Bear Essential News August 2021, Phoenix Edition

Bear 40 YEARS!

August 2021 • Phoenix Edition • www.bearessentialnews.com

essential news

®

Bear’s Annual Field Trip & Family Destinations Guide!

See pages 16–20

In This Picture: Find a picnic cup, a pencil, a lightning bolt, an A+, an airplane, the word TEACHER, a badminton birdie, a tooth, a sun hat and the word HOT!

FAMILIES

FEATURE

NEWS

What Is Drought ?

Back-to-School Time Making Furry Friends Find a Field Trip

Plus, some water-saving tips.

Pages 12 & 13

Spotlight on historic wildfires News Highlights page 5

NEWS & more news kids can use Scoops pages 7 & 21

in Bear’s helpful guide!

Page 16 thru 20

FUN

We're Back!

It’s Boomer’s fun page.

Page 11

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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August 2021

Valley Metro’s 2021

Cool Transit STUFF

ART CONTEST Open to all 3rd graders!

3rd Graders Need to Enter the Valley Metro Cool Transit STUFF Art Contest Now!

1. It’s free!

2. It’s fun!

3. It’s just for you!

Use your imagination and show the community how Together We Go on Valley Metro! What is your most favorite place to go to in town? You can probably get there on the city bus or light rail train!

Our contest is a fun way to learn about getting around on public transportation. Your art may even inspire people to try transit.

Enter today for a chance to have your artwork published in the Valley Metro calendar. Each winner also receives a fantastic prize package.

The 2021 Cool Transit STUFF contest ends on Friday, October 8th. It’s time to start your masterpiece and get your entry in!

Some Past Winners!

Entering contests is an outstanding achievement; it provides happiness, enjoyment, and personal satisfaction.

Please visit

valleymetro.org or call

:

602.253.5000

for all the latest updates.

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

August 2021 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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August 2021

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2046 N. 24th St. Central Phoenix

2533 N. 75th Ave. West Phoenix

Smile! It’s Back To School Time!

Fill in the blanks below to learn how to keep your smile BRIGHT —just like you!

by Mary DeStefano

Keep Reading to Your Grandkids!

As a retired teacher and grandparent, I have many thoughts about missed opportunities to make closer connections with children, but I also have some easy ideas for how to engage children in very positive ways. For example: a friend recently told me that in addition to enjoying a splash in the pool with her grandchild, they had spent time making LEGO boat designs to test and see which ones would float.

Whether it’s finding an inexpensive world or U.S. map to display on a wall or going on a rock hunt, in this column, I’d like to connect you to books and activities that add that “extra something” that makes time spent with youngsters more engaging.

We all know it’s important to read to toddlers and preschoolers. But research shows us numerous reasons to continue reading to our youngsters right up to high school! Some of the benefits: • Builds vocabulary and increases comprehension.

• Provides opportunities to discuss concerns and build a sense of the world.

• Encourages children to read the rest of the series on their own.

• Gives children the chance to listen to and respond to text that’s above their reading level.

• Improves listening skills.

• Helps to bond with children.

• Provides positive modeling and analysis of a story.

• Provides a way to introduce the classics.

These are just a few reasons to motivate you to find new ways to connect.

This could be through the use of an article in Bear Essential News or the local newspaper, a book or a local venue you might visit together.

Each month this column will offer a general topic with book suggestions as well as places to delve into the topic a bit more.

So let’s begin! This month’s topic: GEOLOGY

WORD BANK

Book suggestions:

• Brush _________________ a day

Activities you might do after reading a book or two on geology with the kids:

every day • brush • twice • healthy • smile

• Floss ____________________ • __________________ gently • ___________ and keep up the great work!

Do you think you might need braces?

Get treatment early for crowded teeth, popping or clicking jaw or trouble chewing.

www.KidzConnextion.com

1. “Everybody Needs a Rock” by Byrd Baylor, an Arizona author (K–3) 2. “Let’s Go Rock Collecting” by Roma Gans (2nd–5th) • Make a list of things people could collect.

• Go for a walk and find your very own special rock. Try to determine if the rock is igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary. Why or why not?

• Bring a rock home to paint. Larger flat rocks work best.

• Create a rock garden.

• Visit Kartchner Caverns, Colossal Cave or the new museum in Tucson dedicated to Tucson’s big Gem and Mineral Show.

• In Phoenix, visit Desert Botanical Garden and nearby Papago Park, including the well-known Hole in the Rock.

• In Mesa, visit the Arizona Museum of Natural History. (Its rock collection isn’t on display but is available to see by appointment.)

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

News Highlights om Image: shuttersto ck.c

Earlier in the year, Gov. Doug Ducey rolled back Arizona’s COVID-19 measures. He also signed an executive order that banned mask mandates for all staff and students. After the CDC announced its updated guidance, Ducey said that Arizona will continue to not allow mask mandates.

“Arizona does not allow mask mandates, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports or discrimination in schools based on who is or isn’t vaccinated,” Ducey said in a press release. “We’ve passed all of this into law, and it will not change.” In the same press release, Ducey continued to say that those who are eligible for the vaccine should get it. In Arizona, more than 46 percent of the population is fully vaccinated and 51 percent has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Health Chief & Superintendent Push Safety Recent rises in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations around the state and the arrival of a more contagious version of the virus have Arizona’s school superintendent and Dept. of Health director reaching out to the public.

“COVID-19 cases are increasing in Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the state health department in a Zoom news conference on July 23. “The main driver (is) those not fully vaccinated. It’s so important to get Dr. Christ vaccinated if you haven’t already been.” Currently, only those 12 and older are eligible to be vaccinated. She warns that the Delta variant of the virus, believed to spread from person to person more easily, has increased dramatically in the state.

“As we head back to school, we urge all of those who are eligible, including students 12 and older, to get vaccinated,” Dr. Christ said.

While a new state law does not allow masks to

5

Historic Wildfires

To Mask Up or Not to Mask Up? It’s August and you know what that means— most of us are headed back to school this month!

While it’s always fun to see our friends and meet our new teachers, this year we also have to think about whether we’re going to wear a mask when we’re back in the classroom.

Last month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released guidance recommending that everyone over the age of 2, regardless of their vaccination status, wear a mask in school. This includes all students, teachers and staff. The AAP also announced that they support in-person learning.

The week after the AAP released its guidance, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its mask guidance as well. They are now recommending that fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors when in areas with “substantial” and “high” transmission of COVID-19. This applies to approximately two-thirds of all counties across the country. At the time of the CDC’s new guidance, all but two of Arizona’s counties, Yuma and Cochise, fell into the substantial and high categories where everyone should be wearing a mask, regardless of vaccination status. The CDC continues to recommend that those who are unvaccinated should get the vaccine and continue wearing a mask until they are fully vaccinated.

BEAR 40 YEARS

be MANDATED by schools, “Our school guidance recommends that all unvaccinated individuals, which in this case includes children under 12, wear a mask when they’re indoors at school,” Christ continued. She says two of her three kids are still under 12 and she sent them to school with masks.

In the July 21 edition of the Arizona Republic, School Superintendent Kathy Hoffman shared her recommendations in her opinion piece. While she believes opening Arizona schools is a top priority, it must be done safely.

Hoffman She encourages parents to get their students who are 12 or older vaccinated. “Send your student to school with a mask. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently encouraged all students older than 2 and all school staff to wear masks for in-person school,” the superintendent writes.

She also stressed the importance of not sending your child to school if the student is not feeling well or “if you believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.”

This time of year means long, sunny days and the infamous Arizona heat. Unfortunately, it also means wildfire season across the Western United States.

Arizona has seen some terrible wildfires in years past. The 10 largest wildfires in our state’s history have all happened in the last 20 years. Last year was particularly bad as Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management officials report that 2,520 wildfires burned 978,519 acres of the state, federal and tribal lands in 2020. Eighty-two percent of those fires were human caused.

Earlier this summer, the Telegraph Fire burned more than 180,000 acres and made the list for the top 10 largest wildfires in our state’s history. Fortunately, the rainy MONSOON has put a damper on wildfires across the state and helped with drought conditions as well.

Wildfire Facts: • Number of states battling wildfires: 13 • Largest wildfire ever in AZ: Wallow (2011) • Firefighters battling Bootleg Fire: 2,300

However, this summer has also seen some pretty terrible wildfires in other parts of the Western United States. In Oregon, the Bootleg Fire has burned more than 600 square miles this summer, driven by months of drought and last month’s heat wave.

When it comes to wildfires, normally the weather influences the wildfire, such as wind making it harder to fight the fire. The Bootleg Fire is burning so hot and generating so much energy that it’s actually changing the weather!

There are other wildfires burning in a dozen other states as well. The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that there are other large wildfires burning in Alaska, Idaho and Minnesota. The NFIC reports that 82 large fires have burned more than 1.7 million acres this year. Almost 22,000 firefighters and support personnel are battling the blazes, with more than 10 percent of those firefighters battling Oregon’s Bootleg Fire.

The wildfires affect the land for decades to come, pose a threat to wildlife and humans, and destroy homes and buildings. The large wildfires this summer have also sent smoke nearly 3,000 miles away. Smoke settled as far away as Philadelphia, New York, and in the eastern parts of Canada.

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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August 2021

Report for Bear!

We Want Advisers, Too!

Do you love to write? Do you want to be a better writer? Here’s a once-in-alifetime opportunity to bring news that interests you to kids and classrooms in Arizona. Best of all, this award-winning program is FREE and for grades 3 thru 8.

The Young Reporters Program teaches you the basics of journalism, sharpens your writing and gives you real-world experience. Your stories could appear in Bear Essential News, Arizona’s leading newspaper for young people and their families, and are permanently posted on Bear’s fab website.

All new Young Reporters must print out the YR sign-up form at BearEssentialNews.com (under the Young Reporters tab). Just fill it out, have a parent sign the bottom, and mail it in.

Bear will send you a Young Reporters Kit that has everything you need to get started.

Please be a Teacher or Parent Adviser

Schools can have up to 10 Young Reporters, and we like to have an adviser to help come up with story ideas and to submit stories to the newspaper.

Multiple YR Kits can be sent to Advisers. Homeschool or virtual learning students can have a parent be their YR Adviser.

Call toll free: 1-866-NEWS KID if you any questions or would like to be an Adviser.

Every Kid Gets an Official Young Reporter Kit!

Teacher Worksheets Each Month!

Each month Bear creates worksheets to be used in the classroom with the current issue. These worksheets can be printed from our website or emailed to you directly.

Teachers can sign up for our Newsletter for Bear’s free AZCCRS-based Worksheets for grades K–2, 3–4, 5–6 and 7–8. These monthly Work Sheets augment the current issue of Bear Essential News, which is a trusted source for a wide range of informational text. Worksheets can also be printed from our web site at bearessentialnews.com under the “Teacher” tab. Under this tab you can find information on becoming an advisor and signing up Young Reporters.

There is also a great field trip and grant funding resource guide to help plan and fund your class field trips.

To sign up for our newsletter and teacher work sheets, visit

BearEssentialNews.com

and click on the envelope icon at the top of the page on the right.

Years! of BEAR

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Get the Scoop!

Making Friends and Meeting Critters

by Reporter Gohan Delgado Laveen Elementary

BEAR 40 YEARS

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News Stories Written by Kids— for Kids

Hubble Telescope Is Back to Work

by Reporter Brett Eymann Transitions Delta Center

There were lots of summer camps all over Arizona this summer and one summer camp I attended was at the Arizona Humane Society. I went with my sister, Story, the week of July 5th.

I met a lot of new friends and we got to meet three animals each day. I really loved going to this camp and I wish to go again next summer.

We did so many activities like crafts, games and races. I was one of the winners of a race. We made dog treats, feed them to the dogs at the shelter and then we got to read to the dogs! I love to read and the dogs liked hearing me read, it was my favorite activity the whole week.

Some other animals I was able to meet were a porcupine, a cat, a ferret, a crab, bugs, and a snake.

My sister was in a younger group and she met an alligator! My mom said I will go again next summer and I cannot wait!

Find information on youth and school programs and camps at www.azhumane.org.

Nature Is the Focus at ASU Center

by Reporter Nava Nelson, Homeschool Did you know that jackrabbits have color-changing ears? Sounds fake, right? Well, I learned a lot of interesting facts like that when I visited Lily Urmann, the program coordinator at The Biomimicry Center at ASU. Urmann told me that jackrabbits’ ears are hypothermal, meaning that they change color due to temperature. When one goes into its burrow, where it is cool, its veins get bigger, pumping more blood which changes the color of its ears. So what is bio-what’s-it-called?!

“Biomimicry is innovation inspired by nature,” Urmann says.

“I’ve always been interested in how nature works.”

She created a middle-school curriculum called BioConnect, made with help from the Phoenix Zoo and the Biomimicry Institute. It is a curriculum designed to engage kids in nature, and inspire the next generation of innovators.

Urmann says the curriculum is online and available for teachers to use for free, and the kits featuring different interactive supplies are available for rent. She even said she won’t give students any homework! “We offer home exploration...It’s basically like keeping a nature journal.”

Some of the things in the kits include a bust of a jackrabbit head, with color-changing paint on the ears to demonstrate how its ears change color due to temperature.

Close-up view of a burdock seed The kits include 3D-printed items. One of the things in the kit is a model of a namib beetle. It gets its water from the air! You have to get the kit to find out how.

At The Biomimicry Center you can see all sorts of cool things, like a sea sponge. I saw a big ostrich egg that weighed three pounds. Urmann also showed me a burdock seed pod under a microscope. It looked like a coronavirus with little needle-hairs. She says it’s what inspired the inventor of velcro.

MORE BIOMIMICRY, page 21 ➧

After a month of repairing an odd glitch, NASA has returned the instruments on the Hubble Space Telescope to operational status. The collection of data has also resumed.

On July 17, NASA returned the Hubble Space Telescope to science operations. It was the first data collected since the payload computer experienced a problem on June 13.

The Hubble Space Telescope has been giving the world incredible insight into the cosmos for over three decades. The idea of the telescope was first conceived in the 1940’s, however it took decades of planning and research before it was launched in 1990.

It took over a month to investigate the cause of a problem with the payload computer that helps to control the onboard science instruments.

“I’m proud of the Hubble team, from current members to Hubble alumni who stepped in to lend their support and expertise. Thanks to their dedication and thoughtful work, Hubble will continue to build on its 31-year legacy, broadening our horizons with its view of the Universe,” says NASA administrator Bill Nelson.

NASA anticipates that the Hubble Space Telescope will last for many more years and will continue to work with other space observatories to discover more about the cosmos.

Over the years the Hubble Space Telescope has made amazing discoveries like the two moons of Pluto called Nix and Hydra. In 1995 the Hubble Space Telescope took the famous picture of the Eagle Nebula, which was later renamed Pillars of Creation. The telescope was named after American astronomer Edwin Hubble.

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New Badges = New Opportunities for Future Girl Scouts Back-to-school time can be exciting. It’s a time for kids to make new friends, learn new things and immerse themselves in new experiences. All the wonderful opportunities a new school year brings are increased and complemented when a girl joins Girl Scouts!

Girl Scouts programs inspire confidence in girls as they learn skills, and take learning outside of the classroom—into the real world and the outdoors. Girls can earn new badges this year, including badges for Math in Nature.

Math in Nature gets girls outdoors to explore and conserve our outdoor spaces as they learn math concepts. A Daisy can earn a Shapes in Nature badge when she learns to identify shapes and patterns through fun activities, while a Junior Girl Scout will be examining symmetry, fractals and the Fibonacci sequence. Girl Scouts programs support a girl’s academic success, and Math in Nature is just one example.

There are also new badges for digital leadership and entrepreneurship. Whether girls are learning to navigate the online world in a responsible and safe way or building their

Can examining pe tals teach girls so mething about m ath? Yep, and they can earn a badge, too!

acumen in business, technology and STEM, these 28 new badge programs—as well as the hundreds of existing badges—help girls build confidence and prepare for their futures. Best of all, they can pursue their dreams and goals in an all-girl safe space where each girl can be her true self.

Now is a great time to join Girl Scouts. Troops are looking to welcome new members and form new troops for the new school year. Joining is also a great way to bring families togeth-

er—through badge programs and service projects, outdoor programing, events, and product programs like the Girl Scout Cookie Program.

Let Girl Scouts help pave the way for your girl’s academic and future success! Contact Girl Scouts Arizona Cactus-Pine Council today.

Join Girl Scouts today!

Visit girlscoutsaz.org Call 602-452-7030 Text 844-317-9041

@GSACPC

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When asked to join the first grade team, Van Leuven says she was flattered, humbled and excited. It was also a chance for her to watch some of her students transition from kindergarten to first grade.

Van Leuven was born and raised in the East Valley, but went to Texas to attend college. She says she has always been passionate about education, and feels lucky to be in this career.

Van Leuven got her first taste of teaching when she was in high school. She had taken piano lessons since the age of 4 or 5, and when her piano teacher went on maternity Van Leuven was tasked with teaching the younger students.

“I always loved working with kids,” Van Leuven recalls. “I had a good knowledge of piano, but more, I had the ability to teach.”

Van Leuven says that one-on-one experience was

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BEAR 40 YEARS

August 2021 •

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valuable, and that even now in a class with 30 students she tries to have a similar approach.

“The time spent, getting to know students and having that relationship with students is key,” explains Van Leuven.

When she’s not in the classroom, Van Leuven enjoys spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews. She also loves reading—in school she enjoyed reading and annotating works of literature and these days she likes to read about education.

She says one of the things she likes about her school is that it encourages the teachers. “They push us to be active learners along with the students,” says Van Leuven.

Van Leuven was nominated by student Ally, who writes, “My teacher loves us. She helps us know how to read!”

One of Van Leuven’s favorite quotes is attributed to Socrates: “Wisdom begins in wonder.”

Van Leuven says she hopes that it’s a message that is passed on to the kids she teaches.

“It’s something I hope my students come to find out in my classroom,” she says.

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

August 2021

www.bearessentialnews.com

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

11

Boomer’s Boredom-Busting Activity Page

We're Back!

Students all across Arizona are Back In School-and ready to shine!

Field Trip Fun! Everybody loves a school field trip.

See if you can unscramble Boomer’s favorite field trip destinations.

ck, and I’ll It’s great to be ba

ssroom!

see you in the cla

1. __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 2. __ __ __

Pizza Is Boomer’s Favorite Food!

What fraction of the pizza does each served slice represent?

__ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __

3. __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __

4. __ __ __ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

NICECES RAIF TAR SEUMEM SUMIC HOWS TEPORY DEARING

5. __ __ __ __

MARF

6. __ __ __ __ __ __ __

REATHTE

Answers: SCIENCE FAIR • ART MUSEUM • MUSIC SHOW • POETRY READING • FARM • THEATER

ANSWER

ANSWER

Help Boomer Find His Way to School!

Start Here

ANSWER

ANSWER

Don't Be Late!

Boomer woke up in a panic because he dreamed he had missed the school bus. Then, he remembed that he walks to school!

How do YOU get to school?

www.bearessentialnews.com

• August 2021

Photo courtesy of: Pima County Wastewater

& Saving Water

The Not-so-Good News…

Heavy monsoon rains in July around the state have lifted several parts of Arizona out of the most severe drought conditions.

July tends to be Phoenix’s wettest month, which averages a little under an inch of rain. But this past month, Phoenicians received 1.8” of rain—the most since 2013. A few spots got up to 4”. Meanwhile, Tucson got socked by summer storms, totaling just a hair over 8”, its wettest July on record! (Rainfall totals for Tucson started being recorded in 1894.)

Despite getting good monsoon rains, almost all of Arizona is still in a drought! Before the much-needed rain, more than half of the state was in an “Exceptional Drought,” which is the worst drought level. Many other areas were considered in “Extreme Drought,” which isn’t quite as bad.

But with the monsoon, only about 9 percent of the state remains in Exceptional Drought. It’s the SEVERITY of our drought that has been lessened so that about 86 percent of Arizona is now in Severe or Extreme Drought. By some measures, we’re in our 28th year of drought, so it’s going to take more than one really wet month to break out of our drought.

A drought is a period of water shortage, when a lack of rain or snow (PRECIPITATION) produces dry conditions. It can affect a relatively small area or be more widespread, sometimes large enough to engulf an entire continent.

It might be as short as one season or, like the one Arizona is in, can last for years!

Droughts are a natural part of climate and there’s almost always drought going on somewhere in the world, posing major challenges for the people, animals and plants that live in that area.

Areas hit by drought can have rivers and reservoirs lose their water, soil crack, trees stressed and VULNERABLE to infestation, crops fail, and grasses and flowers turn brown. These dried-out (arid) conditions can also lead to dangerous and costly wildfires (see “In the Spotlight” on page 5).

Phoenix Water provides water for 1.7 million people and wastewater services for almost 3 million customers! It is also one of the regional campaign steering committee partners with Water – Use It Wisely, a water conservation campaign.

The campaign provides the community simple and fun water-saving tips to encourage water conservation.

Christian Delgado is a water resource specialist for Phoenix Water. “The more we can conserve, the better it is for everybody,” he emphasizes.

Overall, folks in the Valley do pretty well when it comes to conserving water. On average, each person uses about 120 gallons each day. “Our Phoenix customers are conserving a little more water (averaging just 105 gallons per person per day),” Delgado says. “And they’re actually doing better now than they were 30 or 40 years ago. Water usage has gone down substantially because they are very water conscious and due to some changes in technology.”

For Phoenix Water customers, about 60 percent of their water comes from the Salt and Verde rivers to the east of us, he says. Almost 40 percent comes from the Colorado River, plus some groundwater is pumped, too. Other Valley

Saving Water Outdoors

But did you know that most of the water that people use, especially during our hot summer months, goes to outdoor water use—keeping our plants green?

Be sure to check out wateruseitwisely.com for a ton of simple ways you and your family and classroom can save water, which, Delgado points out, can also save on water bills! There are great tips on ways you can conserve water outdoors and indoors, tips for kids and teachers, and pointers on rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping.

When it rains, Delgado suggests skipping a watering day or two. Parents might pause their drip irrigation system for a couple days, and some systems have rain sensors that automatically pause!

Sometimes rain gutters can be aimed where they can be more beneficial like at trees or shrubs.

Instead of bathing your dog in the bathtub, bathe your dog on the lawn so the water does double duty!

And if you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool, cut down on splashing water out of the pool so it doesn’t have to refill as much.

Drip irrigation systems are a good idea for homeowners because they put the water right where the plant is and can deliver just the right amount needed. But periodically check to make sure they haven’t sprung leaks, which can waste a lot of water.

If homeowners want to improve their landscaping, Delgado says trees can go a long way by providing shade and a cooling effect. Trees and shrubs can be strategically planted on the south and west sides of a home.

“Desert-adapted trees use less water than a non-desert adapted one,” he adds. Another benefit of going with more native plants is that they can attract desert wildlife to your yard!

Reducing lawn areas and designing water catchment areas to create “rain gardens” are also good ideas.

Yearly Average Rainfall in Arizona k.com

The Water that We Use

What Is Drought?

cities may have different water sources or percentages.

“Conserving water is very important because of the drought,” Delgado points out. “We don’t know how long the drought will last. We don’t know what the severity will be. So every last bit of water counts. If we save more at home, that means we can save more from the original sources, which means we’ll have more for the future.”

Despite being hit by heavy monsoon rains last month, Arizona still faces a long drought.

Learning how you can save water helps everybody!

The Good News…

August 2021

Image: shutterstock.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

Flagstaff

24"

Phoenix

8"

Tucson

12"

Nogales

18"

Image: shutterstoc

DROUGHT

Page 12

Saving Water Indoors Indoors, keep an ear out for running water or drips when it’s quiet. Delgado says that toilets are usually the top water user inside, followed

closely by showers and bathtubs.

For toilets, technology has really come a long way. Some low-water use toilets give you an option to flush your liquid waste (which flushes with less water) or a different button for flushing your solid waste. But older toilet tanks can be fitted with a toilet tank bag so less water is used per flush! Delgado says you can buy toilet dye to test to see if your tank is leaking into the bowl and wasting water. He recommends you test your toilets once a year. Often, the leak is due to an inexpensive flapper wearing out.

Making sure you run your dishwasher or washing machine only when they’re full also will save water on each load.

Parents can also keep an eye on their monthly water bill. Any big spikes could indicate there’s a leak somewhere around your home.

Check out a few more fun water-saving tips on this feature and on page 14!

•

BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 13

www.bearessentialnews.com

• August 2021

Photo courtesy of: Pima County Wastewater

& Saving Water

The Not-so-Good News…

Heavy monsoon rains in July around the state have lifted several parts of Arizona out of the most severe drought conditions.

July tends to be Phoenix’s wettest month, which averages a little under an inch of rain. But this past month, Phoenicians received 1.8” of rain—the most since 2013. A few spots got up to 4”. Meanwhile, Tucson got socked by summer storms, totaling just a hair over 8”, its wettest July on record! (Rainfall totals for Tucson started being recorded in 1894.)

Despite getting good monsoon rains, almost all of Arizona is still in a drought! Before the much-needed rain, more than half of the state was in an “Exceptional Drought,” which is the worst drought level. Many other areas were considered in “Extreme Drought,” which isn’t quite as bad.

But with the monsoon, only about 9 percent of the state remains in Exceptional Drought. It’s the SEVERITY of our drought that has been lessened so that about 86 percent of Arizona is now in Severe or Extreme Drought. By some measures, we’re in our 28th year of drought, so it’s going to take more than one really wet month to break out of our drought.

A drought is a period of water shortage, when a lack of rain or snow (PRECIPITATION) produces dry conditions. It can affect a relatively small area or be more widespread, sometimes large enough to engulf an entire continent.

It might be as short as one season or, like the one Arizona is in, can last for years!

Droughts are a natural part of climate and there’s almost always drought going on somewhere in the world, posing major challenges for the people, animals and plants that live in that area.

Areas hit by drought can have rivers and reservoirs lose their water, soil crack, trees stressed and VULNERABLE to infestation, crops fail, and grasses and flowers turn brown. These dried-out (arid) conditions can also lead to dangerous and costly wildfires (see “In the Spotlight” on page 5).

Phoenix Water provides water for 1.7 million people and wastewater services for almost 3 million customers! It is also one of the regional campaign steering committee partners with Water – Use It Wisely, a water conservation campaign.

The campaign provides the community simple and fun water-saving tips to encourage water conservation.

Christian Delgado is a water resource specialist for Phoenix Water. “The more we can conserve, the better it is for everybody,” he emphasizes.

Overall, folks in the Valley do pretty well when it comes to conserving water. On average, each person uses about 120 gallons each day. “Our Phoenix customers are conserving a little more water (averaging just 105 gallons per person per day),” Delgado says. “And they’re actually doing better now than they were 30 or 40 years ago. Water usage has gone down substantially because they are very water conscious and due to some changes in technology.”

For Phoenix Water customers, about 60 percent of their water comes from the Salt and Verde rivers to the east of us, he says. Almost 40 percent comes from the Colorado River, plus some groundwater is pumped, too. Other Valley

Saving Water Outdoors

But did you know that most of the water that people use, especially during our hot summer months, goes to outdoor water use—keeping our plants green?

Be sure to check out wateruseitwisely.com for a ton of simple ways you and your family and classroom can save water, which, Delgado points out, can also save on water bills! There are great tips on ways you can conserve water outdoors and indoors, tips for kids and teachers, and pointers on rainwater harvesting and xeriscaping.

When it rains, Delgado suggests skipping a watering day or two. Parents might pause their drip irrigation system for a couple days, and some systems have rain sensors that automatically pause!

Sometimes rain gutters can be aimed where they can be more beneficial like at trees or shrubs.

Instead of bathing your dog in the bathtub, bathe your dog on the lawn so the water does double duty!

And if you’re lucky enough to have a swimming pool, cut down on splashing water out of the pool so it doesn’t have to refill as much.

Drip irrigation systems are a good idea for homeowners because they put the water right where the plant is and can deliver just the right amount needed. But periodically check to make sure they haven’t sprung leaks, which can waste a lot of water.

If homeowners want to improve their landscaping, Delgado says trees can go a long way by providing shade and a cooling effect. Trees and shrubs can be strategically planted on the south and west sides of a home.

“Desert-adapted trees use less water than a non-desert adapted one,” he adds. Another benefit of going with more native plants is that they can attract desert wildlife to your yard!

Reducing lawn areas and designing water catchment areas to create “rain gardens” are also good ideas.

Yearly Average Rainfall in Arizona k.com

The Water that We Use

What Is Drought?

cities may have different water sources or percentages.

“Conserving water is very important because of the drought,” Delgado points out. “We don’t know how long the drought will last. We don’t know what the severity will be. So every last bit of water counts. If we save more at home, that means we can save more from the original sources, which means we’ll have more for the future.”

Despite being hit by heavy monsoon rains last month, Arizona still faces a long drought.

Learning how you can save water helps everybody!

The Good News…

August 2021

Image: shutterstock.com

BEAR 40 YEARS

Flagstaff

24"

Phoenix

8"

Tucson

12"

Nogales

18"

Image: shutterstoc

DROUGHT

Page 12

Saving Water Indoors Indoors, keep an ear out for running water or drips when it’s quiet. Delgado says that toilets are usually the top water user inside, followed

closely by showers and bathtubs.

For toilets, technology has really come a long way. Some low-water use toilets give you an option to flush your liquid waste (which flushes with less water) or a different button for flushing your solid waste. But older toilet tanks can be fitted with a toilet tank bag so less water is used per flush! Delgado says you can buy toilet dye to test to see if your tank is leaking into the bowl and wasting water. He recommends you test your toilets once a year. Often, the leak is due to an inexpensive flapper wearing out.

Making sure you run your dishwasher or washing machine only when they’re full also will save water on each load.

Parents can also keep an eye on their monthly water bill. Any big spikes could indicate there’s a leak somewhere around your home.

Check out a few more fun water-saving tips on this feature and on page 14!

•

BEAR 40 YEARS

Page 13

14

BEAR 40 YEARS •

August 2021

www.bearessentialnews.com

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

Growing, Growing,

Strong!

BEAR 40 YEARS

15

Sponsored by

Fun tips on healthy foods, fitness and well being —from our family to yours!

Back

To School?

Written by Paulette Savino, RDN Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Phoenix Children’s

Time to get your sleep back on track

phoenixchildrens.org 602-933-0935

Remember, kids need to get their ZZZZs!

Images: shutterstock.com

S

leep is super important for growing kids.

It helps their minds and bodies work best. They will feel better, have more energy and be able to focus easier at school when they get enough sleep at night.

So, how much sleep do kids need? Well, it varies by age, but experts recommend kids between the ages of 6-12 years get 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. That’s a lot of sleep! If they need to wake up at 6:30am for school, that means bedtime should be between 6:30 and 9:30pm.

Getting the right amount of sleep will help them feel less stressed and ready to tackle the new school year.

Below are some tips for better sleep: • Keep their room cool, dark, and quiet.

Blackout curtains, a fan or white noise machine can block light and outside noises.

• Turn off electronics (TVs, tablets, phones, and video games) at least one hour before bedtime. The light from those screens makes it harder to fall asleep.

• Keep electronic devices out of the bedroom.

Find another place to charge them at night, such as a family charging station in the kitchen, so dings and buzzes don’t disrupt sleep.

This will also help curb their use around bedtime.

• Establish a sleep schedule. Put the kids to bed and wake them up around the same time each day. That will help their bodies go into deep sleep easier.

• Have kids do something relaxing before bed.

Try taking a bath, stretching, or light book reading. Do whatever helps them feel calm and peaceful.

Black Mountain BMX

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For Dates and Times, check our website

602-999-5979

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Be a Young Reporter!

Boomer will send you all the reporter stuff you need to get started:

• Reporter Pad • Bear Stylebook • Official Press Pass For your sign-up form, go to

BearEssentialNews.com and click on

Young Reporters.

Bear’s Young Reporters Always Get the Scoop!

The Young Reporters Program is part of Bear Essential Educational Services.

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

August 2021

&

www.bearessentialnews.com

Field Trips Family Outings For unforgettable fun and learning, few things are as fabulous as a field trip! Here are Bear Essential’s 2021–22 Guides for Field Trips and Family Destinations!

Last school year was very different. It is unlikely that you went on a field trip unless it was a virtual one. The pandemic changed the way many things are done, and some of the changes are here to stay, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Many places are open again, but may have a different look and a new way of doing things. When your class takes a field trip this year, there will likely be smaller groups, no mixing amongst groups, new hand-washing stations, reserved times and mask requirements.

Hanna Schehr, the field trips manager at Act One, says the pandemic created a need to “identify a safer, more hygienic” way to do field trips. “In so many ways COVID was life changing,” she says, and that includes the way that arts organizations engage with the public. Act One makes arts experiences accessible to thousands of students in Arizona each year through field trips for K-12 students from Title I schools.

During the pandemic, museums closed and performances were canceled, so many companies and destinations found ways to go into people’s homes when people could not go to them. Webcams, virtual field trips, access to taped performances and webinars became the norm. Although many places are open again and performances are planned, some of the lessons learned during the lockdown will continue.

Schehr says arts organizations spent the time during closures working to better communicate with each other and with teachers. “I see this big shift,

whether it’s in person or VR,” Schehr says of Act One’s programming going forward. “It’s going to be a lot more in depth and connect with teachers and what they’re doing in the classroom.”

Act One Arts Immersion will take a dynamic program to schools this year.

Freedom in Expression looks at the Mexican mural movement and how it shaped art in America. It includes a mariachi performance, too, and will be more accessible and inclusive, says Schehr. The Arts Immersion program will arrive at schools with VR headsets and its own WIFI to run this engaging, educational experience.

Freedom in Expression will have English and Spanish captioning (and for students who need them, tablets with the ability to control volume and screen brightness) making the experience more inclusive for students with different learning styles, adds Schehr.

Act One will offer 88 trips at 21 venues in Phoenix and Tucson this school year. Teachers can register starting Sept. 1. Act One’s virtual reality Arts Immersion program will begin registration on Nov.1. For more information, visit www.act1az.org.

Parents, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to gain a wealth of culture!

Many museums have free or discounted admission days each month. Some participate in the Museums for All program, which offers free or reduced admission to those who receive food assistance (SNAP or WIC). In the Valley, the Arizona Science Center and the i.d.e.a. Museum participate in Museums for All. In Tucson, the Children’s Museum Tucson, Children’s Museum Oro Valley, the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures and the Arizona State Museum participate.

Act One teams with libraries and cultural organizations to offer the Culture Pass program to students and families.

Libraries in Phoenix and Tucson (and soon Flagstaff) allow you to “check out” a pass for admission for two to select museums and outdoor spaces like parks and national monuments.

Check out Boomer Bear’s 2021–22 Field Trips guide in this issue. The guide lists places that are fun, entertaining and educational for classrooms and families. The Field Trips Guide is available online at bearessentialnews.com throughout the year!

Field Trips & Family Destinations 2021–2022

Fun Classroom and Family Outings Throughout Arizona—All Year Long!

2022 ARIZONA SCITECH FESTIVAL (602) 343-8324 info@scitechinstitute.org scitechinstitute.org

The Arizona SciTech Festival is a multiweek, colorful showcase of more than 1,000 science, engineering, technology (STEM) and innovation events in over 50 Arizona cities featuring exhibits, hands-on activities, colorful shows, tours and discussions. Dates coming soon!

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Chase Field 401 E. Jefferson St. • Phoenix 602-514-8400 Field Trips/Family Destination www.dbacks.com

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the Major League Baseball team in Arizona. Since its inception as an expansion franchise in 1998, the team has won a world championship (2001) and made six postseason appearances. The club has played in front of 32 million fans at Chase Field, which features a signa-

ture swimming pool, retractable roof and a kids play area called the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Sandlot. For more information about the D-backs, or to purchase game tickets, visit dbacks.com

ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY 122 E. Culver Street • Phoenix 602-241-7870 www.azjhs.org

The AJHS has learning and educational exhibits, virtual exhibits and field trips that

Check out ALL our listings online!

are appropriate for middle school students and older. With the passage of the Holocaust Education Bill (HB 2241) the AJHS welcomes middle and high school teachers to use our resources to teach students about the Holocaust, while making an emotional connection to the Holocaust.

ASU EARTH & SPACE EXPLORATION DAY

781 E. Terrace Rd. ASU Tempe Campus ISTB 4 Building Field Trips/Family Destinations

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

ASU EARTH & SPACE continued Field Trips/Family Destinations Cost: Free www.sese.asu.edu/community-engagement/ events

Earth and Space Exploration Day is a free annual event hosted by the School of Earth and Space Exploration. This event includes science related activities for students age five and up, families, educators, and anyone interested in Earth and space. The event includes talks with scientists, interactive exhibits, 3D planetarium shows, and student science exhibits. Check our website in Fall 2021 for event details.

ASU WALTON SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS INITIATIVES Sustainability Solutions Family Day Dates coming soon http://sustainabilityfestival.asu.edu

Explore · Innovate · Celebrate The 2021 Sustainability Solutions Festival brings a diverse array of events for audiences of all ages to Explore · Innovate · Celebrate sustainability solutions. ASU’s rich sustainability expertise is shared with the public through hands-on activities featuring the latest in technology and research at Sustainability Family Weekend at Arizona Science Center and ASU Open Door events.

BEAR ESSENTIAL NEWS & YOUNG REPORTER PROGRAM

2525 E. Broadway, Suite 102. • Tucson, 85716 792-9930 Grades: 3–8 From Bear Essential Educational Services info@bearessentialnews.com www.bearessentialnews.com Common Core Worksheets: Fresh standards-based fun sheets for classrooms to use in conjunction with the current issue of Bear Essential News.

Free Young Reporters Program: Students in grades 3–8 develop as young writers by writing news stories for Bear Essential News.

Young Reporters can attend monthly Zoom meetings and interview important people from our community.

Free Presentations: Five dynamic topics are available from a Bear editor.

BOOKMANS

Mesa: 1056 S. Country Club Dr. 480-835-0505 Phoenix: 8034 N. 19th Ave. 602-433-0255 bookmans.com Project: Educate. Educators receive a 20% discount on all purchases. To receive your Project: Educate card, you need to sign up online at www.bookmans.com. You will receive a confirmation email, which you need to bring to your nearest Bookmans location, along with a valid ID and proof of educator status.

Kids Club: From birth to age 12 kids receive a 10% discount and a $10 gift certificate on their birthday.

1317: Kids 13-17 receive a 15% discount and a $15 gift certificate on their birthday.

Visit Bookmans.com and click on the JOIN tab to sign up.

CENTRAL ARIZONA PROJECT

Classroom Speakers Educational Sponsorships Free Teacher Resource/Curriculum Available 623-869-2135 www.CentralArizonaProject.com CAP offers an Arizona-specific water education program including free downloadable lesson plans for K–3, 4–6, middle and high school students that are standards-based. Lesson plans supported by mixed media tools like videos, posters and activity books! Visit www.cap-az.com/ education or call 623-869-2135 for more information.

CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE

3111 W. Chandler Blvd. • Chandler Field Trips/Family Destination 602-581-5370 chandlerexperience@crayolaexperience.com www.crayolaexperience.com

Discover the magic of color at Crayola Experience! Crayola Experience Chandler is bursting with 18 hands-on activities, perfect for a full day of creative fun. Name your own crayon, star in a coloring page, bring your digital art to life AND MORE! Field trips start at $9.99 per person. PLUS - teachers get a free annual pass with valid ID (see site for details).

EAST VALLEY CHILDREN’S THEATRE Performances at Mesa Art Center 4501 E. Main St • Mesa Field Trips • 480-756-3828 • Karen info@evct.org www.evct.org

East Valley Children’s Theatre celebrates 25 years of theater opportunities for youth age 8-18, kicking off with an orginial work, The Clumsy Princess, Sept. 23-Oct. 3, in the Nesbitt/Elliott Playhouse Theatre in the Mesa Arts Center in downtown Mesa. Winner of EVCT’s 2020 Aspiring Playwrights Contest, Following this hysterical opening production, the next show is a holiday favorite, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the musical, on stage Dec. 2-12.

GIRL SCOUTS–ARIZONA CACTUS PINE COUNCIL 119 E. Coronado Rd. • Phoenix 602-452-7040 Grades: K–12 girlscoutsaz.org

Girl Scouts the best girl leadership experience in the world. It began over 100 years ago with one woman, Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low, who believed in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world.

Today, we continue her vision through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience which helps girls uncover and develop their potential through activities in science and technology, business and economic literacy, and outdoor and environmental awareness.

MORE FIELD TRIPS, page 18 ➧

BEAR 40 YEARS

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

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August 2021

Boomer’s

Fabulously Fun Field Trips continued from page 17

GOLDFIELD GHOST TOWN/ SUPERSTITION SCENIC RAILROAD

4650 N. Mammoth Mine Rd. • Apache Junction Field Trips/Family Destinations 480-983-0333 www.goldfieldghosttown.com

Experience Arizona history! Spend a fun-filled day rich in history. Tour an underground mine, ride the train, view reptiles and insects of the Sonoran Desert, pan for real gold and check out the Mystery Shack attraction. Educational fun! See ad in this issue.

GRAND CANYON COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA

18

8840 E. Chaparral Rd. #200 • Scottsdale 602-955-7747 gcc.info@scouting.org www.grandcanyonbsa.org

We ARE Open for Assessments and Taking New Clients for All Services!

Register now! The Grand Canyon Council provides youth with programs and activities that allow them to try new things, provide service to others, build self-confidence and reinforce ethical standards.

The Scouting experience is divided into programs according to age and activities.

Cub Scouts: Grades: K–5 Scouts, BSA: Grades:6–12 Venturing: 14–20 years old Sea Scouting: 14–20 years old

HALL OF FLAME MUSEUM

Gateway to the legendary Superstition Mountains

Head out to an authentic

for exciting Educational Field Trips and Family Fun! • Pan for real gold!

• Visit Live Reptile exhibit!

• Tour an underground mine!

• Museums, unique shopping, dining & more!

• Bring your camera!

• Mystery Shack

FREE Admission into Ghost Town!

Enjoy The Train Ride!

6101 E. Van Buren • Phoenix Mark • 602-275-3473 Ongoing dates • Tues.–Fri. www.hallofflame.org

The world’s largest museum of firefighting has many award-winning educational programs, from guided tours to exciting hands-on workshops. Phoenix Magazine named our program the “Best Field Trip.”

Teachers love our kid-friendly approach to fire safety, history and science. 35,000 square feet of air conditioned galleries.

Reservations are required. Ages: 4 and up.

MOTHER NATURE’S FARM SCHOOL TOURS 1663 E. Baseline Rd. • Gilbert Field Trips: 480-892-5874 Mon.–Fri., (Oct. 1–31) caroline@mothernaturesfarm.com www.mothernaturesfarm.com

Bring your class or the whole school for a fun farm experience. We have a package of fun waiting for you and your students. $8 per person includes a pumpkin, hayride, animals, Alexander adventure maze, the spider web crawl, outdoor games and plenty of picnic area to have your lunch, we have 47 acres to social distance.

ROOSTER COGBURN

I-10 at exit #219 • Picacho Peak 17999 E. Peak Lane 520-237-5887 groups@roostercogburn.com www.roostercogburn.com One of a kind school field trips for an open air-hands-on experience! We offer a fun, interactive animal feeding experience! Field trips are AZ State Standards based with STEM curriculum as well as reading and social studies. Materials will be available for teachers to use in their classrooms. We also offer a large picnic area perfect for lunch as well as a FREE Shooting Gallery token with every admission. Come and visit our many animals including: Ostriches, Goats, Donkeys, Rainbow Lorikeets, Deer, Diving Ducks, Parakeets, Bunnies, Chickens, STINGRAYS and more! Contact Julie for pricing and booking information.

MORE FIELD TRIPS, page 20 ➧

Flamin’ Hot Field Trips!

World’s LARGEST Fire Museum • More than 100 antique fire engines • Guided tours

field Mining District.

Learn about the History of the Gold

• Storytimes • 35,000 square feet of air-conditioned galleries

480-983-0333

Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm www.goldfieldghosttown.com Located Just 3 1/2 miles north of Apache Junction on Arizona’s Historic Highway 88

Tuesday–Saturday 10am–6pm Closed Sunday & Monday (closed New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day & Chrismas Day)

6101 E. Van Buren

602-ASK-FIRE (275-3473)

www.hallofflame.org

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

August 2021 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

August 2021

Boomer’s

Find more information at www.valleymetro. org/transit-education/school-outreachprogram Attention 3rd Graders - enter our Cool Transit Stuff Art Contest. For details check out page 2 in this issue of Bear.

Fabulously Fun Field Trips continued from page 18

SKY HARBOR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd. • Phoenix Field Trips/Classroom Visits 602-273-4087 • Greg Montes greg.montes@phoenix.gov skyharbor.com/SELFGUIDEDTOURS/

Whether flying or just visiting, take a selfguided tour to check out Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Enjoy Phoenix Airport Museum located throughout the airport, with exhibitions, art and even a vintage World War I airplane. Dine at various restaurants and take in the shops. Ride the PHX Sky Train® with its own spectacular art and views of airplanes landing and taking off, surrounding mountains, and downtown Phoenix.

TOLMACHOFF FARMS

5726 N. 75th Ave • Glendale Field trips • 602-377-4747 Mon.–Fri. (Oct., Nov., Feb. & March) farmfieldtrips@yahoo.com tolmachoff-farms.com

On our guided farm tours every child will get to harvest produce to take home and experience educational farm activities.

Children will gain valuable hands-on experience and they will benefit when they know where their food is coming from in the

SCITECH At the Airport

Crossword Key Activity on page 23 ACROSS 3: Domestic 6: Flight-Number 8: International 9: Baggage 11: Gate 13: Ticket 14: Dollies 15: Delay 17: Customs 19: Terminal 20: Departure

WILDLIFE WORLD ZOO & AQUARIUM

process of bringing food from the farm to their table. Cost: Varies. Grades: Pre K-8

16501 W. Northern Ave. • Litchfield Park Field Trips • 623-935-WILD (9453) Open 365 days a year Field trips Mon.–Fri. Classroom Visits • 623-935-5692 x106 www.wildlifeworld.com

TUCSON REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN SHOW & SALE

Tucson Expo Center • Tucson 3750 E. Irvington Road Field Trips • 520-405-7020 • Oct. 2–3, 2021 Sat. 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sun 10 a.m.–4 p.m. tucsonreptileshow.com

Your field trip will complement any biology curriculum at any grade level. Students can feed Lory parrots, learn about animal ambassadors and see some display natural behaviors during a Wildlife Encounter Show.

Meet baby animals in our children’s play area and petting zoo! Cost: $8/student, $15/adult, one adult admission free with every 10 paid students (10 student min.). We accept cash, check or school purchase order.

Classroom presentations also available— valley wide. Rates subject to change.

60,000 square feet of reptiles and amphibians from around the world. Petting zoo with tortoises, alligators, snakes and other reptiles. Captive bred reptiles for sale.

Cost: Adults: $10; Ages 6–12: $5 Ages 5 and under: Free. Masks Required.

VALLEY METRO TRANSIT EDUCATION Field Trips/Classroom Visits 602-523-6070 • Dolores Nolan Mon.–Fri. (Year-round) www.ValleyMetro.org

Have a Fun Field Trip!

Public transportation makes our community a better place. Get transit smart! Valley Metro provides free classroom and virtual presentations to all grade levels and free travel for field trips for eligible preschool – elementary grades.

Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), one of the comic book industry’s most beloved and anticipated celebrations, will be a single-day event, scheduled to take place Saturday, August 14, 2021.

Climb Aboard Boomer’s Field Trip Activity Bus! Get set for some field trip fun—hopefully not frustration—with this crossword!

Clues DOWN: 1) What paleontologists really dig!

2) Go in 3) Operate a bus 4) Home of art & artifacts 5) Feathered friend 7) The ‘S’ in STEM 11) Useful items 13) Fine ____ 15) Opposite of warm 17) Spanish for one 19) Plural pronoun 20) Not out

ACROSS: 1) Given 6) Parts of a school course 8) Given 9) Use your eyes 10) What __?

12) Ocean study: _____ biology 14) Place to learn 16) Not false 18) Coyote’s cry 20) What __ it?

21) Something learned 22) Seagoing vessel

1

F

I

2

E

L

3

D

4

5

7

6

8

T

R

I

P S 10

9

11

14

12

13

15

17

16

18

19

21

DOWN 1: Passport 2: Visa 4: Luggage-claim 5: Window-seat 6: Flight 7: Declaration 9: Boarding-pass 10: Check-in 12: Aisle-seat 16: Reservation 18: Carry-on 23: Luggage

20

22

August 2021 •

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

B

Get the Scoop!

Continued from page 7

What Is the Meaning of Friendship?

For myself and others, friendship is the most important thing in the world.

I asked some students in my class what friendship means to them.

Robert says, “Friendship means that your friends won’t leave you and it makes me happy when we all laugh together.”

Adee says, “Friendship means the world because they are always there for you.”

Adrian feels a friend is a person who believes in every step you make and that they will always be there for you.

For me, friendship means someone that you can trust with your secrets and will always be there for you.

Over the years, I have been in a couple of arguments with friends. Some have been resolved and some have not. Arguments are just something that will test your friendship. If you cannot resolve the problem, then maybe you were not meant to be friends at all.

Editor & Publisher

Sales Director & Publisher

Stephen B Gin

Nancy Holmes

City Editor

YR Coordinator

Copy Editor

Art Director

Mike Loghry

Gary Shepard

Renee Griffith

Julie Madden

Bear Essential News for Kids®

is published monthly by Kids’ View Communications Corp. to educate, enrich and entertain children and their families. Content of this newspaper is designed to promote reading and writing skills as well as creativity.

Classroom educators are welcome to reproduce any portion of this newspaper for their students.

Call or fax Kids’ View Communications for any additional information on stories.

Please Call (480)

752-2327 for any editorial or advertising inquiries.

©2021 Kids’ View Communications Corp.—all rights reserved • 2525 E. Broadway #102 • Tucson, AZ 85716 Fax# (520) 792-2580 • Bear Essential News is distributed free each month.

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Ostrich Ranch NOrW ing Offe

School

FIELD TRIPS

for an Open Air–Hands On Experience!

• AZ State Standards Based • STEM curriculum • Social Studies and Reading Contact Julie for info on booking groups@roostercogburn.com

520-237-5887

Continued from page 7

Biomimicry is not only found in a classroom; you can find it in your own backyard. Inspiration is all around you!

“It’s about learning from nature,” Urmann says. “You go out into nature and get inspired by an organism, or what we call, champion organisms...figuring out how the biology works for that organism.” Then they translate from biology to design or biomimicry.

If your school is interested in this curriculum, visit biomimicry.asu.edu.

Volume 42 • Issue 11

The Darndest Place You’ll Ever Visit.

Rooster Cogburn

I-10 at exit #219, between Phoenix & Tucson

by Reporter Elizabeth Gleeson NW Legacy Traditional School

More Biomimicry

BEAR 40 YEARS

www.bearessentialnews.com

ENDORSED BY THE

Arizona Education Association

Feed the Critters!

• Ostriches • Goats • Donkeys • Rainbow Lorikeets

• Deer • Diving Ducks • Stingrays and more

For hours of operation and more info, visit us online

roostercogburn.com 17599 E. Peak Lane, Picacho, AZ

520-466-3658

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

August 2021

www.bearessentialnews.com

e-mail: boomer@bearessentialnews.com

August 2021 •

BEAR 40 YEARS

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BEAR 40 YEARS •

www.bearessentialnews.com

August 2021

This School Year Will A Be Great One— and Don’t Forget Your A, B, C & D’s!

– be Active for 60 minutes every day

– Be friendly

Images: shutterstock.com

– Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Snacks

“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose” Dr. Seuss

Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Snacks Ingredients • 1 tube Pillsbury pizza crust • 40 pepperoni slices • 10 mozzarella cheese sticks • 2 tbsp butter • 1/2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp dried parsley Optional: marinara sauce for dipping

For the complete Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Snacks recipe directions, scan the QR code and enjoy!

www.arizonamilk.org

– Vitamin D in milk helps promote the absorption of calcium and enhances bone mineralization