Education

Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Help North 32nd Integrated Classrooms Stay Artistic

By Karishma Sood

Bruce Black, an art teacher, head of the fine arts department and head of student leadership at North Phoenix Preparatory Academy, received a $2,500 grant from the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Program. The grant was used to integrate a better learning environment in fine arts for about 300 students learning both remotely and in-person due to COVID-19 regulations.

“The grant had an amazing impact this year because we’ve been able to provide materials for our students to help us get over the hump of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Black says. “Fiesta Bowl Charities and Desert Financial have helped us interact with our students in a more successful way.”

Now in its fifth year, the Fiesta Bowl Wishes for Teachers program provides grants statewide for educators to use for classroom supplies, new lesson plans and technology. Over the life of the program, more than $3.7 million has been donated to nearly 850 teachers.

At North Phoenix Preparatory, COVID-19 created new challenges for the fine arts department.

“When we were all online, the teachers could design an online curriculum,” Black says. “Now, we are simultaneously teaching on a computer and have a classroom full of students. I’m trying to balance providing an online experience and a classroom experience.”

Black wanted to enrich his art class students’ experience, and provide for the other classrooms, like drama and music classes. Black used his grant to purchase items like a class set of keyboards, take-home art kits for remote learners, and recording equipment for the drama classes.

“The grant was mainly because of COVID protocol, so we could boost the number of supplies to get to kids who couldn’t afford it,” Black says. As a liberal arts school, Black chose to use the grant to improve multiple arts programs since all students are required to take these arts classes throughout their high school careers. “The fine arts are an integral component of our curriculum. When we buy art supplies or music supplies or drama supplies, it impacts almost our entire school,” Black says.

Our students don’t just build, they engineer

» Learn more at enrollBASIS.com

World-class, tuition-free education is in your neighborhood

Grades K–5

201 East Indianola Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85012 (602) 559 5399 (602) 559 5399

21PHC048

Leadership Society of Arizona Presents Online Summer Program Gallery View Zoom

Next Generation Leadership A ONE-OF-A-KIND SUMMER PROGRAM

3 WEEKS | AGES 12+ | 20 STUDENTS Online learning and social distancing have made it harder for teenagers to stay motivated and engaged. We have created a unique virtual program to help students thrive in these challenging times. This course comes from 28 years of professional development research. We have found that stability, happiness, and success come from understanding leadership and social skills. In our program, students meet 4 days a week for 3 weeks for fun and interactive activities that relate to their interests. Students work one-on-one with a certifi ed life coach to set goals, form successful habits, and plan for their futures.Save $25 with code: 2021AZ

End

Mute e Stop VideodeV

7 SecurityS ty ParticipantsP ticirt pa ts Share Screen Chat ha Record eco Reactionso ionR

Personal Development College Readiness Program Certifi cate

Goal Setting Stress Relief Social Development

LeadAZ.org 480-779-8592 Follow us on social media:

Leadership Society of Arizona @leadershipaz

There’s No Better Time To Learn To Play Tennis!

NEW Shea Middle School Lesson Location SIGN UP NOW!

MONDAY CLASSES: APRIL 12 - MAY 24 (7) week session INSTRUCTOR: Coach Dave and Coach Shelley

WEDNESDAY CLASSES: APRIL 14 - MAY 26 (7) week session INSTRUCTORS: Coach Shelley and Coach Lisa

Ages 4,5,6 • 3:30 - 4:00 pm $105 for (7) week session Ages 10 & Up • 4:45 - 5:45 $210 for (7) week session

Ages 7,8,9 • 4:00 - 4:45 $158 for (7) week session Advanced Beginners • 5:45 - 6:45 $210 for (7) week session

Spring session will be offered April 12 - May 26 CALL for Info / Enroll On-Line: Call 480-970-0599 or www.arizonatennis.org ATA Tennis Coaches Dave Thies & Shelley Chambers

Kids’ Corner

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR KID HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR KID

By Jill “Mamabug” Frier

The summer months are coming soon and local parents are looking for ways to keep their kids busy or provide weekly childcare while they are out of school. One solution many parents take advantage of is summer camp. Here are some tips for finding the right summer camp, either in person or virtual, for your kids this year.

WHY SUMMER CAMP IS IMPORTANT

In person camp is a place where kids can safely roam and play in a way they often aren’t allowed to in their own neighborhoods. In a virtual environment, summer camp can provide kids with entertainment, learning, and stimulation outside of their normal routine.

Whether they are at day camp all summer, specialty camp for a week or two, online camp, or overnight camp, kids can let loose and have fun with other kids outside of a school or home environment. Not only are summer camps a great way for your kids to have fun and stay active during the months they are out of school, they also teach kids important life lessons like how to make new friends and gain independence.

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT CAMP FOR YOUR KID

There are a lot of options for parents and kids to choose from when deciding which type of camp to pick. You can choose anything from traditional overnight camp, to science camp where kids go daily to conduct experiments and learn about different STEM-related topics, to soccer, art, gymnastics, theater, karate, basketball, and more.

SOME THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING ON THE RIGHT CAMP:

• Know Your Goal: Do you need ongoing care for your child every day, or do you just want to get them out of the house for a while to have fun with other kids? Do you want them to get plenty of exercise? Learn a new skill? Grow academically? Improve their musical or artistic abilities? Pick a camp that meets the goals you have for your child. • Know Your Child’s Interests: Discuss the different camps available with your child and see what things interest them. Understand the age range suggested by the camp and any skill sets they may be required to have. You can broaden their horizons by letting them try new things, but be aware of their limitations and the things they don’t like. • Know Your Budget: Summer camp can cost a lot of money, especially if you send your kid to a specialized place. Be sure that you consider all of the expenses involved, including equipment, meals and extras. There are also a variety of options that you can make work to fit your budget. Look for nonprofit organizations, public parks and recreation venues, community centers and libraries, and online offerings for lower cost options for summer camp.

• Be Aware of Time Constraints and

Locations: Summer camp can be a big help to working parents who need a place for their kids during the summer break, but note the drop off and pick up times to make sure they work with your schedule. Also be sure to plan around any known vacation or time off you have.

EST. 2009

Epic Kids Kids

our stories, our adventures

• Start the Search Now: The time to start doing homework for the right camp for your kid is now, before camp schedules get booked up and vacation time is planned. Do your research, read the fine print, talk to your child, and make sure that the camp or camps you pick work best for everyone in your family.

COVID-19 SAFETY FACTORS

No doubt about it, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to know which summer camp options are best for your camper. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides some guidelines and suggestions for limiting exposure to COVID-19 in onsite summer camp environments; you can see the full list at CDC. gov. The main takeaways are similar to procedures that children may already be familiar with: wear properly fitted masks, be sure to social distance, and always wash hands. Consider packing your camper multiple masks and their own hand sanitizer.

Some factors you should consider when looking for an in person camp for your child are: encouraging behaviors that reduce the spread of the virus, maintaining a healthy environment and hygienic facilities operations, and having the right procedures in place to deal with an individual who becomes sick. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

To see a list of camps across the Valley, visit epickidsaz.com/camps.

Be sure to check LadyBugsBlog.com for more ideas for having fun outside and out of the house this summer in Arizona.

Since 2009, Epic Kids has been proudly highlighting the achievements of local kids!

Follow us on Facebook for -Family Fun & Events -Epic Giveaways -Camp Guides And more! Facebook.com/EpicKidsAZ EpicKidsAZ.com