Giggle Magazine August/September 2020

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publisher's letter

the broken magic 8-ball “Are they going back?”...That is the question du jour, right? I know I am secretly hoping my Magic 8-Ball tells me what the right decision is… send them back to their brick and mortar schools or keep them home to do homeschool or virtual. But, no matter how many times I shake it, it does not tell me with 100% certainty what to do. It must be broken!

our own families and children who all are coming from different perspectives and points in their schooling. No Magic 8-Ball can tell us the answer. After long days filled with many conversations, texts and Facebook conversations followed by sleepless nights and lots of herbal tea, we will come up with a decision that we know is best for our kids and our kids alone.

As I sit here and write this in early July, I am still debating myself and still shaking that silly ball. What IS the right decision? What do I do with my three children, all at different points in their schooling and all with different needs and wants? A 7th-grader who wants nothing more than to be back with his friends, take math in person and play basketball this year. A 9th-grader who should be embarking on his first day of high school carefree and with butterflies will be expected to wear a mask while trying to make new friends at a new school.

And, a son with an autoimmune disease who I know in my heart does best when in a classroom with the support of his teachers by his side.

We have a long road ahead of us, parents. It will be a bumpy couple of months full of anxiety and new “normals”, but we got this. You got this. And in the end, know you are not alone. You are in the trenches of parenting during a pandemic with thousands of other parents, who are right now shaking their Magic 8-Balls as well.

Anyone else feel my pain? Well, of course you do. I think that secretly gives me, and I am sure you and others, solace in knowing we are NOT alone in having to make these decisions. I mean, where is the parenting book “Raising Kids in a Pandemic” with all the answers? I surely haven’t seen one, but I think I may write one! There is NO simple answer, no matter how you look at it.

When it comes down to it, we will have to choose what is right for

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74 EXPECTING

Staying Active During Pregnancy 76 INFANT

Books Have Gone to the Babies!

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Discover the Magic of Playdough

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Arrr, Matey! International Talk Like a Pirate Day 82 KIDS

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Isolation in the Midst of a Pandemic: How to Help Your Tween Cope

28 mom's corner

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Filtering Out the Blue: What You Need To Know About Your Child's Screen Time 34 GET HEALTHY

Snacking Snafu: How and When Should Kids Snack?

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24 IN THE KITCHEN Easy Bento Box Lunches 26 DELISH Crazy For Cookies 28 DELISH Carmen's Quick Mexican Chicken

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A Letter From the Superintendent of Schools: Karen Clarke 70 FEATURED TEACHER

Brodie Roland

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August/September 2020

Must-Have Time-Savers

COUNTY’S

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• Issue 4 AUG/SEPT 2020 • Volume 12 gigglemagazine.com

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Child Behavior Through a Pandemic: A Personal Experience

College Applications: What Does Your Student REALLY Need to Apply?

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SCHOOL A LETTER FROM THE ALACHUA COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

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• Volume 12 • Issue 4 AUGUST/SEPTEMB ER 2020

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BAKC TO SCHOOL ISSUE

22 #MOMHACKS The Magical Minis

32 GET HEALTHY

86 TEENS

GIGGLE MAGAZINE

15 A DAY IN MOM'S LIFE A Year in the RV Life of Kristy Bickmeyer

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QUICK SEW FACE MASKS JOIN THE BENTO LUNCH BUNCH

P lus RISING ABOVE THE HATE

Teaching our children to live by the golden rule.

On the Cover:

Join the Bento Lunch Bunch PAGE 24 School Swag Your Kiddo Needs!

PAGE 30 Quick Sew Face Masks PAGE 46 Rising Above the Hate PAGE 54

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Rising Above the Hate: Teaching Children to Live by the Golden Rule

61

The Mask 411

A Letter From the Alachua County Superintendent PAGE 68

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mom's corner | a day in mom's life A YEAR IN THE

RV L I F E OF KRISTY BICKMEYER

Slow Your Roll Why we decided to opt out of the suburban rat race and live in an RV for 12 months Photos provided by Kristy Bickmeyer

BY KRISTY BICKMEYER

“Man, I wish I could do that!” This was the overwhelming response from friends and family when we shared with them our plan for Justin to quit his job, rent out our house, buy an RV and travel the country for the next nine to 12 months. Honestly, that was our reaction, too, when we first camped with some friends in January 2019 who were doing this very thing. As we talked about how cool it would be to follow in their footsteps, our conversation went from “must be nice” to “why not us?” So in March of 2019, Justin and I were having dinner before a Fleetwood Mac concert in Tampa when he told me that he wanted to get serious about making it happen, “it” being transitioning to living in an RV for a year. I was still on the fence about the plan (I like my space and my bubble baths) when Stevie Nicks spoke to me from the stage. She sang, “Time makes you bolder, children get older. I’m getting older, too.” Stevie had never steered me wrong before, so I decided to take her words to heart and go ALL-IN for the trip of a lifetime.

What I found through preparing for and actually taking the trip is that it’s not unattainable for most people. It just takes a little determination and a lot of planning.

Follow our journey on Instagram: @ramblin.fever

Schooling There are TONS of great homeschool options out there, but with our kids being only 6 and 8 years old and me not exactly being Charlotte Mason, we went with a less-is-more approach to homeschooling. Keeping in mind that our goal of the trip was to ENJOY our time together and slow down enough to really remember this year, we decided to only do school while we were driving. That way we would be able to explore our new locations once we arrived and not have to worry about school. This meant that sometimes, like when we were at Yosemite or Glacier National Park for five to seven days, we didn’t do any official “school” for that entire time. But, that doesn’t mean the kids weren’t learning.

The national parks have a cool program called the Junior Ranger program. Kids complete a workbook of science and social studies with tasks and worksheets related to the park, its landscape and the indigenous people of the area. Once completed, kids answer questions from a park ranger, take an oath and earn a badge from that national park, becoming a Junior Ranger. It was a far superior curriculum than I could have provided for science or social studies, AND they got cool vests and badges to show for all their hard work. Outside of the non-traditional learning the kids did, we opted for an

First Steps First The first step for us was to see if we could rent out our house and eliminate the mortgage and household expenses while we would be on the road. This would mean Justin could take a leave of absence from work and focus on the trip. We were lucky. Within the first five minutes of listing the house on Zillow, I had two phone calls from interested renters. They came to see it that weekend, and one signed the lease the same day. There was no backing out now.

Once the house was rented, we got serious about Justin’s exit strategy with his job, buying an RV, buying a tow vehicle, roughly planning our route and (the most intimidating part) figuring out how to homeschool our two children. The children were coming off of a particularly rough school year, so I had the strong sense that just being with them and doing things with them was going to be so much more important than anything academic. This year my kids needed to feel OK being who they are and knowing that they’re loved.

Above: Bickmeyer's children getting sworn in as Junior Rangers.

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mom's corner | a day in mom's life online curriculum for our third grader and a first-grade workbook curriculum for your younger child.

Road Map In terms of planning our trip, we stuck with our “less-is-more approach” here, too.

A word to the wise, if you’re considering doing a trip like this, or even just visiting a national park for a short vacation, it’s best to plan well in advance because places like Yellowstone book up a year in advance. So, for a few destinations like the more popular national parks, we did make reservations as soon as we knew we would be doing this trip. Other than the national parks and Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, we typically made reservations the same day using apps like RV Trip Wizard, RV Parky and RV Life. If you’re RVing on a strict budget, Harvest Host is a great option. This app shows farms, breweries and wineries in every state that allows RVers to park on their property for free. And, if push comes to shove and you find yourself low on funds and needing a place to sleep, there’s always a Walmart, Bass Pro Shops or Target parking lot with plenty of space.

Scheduling

We ran out of time out west and had to skip Washington and Oregon because we wanted to be in Florida for Christmas. We spent the majority of the winter in Florida and kicked off the second leg of our trip by heading south to visit the Kennedy Space Center and the Everglades. We were making our way up the East Coast when things started to get serious with the Coronavirus. So, in March we came home to Gainesville until we knew what we were dealing with. In June, we felt comfortable traveling again, so we headed out to cover the eastern part of the county until August.

How to Handle the Change Like anything in life, the key to being content and enjoying an experience is

managing your own expectations. For example, we learned very early on that our kids do NOT like to hike. We still made them do it and inevitably we would hear the words “worth it” once we reached the summit, but we knew to expect a lot of complaining, needing breaks and snacks along the way. We also learned that our kids need a rest day in between hiking and exploring days. While my husband and I were good to go on heavy hikes a few days in a row, our kids needed some downtime in between. Once we learned this, things ran much smoother. We also had to get comfortable with not showering as often as we would have liked, eating meals from gas stations some days, not having TV or internet for days at a time, and we had to be really, really OK with being around each other CONSTANTLY.

Sacrifices We are not remarkable people in remarkable circumstances. We are a family that wanted to slow down time, enjoy our kids and enjoy this country. So, we made choices and sacrifices that helped to make this a reality. While my husband did quit his job because a leave of absence was not possible, I continued to work

from the road to maintain our income. My company, Twinkle Toes Nanny Agency, is now a franchise and I can step back from the day-to-day operations and remotely oversee each location. I would highly recommend having at least one parent not work or work opposite schedules remotely so that someone can handle the day-today of the trip: the driving, cooking meals, homeschooling, planning, etc. The nature of working in America was trending to remote even before COVID-19, and now, it’s even more the norm. There are over a million Americans who live this lifestyle full time, taking advantage of the flexibility of remote work options.

We hiked to magnificent waterfalls, we got within 10 feet of a grizzly bear, we went whitewater rafting, we saw John Prine live at Red Rocks, we went to a rodeo, rode on a real coal train, went to over 20 national parks, got chased by a tarantula and we visited friends and family we hadn’t seen in years who the kids had never met. We consider ourselves beyond lucky to live in such a beautiful country and to have the opportunity to be able to travel and see so much of it.

Want to submit a friend (or yourself!) to be featured in A Day in a Mom's Life? Visit gigglemagazine.com to submit now!

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Photos provided by Kristy Bickmeyer

From August to December, we headed out west and did most states west of the Oklahoma/Kansas/Nebraska line, and this is where we hit the major national parks.

There are simply no words to describe how remarkably beautiful these parks are. Many are clustered close enough to each other that you could easily visit three or four parks in one week-long vacation.

Top Left: Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico; Top Right: Hiking through the Narrows in Zion National Park; Bottom Left: Watching the sunset in Bandlands National Park; Bottom Right: Roadside pinic dinner in Dallas.

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# bossmom

mom's corner | #bossmom

As a mom, you quite literally do it all! Between working and making sure your kiddo gets to school with a matching pair of shoes, it proves to be the toughest job anyone could do. Our Giggle moms have shared with us what makes them a #BossMom, and we are all for it!

Tamerin (Tammy) Dygert Executive Director of Market Development for March of Dimes (Central Florida Territory)

Photos courtesy of Tammy Dygert

There is no time like the present. For Tamerin Dygert, the decision to go back to school while raising a family and working full time was about setting aside excuses, putting on the “oxygen mask” and working toward her goals with her family’s support.

What made you want to go back to school?

The short answer is: I love learning – professionally and personally.

Even as an undergrad, I couldn’t settle on just one path, so I was a double major in Theatre and English. I also received my Maryland State Teaching Certification. In my career, I’ve held many roles: teacher, program manager and executive director. I recognize the importance of serving the needs of adult learners, and I love identifying other people’s strengths while helping them fill skill-gaps. Over the past several years, as my company has served more remote work environments, I saw the advantage of staying current with technology trends, specifically in the learning and development field. In 2019, I received my Certificate in Instructional Design through UF’s College of Teaching and Learning. This let me explore learning trends to help me not only be a better manager but to fulfill my own desire to learn something new. I love being in service to helping others make and reach goals, regardless of my official title. Pursuing an advanced degree not only makes professional sense but also adds a good deal of personal enrichment.

Where are you obtaining your degree?

The University of Florida (Go Gators!)

What are you studying?

I will be pursuing my Masters in Education (M.Ed.) with an emphasis in Educational Technology.

How are you planning on balancing work, family and school?

With grace and plenty of planning! I am not a very impulsive person, except maybe when it comes to travel. I thrive on selfmanagement (since time can’t be “managed,” I prefer to think of how I manage myself within the time given). Since I recently completed the certificate program while working full time (and still managed a 4.0), I had a good practice run. Because UF offers this program fully online, it’s perfect for working professionals and parents. This is not to say it will be easy, but it’s definitely GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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mom's corner | #bossmom manageable. To me, it’s really a matter of scheduling – something parents and managers are familiar with! It’s also a matter of setting priorities; start with the important things first like family needs and then calculate how much time to dedicate to study and group work.

All but one of the courses in this program are eight weeks long. I’ve found that I can really accomplish anything in eight weeks if I plan accordingly. My life has been spent in non-profit work, which is full of non-traditional scheduling and requires a lot of flexibility. In many ways, I feel like I’ve been training for this for a while.

What do you think will be the hardest part of going back to school, raising your family and working full time?

Sticking to a routine can be challenging at times, so I just need to keep it front-and-center. Tim and I are also about to have a teenager in the house, so I need to remember that there will be new emotional needs. Keeping my own mental and physical health in balance so I can be present for my family will also need to be a top priority. I am so grateful for my regular yoga practice!

Why now? Why is this the best time?

Although I had already been thinking about this well over a year ago, it seems like now – even during (or because of ) a pandemic – is the perfect time to learn more about technology. I like to believe our world is on the cusp of great invention and creativity. I also know that anything I invest in like this will make me a better manager and will keep me flexible for the future. I feel inspired by what I see in the training and development field, and I want to be in service to that growth. I am a lifelong learner and imagine I will be like my grandmother who, in her 70s, continued to take classes.

Learning is just in my blood. I also want my soon-to-be teenager to remember that you are never too young or too old to learn something new. Education, like travel, is an investment that keeps on giving. If you want it, the time is always right.

If you could share some advice to other moms/dads who are thinking of going back after they have had children, what would you tell them?

Do it! What’s stopping you? There will always be excuses – believe me, I’ve made up many of my own (“it’s a selfish indulgence,” “can

Tammy in 1993 at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), earning a BA in Theatre and English Education.

I afford this?” “I won’t have time,” “maybe when my daughter is older,” “I don’t need another degree,” etc.).

Think of the image of putting that oxygen mask on you first.

That oxygen is there to help you, so you can help others. If your desire to get more education is truly important to you, a fire in your belly, you can find a way to make it happen. If nothing else, find a motivational quote to look at each day as inspiration. I constantly collect quotes and rotate them to keep me motivated, especially during times of change. Over my desk now is this one by psychologist Abraham Maslow:

“ One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth.

Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.

”

Right now, I choose the path of growth and am excited about this new adventure.

Are you a #BossMom or do you know one?

Do you work hard at home and at work? Giggle Magazine wants to hear your story!

Visit Gigglemagazine.com to submit your #BossMom for a chance to be featured in one of our upcoming issues.

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Photos courtesy of Tammy Dygert

What did your family say when you told them you wanted to go back?

They were largely supportive. My daughter, Autumn, was initially concerned about the time commitment. When I reminded her about how I did it during the certificate process, she felt better.

She just needed reassurance that this will be a temporary period and that she wasn’t going to lose mom-daughter time. My husband Tim has always been one of my biggest supporters and still is. After all, he and I met and got married during the height of our theatre careers – which were anything but routine.

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# momhacks

mom's corner | #momhacks

We all know that the hardest job you can have is being a parent! The days are definitely long and the years are astonishingly short and some days you might feel like you’re going through the struggles alone. But, we are here to share with you that in the rise of technology and “life hacks,” there are a lot of tools and gadgets out there that can make being a parent a little less stressful! Check out the gadgets our Giggle readers can’t life without!

The Magical Minis

BY NICOLE IRVING

All us moms know how easily our purses can be weighed down with wipes, diapers, fruit snacks and not to mention ALL our must-haves! Enter the magical minis! All our must-haves in smaller, easy to carry sizes that will keep that purse light and ready for the day, void of shoulder and back pain.

1. Mini Altoids ® $0.99, Target 2. Ankle Band-Aid ® $4.79, Target 3. Mini sticky notes $2.59, Target 4. L'Oréal® Mini Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold Hairspray $6.99, Mass Retailers

11. Swingline® Tot Mini Stapler $2.99,Target 12. Hand sanitizer $1.95, Bath and Body Works

6. Tylenol® $1.99, Target

13. Scunci® 3 Classic Color Spiral Twisters $3, Target

8. Batiste® Tropical Mini Dry Shampoo - 1.6 fl oz $1.48, Target GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

10. Tums® $1.79, Target

5. Vaseline Lip Therapy® $1.79, Target

7. U-Brands® Soft Touch Felt Tip Pens 3 for $6.99, Target

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9. Sukk® Stainless Steel Extendable Drinking Straw $11, sukkstraws.com

14. Scunci® Elevated Basic Mini Bobby Pins $2.79, Target

This Summer at the Cade Skate at The Cade THROUGH AUGUST 23 Learn more at CadeMuseum.org/Skate

Space: Moon to Mars THROUGH OCTOBER 31 Learn more at CadeMuseum.org/Moon-to-Mars

5 6

Brain: The World Inside Your Head SEPTEMBER 19 – JANUARY 2 Learn more at CadeMuseum.org/Brain

Funded in part by:

The Cade is a museum for all ages, and is currently open on a modified schedule. Please call or visit CadeMuseum.org/plan-your-visit to confirm the days and times the museum is open.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

23

l forks and spoons | in the kitchen

Easy Bento Box Lunches

Carbohydrates Granola Chex cereal Mini rice cakes Pretzels Whole wheat bread Pasta salad Nacho chips Pita bread

Treat Rice crispy treat Mini cookies Animal crackers Chocolate covered pretzels Chocolate covered raisins

Bento lunches are some of our favorites! You can mix and match small portions of healthy snacks and options to give your kiddos a well-balanced, yummy lunch, making them the hit of the lunch room.

carbohy FRUITS drates

TR

s p di pro

EAT tein dai VEGE

ry

tables

Dairy Baby bell cheese or cheese sticks Cheddar cubes Mini yogurts

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Sauces/Dips

Caramel dipping sauce Ranch Guacamole

Nutella Salsa Hummus

Fruits Raspberries Blueberries Clementine slices Strawberries Mango Pineapple Applesauce packets Apple slices Banana slices

Protein Beef jerky Tuna or chicken salad Peanut butter Boiled eggs Rolled up deli meat Nut mix

Vegetables Mini carrots Broccoli bites Edamame Cut fresh peppers Green beans Cucumber slices Celery sticks

WHY DO KIDS GET ALL THE perks?

SIGN UP & RECEIVE:

Join our Club to get benefits and highlights just for you, the parents!

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25

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY

l forks and spoons | delish

AUGUST 4

CRAZY FOR Cookies America's Beloved Chocolate Chip Cookie

BY NICOLE IRVING

Warm chocolate chip cookies seem to make everything in a child’s life better! (and for some adults, too). Tests, breakups, bad days at school… everything melts away at first bite of that soft ooey-gooey cookie. In honor of August 4, National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day of course, we dive into America’s favorite cookie and take a look at what makes it so sweet and special!

What is America's favorite cookie?

53 15

Chocolate Chip Cookies

16

Peanut Butter Cookies

16

Other Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies

(thecravory.com)

JULY 25, 2017 Matt Stonie, a competitive eater who weighs a whopping 130 pounds, downed 203 Chips Ahoy! cookies and one gallon of milk in 27 minutes and 33 seconds, according to the website dailymail.com. This light snack weighed 12 pounds and was

12,800 calories!

Sub the Chips for Nibs!

26

For a healthier option of the traditional chocolate chip cookie, try something new and substitute half of the chocolate chips for cacao nibs, chocolate in the purest form. Nibs are dried and fermented bits of the cacao bean which are low in sugar and are full of antioxidants that help fight free radicals.

In addition, nibs are full of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese and copper, according to Healthline, an online health resource. Not as sweet at the traditional chocolate chip, they have a deep bitter and nutty chocolate flavor.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Chewy or crunchy, that is the question.

No doubt we love our chocolate chip cookies, but do we love them crunchy and crumbly or chewy and soft? We want to know!

84% chewy

16% crunchy

We wanted to know, so we polled our Facebook followers and this is what 237 of them had to say:

Nestle produces

250 million chocolate chips every day!

The GuINess Book of World Records

notes that the world's largest chocolate chip cookie was baked by the Immaculate Baking Company from Flat Rock, North Carolina on May 17, 2003. It measured at 8,120 square feet and weighed 40,000 pounds with a diameter of 101 feet.

YUM!

Our beloved Cookie Monster never actually eats cookies! Nope! They are actually rice cakes painted to appear as cookies so that he doesn’t get grease in his fur from real cookies, according to the website muppet.fandom.com.

hip cookie c e t la o c The cho te cookie of is the sta

POPULAR ADD-INS

M&M’s Walnuts Pecans Oatmeal Peanut butter Nutella Raisins

t ts! se u h c a Mass

history of the cookie Our beloved cookie was actually created by accident! According to epicurous.com in the 1930s, the owner of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts, Ruth Wakefield, added broken chocolate bar pieces of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate into her drop cookie batter. She thought the chocolate would melt, however she was surprised to see that they stayed in their form, creating a variation of the chocolate chip cookie we know today. Ruth named the cookie “Chocolate Crunch Cookie,” and she published the recipe in the newspaper.

According to kitchenproject.com, she made a deal with Nestle that they could put the recipe on their chocolate bar wrappers if they supplied her with free chocolate for her cookies at the Inn. Nestle bought her recipe in the late 1930s and paid her with a lifetime supply of chocolate, according to thecravory.com.

MRS. WAKEFIELD'S ORIGINAL TOLL HOUSE COOKIE RECIPE: This recipe originally belonged to Ruth Wakefield’s. The recipe was found on newengland.com, an online resource for the New England region.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup unsalted butter (plus more for baking sheets)

¾ cup firmly packed light-brown sugar ¾ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved into 1 teaspoon hot water 2 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon table salt 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat your oven to 375°.

2. Cream the butter and sugars.

Add the beaten eggs. Add the baking soda dissolved in hot water.

3. Sift together the flour and salt and add to the butter mixture.

Then stir in the nuts, chocolate chips and vanilla extract.

4. Chill the dough.

5. Drop by the tablespoonful onto lightly greased cookie sheets and bake until browned at the edges, 10 to 12 minutes.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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l forks and spoons | delish Ingredients Serves 4-6

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 1 ½ lbs.)

1 small onion, diced

CARMEN’S Quick MEXICAN CHICKEN RECIPE BY CARMEN BASILE

Busy night ahead and dreading dinner time? No worries!

This quick, easy and nutritious dinner will sure to be a family favorite!

1 large carrot, diced 1 stalk celery, diced 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced ½ sweet red pepper, diced 2 tbsp. pitted black olives or stuffed green olives, sliced in half 1 ½ tbsp. prepared chili powder 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin ½ tsp. ground sage ¾ cup white rice 1 ½- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth or bullion ¼ cup vegetable oil ½ tsp. red pepper flakes, more or less as desired Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions Clean and wash the chicken breasts well. Pat as dry as possible and then cut into small bite-sized pieces. Preheat a large heavy-bottom skillet on moderate high heat and add oil when pan is hot.

Generously salt and pepper the chicken pieces, add to skillet and brown on both sides. Remove browned chicken pieces to a bowl and set aside, keeping oil and drippings in pan.

Lower heat to moderate. Add all the vegetables and garlic and stir until onion is translucent. Add the rice and stir until the rice is completely coated with hot oil, and continue to stir until the rice just starts to turn golden. Add a bit more oil if required. Add the broth, chili powder, cumin, sage, red pepper flakes, and ground black pepper to taste, and stir until combined. Add the browned chicken pieces along with any accumulated juices and distribute evenly into the pan contents.

Bring heat to low and cover pan. Cook until rice is done and a small amount of liquid remains in bottom of pan. Let sit in covered pan for 5-10 minutes and serve.

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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giggle stamp | back to school

CL ASS IN

Session

Fiskars Color Change Folding Ruler $3.99, Staples Fiskars MVP Non-stick Pointed-tip and Blunt-tip Kids Scissors $3.74 each, Amazon

GEAR UP FOR Product photos courtesy of manufacturers.

Vera Bradley Cord Organizer $35, verabradley.com

All Purpose Sneaker Wipes $7.99/pack of 12 sneakerlab.com

Clipfolio $26, riflepaperco.com

Yoobiâ„¢ Pencil Case Pink Ziggy $9.99, Target

Stitched Notebook Set $15 for 3, riflepaperco.com

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Squishy Notebook $12, The Bungalow

giggle stamp | back to school

Lunch BUNCH Check out page 24 for some yummy bento lunch combinations!

Product photos courtesy of manufacturers.

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Keep on Truckin Lunch Bag $30, dabbawallabags.com

Airpod Case $25, riflepaperco.com Sharing BFF Bracelet $10, The Bungalow

B AC K

Packin'

Trans by JanSport 17 Supermax Backpack Desert Flower $35.99, Target

Crckt 16.5 inch Kids' Backpack $19.99, Target

Munchkin Bento Box Toddler Lunch Box $19.99, Target

Vera Bradley Campus Backpack $115, verabradley.com

Herschel Little America Backpack $109, herschel.com

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

31

health | get healthy

Filtering Out The Blue: What You Need To Know About Your Child’s Screen Time

BY JACQUELINE SAGUIN

It’s a phone illuminating a dark bedroom. A tablet settled on a lap, casting a blue glow. Electronic devices surround our everyday lives. And for a child, it’s their greatest form of entertainment. But, are their eyes paying the price?

In a world in which we schedule virtual work meetings and stream movies at a hefty subscription fee, but with a tap of a finger, we can neither stow away our devices nor ignore the consequences.

Enter the newest wellness trend: bluelight-filtering lenses. Online eyeglass services and walk-in stores sell these glasses stamped with a promise that it may protect your eyes. It’s time to step beyond the frames and consider the “may.”

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT? According to a Harvard Medical School article, blue light is visible light with more energy than light compared to other visible light energies. The immediate example our minds wander to are digital screens. The sun is actually the primary source of blue light, but blue light also comes from LED lights, fluorescent lights and television screens. White LEDs from lights can emit more blue light than other sources, even though the blue light might not be visible, the article said.

IS BLUE LIGHT HARMFUL? Despite public perception, there’s little evidence showing that high blue light

32

exposure from screens damages a child’s eyes. As the Harvard article said, iPhones feature a max brightness of about 625 candelas per square meter, while retail store lights have an illumination twice as bright. And, these are minuscule in comparison to the sun’s light emissions.

Its greatest crime is eye strain manifested as dry eyes, easily remedied with some shut-eye and eye drops. Eye strain happens when focusing on anything for too long, like reading a book for hours.

Encourage your child to take breaks and hold their devices at arm’s length. Blue light’s effect on sleep pattern is another story — it’s the greatest saboteur.

Blue light disrupts your circadian rhythm, or your internal alarm clock, more than traditional light sources, according to the Harvard article. People can actually benefit from its wavelengths during the daytime by increasing attention, but limit your child’s device usage about one to two hours before tucking them into bed. Melatonin is suppressed by light exposure, so an environment void of blue light is important in letting your child’s body produce melatonin and prepare for

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

sleep, according to a National Center for Biotechnology Information article.

HELPFUL OR HYPE? Should I buy my child blue light glasses?

While there’s no evidence proving that screen time harms children’s eyes, it’s still a young technology that hasn’t existed long enough to show its long-term effects.

And considering our children’s growing consumption, there’s a reason to feel concerned. It's why people buy into bluelight-filtering lenses.

Blue light glasses have special lenses said to filter out the blue light emitted from digital screens. Eyeglass services claim that these lenses protect from screen glare and reduce potential eye damage from prolonged blue light exposure, according to a Cleveland Clinic article.

Regardless of whether or not you choose to purchase a pair for your child, take preventative measures like minimizing phone, laptop and television use at night to avoid the blue light effects that hinder a child’s sleep pattern. A good night’s sleep for them is a good night’s sleep for you, too.

*Always talk to your pediatrician before getting new eye wear for your child.

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(352) 204-0120 | gainesvilledpcmd.com GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

33

health | get healthy

Snacking Snafu: How and When Should Kids Snack?

BY TRACY WRIGHT

Snacking is essential

for children to ensure that their energy and nutrient needs are met. The type of snacks that a child is given or allowed to choose from is most important.

Snacking can be part of a kid’s healthy lifestyle if done right. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends that children up to age 19 should eat every three to four hours to support an active lifestyle for their growing bodies. Younger children should eat three meals and two snacks a day, while adolescents should eat three meals and one snack (two snacks may be recommended if they are particularly active).

Snacks should be offered a few hours after the last meal but not too close to the next meal.

“Snacking is essential for children to ensure that their energy and nutrient needs are met,” said Lakisha Crumpler, RD, LD/N, Youth Programs Specialist in the University of Florida/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program. “The type of snacks that a child is given or allowed to choose from is most important.

Parents and guardians should ensure that snack items are not high in fat, sugar and sodium.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding processed foods as snacks as much as possible.

Snacks and their association with children have had an up and down reputation over the years. Many years ago, some of us may have heard our moms admonish any type of snacking with the warning “you’ll spoil your dinner!” Snacking’s reputation has improved as nutritionists recommend snacks in between meals to supplement healthy eating and prevent overindulgence. Snacking can be nutritious fuel for active kids as long as the right snack choices are made. But, with the proliferation of prepackaged snacks, sugary drinks, sodas, coffee and an increased on-the-go lifestyle, kids are often choosing more unhealthy snacks to feed their hunger throughout the day.

98% of children snack at least once a day compared to 74% in 1978, according to a University of North Carolina study. And, what they do snack on is most often salty chips, desserts, sports drinks and fruit juices laden with sugar — equaling nearly 27% or 600 calories of their daily food consumption. Gone from popularity are healthy options like fruits, veggies, water or milk, the study reported.

Extra and unhealthy snacking becomes even more worrisome when we consider these sobering statistics from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. In 2018, 18.5% of all children ages 2 to 19 were considered obese. Even more worrisome is that Hispanic and black children are more at risk for obesity than nonHispanic white children.

34

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

“Processed foods do not have many nutrients and often have a lot of added sugar and salt. In addition, children may become hungry faster after eating processed foods,” the AAP warns.

The AAP advises using snack time as a way to up fruit and vegetable consumption. At home, keep fresh fruits and vegetables visible and accessible on the counter or in your refrigerator. Look for healthy and balanced snacks that provide a good mix of protein and fiber that will keep your child feeling full, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (see attached sidebar).

What about stopping unnecessary snacking? Parents should avoid offering kids a fun snack to keep them busy or as a frequent reward for good behavior. For children who want to munch all day, the AAP recommends looking deeper into the “why” of snacking. If you are confident that your child is getting three balanced meals and one to two healthy snacks each day, then there should be no reason for extra snacks.

Is your child just bored or using food to fill feelings of low selfesteem, loneliness or stress? Offer fun alternatives to snacking like going outside for bike rides or sports, practicing arts and crafts or playing board games.

“Children are rapidly growing and always expending energy.

Balanced meals, which include consuming foods from all food groups along with nutrient dense snacks, may curtail excessive snacking,” Crumpler said.

HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS • Homemade trail mix with whole grains, dried fruits, unsalted peanuts and mini pretzels • Celery and peanut butter • Fruit pizza (½ whole grain English muffin topped with low-fat cream cheese and chopped fresh fruit) • Chopped fresh fruits and vegetables with dips like hummus, nut butters and low-fat yogurt-based dressings • Whole grain crackers and low-fat cheese • Smoothies with fruits, vegetables and low-fat milk or yogurt • Roasted chickpeas • Fruit and yogurt parfait with low-fat yogurt, granola and fresh or frozen fruit *Snack suggestions courtesy of the UF/IFAS Extension Family Nutrition Program and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

35

health | get healthy

Jade vs. Rose Quartz :

Home of Chiji Face Rollers, $29.99, homeofchiji.com

Jade:

Pick the Perfect Facial Roller

BY AMANDA ROLAND

Overall, facial rollers could be a great addition to any beauty routine. And, unlike a lot of other beauty products, it is a sustainable anti-aging product that doesn’t require you to buy more than one product or use excess plastic packaging.

One question you may have is, “How do I pick the right facial roller?” Here, we have a side-by-side comparison of jade rollers vs rose quartz rollers so you can pick the perfect one for you!

Jade has been used in Chinese Medicine for centuries, and experts have found evidence in ancient texts to support the use of jade for evening out complexations, according to Healthline.

Jade rolling promotes blood flow and better circulation in the face, bringing brightness to the skin.

Jade does not stay cool for very long; however, you can heat up the ends of your jade roller by rubbing the stones in your hands for a couple of seconds.

This will slightly warm the stones for a soothing sensation on the skin.

Want a roller with de-puffing formula?

INC.Redible De-Puffing Under Eye Jade Roller, $15 , Sephora

goop Rose Quartz Soothing Face-Massage Roller $45, goop.com

Rose Quartz: Rose quartz is believed to be the stone of love and connected to the heart chakra. Some believe that certain stones or crystals have “energies” that can be passed on to those who use them, according to Imagine Skincare.

With rose quartz being the stone of love, many people believe that using this stone could bring healing, love or romance into one’s life.

This stone in particular stays cold for a long time. The coolness of the stone

rolling on your skin can be very calming for some and could reduce redness on the face.

Rose quartz is known more for its ability to reduce wrinkles on the face, according to BeautyBio, an online beauty and skincare resource.

Because of the stone’s composition, it is harder and more durable than Jade and could last longer.

Tips & Tricks When Using Your Roller

36

Put your facial rollers in the fridge overnight for a cool, refreshing facial massage in the morning.

Use the small end of your facial roller for small, delicate areas like the skin around your eyes.

Always use your facial roller in an outward motion, rolling away from the inside of your face.

Apply a dime sized amount of facial lotion, cream, oil or serum to the face before using your facial roller. This will allow the roller to roll over the skin with ease. Also, the roller will help push any skincare products into the skin as you massage your face.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Actual size of needed lotion

Product photos courtesy of manufacturers.

If you have been on Instagram lately, there is a chance you may have come across these things called facial rollers.

They are beauty tools with stones at either end of the tool that can be rolled across the face in a “paint-roller” style motion. Some key benefits that you could experience from facial rolling include tighter skin, a brighter complexion, reduced anxiety, improved blood circulation to the face and a decrease in facial puffiness just to name a few, according to Healthline, an online health resource.

Jade is assumed to be connected with the heart chakra, and experts believe that it can bring balance and harmony to one’s life, according to Well + Good, an online health and wellness resource.

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37

health | get pretty

Fall Fingertips

BY NICOLE IRVING

Warm fall hues are never more perfectly displayed than on freshly manicured fingers. This year, as the temperature drops and the leaves begin to change, add one of these autumn inspired colors to your nail polish collection.

Garnet Mineral Fusion $8.99 mineralfusion.com The rich garnet gem color is screaming “wear me� this season!

Spiked With Style essie $11.49,Target The perfect soft mauve for every skin tone!

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Precious Cargo-Go expressessie $8.99, Target A subtle yet statement green for Autumn nails.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

In a Flash Sale expresessie $8.99, Target Who says pumpkin is just for lattes?

This polish is the essence of fall!

Little Plum Dress ella + mila $10.49, Target Plum is all the rage this fall, and what better way to show it than with this pretty lacquer! This polish is a vegan product, free of animal products, animal cruelty-free and PETA-certified.

Take Me to Thread essie $11.49, Target Deep hues of maroon and red come together for this polish.

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39

health | get pretty

A Little Help From Our Friends

Say Bye-Bye to Boring Brows

Need somewhere to start?

Check out these products that will take your brow game from drab to fab in no-time!

BY KARA WINSLOW ILLUSTRATION BY GRACE DOWNEY

Your eyebrows can make or break your face. Brows give your face structure and strength, but you have to be careful! If you do them incorrectly, they can overpower your face. Here are some basic tips for creating the perfect brow.

2. All about the arch. For the arch of the brow, make an imaginary line from the bottom of your nose through the outside color of your eye up to your brow. This is where the arch of your brow should be. If your arch is in the wrong place, you can look permanently scarred, mad or confused. Not a good look!

3. A tell tail sign. For the tail of your brow, draw an imaginary line from the end at your nose past the corner of your eye to your brow.

This is where the tail of your brow should end. The tail is what gives your face strength.

If the tail isn’t long enough, it weakens the face.

40

4. Color me impressed. If your hair is dark, always color in and do your brows about three shades lighter than your natural hair color. If they are too dark, they will overpower your face. If your hair is light, use a product that is three shades darker than your natural color.

5. Grooming is key. A good tip is to have your eyebrows professionally shaped. It will make penciling them in easier. Waxing is one option, but many people have allergic reactions to the waxing process or the wax, and it can cause itchy bumps on the face.

Threading and classic tweezing are other options. Make sure your technician measures your brows when they do them so that you end up with the perfect shape for your face.

Typically, this should be done about every three weeks.

6. Shape it up. When coloring in your eyebrows with products, create the shape of your brow. First, brush your hairs up toward your arch with a spoolie. Start with the bottom of the brow and going up, do light feathery strokes until you get to the arch.

Then do light strokes, shaping the top of the brows and angle down to the tail of the brow. Fill in the center of the brow and brush through. Keep the front of the brow with a natural shape. The square, ombréd front of the brow will date you. For an added effect, you can set your brows with eyebrow gel and/ or shape them even more by outlining the edges with a bit of concealer.

Remember: Brows are sisters, NOT twins!

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Bliss Poetic Waxing Hair Removal Kit $24, Target

IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil $24.99, ITCosmetics.com

Urban Decay Inked Brow Semi-Permanent Brow Gel $26, Ulta

L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Micro Ink Pen $10.99, Mass Retailers Nationwide

Product photos courtesy of manufacturers.

1. Start by evaluating your brows. Draw an imaginary line from the edge of your nose straight up to your eyebrow. This is where the head of your brow should start. If it starts too far away from your nose, your eyes will look far set. Too close to your nose and your eyes will look too close set.

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41

ADVERTISEMENT

FAMILY FIRST

Weseman family photos by Footstone Photography

W E S E M A N H O M E S & R E N O V AT I O N S

Built on the Foundation of Family

F

rom the very beginning, Michael Weseman, Alachua County’s premier on-site general contractor and owner of Weseman Homes & Renovations in Alachua County, knew that building family homes was always his path. “He comes from a long line of builders and grew up on the job site,” said Lauren, his wife of six years. He went to Gainesville High School and studied at Santa Fe College where he earned an Associate in Science degree in Building Construction Technology. Michael, who has over 10 years of experience in the real estate arena, has a passion for building family homes and a vision for his company to remain a “hometown name you can trust.”

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Today, Weseman Homes & Renovations is growing by leaps and bounds as they bring new family homes to the Gainesville community. The company works alongside Kristen Rabell and Rebecca Johnson of the Rabell Realty Group in the suburban neighborhood of Grand Oaks Gainesville. Situated in the heart of Gainesville with towering oaks and pristine landscaping, Grand Oaks Gainesville is a neighborhood like no other.

The current plan for Grand Oaks Gainesville consists of 126 lots in Phase I with 2 more Phases for a total of 304 homes, a pool, covered pavilion, a sprawling green area for kids to play, and a surrounding commercial

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

development that includes shopping, restaurants and more. Michael's homes in Grand Oaks Gainesville are smart homes starting in the low $300s that are built with the ability to control your homes security, lighting, air condition and even lock your door from the palm of your hand with an app. They will also be zoned for our community’s A rated schools.

Grand Oaks Gainesville is a premier destination, as it is only a short drive to Celebration Pointe, the University of Florida, Shands at UF Health, North Florida Regional Medical Center and I-75. If you are looking for your next home, Grand Oaks Gainesville by Weseman Homes & Renovations is your perfect destination!

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Weseman family photos by Footstone Photography

spending time with them more than anything. “There is nothing more important to him than spending time with his family. Whether it is going to the lake, beach or just taking time on the weekend, time with his kids is of the utmost importance… He is never scared to say how much he loves them or give them a kiss, even if it’s not the “manly” thing to do,” said Lauren. One day, Michael hopes that his children may want to follow in their father’s footsteps.

Above: Weseman's children, Brantley, 4 years old, Brooke, 7 months old, and Bryce, 2 years old.

Building a new home can be a daunting task, but Weseman Homes & Renovations are there every step of the way to make it an easy process. As the general contractor on the project, Michael will be there to answer any questions and will not leave any details out. What makes Weseman Homes & Renovations’ residences superior is Michael’s dedication and unwavering commitment to the families that will live in the houses he and his team builds. To Michael, each home is just not a roof over someone's head but it is where people will grow, live and share experiences together as a family.

“I will never forget the first home Michael built and sold. It was for a young family that was so excited to start their lives in this home,” Lauren said. “I will remember him saying what an honor it was to think he played a part in this.”

With each nail, tile and driveway, Michael and his team bring dream homes to life.

Michael is above all else a true family man. Today, Michael is the doting and loving father to three beautiful children, Brantley, 4 years old, Bryce, 2 years old, and Brooke, just 7 months old. They are the driving force behind his success as a general contractor. According to Lauren, what makes him a great father is that he is thoughtful, caring and values

Michael’s love for his family drives his company, and it is why he builds each home as if he was building it for his own family. Michael brings his talent, expertise and eye for detail to every house and project he is on, making him one of the most sought after homebuilders in the area. “There is not one house or job that I do not have my hands on the majority of the work.

As we grow, that may not fully remain, but for now, I believe it helps keep our quality higher.

And, I believe we already do extra to pay attention to the small details that make a house a home for buyers,” Michael said. In addition to building homes, some of his most adored jobs are his kitchen remodels, porch remodels, additions and fences.

Alongside Kristen Rabell and Rebecca Johnson, Owner/ Brokers of Rabell Realty Group, Weseman Homes & Renovations is ready to build the home of your dreams! Call Kristen or Rebecca at Rabell Realty Group today!

SUPERIOR CRAFTMANSHIP We had our home built

by Mike Weseman of Weseman Homes & Renovations. The craftsmanship is superior and the selection of finished is top of the line.

Mike listened to the small changes we wanted and implemented them flawlessly. You will not be disappointed.

-FRANK & CATHY KOLOSKY

UNQUESTIONABLE WORK ETHIC I have worked with Mike Weseman on various occasions over the past several years and find him to have always been a wonderful real estate agent and builder. His attention to detail and superior work ethic cannot be questioned from my experience.

-DR. JORDAN WEBB

Kristen Rabell & Rebecca Johnson Brokers/Owners Rabell Realty Group

(352) 642-8518 • GrandOaksGNV.com 5213 SW 91st Terrace Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32608

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happy home | 2 cents

Reward Yourself!

BY RACHEL WIENER

“And do you want to sign up for our rewards system?” We’ve all heard this question when purchasing our items at the register. For many of us, we are unsure if we should say yes or no. It seems as if saying yes will save us money and time, but is that really the case?

PROS

Rewards systems involve earning points or discounts for transactions on a specific credit card. When you purchase things with your card, you gain points that can be used toward a reward in the future. It seems as if every major company offers a rewards system these days, so it’s about time we properly educate ourselves and see if it’s really worth it.

We’ve done some research and gathered some words of wisdom from a financial advisor so the next time you are asked that question, you are prepared to answer it.

Financial Advisor Fred Hilton of CAMPUS Investment Services at CAMPUS USA Credit Union shared great advice regarding rewards programs: “Understand the company’s procedure. You may lose your rewards if you have a late payment or exceed your limit. Last year 16 billion dollars, reward points or flyer miles went unredeemed. If you are using a rewards card, get the rewards you are paying for.”

Next time you are asked about signing up for a rewards system, think about the pros and cons, and make sure to ask these questions: • Are there annual fees?

• Are there reward limits?

• Are the rewards (cash back, discounts, free travel, etc.) something that will benefit you at this point in your life?

• What is the interest rate?

• Is it a “use it or lose it” rewards program?

If you like the answers to all those questions, go for it! You will be saving cash and gaining rewards. But, if the answers to those questions seem concerning, maybe your answer should be “No, thank you!”

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Earning money: Who doesn’t want extra cash?

With some rewards systems, if you use the card correctly and intelligently, you can end up earning money on your everyday purchases.

Easy savings: Sometimes rewards cardholders are allowed to transfer their cash back rewards into a savings account. Easy savings are the best savings.

Taxes: Some rewards systems allow cardholders to pay their taxes with their reward points.

Bonus rewards: Sometimes your credit card rewards system allows you to go on adventures or buy things you wouldn’t normally purchase.

CONS High interest rates: Cards that offer cash back rewards sometimes come with high interest rates.

Read the fine print!

Annual fees: Some rewards systems offer little to no annual fees while others require a high annual fee, so watch out.

High limits: Most rewards systems require spending a lot of money in order to get the rewards. So if you don’t plan on spending a lot of money on this card, it may not be worth it to sign up.

Careless spending: The biggest downside to rewards systems is the temptation to overspend.

Many people tell themselves that spending more will end up being less expensive since they will receive reward points or cash back, but that’s not always the case.

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happy home | make it

Quick Sew Face Masks

To keep yourself and others safe, Alachua County requires face masks to be worn in public when entering businesses. Since surgical and N95 face masks are only meant to be used by medical staff, it’s time to get crafty and make your own DIY Face Mask! This easy face mask can be made using a sewing machine or by hand, and you can use any fabric that you want! Keep the community safe by making and wearing your own face mask!

BY AMANDA ROLAND

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Before you begin, iron out your fabric. This will make it easier to measure and cut.

2. Measure and cut your fabric. Use the measurement guide to help you choose the size of your fabric. You can adjust these measurements depending on the head size of the person wearing the mask. After you decide on your measurements, measure out your square of fabric using a tape measure or ruler, and cut it out.

3. Sew a ¼-inch hem on the top and bottom of your square.

To do this, turn the fabric over and fold down ¼ of an inch of fabric from the top of the square. Pin this fold in place with pins and hand-sew or machine-sew a running stitch down the hem. Repeat this with the bottom side of the square.

4. Create three accordion-style folds in your fabric. To do this, pinch the fabric in the middle of the square and fold it down, pinning the fold into place. Repeat this two more times, once above the first fold and once below the first fold.

When you have three folds that are even and pinned in place, sew a running stitch down the sides of the mask to secure the folds in place.

MATERIALS NEEDED: • Fabric Use a fabric that is slightly thicker but isn’t too rough on your skin. To know if your fabric is thick enough, hold it up to a light. If you can see through it, it is too thin.

• Scissors • ¼ inch elastic • Thread • Needle • Pins Optional: Sewing machine

5. Next, fold in the sides of your mask by ½ an inch to create a ½ inch hem on either side of the mask. Pin down the ½ inch hems on each side of the mask, and sew a running stitch down each side. When you are sewing this hem, make sure to make your stitch close to the raw edge of the fabric because this hem will become a “tube” for you to thread your elastic straps through. In other words, make sure there is a space that is at least ¼ of an inch inside the hem on the sides of the mask.

6. Get your elastic and cut two pieces long enough to fit your head size (see table for elastic sizing). Next, thread one piece of elastic through one side-hem of the mask, and do the same on the other side.

Tip: Use a paper clip to thread the elastic through the small hems of the mask by hooking the elastic on the paper clip and pushing it through the “tubes” or side-hems of the mask.

7. Tie the elastic together to make a loop on each side of the mask, and pull the knotted elastic around into the hem of the mask to hide the knot. Try on your mask to make sure that it fits snugly on your face and that the elastic doesn’t pull on your ears.

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

happy home | make it

USE THESE MEASUREMENT GUIDES TO HELP PLAN YOUR MASK! SIZE GUIDE FOR FABRIC SIZE

SIZE GUIDE FOR CUTTING ELASTIC Remember to cut two pieces of elastic that are the same size

Adult

Child

Adult

Child

Small

8 ½ x 8 ½ inches 6 ½ x 6 ½ inches

Small

10 inches

8 inches

Average

9 x 9 inches

7 x 7 inches

Average

12 inches

9 inches

Large

10 x 10 inches

8 x 8 inches

Large

13-14 inches

10 inches

Can this face mask be made by hand without a sewing machine? Yes! Just use a needle and thread to make a running stitch. If you don’t have a needle and thread, you can also use fabric glue to glue down your hems, but make sure the fabric glue is machine washable.

!

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “cloth face coverings should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.”

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happy home | fix it

Roomba s9+ Remote Vacuums $1099, irobot.com With the ability to map your home, clean deep into those hard to reach corners and EMPTY itself in its own dirt collector/home charging station, you will save hours cleaning up those dust balls.

Must-Have Time-Savers

BY NICOLE IRVING

There never seems to be enough time at the end of the day to do all the things we wanted to accomplish. And, sadly, time is the one thing that we can’t buy... or can we? Enter the new wave of time-saving products that are built not only to complete the job but save you time in the process. Now, who couldn’t use a few more minutes in the day?

PetSafe Six Meal Automatic Pet Feeder $89.99, chewy.com Save precious time each day by planning Fido’s meal out early and with the correct amount each time.

Ring Video Doorbell Starting at $99, ring.com Ding Dong! Now you can see who is at your door without ever having to leave the couch, or be home for that matter via your phone, tablet or computer.

MAGIC Opens with a wave of your hand!

Moen Hands Free Faucet $428, amazon.com Using Motion Sense Technology, the flow of water is activated by two convenient senor locations at the faucet with simple hand motions letting you save time in a busy kitchen.

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Vertuo Next $219, nespresso.com Never run out of coffee again! With Bluetooth®/ Wi-Fi connectivity, you can get software updates as well as easily reorder capsules through your smartphone or tablet.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Wine Enthusiast Electric Blue Push-Button Corkscrew $29.99, bedbathandbeyond.com Entertaining family and friends just became that much more smooth! Open each bottle of vino with ease and sophistication!

Eko®️ Horizon Stainless Steel 45-Liter Motion Sensor Trash Can $81.99, bedbathandbeyond.com Simply wave your hands over the lid and easily dispose of trash. No mess, no fuss! Could anything be simpler?

Product photos courtesy of manufacturers

Amazon Echo 3rd Generation $69.99, amazon.com Beyond playing your music, with just the command from your voice, you can set reminders on your calendar, check the news and weather, and even check the traffic report.

This country road can take you home.

Anna K. “Cookie” King Lic. Florida Real Est. Broker

352-528-5010 308 NW Main Street, Williston, FL 32696 cookiekingrealestate.com

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happy home | clean it COLD vs. HOT WASH

So Fresh and So Clean: Fun Facts and Tips on Laundry

BY TRACY WRIGHT

Make Laundry Time Fun for Kids Laundry is a chore that you can teach to children as young as preschool age! Explain to all kids this five-step method (Chuck, Clean, Dry, Fold and Put Away). You can even make it a fun song for your kids that they can sing to help them remember.

CHUCK

Kids can pick out their own laundry baskets that they can keep in a designated laundry area in their room. Even preschoolers can learn how to put, or “chuck” their dirty clothes in the laundry bin.

CLEAN

On laundry day, teach kids how to sort their laundry by lights and darks. Kids of reading age can read labels to understand special instructions for gentle clothes (sweaters and delicates). Have your kids make colorful signs that remind them that DARK = COLD and WHITE = WARM/HOT. For detergent, only kids ages 10 or above should handle. Use smaller containers for kids to pour either liquid or powder into the

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dispenser while showing them the appropriate detergent amount (usually found on lines in dispenser).

DRY

Once the buzzer sounds, show them how to transfer clothes in the dryer. Make sure they remember to check for special instructions.

Place stickers on the dryer that shows the spin cycle for each type of clothing.

FOLD

Once clothes are dry, lay the clothes down on a bed or the floor and take turns folding clothes. You can make a DIY shirt folder (Go to gigglemagazine.com/download-pdf/ for a downloadable DIY Shirt Folder template) or purchase one on Amazon. For fun, play your favorite music or movie while you are folding.

PUT AWAY

Finally, work together to get their clothes put away. Allow kids of older ages to organize their clothes where they want them to in their rooms, as it will give them a greater sense of independence. Positively reinforce every step of the way. Kids of all ages should be praised for their responsibility and work ethic.

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Despite what we have believed for years, most modern washers are designed for mostly cold-water washes.

According to GE Appliances, most stains can be effectively washed in cold water. Hot water can also negatively affect many fabrics by wrinkling, fading or shrinking them. In addition, using cold water can help with energy bills. Tide recommends that new clothes always be washed in cold water separately to prevent color bleeding. Hot and warm water should be used when washing heavily soiled materials like sheets, blankets or towels.

If consumers need to clean germs from sickness or lice, hot water should also be used.

Finally — check the labels!

There are some fabrics that do better in warm washes like knits and polyester, said GE Appliances.

CLEAN YOUR LINT TRAPS! An estimated annual 100 injuries and five deaths are caused by home clothes dryers each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

They report an annual 2,900 fires with $35 million in property loss. About 34% of these fires were caused by not cleaning the dryer. They recommend that consumers clean the lint filter in the dryer before and after each and every load of laundry.

This includes cleaning out the sides and area where lint filter is stored by using a nylon brush or vacuum extension. Clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up, which includes removing the accordion-style ducts on the back and vacuuming out extra lint.

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Front Loaders vs. Top Loaders: What’s Right for You? There have never been more options when choosing how to clean your clothes and linens. Different options for temperatures, pre-wash and the location of your laundry doors are all up to you. One of the biggest changes has been the shift in popularity from top loaders to front loaders. Although front loading machines have now taken a large share of the market, they may not be for everyone. Here are the main differences:

FRONT LOADERS EASE OF USE

The position of the front loader may be difficult for older people or those with back problems to load clothes. Some front loaders also lock after the wash cycle begins.

The top loader is easier to load than the front loader even for people with limited mobility.

CLEANING ABILITY

Typically, front loaders clean more efficiently and are gentler on clothes.

Top loaders may not clean as well and ones with agitators are rough on fabric.

WATER USE

Front loaders use far less water — about more than half of what a traditional top load machine uses, according to Digital Trends.

Top loaders use much more water, although high efficiency washers are available to cut that by almost half.

PRICE

Front loaders are considerably more expensive than top loaders, but their high efficiency helps to curb water and electrical costs.

Top loaders are much more cost efficient with the initial investment; however, machines that are not energy efficient tend to increase utility costs.

INSTALLATION

Front loaders are more flexibly installed as they can be stacked on top of each other for more room.

Top loaders are not as flexible, and the top of the machines are unusable.

OTHER FACTORS

Due to how front loaders are constructed, homeowners should be careful of smelly mold developing on the ring of the door.

More laundry detergent options are available for top loaders since they do not have to only use high efficiency soap.

The Detergent 411 Liquid laundry detergent is the most popular among consumers. Available in a variety of prices, scents and varieties, liquid detergents are also great for treating stains.

Laundry pods contain super-concentrated detergent along with a stain remover and brightener.

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TOP LOADERS

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Concentrated means the detergent has no water or filler added. They are reasonably more expensive than regular laundry detergent, but their small and portable size make them much more convenient.

Powdered detergent is the cheapest option and often the most effective in getting out certain stains.

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R i s I N G ABOVE THE

H A T E. Te achin g child re n to live by the g olde n ru le

BY NICOLE IRVING & TRACY WRIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS BY GRACE DOWNEY

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GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Teaching inclusion to our children

starts at home

BY NICOLE IRVING

By sheer definition, as defined by the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word inclusion means “the act of including,” and to add on to that, “the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded.”

Books to share with your children about differences, acceptance and growth

We’ve Got the Whole World In Our Hands Rafael López

A Kids Book on Racism Jelani Memory

She Dared: Malala Yousafzai

By Jenni L Walsh

It seems so simple that if we live by the golden rule, “treat others as you would like to be treated,” all would be included in all the things. But, sadly, that isn’t the reality that we and our children face today. In light of recent events in these past few months, it is clear that we aren’t living by that golden rule. That some are not included and treated fairly simply because they are not like the other person in various ways.

Gender, race, likes or dislikes, abilities and disabilities. The list of “how we are different” can go on and on. What makes us unique is tearing us apart.

As our children head back to school, their hearts and minds heavy with all the events of the last few months, from the pandemic to the riots, it is important to lead by example and help them understand that instead of tearing anyone down because of their differences, we should be celebrating and learning from each other.

Teaching our children how to be tolerant, empathetic and accepting of others, regardless of the color of their skin, the clothes on their backs or the skills they possess, should be a top priority.

As parents, we can...

1. Lead by example.

Our children are the best copycats out there, and they will copy the behaviors, actions and words that they see come from the people they trust the most – you, the parents. Be mindful of your thoughts, behaviors and language you may unconsciously be doing. It is never too late to grow and change.

2. Discuss what is happening in the world.

They hear the news, and they see it on social media. Our children are little sponges, and they are smart cookies. Engage them in age-appropriate conversations and hear their concerns about any events taking place that could create a growth in mindset. This could also be an opportunity for them to learn about what others are going through and how they can make a difference.

3. Travel and engage with others.

Many times, we become accustomed to what we are comfortable with and what we know, but the world is a big place. With your lead, you can immerse your children in cultures that are unlike theirs. Help them meet new people, eat new food and understand that their way isn't the only way. What makes this world wonderful is all the differences that make it up.

4. Embrace conversation.

Children are curious about just about everything.

So, when they come to you with questions about things they see or don't understand or things they are curious about, embrace them and allow them the opportunity to share what is on their mind.

Encourage them to learn, grow and advocate for opportunities to learn about others positively.

5. Be part of the solution.

We all have a choice and a voice. It is up to us, the parents, to lead our children down a path that will allow them to use their voice for good and make the right choices. Encourage them to advocate for themselves, but also for others who need it. Help them find their voice and allow them to use it for good, with empathy and respect for others.

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How to talk to your kids about

CYBERBULLYING

BY TRACY WRIGHT

Most parents of tweens and teenagers will inevitably have to navigate the wars of social media. Over the last decade there has been a significant increase in technology and social media apps in our day-to-day lives. As we have seen through recent current events, social media can be used for good to unite people together for one cause, but on the flip side, it can be used as a dangerous tool to belittle people because of their appearance, skin color, orientation, opinions and the like. While beneficial in many ways, there has also been a large drawback: a steep rise in cyberbullying through intimidation and humiliation.

With every passing day, parents are subjected to news headlines detailing a teenager’s suicide at the hands of cyberbullying.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year. Bully victims are two to nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University.

These untimely deaths leave parents scrambling for answers and friends riddled with guilt.

According to a 2016 report from the Cyberbullying Research Center, a representative sample revealed that approximately 35% of children surveyed, aged 12–17, had been a victim of cyberbullying, with 16% admitting to have bullied someone else.

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What is cyberbullying?

“Cyberbullying is the electronic version of traditional or in-person bullying, which has been defined as ‘unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.’ The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time,” said Jeff Temple, Ph.D. and director of Behavioral Health and Research at the University of Texas Medical Branch. “Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.”

What should you look for to identify that your child is being cyberbullied?

“Some signs that your child may be a victim of cyberbullying include [when] your child unexpectedly stops using their devices or is nervous when using their digital devices, is afraid to go to school or outside, oversleeps or has trouble sleeping, feels angry and/or depressed after being online or seems depressed all the time,” said Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying ™. “They may lose interest in things they have always enjoyed, become secretive about online activities or withdraw from friends and family.”

If a parent finds out their child is a victim of cyberbullying, parents should work to ensure that their child feels safe, talk to their child and be sure to listen as well, Ellis said. “Do not contact the parents of the child doing the cyberbullying.

Instead, work with the school, report the cyberbullying to the content provider and obtain counseling for your child. I would advise parents to save, copy and print

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

evidence that their child is cyberbullied.

If physical threats are involved, contact law enforcement.”

Parents need to be aware of not only bullying behaviors for those being bullied, but also those either doing the bullying or bystanders of bullying.

One of the major problems associated with this is the psychological syndrome of moral disengagement, said Holly T. Moses, Ph.D., lecturer in the Department of Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida.

“Moral disengagement is the process by which a person who would normally not take an action, because it is considered immoral, disengages that impulse. What cyberbullying adolescents and teens do not see is someone’s reaction to their online comment so that moral compass is temporarily lost,” Moses said.

However, parents can be proactive in helping to end a child’s cyberbullying by recognizing certain patterns. “Often those who cyberbully may have positive views towards violence and may be aggressive towards parents, teachers and other adults,” Ellis said. “They feel a need to control and dominate others and situations and may be hot tempered, impulsive and easily frustrated. They may test limits, boundaries and breaks rules and may show little sympathy towards others who are bullied.” Cyberbullying has become a prolific problem in society, which is why it is important to recognize signs that a child is either being bullied or is a bully.

16 -year-old Texan native, David Molak, fell victim to cyberbullying by classmates who mocked his appearance and threatened physical violence against him. After months of cyberbullying, Molak took his own life in January 2016. His parents created David’s Legacy, a foundation aimed at raising awareness about cyberbullying and suicide. The family worked with state politicians on a bill, David’s Law, to make cyberbullying a crime in Texas when it leads to injury or suicide and the victim is a minor. The law was passed and fully enacted in September of 2017.

How can you protect your children?

Currently, Florida law does not have a separate statute outlawing cyberbullying, but its stalking law covers “cyberstalking” as well. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor crime if he or she willfully, maliciously and repeatedly harasses or cyberstalks another person.

However, cyberbullying is a felony crime if the person engaging in it also makes a credible threat to the victim. While legislation has been slow to criminalize cyberbullying in its various forms, many states are now taking initiatives to pass new legislation to deter individuals from becoming cyberbullies.

“We are not doing enough to educate and prevent all types of cyberbullying,” Moses said. “We need more parental education and more interventions in the schools with partnerships between school counselors, health coordinators and community psychologists. Parents also need to be aware of psychological, developmental and legal ramifications if their child is both a bully or a bystander.”

Josh Ochs of Smartsocial.com, a website designed to educate parents, children and educators about being a safe online citizen, advises that parents do not give children access to cell phones or any other kinds of social media until they are 14 and then do everything they can to safeguard the device.

“You wouldn’t allow your child to drive away in a car and never look in that car or make sure they are driving it safely and responsibly,” Ochs said. “The same should be true of devices and social media. You are not invading your child’s privacy — you are simply protecting them. Your child should not be on any social media of which you are not and can’t have access to. Their password should be shared with their parents and parents should be free to search through it. Constant dialogue about being a safe citizen online should always happen.”

For parents and children, there are websites like stopbullying.gov, STOMPoutbullying.com and smartsocial.com that offer many free or low-cost resources for both parents and educators. Locally, the Alachua County Public School District has a specific statute that has a no-tolerance policy on cyberbullying if a student is found to be bullying others and could lead to behavioral interventions, suspension or expulsion for the bully.

Most experts would agree to reach out to the local police department or sheriff’s office if your child is a victim of cyberbullying with physical threats against them or others and working closely with school counselors to address other forms of cyberbullying.

The Smart Social Parenting Podcast where author Tracy Wright talks more about cyberbullying

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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THE MASK

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Face Masks. Who would have thought they would become a necessity in our everyday lives here in Florida.

As much as we may or may not want to wear them, they are here for the unforeseeable future. So, it is important to keep us and them in tip top shape while we are using them!

BY ISABELLA SORRESSO AND NICOLE IRVING

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Get Into the New Habit Not all children adjust right away to wearing a mast all day, especially if they haven’t needed to during the summer. To get them in the habit in time for school, have them begin to wear their mask for short amounts of time while they watch TV, read a book, do a puzzle or play their video games.

Protect Your Skin From Face Mask Irritation!

Everyone’s newest accessory, whether we want to wear them or not, is a face mask. You might have made one yourself, purchased one from an Etsy shop or were provided one for work, but ever since the CDC recommended they be worn at all times in public, you may have noticed your skin hasn’t enjoyed this transition. If you’re frequently donning a face mask and have experienced some irritation, here’s how to protect your skin while we get through this pandemic together.

Encourage them to: • Not touch their face or eyes • Not play with it • Tell you what is bothering them BEFORE removing it, this way you can adjust it and see if it is fixable or see if you need to get a new one.

Have them tell you if: • It is scratchy • It is fogging up their glasses • It is hard for them to breath • If they feel light head • If they get a headache or if it is hurting their ears

To protect from redness: To avoid further irritation, take off your mask as soon as it is safe to do so. Make sure to keep your face clean and apply a soothing moisturizer.

Also, maybe give your heavyduty exfoliators and toners a break. Use gentle products on your face to not aggravate the skin.

To protect from inflammation: If you have a pre-existing skin condition like eczema or rosacea, constantly wearing a mask could cause a flare up. If you’ve found your skin becoming swollen from the mask, apply a cold compress until swelling goes down and reach out to your dermatologist for help.

Mask Station If your children will be wearing reusable fabric masks, they will need to be washed after each daily use.

Set up a station in an area where your children can drop off their dirty mask each day upon entering the house and pick up a clean one when leaving the house.

Mask Bag During lunchtime and outdoor time, your kiddos will have an opportunity to take off their mask. In order to NOT lose it or get it contaminated, send them to school with a special “mask” bag for them to put their mask in once removed such as a labeled zip lock bag or a small makeup bag. This way, they can go right back to the bag and grab it.

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To protect from acne: If you’re noticing that you’ve been getting a few breakouts where your mask sits, it could be from the hot air you’re breathing around your mouth. It may cause you to sweat there and clog your pores more than normal. To treat these pimples, make sure that you’re sticking to a consistent skincare routine even in quarantine, and minimizing the amount of makeup you wear, or just ditch it for the time being all together. If your face mask is made of a washable fabric, make sure you’re keeping it clean as to not bring back the same acne-causing bacteria to your face the next time you wear it.

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How Do You Properly Wash a Face Mask?

We’re all trying to do our part in flattening the curve of COVID-19, and part of that has included excessive cleaning. Wiping down countertops, disinfecting cars and carrying hand sanitizer at all times are just a few ways to keep clean. Wearing a face mask to protect from others who might be sick is one thing, but remembering to wash it so you’re not potentially re-infecting yourself by breathing in whatever was on your mask is another!

Gift Gown Mask $15, giftgowns.com

How do you even wash a face mask, though? We have a few tips!

For cloth masks, you should ideally be cleaning your face mask after each use. If you have multiple, it would be best to use a new one each time while your other ones are being cleaned or dried. Almost all masks can be tossed into the washing machine to be cleaned, or you can hand-wash in the sink if you don’t have access to a washing machine. Be sure to use warm or hot water when cleaning, as warmer temperatures kill bacteria, and that’s the goal here! Most standard laundry detergents are fine to be used when you want to wash a face mask.

After you wash a face mask, think about how to dry it. If your mask has cloth strings, you can throw that in the dryer with your other clothes, but if it has elastic straps it’s best to air dry in a clean location to maintain the integrity of the elastic.

Safari Children Mask $12, The Bungalow

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learn | homeschool corner of the Alachua eSchool and FLVS full time. Students receive instruction online following a typical daily school schedule and remain assigned to their zoned school. Students participate in live lessons daily for each class using the same curriculum as their zoned school. Lessons are taught by Alachua County teachers.

Making Your Choice

Most parents have already communicated to the district which program they want for their children as the school year begins, but we all know that our current situation requires flexibility. At the time of print, details were still being worked out; however, the school board would like parents to commit to one learning method for the first nine weeks. Someone can choose to homeschool their children at any time. It’s important to consider the skills, needs and abilities of your children as you proceed, and be in constant communication with your school.

Online Homeschool: Is It Right for My Student?

BY CRYSTAL LADWIG, PH.D.

Throughout the summer, parents in Alachua County struggled to decide if their children should go back to a physical school, learn online or homeschool. It’s not an easy decision, especially given the uncertainty facing our nation. In July, the district asked parents to commit to one type of learning for the first nine weeks of school.

Depending on the needs of each family, some will choose to return to their brick and mortar schools, and many parents will choose the option of enrolling their children in one of the three digital education options: Alachua eSchool, the new Alachua Digital Academy or Florida Virtual School (FLVS).

Digital Options

The Alachua eSchool, founded in 2012, serves K-12 students. Students enrolled in Alachua eSchool are Alachua County students no longer assigned to their zoned school. Available courses are similar to those in traditional schools and are taught

by Alachua County teachers.

FLVS is a state-run, online, public school for students in grades K-12. Students enrolled in FLVS are not all Alachua County students, and teachers may

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reside anywhere in the state. FLVS offers full-time and flex programs. Students in the full-time program take a full course load similar to a local school as well as standardized testing. Classes may require specific meeting times, and the schedule is set by FLVS. The flex program allows students to take one or more courses; offers flexibility with time and pacing; and does not require standardized testing.

Many homeschooling families use the flex program to supplement at-home learning.

The newest option is the Alachua Digital Academy. It is a combination

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Each program has its pros and cons.

FLVS and Alachua eSchool have shown that they can provide accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 plans.

That remains to be seen with the Digital Academy. Alachua eSchool and Alachua Digital Academy employ local teachers, and state dollars will flow to the district for each student enrolled. FLVS flex offers families much more flexibility in scheduling and instruction than other programs. FLVS programs also include extracurricular clubs to help students remain socially engaged with peers.

Successful Online Learning

If you select an online learning program for your child this year, there are steps you can take to encourage learning. When possible, have children work on computers in common areas where you can see them. This minimizes students’ off-task behaviors. Make use of parent portals for each program to stay current on students’ progress. Make a schedule and stick to it, even if you go with a flexible option. This makes it more likely that children will complete their work and that your family will still have time for other activities.

Most of all, encourage children and remind them that this is a strange time for all of us. Now more than ever we need to support one another.

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learn | family learning

Child Behavior Through a Pandemic: A Personal Experience

BY JODI HUNT

We opened our multi-use sports center for swim lessons, gymnastics and camp after being closed for more than 12 weeks. My 4-year-old cried in his first swim class, and my 6-year-old, although nervous, went right in and the tension he was holding for three months just vanished.

Being around other kids, participating in physical activities and getting to be a KID again is exactly what he needed.

The weeks that followed were even more amazing. My children were agreeable, getting along, sleeping better and incredibly well behaved. While I enjoyed our “family quarantine time,” it was clear that, although children cannot verbalize all of their feelings, having kids together again and active is so important. I’ve noticed this in the children back at my business as well; fewer behavioral issues, better listening and excitement to be back around other kids.

What we learned during this time is true for any shift in family lifestyle or traumatic experience: Look for signs – children can’t always verbalize how they feel

Living through a global pandemic is not something we thought we’d ever experience in our lifetime. Yet, it became a reality so fast we couldn’t plan, and there was little time to even think about how to respond.

We just moved and moved quickly.

As a business owner, I had to close the doors while still overseeing 85 employees.

My husband and I figured out how to entertain our 4-and 6-year-olds while both working from home and providing e-learning opportunities. Emotions in our household were high; we were in pure survival mode. With no script, the kids watched their iPads and played in the house or outside. They learned how to ride bikes without training wheels, but there was little physical activity. Our social interactions consisted of FaceTime with family and friends or socially-distant house calls. I’m not sure how I managed to work 60-hour weeks while the business was closed, but there seemed to be even

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more to do. The phrase “uncharted territory” had so many meanings.

Our kids’ behavior was a mess. My older child constantly picked on his little brother, there were tears for no reason or they just refused to do what we asked.

We had a few scary episodes where our older child’s behavior was so concerning that we consulted with our pediatrician through teletherapy. She suggested we try play therapy, and since we were in stay-at-home mode, we tried it via Zoom.

He didn’t react well and withdrew even further. Although he is my incredibly introverted child, and I thought he would love being at home for three months, the day-to-day routine took its toll on him.

As the home quarantine appeared to be ending, I prepped my business like it was a start-up. With so many new protocols, I was nervous about my kids coming back to a regular schedule. How would they re-acclimate? Would they not want to go?

Would they miss being at home?

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

Kids NEED and CRAVE physical activity whether they know it or not Kids NEED and CRAVE to be social beings If possible, integrate kids back into a regular routine slowly and don’t jump right back in full speed. Consider adding back a few activities at a time.

Finally, as we continue to deal with the pandemic I strongly urge the following for kids: Continue with physical distancing (6 feet apart) Constant hand washing/sanitizing Playing games that do not involve touching Adults near kids should always wear masks Stay safe everyone, and keep your kids moving!

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learn | your schools

July 16, 2020 Parenting is never easy, but parenting in the age of COVID-19 is especially challenging—and I speak from personal experience. I have a son who will be going into 7th grade this fall, and I’m asking myself the same question that all parents are asking these days: “What can I do to keep my child safe?”

As you may know, public schools in Florida were ordered to open up in August for in-person learning five days a week for all families that want that option. But Alachua County Public Schools is also providing families with two online alternatives. The first is the Digital Academy, in which students will learn online but will follow the regular school day schedule with live instruction provided by their assigned teacher(s).

Families can also choose our Alachua eSchool, which offers online course facilitated by local teachers and gives students more flexibility as to when, where and how they will do their coursework.

We’ve operated the eSchool for eight years now, and currently serve about 3,000 full- and part-time students. The Digital Academy is a new program which requires approval from the Florida Department of Education and must meet their guidelines.

After much careful thought and consideration, I will be sending my son back to his brick-and-mortar school this fall. I am confident in the comprehensive

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and detailed plan the district has developed to protect the health and well-being of students, like mine, who will be learning in person. The plan offers information about the cleaning, social distancing, handwashing, and other protocols that will be in place to promote a safer learning environment. It also includes the steps schools and the district will take if there is a COVID-19 case on a campus.

These protocols have been developed in conjunction with several medical experts in the community, including the director of the Alachua County Health Department and doctors with the University of Florida (UF) Departments of Pediatric, Epidemiology and Pediatrics/Infectious Diseases. We will, of course, continue to consult regularly with our healthcare advisors to ensure we are doing all we can to protect students, families, and staff.

Information about our plan, including a Frequently Asked Questions page, are available on the district’s website at www.sbac.edu. Just click on the Return to School graphic at the top of the home page to learn more.

To give us more time to prepare our facilities and train teachers and staff, we are delaying the start of the school year for students until August 24. That change will, of course, have an impact on the rest of our 2020-21 calendar. As soon as we’ve finalized a new calendar, we will be sharing it with families and staff.

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

We’ve also adopted a new policy that requires all students and staff to wear face coverings at school and on school buses, with some limited exceptions. We believe this is important to limiting the possibility of COVID-19 spreading in our schools.

However, I think we all recognize that there are no guarantees and that no one strategy is sufficient. That’s why we all have to work together to keep our children and schools as safe as possible.

Please continue to remind your students of the importance of handwashing, proper hygiene (such as coughing and sneezing into an elbow) and wearing a mask when out in public. Before and during the school year, we’ll be providing parents with more prevention tips they can share at home.

And we definitely encourage you to make sure that your child’s school has accurate, up-to-date contact information for you.

That’s important every year, but perhaps never more than this year.

I know we are all looking forward to getting back to ‘normal,’ although what that will look like and when it will happen is very uncertain. In the meantime, all of us with Alachua County Public Schools will be working very hard to provide our students with a high-quality, engaging learning experience (wherever it takes place) while still looking out for their health and safety and that of our teachers, staff, families and fellow citizens.

Photo courtesy of Karen Clarke

A Letter From the Superintendent of Schools: Karen Clarke

learn | your schools

REOPENING PLAN INTRO (AS OF JULY 16, 2020) In these challenging times, Alachua County Public Schools is committed to providing a high-quality education to students while still promoting the safety and well-being of students, staff, families and the entire community. This Reopening Plan outlines the strategies the district is implementing to meet both those commitments.

The district will be providing instruction in three different ways this fall. They include a traditional, in-person, five-days-a week model and two online models— the Digital Academy and Alachua eSchool. Details about all three models and links to additional information are included in this plan.

The plan also provides information about the cleaning, social distancing, handwashing, face coverings and other protocols that will be in place to promote a safer learning environment for all students and staff who will be in our brick-and-mortar schools. That includes the steps schools and the district will take if there is a COVID-19 case on campus.

These protocols have been developed in conjunction with several medical experts in the community, including the director of the Alachua County Health Department doctors with the University of Florida (UF) Departments of Pediatrics and Epidemiology, the UF College of Medicine and College of Public Health and Health Professions and a former.

Alachua County Public Schools will continue to consult regularly with our healthcare advisors to ensure we are doing all we can to protect our students, families and staff.

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learn | featured teacher

Brodie Roland Why were you inspired to teach?

I had always felt that teaching others was something that I had an affinity for, so getting an opportunity to be a part of the field of Education just felt right.

I’ve never been in a profession that was equally challenging, people-oriented, compassionate and fulfilling as being a teacher, and I never want that to change.

What is your favorite part of the school day?

AT WHAT SCHOOL DO YOU CURRENTLY WORK? Fort Clarke Middle School

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A TEACHER? I’ve been at Fort Clarke Middle School for one year, and I had a full year of subbing experience prior.

WHAT SUBJECT DO YOU TEACH? Language Arts

Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond for his students? An administrator who is truly devoted to making her school a better place? Giggle Magazine wants to know!

Visit gigglemagazine.com to submit your favorite educator for a chance for him or her to be featured in one of our upcoming issues.

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Do you have a favorite assignment/ project that you typically assign your students?

Generally after a quiz or test, my students get to have a short Literary/Film Study on a children’s TV show named Steven Universe. Not only is the show one of my favorites, but also it’s a great opportunity to analyze different literary skills and devices through another media source. The show does a fantastic job at teaching social/ emotional wellness. The kids tend to fall in love with the show as we watch it, which really warms my heart.

How do you wind down from a long day of teaching?

I always get home and spend time with my dogs right away. If I’m caught up on grading, I often like to hang out with friends and family, draw, make music or play video games. I find that spending time with people I love or finding a creative outlet is always relaxing after a long day, and video games are just fun!

GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

If it’s just my dogs and I, we go to a dog park in town or family property out in Newberry. There is plenty of space for them to run and play out there. If it’s just me or friends are tagging along, we’re going out to eat, walking around downtown Gainesville, seeing a movie or concert/ show or hosting dinners at home.

Share a funny teaching moment/day.

One of my favorite moments from this past year was the day of our 7th Grade Dance.

It was an 80s themed “Snow-ball”, so the kids dressed up in their best 80s garb and had a blast. Naturally, I donned a frilly shirt, eyeliner and some curls to educate them on the classics, like Prince.

If you were a superhero, who would you be?

I would be Wonder Woman because who wouldn’t want to fight evil in a leotard, and a lasso of truth would be especially handy in the classroom.

What is your favorite book?

“Dune” by Frank Herbert

What is something fun you did on Summer Vacation?

I self-quarantined, followed CDC guidelines when leaving my home and baked some bread. I genuinely had a blast knowing I’ve been keeping myself and others safe.

Photo courtesy of Brodie Roland

WHAT GRADE/AGE DO YOU TEACH? 7th grade

Given that we have multiple periods in the day, I always enjoy when my next class comes in and starts to get settled.

That period of transition as they’re getting to their seats and getting out their work (hopefully) is filled with small-talk between friends, discussion about the day the kids have had so far, and it’s just a time for me to connect with the kids. I enjoy the moments where there’s a brief break in the academics, and the kids are allowed instead to employ their social and emotional intelligences.

What do you like to do outside of the classroom?

REASONS TO ADOPT SIBLINGS FROM FOSTER CARE You can preserve sibling bonds as they grow up together.

They can have an easier transition into your home with their brother or sister by their side.

Living with siblings allows for children to feel more secure and create stronger relationships.

Youth will always have play-mates and friends.

Siblings = More love!

We have an urgent, local need for families to adopt sibling groups. If you are ready to learn more, call 352-244-1500 or visit www.pfsf.org today!

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conception2collegeâ„¢

EXPECTING Staying Active During Pregnancy

INFANT | 0-1 Books Have Gone to the Babies!

TODDLER | 2-3 Discover the Magic of Playdough

EARLY YEARS | 4-5 Arrr, Matey! International Talk Like a Pirate Day

KIDS | 6-9 Pawsitive Pet Chores Your Children Can Learn From

TWEENS | 10-13 Isolation in the Midst of a Pandemic: How to Help Your Tween Cope

TEENS | 14-18 College Applications: What Does Your Student REALLY Need to Apply?

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c2c | expecting {PREGNANCY}

Staying Active During Pregnancy

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS

Many women grew up believing that pregnancy is a time to take it easy, put your feet up on the couch and by all means avoid exercise. While sometimes the modern pregnant woman does need to put her feet up and relax, doctors are now encouraging exercise before, during and after pregnancy.

What are the benefits of exercise during pregnancy?

Regular activity has many benefits throughout a lifetime, but there are additional benefits specific to a healthy pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum period. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) encourages women to get and stay active during pregnancy for best outcomes for mother and baby. A meta-analysis review indicates that 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise two to seven days per week can provide a variety of benefits in different maternal populations, such as reducing risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm birth and Cesarean section. Regular activity can also help minimize the aches and pains of pregnancy, such as back pain and overall body aches as well as aid in a smooth delivery. There is also evidence that exercise helps in the prevention of postpartum depression.

What exercise is safe during pregnancy?

Your baseline activity level indicates what might be right for you while you are pregnant. If you are already an avid exerciser, you can likely continue doing many of the same movements you were already doing. If your pre-pregnancy lifestyle was fairly sedentary, you’ll want to ease into activity slowly, perhaps by walking or riding a stationary bike. As your baby grows and puts increased pressure on your lungs, it may become necessary to slow down, but not stop entirely.

According to Medical News Today, some activities are not advised during pregnancy. After the first trimester, activities with a fall risk such as skating, rock climbing and skiing are discouraged. ACOG recommends that contact sports such as boxing, wrestling, basketball, football or lacrosse are best saved for after delivery. Certain movements such as jumping, jerky movements and exercises performed on the back or stomach after the first trimester are discouraged. During pregnancy, joints can loosen and you may be more likely to cause injury. Significant falls or injuries can risk placental abruption and put the baby at risk as well.

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If you are already an avid exerciser, you can likely continue doing many of the same movements you were already doing.

Exercises that are generally considered safe during pregnancy include walking, swimming, water aerobics, yoga and pilates.

Inversion movements such as headstands or downward facing dog pose are not typically advised. Hot yoga is also not advised due to the rise in core body temperature. If you are regularly performing other types of activities before becoming pregnant, you may be able to continue in a modified capacity, particularly in the first trimester.

How do I make my exercise plan?

If you are currently pregnant or considering a baby in your future, talk to your doctor about what is appropriate for you.

Medical history, pre-existing conditions and other factors will help your care team make a plan that is safe for you and your baby. Remember that every pregnancy is different, so even if you have other children, the recommendations based on the unique circumstances of this pregnancy may vary from what you’ve done in the past. Remember to have fun, stay active and use this time to bond with your baby! * Always consult your doctor before continuing or engaging in any exercise program while pregnant.

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c2c | infant { 0 -1 Y E A R }

Books Have Gone to the Babies!

BY NICOLE IRVING

Psychology Today reports that “reading to babies as young as six months of age leads to stronger vocabularies and better early literacy skills four years later, just as the children are getting ready to go to school.” So, there is no time to wait to instill a love of learning, a growing vocabulary and engaging content with even the smallest of wee-ones. Today, there is a wide variety of age appropriate books with big text and bright engaging pictures that are perfect for introducing your baby to the love of reading.

Indestructibles: Baby Babble $4.95, Amazon Fisher Price "My First Books" Set of 4 Baby Toddler Board Books 9.95, Amazon Toes, Ears, & Nose! : A Lift-the-Flap Book $5.23, Walmart Moo, Baa, La La La! $10.98, Walmart Cali’s Board Books Sing The Alphabet $17.99, calisbooks.com Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? $5.67, Target Taggies Touch & Feel Soft Cloth Book with Crinkle Paper and Squeaker, Buddy Dog $17.99, Amazon The Very Hungry Caterpillar Let's Count Clip-On Book $9, Amazon

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This brand of books are chew proof, rip proof, nontoxic and 100% washable!

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c2c | toddler {2-3 YEARS}

Discover the Magic of Playdough

BY AMANDA ROLAND

Playdough has been the favorite squishy substance of many toddlers all over the world for years! The PlayDoh® that we all know and love was accidentally invented

by Joseph and Noah McVicker in 1955 while the two were trying to make wallpaper cleaner. Play-Doh® was marketed a year later by a toy manufacturer, and the rest is history!

Nontoxic modeling clays, like playdough varieties, are a great tool for toddlers to help improve their fine motor skills, imagination and creativity, according to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). When playing with playdough, the small muscles in your kiddos’ fingers will be strengthened, developing fine motor skills. These tiny hand muscles will go on to help your child write, brush their teeth and even play guitar one day. The more your child stretches, pokes, pulls and smashes the playdough, the better! Playing with playdough also helps develop a strong sense of imagination and creativity. The NAEYC says that playing with playdough will help your child “learn symbolic thinking by pretending that the playdough is something else.” So, when your child tells you that the long, rolled out piece of playdough that they made is actually a snake, you'll know that they are on the right track.

Playdough varieties can be found in every toy store and online, or you could just make your own at home! With just a couple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, you can make your child some homemade, nontoxic playdough that will keep them happy for hours… or until they find another toy that they want to play with!

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HOMEMADE NONTOXIC PLAYDOUGH INGREDIENTS: ½ cup of water ½ cup of salt 1 teaspoon of neutral oil (vegetable, coconut, grapeseed, etc.)

1 ½ to 2 cups of flour 1 tablespoon of cornstarch Food coloring DIRECTIONS: 1. In a large bowl, combine water, salt, oil and a few drops of food coloring to make a bright color.

2. Gradually stir in the sifted flour into the mixture until it becomes a thick, playdough-like consistency (this may take more or less flour). Now, the playdough is ready to play with!

When the playdough is not being used, store it in a covered bowl or wrap it in plastic wrap.

Did you know that the smell of Play-Doh® is trademarked?

That’s right, Hasbro, Play-Doh®’s manufacturer, trademarked the iconic smell in 2018.

Florida Museum - Open Daily 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville | www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu

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c2c | early years {4-6 YEARS}

Arrr, Matey!

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

BY NICOLE IRVING

Did you know September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? So to get your little lad or lassie into the spirit, we put together this list of pirate inspired movies, fun facts and books to celebrate with your kiddo!

Disney's Peter Pan Movie Rated G

Pirate Pete's Talk Like a Pirate

By Kim Kennedy

How I Became a Pirate

By Melinda Long and David Shannon

By Editors of Publications International

Pete the Cat and the Treasure Map

By James Dean

Pirates Don't Change Diapers

By Melinda Long and David Shannon

The Berenstain Bears Pirate Adventure

By Mike Berenstain

Pirate Boy

By Eve Bunting

Are Pirates Polite?

By Corinne Demas and Artemis Roehrig

Want to get into the spirit?

Here are some fun pirate sayings:

Arrr: Yes! Ahoy: Hello Avast: Stop and look/No way!

Aye Aye: I'll get right on it Briny Deep: The ocean Doubloons: Types of gold coins Loot: Treasure Shiver Me Timbers: An exclamation of surprise

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DID KNOW? Many thought pirates wore patches over their eyes to cover up one that was injured, but new theories suggest it could be that by wearing an eye patch their eyes could adjust quickly to the dark. This allowed them to see during the night and down below deck because their eye was already adjusted to the darkness, allowing less time for it to get refocused.

Pirate graphics by Freepik.com

Jake and the Neverland Pirates: Playful Pirates: Play-a-Sound Book

Knowledge, highly concentrated Children absorb so much information, so early, so fast, it seems like a miracle. Kiddie Academy ® helps you make the most of every moment your child has to observe, interact and grow. From motor skills to social skills, we recognize it's never too early to nurture every learning opportunity.

INFANTS • TODDLERS • PRESCHOOL • PRE-K • BEFORE & AFTER CARE • SUMMER CAMP

Enroll NOW! kiddieacademy.com/gainesville (352) 264-7724

Kiddie Academy of Gainesville-FL 6476 SW 75th Street, Gainesville, FL 32608 GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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c2c | kids { 7- 9 Y E A R S }

Pawsitive Pet Chores Your Children Can Learn From

BY JACQUELINE SAGUIN

Do you feel it is about time your child adopted a sense of responsibility? If so, there’s no better opportunity than adopting a pet! Children enter a new realm of responsibility at this age.

They no longer need someone to tie their shoes or clean up after every mess made at the dining room table. It’s their turn to learn.

Right around the time your child starts elementary school, they focus less on themselves and more on others, turning attention to friendships and teamwork, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The responsibility learned from pet care leads to greater self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment, according to Dr. Jessie Stanley, a veterinarian and part-owner of the Newberry Animal Hospital.

1. Pick up toys. Children can incorporate tasks they do for their pets into their own habits. It’s more practice for them and less stress for you!

But when it comes to pets, what can we realistically expect from an adolescent? Stanley recommended parents sit down with their child and make a “pet chore list.” Incorporate simple tasks into their daily routine. Here are a few chores that your child can do without too much supervision, but with that small dose of independence!

2. Walk pets. This doesn’t necessarily mean giving your child free range with a leash – as they’re still too small and young to take on such a responsibility on their own. Instead, let your child join on walks. It lets them see the importance of exercise and a practiced routine.

“Use positive reinforcement to reward the child for doing his or her ‘job’ by caring for the pet,” said Stanley. “Parents should always double-check to make sure the pet is being cared for, so it doesn’t get sick.”

3. Put out the pet’s food. Measure out the food portions, but let your child pour the food into the bowl and serve it to their pet. Give fresh water daily.

Pet chores differ for each animal, and the best pet match depends on both the parents’ and child’s comfortability. Some pets require more strict attention while others are easier to care for. Some require handling and some don’t. For the 6 to 9 age group, Dr. Stanley said hamsters and other rodents are great starter pets, as they require less space. But, if they aren’t handled regularly, they can become unfriendly, she said. Small birds like parakeets also require less space and attention but are more sensitive to environmental changes. Dogs and cats can work great for children in this age range, but they require a “whole family” commitment.

Younger children may need more help with daily care, she said.

There’s potential to teach a large amount of responsibility, Stanley said. If presented correctly, children can see the importance of being thorough and that a pet’s care depends on them.

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6 Simple Pet Chores

4. Playtime. Tossing a ball or running around the yard together works wonders in establishing a child-pet bond. Plus, it helps foster a sense of ownership and pride for the child.

5. Wipe up spills. This age group can recognize when a mess is made and know when to clean it up rather than let it sit. If a dog knocks over their water bowl, your child can take that initiative to quickly wipe it up.

6. Clean the pet cage and food bowls. It’s as simple as scooping out litter in a hamster cage or washing off a food bowl. Some pets can have diseases that can spread to others, so stress proper hygiene to kids like washing their hands before and after cleaning.

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c2c | tweens { 1 0 -1 3 Y E A R S }

Isolation in the Midst of a Pandemic: How to

Help Your Tween Cope

BY LINDSEY JOHNSON, MS

In the preteen and teenage years, friendships begin to develop and become of increased importance in a child’s life. Friends are often picked over Mom and Dad, and sometimes what friends are doing is the most important factor in decision making.

Developing deeper friendships and learning social cues are important aspects of developing budding personalities. It can sometimes make parents feel like they are no longer needed when children begin to prefer the company of their friends over their family, but parents are still integral in helping guide through the murky social waters.

ENTER COVID-19

Children and teens whose lives revolve around social interaction with their peers were thrown a curveball when schools throughout the country transitioned to virtual learning. Gone were the days of crowded lunchrooms, locker gossip and passing notes in class. Students were sent home to learn alongside their parents and siblings in an otherwise isolated environment. Their daily interactions with friends at school and in extracurricular activities came to a screeching halt.

For many “quaran-teens,” the isolation and separation from peers has been devastating. At a point in development where friendships are of central importance, being away from them can be difficult.

Parents can help encourage children to stay connected with friends through various means. Although they are not physically together, there are many ways to enrich friendships. Using technology such as Zoom, FaceTime or Skype allows them to still have a face to face conversation with one or more of their friends at a time. Many children are opting to connect visually through apps such as Instagram, Tik Tok or Snapchat. Other forms of communication such as telephone, email and text help keep connections fresh. Some children have opted to send letters and care packages to their friends as a way of keeping the relationship exciting and uplifting. Just because we are physically distanced does not mean we have to be emotionally distanced. (As with all social and video connections, parental monitoring is key and highly recommended. Each child is different, so allow what is best for your child and family.)

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Parents can help their kids by providing access to whatever levels of communication they are comfortable with and discussing proper usage with their children. Parents can also help children not feel alone by taking advantage of the time spent at home and doing quality activities with their children. This can include talking to them about what is going on in the world, their feelings or even sharing funny stories or jokes. Kids can engage with parents and siblings by playing card games, board games or engaging in hands-on projects like tie-dye or hydro dipping.

If you are concerned that your child may be suffering, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. There are many options for virtual visits as well as video and asynchronous text therapy if face to face counseling is not available. This has been a difficult season for many people, and children are not immune to the detrimental side effects of social isolation.

Humans are social creatures that crave connection with others. Learning to cope with a new reality means learning some resiliency skills that most people have not had to face before. Through proper communication both within and outside of families, the “quaran-teen” generation will make it through and be stronger for the experience of having to adapt to a major world event.

SOME WAYS TO HELP KIDS CONNECT 1. Set up Zoom parties 2. Have them collect addresses of friends or cousins, and create pen-pals 3. Allow for time to play virtual games with friends via online (with proper monitoring of course) 4. Do drive-by social times 5. Do virtual band sessions

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c2c | teens { 1 4 -1 8 Y E A R S }

College Applications:

What Does Your Student REALLY Need to Apply?

BY APRIL TISHER

Ok, the truth is it’s been roughly 25 years since I last applied to undergrad (!!) at my local university. I remember submitting a copy of my transcripts, SAT score, a check for $50 and mailing it in. Yes, snail mail. Things are done a little differently these days, and it can be hard to navigate the process and know what your child really needs in their portfolio when applying to schools.

Are letters of recommendation necessary, and who should they come from? Does your child need to have both ACT and SAT scores? What about volunteer hours and extracurriculars? We want to make sure we are helping our teens give themselves the best possible opportunity to attend the schools they are interested in.

Using a checklist might be helpful for staying on track and ensuring all boxes have been checked. If your student is applying to multiple programs or schools, they may have slightly different requirements. Tammy Stuve, Ed.S, LMHC is a school counselor at Gainesville High School. I looked to her for advice on what she tells students every day about applying to colleges.

WHERE TO START Her first thought was to keep in mind that every student varies depending on what their goals are. The requirements are different if one student is applying to an Ivy League university as opposed to a technical/specialty program at a small private school.

“Students should definitely have a resume done before applying to any colleges,” Stuve said. She iterated that some do this as part of a class assignment and some on their own. Counselors should have a template for them to follow if needed.

Other documents typically needed are SAT/ACT scores, mid-year report cards, transcripts, pertinent letters of recommendation, a personal statement and essays. Required applications for the universities themselves should be completely filled out before applying.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: According to BestColleges.com, two to three letters of recommendation are most often required when applying to four-year learning institutions. These should come from teachers, counselors or mentors, and it is best to ask them early, as they will

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Generation Z faces higher expectations and standards than any other generation before. be busy with requests close to the deadline. Asking a family friend or a relative isn’t the best choice, so avoid that situation. These letters should attest to your academic and personal character.

VOLUNTEERING/EXTRACURRICULARS: What about volunteering and extracurricular activities?

Kaplan.com indicates these things are very important to college admissions. This is the way schools can get to know your character in a way that grades and test scores cannot. Be sure to include any volunteer positions, clubs, sports or even employment you have been involved in.

TEST SCORES: What SAT score should you be aiming for? Collegeboard. org advises looking at the average scores for students attending the schools you are interested in because they do vary. You can search for that information on their website. For example, the average median SAT score for the University of Florida is 1390, while Florida State University’s is 1270 and the University of Central Florida’s is 1255. Some schools may weigh essays heavily, while some value a high GPA over SAT scores. You can find information regarding admissions directly at individual universities’ websites.

"Getting into college these days can be a challenging and complex process. Generation Z faces higher expectations and standards than any other generation before,” said Mike Testa, a private college planner and the co-owner of Sisyfly. “Our students' mental health must be our number one priority. Students must realize their value and be able to deal with the results, no matter the outcome.”

At the end of the day, finding a school that works for your child and your family is possible! Start planning early by sitting with your child and making a list of schools they are interested in attending.

Florida’s Child Care Resource and Referral Services can help your family by provding A customized list of local child care options from trained child care resources and referral specialists.

Information about quality child care and early learning programs.

Financial assistance strategies and opportunities.

Referrals to other community resources and programs.

(352) 375-4110 ext. 102 4424 NW 13th St. A5 | Gainesville, FL 32609 Sponsored by Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County, the State of Florida, Office of Early Learning, and paid in part by federal funds GIGGLEMAGAZINE.COM | AUGUST/SEP TEMBER 2020

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community | calendar

Visit gigglemagazine.com to stay up to date on the latest events!

august | september

Event information may be subject to change due to COVID-19. Please check with event organizers to confirm the status of events.

JULY 3 - OCTOBER 31

AUGUST 6

AUGUST 29

MOON TO MARS: The Next Giant Leap

free Creative B Trivia Night

Virtual Run for Hope

7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Florida Museum of Natural History floridamuseum.ufl.edu/event/

12 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Virtual Event Register at one.bidpal.net/virtualrunforhope/ welcome

Noon - 5 p.m.

Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention cademuseum.org Learn more about the moon and mars with this interactive exhibit at the Cade!

The museum’s free virtual trivia nights will show you how cool it is to work in a museum.

This event will repeat itself on August 13.

AUGUST 13

AUGUST 1

Skate at the Cade Noon - 5 p.m.

The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention cademuseum.org/skate.html The Cade Museum has installed a synthetic iceskating rink in the museum for the community to enjoy! You can and the family can skate on Fridays and Saturdays, and skating is free with regular admission into the museum. This event repeats every Friday and Saturday until August 23.

AUGUST 1

free Haile Farmers Market 8:30 a.m. - Noon Haile Plantation hailefarmersmarket.com Head out to Haile to enjoy fresh, local produce, meats, honey, oils and more! This farmers market happens every Saturday!

AUGUST 5

free Union Street Farmers Market at Celebration Pointe 4-7 p.m.

Celebration Pointe unionstreetfarmersmkt.com This farmer market is held every Wednesday, rain or shine!

Reminder:

free Relationship Skills Workshop: Before You Tie the Knot Online Event 6 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Pre-register at eventbrite.com This workshop is for singles and couples who are looking for relationship advice! It is instructed

by UF SMART Couples facilitator, Jamie Haynes!

This is a five-class series and will repeat on August 20, August 27, September 3 and September 10.

AUGUST 22

Oakmont .4k Slacker Run 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Oakmont Register at oakmontrun4cac.com/ This fundraiser is for those who have always wanted to finish the race at their own pace.

This “run” is less than ¼ of a mile and fun for the whole family. All proceeds go to the Child Advocacy Center!

AUGUST 24

First Day Of School for Alachua County Public School Students

Aug 7-Aug 9 is the Florida 3-Day Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday!

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Find your own 5k course and participate in this virtual run benefiting Tyler’s Hope Foundation.

SEPTEMBER 7

Labor Day

SEPTEMBER 13 National Grandparents Day SEPTEMBER 19

Brain: The World Inside Your Head Time TBA Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention cademuseum.org/brain Get inside your own head with this exhibit at the Cade. It will blow your mind!

SEPTEMBER 26

Alachua County Heart Walk 7:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Santa Fe College Register at www.AlachuaHeartWalk.org Enjoy this family-friendly event while fighting against heart disease and stroke!

SEPTEMBER 27

free The Florida Vintage Market Noon - 5 p.m.

Bo Diddley Plaza thefloridavintagemarket.com/ Enjoy one of Florida’s most popular markets with the whole family. Enjoy vintage items, artists, food and more at this free event!

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