Birmingham Parent Magazine November 2015

THE PREMIER PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA

FREE

NOVEMBER 2015

PRACTICING

GRATITUDE OUR

ANNUAL PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY PAGE 11

CHOOSING A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD HOW TO SPEAK ADOPTION HELPING A SHY CHILD BUILD SOCIAL CONFIDENCE

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editor’s note 3590-B Hwy. 31 S. #289 Pelham, AL 35124 205-987-7700 205-987-7600 FAX www.birminghamparent.com

editorial Publishers David & Carol Evans Editor Carol Muse Evans Associate Editor Lori Chandler Pruitt Office Assistant Bethany Adams Hunley Calendar Lori Chandler Pruitt Contributors Dr. Vivian Friedman, Charles Ghigna, Gerry P. Smith, Denise Yearian, Rachel Moshman, Stephanie Rodda, Lisa M. Bundy, M.D., FACEP, Ashley Talmadge

sales Account Executives Kayla Fricks, Brittani Ellison

Happy Thanksgiving!

Webmaster Digital Doo-Wop

During this time of reflection and Thanksgiving, the staff at Birmingham Parent is thankful for our readers and our advertisers, who make bringing Birmingham Parent to you possible. THANK YOU. We hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday, full of family, friends, good health and good food!

We hope you enjoy this issue of Birmingham Parent. If you’ve ever considered a private school for your child, this is the issue you need. We’ve highlighted the questions to ask when considering a private school for your child, and a lot of great schools have places advertisements in this issue. Use this as a handbook when you begin your search, or even your consideration of a private/alternative education for your child.

It’s also National Adoption Month, and adoptive parent Stephanie Rodda has a great piece about how to “speak adoption.” Sometimes people simply don’t know what to say about adoption. This story will help us all be a little more informed and sensitive to the feelings and needs of the adoptive parents and children.

And along with our usual monthly offerings, we’ve also got a good story about how to help a shy child build social confidence. I was one of these, and had one of these, and I’ll think you’ll find this piece very helpful.

Don’t miss the calendar of events for all the terrific things going on in our community during this holiday season, and be sure to pick up a copy of the December issue of Birmingham Parent for our Gift Guide!

art & production

With Sympathy Happy Thanksgiving!

Carol Muse Evans Publisher/editor carol@birminghamparent.com

4 | birminghamparent | november 2015

We profiled Braxton Metcalf of Argo in our August issue because of his disease, NEMO Syndrome, and sadly, little Braxton, 22 months, passed away October 14. Our condolences to his parents, George and Julie Metcalf, and his entire family. What a precious little boy.

Art Director Hilary Moreno Distribution T&P Deliveries E-blasts Simple Southern Lace Designs Legal Counsel Balch & Bingham LLP BIRMINGHAM PARENT IS A PUBLICATION OF EVANS PUBLISHING, LLC. Publishers: Carol Muse Evans, David K. Evans Sr. Birmingham Parent (EIN20-0694149) is published monthly

by Evans Publishing LLC. www.birminghamparent.com or editor@birminghamparent.com. Birmingham Parent is © 2015 by Evans Publishing LLC. Family Connections Media ©2011 by Evans Publishing LLC. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. Editorial submissions are welcome. For back issues, please send a self-addressed 10” x 13” envelope with $4 for postage and handling.

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table of contents THE PREMIER PARENTING MAGAZINE FOR CENTRAL ALABAMA

FREE

NOVEMBER 2015

PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE BIRMINGHAM PARENT’S 2015 PRIVATE SCHOOL DIRECTORY

11 16 18

PRACTICING

GRATITUDE

11

WHAT DO ALL THOSE ACCREDITATIONS MEAN?

CHOOSING A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR YOUR CHILD

OUR

ANNUAL PRIVATE SCHOOL

HOW TO SPEAK ADOPTION

DIRECTORY

HELPING A SHY CHILD BUILD SOCIAL CONFIDENCE

PAGE 11

34 18 25 22

departments

EDUCATION: A CHOICE DECISION

Note 04 Editor’s Happy Thanksgiving

07

Parenting with Dr. Friedman

8 Short Stuff 0 10 School News the Specialist: 30 Ask Which Conditions Require an ER Visit?

Page in a Book: 36 AGetting a Read on Personal Style

39

November 2015 Calendar Highlights

2015 40 November Calendar of Events Party: 46 Poetry Winter Poems

features

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

22 22 25

24

How to Speak Adoption

Helping Shy Children Build Social Confidence

Special Kids: 5 Things to Know About Parents of Children with Special Needs

TRAVEL: 32 FAMILY The Lodge and Spa at Calloway Gardens

34 PRACTICING GRATITUDE ON THE COVER: “The Thanksgiving Picnic,” illustration by Melissa Schultz-Jones of Birmingham, http://melissashultz-jones.com.

6 | birminghamparent | november 2015

It’s More Than Good Manners

parenting

Parenting with Dr. Friedman

Q:

My daughter and her friend got the idea of going around the neighborhood, collecting “donations” for her school. Unfortunately, they were really collecting donations for themselves. Most of our neighbors don’t speak English, so I doubt they had any idea of what they were giving money for but they gave nonetheless. The girls collected about $20. When caught, my daughter’s friend’s parents made her go back to each house she collected the money from and return it with an explanation and an apology. I made my daughter give the money to her school. Which parent’s actions were more appropriate and why?

Both sets of parents showed responsible parenting. Behavior that is reinforced is repeated. Neither child was reinforced for taking the money as neither was allowed to profit from the deception. Each child was made to “do the right thing,” although the reparations took different forms.

The former punishment may offer the more powerful and memorable lesson.

Returning the money, face to face with each neighbor caused the child considerable embarrassment. Her punishments were multiple as she had to face her shame with each neighbor. She is likely to remember this episode, unless she has no conscience at all, as deeply humiliating. The shame is likely to encode in her long-term memory.

By contrast, unless she was forced to tell her school how she got the money, a child who donates money to the school can easily be seen as a hero. In giving money she is seen as a generous and altruistic person, which was not true in this case.

However, this moment in the limelight might not be all bad, for we can become what

others say we are. You can turn behavior around by catching a child at a well-behaved moment and noticing it with applause.

Rewarding her for doing good might make her want to be good.

On the other hand, she might see the positive strokes for her donation as reinforcement of her behavior. She took money by deception and then became a hero when she

a school principal or the leader of a charitable project, I would not accept money gained by deception, and I would encourage her to return the money as the other parent did.

What clearly does not work to stop deceptive behavior is a parent who blandly says to his or her child, “Darling, that was wrong. Don’t do it next time.” This allows the child to profit from doing wrong. The words

These children are fortunate because parents who correct and shape desirable behavior create children who are liked by others. donated the money to a worthy project at her school. She is reinforced with praise for the donation and therefore, for taking the money.

For making her donate her ill-gotten money to the school to work as a punishment, you would have to tell the school how she got the money. The shame of it is what will make her think twice the next time. I doubt that the school would accept the money. If I were

are not a powerful negative consequence and the child is likely to read the bland reprimand as approval for the deed.

These children are fortunate because parents who correct and shape desirable behavior create children who are liked by others. These children have an easier time in life than those children whose parents don’t care enough to discipline.

Vivian K. Friedman Ph. D. is a child and family psychologist at UAB, Department of Psychiatry. Send questions for response in this column to Viviankf@gmail.com. No personal replies are sent.

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short stuff

Where all the dental needs of your child can be met under one roof!

Dr. Olga Sanchez-Hernandez is dual trained as a pediatric dentist and a board certified orthodontist

SERVICES INCLUDE: Dentistry for children and adolescents Dentistry for patients with disabilities Orthodontics for children and adults We offer traditional metal brackets, as well as clear We also do Invisalign

4814 Bell Hill Rd. Bessemer, AL 35022 205-477-8004 mccallasmiles.com WE FILE ALL INSURANCE AS A COURTESY. WE ARE PROVIDERS FOR MOST INSURANCE COMPANIES.

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Photo courtesy of BCRI

Vernon Receives BCRI Award Noted attorney, civil rights leader and global statesman Vernon L. Jordan will receive the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute’s (BCRI) annual Fred L. Shuttlesworth Human Rights Award on November 21 at the Alabama Theatre at 7 pm.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided

by Motown legend Smokey Robinson. Co-chairs for the annual fundraising event are Mark Crosswhite, chairman, CEO and president of Alabama Power Company and Mobile native Alexis Herman, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and chair and CEO of New Ventures, Inc. “We are pleased to pay tribute to Rev. Shuttlesworth by honoring a civil rights pioneer, international business leader, and global statesman who stands as an example and inspiration,” says BCRI board chair Lajuana Bradford. “Mr. Jordan’s extraordinary range of experience and public service at the local, national and international level – as a path-breaking lawyer, counselor to presidents, and thought leader – is a model for generations to come.”

After the awards presentation, Smokey Robinson will take the stage to perform hit songs from his career as a solo performer as well as from his years as a member of the group “The Miracles.” Concertgoers can expect to hear a wide range of music, including “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really got a Hold on Me,” “Being with You,” “Just to See Her” and more.

For information, visit www.bcri.org or phone 205- 328-9696 x202.

SHERIFF’S CORNER:

Be Safe When Shopping

By Sheriff Mike Hale It’s that time of the year again when we need to be extra vigilant when shopping.

Thieves are waiting to separate you from your holiday gifts. But with additional precaution, you can make your shopping and personal safety a positive experience.

Let me share a few helpful tips: Make sure you know where you parked your car and before leaving the store, have your keys out and ready. If you leave packages in your car, lock them in the trunk and out of sight. When possible, shop with a friend. There is safety in numbers! Finally, if you use a credit or debit card, shield you PIN when entering. Always hand your card to the clerk and never lay it on the counter, especially in a crowd. Don’t become a victim of identity theft.

Be safe, be careful and have a Happy Holiday!

DENTISTRY FOR

ED & HHS Release Policy Statement on Inclusion in Early Childhood Programs The “Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs,” released jointly by the Departments of Education (ED) and Health and Human Services (HHS) in September, states that all young children with disabilities should have access to inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, where they are provided with individualized and appropriate support in meeting high expectations.

Children with disabilities and their families continue to face significant barriers to accessing inclusive high-quality early childhood programs, and too many preschool children with disabilities are only offered the option of receiving special education services in settings separate from their peers without disabilities.

The policy statement was written with the input of early learning professionals, families, and other early learning stakeholders. Though it focuses on including young children with disabilities, it is ED’s and HHS’s shared vision that all people be meaningfully included in all facets of society throughout the course of their lives.

This begins in early childhood programs and continues into schools, places of employment, and the broader community. Read the entire statement at www2.ed.gov/ about/inits/ed/earlylearning/inclusion/index.html.

Photo courtesy of Trinity Medical Center/Grandview Medical Center

Grandview Medical Center Now Open on Highway 280 Grandview Medical Center, Birmingham’s brand new, full-service, high-tech hospital opened October 10.

Grandview, located on Highway 280 east of I-459 is a 372-bed hospital offering comprehensive healthcare services, including emergency medicine, advanced heart care, maternity services, a comprehensive orthopedic program, intensive care for the critically ill and injured, a wide variety of surgical procedures, advanced diagnostic services and general medical care.

The $280 million, 12-story hospital is equipped with advanced medical technology, including clinical systems designed to enhance hospital safety, improve the patient experience and create an efficient work environment for doctors and nurses. Grandview has nearly 1,500 employees. Approximately 400 physicians, representing a wide range of medical specialties, will serve on the hospital’s medical staff.

The Grandview Health campus also includes a multi-level parking deck and the eight-story Grandview Physicians Plaza, which will be home to physicians who practice across a wide range of specialties. The medical office building is connected to the hospital via an enclosed, climate controlled connector.

CHILDREN & SPECIAL NEEDS PERSONS

Dr. Tabitha Jarman Gatrey, DMD

5751 Pocahontas Rd. Suite B Bessemer, AL 35022 p 205-230-9000 f 205-230-0188

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Bundles of Hope, the local diaper bank non-profit for those in need, needs YOU to donate storage/warehouse space and/or host diaper drives.

Businesses, local organizations & individuals all welcome!

205-607-2112 www.bundlesdiaperbank.org bundlesofhope@hotmail.com sponsored by

birminghamparent.com | 9

school news

ASFA Student Part of October Princeton Symposium

Photo courtesy of ASFA

Ivey Davis, a senior in the Alabama School of Fine Arts Visual Arts department, is headed to Princeton University in October to attend their annual Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium. Only 90 students nationwide were invited to attend the symposium.

Davis received a scholarship to cover her expenses. She will spend three days participating in workshops and classes with esteemed Princeton professors. The weekend will give students a taste of pursuing the arts and humanities at the university level. The students will have formal and informal conversations with a wide variety of Princeton faculty and alumni.

Davis is in her sixth year at ASFA and has excelled in the arts and academics. For art, she works in oils, paper, ink and some sculpture. In college she hopes to pursue a double major in mechanical engineering and studio art. She plans on connecting the two seemingly divergent majors with kinetic art and also biomechanical engineering. She is the daughter of Malcom Davis and Leslie Davis of Helena, Alabama.

ASFA Announces National Merit Semifinalists

Photo courtesy of ASFA

Three Alabama School of Fine Arts’ seniors, ke Kankirawatana, Maya Samuels-Fair, and Adam He (pictured left to right) have been named as Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. They are all students in the math and science department. They qualified from among more than 1.5 million entrants nationwide who took the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

The students were picked as Semifinalists based upon their scores on the PSAT/NMSQT. They will now continue in the competition to qualify for National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million that will be offered next spring. In order to advance to the Finalist stage, they must have a record of consistently high academic performance throughout high school.

The Alabama School of Fine Arts is a tuition-free, public school located at 1800 Reverend Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd. Birmingham, AL 35203. Admission is by audition only. For more information, please call 205-252-9241 or visit www.asfa.k12.al.us.

ŝŽĐĞƐĞ ŽĨ ŝƌŵŝŶŐŚĂŵ ŝŶ ůĂďĂŵĂ Catholic Schools Week Visit us in our new, more convenient location, at the intersection of Hwy 31 & Old Montgomery Highway!

January 31 - February 6, 2015 Pre-K & Kindergarten Only:

Birmingham: Our Lady of Lourdes (ages 2-5) Our Lady of Sorrow CCLC (6wks-4) Prince of Peace Adventure Ark (6mos-2) St. Francis Xavier Pre-School (ages2-4) St. Peter’s Child Development (6wks-4)

Elementary Schools:

Dr. Michelle Bajjalieh 3500 Independence Drive, Homewood alabamapediatricdentistry.com 802-7277 10 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Birmingham: Holy Family (5-8) Our Lady of Fatima (4K-8) Our Lady of Sorrows(3K-8) Our Lady of the Valley (3K-8) Prince of Peace (3K-8)

(Elementary Schools Continued) St. Barnabas (4K-8) St. Francis Xavier (5K-8) St. Rose Academy (4K-8) Bessemer: St. Aloysius (4K-8)

High Schools:

Birmingham: Holy Family Cristo Rey H.S. (9-12) John Carroll Catholic H.S. (9-12) ~This list does not include all Diocesan Schools. For more information call 205.838.8303 or visit www.bhmcatholicschools.com

B I R M I N G H A M PA R E NT ’ S

AREA PRIVATE SCHOOLS Advent Episcopal School 2019 6th Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-252-2535 mdykes@adventepiscopalschool.org www.adventepiscopalschool.org Advent Episcopal School, located in downtown Birmingham, offers a highly accelerated curriculum for bright students in grades 4K-8. Before-school and after-school care is available.

Alabama Waldorf School 1220 50th St. S Birmingham, AL 35222 205-592-0541 enrollment@alabamawaldorf.org alabamawaldorf.org Our developmentally appropri-

2015 Private School Directory

ate Waldorf curriculum challenges the whole child, cultivating confidence and compassion in students who excel academically, socially and civically.

The Altamont School 4801 Altamont Rd. S. Birmingham, AL 35222 205-879-2006 tgoldsmith@altamontschool.org www.altamontschool.org The Mission of the Altamont School is to improve the fabric of society by graduating compassionate, well-educated individuals capable of independent thinking and innovative ideas.

Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools 2121 Third Ave. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-838-8303

www.bhamcatholicschools.org Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools provides a whole child, Catholic and Christ-centered environment, inspiring all to reach their full spiritual and academic potential.

Glen Iris Baptist School 1137 10th Place. S. Birmingham, AL 35205 205-323-1516 office@gibschool.com www.gibschool.com Founded in 1969, Glen Iris Baptist School strives to provide a well-rounded, well-balanced, quality Christian education for families.

Highlands School 4901 Old Leeds Road Birmingham, AL 35213 jmdonald@highlandsschool.org

www.highlandsschool.org An independent school distinguished by its commitment to academic excellence. Prepares and motivate students to thrive and make positive differences in a constantly-changing global world.

Hilltop Montessori School 6 Abbott Square Birmingham, AL 35242 205-437-9349 hms@hilltopmontessori.com www.hilltopmontessori.com Only Alabama private school with all 3 accreditations - American Montessori Society, Southern Association of Independent Schools and AdvancED. Daily Spanish immersion, individualized learning, technology.

birminghamparent.com | 11

Private School Directory

Integrity Christian Academy 216 Roebuck Dr. Birmingham, AL 35215 205-833-4416 churchoffice@integritybiblechurch.org www.integritychristianacademy.org Preschool, kindergarten and elementary classes. ABEKA academic, Bible curriculum and training. Character development and discipline.

John Carroll High School 300 Lakeshore Pkwy.

Birmingham, AL 35209 205- 940-2400 FAX:205-945-7429 www.jcchs.org JCCHS values the development of the whole person through spiritual growth, academics, the arts, athletics, and discipline in the context of a Christ-centered environment.

Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy 5509 Timber Hill Rd. Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-8709 Fax: 205-995-0517 www.jbma.org For 30 years JBMA has equipped children with the essential skills and knowledge they need to thrive as a successful adult. Enrolling toddlers - 8th grade.

Odyssey Early Sch​ools Inverness Campus 104 Heatherbrooke Park Dr. Birmingham, AL 35242 205-991-0039

• • • • •

Trace Crossings Campus 401 Emery Dr. Hoover, AL 35244 205-988-8829 www.odysseyearlyschool.com Created by educators featuring ​ state-of-the-art facilities​, nurturing teachers ​with Education degrees, and comprehensive curriculum ​that provides Your child with age appropriate exploration into the world of learning.

Primrose School at Liberty Park 1800 Urban Center Pkwy.

Vestavia Hills, AL 35242 primroselibertypark.com 205-969-8202 Primrose School of Meadowbrook 4855 Meadowbrook Rd. Birmingham, AL 35242 primrosemeadowbrook.com 205-991-3020 Primrose School of Riverwoods 501 Riverwoods Ct. Helena, AL 35080 primroseriverwoods.com 205-685-1905 Primrose Balanced Learning® is the blueprint that guides teachers to help children build the right foundation for an active mind, a healthy body and a happy heart.

Restoration Academy 4600 Carnegie Ave. Fairfield, AL 36064 205-785-8805 pwilson@restorationacademy.org www.restorationacademy.org

Kindergarten through twelfth grades High achievement test scores Master teachers Fine arts and athletics programs 95% of graduates enter college Alabama Christian Education Association and American Association of Christian Schools Member

Call 205.323.1516 or visit www.gibschool.com 12 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Advancing the two greatest commandments in the life of every student: to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love others as ourselves. Accredited.

Shades Mountain Christian School 2290 Old Tyler Road Hoover, AL 35226 205-978-9311 www.smcs.org loravifquain@smcs.org Shades Mountain Christian School is an independent, community Christian school serving grades K3-12. AdvancED Accredited and ACSI member.

Academics, Athletics and Arts with a Christian worldview.

Spring Valley School 605 Hagood St. Birmingham, AL 35213 205-423-8660 ahoward@springvalleyschool.org www.springvalleyschool.org Spring Valley School’s mission is educating students with learning differences, such as dyslexia and ADHD. We serve students from all areas of Jefferson and Shelby counties.

Victory Christian School 154 Victory Drive P.O. Box 710 Pell City, AL 35125 205-338-2901 lbvadams@gmail.com www.victorychristianschool.cc Non-denominational Christian school where 99% attend college. 70 percent of graduates

received scholarships. Member of Alabama High School Athletic Association. Accredited by SACS and AISA. Westminster School at Oak Mountain 5080 Cahaba Valley Trace Birmingham, AL 35242 205-995-9694 ejackson@westminsterknights.org www.westminsterknights.org A K-12 classical Christian school and ministry of Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church (PCA).

Enrollment of more than 500 students with the first graduating class matriculated in 2006.

TUTORS AND TESTING Kumon of Hoover 3744 Lorna Road Hoover, AL 35216 205-444-9485 mikecobb@ikumon.com Kumon of Greystone 270 Doug Baker Blvd. #400 Birmingham, AL 35242 205-994-7200 animeetapatel@ikumon.com www.kumon.com The Kumon Method was created to help children of all ages and academic levels succeed—in the classroom and in life.

The Tutoring Center 2804 John Hawkins Pkwy.

Suite 100 Hoover, AL 35244 (near Academy Sports) 205-987-9577 isaaczeiden@tutoringcenter.com

FACT: www.hoover.tutorcenter.com One-to-one tutoring designed to help your child develop stronger academic skills, earn better grades, score higher on standardized tests, while gaining confidence, motivation and focus.

Mathnasium The Math Learning Center 410 Inverness Corners Birmingham, Alabama 35242 (205) 437 3322 invernesscorners@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/ invernesscorners Our goal is to significantly increase your child’s math skills and overall school performance, while building confidence and a positive attitude towards math.

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS Alabama Ballet​ 2726 First Ave. S. Birmingham, AL 35233 205-322-4300 information@alabamaballet.org www.alabamaballet.org Since 1981, changing lives through dance by promoting and fostering the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high-quality performances, dance education, and community outreach.

Alabama Dance Academy 3221 Old Columbiana Rd. Hoover, AL 35226 205-978-6820 www.alabamadanceacademy.com State-of-the-art dance instruction facility in the disciplines of ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, lyrical/ contemporary and Pilates.

Founded by professional ballet dancer Pamela Merkel in 1995.

Kindermusik with Michele Mulder and Canvas Academy of Music and the Arts 2250 Blue Ridge Blvd.

Hoover, AL 35226

KINDERMUSIK: 205-568-6702 www.kmwithmichele.com CANVAS ACADEMY: 205-327-7287 songrtr@gmail.com Kindermusik with Michele Mulder - Premier Music Program for Children- ages birth to 7 yrs. old. For private music/ art lessons, call Sandy at Canvas Academy of Music and the Arts

85% of core brain structure is developed by age four.

The Academy of the Arts at Samford University South Lakeshore Drive Birmingham, AL 35229 205-726-4049 205-726-2810 www.samford.edu/academyof-the-arts Music for children & adults at Samford University in Homewood. Preschool piano; Kindermusik; private & group piano, voice and strings lessons.

FIELD TRIPS AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES Birmingham Museum of Art 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.

Birmingham, Al 35203 205.254.2565 www.artsbma.org Bart's ArtVenture combines high tech art-making tools with hands-on creation stations to let kids and families develop their art education in a creative, communal environment.

McWane Science Center 200 19th St. N. Birmingham, AL 35203 205-714-8414 info@mcwane.org www.mcwane.org Fun and learning never end at McWane, a nonprofit, hands-on museum with aquarium and IMAX® Dome Theater. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder.

PRIMROSE WAY:

Recommending the right activity at the right time is child’s play.

AdvancED Accredited Schools Primrose School at Liberty Park 205.969.8202 | PrimroseLibertyPark.com

Primrose School of Meadowbrook 205.991.3020 | PrimroseMeadowbrook.com

Primrose School of Riverwoods 205.685.1905 | PrimroseRiverwoods.com Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and The Leader in Early Education and CareSM are registered trademarks and service marks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2015 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

birminghamparent.com | 13

Birmingham/Central Alabama

Private Schools Guide November 2015

Kumon

Academy of the Arts at Samford University

For more than 50 years, Kumon’s after-school academic enrichment program has helped children achieve success worldwide. We strive to instill in children the desire to achieve and the motivation to learn on their own. Whether your child is seeking enrichment, needs help catching up or is just beginning his or her academic career, Kumon is designed to help him or her develop a love of learning.

Students advance through the program at their own pace. Our emphasis on individualized learning helps your child become focused, motivated and self-reliant. We monitor each child’s progress to ensure comprehension before moving on to a new concept. With a strong academic foundation, critical thinking and problem solving abilities, your child has the potential to achieve whatever he or she desires.

The Kumon Math Program is a comprehensive curriculum that develops the necessary skills to help children progress from counting through calculus. Our Reading Program begins with basic phonics and progresses all the way through advanced reading comprehension.

Welcome to the Academy of the Arts at Samford University where we offer the best of continuing education programs in art, photography and music and exciting new opportunities in the arts for all ages. Take a moment to explore the course offerings, workshops and previews available on our website at samford.edu/ go.aota. Bring a friend and come help us celebrate this wonderful center for learning as we prepare today’s artist to shape tomorrow’s world. Class offerings include piano, voice, strings, Kindermusik, photography, painting, creative writing, drawing, ceramics, and much more. The Academy of the Arts location is 1939 South Lakeshore Drive, which is across Lakeshore Drive from the main campus, between Homewood High School and Covenant Presbyterian Church. Our classes start as low as $45 and we are now registering for the 2016 Spring Semester. If you have any questions or would like more information about our classes and programs, please call 205-726-2739 or 205-726-4049.

The Alabama Ballet School

Odyssey Early School

The Alabama Ballet School provides the highest quality training to aspiring artists of all ages that is developmentally appropriate both physically and artistically. The Alabama Ballet School’s instruction is based on the syllabus provided by the Royal Academy of Dance in London which takes into consideration the particular level of development of each child within that level. The RAD is an international teaching organization committed to establishing standards of excellence in ballet instruction. The faculty of the Alabama Ballet School is required to attend a workshop for the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus. This provides the students with training that is both consistent and unified.

Examinations are administered to students at the end of each school year.

The Alabama Ballet School strives to serve members of the community who choose to dance as an extra-curricular activity for fun and build healthy bodies as well as those who aspire to a career in dance.

Odyssey was created by educators who dreamed of opening an early learning center where children could be nurtured and taught by a highly trained and loving staff. That dream was realized when our Inverness school opened in 1995, and then again in 2001, with the opening of our second school in Trace Crossings.

Odyssey’s goal is to create a life-long love of learning. We have developed our own age-appropriate curriculum, specifically designed to introduce each age grouping to language, reading, math, science and more, so that your child will possess a strong foundation for Kindergarten and beyond. Additionally, we guarantee teachers with four-year education degrees in all preschool classrooms and offer exceptional child-to-teacher ratios.

At our schools, you can watch your child’s entire day in live, streaming, HD video over the Internet, through an individual, secure connection linked directly to your child’s classroom. We want our parents to know what happens during their child’s day, and Odyssey is the only Overthe-Mountain daycare to offer this service.

Our team works tirelessly to earn its reputation as the best childcare option for Birmingham parents, and we invite you to visit today to witness for yourself what so many other families have known since 1995! Visit www. odysseyearlyschool.com for more information.

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Birmingham/Central Alabama

Private Schools Guide November 2015

Advent Episcopal School

Mathnasium

Since its establishment in 1950, Advent Episcopal School has built a national reputation for academic excellence. No other school in Alabama can match the success of our students who have amongst the highest SAT scores in the nation. The students excel in an environment that is safe, stable, and wholesome, and are highly recruited by the most prestigious high schools in the country.

Offering 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade, Advent is a diverse community of bright children who are challenged by the school’s accelerated academic program presented in a caring, Christian environment.

The school also offers before-school and after-school care from 7:15 am until 6:00 pm.

Advent’s downtown campus offers an array of educational opportunities. Museums, theaters, libraries, cultural centers and the Civic Center are literally within walking distance. Advent is small by design. Every child is known by name. They are challenged, but they are also celebrated for who they are and what they are able to accomplish.

Mathnasium of Inverness Corners is your neighborhood math-only learning center. We help kids in grades 2-12 understand math by teaching the way that makes sense to them. When math makes sense, kids leap way ahead – whether they started out far behind or already ahead in math. Our formula for teaching kids math, the Mathnasium Method™ has transformed the way kids learn math for over a decade across 500+ centers in the US and Canada.

Our specially trained math instructors will teach your child how to understand math in an individual setting – our unique approach enables us to effectively explain math concepts well and lend a helping hand to every student. Our tutors foster a caring, encouraging environment that helps kids thrive and learn!

Spring Valley School

Joseph Bruno Montessori

Spring Valley School is an independent, non-sectarian school for students in grades 2-12 who struggle with dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other learning differences. It is the only school in Central Alabama devoted to impacting the lives of children with learning disabilities, and it serves children from all over the Birmingham area and beyond.

Founded in 2000 by parents seeking better educational opportunities for their children, the school is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors. The school recognizes that the learning processes of these students differ from that of their peers and that each student possesses unique academic needs. As a result, the school offers a multi-sensory (visual, auditory and tactile), language-based instructional program presented in small classes (5-9 students).

Spring Valley School is accredited through SACS. To learn more or to discuss admission, contact their administrative assistant at 423-8660 to set up an interview with the executive director and a tour of the school.

Our educational practices are built around the belief that children are born with the strong need to discover and learn. We treat their curiosity and creativity with great care, allowing them to explore their interests from an early age. We provide lessons, even the most challenging ones, that make learning exciting and stimulate the desire to know more. Lessons are given to small groups and individually, so that they can understand the concepts presented. Our students are our first priority, and we take time to listen and help them find answers.

Older students learn through seminars, laboratory experiments, and hands-on projects.

Reading, research, and discussion are important parts of our curriculum. At Bruno Montessori Academy, students are encouraged to develop independence, responsibility, resourcefulness, and organizational skills.

In the Lower Elementary, students use individual work plans listing their goals for the week.

Visitors will see our students working individually and cooperatively to get their work done, enjoying the total learning experience. The enthusiasm must be seen to be believed. Children learn the importance of respect for one another and for their classroom environment.

We have high expectations for our students, and they learn to set higher and higher standards for themselves.

birminghamparent.com | 15

What Do All Those Accreditations Mean?

AISA SACS ACSI SAIS AMSHQ

www.aisaonline.org/main.html Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) www.sacs.org Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) www.aisaonline.org/aisa-sacs-accreditation.html AdvancED accreditation. The AISA proudly maintains an agency partnership with AdvancED/SACS and serves as the Lead Agency in this partnership. This partnership allows schools to obtain both AISA and SACS accreditation through one seamless process, with the AISA serving as the managing partner in this process and utilizing AdvancED unique protocols and platforms. www.acsi.org Association of Christian Schools International www.sais.org Southern Association of Independent Schools amshq.org American Montessori Society

Helpful Websites: www.privateschoolreview.com Find schools in our state, see statistics, compare schools side by side, etc. http://alabama.educationbug.org/private-schools Education Bug’s Alabama Private Schools Directory www.greatschools.org/alabama/ www.ncpsa.org/directory National Council for Private School Accreditation

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Outstanding play environment, featuring infant, toddler & preschool play structures, overhead awnings, and water features.

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Inverness Campus: 205-991-0039

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Life Success through Academics and the Arts – Early Childhood through Grade 8 – The only Waldorf school in Alabama, AWS is committed to providing a rich and balanced educational experience which actively engages the whole child. Waldorf education is grounded in strong academics, enlivened by the arts, and made concrete by practical experience. Our teachers draw on the child’s innate sense of wonder and thirst for meaningful values to nurture a reverence for life and an eagerness to learn. AWS honors each child’s individuality while building responsible citizenship through a developmentally appropriate and multicultural curriculum.

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EDUCATION: A Choice Decision

By Denise Yearian

There are a host of reasons why parents send their children to private schools. For some it is a smaller teacher-student ratio and more individualized attention, according to Thomas Goldsmith, director of admission for The Altamont School. For others, it is the religious grounding their children receive. For still others, it is to better address their student’s needs and cater to his academic timetable – for a late bloomer or one who is gifted in math or art.

But since no two schools are alike, where do parents begin their search for the right academic setting?

Laura Fiveash of Spring Valley School says, “As the executive director of Spring Valley and a parent, I believe that parents need to identify why they are unhappy with their current school and what they believe a private school can do to help their student.

Specific objectives improve the student’s outcomes.”

“Most families start by talking with someone they know,” says private school admissions director Connie Ernsberger. “It may be someone in the community or at work. What’s important is that you ask people whose opinions you trust.”

Most importantly, follow your intuition. You know your child better than anyone else. If you have done your homework, you’ll know if it’s the right school for your child.

While investigating the options, avoid trying to find the “perfect school,” but rather look for a good fit – one that meets the child’s needs. “When it comes to schools, there is no-one-size-fits-all,” says Maria Barber, private school headmistress. “Every academic setting has a different flavor, and one is not necessarily better than another. It’s that one may be a better fit for your child than another.”

For this reason, look at your child’s needs, taking into account his strengths, weaknesses, interests and talents. Also consider what sort of learning environment he would be most comfortable in. A self-motivated learner, for example, may do well in a program where he gets to direct and carry out his own learning. But a child in need of constant direction might be more suited to a structured environment.

Goldsmith adds that a parent should also be honest with himself. “What is it that you want for your child that he or she is not currently receiving?”

Next make a list of what you want in a school. Be specific about ambiance, class size, teaching style, curriculum, the role of art and music, homework and where parents fit in the running of the school.

“I suggest the list be prioritized,” says Ernsberger. “Some things may be non-negotiable to parents, such as class size, a strong art program or religious affiliation. Other things would be nice but not necessarily mandatory.”

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Tamara Harrelson of Covenant Classical Schools says to be sure you look at the curriculum used, how the children will be taught and even what they will be taught…and work to find one that fits your family.

Melanie Dykes of Advent Episcopal School suggests you look at how long a child can stay at a school. Also, “will my child be around older children? If so, how is this a plus and how is this a minus?” she asks.

After the list has been made, call schools that are potential candidates and ask for information to be sent. Consider each one’s program, mission, services, faculty and administration. What makes the school unique? What is its teaching philosophy? Is there a vision for the future? Is there anything the school does particularly well? What about the curriculum?

Will it cater to your child’s talents and interests?

While cost and commuting distance are factors, experts agree these are hurdles that can be overcome. “It’s okay for parents to look at a school even if they don’t think they can afford it,” says Ernsberger.

“Most have financial aid based on need, so it’s no big deal to ask about it.”

As for commute, Barber suggests a ride as far as 30 minutes may be worth it if the school has an environment where your child will be happy and thrive.

“Parents may be able to find someone to carpool with,” she says. “Or they may use that distance to let their child study or spend quality time together.”

Next, arrange to visit those schools that meet your initial criteria. This will give you a feel for the school’s educational and developmental philosophy.

Note, however, that even schools which adhere to like-minded philosophies can be tremendously different.

“A school that seemed to be the perfect fit on paper or over the phone may prove otherwise once parents have visited,” says Ernsberger. “And the school they weren’t initially drawn to may be the one. That’s why it’s important that you go. Test it.

Feel it. See what it is like.”

Rebecca Little, Head of Joseph Bruno Montessori Academy in Birmingham, says to be sure to schedule the tour when you can observe students working in a classroom. “Look for children exploring with all of the senses, not just listening,” Little says. “There is no better way to determine if a school is right for your child than to observe others in the environment during the course of their regular school day.”

While visiting, spend a few minutes talking with the principal or school administrator. Discuss your child’s needs and ask if the school can meet those needs. If possible, sit in on classes and observe the teachers and students. Record obvious facts such as school and class size, ambiance as a whole and within individual classrooms, absence or presence of a dress code and general demeanor of the students and teachers. Also record the students’ reactions.

TO-DO LIST WHEN CHOOSING A PRIVATE SCHOOL n DO be realistic. There is no perfect school or one-size-fits-all academic setting. Look for one that is the best fit for your child. n DO make a list of what you want in a school. Be specific and prioritize your list.

Did they feel comfortable and relaxed, or anxious and uptight?

During your visit, ask how long the school has been established, how it is governed and the longevity of the administration and faculty, says Michele Wilensky, Head of Hilltop Montessori School in Birmingham. “They should also ask for access to the school’s curriculum.”

Ask for names of several parents whose children attend the school and would be willing to talk with you. Find out what they do and don’t like about the school. If you can, obtain a few names of parents who were not happy with the school and enrolled their children elsewhere. All schools have success stories, but no school works for every child. So find out about a child who did not thrive there so you can get a balanced perspective.

And what about all those accreditations? “Accreditation is a process in which all aspects of the school are examined, including curriculum, facilities, teacher preparation, learner outcomes, safety procedures, etc.,” Little points out. “….in order to maintain accreditation, the school must continue to comply with the standards and identify areas for continuous improvement.”

“Parents should be careful to inspect what the requirements are for certain accreditations,” Wilensky adds. She cautions to be sure the accreditation of a school is actually earned, as the word ‘accreditation’ can have various meanings.”

Once you have visited several schools and narrowed your selection, return with your child. Have him meet the teacher, and if possible, spend time in the classroom with the other students. What was his reaction? Did he seem comfortable with the school? The teacher? Other students?

Finally, and most importantly, follow your intuition. You know your child better than anyone else. If you have done your homework, you’ll know if it’s the right school for your child.

“Sometimes it’s not necessarily a specific program or academic feature that lets parents know it’s a good match,” says Ernsberger. “It’s that intangible feeling—that visceral reaction.

They know this is a place where their child can grow and academically succeed.”

Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren. Carol Muse Evans also contributed to this story.

n DO consider your child’s needs. Choose one that will foster his strengths, weaknesses, interests and talents. n DO consider your child’s learning style. Is he self-motivated or does he need a structured environment? Is he an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner? n DO choose a school that matches your family’s values. n DO make a list of schools in your area that are potential candidates. Call and ask for information to be sent. Then make an appointment to further investigate those schools that meet your criteria. n DO consider a school, even if it is out of your price range.

Many schools offer financial aid or scholarships, so don’t be afraid to ask. n DO consider commute. A drive as far as 30 minutes is okay if everything else matches up. Look for someone to carpool with or use the drive to study or spend quality time together. n DO visit the school. You will get a better idea if this is the right environment for your child once you step onto the campus. n DO talk with the principal or school administrator. Ask specific questions and be realistic and honest in telling him or her about your child’s strengths and weaknesses. n DO sit in on the classes and observe how the students and teachers interact. n DO meet the teacher who would be teaching your child.

Consider how your child will interact with him or her. n DO keep a written record of what you observe, particularly if you are visiting more than one school. n DO look for a school where the teachers work to build a relationship with the students and their families. This is one of the biggest factors in a child’s academic success. n DO talk with other parents whose children currently attend the school to find out what they do and don’t like about the school. n DO take your child to visit the school once a decision has been made. If possible, let him meet the teacher and other students and sit in on the class. Then ask him for his feedback. n DO follow your instinct. You know your child and family situation better than anyone else.

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Advent Episcopal School

410 Inverness Corners Birmingham, Alabama 35242 (205) 437 3322 invernesscorners@mathnasium.com www.mathnasium.com/invernesscorners

We provide a multi-sensory environment enabling students to learn at their maximum potential.

Spring Valley School knows that for young people with a language-based learning disability, like dyslexia, school can be frustrating and overwhelming. For our students, grades 2-12, school is about experiencing an individualized academic program every day, building skills to make learning beneficial and meaningful, playing sports, exploring visual arts, theater... and feeling confidence for the first time ever.

Spring Valley School admits students with average to superior intelligence who have been diagnosed with learning differences such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and AD/HD. We are accredited through SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools).

Come visit. We invite you to contact us to set up an interview and a tour of the school.

20 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Reading Intervention with CALT Specialist 8:1 Sudent Ratio Openings Available

springvalleyschool.org 205-423-8660 605 Hagood Street Birmingham, AL 35213

Classes begin in Pre-Kindergarten Child Care from 7:15 - 6:00 2019 6th Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 252-2535 www.AdventEpiscopalSchool.org

27 CHAMPIONSHIPS

Including 6A State Champions in Girls’ Volleyball, Cross Country and Girls’ Soccer in 2014-15.

65.6%

In 2015, 108 students in grades ten through twelve took 163 AP exams in ten subjects. John Carroll’s overall passing percentage (3 or above) for all AP tests was a 65.6%.

17,175 SERVICE HOURS

100% of students complete a minimum of 75 hours of community service to those in need.

30+ HONORS/AP COURSES

John Carroll’s academic curriculum offers 11 AP courses and a rigorous course of study at the Honors level.

$8.7 MILLION

60% of the 2015 graduates received scholarships, totaling 8.7 million dollars.

100% of John Carroll students attend either a four-year or two-year college with acceptance to over 150 colleges.

John Carroll Catholic High School values the development of the whole person through spiritual growth, academics, the arts, athletics and discipline in the context of a Christ-centered environment.

John Carroll Catholic High School is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is a member of the National Catholic Education Association and a member of the AHSAA Alabama High School Athletic Association (6A).

300 LAKESHORE PKWY | BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209

205-940-2400 . WWW.JCCHS.ORG

birminghamparent.com | 21

Helping Shy Children Build Social Confidence

By Denise Yearian

Childhood shyness is a common concern among parents who fear their youngsters may be lacking or missing out on social situations. The truth is most reserved children do well in relationships once they hurdle unfamiliarity. To help your shy child build social self confidence, start with small group settings, broaden the base and provide plenty of preparation and practice.

“As a toddler, Tristan was a quiet child who wouldn’t interact with anyone except his immediate family,” says Karen Tronto, mother of her now 5-year-old. “By the time he was 3, I realized he wasn’t going to be a social butterfly, so I enrolled him in a small preschool to get him adjusted to an academic setting and ease him away from me.”

Her plan worked and Tristan began shedding his shell. The following year Tronto transitioned him to a larger preschool program, one that had multiple classrooms of students who would go on to elementary school together. Today Tristan talks incessantly about stepping onto the bus and going to school.

“Parents who want to help their shy children gain confidence in social situations should start with small group interactions until they feel comfortable transitioning to larger ones,” says Tara Sutton, clinical faculty/instructor at the University of Delaware Laboratory Preschool in Newark Delaware. “As group size grows, adult/child ratio should be a consideration. This will encourage positive peer interactions and ward off negative behaviors such as bullying, exclusion and name calling.”

Another way to build social confidence is to create slow, minimum-risk situations.

At-home play dates are a good place to begin.

“Bringing other kids into your home can empower your child to take more social risks and open up to his peers,” says Cheryl Carey, 24-year elementary school educator and guidance counselor. “Have one friend over.

Then invite two. Work up to a slumber party.

But before you do, encourage your child to spend time at his friends’ houses too.”

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Play dates were a godsend for the MacNeal family. Although their daughter Faith, then age 5, had participated in several academic and extracurricular pursuits, it was their regularly scheduled play dates that helped this only child overcome social awkwardness.

“Once or twice a week we did play dates with her cousins; sometimes other friends joined in too,” Pam MacNeal says. “During that time, Faith became really close to her cousin Andy. They also went to Sunday school together which was ideal – their class was large but he was there. At first Faith primarily interacted with Andy, but eventually she felt comfortable enough to begin connecting with other children.”

Today those children are among her best friends.

Preparing timid children for social events is an added way to build confidence and alleviate anticipation and fear of the unknown.

“Start by talking about what you’re planning to do before you go so your child is well informed about the situation,” says Sutton.

“Do it in story form: ‘Tomorrow Zach is going to…’ and tell the whole story inserting your child’s name. Then get his input. What might he see? What might he do? This will make him feel more in control.”

Advance preparation is even more important before random social gathering, such as birthday parties and family reunions.

“A lot of Tristan’s friends had parties at the railroad station, but we didn’t make it on a single train ride,” says Tronto. “He would get so worked up because of the loud noises, unfamiliar setting and number of people that he’d go into a panic and say, ‘I don’t want to go.’ I tried to reason with him, but he was so upset that we’d just leave.”

Sometimes panicky predicaments can be turned into pivotal impromptus, as MacNeal explains. “One day at preschool Faith was doing a project and she leaned forward to get

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something,” recalls the girl’s mother. “When she went to sit back down she missed her chair and fell on the floor, and all the kids laughed at her. She was devastated. She came home crying and told me she was never going to school again. I waited until she had calmed down then we role played the situation. I pretended to fall out of my chair and she laughed at me. Then I said, ‘See? They weren’t laughing at you but at the situation.’ This helped her reframe what had happened.”

“There are different ways to role play with children,” says Carey. “You can act things out or use their dolls or action figures. Talk about how they are feeling and pretend to interact with other kids. This is great practice and prepares them to handle future situations.”

Most importantly, listen to your child and validate his feelings. Ask open-ended questions and encourage dialogue. Don’t assume you know how he feels. He may be upset about a situation because it’s loud or there are too many people or he’s scared. But you’ll never know unless you listen. Above all, celebrate your child for who he is and remind him that with time, preparation and practice he can successfully navigate any social situation.

Listen to your child and validate his feelings. Ask open-ended questions and encourage dialogue. Don’t assume you know how he feels.

PARENT RESOURCES: • Nurturing the Shy Child: Practical Help for Raising Confident and Socially Skilled Kids and Teens by Barbara and Gregory Markway • The Shy Child: Helping Children Triumph over Shyness by Ward K. Swallow • The Shyness Breakthrough by Bernardo Carducci

December 11-13 December 18-20, 2015

Buy Tickets: alabamaballet.org 205.202.8142

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JUVENILE RESOURCES: • The Blushful Hippopotamus by Chris Raschka • Let’s Talk About Being Shy by Marianne Johnston • Little Miss Shy by Roger Hargreaves • Orlando’s Little-While Friends by Audrey Wood

Kindermusik with Michele Mulder Classes offered for birth to 7 years old

• Shy Charles by Rosemary Wells • Tiny Tiger by Barbara Derubertis

Denise Yearian is the former editor of two parenting magazines and the mother of three children and four grandchildren. kmwithmichele.com Michele (205)-568-6702 New students receive $30 OFF tuition by mentioning this ad.

birminghamparent.com | 23

special kids

5

THINGS TO KNOW

About Parents of Children with Special Needs

By Rachel Moshman

My husband and I adopted our daughter when she was nine years old. She has a long list of mental health diagnoses. We quickly discovered that parenting a special needs child results in the whole family having a special set of needs.

As I’ve interacted with other parents of children with special needs, I’ve noticed that there are some factors that most of us have in common. These characteristics are typically present regardless if the child has been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, physical disabilities, Down syndrome, emotional issues or any other special needs. n WE’RE TIRED. Really, really tired. Exhausted, actually. This isn’t an occasional thing for us. We don’t miss out on a full night of sleep once in a while.

It’s all of the time. My daughter suffers with insomnia and nocturnal panic attacks. It is not uncommon for her to be awake

for most of the night. Even if we do get enough sleep, we’re still run down from all of the energy it takes to manage our child’s condition. Our schedules are jam packed with various doctor, therapy and psychiatric appointments, IEP meetings and trips to the pharmacy. On top of it all, we still have to go to work and keep up with general household duties. n OUR BRAINS OUR CONSTANTLY BUSY. We’re always considering possible triggers in every situation, wondering how to explain our child’s unique needs to others and worrying about the future. My daughter suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and seemingly innocent encounters can send her into a meltdown. I spend hours analyzing every one, looking for the trigger and making plans to help her process it and get through it better next time.

n WE KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR CHILD’S CONDITION THAN MOST DOCTORS. My daughter is diagnosed with several types of anxiety disorders. I’ve read piles of books on the subject and keep up with the latest research online. Her pediatrician has never heard of the disorder. Mental health professionals in our area have very limited knowledge of it. I had to become the expert. n WE’RE LONELY. Our friends and family often have stepped away because our child’s needs made them uncomfortable. Or perhaps we had to step away from them because they refused to respect our boundaries and parenting decisions. Most special needs children don’t respond well to traditional parenting methods. Our brains may explode if we hear that all our child needs is more discipline one more time. Discipline isn’t

the issue. Our child’s condition is – and that isn’t their fault or ours. My husband’s mother even cut off contact because she found our situation to be too stressful to be part of. n WE’RE FRAGILE. We feel judged all the time. We want what’s best for our child like any other parent and worry if we’re doing enough for them. We often don’t have enough time or energy left to take care of ourselves.

So what can you do to help parents of children with special needs? Understand that we’re overwhelmed and near the edge.

Bring us coffee and a muffin “just because.” Tell us we’re doing a great job. Be gentle and kind with us. We’re doing the best we can.

Rachel Moshman is a freelance writer.

Want to sponsor “SPECIAL KIDS” Each month? Contact your account executive or call us at 205-987-7700 or e-mail info@birminghamparent.com.

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Photos of Rodda family courtesy of Stephanie Rodda

TO W O H

“Speak” Adoption

By Stephanie Rodda

November is National Adoption Month.

A mom shares how to “speak” to the adopted and those who adopt with kindness and love

26 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Even the most well-intentioned people rarely know how to ask about adoption or discuss adoption without “saying the wrong thing.” I’m not talking about being politically correct; I mean being sensitive about your words on a very tender subject - adoption.

I am the mother of seven adopted children. We are vastly the same and slightly different. We do not share the same skin color. We cause many people to be curious and sometimes people just want to know more about our family. People likely look at us at times and think there must be a story. They are right about that.

Sometimes people make assumptions. Sometimes people are eager to share that adoption is being experienced by a member of their family.

Sometimes they themselves may be interested in adoption. And I suppose sometimes people are just nosy. There are all sorts of people and all sorts of reasons they ask.

As a younger me and a newer adoptive momma, I will admit to being more easily offended by people who didn’t know how to “speak adoption.” As time passed, I decided to try to gently educate those who seemed to have the right intentions, but the wrong words. Almost every single time we are in public someone will ask us something. I have an opportunity to teach my children how to respond by answering properly, so I try hard.

It’s important to say that at one time adoption was often hidden as a shameful family secret. Parents who have gone through the adoption experience (both birth and adoptive) have been emotionally raked over fiery coals. Children in an adoptive family can be confused by questions from others that frankly make no sense to them.

Here’s a few examples of some comments and questions we are asked: Are they brothers and sisters?

This usually follows immediately after someone has discovered that yes, these are my children; no, they are not foster children; yes, I have adopted them. They are mine.

What the asker means is, are they biologically or birth related? That is not a terrible thing to wonder about, but it is a rather personal thing to ask, especially of a stranger in a public place. The worst part of this particular question is that it is almost always asked in the presence of my children.

When they were much younger, I can remember the looks of confusion on the faces of my children standing at a cash register at Wal-Mart while the cashier asked and everyone in the near vicinity bent their ear to hear how I would reply.

Think for a moment how such a question would sound to an adopted child. A child who has been told (correctly) that they are a part of a lovingly designed family. Whether the child has been a part of the family from infancy or they joined the family at a later age, this question challenges their bond with siblings by indicating that there is a difference in the relationship if they share the same biological parents. There is no difference. And, if you have a differing opinion, you are wrong, flat out wrong. Blood does not trump love. Blood does not guarantee love.

I usually answer, “Yes, of course they are brothers and sisters. They are all my children.” Of course there are other times when a person who actually knows our family, who is genuinely interested in us and cares for us will ask the very same question. My answer for them is different. “What you mean is, are they related by birth or biologically?” In case you are now wondering, yes, some are.

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Do you have any children of your own?

What the asker means is, did I birth any children? My answer varies according to whether asked privately and by how well I know the person. I usually reinforce the concept that these seven are indeed my own. That’s the most important part of the answer. Let me tell you, we didn’t accidentally adopt a single one of them. And as a matter of fact, our hearts claimed them as our own long before we could do so legally. Some of our adoptions took years to complete. Yes! They are our own!!

The better way to ask would be, “Do you have other children besides those you’ve adopted?” The answer to that question is yes. We fostered 45 children and they hold a special place in our hearts. We also lost two children by miscarriage that we are looking forward to being reunited with in eternity. This is why I will almost always introduce myself as a “mom of many, adoptive mom of seven.”

Why didn’t their momma want them?

This question still raises my temperature a bit. I cannot answer for every situation, but, I can answer for ours. That is simply NOT the case.

I have never encountered a birth mother who did not want her child. I have met birth mothers who in spite of wanting their children realized they could not properly care for them. I have seen birth mothers who were caught up in lifestyles of addiction that had warped their ability to put their children first. I have seen birth mothers who continued to make poor choices and lost their rights to their children. I have seen birth mothers who were incapable of taking care of themselves, much less a child. I have seen birth mothers who were able to beat the odds and make the changes and raise the children they birthed. But, in my experience, I have never seen a mother who just didn’t want her children. Perhaps they are out there. If so, they are the exception, not the rule.

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They are so lucky (or blessed) to have you.

The reply to that comment is easy. We are so blessed to have each other. And so we are.

What we need to avoid is the implication that we have rescued them. We have indeed claimed them as our own and labored in a different manner to make them ours. But, we didn’t just feel sorry for them and take them out of pity. It is love that has forged our family together.

Recently a young adoptive couple shared an encounter with an elderly couple. The older man asked why they had adopted a black baby.

His wife answered him before they could, “He was their last chance.” The young parents were astounded and quickly corrected that errant viewpoint. “He was not our last chance and we were not his. He is God’s plan for us and we are God’s plan for him.”

When considering how to speak adoption, it may be best to understand a bit about adoption culture. There are international adoptions, domestic adoptions, familial adoptions, foster adoptions, open adoptions and private adoptions. Adoption is diverse and many times involves a complicated array of 28 | birminghamparent | november 2015

emotions. Be aware of red flags before asking what you really want to know. Are you in public? Are the children within earshot? Are you crossing the lines of personal and private?

So, what can you say? How can you respond? What is a good way to give an encouraging word? There are plenty of ways.

Did you know that most adoptive parents are extremely proud of their children and adoption proponents? Most of them will gladly share parts of their journey, even with a stranger. Most of them will respond with grace even when you stumble into the conversation. Most of them want to encourage a healthy interest in the beauty of adoption. It is, after all, a lovely way to build a family.

Here’s some great things to say: You have a lovely family.

This then opens the door for the parent to mention adoption if they so choose. I have often replied to such a comment when the time is right, “Thank you. We are so thankful for the miracle of adoption.” That gives the commenting person there window to ask

more. Other times I can only say thank you and move on due to the place or time.

What a beautiful baby!

You may really want to know if this is a foster child, an adoptive child or a neighbor’s child.

But, honestly, you don’t need to know the details of why this baby is in their arms, it is enough to know that this baby is in loving arms. Once again, the parent may offer more or an opportunity to ask more.

We are considering adoption.

To this, a parent might clarify their situation or strike up conversation or simply say, “That’s wonderful!” They also might pause and fill your ears with a glimpse of their own journey.

I assure you, when it is the right time, their eyes will twinkle with delight to do so as they speak adoption.

Stephanie Rodda is a Birmingham-based freelance writer, wife and mother of seven adopted children. She blogs, speaks and writes about faith and family. She is a proponent of adoption, especially foster-adoption.

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Which Conditions Require An ER Visit?

By Lisa M. Bundy, MD, FACEP

It’s 2 a.m., and your little one isn’t looking so hot. You check the temperature and it’s 102.3F. Uh, oh. What is going on? She was fine earlier today. You give her some Tylenol, and, if she is more than 6 months old, you add in the Motrin (yes, you can do this). She still doesn’t look good after a while. Since tomorrow is Sunday, you are pretty sure her pediatrician won’t see her, and you don’t know if your child can wait.

Then the cough comes, and she starts to breathe kind of funny. It’s noisy, and it’s fast. Too fast. That’s when you decide to make a little trip to the ER. Some situations clearly require emergency medical attention, such as a stroke. But other cases are not so clear cut. What about a swollen ankle, unexplained fever, or puncture wound?

The American College of Emergency Physicians offers a list of symptoms that indicate a medical emergency, including: n Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath n Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure lasting two or more minutes n Fainting, sudden dizziness, or weakness n Changes in vision n Difficulty speaking n Confusion or changes in mental status, unusual behavior, or difficulty waking n Any sudden or severe pain n Uncontrolled bleeding

Dr. Lisa Bundy is an emergency medicine physician with Brookwood Medical Center.

n Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea n Coughing or vomiting blood n Suicidal or homicidal feelings

Once opened, the new Brookwood Freestanding Emergency Department at the corner of Highway 280 and Highway 119 can take care of minor injuries you aren’t sure can wait, but also heart attacks, strokes, respiratory distress, sepsis, dehydration, broken bones, eye emergencies, diabetes-related emergencies, and the list goes on. The ER is scheduled to open Nov. 30, 2015.

30 | birminghamparent | november 2015

n Unusual abdominal pain No one ever plans to visit the ER, but accidents and unexpected illnesses can, and do, happen. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, go to any type of ER (freestanding or within a hospital) or call 9-1-1 if the condition is life-threatening or the person’s condition may worsen on the way to the hospital.

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Stay in Luxury at the Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens

By Carol Muse Evans

Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain Georgia, just a short 2½ hours from Birmingham, has been known for years as a great back-to-nature destination, for golf and fly fishing, their annual Labor Day balloon festival, and most notably the Fantasy in Lights for the Christmas holiday.

Now Callaway can add a luxury lodge in which to stay when you visit, courtesy of Marriott. The Lodge and Spa at Callaway Gardens is part of Marriott’s “Autograph Collection,” and features some incredible views, great food, well-appointed luxury rooms, a spa and more – right within steps to Callaway Gardens itself.

This upscale property sits on a 6,000 acre plot of natural bliss for the nature lover. The lobby looks like a mountain lodge with exposed wood, wood beams, fieldstone accents and hardwood floors. Luxurious and rustic at the same time, it’s just a preview of what awaits you in your room. Each of the 150 rooms and suits have beautiful views, private balconies, and the most incredible bathrooms with separate soaker tubs and showers you’ll want to bundle up and take home with you. If traveling with children, you might consider one of the suites with additional rooms, sleeping space and a generous balcony with lots of space. Just a short few steps away is a gorgeous swimming pool, surrounded by woods, close to Callaway’s Robin Lake Beach.

There are two great places to eat at the Lodge – the Piedmont Grille and the Ironwood Lounge. Both have great sandwiches, salads, seafood, drinks and desserts, and the Piedmont Grille features a fantastic breakfast buffet available every weekend that will help keep you going all day.

Interested in a spa treatment? Spa Prunifolia is designed to combine the spa experience with the nature experience of the location. There’s even a young adult menu for children ages 14-17, as well as hair and makeup services, gentlemen’s services and treatment for two for those special occasions such as weddings and anniversaries.

While staying at the Lodge, don’t forget some of the wonderful everyday attractions at Callaway Gardens, where admission is free with your Lodge stay.

Don’t miss the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Day Center, Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden, Discovery Bicycle Train and Bicycle Rentals, and activities around Robin Lake Beach and the Callaway Brothers Azalea Bowl, when in season. All this is within walking and biking distance from the Lodge, or a short drive in your car. Additional great places to eat at Callaway include the Country Kitchen and the Aspen Mountain Grill.

The Lodge and Spa is perfect for a family trip to Callaway, a girls’ getaway, a romantic getaway – and anything else that might bring you back to nature.

Check out their website for all sorts of specialty packages to fit your needs and wants. For more information, visit www.callawaylodgeandspa.com.

Carol Muse Evans is publisher of Birmingham Parent and loved the luxury of the Lodge and Spa.

CALLAWAY GARDENS FANTASY IN LIGHTS Nov. 20, 2015 – Jan. 2, 2016 nightly, fee charged. Specialty nights are Nov. 13, Motorcycle Night; Nov. 14, March of Dimes Night Walk; and Nov. 15, Bicycle Night. For information or to purchase tickets, www.callawaygardens/com/FIL or 844-227-9085. For more information on what’s happening at Callaway during the time you want to visit, visit www.callawaygardens.com.

32 | birminghamparent | november 2015

13 WAYS TO GROW GRATITUDE Choose the language of optimism.

Focus on gifts, blessings, and abundance rather than needs and entitlements.

Ask for help. Even when it’s not “time prudent,” ask your kids to help with household tasks.

Thank specifically. Let your child know exactly why you’re grateful. “Thank you for reading to Sammy this afternoon. He really loved snuggling with you.”

Silence before a meal. Take a few moments to think about the food and how it got to the table.

Best of the day. At bedtime, ask your child to describe what was best about her day.

Create a gratitude jar. Write (or draw) the things you’re grateful for, and collect them in a jar. Read them as a group each week.

Practicing Gratitude: It’s More Than Good Manners

By Ashley Talmadge

At the restaurant a young girl fidgets in her chair. The server places a tall glass of milk in front of her. “What do you say?” reminds her mother. “Thank you,” responds the child dutifully. As parents, we often play a role in this scene. But what are we teaching?

Ben Hall, father of nine-year-old Ella, asks, “Does the child feel thankful when she says ‘thank you’ after being reminded? I don’t think so.” Reflecting on his own childhood, Hall believes such an interaction merely “forces good behavior or manners.” He suggests real gratitude is “similar to appreciation and awareness,” something he and Ella’s mother are mindful of teaching their child.

Experts suggest Hall is onto something.

Certainly good manners are important. But true gratitude runs deeper and does more than foster civility. Several recent studies suggest that gratitude is the single best predictor of well-being. A child who feels and expresses gratitude for the people, experiences, and things in his life is more likely to demonstrate resilience, do well in school, and build lasting social connections. He is also less likely to suffer from depression or engage in antisocial behavior.

But can gratitude be taught? Wendy Mather, social worker and former facilitator with The Virtues Project, believes a lot of the teaching amounts to good modeling. She says parents “must cultivate the virtue of

gratitude for themselves before they teach it to their children…It’s more than just writing ‘thank you’ cards. It’s the ability to convey our feelings of appreciation and thanks out loud and silently for the good and not so good in life.”

The language we choose communicates much. Occasional venting to one’s spouse can provide relief at the end of a tough week. But it shouldn’t be common fodder for conversation with our kids. Instead of describing the cashier as “crabby,” we can show empathy by saying, “She must not be having a very good day.” Or we can focus on the positive: “That woman behind us was so understanding when I couldn’t find my bank card. I really appreciated her patience.” As Mather says, “Model patience and understanding and optimism when it comes to dealing with trials and tribulations. Life’s challenges are our biggest teachers.” In addition to modeling, Mather encourages parents to “catch your child in the act of practicing gratitude,” and label it.

And the best part? Gratitude produces more of the same. A grateful person is more likely to reciprocate and to provide support to a third party, thus contributing to stronger familial and community bonds. As Mather says, “When we express appreciation we attract gratitude. It’s a language of love and connection.”

Ashley Talmadge is a freelance writer and mother of two boys. Her articles have appeared in dozens of parenting publications across the U.S. and Canada.

34 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Make a collage. Use pictures, words, fabric, and small objects to represent the things you’re grateful for, and discuss as a family.

Volunteer. Find organizations in your community with kid-friendly helping options.

Pass it around. Sit in a circle. Each person tells something they like about the person on the right.

Random acts of kindness. At the drive-thru, pay for the car behind you— and let your child in on the secret.

Don’t overindulge. Resist the “Everyone has___!” and “I need it for ___!” arguments.

Make them earn it. Extra chores and helping neighbors are great ways to make some pocket money.

Turn it around. When faced with a challenge, find the silver lining by asking: “What did I learn from this?” “Is there something I can be grateful for?”

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS: Gratitude & Kindness: A Modern Parents Guide to Raising Children in an Era of Entitlement, by Dr. Carla Fry and Dr. Lisa Ferrari (2015) Making Grateful Kids: The Science of Building Character, by Jeffrey Froh and Giacomo Bono (2015) Thanks! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, by Robert Emmons (2008) FOR KIDS: The Best Part of the Day, by Sarah Ban Breathnach (2014) [author of Simple Abundance] Gratitude Journal for Kids: My Gratitude Journal, Mirabell Publishing (2013)

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A Page in a Book RECOMMENDING

THE BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN & TEENS

By Gerry P. Smith

Getting a Read on Personal Style Sometimes, you ARE what you wear. To the outside observer, our clothes and accessories are often the first indicator of the things we like – a peek at our personal vibe. A specifically colored football jersey, beachcomber shorts, a Marvel Comics T-shirt (or DC Comics, if that’s your thing), or Anna-Elsa-Olaf on a backpack are items that are early statements of a child’s own tastes and interests. Giving kids some wardrobe control also empowers them cultivate their own style – to become comfortable with this form of self-expression. The following titles explore the power of the right wearable to brighten up the gloomiest mood.

Churchill’s Tale of Tails

Hooray for Hat

By Anca Sandu (Peachtree Publishers)

By Brain Won (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Churchill’s life is filled with wonderful friends and hobbies, but the thing that gives him the most pleasure is his small curly tail. When he wakes up one morning and his tail is nowhere to be found, he’s completely out of sorts. Churchill laments that he just doesn’t feel like himself, so his generous friends offer to let him wear tails like theirs. Churchill quickly finds that he likes wearing all the different tails – and gets so wrapped up in enjoying other styles that he begins to neglect his friends. But a chance meeting with a new friend (who also happens to have a suspiciously familiar curl on her head) reminds Churchill that he has missed his pals just as much as he’s missed his particular tail. The reunion that follows celebrates both the return of his best accessory as well as Churchill’s best strength, which is being a good and loyal friend.

36 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Elephant has woken up in a grumpy mood.

When the doorbell rings, he stomps down the stairs with a rising temper to find...a present.

Inside the gaily wrapped box is a hat, tall and layered with even more headpieces.

Recognizing it’s hard to be cross with such a fantastic hat, Elephant dons the elaborate chapeau and heads off to show it to Zebra.

But he finds Zebra in his own grumpy mood. Knowing how to turn that mood around, Elephant plucks a hat from his own amalgam and places it on Zebra’s head. The considerably happier pair begin a journey to lift the spirits of their other grumpy friends with hats from Elephant’s head. But there is one last friend whose hat needs will be a tall order. If one hat can make so many friends happy, then surely many hats can overcome the gloomiest mood of all!

The Frog Who Lost His Underpants

By Juliette MacIver, Illustrated by Cat Chapman (Candlewick Press)

For a frog with a specific taste in clothing, his missing underpants are a big deal. When Frog enlists his jungle friends to help him search for his special drawers, a madcap adventure begins that turn up unexpected culprits. An army of frogs have stolen his coveted underpants!

The solution entails sharing Frog’s signature fashion with all the other frogs to keep the peace. But Frog has an idea for his pants that will help him reclaim his own personal style of uniquely amphibious underwear. For any parents who have dealt with the drama that can follow when a child’s favorite clothing item goes missing, this title will be a delightful repeat read!

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38 | birminghamparent | november 2015

november highlights

Calendar sponsored by

With many schools and workplaces observing Veterans Day as a holiday, there are great opportunities to go out as a family to honor those who have served in our armed forces.

Some of these activities include Veterans Day at American Village, November 11 from 10:15am-4pm, featuring a wreath-laying ceremony, tours, activities and more. Admission is free to veterans and active military. For tickets, 205-655-3535, www.americanvillage.org. Also on November 11, the nation’s oldest and largest Veterans Day Parade kicks off in downtown Birmingham at 1:30pm.

This celebration also features several events; visit www.nationalveteransday. org for parade route and details.

11

The Friends of Red Mountain Park offers free guided trail hikes every third Sunday of the month! This month’s is scheduled for 2pm November 15. Each hike offers a unique look into the history, nature and exciting plans for a signature urban green space.

All ages and abilities are encouraged, and leashed dogs are welcome. Meet at the trailhead at 2pm.

205-202-6043, www. redmountainpark.org.

15

The Alabama Wildlife Center offers the program Reptiles: A Sampler, November 22 at 2pm, Oak Mountain Interpretative Center. Guest speakers from the Alabama 4-H Science School and David Frings. Reptiles are among the most ancient animals on the planet, and Alabama has many species. Bring a camera! www.awrc.org.

22

birminghamparent.com | 39

calendar

Calendar sponsored by

19-21

MARKET NOEL 9am-9pm, Cahaba Grand Conference Center. The Junior League of Birmingham’s annual holiday market is a three-day shopping extravaganza that benefits the programs of the JLB.

6-8

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL 10am-8pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Arts, crafts and gifts show.

1 SUNDAY Birmingham Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes 1pm registration; 2:30pm, walk, UAB Campus Green. Help raise funds for the American Diabetes Association. Register, diabetes. org/stepoutbirmingham.

Out of the Darkness Community Walk 1pm, registration, 2:30pm walk, Heardmont Park. Walk to raise awareness of depression and suicide, to honor loved ones and raise funds for research, education and survivor support programs. No registration fee; complimentary refreshments available.

3 TUESDAY Veterans Re-entering the Workforce 10:30am, Hoover Public Library.

Learn a trade with CEFA, the Construction Education Foundation of Alabama. FREE and open to the public. Reservations, 205-444-7816.

Lego League 4-4:45pm, Albert L. Scott Library, Alabaster. Kids 6 and younger must be with an adult.

5 THURSDAY Christmas Village Festival 10am-8pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Arts, crafts and gifts show. Tickets, www.christmasvillagefestival. org. FEE.

6 FRIDAY Christmas Village Festival 10am-8pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Arts, crafts and gifts show. Tickets, www.christmasvillagefestival. org. FEE. Mountain Arts & Craft Celebration 10am-5pm, Cloudland Canyon State Park. Two-day family-friendly event; 100-plus exhibitors, music, food, kids activities, petting zoo, inflatables and more. Information, http:// mountainartsandcraftcelebration.com.

40 | birminghamparent | november 2015

The Lion King, Jr. 7-8:30pm, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, 5510 Double Oak Lane. Featuring 50 students from first through eighth grades.

Tickets, $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, children 2-under, free. 205-991-5963, www.olvbirmingham.com.

ASFA Fall Music Performance 7:30-9:30pm, Alabama School of Fine Arts. Savor the sounds of music! Program includes the ASFA Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble. Tickets, $10 adults, $5 students.

East Lake Market 8am-noon, East Lake United Methodist Church.

Mt Laurel Farmers Market 8am-noon, Town of Mt Laurel.

Valleydale Farmers Market 8am-noon, 4601 Valleydale Road.

7 SATURDAY

ASFA Open House for Prospective Students 9am, 10am, 11am, Alabama School of Fine Arts. Prospective students and their parents may tour the school and attend a session with faculty to learn about the school’s six specialty areas of study: creative writing, dance, math/science, music, theatre arts and visual arts. Current 6th-10 th graders encouraged to attend and learn about the application process. ASFA offers instruction for grades 7-12 and is a public, tuition-free school for Alabama students.

Pepper Place Market 7am-noon, 1130 22nd St. S. Rain or shine. Fresh produce and much more.

Moss Rock Festival 10am-5pm, The Preserve, Hoover. This two-day festival is a regional focus for art, design and

My Son Pinocchio Jr. 7:30pm, RMTC Cabaret Theatre, 301 19 th St. N. This family-friendly musical is a magical mix of heartwarming fairytale and action-packed adventure. Rated G. Presented by Red Mountain Theatre Company. Tickets starting at $10. 205-324-2424.

calendar

Calendar sponsored by

environmental lovers everywhere. Enjoy artists inspired by nature, green living ideas, live music, kids’ activities, hiking, biking, geocaching, fuel-efficient car exhibitions and more.

Visitors park and ride from the Hoover Met. FREE admission.

Choral Evensong 3-4pm, Cathedral Church of the Advent, 2017 Sixth Ave. N. The choir sings the traditional Anglican service with prayers, lessons and anthems. FREE.

Christmas Village Festival 10am-8pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Arts, crafts and gifts show. Tickets, www.christmasvillagefestival. org. FEE.

Sales are Not Savings: Holiday Budgeting 7pm, Hoover Public Library.

Certified financial planner Scott Cole presents a holiday reminder about budgets, priorities and getting through the season without going into debt. FREE and open to the public. 205444-7816.

Hikes for Tykes 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Join Fresh Air Family and Gardens staff for fun and learning for preschool children and their families. www.freshairfamily.org. FREE. My Son Pinocchio Jr. 2pm, 7:30pm, RMTC Cabaret Theatre, see Nov. 6.

The Lion King, Jr. 5:30-7pm, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, 5510 Double Oak Lane. Featuring 50 students from first through eighth grades.

Tickets, $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, children 2-under, free. 205-991-5963, www.olvbirmingham.com.

8 SUNDAY Moss Rock Festival 10am-4pm, The Preserve, Hoover, see Nov. 7.

Christmas Village Festival Noon-5pm, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center. Arts, crafts and gifts show. Tickets, www.christmasvillagefestival. org. FEE.

9 MONDAY

11 WEDNESDAY

VETERANS DAY Veterans Day at American Village 10:15am-4pm, American Village, Montevallo. Special guest Kirk Saduski, Emmy-nominated television and motion picture producer will lead a ceremony placing a wreath at the National Veterans Shrine. Following the ceremonies, visitors may tour the shrine and Register of Honor, and take part in activities. Admission FREE to veterans and active military; tickets, 205-655-3535.

Veterans Day Parade 1:30pm, downtown Birmingham.

The nation’s largest Veterans Day celebration also will feature several events. For information, schedule, parade route, www. nationalveteransday.org.

13 FRIDAY

My Son Pinocchio Jr. 2pm, 7:30pm, RMTC Cabaret Theatre, see Nov. 6.

The North Arts Council Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show 9am-6pm, Gardendale Civic Center.

The Lion King, Jr. 2-3:30pm, Our Lady of the Valley Catholic School, 5510 Double Oak Lane. Featuring 50 students from first through eighth grades.

Tickets, $7 adults, $5 students and seniors, children 2-under, free. 205-991-5963, www.olvbirmingham.com.

Full Life Ahead Family Weekend 3pm Friday-11:30am Sunday, Children’s Harbor. The Full Life Ahead Foundation takes families with teens and young adults who have disAbilities on family weekends! Fun, learning and sharing.

Teens/young adults have their

own sessions, while parents enjoy their own separate sessions. $30 per person includes meals, accommodations, programs and activities. Information, register, 205-439-6534, www.FullLifeAhead.org.

Alabama Symphony Orchestra Salute to the Armed Forces 8pm, Wright Fine Arts Center, Samford University. An evening of patriotic music including a special tribute to veterans and a multimedia show by Nicholas Bardonnay. Tickets, 205-9752787.

14 SATURDAY Pepper Place Market 7am-noon, 1130 22nd St. S. Rain or shine. Fresh produce and much more.

East Lake Market 8am-noon, East Lake United Methodist Church.

Mt Laurel Farmers Market 8am-noon, Town of Mt Laurel.

Valleydale Farmers Market 8am-noon, 4601 Valleydale Road.

The North Arts Council Annual Christmas Arts & Crafts Show 9am-4pm, Gardendale Civic Center.

Homestead Hollow Arts & Crafts Festival 9am-4pm, 1190 Murphees Valley Road, Springville, see Nov. 13.

Hikes for Tykes 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Join Fresh Air Family and Gardens staff for fun and learning for preschool children and their families. www.freshairfamily.org. FREE. Dirt Dash 5K Fun Run/Walk 8:30am 5K, 9am, 1-mile family walk, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Run the great trails of the Gardens and support the No. 1 free attraction in Alabama!

Register, www.bbgardens.org/ funrun.

15 SUNDAY Friends of Red Mountain Park Hike Series 2pm, Red Mountain Park, 2011 Frankfurt Drive. Free guided trail hikes every third Sunday of the month! Each hike offers a unique look into the history, nature and exciting plans for a signature urban green space. All ages and abilities encouraged; leashed dogs welcome also. Meet at trailhead at 2pm. 205-202-6043, www.redmountainpark.org.

17 TUESDAY Pete the Cat Book Club 6pm, Albert L. Scott Library, Alabaster. Boys and girls 5-up can join in the fun of cool cats, reading and more. Kids 6 and younger must be with an adult.

Register.

19 THURSDAY Market Noel 9am-9pm, Cahaba Grand Conference Center. The Junior League of Birmingham’s annual holiday market is a three-day shopping extravaganza that benefits the programs of the JLB. (Preview party held Wednesday, Nov. 18). Tickets, information, (205) 879-9861, http://www. marketnoel.net.

What the Titanic Was Really Like 5:30pm, doors open, 6-7pm program, North Shelby Library.

Julie Hedgepeth Williams will present a one-woman show as Sylvia Caldwell in 1912. Williams’ great uncle, Albert Caldwell, survived the Titanic along with wife Sylvia and infant son Alden.

She will sign copies of her award winning book, A Rare Titanic Family. FREE event; registration required. 205-439-5510.

20 FRIDAY Market Noel 9am-9pm, Cahaba Grand Conference Center, see Nov. 19.

PLEASE NOTE: Events may change after publication deadline; please phone ahead to confirm important information. The deadline for submitting calendar items for the Dec. 2015 issue is Nov. 2. Mail calendar items to: Calendar, Birmingham Parent, 3590B Hwy 31 S #289, Pelham, AL 35124; fax to 987-7600; e-mail to calendar@ BirminghamParent.com; or enter directly to the online calendar at www.birminghamparent.com. Entries added online after the print deadline will not appear in the print version. Information cannot be accepted over the phone. Birmingham Parent publishes a calendar 11 times a year. January events are included in the December issue.

Guidelines: Birmingham Parent’s calendar is intended to be a resource and service to the community and our readers. Events which are open to the public, fund-raisers, free classes, etc., are events that may be included in our monthly calendar. We reserve the right to reject any event or listing due to rules or space restrictions. For questions regarding calendar entries, call 987-7700 or e-mail calendar@birminghamparent.com. birminghamparent.com | 41

CELEBRATING YEARS OVER

34 FAMILY-OWNED & OPERATED

Calendar sponsored by

Places for Tot Shots AROUND TOWN

LIKE US ON

The Jefferson County Department of Health offers free vaccination clinics monthly to children younger than 19 who have no insurance. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and must bring their immunization records. Call 205-930-1450 or www.jcdh.org for more information on your child’s eligibility.

Here is the clinic schedule for November:

Dan cewear & 1629 Oxmoor Rd Birmingham, AL 35209 205-871-STEP

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December 11

Learn more at Yellowdaymovie.com #makeitayellowday

42 | birminghamparent | november 2015

2-4PM NOVEMBER 2 Eastside Baptist Church 558 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham 2-4PM NOVEMBER 10 St. Peter’s Catholic Church 2061 Patton Chapel Road, Hoover 2-4PM NOVEMBER 16 Garywood Assembly of God 2730 Allison Bonnett Memorial Parkway, Hueytown

the

American Girls Club 4pm, Albert L. Scott Library, Alabaster. Girls 7 and older can learn about Felicity and her world of 1774. Come with or without a doll.

Sign up and step back in time. Sign up to attend.

21 SATURDAY Pepper Place Market 7am-noon, 1130 22nd St. S. Rain or shine.

Fresh produce and much more.

East Lake Market 8am-noon, East Lake United Methodist Church.

Mt Laurel Farmers Market 8am-noon, Town of Mt Laurel.

22 THURSDAY Reptiles: A Sampler 2pm, Oak Mountain Interpretative Center.

Alabama Wildlife Center program. Guest speakers, Alabama 4-H Science School and David Frings. Reptiles are among the most ancient animals on the planet. Bring a camera! www.awrc.org.

26 THURSDAY

THANKSGIVING DAY 28 SATURDAY

Valleydale Farmers Market 8am-noon, 4601 Valleydale Road.

Pepper Place Market 7am-noon, 1130 22nd St. S. Rain or shine.

Fresh produce and much more.

Market Noel 9am-9pm, Cahaba Grand Conference Center, see Nov. 19.

East Lake Market 8am-noon, East Lake United Methodist Church.

Hikes for Tykes 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Join Fresh Air Family and Gardens staff for fun and learning for preschool children and their families. www.freshairfamily.org. FREE.

Mt Laurel Farmers Market 8am-noon, Town of Mt Laurel.

Alabama Symphony Youth Orchestra Fall Concert 2pm, Jemison Concert Hall, Alys Stephens Center. This pre-Thanksgiving feast for the ears is conducted by Dr. Blake Richardson.

Hikes for Tykes 10am, Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Join Fresh Air Family and Gardens staff for fun and learning for preschool children and their families. www.freshairfamily.org. FREE. Aldridge Botanical Gardens

Valleydale Farmers Market 8am-noon, 4601 Valleydale Road.

TRAVEL

VOICE

BY BECKY The only voice in travel that MATTERS! Catch The Travel Voice by Becky on Saturday’s in Shelby County on FM 99.9 APH Radio at 11 a.m. and anytime on iHeart Radio!

Great travel information, special deals, awesome guests, spectacular on location LIVE events and amazing giveaways!

For more information, visit thetravelvoicebybecky.com birminghamparent.com | 43

events & attractions

Calendar sponsored by

Birmingham Botanical Gardens When visiting the Gardens, be sure to download the treasure map to take with you! www. bbgardens.org/documents/treasuremapforweb.pdf 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham. 205-4143900, www.bbgardens.org Birmingham Children’s Theatre 1001 19th St. North, Birmingham, AL, 35203, 205-458-8181, www.bct123.org Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Sickle Cell Disease on Canvas. BCRI and the Sickle Cell Foundation of Central Alabama presents the second annual exhibition featuring art created by people who suffer from sickle cell disease as well as parents and caregivers. Through December 31.

16th St. N., Birmingham. 205-328-9696, www. bcri.org Birmingham Museum of Art Family Tours: Fall into Fun! Join museum educators to explore the galleries in a fun, interactive experience! Discover Bart the Art Bat’s favorite artworks during these free, drop-in tours. Tours held 10:30-11:30am each Tuesday.

Bart’s Art Cart: Drumming up Fun! Free drop-in art program for kids and families features a different theme from galleries and art activity each month. Saturdays from 11am-1pm.

2000 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham. 205-254-2565, www.artsbma.org Birmingham Zoo In-park Special Attractions: Giraffe Feeding & Keeper Chat, Saturday & Sunday 11am-12pm & 2-3pm, $3. See Griffin, the first giraffe born in a North American accredited Zoo in 2014!

Sea Lion Training, Daily 10am & 2pm Predator Zone, Saturday & Sunday 11:30am & 3:30pm 2630 Cahaba Road, Birmingham. 205-8790409, www.birminghamzoo.com Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Aldridge Botanical Gardens 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover. 205-682-8019, www.aldridgegardens.com Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame 1631 Fourth Ave. N., Birmingham. 205-2542731, www.jazzhall.com Alabama School of Fine Arts 1800 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame 2150 Richard Arrington Blvd. N., Birmingham.

323-6665, www.ashof.org Alabama Wildlife Center 100 Terrace Drive, Pelham. 205-663-7930. www.awrc.org 44 | birminghamparent | november 2015

Albert L Scott Alabaster Public Library STORY TIMES: Tunes & Tales: Wednesdays at 3:30pm in Library Meeting Room, all ages Toddler Tales: Fridays at 10:30am in the Library Meeting Room, 2 and 3 year olds 100 9th Street NW, Alabaster, AL, 35007.

205-664-6822, www.cityofalabaster.com/ departments/library

American Village Highway 119, Montevallo. 205-665-3535, www.americanvillage.org Barber Motorsports Park 6040 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Leeds.

205-298-9040, www.barbermotorsports.com

Heart of Dixie Railroad

events & attractions

Calendar sponsored by

McWane Center

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum Ride the North Pole Express! November 20-December 19. Tickets, information, www. hodrrm.org. Ride the Santa Special! November 28-December 19. Tickets, information, www. hodrrm.org. 1919 Ninth St., Calera. 205-6683435, www.hodrrm.org McWane Science Center Itty Bitty Magic City. This 10,000-square-foot area allows children newborn to kindergarten to learn in a fun and playful environment.

Member Mondays. Every Monday, McWane Science Center members receive extra perks while visiting! Includes a special gift for kids when checking in, 30 percent discount on gift shop purchases, $1 small popcorn at IMAX concession stand and a free members-only evening event each month. Also, on the second Monday of each month, McWane opens its doors from 5-8pm for its members.

IMAX Movies: Horses. Horses takes you on a spectacular journey through Argentina, British Columbia, Chile, Mexico, Morocco, Spain and Texas to meet vaqueros, gauchos, baqueanos and cowboys – all part of a single global horse culture, an unbroken trail stretching back 1,500 years. Through Nov. 25.

Ocean Oasis. Ocean Oasis, a giant-screen film, is a fascinating journey into the bountiful seas and pristine deserts of two remarkably

different, but inextricably linked worlds — Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. 200 19th St. N., Birmingham.

205-714-8300, www.mcwane.org.

Moss Rock Preserve Preserve Parkway, Hoover. 205-739-7141, www.hooveral.org.

Oak Mountain State Park 200 Terrace Drive, Pelham. 205-620-2520, www.alapark.com.

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center 1214 81st St. S., Birmingham. 205-833-8264, www.ruffnermountain.org.

Southern Museum of Flight 4343 73rd St. N., Birmingham. 205-833-8226, www.southernmuseumofflight.org Vulcan Park Darkness into Life: Alabama’s Holocaust Survivors through Photography and Art. Vulcan Park and Museum, partnering with the Birmingham Holocaust Education Center, presents this sensitive exhibit of photography

by Becky Seitel and art by Mitzi J. Levin. The paintings and photographs accompanied by educational narratives. Through May 16, 2016.

1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham. 205-9331409, www.vulcanpark.org

Do you know what your kids want to do next summer?

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PRESENTED BY RIVERCHA SE GALLERIA

SAT, FEB. 13, 2016 • 10am-4pm • FREE AT THE RIVERCHASE GALLERIA

Booths & Sponsorships available!

CALL NOW! 205-987-7700 or carol@birminghamparent.com

birminghamparent.com | 45

poetry party

by Charles Ghigna

Winter Poems Wild Geese Above the winter trees Wild geese fly south again.

I pause to watch them passing by, This year I counted ten.

Their perfect V sails over me, In silence on their way To foreign lands with snow white sands Beside a sunlit bay.

November Late November Time stands still, Echoes from A whippoorwill; Winter sky, Silver blue, Maple leaves, A golden hue; A hint of snow Fills the air.

A whispered sigh, “Is someone there?”

Winter in the Park Last night an ice storm came to town And dressed the fountain in a gown.

A stranger waves Upon the hill.

November from My windowsill.

Icicles hung from the trees Like chandeliers out in the breeze.

Each statue wore a fancy dress, A frozen garment for each guest.

A night of magic in the dark, A winter ballroom in the park.

NOW YOU TRY IT! Look around outside.

What do you see and hear?

Make a list of those things.

Put them into a poem and share it with family and friends!

46 | birminghamparent | november 2015

For more funny animal poem activities click on “It’s a Jungle Out There” at FatherGoose.com.

Want to submit YOUR poems for publication? Parents, here are some magazines that publish poems written by children: http://www.ckmagazine.org • http://www. magicdragonmagazine.com, http://www.cricketmag.com

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