Jax4Kids.com - April 2016

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April 2016

MEET CAMP PROVIDERS AND REGISTER FOR SUMMER CAMPS REGISTER TO WIN A GETAWAY TO THE GAYLORD PALMS RESORT ORLANDO, SEASON WATER PARK PASSES FOR FOUR TO ADVENTURE LANDING AND MANY OTHER GREAT PRIZES! FREE FAMILY FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT!

THREE LOCATIONS! April 2nd . 10am – 3pm The Avenues Mall 10300 Southside Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32256

April 9th . 10am – 3pm Orange Park Mall 1910 Wells Road Orange Park, FL 32073

April 16th . 10am – 3pm World Golf Village One World Golf Place St. Augustine,FL 32092

TO BECOME A VENDOR, EMAIL EXPO@JAX4KIDS.COM OR CALL 904-710-2020 Page 2 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Contents

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Dear Readers,

LIVING WELL

S

Community Profile: Duffels4Kids ........................................................................4 Simple Steps to Organizing Your Financial and Tax Papers ....................................4 Clay County Fair Celebrates 30th Year .................................................................5 Jax Kid’s Mural Festival .......................................................................................6 Youth Travel Trust Fund .......................................................................................6

ummer Camp planning is in high gear and Jax4Kids has you covered! Our comprehensive Summer Camps Guide is online to help you easily find summer camps for your kids.

Log on to www.jax4kids.com and click on the Summer Camps tab. While you’re online, look for the 2016 Great Summer Camp Giveaway details – we’re giving away a week of camp every week through June 19th.

You asked, we listened! This year, Jax4Kids is hosting a Summer Camp Expo in three locations throughout North Florida – on April 2nd at The Avenues Mall, on April 9th at the Orange Park Mall and April 16th at World Golf Village. Come learn about summer camp options for your kids, meet with camp providers and register on site for your favorite camps. There will be lots of free entertainment, activities and giveaways. While you’re at the Expos, register to win a trip to the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, season passes for four to Adventure Landing Shipwreck Island Waterpark and more!

Adventure Landing’s Waterpark is open on weekends throughout April, weather permitting.

Turn to page 15 for a coupon good for $3 off Waterpark admission, a free game of mini golf and 100 tokens for $15. The Clay County Fair is celebrating their 30th year! Turn to page 13 to see how you can get discount admission tickets and visit Jax4Kids at the Fair on Monday, April 4th for Fair Day. Disney On Ice presents Frozen will be at the Jacksonville Veteran’s Memorial Arena April 6th through 10th. Save $5 on Tickets to the Thursday, Friday and Saturday 7:30pm performances, Friday 3:30 and Sunday 10am and 6pm performances. Use the code J4KFZN. Tickets are available at the box office, online at ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800745-3000. Turn to page 24 and meet Becky Bereswill, the figure skater who plays the role of Elsa, our That’s My Job guest columnist for April.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Celebrate National Park Week..............................................................................7 Super Lice Like Selfies! .......................................................................................7

EATING WELL

Stick With These Resolutions for a Healthy Next Year.............................................8 Strawberry Picking Season Has Arrived ................................................................9 Strawberries: A Nutritional Powerhouse ..............................................................9

INFANT & TODDLER We’ve got savings for you on the Marvel Universe Live show coming to the Arena April 28th through May 1st. Turn to page 30 for discount details. If your child has a birthday coming up, turn to page 14 for discounts on bounce house and airbrush tattoo and face painting services. For more discounts, visit our online Deals and Discounts page at www.jax4kids.com. For more events and activities, turn to page 30 and visit our always updated online events calendar at www.jax4kids.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the Summer Camp Expos, at the Tree Hill Nature Center Butterfly Festival on April 30th and at the Jacksonville Symphony for E.T. on April 9th at 7:30 at the Times-Union Center and April 29th and 30th for the Cinderella Ballet where we’ll have an extra special pre-show treat for your princes and princesses!

Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor

Follow us...

Alison Peters-Carlson Editor................................................... editor@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer..................................................linda@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer....................................................tim@timothyjay.com Doug Berle Advertising Sales..................................................... doug@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales................................................ beth@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager....................................................judi@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager.......................................... mary@jax4kids.com Jean Sealey Contributing Writer Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2016.

Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by Jax4Kids.com To Go is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for any errors and/or omissions. The Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to editor@jax4kids.com. For more information concerning advertising, call 904-710-2020 or e-mail advertise@jax4kids.com.

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April 2016

Language Development Step by Step ................................................................10 Teeth Fairies a Baby Teeth Tradition ...................................................................10 Find a Baby Name with MooseRoots.com ..........................................................10

SPECIAL NEEDS

Tommy Hilfiger Introduces New Collection of Adaptive Clothing ...........................12 Things to Do: Special Needs ..............................................................................12

TEENS

Search Smarter For That Summer Job ....................................................13 Track Teen Drivers .................................................................................13

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Birthday Party Ideas ...............................................................................14 Dino-Mite Birthdays at the Jacksonville Zoo ............................................14 Birthday Party Discounts ........................................................................14 Helping Young Children Enjoy Birthday Celebrations ................................15 SUMMER CAMPS �������������������������������������������������������� 16-22 2016 Great Summer Camp Giveaway ������������������������������������������������� 16 Special Needs Camps ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Summer Camps Book List ������������������������������������������������������������������� 22

EDUCATION

Can’t Get Your Kids Into Poetry? Try These Tips .......................................24 That’s My Job! Becky Bereswill, Figure Skater ........................................24 Jacksonville Suns Education Day ............................................................25 Library Offering Free Online Tutoring .......................................................25

DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Kay Park: 2016 Duval County Teacher of the Year..................................26 2016 Reading Extravaganza ................................................................26

ST. JOHNS COUNTY SCHOOL NEWS

4th Annual County History Fair Winners...................................................27 Scholarship Winner.................................................................................27 School-Related Employees of the Year Recognized ..................................27 Switzerland Point Excels in Math ............................................................27

CLAY COUNTY SCHOOL NEWS

Regional Career Fair a Success ..............................................................28 Music Competition Offers Scholarships....................................................28 Students Selling What They Sow.............................................................28 Lakeside is Math Winner.........................................................................28 Interior Design Students Take a Career Journey.......................................28

PETS

Community Profile: VetSetGo!..................................................................29 Things to Do: Pet Events........................................................................29

THINGS TO DO

Things to Do: April Events.................................................................................30

LIVING WELL

Community Profile: Duffels4Kids I magine walking into a relative’s home for a visit with all of your clothes stuffed in a huge trash bag. Most people would be mortified, but unfortunately, this is a way of life for foster children. There are more than 22,000 children in Florida’s foster care system and every day, a foster child moves into another home with his or her belongings in a trash bag. It shouldn’t be this way as many of these children have entered the system because of a biological parent’s inability to care for them because of drug abuse, physical abuse or other conditions; not through any fault of their own.

practice of placing children in homes with their belongings in trash bags by providing a duffel to every child in foster care. This part of the child welfare culture must be changed but it begins with you -- and me -- and others who are willing to donate or walk in solidarity with Duffels4Kids on May 21 in the Duffels4Kids Walk. While we cannot alter the reason a child must be in foster care in the first place, we can do our part to ensure they are treated with respect and dignity while there. Having a new -- not used -- duffel bag to call their own is a small step in that direction.

Simple Steps to Organizing Your Financial and Tax Papers A pril is the month that you will see kitchen tables across this country piled in papers prepping for tax time. It is easy to fall behind on organizing your financial and tax records during the year due to our hectic schedules. If you are unorganized when dealing with your finances, you are at risk of losing control of your money.

Keeping your financial records organized is as easy as three simple steps.

When my husband and I picked up our first foster child in January 2008, we were handed this precious little boy -- and a huge black trash bag.

We were new to the system of foster care so this gesture came as a complete surprise to us. Questions such as “Are the clothes clean?”, “Am I supposed to keep the bag?” and even a simple “What IS this?” all ran through our minds.

However, the newness of it all and the excitement of welcoming this baby boy into our home made us temporarily forget about that bag, which was promptly left in the garage ... until the next child was placed with us with a trash bag.

Help us bring awareness in May for National 1. Make a gathering spot for your paperwork.

Foster Care Month of the children in foster care As your financial documents arrive at your and their need to have something to call their home, make a habit of having a temporary own by joining us May 21 at the Jacksonville Zoo catch-all such as a file box in a convenient and Gardens. Let’s change the culture of using location so items can be filed away immeditrash bags as luggage for our kids, one duffel at a ately. This file box should have a handle so it time. can be easily moved to another room or hidden away in a locking cabinet. Label What: Duffels4Kids Walk seven hanging file folders: Receipts, Bills, When: May 21, 2016 Where: Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens Action, Taxes, Shred, File short term, File Time: 8:30 a.m. long term. If you have other major categoRegistration: $25 ries, create more hanging folders as you Event Website: www.duffels4kids.org need them. When you have a gathering spot While our first foster child was too young to care and a home for all of your incoming financial where his clothes were placed, that does not hold You can also donate a duffel in the 5000 Role papers, you will never end up with piles true for older youth and teens. Carrying belongModels Duffel Drive at one of the five Jacksonscattered around your home. ings in a bag meant for the trash can have a ville middle schools: JEB Stuart Middle, Jefferson profound effect on self-esteem and can cause Davis Middle, Fort Caroline Middle, DuPont Middle 2. Process all paperwork weekly. Now that you feelings of worthlessness for older children in or Ribault Middle. have a gathering spot for all incoming foster care. This is where Duffels4Kids enters the picture.

More info: contact@duffels4kids or www. financial papers, you must make a habit of duffels4kids.org j processing all of them on a weekly basis.

Duffels4Kids aims to eliminate the demoralizing Clear out everything from the box each week. Make sure that you are not busy dealing with any item that should have been April 23rd • March of Dimes March for Babies deposited in the trash the moment you Premature birth is the #1 killer of babies. When you March opened it.

April 2nd • World Autism Awareness Day Light it up BLUE! People all over the globe will wear blue and light up their communities in support of Autism Awareness.

April 2nd • Jax4Kids Summer Camp Expo at The Avenues Mall April 9th • Jax4Kids Summer Camp Expo at Orange Park Mall April 16th • Jax4Kids Summer Camp Expo at World Golf Village

Meet camp providers and register on site for summer camps. Admission and all activities are Free of charge.

April 7th • The Jacksonville Suns season opens Sundays are FUNdays with the Suns this season. Kids and their families can play catch on the field at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Then a Suns player will read a children's story to kids on the concourse. Following the game, kids can run the bases.

April 15th • Tax Day April 16 – 23 • National Park Week Visit any of America’s National parks for free all week long! www.nationalparks.org

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for Babies, you: • help moms have healthy pregnancies • support families in the NICU • fund research to fight premature birth and birth defects Visit marchofdimes.org to register for the 3 mile walk at EverBank Field.

April 22 – 23 • Mission of Mercy Free Dental Services 6am – 5pm at the Prime Osborne Convention Center.

First-come, first-served.

Services range from basic cleanings and fillings, to extractions, root canals, X-rays, oral health education and in some cases, even partial acrylic dentures.

April 23rd • First Day of Passover April 30th • Last Day of Passover April 28th • Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day April 29th • Arbor Day Plant a Tree today!

Shred - This file is for anything that has been completed and has sensitive information on it.

File Short Term - Items you want to keep short term and have quick access to like loan statements or insurance policies will go in this file. A three ring binder with plastic sheet protectors can be used for filing these items. Remember try to get many of these items sent to you electronically. If you prefer to skip this step, these items can be placed directly in the “File Long Term” folder.

File Long Term - This folder will contain documents that you will keep long term.

Examples of these items are legal documents, warranties, education records and anything else where a digital version is not available. File these items into a filing cabinet with manila folders labeled for each main category.

Here is a more detailed description of the seven files in your box:

3. Purge Your Paperwork. Time to destroy everything in your “Shred” file. Shredders are inexpensive and are a necessity in your home in order to avoid identity theft. In addition, each year make a habit of shredding unnecessary documents and purging your filing cabinet. Look online for information on which documents to keep and for how long.

Receipts - This is for all paper receipts.

Make sure to have receipts emailed to you when available. Make a folder in your email labeled “Receipts”. Receipts come in handy when reconciling finances each month.

Pledge to make this your year to get your finances organized! You will feel more in control of your finances, be prepared for tax season, and be able to make better decisions to improve your personal finances. j

April at a Glance Autism Awareness Month

Taxes - All tax related transactions go in this file so that you do not forget to include them at the end of the year. These items can be scanned into the computer, filed in “long term” in a filing cabinet, or left in the file box till the end of the year.

Bills - This is for monthly paper bills until they are paid. Then transfer them to “file” or “shred”. Many of your bills can go paperless if you switch to online bill pay with your bank.

Action - This is for anything you need to do.

Examples would be reading a letter, researching an offer or responding to a request. Once completed you can file, toss or shred.

Karen Duncan, Certified Professional Organizer® Productive Environment Specialist™ Organized Home / Organized Office 904-955-7346 kpduncan@jacksonvilleorganizer.com www.jacksonvilleorganizer.com facebook.com/OrganizedHomeOrganizedOffice

LIVING WELL

Clay County Fair Celebrates 30th Year A

n expanded kiddie area, free barrel train rides on opening weekend and all the excitement of a fair midway add up to great family time at the Clay County Agricultural Fair this year. From March 31 through April 9, fairgoers will enjoy 10 days of entertainment, food specialties you can only find at a fair, art displays, exhibits, strolling performers, rides, livestock – everything that makes this fair the “downhome country fun” Clay County Agricultural Fair patrons have enjoyed for 30 years.

(Sponsored by St. Vincent’s) Fair – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday, April 3 – Family Day (Sponsored by “We have Disc Connected K9s, which is a dog VyStar Credit Union) Frisbee show,” she Fair – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. said. “New this year, Monday, April 4 – Fair Day (Sponsored by Coca we have Moto Cola; armbands sponsored by MacDonald’s) Maniacs, an incredible Fair – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. display of motorcycle Tuesday, April 5 – WQIK Night (Sponsored by stunts and acrobatics, WQIK 99.1) and the pig races are Fair – 4 to 11 p.m. always fun.”

Wednesday, April 6 – Think Green Day (Sponsored by Waste Management) On opening day, Thursday, April 7 – Senior Day (Sponsored by Thursday, March 31, Orange Park Medical Center) the fair opens at 2 Fair – Noon to 11 p.m. p.m., and admission is Friday, April 8 – Youth Agriculture Day (Spon$2. That’s right. sored by W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor) Everyone gets in the gate for $2, and rides are Fair – 2 to 11 p.m. free until 3 p.m. So, get there early and enjoy as Saturday, April 9 – Celebrate Clay Day (Spon“This year we will offer a place for parents to many rides as you can during the first hour. sored by Baptist Clay Medical Campus) take photos of their children,” said Tasha Hyder, Fair – 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Clay County Agricultural Fair general manager. “If Monday, May 4 is Fair Day and the fun begins at (Gate sales end 90 minutes before closing) parents are separated from their children during 10 a.m. and runs through 11 p.m. Clay County the fair, they have a current photo which will schools are closed that day, and armbands – for Ticket prices show what the child is wearing that day. It’s a all-day riding – are discounted to $12 each until • Adults $10 safety measure we think is important, and we 5 p.m., but good until closing.

• *Seniors (65+) $7; encourage parents to take advantage of it for • Children (6-12) $7 Other admission price discounts are offered their own peace of mind.”

• Children (5 and under) Free Wednesday, April 6, Think Green Day, between 4 Special Pricing: Midway rides offer something for everyone, from and 6 p.m. when admission is half price plus two March 31 Opening Day, Admission is $2; rides adult thrillers to kiddie rides. Kiddie rides include cans of food (per person) and Thursday, April 7, are free for the first hour. tea cups, swings and clown fish. A fun house and when adults 65 and older are admitted free April 6 Think Green Day, 4 to 6 p.m., admission between noon and 6 p.m. carousel are among activities the whole family is half price plus two canned food items. can enjoy. Check the fair’s website for height April 7 Senior Day, seniors (65+) are admitted The Clay County Agricultural Fair is at 2497 State free from noon to 6 p.m. requirements, so there are no disappointments!

Road 16 W. (Your GPS and Google may take you to Spring Bank Road.) The Paul E. Reinhold “Our expanded kiddie area is designed for Sidebar: Agricultural Fairgrounds is 4 miles west of Green Tips for enjoying the fair with children younger children who may not meet height Cove Springs on State Road 16. Please keep in requirements for the larger rides,” Hyder said. mind entrance traffic from State Road 16 to “Here parents will find rides and activities that 1. The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, parking lots is one way and exit traffic to County will keep their children entertained in a safe, a better parking spot and less time standing Road 315 is one way. Please follow exit signs. kid-friendly environment.” in line.

Dial 511 for free or click on www.FL511.com for 2. Be prepared for minor emergencies with the latest traffic updates for your travel to the fair. bandages, aspirin, antacids and sunscreen.

3. Pace yourself when it comes to sampling fair See you there! treats and activities. Take an occasional rest to recharge.

For more information, to buy tickets online and to 4. Carry some wet wipes for wiping faces and get directions, visit the fair’s website at www. hands, clothing and seating areas. claycountyfair.org . Tickets purchased before the 5. Not everyone takes plastic at the fair, so take first day of the fair (March 31) are discounted. cash. Using cash also helps you keep costs under control.

Fair Schedule 6. Fair staff puts safety first, and parents Throughout the fair, Denny the Rodeo Clown, Thursday, March 31 – Opening Day should too. The Clay County Fair’s photo Daniel the Juggler and the Dennis Lee Band will (Sponsored by WJXT TV) booth at the entrance is the first step. Make be providing entertainment and bringing smiles to 1:50 p.m. Opening ceremony sure your children have some type of ID on children and adults alike. And the Main Stage, the Fair – 2 to 11 p.m. them with your cell phone number – and Community Stage and the Ag-Tainment Stage Friday, April 1 – Coastal Spine and Pain Center that you have your cell phone with you. have comedy, music, livestock judging and Day (Sponsored by Coastal Spine and Pain 7. Be alert for signs your children are reaching variety shows scheduled each day. It’s a chance Center) their limits, and then head for your car, to sit down, relax and be entertained.

Fair – 2 to 11 p.m. which should be near the front gate if you Saturday, April 2 – St. Vincent’s Healthcare Day got there early enough. j

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Hyder said there are many activities for kids of all ages in addition to the rides.

LIVING WELL

Jax Kid’s Mural Festival

Youth Travel Trust Fund

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acksonville children will be able to express themselves freely, with no judgment or limitation, due to the vision of local Jacksonville artist, Nicole Holderbaum. Her immense passion to instill creativity and confidence in Jacksonville’s youth has created an instrumental movement in the local community. On Saturday, April 2, 2016, Holderbaum will debut her project, “Jax Kid’s Mural Festival,” at Hemming Park.

Cultural Council. The SPARK Grant is rewarded to projects, like “Jax Kid’s Mural Festival,” that creatively stimulate Downtown Jacksonville in a positive way. “Jax Kid’s Mural Festival” will continue to be a quarterly gathering, with each event held in a different location within the SPARK District of Downtown Jacksonville.

Holderbaum acknowledges the difficulty for lower income families to travel to events. Her ultimate Children, teens and families of the community will goal is to create an outreach program, which all work together to paint murals, themed to unite brings the art to the kids, by painting murals at local Jacksonville schools and community and activate the mind, body and soul. The three centers. With the help of donations, the walls mural walls, standing 8-feet-tall and stretching of lower-income Jacksonville schools will soon 20-feet-wide, will depict a giant coloring book, be adorned with brightly colored murals.“The outlined by muralists from all over the country. outreach program will visually stimulate stuEssentially, the festival will unite different creative dents and make them more excited to learn; mediums with the community. Holderbaum envi- ultimately making the school experience better,” sions businesses and organizations working with explained Holderbaum. “I hope to one day bring the mural project to every school in Jacksonville.” the youth, while also networking their creative Funds for the outreach program will come from expertise. The streets of Hemming Park will be lined with live music, yoga classes, tye-dying and sponsorships and donations during the quarterly endless creative energy. Instaramp will be provid- mural festivals. Each wall at the “Jax Kid’s Mural Festival” is available for sponsorship, and helps ing skate lessons and a skate demo, featuring advance Holderbaum to reaching her goal. It professional skateboarders. takes $300 to bring the outreach program to one Some consider art to be a fundamental biological school. need; a need that defines our existence. HoldHolderbaum continues to be a visionary for erbaum believes creativity leads to confidence Jacksonville’s innovative growth due to her love in students. This confidence leads to a stronger for the community. “I want to do something good sense of self, and becomes the building blocks while I’m alive. I use art to make things better for for a successful future. “Individuals with confieveryone else,” explained Holderbaum. “I want dence will grow to be unique, forward-thinking to inspire others to do the same and live happier and intelligent people that have much more to contribute to the community,” stated Holderbaum. lives.” j The project came to life, with the help of the SPARK Grant awarded to Holderbaum by The

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By: Kendall Toothe

he Youth Travel Trust Fund, created by the City of Jacksonville and administered by the Jacksonville Children’s Council, offers financial support to school and community-based sports teams and performing groups travelling in response to organizations or events that recognize exemplary achievement or performance that results in an invitation requiring travel.

not-for-profit corporations chartered by the state of Florida and must operate in Duval County. They must have been in existence for at least one year and other requirements apply.

The organizations must raise at least 75 percent of the travel funds, and the limit per approved trip is $25,000.

Other requirements and restrictions are detailed Some of the groups that have received funding on the JCC website, www.jaxkids.net. j are Young Christians In Action, Duncan U. Fletcher High School Band Boosters, The Jacksonville Children’s Chorus, Daniel Memorial Project Prepare, and the Police Athletic League.

If your eligible group has been invited to an outof-town event that meets the requirements set by the trust fund, applications and detailed eligibility requirements can be found at www.jaxkids.net/ funding.

Eliigible organizations are those with tax-exempt status with a letter of exemption from the IRS, are

HEALTH & SAFETY

Celebrate National Park Week E ach spring, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to celebrate National Park Week. This year, from April 16 to 24, you are invited to celebrate all that America’s more than 400 national parks have to offer. From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes, to vibrant culture and rich history, our National Park System has something for everyone. The National Park Service turns 100 on Aug. 25! The National Park Service wants you to join the celebration. Here are National Parks, preserves and monuments in our area: Fort Matanzas Throughout its history, the story of Fort Matanzas has been closely intertwined with that of the city of St. Augustine and the Castillo de San Marcos.

This Spanish outpost fort was built in 1740-1742 to guard the Matanzas Inlet and to warn St. Augustine of British or other enemies approaching from the south. Fort Matanzas now serves as a reminder of the early Spanish empire in the

New World. In addition, the park, which is located on barrier islands along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas estuary, provides a natural habitat rich in wildlife with the salt marsh, scrub, and maritime hammock now protecting endangered and threatened species. Fort Matanzas National Monument is located about 15 miles south of the historic district of St. Augustine on A1A.

edicine from the container means anyone who fi or animals find the medicine mix, they won’t be able to eat it. Seal up the bag and throw it away in the regular trash.

Lice are wingless insects about 2mm long with 3 pairs of legs that have little claws at the end to grab onto hairs. Head lice are white/gray in color, and they crawl fairly quickly, but they do NOT hop and they do NOT fly. Head lice do not spread diseases.

Mature females lay as many as 10 eggs a day, and they prefer to place them behind the ears and in the back of the head. The eggs are less than 1 mm in size and are attached to hairs with a natural glue. The eggs are usually referred to as nits, and they are placed very close to the scalp, where it is warmer. The eggs need warmer temperatures to mature, so that is why lice problems are worse in warmer climates, such as ours in Florida. Dandruff is often mistaken as lice infestation, but dandruff flakes will travel farther out on the hairs and will not be adherent to the hairs. The eggs hatch in 8-9 days as nymphs, and the nymphs mature to adults in another 9-12 days. The adults live for about a month.

Okay, here’s the unpleasant part. Head lice feed on blood. Typically they feed about 5 times a day.

A live louse cannot live without feeding for more than 2 days, but the nits can survive away from

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stop sign onto St Marys Street. The NPS visitor Center is in the blue building and the Ferry dock are both located on the left.

Fort Frederica National Monument Georgia’s fate was decided in 1742 when Spanish and British forces clashed on St. Simons Island. Fort Frederica’s troops defeated the Spanish, ensuring Georgia’s future as a British colony. Today, the archeological remnants of Castillo de San Marcos Cumberland Island National Seashore Frederica are protected by the National Park A monument not only of stone and mortar but of St Marys is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Service. From U.S. 17, take the F.J. Torras human determination and endurance, the Castillo Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. Causeway to St. Simons Island. Take first left onto de San Marcos symbolizes the clash between Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped Sea Island Road. Go 1.5 miles to third traffic light, cultures which ultimately resulted in our uniquely beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of and turn left onto Frederica Road. Follow unified nation. Still resonant with the struggles of both man and nature. Natives, missionaries, Frederica Road for two miles (take second right an earlier time, these original walls provide enslaved African Americans and Wealthy off roundabout). The park entrance is located 300 tangible evidence of America’s grim but remarkIndustrialists all walked here. Cumberland Island yards past Christ Church.. j able history. The Castillo is located on A1A in is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressiodowntown St. Augustine. Admission is free during nally designated Wilderness. Go to the historic nationalparks.org National Park Week. district in downtown St. Marys. Turn right at the

Super Lice Like Selfies!

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he problem of head lice infestation an ongoing struggle and worry for many families. These insects have become more resistant to treatment in 25 states, and Florida is one of the states with the most treatment challenges. Each year in the United States, about 12 million children are infested, and the total yearly cost of treatment for Americans is estimated to be about $1 Billion per year.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks. The beautiful expanse of the Timucuan Preserve is located within the city limits of Jacksonville. It includes Fort Caroline and Kingsley Plantation.

the scalp for about 10 days, sometimes even up to a month.

therefore requiring retreatment, and resistance is also very common.

Most cases of head lice are contracted by direct contact with an infected person. Although many people worry about sharing combs, brushes, hats, and other things, these are much less likely to spread the problem. Lice infestation has NOTHING to do with cleanliness or personal hygiene.

Many people end up relying on prescriptions from their doctors. A number of newer choices are available to treat these Super Lice. Malathion 0.5% (Ovide) is safe 2 and up. It kills live insects and the eggs, and one treatment usually works, although resistance has been reported.

But be careful! Ovide has a high alcohol content, so it is very flammable.

Children between the ages of 3 and 11 are the most infected, likely due because they are more often in close contact with one another. Most infections, contrary to popular belief, are not caught in schools. Most often it is live insects, not the nits, traveling from one person to another, so you may want to think twice next time you take a selfie head to head with a close friend!

We have all heard about using mayonnaise, olive oil, petrolatum (Vaseline) and other greasy treatments to suffocate the lice, but these have not been proven to work, and they would not kill the nits. One limited study used Cetaphil cleanser applied to the hair, dried with a blow dryer, rinsed in the morning, and repeated weekly for 3 weeks, but this study has not been substantiated yet. Gasoline and kerosene are NEVER appropriate and can be toxic and dangerous.

Over the counter medications, including permethrin 1% (Nix) and pyrethrins plus piperonyl butoxide (Rid) have been used for two decades. Nix is not ovicidal (does not kill eggs).

Repeat treatment in 9 days is optional to kill any nits that have hatched. Originally almost 100% effective in 1990, Nix often does not kill the Super Lice we deal with today, working less than half the time. Rid is less often used due to more allergic reactions. It does not kill the eggs,

Benzyl Alcohol 5% (Ulesfia), can be used 6 months and older. It is fairly effective, though not ovicidal, but it often causes scalp irritation. It is effective about 75% of the time and also requires retreatment.

Available to children 4 and up, Spinosad 0.9% (Natroba) kills bugs and eggs, and it works about 85% of the time. Retreatment is done in a week.

Ivermectin 0.5% (Sklice) is well-tolerated, approved age 6 months and older, and works about 74% of the time. A single application is usually all that is needed.

Whatever product you use, be sure to read the directions carefully. Remember that wet combing after treatments to remove nits is always recommended and can increase the chance of cure dramatically. Itching can be treated with topical cortisone or selenium sulfide shampoo.

Treatment failure was previously thought to be due to incorrect use of all these treatments, but now we realize that true resistance of these Super Lice is a real problem. Wet combing with a lice comb every few days for 2 weeks can be an effective way to remove all the nits and solve the problem. There are lice treatment facilities now available for a hefty price, adding up to as much as $300 per person, but they can be very

effective. Some facilities have trained personnel that carefully nitpick every egg, and others use a special dryer that is used to kill the lice and eggs and can be quite effective, especially if the nits are also removed to ensure a cure.

Control of spread is a key part of treatment.

Once one person in a household is diagnosed, all members should be checked. Treat anyone who is infested, but not those who are clear, and consider treating anyone who shares a bed with the infested person. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing combs, brushes and similar items in water over 130 degrees then consider putting them in plastic bags for 2 weeks. Wash bedding and clothing in hot water and dry on the highest setting.

Vacuuming furniture and rugs may be a good idea.

What about ‘No Nit’ policies in schools? Are they necessary? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the exclusion of children with nits but no live insects. They cite research showing a low risk of spread when there are no live insects, and these policies have caused children to miss millions of days of school unnecessarily. More importantly the children should be encouraged to avoid head to head contact, and confidentiality is important for those infected to avoid any social isolation.

Fortunately, we now have a number of options to try to fight off these ‘Super Lice’. For more information, call your doctor or go online and read the AAP review at http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/5/e1355 or visit the CDC at http:/www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/ treatment.html. j Andrew Sinder, MD Jacksonville Pediatric Associates www.jacksonvillepeds.com

EATING WELL

Stick With These Resolutions for a Healthy Next Year

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t’s that time of year again! Spring is in the air and it’s the perfect time to be thinking about your Florida backyard garden. Have you made a resolution to eat more whole foods this year?

Maybe you want your kids to eat more vegetables? I am not promising that growing a garden will magically make them shout for carrots and peppers every night, but it does contribute to mindful eating. Mindful eating is when we slow down and appreciate what we are putting in our bodies. When kids go through the process of sowing seeds, cultivating and watching plants grow, it makes them much more aware that food is something precious and not to be taken for granted. You might be thinking that you don’t have the space (or patience!) for a garden, but with some helpful tips from the University of Florida’s Agricultural Extension Office, you and your family can grow something you can all be proud of this summer!

To start with, you will want to figure out the best place for your vegetables to grow. For best results, choose a well-drained site close to a source of water and in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Our first garden was approximately 6 x 10 feet in size.

Over the years, it has expanded as we wanted to plant more vegetables and became more comfortable with how much time was involved in maintaining the garden. It is suggested where possible, to rotate the garden from place to place to help control soil diseases and other pests. We also contained our garden with chicken wire about 4 feet high – mainly to keep our dog out, but it has served to discourage other wildlife from getting into the plants as well.

Most Florida soils are sandy in texture and have a low percentage of organic matter; therefore, your soil will benefit from the addition of organic matter such as animal manure, rotted leaves, compost, or commercial soil mixes. Composted organics may be applied at planting time; un-composted organics (such as fresh grass clippings) should be mixed into the soil at least a month before seeding. Due to the low and inconsistent levels of nutrients in compost, a fertilizer (organic or inorganic) can be beneficial.

More information on fertilizers and nutrient management can be found in the publication

Organic Vegetable Gardening in Florida accessed at http://edis.ifas.ufl. edu/hs1215. We found that in our situation, a raised bed box (approximately 12 inches) worked best to keep the soil contained.

Did you know

82% of people say fear is the number one reason they don’t go to the dentist?

It’s not too late to plant! Refer to the chart below to see what vegetables can go in the ground now.

And don’t worry if you are a little behind – plant anyways! j Crop Bush Beans Pole Beans Lima Beans Cantaloupes Sweet Corn Cucumbers Eggplant Okra Snow Peas or English Peas Peppers Sweet Potatoes Summer Squash Winter Squash Tomatoes Watermelon

Planting Dates in North Florida March-April March-April March-April February – April February- April February- April February- March March-June January – March February – March March-June February – April February- April February- April February – April

If you are limited by space, do a little research to see how much room your plants will need when fully grown. We know by personal experience that sweet potatoes tend to take a lot of space, but because they aren’t ready to harvest until later in the fall, our summer garden is done and we don’t mind giving them the extra space they need.

Whatever you decide to plant this year, be assured that you are teaching your children a great lesson about life – that food doesn’t come from a store! Teach them to be mindful of what they eat and have some fun along the way!

For more information, go to www.edis.ifas.ufl. edu/vh021 Aurea Thompson, MSH, RD, CSP, LD/N Board Certified Specialist in Pediatric Nutrition Wolfson Children’s Hospital

“Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on.

Life will get…warmer.”

– Anita Krizzan

Page 8 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

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EATING WELL

Strawberry Picking Season Has Arrived

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trawberries are a popular fruit. Plain, dipped in chocolate, in a sundae, banana split or strawberry shortcake, in jellies and jams, in a pie or in a smoothie, strawberries are the most widely grown fruit in the world. In America, California, Florida and Oregon produce the most strawberries, and Americans eat them at the rate of 8 pounds per person each year.

In Florida, the growing season is from April through early June, depending, of course, on the weather. Fortunately, there are a number of you-pick strawberry farms in our area. Not only do the berries taste better fresh, but they are healthier. Scientists tell us that strawberries you pick yourself are much healthier than commercially grown because of the pesticide and fungicide residues on them when they reach the store.

And picking your own strawberries is an activity the whole family can enjoy.

Before you leave home Call the farm. The availability of strawberries is determined by the weather and by the number of people who have been picking berries. Verify hours and availability of strawberries. Ask about facilities, costs and equipment. Even if you have been to the farm in the past, everything is subject to change.

Dress comfortably. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen and sun visors or hats. Take some insect repellant especially if it has been raining.

Pack snacks and water. Some fields may be shaded, others in full sun. Berries may be plentiful

Page 9 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

or sparse. Conditions may make your trip longer than expected, and it’s good to be prepared.

Put a couple days’ supply into the refrigerator, wash and cut the caps off the others and freeze them. Enjoy a fresh bowl or use them in your Take containers. Some farms provide containers, favorite strawberry dessert. but there may be a fee. Or if there has been a large crowd, containers may not be available.

Here are a few farms in our area: Also, shallow containers are best because you don’t want to stack strawberries more than about Brown’s Farm offers you-pick and already5 inches deep. picked strawberries, along with a long list of produce. Rich in history, Brown’s Farm began as Leave early, especially on weekends when large pecan groves in 1916 and began growing crowds may have harvested all the berries before vegetables to support the family during the noon.

Depression. Their store is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Strawberry At the farm you-pick season begins late March, early April.

You-pick strawberry farms typically sell berries by They accept cash, check, debit cards and Visa, the pound. One pound of fresh strawberries is MasterCard and Discover. about 2/3 of a quart. It takes about 10 to 15 Address: 18120 NE State Road 26, Orange minutes to pick a quart, if the berries are Heights 32640 reasonably plentiful. Keep in mind that 1 quart of Phone: 352 475-2015 fresh, whole, just-picked strawberries will yield Website: www.brownsfarmstand.com approximately 3¾ cups hulled, whole berries.

Deep Spring Farm uses natural growing Removing the caps/hulls and an occasional mushy berry means you lose 1/4 cup or about 7 practices for both its blueberry and strawberry to 10 percent of every quart you pick. crops. You definitely will need to call before going because Deep Spring Farm is open most Calculate how many quarts you can use and be mornings and some afternoons and evenings. careful not to pick and purchase more than you Checks and cash are accepted. They have can use. Strawberries quickly mold when left at grapevines and other produce, a spring-fed pond, room temperature, and last only a couple of days camping and more. in the refrigerator. You can freeze berries that you Address: 16515 W. County Road 1491, Alachua cannot use right away - just wash, cut the hulls 32616 off and pop them into a zippered storage bag, Phone: 352 507-8128, 352 507-8127 removing as much air as possible.

Email: farm@deepspringfarm.com/Website: www.deepspringfarm.com Pick the best strawberries: Select firm, fully red berries. Strawberries do not continue to ripen Rogers Farm offers a variety of produce in after they are picked. Grasp the stem just above addition to strawberries. This is a family-friendly the berry between your forefinger and thumbnail facility with restrooms, picnic area, castle or and pull with a slight twisting motion. With the moon bouncy house, petting zoo, farm animals stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, and various events throughout the year. Hours allow it to roll into the palm of your hand. here are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Carefully place the fruit into your containers.

Saturday. Cash, checks and Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted. The site is also available When you get home for birthday parties and school tours.

Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing makes them more prone to Address: 3831 NW 156th Ave., Gainesville spoiling.

32653 Phone: 386 462-2406 Pour them out into shallow pans and remove any Email: rogersfarm1@windstream.net/Website: mushy, soft or rotting berries. www.rogersfarm.webplus.net j

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.”

– Aubrey Hepburn

Strawberries: A Nutritional Powerhouse ••

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trawberries are considered a nutritional powerhouse because they are high in antioxidants, are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium to help your muscles and nerves function properly and are anti-inflammatory and considered a cancer-fighting food.

•

Strawberries have only 49 calories per 1 cup of halves.

•

The first American species of strawberries was cultivated in 1835.

Hillsborough County is recognized as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Over ¾ of the Nation’s Winter Strawberries come from Plant City, located approximately 70 miles west of Orlando.

•

•

Each year, Plant City, Florida hosts a Strawberry Festival with live music, exhibits of agriculture, commerce, industry, livestock, fine arts, horticulture, and crafts. This year’s Festival was held over two weeks in March.

Mark your calendars and visit www. flstrawberryfestival.com for more about next year’s festival. j

Kids Dragonfly Breakfast

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ids are sure to enjoy enjoying eating healthy when it’s presented in this fun and beautiful way! Find the the Kids Dragonfly Breakfast recipe from Driscoll’s Berries online at driscolls.com j

INFANT & TODDLER

Language Development Step by Step

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anguage development refers to how and when children learn the socially shared rules for communicating, such as what words mean, how to make new words, how to put words together in sentences and what words are appropriate for what situations. Children learn many of these rules during early childhood.

Parents need to support language development during the first five years of a child’s life to ensure that the child learns to communicate well and is ready to learn to read.

INFANCY Step 1 Observe whether your infant’s hearing is normal.

Starting at birth, your child should startle at loud noises. By 3 months, she should quiet or smile when you talk to her -- and by 7 months, she should turn and look in the direction of sounds and respond to her name, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Step 2 Talk to your infant throughout the day. Babies

need to hear language regularly to learn it, so discuss what you’re doing, where you’re going and what you infant is seeing.

Step 3 Teach your baby to imitate gestures. Not only does this prepare him for taking turns when engaging in conversation, it also helps him associate meaning with words. He should start imitating your gestures between 7 and 12 months, reports the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association.

TODDLERS Step 1 Watch for delays in milestones. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests talking to your toddler’s pediatrician if at age 2, he can memorize songs and his ABCs, and/or repeats scripts from television shows, but can’t ask for what he wants, tunes others out, and/or uses odd phrases.

A 2-year-old should have between 50 and 100 words in his vocabulary and speak in three-word phrases.

Step 2 Use simple, clear speech when speaking to your toddler. A toddler will likely imitate what you say, so make sure that your language is grammatically correct and age-appropriate rather than just “baby” talk like “nana” for banana. Short sentences like, “Now it’s time for breakfast” and “It’s time for a bath,” are appropriate.

Step 3 Expand on your toddler’s language. When your child says, “bird,” you can respond by saying, “Yes! That is a blue bird. It is flying.” Not only are you showing that you are interested in what he has to say, you’re helping him expand his vocabulary.

PRESCHOOLERS Step 1 Exchange questions. You probably started asking your child questions before he could even respond, like “Are you hungry?” and “Do you need a your diaper changed?,” but as a preschooler, he’s ready to try asking you questions

as well. By helping him formulate questions, you’re helping him understand new ways to put words together, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. You can take turns asking questions. For example, you might ask him what his favorite color is -- and then encourage him to ask you yours.

Step 2 Encourage imaginary play. Help your child act out typical scenarios like making breakfast or going to the store, either will dolls or through dress up games, explains The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (reference 3). This lets your child try out language in new situations.

Step 3 Play guessing games. Give your preschooler a few clues or a short description and let your child guess what you’re describing. For example, you might say, “I’m thinking about an animal who lives in the jungle and roars. Can you guess what that animal is?” If your child is ready, you can let him give you clues as well. j

Teeth Fairies A Baby Teeth Tradition

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inner of the 2015 National Parenting Publication Silver Award, Teeth Fairies is a new spin on the tooth fairy tradition. It is a book and doll set that provides a fun interactive experience between your child and their own personal tooth fairy.

The child-friendly illustrations feature both children and fairies of different genders and ethnicities, and the text often becomes part of the illustration, with big, bold

letters encouraging beginning readers to participate in lap reading.

The Teeth Fairies box set contains an adorable fairy and beautifully illustrated hard cover book with pages that can be personalized. The final page offers a tooth chart, where the date, tooth number, and surprise left by the fairy can all be listed.

Kids lose over 20 baby teeth, so the set is meant to be used again and again to provide lasting memories and loads of fun for you and your children. j

Find a Baby Name with MooseRoots.com

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rying to decide on a name for your baby?

Check out Names.MooseRoots.com to find meanings and origins of over 325,000 first and last names. Search by boy names, girl names, meaning by keyword i.e. “peace”, “grace”, number of letters, rank by popularity, related

Page 10 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

nicknames and more. Names.MooseRoots.com is a service of MooseRoots.com, a free genealogy research website that provides detailed information on more than 1 billion historical genealogical records. j

Kids really do say the funniest things! Please share your favorites with us by e-mailing your story directly to editor@jax4kids.com. One entry each month will be turned into a cartoon to be published in the next issue of Jax4Kids. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake.

Page 11 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

SPECIAL NEEDS

Tommy Hilfiger Introduces New Collection of Adaptive Clothing

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ommy Hilfiger has joined forces with Runway of Dreams in order to launch an adaptive, stylish line of Hilfiger clothing for children with disabilities. The brilliant idea came from Mindy Sheier, a mom and fashion designer whose son, Oliver (Muscular Dystrophy), wanted to wear jeans like the other kids in school. Oliver uses leg braces in order to walk safely and Mindy knew that the jeans he so badly wished to wear would not be able to fit over them.

Mindy, being a designer, knew she could do something to help her son.

She founded Runway of

Dreams as a nonprofit organization working with the fashion industry to adapt mainstream clothing lines available for the differently-abled community. According to Mindy, she was fortunate enough to meet the team at

Global Brands Group, a leading branded apparel company. The team there introduced her to Gary Sheinbaum, CEO of Tommy Hilfiger Americas. He understood the mission of Runway of Dreams and set the clothing line into motion. After Mindy spoke with multiple families about this clothing issue, she then set into motion focus groups that gathered other families’ thoughts and concerns with typical children’s clothing and this style apparel. Mindy found three commonalities that would make their lives easier: modified closures, adjustability and alternate options to get in and out of the garments.

The line includes shirts, pants and dresses, in styles for both boys and girls. Each clothing option comes with magnetic closure that makes the “getting dressed process” easier for kids in a wheelchair, leg braces or for those with motor delays. There are 22 pieces for boys spanning sizes 4-20 and girl’s sizes run from 4-18. Every detail was considered so the clothing is not only functional, but looks exactly the same as the TH Kids collection. They also cost the same price.

The line is currently available for purchase online or in-store. Visit usa.tommy.com to browse the collection. j

Things to Do Special Needs

Teaching Language to Children with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities April 14 & 15 • 9am - 3:30pm Believe Autism Dance/Art Classes The Jericho School is hosting a free 2-day April 2 workshop for parents at UNF Teaching Language 9:30am - 3 - 4 yrs to Children with Autism and Other Developmental 10:30am - 5 - 12 yrs Disabilities Participants will gain a greater aware11:30 am - 13 and up ness of Behavior Analysis as a Science of Learning.

Art rotation of 30 minutes and dance rotation of Participants will acquire the understanding and 30 minutes. Art activities will be new each week application of the basic principles of Applied or a small art project that will be worked on week Behavior Analysis. A focus will be on utilizing B.F. to week until complete. The dance rotation will consist of creative movement and social opportuni- Skinner’s analysis of Verbal Behavior to assist in the acquisition of language skills for children with ties. Classes are taught by Crystal Thompson, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and ballet, developmental disabilities. Participants will also tap, and jazz dancer. Classes cost $10 and are held receive training on effective teaching procedures and building instructional control. at The Performers Academy. Space is limited. To The Jericho School / 904-744-5110 / UNF UniverRSVP call or email believeautism@gmail.com. sity Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL The Performers Academy / 704-277-1884 / 3674 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, 32207 / www.believeau- 32224 / www.thejerichoschool.org tism.com Connecting the Dots April 16 • 8pm - 4pm Walk the Talk for Epilepsy Disability-related full-day conference with a terrific April 9 • Registration at 8am Each year, the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida hosts keynote, Tom D’Eri, from Rising Tide Car Wash in Parkland, FL. Along with this great keynote, the a series of walks throughout the state to raise conference offers three subsequent breakout sesawareness and funds to benefit Floridians living with epilepsy. Your support and collaboration helps sions, along four different “tracks”-Prek/Elementhe foundation provide medical and social services tary, Teen/Transition, Adults/Aging and (new this and continue the fight to stop seizures, find a cure year) Self-Advocacy. Topics include such things and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy. as: Inclusive Preschool experience, Transportation options with JTA, mental health issues with the Register online at www.efof.org.

Walk the Talk for Epilepsy / Jacksonville University, IDD population, Employment interviewing tips, Getting ready for the Special Education program/IEP 2800 University Blvd N, Jacksonville, FL 32211 / process, Employment options for adults, and much www.efof.org

Page 12 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

more. Topics to be covered include: Healthy Living, Pediatric Anxiety Disorders, Help for the Struggling Reader, Preschool is for ALL children, Post-secondary Options, Employment Options, Community Resources, Guardianship Options, Transitional Medical Services and Aging with IDD. There will also be a vendor area, with local agencies represented.

Area 4 Florida Care Council / 800-470-8101 / Christ’s Church, 6045 Greenland Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / www.fccflorida.org/area-4-family-carecouncil.html Sensory Friendly Films - AMC Theatres Saturday: April 9 at 10am - BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Tuesday: April 12 at 7pm - BATMAN V. SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Saturday: April 23 at 10am - THE JUNGLE BOOK Tuesday: April 26 at 7pm - THE HUNTSMAN WINTER’S WAR AMC Entertainment (AMC) and ASA have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Lights are brought up, sound is turned down, and families are allowed to bring their own snacks. Movies are shown at the AMC Regency 24 in the Regency Center Square.

AMC Regency 24 / 904-725-0885/ 9451 Regency Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / www.amctheatres.com/programs/sensory-friendly-films

TEENS

Search Smarter For That Summer Job

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3. Clean Up After Yourself Online best cover letter won’t save you from the It’s unbelievable how many young people computer’s “no” pile without the keywords! have their Facebook settings open so that 6. Consider An Online Portfolio potential employers who Google them can A personal website shows employers that see embarrassing or distasteful material. The you have initiative and are tech-savvy. This same goes for Twitter. Go back and clean up could be as simple as a free WordPress blog what you can. Un-tag yourself from unflatthat has your resume and photo on it, or it tering photos and think twice before could be a longer list of the work you’ve tweeting. done so far. It also provides a place for 4. Fewer Applications Are Better recruiters to find you online.

People are surprised when I tell them that I 7. Address Your Applications To The Right put an average of ten hours into each job Person application. But the cover letter is the only One employer said that she’d toss any chance we get stand out from the pile. It’s applications that said “to whom this may worth writing cover letters over and over concern.” Her logic was that if they couldn’t again until you get them right. Writing a few bother to find out her name, they were good cover letters for jobs that you really probably lazy. That same employer said want is a better strategy than blanketing the she received multiple cover letters adworld with generic applications. dressed to “Mr.” rather than “Ms.” Never

he school year may be dragging but the end is near. And most employers who hire students for the summer are already recruiting. That means you better get your job strategy ready. Here’s advice to search smarter.

1. Crack the Hidden Job Market Most jobs aren’t advertised. They’re given to the boss’s son, the boss’s wife’s niece or the guy who was smart enough to offer his resume just when the employer was considering expansion. Start your search by asking friends and family if they know anyone who might hire a student.

2. Summer Jobs Matter More Than You Think You may be tempted to return to that retail gig you held last year. Resist the urge. The type of job you get this summer will influence the type of job you’ll get next summer and far into the future. It’s crucial to your future success that you apply to jobs that will get you closer to careers you’re considering. Summer jobs are a good way to figure out if an industry is right for you and a good way to prove to employers after graduation that you’re interested and ready to work for their field.

5. Don’t Forget The Keywords The first thing some human resources managers do with a stack of applications is sort through them to eliminate those that don’t reference keywords from the job ad.

Some companies get so many applications that the keyword sorting function is performed by computer software. Even the

Celebrating 30 years!

assume you know whether someone identifies as a man or a woman.

8. Avoid The Same Old Websites Don’t just look at your school’s career site and the government Job Bank. There are so many more websites with job listings. j

Track Teen Drivers

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arents, you can now remain connected to your teenage drivers. Verizon’s “hum” in-car smart device puts you in the passenger seat, even if they’re miles away.

The $15/month hum service was originally launched to collect vehicle diagnostics, connect users to roadside assistance, and provide maintenance reminders. But new features for the hum enable you to track your teens driving.

Boundary alerts: Lets you set up a boundary and receive alerts when the vehicle exits and enters the area.

Speed alerts: Set up maximum speed limits so that you get an alert — through the app, via email or text — whenever a driver crosses that threshold.

Vehicle location: Even more precise than the geofencing of the boundary alerts, the hum will provide map-based tracking of a vehicle’s location, speed and travel direction.

Driving history: And just in case you missed all the alerts, the hum will provide “trip-based driving information to track driving efficiency, including duration, start and end times, idle times and max/average speeds.” j

DISCOUNT TICKETS

Get your discounted tickets at Community First Credit Union (Blanding Blvd and Fleming Island locations), Thrasher-Horne Center, all Clay County Municipalities, Clay Electric (Orange Park and Keystone Heights locations)

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BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Birthday Party Ideas

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ooking for ideas for your child’s birthday party? Check out Jax4Kids’ Pinterest page at pinterest.com/jax4kids/birthdays for ideas. j

I

f you have leftover birthday cake, here’s a tip from tidymom.net – cover the cut area not covered by icing with a piece of bread.

Use toothpicks to keep bread in place and replace as bread becomes stale. j

Dino-mite Birthdays at the Jacksonville Zoo

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f your child (Age 3 – 12) is celebrating a birthday before July 3rd, they can party like it’s 200 million years ago at the Jacksonville Zoo! While the Destination: DINO exhibit is at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Zoo is offering Destination: DINO themed birthday parties including Dinosaur themed cake, décor, goody bags, admission to the Destination: DINO exhibit and more. The DINO party package is $270 for ten guests and $27 for each additional guest. Visit www.jacksonvillezoo.org/ DINO-miteBirthdayParty for more details. To book a party, call Sally Cook at 904-757-4463 extension 120 or email her at cooksa@jacksonvillezoo.org. j

Page 14 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

PARTIES & CELEBRATIONS Best Bakery for Birthday Cakes Publix Bakery Best Party Rental Company Space Walk of Jacksonville Best Entertainer Captain Character Best Place to Party Ages 1-6 Chuck E Cheese Best Place to Party Ages 7-12 Adventure Landing

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SAVE 10 % off your rental when you mention Jax4Kids.com. Space Walk offers bounce houses, toddler bounce houses, inflatable rides, waterslides, carnival games, tables, chairs, and cotton candy/popcorn/snow cone machines.

Book your event by April 30th and save 15% on a 2-hour event by AirTat Body Art. Airbrushed temporary tattoos and face painting for Birthday Parties, Summer Camps, HOA’s and Festivals.

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BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Helping Young Children Enjoy Birthday Celebrations

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re, all kids have birthdays, but birthday celebrations and parties happen only occasionally—a few times per year for most kids, given their own birthdays and the birthdays of friends. Sometimes special circumstances associated with celebrations trigger inappropriate behavior, such as jealousy, begging, or even aggression and tantrums. There are ways host families and guest families can help support having a great time at the celebration.

activities, etc. It’s useful to plan activities so that the kids have something to concentrate on and enjoy together and aren’t left to their own devices. Some people get entertainers or a bounce house. Although that may be fun, there are also cheaper and still fun activities: piñatas, pin the tail on the donkey, musical chairs, craft projects, etc.

movie and others can engage in the activity— whoever wants to join can join, or maybe there can be one or two toy sets that are brought out for a while. Finally, host families can tell their child that if there’s any item or items that he/she doesn’t want to share, then don’t bring it out.

home; 4. This party is about the host—they may be getting gifts, but those gifts are for the host only. Other rules can be added as needed related to what you know of your child’s behavior.

Lastly, the rules can be rewarded. You can say to your child: “If you follow all the rules, then we can Guest families can help prepare their child as well do something special at the end, after we leave.” by talking about the expectations beforehand and That special thing may be a board game at home, To reduce the stress associated with gifts there monitoring their child through the party. Certain electronics time, a piece of candy, or some other are a few things that can be done. For one, host kids need more supervision than others, so make small prize they would enjoy.

Birthday parties be stressful for younger children. families can get party favors for everyone. For sure to match your level of monitoring with their There’s a variety of reasons. A big one is that only less than $5, a host family can buy a bag of level of need. While monitoring, observe how Due to the relative rareness of birthday parties one person is going to get a lot of things – Guests balloons, bouncy balls, or temporary tattoos, etc. things are going and give them some compliand the special challenges that they pose, there typically do not get any gifts at all. Another is These can be used as an activity as well—such ments if things are going well, or help to defuse can be some awkward situations. However, these attendees usually include adults that they haven’t as then allowing kids to make faces on the sticky situations if they are having a hard time challenges can be managed with a little preparaseen often, like uncles, aunts or cousins. Also balloons with markers. Also, if there are any with something. In terms of expectations, guest tion by both guests and hosts. Have fun—that’s certain guest children may not really know some worries about jealousy, presents can be opened children should know the rules. For house parties, what parties are all about! j of the other guest children, which can get after the party—when everyone has left. That there may be certain toys or rooms that are off awkward for those with anxiety. And, last but not way, the focus of the party is on celebrating and Andrew Scherbarth, Ph.D., BCBA-D limits. least, there is often a lot of stimulation in the Licensed Psychologist/Board Certified Behavior fun and there doesn’t have to be a situation environment: music, decorations, new environwhere all the other kids sit with nothing else to do Other common rules, regardless of if it’s a house Analyst ments for guests, etc. and watch only one person open gifts for 15-20 party or not, may include: 1. Ask before touching Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics minutes. or taking anything; 2. If you have a problem, talk 6867 Southpoint Drive North, Suite 106 Host families play a large role in setting the stage calmly about it or go ask for help; 3. If you bring for success. They get to determine the schedule, It doesn’t have to be all structure all the time, something to play with, then you will need to such as when to will eat cake, engage in though. Perhaps there can be one area for a share – If you don’t want to share it, leave it at

Page 15 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

SUMMER CAMPS Aquatics Camp June 13 – August 5 Owned and operated by the North Florida Council, Boy Scouts of America, the property is located at the St Johns River Base at Echockotee sitting on Doctors Inlet in Orange Park. Aquatics Camp serves boys and girls ages 6-14. A camper’s day is filled with activities that bring them from the shores of Doctors Lake to the heights of the climbing wall, and from the woods of the archery range to catching some air off the back of one of the wakeboard boats. Extended Care Available. www.aquaticscamp.org / 904-269-2091 / 2513 Doctors Lake Dr, Orange Park Burrell’s Camp Chippewa June 13 – August 12 6:30am – 6:30pm Ages 6 – 12. Summer Day Camp in Southside offering daily swimming, fishing, canoeing, sports, archery, 50’ water slide and field trips. Counselors from England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Scotland. Registration is $40. Weekly fee is $150 (lunch included). www.burrellscampchippewa.com / 904-7374988 / 3111 Tiger Hole Road

FAMILY-FRIENDLY

E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL FILM WITH ORCHESTRA Apr. 9 at 7:30 pm

Experience the magic once more with a live orchestra.

Claude Nolan Cadillac & CenterState Bank Symphonic Night at the Movies Series

Concert sponsored by The Main Street America Group Made possible in part by Sight & Sound Productions

CINDERELLA BALLET Apr. 29 at 8 pm Apr. 30 at 2 pm

Featuring dancers from Jacksonville’s own First Coast Nutcracker.

Tickets: 904.354.5547 JaxSymphony.org VISIT OUR EXCITING NEW WEBSITE!

JAXSYMPHONY.ORG Page 16 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Campapalooza June 8 - August 7 Extended day available from 7am - 6pm Field trips, games, special events, and activities each week. Different theme every week. Cost: Early registration: $ 99/week. After May 7th: $119/week $50 registration fee. Extended Day: $20 for the 1st child and $10 per sibling. Every week they will go to the pool, weather permitting.

Most field trips are an additional cost. Camp is held at Blessed Trinity Catholic School. www.michaelleesdojo.com / 904-233-5605 / 10472 Beach Blvd

Doing Dishes Summer Art Camp June 6 – July 28 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9am-12pm Sign up for Doing Dishes Summer Art Camp and get your creative juices flowing. Camps are held daily, Tuesday-Thursday from 9am-12pm for ages 7 and up. Each session will have a different theme and project including Shark Week, American Girl, Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Jedi Training, The Happiest Camp on Earth (Disney theme), All About Me, Love Notes and more!

Campers will create at least two great projects a day for only $35/day. Project mediums include, pottery painting, canvas and glass fusion. www.doingdishes.com / 904-730-3729 / 5619 San Jose Blvd 904-824-7774 / 2220 CR-210 W, Suite 309, St Johns Duval County 4-H Summer Camps June - August 4-H camping opportunities provide great summer experiences for both 4-H and prospective 4-H youth.

Sew Into Fashion - June 13-17, 9am-4pm for ages 8-18 Discover Horticulture - July 5-8, 8:30am-4:30pm for ages 10-13 Starting Your Babysitting Business - July 12-14, 9am-3:00pm for ages 11-16 Maker Camp - July 18-22, 8:30am-4:30pm for ages 10-18 Creepies and Crawlies: Bugs, Amphibians and Reptiles - August 1-4, 9am-3pm for ages 5-9 www.duval.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H.shtml / 904-2557450 / Multiple locations

Episcopal School of Jacksonville Camps and Classes Camps are offered for ages K-12 from May through the first week of August. Sports, activities Creative Minds Academy Summer Camp and academic courses for all ages are offered June 13 - August 10 from professional staff and Episcopal teachMonday - Friday 6am - 6:30pm ers and coaches. Cost, dates and times vary by Ages 5-12. Field Trips to Rebounderz, Movies, Adventure Landing, Skating, Bowling, Swimming, camp. www.esj.org/summer / 904-396-5751 / 4455 and More. $140/week and includes Field Trips, Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks. No Registration Fee Atlantic Blvd for new Enrollees Only. Expires 07/31/2016* Episcopal School of Jacksonville Eagle Arts www.creativemindsacademyfl.com 904-379-8126 / 10550 Deerwood Park Blvd Suite Camp Eagle artists ages 6-14 will discover their talents #704 by participating in daily motivational and inspi904-880-8588 / 14985 Old St. Augustine Road rational workshops in music, theatre, creative Suite #120 dramatics, movement, arts and crafts, storytelling, mime and improvisation. Students will work

SUMMER CAMPS with professional artists and Episcopal faculty throughout the week and the camp will end with a “Coming Home Celebration” performance at 12noon on June 24 (camp will dismiss after the show that day). www.esj.org/summer / 904-396-5751 / 4455 Atlantic Blvd Episcopal School of Jacksonville Montelione Music Camp The Montelione Music Camp is a music experience specifically designed to enhance the technique and artistry of young musicians. Dr. Joseph Montelione, along with his team of professional performing artists will provide group studio lessons and larger ensemble for camp attendees.

View online musical instruments for attending campers. www.esj.org/summer / 904-396-5751 / 4455 Atlantic Blvd

The camp program is divided into four sessions of two weeks each. Campers partake in a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, daily pool time with swim instruction, music, games, sports, fun field trips, and more. The programs are specifically designed for each age group. In addition to the day camp, JCDS offers a number of quality and exciting specialty camps. These offerings include dance, literature, computers, painting, photography, robotics, and music theatre. All campers age 4 through second grade will have swim lessons. There will be a camp wide free swim each afternoon. Camp cost: $360 per session. Afternoon Specialty Camps: $170 per session and $120 for Enrolled Day Campers. www.jcds.com / 904-641-6644 / 10063 Baymeadows Rd

Jacksonville Juniors Volleyball Association May - August Volley Stars Camp - May 30 - August 3, 9am 12pm. Ages 5 - 8. Cost: $95 per session.

Gymnastics Unlimited Summer Camps All Skills Camp - May 30 - August 5, 9am - 4pm.

June 13 – August 12 Ages 9-12 and 13-16. Campers have the choice 8:30am – 3pm of attending two days, three days or five days per Boys and girls ages 5 – 18. Gymnastics on all session. Cost:$265 session/week, $165 sesfour Olympic Events (Vault, Bars, Beam, Floor), sion/3 days (Mon-Wed), and $110 session/2 days Cheerleading, Dance, Fitness, Arts and Crafts, (Thurs-Fri) Movies, Indoor Games and more. There is a Show-off day EVERY Friday with Awards. Free ex- Position Camp - May 30 -August 3, 9am - 12pm or 1pm - 4pm. Ages 13-15 and 16-18. Cost: $105 tended hours available. Half days and daily droins welcome. Cost: First week $150. $10 discount per camp session.

Evening Skills Sessions - May 30 - July 25, for each additional week (maximum discount of three weeks). 50% deposit is required to reserve 5pm - 6:30pm or 6:30pm - 8pm. Cost: $180/8 Sessions space. All money is due on the 1st day of camp High School Team Camp - Session 1: July 15 week. Family discounts available. www.gymnasticsunlimitedfl.com / 904-783-8043 - 16, Session 2: July 22 - 23, Session 3: July 29 - 30 / 5532 Lenox Ave Fridays - 5 - 8pm and Saturdays 9am - 4pm.

Cost: 50 per player/per session Ivy League Academy Summer Camp www.jjva.com / 904-854-2323 / 6773 Philips June - August Industrial Lane 6:30 am - 6:30 pm A summer calendar filled with fun, exciting Keystone Behavioral Summer Camps activities and field trips that are sure to heat up Keystone Child Development Center Summer your summer. Some of the field trips include the Camp Jacksonville Zoo, swimming, Tree Hill and more.

June 20 – August 5, 2016 Cost: $125 per week plus $25 for field trip fees.

Monday – Friday 9am – 2:30pm Lunch & snack provided.

Ages 18 months through Kindergarten. Contact www.myivyleaguepreschool.com Paige Norton at Norton@keystonebehavioral.

Oakleaf / 904-779-1770 / 7629 Old Middleburg com for details. Cost: $375/week. Keystone Child Road Development Center is a 2016 Summer VPK San Pablo / 904-619-8797 / 3232 San Pablo provider.

Road This FREE program is for children who reside in Florida and turned 4 by Sept. 1, 2015.

Jacksonville Country Day School Summer www.keystonebehavioral.com / 904-619-6071 Camp ext 139 / 6867 Southpoint Dr North June 6 - July 29

Page 17 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Summer art camp JUNE 13 – AUGUST 12 EXPERIENCED art educators from MOCA Jacksonville provide different art-making activities each week to help your child learn about contemporary art and grow his or her visual vocabulary.

AGES 4-14 WEEKLY SESSIONS TWO LOCATIONS

Downtown or on UNF’s campus FLEXIBLE TIMING

Half, full, and extended day options available

MOCAJACKSONVILLE.UNF.EDU 333 NORTH LAURA STREET JACKSONVILLE, FL 32202 PHONE 904-620-3221

SUMMER CAMPS KidsPark Summer Camps June - August Opens at 7:30am KidsPark is an hourly drop in childcare center that also offers fun and enriching summer camp themes. Camp Buddy for kids ages 2 - 5 and Camp Blue Crew for kids ages 5 - 12. Each week will have different themes that are sure to be a hit with each age group. Camps focus on imaginative play, arts and crafts, music and movement, circle and story time, group games, as well as outdoor play. They have a flexible “pay as you go” rate. No need to pay if you are on vacation or your child is sick. Cost: $8 an hour or $48 daily rate. Additional sibling discount available. Families must be registered at KidsPark. Call for details. www.KidsPark.com / Avondale - 904-387-8602 / 4274 Herschel Street / DCF license #CO4DUO724 Tinseltown- / 904-683-4554 / 9726 Touchton Road #111 / DCF license # C04DU0978 MOCA’s Art Camp June 13 – August 12 Monday - Friday 2 Half Day Sessions: 9am - Noon or 1pm – 4pm at MOCA – Ages 4-6 9am - 4pm at MOCA – Ages 7 - 14 9am - 3pm at UNF Campus – Ages 6 - 9 Experienced art educators teach a variety of media and skills while providing the contemporary art history context for each project. Extended day available.

904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura St / mocajacksonville.unf.edu MOSH Summer Discovery Camp June 13 - August 12 Monday – Friday 9am – 3pm Summer Discovery Camps are offered primarily for kindergarteners through 5th graders with select weeks offered for 6th through 8th graders.

More than 25 camp topics will be offered over nine weeks. $205/ week (some camps are an additional $25 for supplementary supplies and/ or field trip transportation). MOSH Members receive a 20% discount. Before- and after-care is available.

904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle / www. themosh.org Karate America Summer camps in June, July, and August.

Convenient times and weekly camps all summer long. Constructive fun and traditional martial arts benefits. Safe structured environment with knowledgeable supervision. Super fun summer

Page 18 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

camp teaches kids powerful life skills like focus, discipline and respect while learning cool martial arts moves. Diverse activities with physical games, movies, and fun! Kids will accelerate their training, enhance their skills, and have LOTS OF FUN! Enroll Today - Space is Limited! Call the location near you today. www.kidmartialartsinflorida.com / 904-724-7544 Theatre Jacksonville SESSION A – June 13 – July 8 SESSION B – July 11 – August 5 9am – 2pm Ages: 7-13. During each of our 4-week sessions your child will delve into theatre arts through classes in acting, musical theatre, dance, and improvisation. Led by a team of professional and trained instructors and directors, these weeks of training will culminate with hitting the stage with the star power of our incredible campers! $500 per session of which a nonrefundable $150 deposit is required at registration. Discounts available when enrolling in multiple sessions or with siblings.

904-396-4425 X16 / 2032 San Marco Blvd / www.theatrejax.com T’s Learning Center Summer Camps June 13 - August 11 6:30am - 6:30pm Ages 5 - 10. 9 fun-filled weeks of science experiments, art activities, field trips and much more.

Price includes all field trip and on site activities, snacks and lunches. Camp themes including Pirate, Chef, Little Picasso, and Magic weeks just to name a few. Field trips to places such as Sweet Pete’s Candy Factory, Pump it Up, Movies, Chuck E Cheese, Swimming, Bowling and more.

Cost: $165/week includes lunch and field trips.

Enroll before May 27 for $50 off the sixth week of camp. One offer per family. Multiple discounts not allowed. New enrollments only. www.tlearningcenter.com Intracoastal - 904-641-5273 / 11761 Beach Blvd #13 / Lic #C04DU370 Southside - 904-997-1971 / 8595 Beach Blvd #201 / Lic #C04DU369 Arlington - 904-807-9191 / 3033 Monument Road #21 / Lic #C04DU806 Gate Parkway - 904-538-0900 / 11526 Lake Mead Ave #105 / Lic #C04DU1135 Coming Soon! Nocatee - August 2016 / 904641-5282

Doing Dishes Summer Art Camp June 6 - July 28 from 9 am - 12 pm Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday classes.

Ages 7 and up. Only $35 a day. Create at least two great projects with a different theme each day!

Projects include pottery, painting, canvas and glass fusion.

We also offer fun Birthday Parties, too.

Several party packages to choose from.

Call or sign up online at www.doingdishes.com.

SAN JOSE LOCATION 5619 San Jose Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32207 904-730-3729

ST. JOHNS COMMONS 2220 CR-210 W, Suite 309 St Johns, FL 32259 904-824-7774

visit us at WWW.DOINGDISHES.COM WWW.DOINGDISHES.COM

BURRELLʼS CAMP CHIPPEWA 3111 Tiger Hole Rd. 32216

904-737-4988

Ages 6-12 6:30 AM - 6:30 PM June 13th - August 12th

Summer Day Camp in Southside offering daily swimming, fishing, canoeing, sports, archery, 50ʼ water slide, and field trips.

Counselors from England, Australia, New Zealand, Holland and Scotland!

Registration is $40 Weekly fee is $150 (lunch included)

www.burrellscampchippewa.com

May 30 - August 5th

med 10 The ! !! k e We s

Open House May 7th

June 13 - August 5, 2016 Enjoy the fun of one or all eight weeks Monday - Friday • 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (Early drop off and late pick up available)

Busing available from Beach Blvd. and Mandarin.

Aquatics Camp is a nationally accredited day camp program, open to boys and girls ages 6-14.

Discounts for multiple weeks, siblings, July 4th week, & early registration.

- Sailing - Swimming - Tubing

Early Registration: $99/week After May 7th: $119/week One-Time Registration Fee: $50 Extended Day: $25

- Wakeboarding - GaGa Ball - Cooking

- Archery - Robotics - Handicrafts

- Kayaking - Paddle Boarding - Over 40 Activities!

Aquatics Camp St. John’s River Base at Echockotee 2513 Doctors Lake Drive, Orange Park, FL (904) 269-2091 camp@aquaticscamp.org

Sibling Discounts Available

Camp located at Blessed Trinity Catholic School on Beach Blvd

Register online today at www.aquaticscamp.org

May 27 - Aug 4 • Grades K-12

EPISCOPAL

sign up for camps at www.esj.org/summer

SCHOOL of JACKSONVILLE

Academics Page 19 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

•

Arts

•

Sports

•

Activities

Summer Camp!

Climb aboard the Summer Express and hold on tight; we are heading full speed toward the best summer ever!

June, July & August • 6:30 am - 6:30 pm $125 per week plus $25 for field trip fees Lunch & snacks provided

We have a summer calendar filled with fun, exciting activities and field trips that are sure to heat up your summer!! Our field trips include the Jacksonville Zoo, swimming, Tree Hill and more!

Oakleaf • (904) 779-1770 7629 Old Middleburg Road, Jax, FL Lic# C04DU0391

San Pablo • (904) 619-8797 3232 San Pablo Road, Jax, FL Lic# C04DU0350

JCDS has provided students with enriching summer day camp experiences for over 40 years. Let us give your child the memories and experiences that will last a lifetime.

www.jcds.com/extra/ summercamp.php

Volleyball Association VOLLEY STARS CAMP

AGES 5-8

95 PER SESSION (3 Days )

SESSIONS RUN MAY 30 TO AUGUST 1

9AM-12PM

This camp focuses on motor skills. Campers will learn the basic skills of volleyball and work with a lighter ball.

ALL SKILLS CAMP 265 PER SESSION (5 Days)

AGES 9-16

EACH SESSION 9AM-4PM

SESSIONS RUN MAY 30 TO AUGUST 1 165 PER SESSION (3 Days)

110 PER SESSION (3 Days)

Campers will receive instructional training from JJVA's most experienced coaches on the six fundamental volleyball skills. Campers can choose two, three or five day sessions.

POSITION CAMP

AGES 13-18

105 PER SESSION (3 Days)

SESSIONS RUN MAY 30 TO AUGUST 1

CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO TIME SLOTS: 9AM-12PM OR 1PM-4PM

Camp allows players to train on a specific position. Players can choose to train in the skills of setter, hitter, blocker or Libero/defensive specialist. Players should have at least one year competitive team experience.

HIGH SCHOOL TEAM CAMP

50 PER PLAYER PER SESSION SESSIONS RUN JULY 15 TO JULY 29 CAMP HELD FRIDAYS 5-8PM AND SATURDAY 9AM-4PM

Open to JV and Varsity Teams: team instruction in offense, defense, and individual skills. Players must register separately as instructed by their school coach.

REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE AT WWW.JJVA.COM

904.854.2323 WE’RE ON FACEBOOK

Page 20 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

6773 PHILIPS INDUSTRIAL LANE

Episcopal Eagle Arts Camp June 13-24 (M-F) • 8:30 am - 3:30 pm • $590

The Montelione Music Camp June 27-July 1 • 9am-3pm • $300 • Rising 4th Grade to Rising 12th Grade

Music • Arts • Theater • Dance • Drama

See www.esj.org/summer to sign up for camps.

JACKSONVILLE’S ONLY STATE-OF-THE-ART,

A LARGE CONTINUOUS TRAMPOLINE FIELD • OLYMPIC SIZE FOAM PITS • DODGEBALL STADIUM A FLYING TRAPEZE BAR • HI-WIRE SLACK LINES • NINJA WARRIOR OBSTACLE COURSE 904-551-4035 Liberty Business Park Page 21 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

7022 AC Skinner Parkway, Suite 200

Jacksonville, FL 32256

TRAMPOLINE PARK

SUMMER CAMPS

Special Needs Camps Camp JSA July 5-8, July 11-15, July 18-22, July 25-28 9am – 2pm 4 week therapeutic autism camp for children between the ages of 4 and 17 diagnosed with: Asperger’s disorder * High functioning autism * Non-verbal related disorders Campers enjoy a wide variety of cooperative games and social skills and team building activities, as well as more traditional camp fare such as non-competitive sports, dancing, swimming, music, creative arts and drama. Cost: $400/ week. ($100 deposit to hold a camper spot) 904-732-4343 / 9000 Cypress Green Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.jsakids.org Jericho School’s 2016 Intensive Summer Program July 11th – August 5 This is not a Summer Camp where your child learns new arts and crafts. This will be four weeks of intensive Applied Behavior Analysis

and Verbal Behavior services for children with developmental disabilities. Each child will receive a comprehensive and Individualized Program with identified goals and objectives for acquisition of targeted skills. You can choose a two week program or take advantage of all four weeks for the Intensive Individualized Summer Program. Register early. Spots fill quickly.

904-744-5110 / 1351 Sprinkle Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32211 / www.thejerichoschool.org Keystone Success Through Change Camps June 13 – August 5, 2016 Monday – Friday 9am – 2:30pm Ages 5-22, with five camps focusing on different mental health needs offered simultaneously in one-week sessions: anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD), disruptive behavior disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD), mood disorders, and trauma and grief. Cost: $500/week. www.keystonebehavioral.com / 904-619-6071 ext 139 / 6867 Southpoint Dr North, Jacksonville, FL 32216

4-H Summer Camps from June-August Affordable, educational, experiential camps for boys and girls ages 5-18 Camp offerings include: Sew Into Fashion, Camp Cherry Lake, 4-H Legislature, Discover Horticulture, Starting Your Babysitting Business, Maker Camp, 4-H University, and Creepies and Crawlies: Bugs, Amphibians and Reptiles.

Please call or visit our website for more information.

904-255-7450 www.duval.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H.shtml

An Equal Opportunity Institution

Froggy Goes to Camp by Jonathan London Ages 3 to 6 The Berenstain Bears Go to Camp by Stan and Jan Berenstain Ages 3 to 6 Tacky Goes to Camp (Tacky the Penguin) by Helen Lester Ages 4 to 7 Wolf Camp

by Katie Mcky Ages 4 to 8 Camp Out! The Ultimate Kids' Guide

by Lynn Brunelle Ages 10 and up Cowboy Camp

by Tammi Sauer Ages 5 to 7 Sleepaway Girls

by Jen Calonita Ages 11 and up Runaway Ralph

by Beverly Cleary Ages 7 to 11

Page 22 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Children’s Art Classes Summer Workshops www.childrensartclasses.com • 904.612.7557 Baymeadows location

Orange Park location

Student name___________________________________Age_____ Parent Name_____________________________________________ Cell Phone__________________Home Phone__________________ Mailing Address__________________________________________ Email Address____________________________________________

Student name___________________________________Age_____ Parent Name_____________________________________________ Cell Phone__________________Home Phone__________________ Mailing Address__________________________________________ Email Address____________________________________________

Workshops requested: June 13 - 17 (PLACE LETTER June 20 - 24 ON LINE) June 27 - July 1 July 11 - 15

Workshops requested: June 13 - 17 (PLACE LETTER ON LINE) June 20 - 24 June 27 - July 1 July 11 - 15

____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____

____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Please use LETTER of workshop from summer workshop schedule (ex. A, B, C, ETC.) Up to three workshops each week may be selected. (Each workshop will meet Monday - Friday at given time.)

Cost is $79/per 5-day workshop, and includes all supplies.*unless noted $20 deposit per 5-day workshop is due with registration. BALANCE to be paid on FIRST DAY of workshop.

Mail registration form and deposit to: All workshops MEET at: Children’s Art Classes 8411 Baymeadows Way 9838 Old Baymeadows Rd. #330 Jacksonville, FL 32256 Jacksonville, FL 32256 **You will be notified ONLY if your requested workshop is full** CUT 2016 SUMMER WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: BAYMEADOWS WAY JUNE 13-17 A. BEGINNING DRAWING 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. ages 7 - ADULT B. CHARCOAL DRAWING 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. ages 7 - ADULT C. Clay For TINY HANDS! 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ages 3 - 6 D. WHIMSEY Teapot Designs in CLAY*( $5 upcharge) 12:30 - 1:45 p.m. ages 10 - ADULT JUNE 20-24 E. Water Color Landscape Painting! 9:00 - 10:15 a.m. ages 7 and up F. PAINTING for Young Artists 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. ages 4 - 7 G. STAIN GLASS for Children!

11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. ages 5 and up H. Clay MASKS CREATIONS!!

12:45 - 2:00 p.m. ages 7 and up JULY 27 - JULY 1 I. Clay Pots and MORE!!

9:00 - 10:15 a.m. ages 7 and up J. Painting for Young Artists 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. ages 4 - 7 K. DRAWING with Scratchboard!

11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. ages 7 and up L. DRAW, PAINT and CLAY Art History!!

12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ages 8 - ADULT JULY 11-15 M. DRAWING in PASTEL: Self-Portraits 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. ages 7 and up N. DRAWING & PAINTING for TINY HANDS 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. ages 3 - 5 O. BEGINNING DRAWING 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ages 8 and up P. Plaster Mask Creations!! (great for parent & child!)

12:00 - 1:30 p.m. ages 6 - ADULT

Page 23 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Mail registration form and deposit to: All workshops MEET at: Children’s Art Classes 1406 Kingsley Ave 11250 Old St. Augustine Rd.#15310 Orange Park, FL 32073 Jacksonville, FL 32257 **You will be notified ONLY if your requested workshop is full** 2016 SUMMER WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: ORANGE PARK JUNE 13-17 A. BEGINNING DRAWING 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

B. CLAY POTS and MORE! 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

C. ART CREATIONS for TINY HANDS 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

JUNE 20-24 D. PAINTING in Water Colors!

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

E. CLAY for TINY HANDS! 10:15 - 11:15 a.m.

F. DRAW, PAINT, and CLAY: Art History 11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

ages 7 - ADULT ages 7 - ADULT ages 3 - 6 ages 7 and up ages 3-6 ages 7 and up

JULY 27 - JULY 1 G. WHIMSEY Designs - Clay Teapots! *upcharge $5 9:00 - 10:15 a.m.

H. STAIN GLASS for CHILDREN! 10:15 - 11:30 a.m.

I. DRAWING with PASTELS! 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

ages 7 - ADULT ages 5 and up ages 7 and up

JULY 11-15 J. PAINTING for YOUNG ARTISTS! K. CHARCOAL DRAWING L. DRAWING WITH SCRATCH BOARD!!

ages 7 - ADULT

9:00 - 10:30 a.m. ages 5 - 9 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. ages 7 and up 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.

EDUCATION

Can’t Get Your Kids Into Poetry? Try These Tips

I

n my years of teaching English and writing, I’ve heard numerous students complain about hating poetry. It’s too hard or too high-brow or too out there. “I don’t get it,” students like to tell me.

What students are really saying (usually) is that they haven’t been exposed to very much of poetry.

In my 2016 columns, I’ve offered strategies parents or teachers can use to help their kids read better.

January’s column offered an overview of ways to help your kids read and comprehend four genres of writing: fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama.

February’s column focused on specific ways to read and comprehend non-fiction texts. March’s column focused on proven ways to read fiction.

This month, I’ll share some tips on reading and comprehending poetry.

Preschool Age The early childhood years are the perfect time to be intentional about exposing your children to all types of writing, especially poetry. Parents can do this in a number of ways.

Consider reading children’s books written in verse to your kids. Many Dr. Seuss books come to mind for this task, such as “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish” and “The Foot Book.” Many other children’s books are written in verse. If you don’t know where to find them, visit the children’s section of your local branch library.

Little kids love to hear and repeat rhymes. Your family could make up their own rhymes or poems as you drive to the grocery store or to soccer practice.

Elementary Age When I was in the fourth grade, each student in my class made a book of original poetry. With front and back covers made out of cloth-covered cardboard and all the front matter of a real book (i.e. title page, dedication page, table of contents, etc.), we produced a real keepsake. My book included the following types of poems: limerick, diamante, cinquain and haiku, among others.

Your kids can do the same thing. By reading poems, studying their forms and then writing them, they’ll become more comfortable with poetry and figurative language.

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Middle School Age Reading and writing poetry are wonderful ways for middle school adolescents to express their emotions and feelings. There are numerous age-appropriate books written in verse that can entertain and inform middle schoolers while still exposing them to poetic rhythm, rhyme and language.

For example, “Out of the Dust” by Karen Hesse is a poetic novel. Set during the Depression in the midst of the Oklahoma Dust Bowl, the book is written completely in free verse poetry from 14 year-old Billie Jo’s point of view.

I’ve seen middle school students write their own poignant free verse poems after reading this novel and others written in verse.

High School Age Though there is currently an increasing emphasis on reading and comprehending non-fiction texts, reading and comprehending poetry are important and useful skills. Not only does analyzing language use in poetry help high schoolers answer questions on standardized tests, it also helps them analyze language use and engage in higher-order thinking skills.

Last year, I taught students in one of my classes how to write Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets. They learned the requirements of the sonnet form: each line must be written in iambic pentameter, each line’s end word must follow a specific rhyme scheme and the whole sonnet must focus on a strong emotion, usually love.

We read and analyzed many sonnets and then wrote two together. The students were very pleased with their poetic work and several of them read their sonnets at a poetry night at our local branch library.

Further Thoughts Poetry doesn’t have to be a scary, “I don’t get it” experience for your kids. With a little intentional planning on your part, you can help your kids develop poetry-reading and writing skills at any age.

That’s MY Job!

Becky Bereswill, Figure Skater How long have you been a Figure Skater?

I have been a professional figure skater for two years with Disney On Ice portraying the role of Queen Elsa from the movie Frozen. Prior to that, I trained and competed in figure skating for 16 years.

Why did you choose this career?

I chose this career because it combines my love of athletics with performing. I also enjoy getting to travel and meet up with friends around the country.

What kind of education did you get to become a Figure Skater?

Before becoming a professional figure skater, I attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor studying business, finance, and organizational theory. Outside of academics, I trained six days per week working with different Olympic and world level coaches to improve my jump technique, speed, and edge quality on the ice. I also worked with a strength and conditioning coach to educate myself on wellness and ways to increase my strength and prevent injuries on tour.

What are some of your responsibilities?

I am so grateful to portray the role of Elsa and with that opportunity comes a lot of responsibility. Since my time with the tour,

I have put in over a thousand hours collectively, studying Frozen and Elsa’s character. A huge responsibility of the entire cast is to pull all of the details from the movie to the ice to create a magical experience that is true to the film. Another one of my responsibilities is to seek out new ways to improve while maintaining a high level of consistency. My career also requires that I maintain strong physical health and a balanced lifestyle.

What do you like most about your job?

I love performing for thousands of people each night and sharing my passion for skating and the story of Frozen. It is a gift to see so many happy families and their love of the Disney characters. I also enjoy meeting new people, site seeing, and having the opportunity to grow and try new things.

For more than 10 years, Grace House Counseling Center has provided hope and encouragement to thousands of hurting individuals and families on Florida's First Coast.

2 convenient locations: Orange Park/Fleming Island & North Jacksonville 904.269.0886 www.gracehousecounseling.org

April is National Poetry Month. Why not celebrate at your home by reading and writing some poetry? j By: Nancy Bethea

facebook.com/gracehousejax

EDUCATION

Jacksonville Suns Education Day

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new era of affordable family fun will dawn on the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville on Opening Day, April 7, with the Jacksonville Suns under new ownership. The organization is committed to making an impact with youth through schools, after-school programming and nonprofits.

Among a promotion-packed home schedule, the Suns have dedicated a special 11:05 a.m. home game to celebrate area school students and staff members at the ballpark. Education Day will be Wednesday, April 20.

For Education Day, school groups may reserve their trip to the Suns game for only $5 per student. The Suns will also give one free ticket to a full-time staff member for every 15 students in the school’s group. Each student will receive a game ticket, an Uncrustable snack and juice. The Suns will welcome each school on the stadium public address and video board. For schools seeking an alternative date, the Suns play a

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12:05 p.m. game Wednesday, May 18.

Library Offering Free Online Tutoring

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eachers, parents, students, job seekers and learners of all ages have more reasons to love their library! Now, Jacksonville Public Library offers live homework help and job help with Brainfuse HelpNow and JobNow online services. All you need is your library card to access tutors, career coaches, ESL services, foreign language assistance, adult learning resources, software assistance and more.

During the summer, the Suns will promote reading through the Books and Bats reading program. The club will recognize students in the program at 7:05 p.m. Suns home games Wednes- Live help is available seven days a week, nine hours a day, from 2 to 11 p.m. Users can ask questions in day, July 27, and Wednesday, Aug. 24. the Question Center, use study tools, take practice tests, find resume tips and more 24/7. You may Beyond the ballpark, Suns mascot Southpaw and access HelpNow and JobNow through jaxpubliclithe new Suns staff are active in the community. brary.org. A free mobile app is available from the From school rallies and career days to fundraising Apple and Google Play stores.

and tours of the ballpark, the Suns have a wide HelpNow array of opportunities for youth, their families, Accommodating a range of homework needs, schools and communities to make a difference including live, one-on-one homework help, live, and make lasting memories.

Florida-aligned skills building (includes Common Core), test preparation (SAT, ACT, GRE and others) and comprehensive writing assistance, HelpNow’s For more information about the Education Day, skills building is designed for grades K-12, and the Books and Bats reading program, and other covers core subjects such as math, science, history, involvement with the Suns, contact Director of English and language arts, including advanced Community Relations Andrea Williams at college preparatory level courses.

904-374-4749 or andrea@jaxsuns.com. j

HelpNow makes learning fun, easy and effective with a writing lab, video tutorials, individualized learning plans, and homework assignment tracker.

Interactive features include Meet Online Study Groups to schedule meetings with friends to study online, Brainwave to share movie-like notes and ideas, Flashbulb to access and create flashcards, and Cloudpack to integrate materials to share with tutors.

The Adult Learning Center offers adult skills tutoring, GED and U.S. Citizenship test prep, computer/ software literacy and more. CollegeNow and the Foreign Language Center provide additional resources to students. Find HelpNow on the JPL for Kids or JPL for Teens page.

JobNow Job seekers can brush up on interview techniques, get live online interview practice from trained coaches, and receive expert resume/cover letter assistance. Users may download a variety of resume templates and browse a library of national, regional and local job resources, available 24/7. Job coaches can help target jobs best suited to your interests and qualifications. Recent high school/ college graduates and job seekers can identify their ideal job opportunities using eParachute, an online resource inspired by the best-selling career guide.

Find JobNow on the JPLCareer and Job Resources page. j

DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Park figures out her former students based upon what section they sat in and by a unique characteristic she remembers about the child from that section.

Kay Park: 2016 Duval County Teacher of the Year as a teacher in 1977 in a school just outside of Tuscaloosa, Ala. She spent two years teaching in Tuscaloosa before deciding to move back to her hometown of Pensacola to teach.

Her smile, laugh and energy are all contagious and part of what makes Kay Park’s classroom at Alimacani Elementary School so welcoming.

For nearly 40 years, Park has made the classroom an environment that is like a second home to countless of children.

And it is the children that bring her back to the classroom day after day, year after year.

“Just being around children energizes me. And in turn, I energize them,” said Park with a smile. “We sing. We dance.

We celebrate. We work hard from the minute they walk into the classroom to the minute they leave each day. I’m 60 years old and I still feel like I just started teaching because the children keep me young.”

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Park stepped into her first classroom

Park met her future husband, a U.S. Navy lieutenant named Steve, in Pensacola. Almost immediately after the pair married, the Navy moved the Parks to San Francisco. California teaching regulations prevented Park from teaching, so instead, she directed a program that allowed military personnel to receive their GEDs. After the Navy took the family to San Diego, the Parks moved to Jacksonville and Kay Park returned to the classroom.

She’s been with Duval County Public Schools for the last 29 years. Her first three years were at Englewood Elementary School. However, a daily carpool ride drove Park right past the construction site for Alimacani.

“That was probably 27 years ago,” remembered Park. “I went in for my interview and I got hired. Alimacani has been here for 26 years now. The years have flown.”

Former students recognize Park. Whether it’s in the halls as she is going to get her current class or outside of school, Park constantly runs into former students. When the connection is realized,

“The teacher and student relationship is a bond that is hard to describe,” explained Park. “It is such a special bond because you are in class with them all day, every day. When you run into a former student years later, it’s true bliss.

I’m proud of every student that I ever taught because they’ve all chosen the path that was right for them. I hope to eventually re-connect with all of them.

Every single one of them.”

Park encounters one of her former students on a daily basis. Jenna Pugh, who teaches first grade at Alimacani, was in Park’s class the second year Alimacani was open.

Earlier this year, Park was named Alimacani’s Teacher of the Year and was ultimately selected as the 2016 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year on March 12 at the Jacksonville Public Education Foundation’s EDDY Awards.

It’s an honor that has resulted in many well-wishes from across the spectrum.

“Working alongside Mrs. Park has been a true joy,” said Pugh. “I have been so blessed to have her in my life as my first grade teacher, my mentor and friend. I am the teacher that I am today because of her.”

“Facebook is jammed, which my husband and children do all that,” stated Park, who is the mom to two adult children named Stephen and Lauren. “It’s been a whirlwind of emails, notes and cards. I could not be more grateful and humbled.”

Although Park spent much of her career teaching first grade, she has taught third grade for the last nine years. Her teaching methods have adapted to the age of her students.

“In the end, it’s all about the children.

Nothing else is as important than the well-being of the students. That has never changed. And it never will.”

“When I first came to Alimacani, Mrs. Park was a first grade teacher,” said Alimacani Principal Kathy Stalls. “First grade is vastly different from third. As a first grade teacher, I would go in and Mrs. Park would be singing with her children, as she does now. Only it would be on a first-grade level. When I think about how cute and clever that was for

Come Celebrate Literacy!

Page 26 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

first graders, she has now taken that to her third grade students as well.”

By: Colleen O’Connell

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St. Johns County School District News

4th Annual County History Fair Winners

Junior Division Individual website 1st – Kason Ancelin, Switzerland Point Middle, “Louis Pasteur’s Fight Against Disease” 2nd- Jennifer Balestra, Alice B. Landrum Middle, “Nelly Bly and Her Exploration of Americas Insane Asylums” 3rd – Joshua Jacobs, Fruit Cove Middle, “Expensive Explorations” Group website 1st – Nathaniel Duck, Colin Ngin and Daniel Goodrich, Switzerland Point, “Challenger” 2nd – Jordan Sabo and Lindsey Sabo, Switzerland Point, “Encounter of the Solanas: Influence on Florida” 3rd – Mohit Ballikar, Deven Ellis and Joshua Prohofsky, Fruit Cove, “What went wrong between Andrew Jackson and the Cherokee Nation”.

Individual performance 1st – Nima Goodman, Landrum, “Exploration of the Life of Pocahontas” Group performance: 1st – Ethan Grunow-Drew and Alan Michael, Switzerland Point, “Fibonacci” 2nd – Ainsley Wiechens and Kayla Wiechens, Switzerland Point, “Ruth Wakefield” 3rd – Philip Baratelli, Lucas Comparato, Brady Teichman and Jude Howell, Fruit Cove, “Sparta’s Encounter with Romans” Individual documentary: 1st – Elliot Kantor, Landrum, “The Silk Road” 2nd – Jenna Forcier, Fruit Cove, “Juan Ponce De Leon and the Myth of the Fountain of Youth” 3rd – Wade Miller, Switzerland Point, “Space Race”

Group documentary: 1st – Lauren Donalson and Kaitlyn Rouzie, Switzerland Point, “The Cubo Line and City Gate Protection and Security to the Nation’s Oldest City” 2nd – Alia Farooque and Camille Aguilar, Switzerland Point, “Small Pox” 3rd – Marina Mechetti, Carolina Mechetti and Lily Quick, Landrum, “The Exploration of Flight” Individual exhibit 1st – Veronica Czajkowski, Patriot Oaks Academy, “Black Death” 2nd – Taylor Hampson, Fruit Cove, “King Henry VIII, his Influence of the Protestant Reformation, and the Motives of Pligrimages and Exploration to the New World” 3rd – Remington Chenore, Landrum, “The Radioactive Lady: Marie Curie” Group exhibit 1st – Julia Martin and Caroline Rice, Fruit Cove, “Exploration of How Greek Mythology Affects Society” 2nd – Ava Nelms and Sophia Peake, Sebastian Middle, “Lewis and Clark”; 3rd – Lauren Alexis Edmonds and Addison Bullen, Switzerland Point, “Lost Ships of St. Augustine” Research paper 1st – Angela Ramsey, Switzerland Point, “Genghis Khan” 2nd – Hanna Do, Patriot Oaks, “Triangle Factory Fire” 3rd – Ashton Monk, Landrum, “Little Boy and Fat Man” Senior Division Individual website 1st – Danielle Haddock, Creekside High, “Can you Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street?”

2nd – Adawe Bosworth, St. Augustine High, “Japanese Internment Camp” 3rd – Amanda Donahue, Ponte Vedra High, “Irish Immigration: A Cultural Exchange”

Scholarship Winner Pedro Menendez senior Hannah Kilbride has been selected as one of six Asofsky Family Foundation’s Leaders 4 Life Fellows.

This scholarship is awarded to Florida high school seniors who are in the Take Stock in Children Scholarship Program and have achieved academic excellence in coursework and exhibited strong leadership skills.

Each summer she will also be given the opportunity to participate in the Fellow Institute which is designed to enhance job skills, explore internships and network with other scholars and business leaders.

As a Fellow, Hannah receives an Apple laptop and financial assistance with all college expenses. Hannah will attend Florida State University in the fall.

Honorable Mention – Adam Snowden, Ponte Vedra, “Fighting Yellow Jack: How the U.S. Army Yellow Fever Commission Identified the Culprit Behind the Spread of Yellow Fever” Group website 1st – Ben Honiker and Noah Kathe, Creekside, “The Viking Invasions of the British Isles 793900 AD” 2nd – Elizabeth Fox, Frank Lukens and Harrison Snowden, Ponte Vedra, “Marie Tharp: Mapping the Ocean Floor” 3rd – Elliott Steele and Brighton Ancelin, Creekside, “The Space Race: US vs. USSR” Individual documentary 1st – Shelby Brackett, Creekside, “Mabury vs.

Madison” Group documentary 1st – Ciara Boulos and Mia Andrews, St. Augustine, “Dr. Seuss: Perfectly Political” Individual exhibit 1st – Nicholas Famularo, Ponte Vedra, “Zheng He: Admiral of the Western Seas” 2nd – Andrew Brownett, “The Young Apprentice of WWI” Group exhibit 1st – Katherine Slava and Maia Medley, St. Augustine, “One Small Step for a Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind” 2nd – Matt Adams and Nicholas Rodgers, St. Augustine, “Midway” 3rd – Mairead “Maggie” Boylan, Taylor Noon and Aleyna Turker, Ponte Vedra, “Feminist Art and its Movement” Research paper 1st – Charles Sherwood, Creekside, “Playing Revolution: Soviet Encounters in China from 1917-1928” (overall winner) 2nd – Rachel Barden, Creekside, “Horace Mann and the Public School Reform” 3rd – John Middleton, Ponte Vedra, “Exchanges and Encounters: Early New Spain in the North American Southwest”

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Calendar

Friday, April 29 Student/teacher holiday Thursday, May 26 Last Day for Students Last day for Teachers Friday, May 27

The School-Related Employees of the Year have been selected from each of the district’s 36 schools, along with four district representatives and one charter school. The nominees were chosen for the significant contributions they have made in their schools and community, and to the school district as a whole. Criteria for the award includes exemplary job performance, dedication on the job, interpersonal skills, leadership ability, in-service/training to upgrade skills and contributions to the school and school district environment.

Jennifer Hicks .....................................Academic Services Department Jane Young..........................................Bartram Trail High School Patricia Hardy......................................Creekside High School Cynthia Marie Laga..............................John A. Crookshank Elementary School Karen Bowyer......................................Cunningham Creek Elementary School Yasmin Taylor.......................................Durbin Creek Elementary School Von Raburn..........................................First Coast Technical College Joann Williams....................................Fruit Cove Middle School Christina Fallica...................................Gaines Alternative and Transition Schools Michelle Betrone..................................W. D. Hartley Elementary School Cecelia Theos......................................Hickory Creek Elementary School Eunice Lopez.......................................Human Resources Department Wendy Thurston...................................R.B. Hunt Elementary School Todd Stone..........................................Information Technology Department Kathryn “KD” Bender...........................Julington Creek Elementary School Brian Taylor..........................................Ketterlinus Elementary School Gerri D. Garcia.....................................Alice B. Landrum Middle School Brenda Herrera....................................Liberty Pines Academy Steven Sampson..................................Otis A. Mason Elementary School Pat Giuliani..........................................Pedro Menendez High School Arthur “Art” Thomas............................Mill Creek Elementary School La’Kevia Leeona Rollins.......................R.J. Murray Middle School Donald E. Colburn................................Allen D. Nease High School Tyson Shank........................................Ocean Palms Elementary School Susan Lynch........................................Osceola Elementary School Michelle Leitao....................................Pacetti Bay Middle School Randy Villalobos...................................Palencia Elementary School Virginia “Jenny” Ware Dupree..............Patriot Oaks Academy Nicholas Athanaseas............................Ponte Vedra High School Maria Novoa........................................PVPV/Rawlings Elementary School Martha Fulford.....................................Gamble Rogers Middle School Michael Oxborough..............................St. Augustine High School Rick Testasecca...................................St. Johns Technical High School Michael P. Marimpietri.........................Sebastian Middle School Emily C. Hoover...................................South Woods Elementary School Ann McCaskill......................................Switzerland Point Middle School Jennifer Schwall..................................Timberlin Creek Elementary School Rebecca Brewer..................................Transportation Department Joan Balerna.......................................Valley Ridge Academy Tammy L. Stewart................................Wards Creek Elementary School Kenneth P. Kehoe.................................The Webster School

Switzerland Point Excels in Math

Switzerland Point Middle School placed fourth overall in the annual Northeast Florida Mathcounts Competition sponsored Sri Meghana Kopparthi, an eighth grader at James Weldon by the Northeast Florida Engineering Society and is advancing Johnson, won the individual category for the second year in a to the state competition held in April. row.

Other winners in the team category included James Weldon Johnson, LaVilla School of the Arts, Lakeside Junior High, Julia Landon College Preparatory and Duncan Fletcher Middle School.

St. Johns County had six middle schools participating including Fruit Cove Middle School, Alice B. Landrum Middle School, Liberty Pines Academy, Patriot Oaks Academy, Sebastian Middle School, and Switzerland Point Middle School.

Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information.

Page 27 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Clay County School News

Regional Career Fair a Success Lakeside Is Math Winner Over 350 Clay County High School juniors participated in the Clay Regional Career Fair at the Thrasher-Horne Conference Center.

Students distributed resumes in what was for most their first experiences in searching for a career and lining up internships for the summer.

They learned the value of networking with local companies for career information and opportunities and the importance of college and career planning while touring the programs at St. Johns River State College and attending workshops on resume writing.

Organized by the “Academies of Clay” college and career readiness program, the fair was spon-

Lakeside Junior High School was a winner in the annual Northeast Florida Mathcounts Competition sponsored by the Northeast Florida Engineering Society and is advancing to the state competition held in April.

Orange Park Medical Center booth was popular. sored by St. Johns River State College, The Clay County Chamber of Commerce, and CareerSource NEFL.

Students with an ear for music are invited to participate in the Concert on the Green Young Artists Music Competition for the chance at a $1,000 scholarship and to perform with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra during Memorial Day weekend.

The competition is sponsored by Concert on the Green and is targeted for students in grades 6 through 12 who reside or attend a school in Clay County.

Musicians selected are eligible for prizes, awards and scholarships. The contest’s grand prize is a $1,000 Howard Tappan Memorial Scholarship, which is partially supported by the residents of Penney Farms and the Penney Farms Memorial

Last year’s winners pictured above.

Commemorative Fund. A grand prize scholarship is awarded to one vocalist and one instrumentalist. Howard Tappan was a chorus teacher for 30 years before moving to Penney Farms Retirement Center as Minister of Music. He always encouraged musical excellence among young people.

For audition information and to apply online, go to concertonthegreen.com.

Students Selling What They Sow Oakleaf High School’s Agriscience Foundation classes recently completed a plant propagation lab with IFIS Master Gardener’s Sharon Lloyd and John Terry in order to propagate hundreds of plants in dozens of varieties to sell at a farmers market in April.

The Agribusiness and Management students have been busy creating small business plans for a niche agricultural business and will use their

Page 28 • Jax4Kids.com • APRIL 2016

Sri Meghana Kopparthi, an eighth grader at James Weldon Johnson, won the individual category for the second year in a row.

Other winners in the team category included James Weldon Johnson, LaVilla School of the Arts, Switzerland Point Middle, Julia Landon College Preparatory and Duncan Fletcher Middle

Music Competition Offers Scholarships

The application deadline is April 8 and vocalists and all concerto instrumentalists are eligible. All rounds of the competition will take place on Saturday, April 16, and contestants selected for the final round will perform in front of a live audience on Monday, April 18.

School.

newly acquired expertise to complete financial documents, run a marketing campaign, and be responsible for the sale of all of Oakleaf’s plant inventory.

The integration of knowledge gained from a variety of classes gives students the opportunity to put what they have mastered to work helping them gain valuable experience needed to be successful in any workplace environment.

Interior Design Students Take a Career Journey Interior design students at Middleburg High School started the morning recently at KB Homes in Angora Bay. Carmen Suarez, along with interior designers Suzanne and Alexis, walked the students through the process of designing and decorating a home. The students toured two beautifully decorated KB model homes and were given advice by the designers on where to start their interior design careers. KB Homes also provided a hardy Chick-fil-A breakfast.

The next stop on our journey was Michael’s crafts and decorating. Store Manager Joe Musa provided an abundance of information about the retail work experience, the various departments within a store, and the variety of classes Michael’s provides, such as painting, cake decorating, knitting, and jewelry making. Randi, the framing consultant, demonstrated the process of making frames and the different types of materials and steps that go into framing a work of art.

Randi will be coming to Middleburg High to teach the class how to best utilize the matte board cutting machine.

La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery was our next stop on the journey. Mary Ann Sciullo, ASID interior designer, demonstrated numerous furniture styles,

including their famous recliners. She shared quality construction and materials information used in designing La-Z-Boy furniture. The students made La-Z-Boy their classroom and sampled the comfortable chairs and couches while listening to Ms. Sciullo’s vast information.

The final stop on the career journey was Chili’s Restaurant. Students enjoyed an amazing lunch while General Manager Glen Gray provided information about the process of designing and organizing their restaurant interior, from the coordination of the menu concept to the décor of the restaurant. Mr. Gray reinforced the necessity of having a vision of design skill to see a proto type of a job before it occurs.

The Middleburg interior design students were able to view new home and commercial interiors’ design career opportunities available within their community; their eyes are now wide open!

Thanks to KB Homes, Michaels, La-Z-Boy, and Chili’s.

Written by Taylor Luke, student Middleburg High School

Calendar Friday, April 1

End Third Grading Period

Monday, April 4

Planning Day/Fair Day, Student Holiday

Monday, May 30

Memorial Day (Observed), Student/Teacher Holiday

Friday, June 3

Last Day, Students (4th Grading Period – 43 days)

Monday, June 6

Last Day, Teachers – Planning Day

www.oneclay.net OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 Keystone Heights (888) 663-2529 TDD (904) 284-6584

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Things to Do

PETS

Community Profile: VetSetGo! Connecting Kids to Their Passion

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ne in five tweens who love dogs, cats and all animals claim they want to be a veterinarian when they grow up, and St. Augustine vet Chris Carpenter is taking them seriously.

Dr. Carpenter recently launched “Vet Set Go!” – a web site and a companion book for young aspiring vets. Recently named among the best in family-friendly media

by Mom’s Choice Awards, “Vet Set Go!” is designed to give Dr. Carpenter’s future colleagues (and their parents) what he wished was available to him as a kid.

passion. As you continue through the site, you can stop to “Meet The Vets,” where tweens can watch the videos of vets, veterinary camps, and zoos that started it all for Dr. Carpenter. And a favorite of many site visitors is “The Science of Veterinary Medicine,” in which tweens are given an unfiltered view into what goes on behind the scenes in specific cases.

The book, which was released in January and is available on his website for $21, gives tweens a roadmap on where to begin their journey to becoming a veterinarian. Chapters detail everything from how to write a professionallooking letter to the vet they would like to shadow (and what they can expect if they get the opportunity), to a step-by-step guide on fostering animals, and even a checklist for what they “The love of animals is a very powerful and should look for in an animal-based summer motivating passion that germinates early in future camp. veterinarians,” Dr. Carpenter explained in an interview with Dogster magazine. “With 65 Dr. Carpenter percent of today’s current veterinarians having holds a decided before the age of 13 that it was the license to career path they wanted to take, we need to take practice these tweens seriously. Veterinary medicine is a veterinary calling, and it is our job to provide our kids with medicine in the tools necessary to follow their dream. But multiple today’s tweens today face a quandary. They know states. He is that they want to become a veterinarian, but at a member of best the advice they get is to ‘study science and the American get animal experience.’ But how? How do they do Veterinary that? Because of liability reasons, many veteriMedical Association and the National Science nary clinics and even humane societies won’t let Teachers Association. In addition to his Doctor of someone shadow or volunteer until they are at Veterinary Medicine degree from the Auburn least 16 years old. So how can our aspiring vet College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carpenter tweens gain animal experience if they don’t have holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from an outlet to be working with vets or animals?” the University of Florida and a Masters of Business Administration from New Hampshire VetSetGo.com is the only online community that College. Raised as a “military brat” who grew up connects aspiring young vets, practicing vets, and all over the country, he now lives in St. Augustine veterinary camps, zoos and shelters. With with his wife, daughter and a goofy labradoodle features such as “The Community Section,” named Jackson. where vets and aspiring vets can share their photos and stories with each other, to “The Today, in addition to his work with Vet Set Go, Dr. Activities Section,” where tweens can search for Carpenter directs the non-profit Companion volunteer opportunities and animal-related Animal Parasite Council. The mission of the summer camps in their area, such as the Zoo organization is to foster animal and human Camp at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and health, while preserving the human-animal bond, volunteer opportunities at the Jacksonville by generating and disseminating credible, Humane Society. accurate and timely information for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control of parasitic “Classroom presentations are fine,” said Dr. infections. An independent council formed in Carpenter. “I wanted to give today’s aspiring 2002 to create guidelines for the optimal control veterinarians something much more powerful. I of internal and external parasites, it brings wanted to give them a way to go behind the together broad expertise in parasitology, internal scenes and meet veterinarians. I wanted them to medicine, public health, veterinary law, private hear from veterinarians and see what they do.” practice and association leadership with the express purpose of changing the way veterinary Dr. Carpenter has also created a network of professionals and pet owners approach parasite passionate people and a directory to further that management. j

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13th Annual GoldenFest • April 2, 2pm to 4pm The 13th Annual GoldenFest, is a fun-filled afternoon for you and your Golden. Enjoy contests such as newspaper retrieval, tennis ball retrieval, and best trick contest, vendor booths, a silent auction and refreshments while your Goldens play at Dogwood Park. Admission is $15 for Goldens and their families. Please bring lawn chairs for yourselves & towels for your pups.

G.R.E.A.T. Rescue / Dog Wood Park, 7407 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / greatrescue.org Pet First Aid and CPR Program April 3, 2pm to 7pm Pet Life Saver Pet First Aid and CPR Program. Participants will learn restraining & muzzling, primary pet assessment, bleeding & shock management, snoutto-tail assessment, choking protocols, canine & feline CPR, rescue breathing, and more. Cost is $149. Each student will receive a PetSaver™ handbook, and upon successful completion each student will receive a certificate of completion. Class size is limited; register online in advance.

Pet Life Saver Jax / 904-635-3665 / Salty Paws Healthy Pet Market, 677 Atlantic Blvd, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233 / www.petlifesaverjax.com Free St. Augustine Pet Walk Pup Crawl April 9, 10am to 11:15am City Walks offers a free Pet Walk PUP Crawl the

Pet Events second Saturday of each month. Explore the timeless streets of St. Augustine and hear tales of the city’s rich history while touring with your beloved pets.

This guided walking tour is approximately an hour in length and covers several square blocks of the downtown plaza area. All pets must be on leashes and all city ordinances are followed. While tours are offered for free, space is limited to 25 humans per city ordinance; book early to reserve your space in advance. Tours depart at 10am from Tour St. Augustine Inc on Granada Street.

City Walks / 904-825-0087 / 4 Granada Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.staugcitywalks.com 10th Annual Comedy For Critters April 9, 7pm The Mad Cowford Improv Comedy Club hosts a fundraiser to benefit the Friends of Jacksonville Animals.

There will be a silent auction at 7pm, followed by an improv comedy show at 8:15pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Seating is limited; advance purchase is recommended. Wear orange and get a free raffle ticket.

Mad Cowford / Hotel Indigo, 9840 Tapestry Park Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / madcowford.com Like Jax4Pets.com’s Facebook page at facebook.com/jax4pets to find out about other events for pets.

THINGS TO DO April Events 30th Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair March 31 – April 9 The 30th Annual Clay County Agricultural Fair will be held March 31-April 9. Features of the Fair include Family Day on April 3, Fair Day on April 4, Youth Agriculture Day on April 8, and Celebrate Clay Day on April 9. There will also be midway rides, livestock exhibits, music, shows, and more.

Clay County Fair / 904-284-1615 / Clay County Fairgrounds, 2497 State Road 16 West, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / www. claycountyfair.org Summer Camp Expos April 2, 10am – 3pm • The Avenues Mall April 9, 10am – 3pm • Orange Park Mall April 16, 10am – 3pm • World Golf Village Come meet camp providers and learn about fun and enriching opportunities for your kids this summer. Register on site for summer camps and enjoy a day filled with free entertainment and activities.

Enter to win a Summer Getaway to the Gaylord Palms Resort and more! The Summer Camp Expos will be held in locations for your convenience. April 2nd at the Avenues Mall, April 9th at Orange Park Mall, and April 16th at World Golf Village. Admission, parking and all activities are FREE! www.jax4kids.com / 904-710-2020 Avenues Mall – 10300 Southside Blvd., Jacksonville, 32258 Orange Park Mall – 1910 Wells Road, Orange Park, FL 32073 Disney on Ice: Frozen April 6, 7:30pm • April 7, 7:30pm April 8, 3:30pm and 7:30pm April 9, 11:30am, 3:30pm, and 7:30pm April 10, 10am, 2pm, and 6pm Disney on Ice presents Frozen, with Anna, Elsa, Olaf and more. Get warmed up for the show and learn the snowman dance at the Stonyfield YoKids and Disney Magic of Healthy Living Dance-Along Pre-Show. Kids who have celebrated their second birthday must have a ticket. Tickets start at $20. There will be a school performance on April 7th at 10:30am. Call 1-866-248-8740 select Option 3 and ask for the Jax4Kids discount.

1-800-745-3000 / Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.disneyonice. com One Day Fun Camp: Geo-Caching • April 8, 9am to 3pm Campers will become modern-day treasure hunters as they embark on a quest to find hidden items within the walls of MOSH. Old school coordinates, maps, compasses and GPS will be the tools that will lead to the cache. Camp is from 9am to 3pm. Extended care is available. Cost is $60; MOSH Members receive a 20% discount.

Register online.

MOSH / 904-396-MOSH / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial – Film With Orchestra April 9, 7:30pm Families are invited for Steven Spielberg’s cinematic masterpiece E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial with John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score performed live to picture. Visit website for ticket information.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra / Times Union Center, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org West Nassau Historical Society Railroad Days April 16, 9am to 8pm The 11th annual celebration is scheduled for April 16 in and around the historic 1881 Callahan Train Depot and nearby 1856 Florida Railroad bed. This year’s celebration will include the opening of phase 1 of the large scale history train that when completed will help tell the story of Nassau County history. The group will also celebrate the fabled “Hobos” and their green-friendly Recycle and ReUse skills they used while riding the rails. The kids’ area will include jumpy houses, climbing wall, and Hobo Games. There will also be arts & crafts vendors, food, live local entertainment, and the Shriner-led Railroad Day parade at 11am.

West Nassau Historical Society / 904-879-3406 / Historic Train Depot, 45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan, FL 32011 / www.wnhsfl.org Transition to Kindergarten • April 20, 5:45pm to 7pm Gain important information for a smooth transition to Kindergarten.

The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members.

Duval Public Schools Parent Academy / R.V. Daniels Elementary School, 1951 West 15th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209 / dcps. duvalschools.org Moonlight Movies • April 22, 9pm Arrive early for the best seats in the house to see Finding Nemo.

Shown on a huge screen on stage at the Seawalk Pavilion, movies start at 9pm. Bring your lawn chair or blanket and a picnic to enjoy before the movie. Concessions will be available.

City of Jacksonville Beach / Sea Walk Pavilion, 1st St N Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.jacksonvillebeach.org 2016 March for Babies • April 23, 9am The 2016 March for Babies will be held at EverBank Field in the Pepsi Cabana Village, located at the South end of the stadium. Parking is free in the designated lots for all March for Babies attendees.

Registration opens at 8am and the walk will begin promptly at 9am.

March for Babies is an event for the whole family. Visit the website

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for registration information and fundraising details. March for Babies is the biggest weapon in the fight against premature birth, raising funds to help more moms have healthy, full-term babies as well as research to find why it occurs and prevention to keep it from happening.

March of Dimes / Everbank Field, 1 Everbank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.marchforbabies.org 13th Annual Arts in the Park Feel the Wheels 2016 • April 23, 10am to 4pm Hands-on event where children of all ages can explore trucks, emergency vehicles, boats, military vehicles and more. Proceeds to benefit the tag! Children’s Museum of St. Augustine. Tickets can be purchased online, in advance or at the event. tag! Children’s Museum of St. Augustine / 904-647-1757 / St. Augustine Outlets, 500 Outlet Mall Blvd. St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.tagmuseum.org World of Nations Celebration • Saturday April 23, 11am to 9pm • Sunday April 24, 11am to 6pm As you travel through the World of Nations Celebration, experience the cuisine, artistry and customs from lands near and far. Admission is $5 (Saturday or Sunday). Children ages 3 and under are free.

There will be food, live music, International Marketplace, dance performances, and more. Visit website below for complete schedule, activities and more.

City of Jacksonville / Metro Park, 1410 Gator Bowl Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida 32202 / www.coj.net Bowl for Kids’ Sake April 23, 3pm to 8pm • April 30, 12noon to 11pm Bowl for Kids’ Sake is a nationwide signature Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser event. This year’s theme is Cosmic Bowling and participants are asked to come dressed as their favorite comic book superhero. All bowling teams are asked to raise at least $625 per team. All donations will be used to support the mission to match local youth with dedicated and passionate adult mentors.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida / 904-727-9797 / Bowl America – Southside, 11141 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32246 / www.bbbsnefl.org Galactic Encounter Camp-In • April 23, 6pm – April 24, 8am Families are invited for a Galactic Encounter Camp-In at MOSH. Build your own lightsaber, create a droid companion, and grab some food at the Blue Milk Café. Explore space travel in the Bryan-Gooding Planetarium and experience an Extreme Science! Show. Cost is $35 per person (adult required). The evening begins at 6pm and includes a late-night pizza snack and continental breakfast. MOSH Members receive a 20% discount. Register online in advance.

MOSH / 904-396-MOSH / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.themosh.org The Frog Prince • April 28, 10am and 12noon This adaptation of the classic folk story The Frog Prince will be performed on April 28 at 10am and 12noon. Tickets are $8.50 each. Best suited for students in PreK through grade 5. Study guides are available online.

FSCJ Artist Series / 904-442-2929 / Wilson Center for the Arts, 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.artistseriesjax.org Marvel Universe Live!

April 28, 2016 – 7pm • April 29, 2016 – 7pm April 30, 2016 – 11am, 3pm, 7pm • May 1, 2016 – 1pm, 5pm Watch your favorite Marvel Super Heroes including Spider-Man, The Avengers – Iron Man, Hulk, and more, and threatening villains come to life in an action-packed arena extravaganza. Ages 0-23 months admitted free on ticket holder’s lap (no ticket required). If child has celebrated their 2nd birthday, they must have a ticket to enter. Tickets start at $15.

Marvel Universe Live! / Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.marveluniverselive.com School’s Out Theatre’s In • April 29, 9am to 3pm Workshops are offered from 9am to 3pm on days when school is out in St. Johns County. All SOTI’s are based on books; for the 3rd-5th grade students, a Sunshine State book is chosen for inspiration. The camp includes theatre games, crafts, and improv. Cost is $35 per student. To sign up, call 904-825-1164.

K-2: Henry & Mudge 3-5: The Fourteenth Goldfish, SSYRA 15-16 Book Limelight Theatre / 904-825-1164 / 11 Old Mission Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32086 / www.limelight-theatre.org Prokofiev’s Cinderella Ballet • April 29, 7:30pm • April 30, 2pm The Cinderella Ballet is a full production featuring dancers from Jacksonville’s own First Coast Nutcracker. Join Jax4Kids for pre-show activities beginning an hour before each performance.

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra / 904-354-5547 / Times Union Center, 300 West Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dates, times and locations are accurate at time of publication; events and activities listed in this guide are subject to change without notice. Visit Jax4Kids.com for updated information and more events!

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