyes on the pies! Today is about celebrating this symbol of American life in its many forms
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY
Aug. 2
Known as the most toothsome of treats, the chocolate chip deserves its day. Bake your own or sample one from Fidel, Flake Baby Pastry or The Root (listed in order of preference).
TAIL WAGGIN’ TUTORS
BREAKFAST WITH A TWIST — MACAWS
Aug. 1
Aug. 13
Hot dog! Tail Waggin’ Tutors is back at the Central Arkansas Library System’s Thompson Library! This program, a part of Therapy Dogs International, encourages dogged readers by providing a receptive, nonjudgmental, furry listener. Takes place every first Monday of the month, 4-5 p.m.
Birds of a feather … breakfast together! Share scintillating conversation and a meal with the macaws at the Little Rock Zoo. Check-in at 7:50 a.m. In other zoo news … There’s a new animal ambassador in town! Meet Petunia, a prehensile-tailed porcupine.
'SHREK THE MUSICAL'
Through Aug. 13
Murry’s Dinner Theater Everyone’s favorite ogre is back in this hilarious and twisted adventure based on the Oscar-winning smash hit movie. Follow this unlikely green hero, his sassy ass sidekick and their pea-green princess on a journey full of romance and zany misfit characters. The perfect show for any age! For showtimes and ticket info, check murrysdp.com.
BACK-2-SCHOOL BASH
Aug. 7
3-5 p.m. Arkansas Hands and Voices is hosting three back-to-school events FREE to children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families. Back-2-School Bash will be held at three locations: Professor Bowl, Conway Family Bowl and Springdale Bowl. Snacks provided. Don’t forget your socks! For more information call/text 501-932-7700 or email info@arhandsandvoices.org. Register by 8/4 at bit.ly/3AlaJhw.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR LRSD & PCSSD!
Aug. 22
'PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE'
Aug. 27-28
Simmons Bank Arena Set sail on a pirate adventure! It’s Pirate Day in Adventure Bay, and Ryder will need all paws on deck as he and the PAW Patrol discover a secret treasure map while on a mission to rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern. Check online for ticket info/times.
SAVVY kids
Brooke Wallace, Publisher, brooke@arktimes.com | Katherine Wyrick, Editor, katherinewyrick@arktimes.com Lesa Thomas, Senior Account Executive, lesa@arktimes.com | Sarah Holderfield, Art Director Find more at SAVVYkidsAR.com
Butterflies, Supplies, Checkups & Checklists
GET READY, SCHOOL STARTS SOON By Katherine Wyrick
T
he sight of school supplies on shelves in mid-summer elicits mild panic in some, elation in others. Whether you’re in back-to-school denial or are eagerly counting down the days, the fact remains that the first day of class is right around the corner, bringing with it the perennial questions: What will this school year look like? Will your child get the teacher he/she/they want? Do they need checkups? Are they up to date on vaccines? Where is that school supplies list? What about a haircut? And, eek, weren’t you supposed to practice multiplication tables?! And then you also have to build in time to worry about your kids making new friends, adjusting to new teachers, and managing the transition from one grade or school to the next. It’s a lot. We conducted an informal survey asking moms for their best back-to-school tips. The responses were practical — and candid.
10 BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS! 1
Ask what they saw, enjoyed, took part in that day and what they’re grateful for. Have them make a list and add to it daily. “I helped (a person, animal, etc.) today … ” — GLENDA WHITE
2
Lay out clothes the night before. I knew a mom who kept school supplies in the car so if something was missing from the backpack while driving to school, no worries. — SARAH RC
(Toilet)
SAVVY PARENTS KNOW:
THE POTTY IS NOT A TOYBOX! Small children love exploring the toilet, and unflushable items can accidentally get
flushed. But you can do your part to prevent toys and other small items from going down the drain. Keep the lid down and invest in a lid lock. It can save you time and
money. Besides, you don’t want your little ones to lose their favorite toy to the toilet. Visit lrwra.com/dontflushthat for more toilet tips and ways to protect our shared system, public health and the environment.
11 CLEARWATER DR. LITTLE ROCK, AR 72204
|
LRWRA.COM
|
501. 376. 2903
3 ENROLL NOW At dinner we say three things that made us happy in the day and three things that made us not happy or something that we just weren’t sure about. This way there is open communication and then we also know what we can work on. If it’s been a pretty stressful day, we turn the music up loud in the living room and dance it out. — NORITA MARIE NURSS
•Free Tuition •Free Before and After Care •Free Transportation •Free Uniforms •Free Tutoring 3615 W. 25th St. Little Rock, AR 72204
501-500-0558 friendshipaspire.org
4
Keep expectations low. We’re always late. If someone doesn’t have the right clothes and breakfast ends up being a Pop-Tart, it’s still fine. — ALYSON COURTNEY
5
I wish I could say we were super organized, but we aren’t. We always pick out clothes the night before. I make my kiddos take a first day of school pic on the way out the door. We have dinner together that night, discuss the day and complete first-day paperwork. — LEAH KILBURN GOLLEHER
In the “dog days” of August, savvy kids stay indoors and...COLOR Dogs, horses, cats and pets of all kinds have been an ongoing theme for books authored by Pat Becker and those that she sponsors. Particularly appropriate for children indoors during the “dog days” of August are these coloring books featuring dogs. Pat says, “Grab your crayons, kids, and let your imagination do the rest!”
This coloring book follows the fun when a playful Dachshund dog named Duchess befriends a hungry bunny rabbit. All that’s missing is the color for this adventuresome tale.
A variety of dogs and their various characteristics and activities are just waiting for imaginative minds to bring some color into the lives of these canines. Reasonably priced. FREE SHIPPING with orders of four or more of these fun coloring books. To order, go to:
DogTalkTV.com/PatBecker-Books
6-10
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SAFETY TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS AT ARKANSAS CHILDREN’S INJURY PREVENTION CENTER
A MUST do is make sure we start getting back on our sleep schedule at least a week before school starts. (Not fun but necessary.) I have a big chalkboard calendar, and the kids help fill that out with important dates, birthday parties, etc. The fun thing we purchase is a new lunchbox and plastic containers. We try to be as waste-free as possible when bringing our lunches to school. I find that there are always new neat accessories. We buy school supplies on Amazon now. My kids no longer enjoy the thrill of school supply shopping. We buy a back-to-school gift for the new teacher! Usually flare pens and a cute notebook, day planner or tumbler. — MARCIA MCCONKIE
MOVES MEET BRANDON: FATHER, COMMUNITY LEADER, DYNAMIC PRACTITIONER “I think that everybody has two choices in life: either to go forward or to stop, and I just don’t like stopping.” read more about brandon whitfield and how his life changed after frank snell invited him to take a walk with him at snellarkansas.com
RESTORING MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE SINCE 1911
Little Rock n Bryant n Conway n Fayetteville n Fort Smith n 800-342-5541 Hot Springs n Mountain Home n North Little Rock n Pine Bluff n Russellville
Hope Mullins with Arkansas Children’s IPC suggests parents focus on three things: bus, school and playground safety. “On the bus or any moving vehicle, distractions are a major factor in crashes. It is up to each individual child not to be a distraction. Parents should advise children to refrain from yelling and fighting,” says Mullins. When it comes to recess, Mullins points out that because children outnumber adults on the playground, it’s imperative to talk to your child about what’s safe and what to avoid — such as hard surfaces or broken equipment. Here are some other reminders to keep your family safe this school year: BUSES • If your child rides the bus, talk to them about ways to get safely on and off. • Always cross in FRONT of the bus when crossing a street. • Make sure the bus driver sees you before crossing in front of the bus. • When getting off the bus, take five giant steps away from the bus before walking. BACKPACKS • The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends packs weigh no more than 10% of a child’s body weight. PLAYGROUNDS • Nearly 80% of all playground injuries are caused by falls. Talk to your children about playing safely and check with your school to make sure the equipment meets safety standards. NO PHONE IN THE SCHOOL ZONE • It is illegal to use your cell phone in a school zone. Phones are a significant distraction and put children in danger. According to the National Safety Council, 26% of crashes in the United States involve the use of a mobile device. Put it away — it’s not worth a life. For more expert tips all year long, check out the ACH blog and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH IS A BIG DEAL. Our Promise: Unprecedented Child Health. Defined and Delivered. Arkansas Children’s is the state’s only health system built just for kids. By working within the communities we serve, it’s our mission to make children better today and healthier tomorrow. We are Champions for Children where they live, learn and play.
#championsforchildren | archildrens.org (501) 430-3142