Prepping for the School Year with Organization B Y C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y, W W W. C A R R I E M C C O N K E Y. C O M
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ETTING ORGANIZED” is something we all know we should do, but often the activity gets pushed aside to make room for more pressing priorities. Perhaps we need to move the endeavor up the list. Clearing clutter, creating systems, and developing routines can reduce stress and ward off depression - useful benefits in times such as these. And for children experiencing a very different academic school year, getting organized can be a lifesaver. Room to Think An environment freed of clutter allows a child to focus on the task at hand - be it schoolwork or renewing playtime. Having the space to spread out with a project creates feelings of safety, security, and clarity. And family schedules can progress smoother when storage zones are designated and regularly maintained, allowing everyone to find what they need, when they need it. Establish fun incentives for your child to regularly go through their room, backpack, etc., putting things back where they belong and discarding or donating items they no longer need or use. All Systems Go Creating systems is another form of organization that teaches children how to
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L A K E W A Y regretfully announces that the community-favorite Lakeway International Food Festival will not take place this year. “Since its first iteration, the festival has grown into a treasured tradition in the community,” said attorney Willie Santana, co-founder and member of the board. “We held off on making this decision in hopes that we could salvage the event, but the board does not believe we can hold the event safely this year.” The festival, first conceived as a way to highlight the Hispanic & Latino community, has steadily grown into an important part of the Lakeway Area’s cultural, economic, and social character. During the past half decade, it has grown into a treasured institution in the region that showcases the important and unique cultural, economic, and social contributions that the immigrant families of the Lakeway Area make in our community. The 10
EVERYTHING KNOXVILLE September 2020
streamline regularly occurring activities. Closet organization makes it easier to get dressed in the morning, and using a calendar to keep track of assignments and special school events prevents those dreaded “day of” surprises. A whiteboard can list reminders, reachable goals, and to-dos. And encouraging your child to proactively add needed supplies, food, or other items to the family shopping list can teach them how to anticipate and plan ahead. Step One, Two, Three In times of uncertainty and distraction, established routines can offer a sense of peace, normalcy, and direction. Routines teach organization through a set of established steps, calming children through repetition and giving them the triggers they need to perform a task. A designated quiet
Lakeway International Food Festival’s goal has always been to create an opportunity for the community as a whole to come together and celebrate the Lakeway Area’s rich and diverse culture. It also has made a lasting contribution to the local economy by attracting nearby residents to visit, eat, and shop here. “Our commitment to the continued growth of the festival remains strong,” said KC Alvarado, co-founder and current chairwoman of the HOLA Lakeway Board. “We will come back next year, and after the difficult year our community is having, we expect it to be a big party.” HOLA Lakeway encourages the public to stay tuned to its website and Facebook page because they are planning for other smaller events that will take place later in the winter or early next year in the spring that “will keep the community engaged,” according to Betsy Hurst, HOLA’s Executive Director.
place to study can ready him or her to begin their homework, just as washing their hands can prepare them for a meal. A 10-minute evening routine of tidying, making sure lunch ingredients are on hand, and laying out any needed school supplies and homework can give everyone a head start on the following day. In this climate of upheaval and change, the simple concept of organization can provide a school year advantage for children and equip them with skills that will last a lifetime. Call Closets by McKenry for imaginative organization solutions that will benefit the entire family.
Closets by McKenry
201 Center Park Drive, #1070 Knoxville, TN 37922 865.249.6382 2019 Closets Designer of the Year – Interior Design Society
HOLA Lakeway succeeded the Latino Task Force of Morristown in 2014. In 2018, the organization began to see a growth in the community of immigrant families from other parts of the world like India, Micronesia, and Pakistan and decided to expand its efforts to serve all immigrants in the community. Today HOLA Lakeway is a grassroots, community-based organization with the mission of meeting needs and improving the overall quality of life for the immigrant population in East Tennessee’s Lakeway region. HOLA Lakeway offers various educational programs, such as English and Spanish classes, but is also actively involved in a variety of grassroots projects such as coordinating with the COVID-19 Task Force and Hamblen County’s Complete Count Committee. For more information, or to volunteer or contribute to HOLA Lakeway’s activities, call 423-621-9065 or visit www.holalakeway.org.