Backpack Connection Magazine April 2020

APRIL 2020

Hill Country

Backpack Connection

Austin & Clayton Return to Cover

TEACHERS RECOGNIZED MENTAL NUTRIENTS FABRA • KENDALL • CURINGTON • FAIR OAKS • ELLISON • HERFF CIBOLO CREEK • AUE • LEON SPRINGS • MCANDREW • VAN RAUB

Connecting Our Families, Our Schools and Our Local Businesses

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APRIL INSIDE

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CONTEST

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DAILY ESSENTIAL MENTAL NUTRIENTS

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TIPS FOR YOUR DISNEY TRIP

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SCHOOL NEWS COVER

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Austin and Clayton Finch appeared on the Hill Country Backpack cover (then called Hill Country Family) in 2009. They attended Fabra Elementary, BMSN and are now seniors at BHS. Their favorite teachers were Karen Aitken and Krista Lux. Krista (in photo) actually taught the boys in elementary, junior high and high school. After high school they will be off to college and trade school. The boys plan on working at the family airconditioning business. We were so excited to get to feature them again on our cover. A big thank you to their mom Jennifer for helping us get this done.

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Distributed into the Backpacks of 6,000 Boerne /Leon Springs Students Fabra • Kendall • Curington Fair Oaks • Cibolo Creek Aue • Leon Springs McAndrew • Ellison Van Raub • Herff Elementary Schools Art Director * Susie Fluckiger Sales * Audra Miller

Publisher BP PUBLISHING LLC Content for the Elementary School pages contributed by each school. Backpack Connection magazines are published every six weeks during the school year by BP Publishing LLC. The advertisements in this magazine are paid for by the advertisers, which allows this magazine to be distributed free to the families of the elementary students. Unless specifically noted, no advertisers, products or services are endorsed by the publisher, BISD, or NISD, or any districts employees. BP PUBLISHING LLC is not responsible for omissions, errors or misinformation within this publication. All real estate advertised within this publication are subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which make it illegally to advertise any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings adverting are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Reproductions of this magazine in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

ADVERTISING AND GENERAL INFORMATION BP Publishing LLC 209 Walnut Grove Rd. Boerne, TX 78006 (210) 367-3048

WEBSITE

www.backpackconnection.com

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ENTER OUR CONTEST!

Count the Which Wich logos for a chance to win $20 Gift Card Count the Which Wich logos in this issue (including this one!). Submit to: contest@backpackconnection.com

by March 27, for a chance to win a $20 gift card to Which Wich. Include name, email, and phone number so we can contact the winner!

Correct answers will be placed in a drawing to win; only one winner chosen. You could be the next winner so count, then count again to double check!

Congratulation to Adrianne Carnes, the Behavior Unit Teaching Assistant, at Cibolo Creek. She won the $20 gift card from Which Wich for submitting the winning number of logos in the February issue. You can be the next winner! Send in your submission today.

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DAILY

Essential Mental

NUTRIENTS

Whether you grew up with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) four food groups, the food pyramid, or their latest rendition of “choose my plate,” most parents and children are somewhat familiar with what constitutes a recommended daily diet for optimal physical health. Much less talked about, but equally important, are the elements recommended for a healthy mind. Just like many of us are deficient in our daily recommended servings of vegetables, some of us might be deficient in our diets of “daily essential mental nutrients” and not even realize it.

The Healthy Mind Platter

Dr. Daniel Siegel, a world-renowned interpersonal neurobiologist, and his colleague David Rock, have outlined what daily mental habits aid in the integration between mind and body, as well as in strengthening our relationships. These seven daily essential mental activities were coined The Healthy Mind Platter

by Siegel and Rock. By spending time in each of these seven areas regularly, we strengthen the brain’s internal connections, as well as our connections with others and with the environment. Just like existing on a diet of mac and cheese and chicken nuggets is not ideal for optimal physical health, not engaging in a variety of mental activities daily can affect our brain development as well.

These researchers don’t have a suggested daily serving size for each of these different areas because each person’s needs are unique and may change during different developmental stages, but they encourage us to become aware of the full spectrum of essential mental activities that will help promote integration and balance into our lives. By varying our focus into these seven areas, we are giving our brains the opportunity to strengthen internal connections and nourish our minds. So what are these seven essential mind snacks we should serve up regularly?

Focus Time

Think goal-oriented activities like doing a puzzle, baking, playing an instrument, or working on a school project. Removing distractions and focusing on only one thing at a time optimizes neuroplas-

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tic changes that are the basis for learning. (Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life).

Play Time

Be spontaneous or creative! Incorporate novel experiences and laughter into your day. Whether it is an impromptu Nerf gun battle, singing in the car, or making slime--do something that is lighthearted and fun.

Connecting Time

We are creatures of connection. When we nurture those relationships with other people and with the natural world around us, the brain’s relational circuitry lights up. Ideally connecting time should be done in person, but reading fiction can also be one way to help us better understand social skills.

Physical Time

Move your body! Walk, ride a bike, run, learn the Floss! Moving your body strengthens the brain in many beneficial ways. It supports learning and can enhance mood and mental health.

Time In

Take time to reflect and ponder, becoming mindfully aware of sensations, feelings, and thoughts. By turning our thoughts and attention inward for a few moments each day, we actually can stimulate the growth of brain fibers that help regulate attention, emotion, and thinking.

It also aids in the development of empathy and compassion. One simple technique to try is called the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique.

5 things you see: I like to count five things that I see that are red in the room, but you can pick any five objects in the room.

4 things you feel: Can you feel the waistband of your pants? The sun on your face?

3 things you hear: Can you hear cars driving by or a dog

barking in the distance? What does your breathing sound like?

2 things you smell: Is there an air freshener in the room? Or can you smell freshly mown grass?

1 thing you taste: Chew some gum, pop a mint, or eat a small snack, focusing on the sensations in your mouth.

Down Time

We all need to spend some of our time in non-structured, non-focused ways.

Taking time to relax helps the brain recharge. Taking a walk, watching a sunset, laying in a hammock, or playing with a favorite pet are just a few ways to incorporate some down time into your day.

Sleep Time

Sleeping helps consolidate the learning that we experience throughout the day. Adequate sleep recharges the brain, supports the immune system, boosts metabolism, and helps us respond better to stress.

The first step toward a more healthy mind is simply to become aware of what’s

currently on your plate. What does your own personal Mind Platter look like?

Could you use a little more Focus Time? I know that sometimes I need to work hard to incorporate more Play Time and Sleep Time into my brain’s diet. The good news is that just like there are many foods we can choose from for a healthy diet, there are many combinations of the seven essential mental activities that work well to keep our brains nourished and developing throughout our lives. What mind snacks are you going to serve up today?

For more great resources for both kids and parents, check out Dr. Siegel’s website at www.drdansiegel.com Rachel Mickelsen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is currently accepting new clients at Olive Branch Counseling and Training in Boerne (www.olivebranchsa.com or call 830-368-5033 for an appointment).

Rachel and her family of seven have lived in Boerne for the last fourteen years. Whether nine or ninety years old, Rachel is committed to walking beside her clients on their path of growth and healing.

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Tips

for Your

Disney Trip

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World or Disneyland used to be as simple as grabbing the sunscreen and showing up–but that approach doesn’t quite work today. As long as you do a little research (or contact a Disney-Authorized Travel Agent), your vacation can still be amazing, if not simple. Here are five main steps to planning a Disney vacation to ensure you and your family have the most magical trip possible!

1. Settle on your budget 2. Pick your dates 3. Decide where you’re staying 4. Choose your ticket option 5. Make the necessary reservations Let’s start with the bottom line—money. As long as you anticipate your costs, you can keep your Disney costs down.

Some expenses you already know: theme park tickets, hotel/resort, meals, and airfare or driving costs. Allow some for souvenirs, tipping/gratuities, and scooter or stroller rentals if needed.

If you’re flying and staying on Disney property, you can use their Magical Express to get from the airport to the resort; if you drive and stay on property, you won’t have to pay parking at the theme parks. Some people use the internal Disney transportation system or Uber so plan ahead.

Once you’ve decided your budget, you need to decide when to go! Anytime schools are out, there are larger crowds, but for many people that is the only option. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two VERY popular times; Spring Break and summer are, too. If working around the school calendar isn’t necessary for you, then fall or February are your best bets for gorgeous weather and smaller crowds. Disney prices change depending on the season, so that may factor in to your decision.

To stay on Disney property or not; that is the question!

Ultimately, where you stay impacts your vacation in ways you wouldn’t necessarily think about. Staying on Disney property

(a Disney resort such as Disney’s Art of Animation or Disney’s Wilderness Lodge in Florida; the Grand California Resort and Spa or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel in California) is more expensive than staying off property at a normal hotel. However, if you stay on property, you have free Disney transportation to and from all Disney theme parks/resorts, you’re eligible for a dining plan, you can send purchases back to your resort so you don’t have to lug them around, and—most importantly—you’re immersed in the magic of Disney. If you choose to stay off property, allow for travel to and from the theme parks in your budget.

Staying at a Disney property in Walt Disney World also opens you up to FastPass+ reservations 60 days prior to your visit, as opposed to just 30 days out if you stay somewhere else. Reserving your FastPass+ for the right rides can save you hours in line!

If you choose to stay off property; be sure that it’s safe and still easy to navigate to the theme parks.

Tickets are another source of confusion—there are so many types and choices! The bottom line is this: the more days you are in the park, the cheaper the tickets are per day. Disney has four theme parks and two water parks in WDW Florida, and two theme parks at Disneyland in California. Research the parks enough to know what attractions are your must-do’s—then you can plan how many days in each park. Not interested in miniature golf or water parks? Then you do not need the Park Hopper+ ticket at WDW. Only want to visit one park per day? Then you can save by not purchasing the Park Hopper option, just get a base ticket. Disney has amazing discounts for military. Select the correct ticket option for your needs!

Once you have your budget, dates, hotel/resort, and tickets planned, it’s time to start making your reservations. Disney World resort rooms can be booked over a year in advance.

You can add tickets and dining plans to complete your package (frequently the best deal). If you want to eat at restaurants in Disney, be aware that many take reservations 180 days out.

Character meals book up quickly. FastPass+ reservations can be made 60 days out from the first day of your stay if you’re going to stay on property; 30 days out if you stay elsewhere.

It may sound daunting, but if you do a bit of planning and research, you will have the most magical vacation! Using a Disney-Authorized travel planner can make your life much simpler—they can guide you into the best experience once you tell them what you’re looking for. Remember, a Disney-Authorized travel planner is at no cost to you, because their services are paid for by Disney. Don’t let the stress stop you—Disney is a magical experience. Whether it’s a honeymoon or first family trip, infants to elderly would agree that Disney is enjoyed by everyone! Let’s get you to Disney!

Jessica Kite; Middle of the Magic Travel An Authorized Disney Travel Company, Specializing in all things Disney and Universal. Contact Jessica at jessicakite@ middleofthemagictravel.com or 210-913-1547.

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