Family & Kids of the Chattahoochee Valley August 2021

AUGUST 2021

Wise Choices for Moms & Families

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY

extra curricular

ACTIVITY GUIDE

See Cover Sponsor Pg. 9

We are unique. We are us. We are Prodigy.

© Timeless Memories by Jessica

Pages 8-13

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

NOW OFFERING IMPLANTS!

Dr. Cathy Cook

Gentle Dentistry for the Entire Family!

ACCEPTING ALL MAJOR INSURANCES, CARE CREDIT AND OFFERING FINANCIAL OPTIONS

Valid at the following locations only:

3722 S. Railroad St. • Phenix City 3908 U.S. Hwy. 80 W. Phenix City

FREE

Zax Kidz Meal ®

with any adult meal purchase.

7626 Schomburg Rd. Columbus 1915 Auburn Ave. • Columbus 6190 Bradley Park Dr. Columbus 7033 Ruffie Way • Columbus

Participating locations only.

Mondays

5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.

Offer only valid Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kids 10 and under only. Limit one Zax Kidz Meal per adult meal purchase. Adult meals include any Zalad®, Sandwich Meal or Most Popular Meal. Dine-in only. Not valid at any other locations. © 2018 Zaxby’s Franchising LLC “Zaxby’s,” “Zax Kidz” and “Zalad” are registered trademarks of Zaxby’s Franchising LLC. Each Zaxby’s restaurant is independently owned and operated under a license agreement with Zaxby’s Franchising LLC.

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s learning

3

The mark of a new school year is often anticipated with a mix of emotions for kids and parents alike, ranging from exhilaration to anxiety. Kids are excited to wear their new clothes, see their classmates, and participate in extracurricular activities. But the school year can bring about challenges as well that leave kids and parents anxious. Here are some tips to get your kids off to a good start and keep them on course.

BToaScckhool s

s e c c u S

Pay attention to emotional health School success is strongly tied to kids’ emotional wellness. Unfortunately, when kids exhibit behavioral changes, parents often assume it’s just a childhood or adolescent phase as opposed to a mental health problem. If for a month or more, you observe your child wanting to isolate, exhibiting fatigue, having a change in appetite, a lack of desire to do fun things they used to, or a drop in academic performance, seek professional help for an evaluation, suggestions and possible treatments.

Kids need their Zs

Limit cell phone use

Sufficient sleep is essential to proper brain function.

When kids are deprived of sleep, it can interfere with their memory, attention, and ability to learn. Insufficient sleep can also adversely affect physical and mental health.

Kids ages 6 to 12 need 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night, and teens require 8 to 10.

If your child’s cell phone usage is interfering with face-to-face family and friend time, school work, sleep or exercise, then it’s probably time to enforce some guidelines. To gain their cooperation, ask them to help you create the rules such as chores and homework come first, no phones during mealtime and a curfew to turn them in for charging outside of their bedroom. Also, set consequences for your rules such as suspending phone privileges for a specified period. Build in an hour or two of daily phone time for your adolescent because socialization is an integral part of teen development.

To help your kids fall asleep better, set a regular bedtime for school nights. Backwards plan from their wakeup time to the suggested sleep times above. On weekends, try not to let their sleep patterns veer too far off, so returning to them on Monday isn’t a big adjustment. Also remove media from bedrooms at night, set a curfew of 2-3 hours before bed for caffeine and implement a relaxing routine such as a hot bath, low sugar snack and reading.

Balance is essential After school activities do provide valuable benefits to kids, but balance is more essential to a child’s well-being. When kids lack balance in their lives due to overscheduling, it can cause them mental stress and interfere with their ability to sleep and function optimally. Make sure to schedule in time for free play and rest times with low stimulation. Keep in mind that every child’s capacities are different. Observe your child’s behavior and be sensitive to when you may need to pull back on their commitments or adjust their routine for more balance.

Get academic help Any of the above issues, among other things, can lead to academic problems. Whatever the reason for your child’s school difficulties, there are ways to help. First, establish a regular homework time and a distraction-free area as a homework station, not behind closed doors so you can monitor them. Next, ask your child’s teachers about their observations and suggestions or procedures for a formal assessment.

Lastly, consider a tutor. Some schools offer tutoring options on campus. Consider using a trusted family member or friend who can help. Many websites offer free tutoring or consider hiring a professional tutor/service. To find a list of local options, visit https://familyandkidsga.com/cat/tutoring/

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The Scoop!

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 7 FOR MORE

Where to Find HOO? Check your local kid-friendly doctors, dentists, attractions, retail shops & restaurants; or see our interactive distro map at: familyandkidsga.com/get-a-copy

TO SUBMIT AD OR EVENT: Tammy Usie, Publisher tammy@familyandkidsga.com 253-212-7270 FamilyAndKidsGA

www.Familyandkidsga.com

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s learning

APPs for

As the new school year begins and your child’s schedule becomes filled with homework and after-school activities, apps can help keep your child organized and provide practice with essential skills.

Apps to keep organized Keeping track of assignments is challenging for many students and it is very frustrating when a bad grade is received just because an assignment was not turned in or a project is left to the last minute and not done properly. Even if your child is not old enough to have a smartphone, you can download an app onto a tablet or a computer that helps her track assignments and tests.

MyStudyLife is a free homework organizer that also serves as a ‘to do’ list and task planner. It is a cloud app, which makes it possible to log into the app from multiple devices and sync up the data. The app has a dashboard where your child can view the class schedule for the day, assignments that are due soon and progress on tasks. One helpful feature is the ability to indicate the percentage of completion for multi-day tasks and assignments, instead of being limited to ‘complete’ and ‘incomplete’ statuses. One plus for this app is that it can track class rotations.

MyHomework Student Planner is a free app that is often adopted by teachers to assign homework but also can be used by individual students. It is a cross-platform app that can be synced across multiple devices, which gives easy access to the assignments. Assignments and tasks are entered into the app and

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School Help

by Christa Melnyk Hines

students can categorize and prioritize their assignments and tasks. The app provides reminders about upcoming deadlines.

Apps for math skills For students who need extra practice with math skills, apps are resources that can be accessed whenever needed. The apps often are formatted as games that both entertain and teach key math skills.

Monster Math is a math game for kids in grades K -5. This app has a free version with limited features, plus an expanded paid version. This app covers essential math skills such as addition, subtraction, decimals and fractions. To progress in the game to the next part of the storyline, kids must complete math problems. You can choose which math skills your child focuses on and receive email reports on your child’s progress. The app can be adapted to your child’s skill level.

Moose Math is a free math game for kids ages 3-7. This colorful, engaging app has five different multi-level activities that teach basic math skills such as counting, addition, subtracting, sorting, geometry and

identifying patterns. The app is user-friendly for young kids. You can view your child’s progress in the report card section.

Apps for reading skills Apps can provide easy access to reading practice and books that help improve your child’s reading comprehension.

Khan Academy for Kids is a free app developed by specialists at the Stanford Graduate School of Education and it contains a variety of reading and literacy lessons for kids 2-8. The lessons include practice with phonics, learning the alphabet, spelling and grammar. Kids can use the app to read books or listen to audio books.

Relay Reader is a free app that provides access to full-length books, including classic works of literature. Every other page of the book is read by a narrator. Once a book is complete, the reader can take a comprehension test. Kids can also record themselves reading so that they can evaluate how they sound.

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GREAT BACK TO SCHOOL READS

By Charmette Perry, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries

HOO’s learning It’s time to send your young ones back to school! In our post-Covid world, returning to a traditional school setting may provoke both excitement and trepidation in you and your youngster. The Chattahoochee Valley Libraries contain many reassuring back-to-school books.

Dave the Unicorn

I got the school spirit

Welcome to Unicorn School, where you get your own unicorn best friend! You go on magical quests together! There is glitter!

There is even more glitter! A laugh-outloud illustrated chapter book perfect for 6 to 8 year olds.

“The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn tomorrow.” With bouncy text, lots of sound words, and boundless enthusiasm, a young girl greets the new school year with an abundance of positive energy.

by Pip Bird

by Connie Schofield-Morrison

Lola goes to school

We don’t eat our classmates

Spunky Lola embarks on a new adventure--the first day of school! This is a comforting, cheerful read for emerging Pre-K and kindergarteners. It is also available in Wonderbook format: a print book with a ready-to-play audio book inside.

What should you not do on the first day of school? You should definitely not eat your classmates! A young T-Rex learns she can’t eat her classmates even though “children are delicious.” Will Penelope ever learn to get along? Check out this hilarious story along with the sequel: We Will Rock Our Classmates.

by Anna McQuinn

by Ryan T. Higgins

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Hoo’s Tips

shing i n i f E e R V y b A S Buying new, solid-wood furniture can be expensive when you are giving a room in your home a makeover. Rejuvenating or refinishing heirlooms or furniture you find while shopping at yard sales and antique stores may be money-saving options.

Select Carefully

Here is what to know when selecting furniture to restore. Paint may be covering up flaws that make the furniture not worthy of refinishing, such as burns and water damage. Be very cautious when buying painted furniture.

Look at the construction of the furniture to see if it is made of solid wood. Furniture that is made of laminates and particleboard is usually not worth refinishing.

Check the sturdiness of the furniture to see if it needs to be re-glued. If it is a little wobbly, there is extra work you will need to put into it before restoring the finish.

Refinishing antiques from before the 1850s could damage their value, so check with an expert first if you are not sure about an antique’s value.

Evaluate & Restore

Next, clean the furniture using dish soap, warm water and a sponge. Then wipe it clean with fresh water and pat it dry with a rag. If the finish is intact, you may be able to get away with simply waxing it. However, if there are a few dents and cracks in the wood, you will next need to repair the piece of furniture by using wood filler to fill the dents and cracks, then sanding it and staining it with a matching stain.

The following are indicators that furniture should be refinished: • White rings on the finish that cleaning did not remove • Dark spots underneath the finish • Several worn areas and marks remaining after cleaning • Cracked or flaking finish • Discolored clear coat If the old finish needs to be removed, you can either sand it or use a chemical stripper. After the old finish is removed, apply a sealer, stain and wood finish.

Work in a well-ventilated area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for applying each product. Wear gloves and proper eye protection.

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www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com Extra Curri cular Activities Guide

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Choices for You Acti & YourvFamily ExtraWiseCurri cular ities Guide

We’ll Get Your Child

Excited About Learning!

Learn Thru Physical Activity Math & Reading Tutoring Grades K-12

Also Offering Virtual Learning • Single Classroom • Limited Seating Call Today!

(762) 208-5048 www.btglearning.com 3709 Gentian Blvd, Ste 7, Columbus, GA 31907

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com Extra Curri cular Activities Guide

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Choices for You Acti & YourvFamily ExtraWiseCurri cular ities Guide

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Math. Reading.

Confidence.

Kumon Math & Reading of Columbus - North 1290 Double Churches Rd., Ste. K Columbus, GA 31904

706.257.6963 kumon.com/columbus-north ©2014 Kumon North America

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

August Events 15

PROVIDED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

3 Little Sprouts. 10:30am. Ages 0-5. 20 National Lemonade Day. 10am- FRIDAY Simple Steps Storytime. 10am. Colum$5/family. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

5pm. Hills and Dales Estate, LaGrange; 706-882-3242

6 Food Truck Friday. 11am-1pm. 20 Parents Night Out. 6pm. (P) Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-3278400

Treadstone Climbing Gym; 706-5077625

Mud Factor Kidz Family Mud & 7 Puppy Tales. 10:30-11:30am. North 21 Obstacle Run. 10am & 10:30am. Ages Columbus Library; 706-748-2885

9 School begins; Muscogee Co School District; muscogee.k12.ga.us/

13 Life is Better at Benning Expo.

Fort Benning; benning.armymwr.com

14 Princess for a Day. 10am-Noon.

4-13. RSV. Phenix City Motocross, Salem; mudfactor.com/columbus

28 Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2669

Simple Steps Storytime. 10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2669

Puppy Tales. 2pm. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2669 Columbus Kids Market.

Wed 10am-5pm, Thur 2-8pm, Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 8am-1pm. Central Baptist, Columbus; 706-565-5442

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

Preschool Story Hour. 10am. PCRC Library, Phenix City; 334-297-1139

20-21 Wild & Scenic Film Fes- THURSDAY tival. Fri 9am-9pm; Sat 10am-8pm. $15-$125. CSU Riverside Theatre; watchnaturenow.org

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon.

Uptown Columbus; uptowncolumbusga.com

Toddler Time. 10am-Noon. $10. Ages 5 & under. Launch Trampoline Park; 706-221-8680

at Heritage Art Center; 706-442-9470

18-21

kin’. 11am. PCRC Library, Phenix City; 334-297-1139

SATURDAY

27Foodie Friday. 7-9pm. Courtyard

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14 Reading with Ms. Beverly & Pun-

Toddler Tales & Tunes. 11am. PCRC Library, Phenix City; 334-297-1139

Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt. 9am-4pm. $5 parking. FD Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858

Weekly Events

$5-$25. Columbus Convention & Trade Center; eventbright.com

bus Public Library; 706-243-2669

Simple Steps Storytime. 10am. Columbus Public Library; 706-243-2669

Preschool Story Time. 11am. PCRC Library, Phenix City; 334-297-1139

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Public Swimming. 11am-6pm. $2-$5.

Liberty Bell Pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Pine Mountain, 706-663-4858 Organ Concert. 1-3pm. Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel at Callaway Gardens; 844-512-3826

Please call ahead to confirm event dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained. [ Denotes Virtual Event]

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s CRAFTY

BACK-TO-SCHOOL

TIME CAPSULE

A back-to-school time capsule is a fun way to help preserve those first day of school memories. Courtesy of iheartcraftythings.com.

DIRECTIONS

BTS Time Capsule

Ask your child insightful questions BEFORE and AFTER their first day of school that you record on paper. Have them trace their hand on construction paper and write their name and age on it. Measure their height with a string and cut to size. Include these items in your jar along with photos of their first day, as well as any other mementos from school or this time period. Then help them make a label and attach. Throw some confetti inside and seal the top, then decorate with ribbons. Put the time capsule in a safe place to open on the last day of school and review the items together to share and reflect how much has changed.

SUPPLIES

Mason Jar or clear container, ribbon, confetti, string, construction paper, scissors, glue or tape, “First Day Q&A,” photos of child and first day mementos

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

HOO’s HEALTHY RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a viral infection that causes mild symptoms similar to those of a common cold in healthy kids and adults. However, in young children and at-risk adults, RSV may develop into a serious respiratory illness. Premature infants, infants younger than six months, children under two with heart or lung disease, older adults, and individuals with a weakened immune system are especially at risk for a severe RSV infection.

RSV is spread by an infected person near you coughing or sneezing or by touching a surface that has the RSV virus on it and then touching your face. RSV can survive for several hours on hard surfaces, and spreads easily, especially in a daycare or classroom setting. Older kids can become infected at school and then pass the infection to younger siblings at home. Almost all children have had RSV by the time they are 2 years old.

For most kids, an RSV infection is mild. Symptoms of a mild infection include cough, runny nose, sore throat, fever and headache. According to the CDC, infants infected by RSV almost always show symptoms. However, symptoms in infants under six months of age may differ from those experienced by older kids and adults. The only symptoms

WHAT IS: RSV that may appear at first in infants six months of age or younger include lethargy, irritability, reduction in appetite, and pauses in breathing (apnea).

In infants and those at risk for severe complications, RSV can progress over a few days to a severe illness of the lower respiratory tract, such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis, that requires hospitalization. Symptoms of a severe infection include wheezing, a severe cough, fever and a bluish color to the skin. Infants experiencing a severe RSV infection may show rapid, shallow breathing, irritability, difficulty breathing and decreased appetite.

There is no vaccine for RSV, but you can reduce the risk of your young child developing an RSV infection by washing hands often, keeping anyone with cold symptoms away from your young child and disinfecting surfaces If your child has a cold that is getting worse and is having trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.

RESOURCES: CDC https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

a fun place for the whole family

SAT U RDAY S 4PM | 6PM S U N DAY S 9A M | 11A M W W W. C A S C A D E H I LLS . C O M

HOO’s FIT

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

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ion: t a z i l a peci S s t r o Sp dea?

I d o o Is it a G

by Christa Melnyk Hines

While sports can provide a multitude of emotional and physical benefits for kids, specializing in a single sport at too early of an age can pose risks. How do you know when—or if— your child should specialize in a sport they love?

What is sports specialization? Brian Harvey, O.D., a pediatric sports medicine physician, says that sports specialization is defined as playing and competing in one single sport exclusively for more than eight months out of the year.

Advantages of multi-sport athletes.

Some parents worry that their children won’t have a competitive advantage later on if they don’t specialize early. Karen Hughey, CEO of Team Cura, works with scholarship-seeking athletes and their parents. “I think football is probably the best example of not specializing,” Harvey says. “Ninety percent of the first-round draft picks are multi-sports athletes. They’re running track, playing basketball, and wrestling. It certainly doesn’t hinder their ability to play professionally or get those college scholarships.”

Prevent injury.

“We see that kids, who have had experiences playing a multitude of sports, have fewer difficulties learning new skills and generally, don’t suffer from the overuse injuries and burnout that are common with youth athletes specializing in one sport,” says physical therapist Tim Cummings, PT, DPT. Cummings says the most common overuse injuries he sees in younger patients include ankle sprains, knee pain, Little Leaguer’s Elbow and ACL tears.

Avoid burnout. Participating in different sports throughout the year is easier on developing bodies and kids are less likely to get bored or even anxious or depressed. “Athletes wanting to perform at their best, but not being able to, whether it’s due to injury or their fear of disappointing a coach or a parent or even themselves,

plus that chronic daily physical demand, can lead to higher rates of burnout and quitting their sport,” Harvey says. To allow the body time to rest and recover, kids shouldn’t train for more than eight months out of the year. “And really try not to practice, train or compete more than their age in years per week,” Harvey says. (For example, no more than 12 hours per week for a 12-year-old.)

Encourage free play. Striking a healthy balance between sports and other interests is also beneficial. Whether they toss a football around with friends, shoot hoops in the driveway, play tag, or make up competitive games, kids develop motor skills, creativity and social/emotional skills through unstructured play. “When we start to look at young athletes, the body really needs time to develop, to learn how to run, learn how to jump— really learn how to use their bodies and play,” Harvey says. “Instead of focusing on one exact sport, try a little bit of different types of sports. Learn how to be athletic first and foremost, and then really have fun with those sports.”

When to specialize. Harvey recommends parents gauge specialization readiness according to a child’s physical and mental maturity. Although he’d prefer kids waited until they were at least 12 (ideally 14 or 15), “there’s probably not a specific age that I would say is perfect,” he says. He says a child who is physically and mentally ready to specialize: is goal-oriented, understands that the sport should be fun, comprehends the complex rules of the game, recognizes the demand that a sport can put on the mind and the body and can cope with those demands in a healthy way.

Above all, “you’ve got to listen to your children,” Hughey says. “Countless coaches have told us that you will know when the time is right. If you’re pushing it, it’s not the right time.”

Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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on Sundays

(AKA YOU DON’T HAVE TO COOK)

5555 Whittlesey Blvd • Columbus, GA 6516 Kitten Lake Dr • Midland, GA *One free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée of $6 or more. Kids must be 12 and under. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

HOO’s HUNGRY

EASY AND CREAMY S’MORE PIE simple to make and tastes like a chilly, creamy version of a s’more to curb your cravings without a fire pit.

DIRECTIONS

Stir marshmallows and ¼ cup milk together in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1½ minutes and stir. Continue to microwave and stir in 30 second increments until marshmallows are melted. Refrigerate until cooled (about 40 minutes). Once marshmallow mixture has cooled, fold in 4 ounces of COOL WHIP whipped topping. Whisk together the pudding mix and remaining 1 cup of milk for about 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Pour pudding mixture into graham cracker pie crust. Spoon dollops of marshmallow mixture on top of pudding mixture, and then gently spread using a silicone spatula. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to overnight. Decorate with additional COOL WHIP whipped topping, chocolate squares, and graham cracker crumbs, as desired.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 graham cracker pie crust • 1½ cup miniature marshmallows • 1¼ cup skim milk, divided • 1 (1.4 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding • 4 oz whipped topping • graham cracker crumbs, optional for garnish • chocolate squares, optional for garnish Courtesy of alidaskitchen.com

©2021 Moe’s Franchisor SPV LLC-550344

KIDS EAT FREE

*

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Dining Deals

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for Kids

With deals this good, save the mess and dine out!

MONDAY Barberitos

Free kid’s meal with adult entrée after 4pm

Sapo’s

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Zaxby’s

5-8pm: Free kid’s meal with adult entrée

Tuesday Chicken Salad Chick

Free Little Chick Meal with purchase of adult meal

Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

Jason’s Deli

5-9pm: Free kid’s meal for kids 12 and under with each adult entrée; dine-in only

Ruby Tuesday

5-10pm: Kids 12 and under eat free with adult entrée

Wednesday Applebee’s Half off kid’s meal per adult entrée. Limit: 4 kids to adult

Your Pie

Kid’s meal $1.99 (pizza, drink & gelato) w/ adult meal

Red Robin

Kid’s meal $1.99 w/ adult meal for kids 11 and under

Thursday Captain D’s

Kids meals are .99 cents all day

Saturday Denny’s

4-10pm: Up to two free kids entrées with adult entrée for kids 10 and under

sunday The Simple Greek

Kids 12 & under get half-off kids bowl with purchase of regular size bowl. Not to be combined.

MOE’s Southwest Grill

Free kid’s meal with purchase of adult entrée

Every day 219 On The Lake

5-9pm: Kids eat for $2.19 on kids menu (M-TH)

Bruster’s Ice Cream

Kids under 40” get free baby cone

McAlister’s

Kid’s meals are $1.99 with dine-in order

Newk’s

4pm-close: free kid’s meal with adult meal (M-W)

O’Charley’s

Free kid’s meal per adult entrée for kids 10 & under

All locations are Columbus, GA unless noted. Specials are subject to change without notice, so please verify them directly before dining. Send kids deals to Tammy@FamilyAndKidsGA.com.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family HOO’s learning

W H A T IS A N

IEP?

An IEP (Individualized Education Plan) is a legal document developed for a child who needs to receive special education services in a public school. Determining if a child is eligible for special education services and writing an IEP is a multistep process that adheres to the federal guidelines in the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). Here is what to expect if special education services and an IEP are being considered for your child.

1 .

The first step in the IEP process is a referral for an evaluation to see if your child has a disability included in one of the disability categories covered by the IDEA. This evaluation can be requested by a teacher or anyone else at the school who notices your child is having difficulty learning. Parents can also contact the school directly to ask for an evaluation. No matter who requests the educational evaluation, the school must receive the permission of the parents before conducting it.

2.

Next, the school determines if your child is eligible for the special education services provided by the school.

Even if your child has a disability covered by IDEA, if the school decides that the disability does not interfere with her education, the school may find your child ineligible for the special services they provide. If the school rules that your child is ineligible, and you do not agree with the decision, ask the school to provide you with the process for appealing it.

3.

If your child is found to be eligible, the IEP team meets to develop an IEP for your child. Members of the IEP team include regular teachers, the special education teacher, parents, a school system representative, someone who has the expertise to analyze the results of your child’s evaluation and anyone else who has specific, in-depth knowledge about your child. The team collaborates to write the IEP document, and parents are an important part of the process since they have detailed knowledge about any educational issues that affect homework. The school is required to notify you when and where the meeting will be held. If you cannot attend it, ask for it to be rescheduled.

The IEP document, at minimum, contains the following information:

Documentation of current performance

Areas where your student needs improvement are noted. This will be used as a benchmark to document your child’s progress. The data includes the special education evaluation, standardized testing scores and any observations made in the classroom by teachers. Non-academic needs, such as language or behavioral issues, are also noted in this benchmark.

Goals that can be accomplished in one year

Measurable goals based on the list of your child’s educational needs are set for your child. Periodic reports are provided on the progress being made towards the goals.

Delivery of special education services

The IEP document defines the services that will be provided, when the services will start and how they will be delivered. Will your child be able to learn alongside non-disabled students all day or will she need to attend a special class on some days? Which accommodations are provided for learning in the general classroom?

You can ask to take the IEP document home to review before signing it. Ask someone you trust to help you read over it carefully. The IEP cannot be implemented until you sign it, and another IEP meeting can be scheduled to allow further discussion if you have an issue with a part of the document.

Resources: https://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Richard Mansfield, D.O. FAAP Amy Cool, M.D. FAAP Veronica Manka, MD, FAAP Neha Potini, MD, FAAP Trina Williamson, FNP

PEDIATRICS at brookstone centre 706.571.9699

2001 Brookstone Centre Pky

pediatricsatbrookstonecentre.com

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HOO’s CUTE

CONTEST VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO ENTER YOUR CUTIE: www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Reagan, 6 years Phenix City

Lailan, 7 years Columbus

Everly, 1 year Columbus

www.FamilyAndKidsGA.com

Letslassothemoon.com This mom-blog was created by Zinna Harrington to bring parents together to “opt-out of overwhelm.”

She believes being crazy-busy gets in the way of finding time for what really matters. She presents content that encourges parents to connect deeply with their kids and family, see the beauty in every day life, teach independent life-skills, foster a sense of adventure and maintain a mindset that prevents being overwhelmed.

morning meditation for women Morning meditations created for women. Start your day with a moment of mindfulness with the Morning Meditation for Women podcast. Whether you’re new to meditation, trying to kickstart your meditation practice, or a seasoned meditator, you’ll love these quick meditations designed to start your day with intention, love and a deep sense of peace.

Trending OnE Bad Mom

This is a Facebook group and podcast by the same name. The Facebook group is a member-run group set up to support each other through all the genius and failures of parenting with a good laugh. The weekly, comedy podcast is about motherhood and how unnatural it is sometimes. Moderators discuss the thrills and embarrassments of motherhood with less judging, and more laughing.

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Wise Choices for You & Your Family

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HOO’s Healthy e Homemad brand, Wal-Mart and Sprout “refused to cooperwith the investigation altogether.”

Baby Food ateCampbell’s

The Better Choice

By Dr. Hampton Vernon, Vernon Pediatrics

When a whistleblower report emerged two years ago detailing high levels of toxic metals like arsenic and lead in many common baby foods, the noise resonated loudly throughout the pediatric world. So much so, that the US Congress decided to form a sub-committee and investigate these claims. In February of this year, the report was published and the results were shocking. Before I continue, let me preface by saying that I am a pro-vaccine pediatrician who gave both of my daughters a steady diet of jarred/store bought baby foods and prepacked snacks like rice-based teething crackers. This report will change what we do in our family, and it has already changed the messaging our Academy puts forth to patients regarding baby food.

In short, the congressional report found unacceptable levels of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury in every sample they tested. Every company, if given a grade, would have received an F. Beech Nut, Gerber, Earth’s Best and Hain complied with the committee and submitted samples for testing.

There is no “safe” level for the metals tested by the committee.

Cadmium, mercury, lead and arsenic are known to cause developmental delays and affect brain development. Even low level exposure can cause decreases in IQ. Thus, “acceptable” levels are nearly undetectable! The FDA has limits in numerous products like bottled water in 5-10 parts per billion. For example, in bottled water, the acceptable threshold for arsenic is 10 parts per billion, or ppb. For cadmium and lead, bottled water can have no more than 5ppb. Conversely, all of the baby foods tested by the committee “eclipsed” these thresholds. In one example, Beech Nut baby food contained up to 913 ppb of arsenic. That is 91 times the acceptable threshold.

So, what can we do? For starters, make your purées at home.

With a little breastmilk or formula, just about any fruit or vegetable can be puréed. You may even save some money doing it the “natural” way. And until the FDA sets actual standards for these corporations to abide by, I’ll be recommending this to all of my patients.

RESOURCES: https://www.scribd.com/document/493369049/2021-02-04-ECPBaby-Food-Staff-Report-1 https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/05/01/ parentplus-babyfoodmetal050121

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