Auburn Opelika Parents April 2020

April2020

Volume 11 Number 2

Columns

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Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

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Kids Health Watch

10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Occupied

Online & Virtual Fun

Our listing of resources for your childrens’ home learning and entertainment.

Activities for your family during COVID-19.

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Everything in Between Common Sense Media

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sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

Dave Says Dave Ramsey

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A Page in a Book Gerry Paige Smith

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Choosing a Daycare

Begin early and do your research to find the perfect child care fit for your family.

2020 Child Care Guide Our comprehensive listing of daycares, preschools, and MMO programs.

Get This!

Gerry Paige Smith

Departments 6

Bits and Pieces

On The Cover Wania Maryam Laibah Ahmad celebrated her 1st birthday on November 8. She is the daughter of Dr. Ruksana Amin Eva and Dr. Ahmad Salam. Wania attends the Big Blue Marble Academy in Auburn. She loves outdoor activities and also likes her Spanish and Mandarin classes, story time at the library,

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School Bits 40

Family Calendar 44

Movie Reviews

and playing peek-a-boo and piano. Wania likes to dance to her favorite song, “This Is My Happy Song”.

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Publisher’sNote Social distancing, self-quarantine, home schooling, virtual workplace and college classes…welcome to our new normal. With our nation (and the world) faced with a new and unknown virus, families are being urged to take steps to limit their interactions with others. Our schools are closed, stores and restaurants are limiting hours and only offering curbside pickup, and workplaces are telling workers to stay home and meet virtually. Extracurricular sports and activities have come to an abrupt halt. We have been encouraged to stay home and keep a distance from others. With this comes a lot of uncertainty, worry and stress for all the adults, not to mention, the anxiety that our children are feeling. During this time of unknowns, as parents and caregivers, we are being called to create a sense of normalcy and calm for our children and home. The number one thing that children need in times like these is to feel safe and loved. Creating and maintaining a home that has structure, in which kids know what to expect each day, is a great start to “normalizing” this new normal.

In our feature article, 10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Occupied & Keep Your Sanity, the author gives some great ideas for families to try while staying at home. One great tip is to have an indoor campout. Most kids get excited at the mere idea of having a campout under the stars. Expand on this fun adventure and make it an inside camping experience they will never forget. Move all the furniture back and pitch the tents in the living room!

Build a ‘fire’, eat hot dogs and s’mores, and finish the evening by telling campfire stories.

Don’t forget the flashlights to add to the ambience. Another idea to consider is to host an Olympic games competition. Kids need to burn energy and stretch their muscles each day. One way could be through some friendly competition focused on high energy activities. Have your kids brainstorm some of the Olympic events that they have watched on T.V. Relay races would be a great way to get started. How about animal races where you hop like kangaroos, backwards crawling like a crab or slithering like a snake across the floor? Everyone can get in on the games and encourage each other as they race.

If you are like my family, we enjoy our WiFi world. Apple phones, Ipads and Netflix are a house favorite when we have some down time to kill. It’ s nice to find a quiet space and fill it with games, social media and movies. However, under the circumstances, we want to help you discover some online resources to foster educational entertainment during their time away from school. Our guide of Online and Virtual Resources for Home Learning and Entertainment shares sites that feature virtual field trips to aquariums, zoos and national museums. Also, maybe your kids would like some of the exercise programs, bedtime stories and art lessons. It’s amazing all that is available to families via the virtual learning world.

I’m embracing the homeschooling world with open arms, learning to cook more meals instead of zipping through the drive-thru, and juggling my work deadlines. It’s a new learning curve for me and I’m taking it one day at a time. But with change comes growth. So, I’m also thankful to have my children, all at the dining room table while learning and expanding their academic knowledge, as well as, learning important lessons of patience, adaptation and change. Their eyes and ears are watching us to see how they should feel or think during this difficult time. Reflect an attitude of go with the flow, encouragement to adjust to unexpected situations and finding the positive in being at home for school and work. From one parent to another, we got this!

Kendra

kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

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Auburn Opelika Lee County’s Foremost Parenting Source

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant role in our community.

Auburn Opelika Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

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Publisher Kendra Sumner Kendra@auburnopelikaparents.com Editor DeAnne Watson Associate Editor Kelly Watson Contributing Writers Rian Anglin, MD Clarisse Fres Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Judy M. Miller Dave Ramsey Gerry Paige Smith Dolores Smyth Cover Photography Lauren Beesley Photography www.lbeesleyphoto.com

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A President Jason Watson Director of Sales Justin Sumner (334) 209-0552 Ad Design Tim Welch

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Visit us online at www.auburnopelikaparents.com Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: 475 Bennington Ct, Auburn, Alabama, 36830. The phone number is (334) 209-0552 and fax is (334) 826-7303.

Auburn-Opelika Parents is copyrighted 2020 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.

Opinions expressed in Auburn-Opelika Parents magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the owners, nor do they constitute an endorsement of products and services herein.

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334.329.5055 I thehomelink.com I 310 Samford Village Court, Auburn, AL 36830

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Patsy White Renee Dykes REALTOR® REALTOR® 334.444.8343 706.681.3922 www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

TherapeuticParenting

by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

You Are a Craftsman, Parent There is currently a house under construction across the street from where I live. It has been incredibly fun to watch the progress. Well, in truth, I could do without the 7am Saturday sounds of saws and nail guns, but other than that it has been fun to witness that neglected piece of property go from being a field of thorns and thistles to being the ground upon which a family will soon call home.

Having watched this build unfold over the last two months, and because I am a social worker and not a builder, it never ceases to amaze me how many steps are involved in a build of such magnitude.

First, that ground had to be prepared and leveled, then the walls started to go up, the roof pitched at just the right angle, the front porch built and ready for a swing... it has all happened at such a rapid rate.

That is until a few days ago when I happened to notice that all observable progress has been halted.

After weeks of such rapid progress it now looks exactly the same day after day.

But what I realized today is that isn’t actually the case at all. The last couple of days have actually had enormous progress because the guts of the house are being taken care of. The electrical lines are being installed, the plumbing lines are being connected and the all-important data and Wi-Fi lines are being adjusted. But no one would know that if they were only looking from the outside – it is all happening on the inside.

Through careful tweaking and knowledgeable manipulation at the hands of a skilled craftsman, the lines all begin to come online.

And that got me thinking… It got me thinking about how much of our parenting corrections and tweaks and adjustments aren’t ever even going to be visible.

For that matter, how much love and care and concern we pour in will not always be visible. Soon enough the drywall will go up in this home and cover up all that careful wiring and installation. The work of those craftsman forever hidden – no praise, no admiration of their work will be had – it will

just be expected that the lights will come on when someone flips a switch and it will just be expected that water will flow from that sink. But somehow the house knows. It will work and serve the family well because those anonymous craftsmen took such care and attention to detail in what they were building.

You, my parenting friends, are those same anonymous craftsman. You are working and wiring and tweaking and encouraging and building a tiny human who will one day be grown. All of that love you pour in will be sealed within their skin, they will carry it in their bones, they will hold it in their hearts.

So be encouraged. Small moments matter.

Your very presence matters. You may not be able to keep that house from storms for the rest of its life, but the work you do – the work you’ve done – will help make it stronger.

Sonia is a licensed social worker and holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. Her clinical focus is on helping parents and professionals understand the role of the brain in behavior and how to adopt therapeutic parenting techniques to mitigate negative behaviors. She is the Director of Central Alabama for Lifeline Children’s Services and is a mother to 7 sons, 3 of which were internationally adopted and she is a foster parent.

SummerART Camps Teens Summer Studio * Construction Camp Fairy Tale Camp * Art Around the World Castle Creators * Shark Week * Dino Camp Puppetry Camp * Fun with Fiber Meet the Masters * Teen: Paint & Print Art in the Big Apple * Be a Superhero!

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***At press time, many local events were being canceled, postponed or rescheduled due to concerns about the COVID-19. Before making plans to attend one of these listed events, please use the contact information provided to confirm that the scheduled event is still taking place. ***

20th Annual Auburn CityFest

The 2020 Auburn CityFest will take place at Kiesel Park, April 25, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Auburn CityFest is the largest, free outdoor festival in Auburn. Over 15,000 patrons visited last year’s Auburn CityFest at beautiful Kiesel Park. This year‘s Auburn CityFest’s theme is “Back to the Future”; everything 80’s will be celebrated! Auburn CityFest is FREE to the public with many attractions and activities for residents of all ages. The festival has over 100 arts and crafts vendors, over 30 food vendors and 30 non-profit vendors. Inflatables, pony rides, touch a tractor, sense tent and many other attractions. FREE to the public. www.auburncityfest.com

Swim Evaluation Day and Samford Pool Opening Day

Join Samford Pool staff on Saturday, May 16 from 3 - 5 PM to complete your swim test for the 2020 pool season.

This pool season we are requiring all patrons under the age of 13 to complete a swim test regardless of prior completion. This pool season we will offer swim tests the first 15 minutes of every hour. This is a great opportunity to get your swim test done prior to the summer season starting.

May 23: Samford Pool Opening Day. Join us for the first day of the 2020 Samford Pool Season! Samford Pool will be open to the public at 10 AM. www.auburnalabama.org/parks

Baby Shark Live!

28th Annual Fishing Rodeo

Mark your calendars for Baby Shark Live! at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 22 at 6 p.m.! Take an adventure into the sea with Baby Shark as he joins up with his friend Pinkfong to sing and dance through some of your favorite new and classic songs! Some of the hit songs include, "Baby Shark," "Five Little Monkeys," "Wheels On The Bus," "Jungle Boogie" and "Monkey Banana Dance!" www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Cast into summer with the 28th Annual Fishing Rodeo sponsored by Evans Realty! Join us at the lake at Auburn Technology Park South on Saturday, May 16 from 7 – 11 AM. The first 175 children will receive a FREE rod and reel courtesy of Evans Realty and Auburn Parks and Recreation will supply the bait. Door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the biggest and smallest fish caught in each age category. We will also give out an award for the most fish caught overall. This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together with America's favorite pastime...FISHING! The cost is $5 per child and can be paid at the event in the form of cash or check.

Checks can be made payable to COA. Parents must stay with their child at all times. www.auburnalabama.org/parks

An Evening with Dr. David Jeremiah

First Baptist Church of Opelika Men's and Women's Ministries will host Dr. David Jeremiah at the Auburn Arena on April 30, 2020.

Musical worship at this event will be led by Charles Billingsley. This event is for all ages. Tickets can be purchased. www.fbcopelika.com.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

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Bo Bikes Bama 2020

When Bo Jackson first biked across Alabama in April 2012, he was on a mission to help his fellow Alabamians recover from the tornadoes that devastated their state the previous year. Now, Bo Bikes Bama has become an annual tradition where Bo and hundreds of others unite to ride to raise money for the Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, providing funds to construct community storm shelters and warning sirens throughout the state as well as provide funds. This year, the ninth annual Bo Bikes Bama ride will return to Auburn, on Saturday, April 25, 2020. Participating riders can choose either a 60-mile or 20-mile route. Both routes will take riders through the campus of Auburn University, while the 60-mile route will carry riders through Tuskegee and neighboring Macon County.

The online registration fees are $65 for the 60-mile ride and $45 for the 20-mile ride. Limited day-of registration is available inside of Auburn Area. Fees increase for day-of registration to $100 for the 60mile ride and $65 for the 20-mile ride. www.bobikesbama.com

Garden Tour presented by Lee County Master Gardeners

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May 16-17, Lee County Master Gardeners are offering a garden tour of 12 private gardens. This is a self-guided tour, your purchased ticket includes a booklet with map and addresses of the gardens. Master Gardeners are available in gardens to provide information and answer questions. This is the primary fundraiser, supporting scholarships, community grants, tree plantings with children at their local schools, and monthly programs open to the public. In addition to the 12 gardens being showcased, Auburn University is excited to open the exquisitely designed garden of the President's Home during the 2020 Garden Tour.

The SpongeBob Musical

Broadway’s best creative minds reimagine and bring to life the beloved Nickelodeon “SpongeBob“ series with humor, heart and pure theatricality in a neon-sparkly “party for the eyes and ears” (Daily Beast). Be there when SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face catastrophe—until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage. This “creative explosion” (Broadway.com) is “nothing short of genius” says Theatermania, so bring the entire family to celebrate friendship and cooperation, and learn the power of unity and inclusion. May 6-7, RiverCenter for the Performing Arts. www.rivercenter.org

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Pediatric Associates of Auburn

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Understanding COVID-19 Symptoms and How to Best Prevent Its Spread

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With the news of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly changing, and while living in a world of growing hysteria, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the amount of information being shared, especially when you are responsible for additional young lives on top of your own. Here is some helpful information to help you identify coronavirus symptoms and steps to take to keep your family safe.

COVID-19 comes from a large family of viruses, coronaviruses, that can cause illness in an array of hosts including animals and humans. The severity ranges from common cold-like symptoms to life-threatening respiratory infections. COVID-19 was first reported in December of 2019, in Wuhan, China. Since then, it has spread rapidly through respiratory droplets and contact with infected surfaces. Coronavirus symptoms start 2-14 days after exposure, which has made containing the virus very difficult as infected people may be asymptomatic for several days but maybe spreading the virus With spring pollen season beginning in our area, it is easy to confuse your child’s runny nose with potential COVID-19 symptoms. Symptoms of seasonal allergies typically include itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, but no fever. Symptoms of COVID-19

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

can be mild to begin with but may rapidly progress to fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you are experiencing any of these, it is advised that you call your primary care physician or your child’s local pediatrician for advice prior to visiting the office.

Some patients are more at risk for becoming seriously ill as a result of coronavirus. While many children will do just fine with this illness, those with impaired lung function or who are immunocompromised are certainly at high risk. Also, children can easily spread the disease to other at-risk populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing medical conditions. People who are pregnant, those with increased blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and other immunocompromising conditions should take more precaution.

With the current COVID-19 outbreak in our community, social distancing is critically important to stop the spread and reduce the volume of critically ill patients that will need care. Because the infection can remain asymptomatic for several days but can be spread during this time, we are asking everyone to stay home. At the time of this article, there is currently no vaccine or medication that can be administered to prevent or treat COVID-19. Additionally, since the

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disease is a viral infection, antibiotics do not have a role in treatment of symptoms. This leaves us with only prevention strategies.

What to Do: • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds frequently. (Sing “Happy Birthday” twice!)

• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Enforce social distancing. Stay home with your family. Stay 6 feet away from anyone outside of your family • If you feel sick, STAY HOME and monitor your symptoms!

Call your physician’s office if you are concerned. Although the recent occurrences have been stressful; we should all do our part to contain COVID-19 as much as possible to protect our loved ones, in addition to the rest of the world.

Contributed by Clarisse Fres, VCOM Auburn Class of 2023 and Dr. Rian Anglin. Dr. Rian Anglin attended Auburn University were she graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Molecular Biology. Despite her strong allegiance to Auburn, Dr. Anglin graduated from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 2007 with her MD. Her passions in practice include promoting early childhood literacy, reducing toxic stress in childhood, and improving the practice of pediatric medicine through office based research. She resides in Auburn with her husband and their two sons.

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Autauga County Schools

TEDx Speaker Motivates Chambers Academy Students and Educators

On Wednesday, February 12, Chambers Academy hosted Mr. Jason Michaels as part of a staff development training program for our teachers. Mr. Michaels travelled from Nashville, TN to meet the entire CA staff for training in the school’s library. He is a native of Murfreesboro, TN and has studied as a magician for over twenty years. Michaels has shared his message and presentation on five continents, in over twenty different countries, as well as more than 30 states across the U.S.A. Jason Michaels is a TEDx and professional speaker on the subjects of resilience, overcoming adversity and achieving high performance.

His program is designed to lift up both educators and their students. His hashtag for his program is #DOTHEIMPOSSIBLE Michaels explained how students can deal with “impossible challenges” and overwhelming odds every day. He related to both staff and students alike as no one knows this better than Jason Michaels. He emphasized his own true story of growing up with Tourette Syndrome - a misunderstood, debilitating neurological disorder – to teach resilience, and share how he defied all the naysayers who said it would be impossible to live his dream of becoming a professional entertainer. He taught his own LIVE B.I.G. system that empowers students to overcome their “impossible challenges” and accomplish their loftiest personal, academic, and athletic goals. The “B” was for “Belief” for students to realize their only limitations are what they believe. The “I” was for “Imagination” encouraging students to visualize their future successes as the key. Finally, the “G” was to encourage them to go forth and do it by thinking outside the box to do outside the box! Additionally, he visited students in four separate grade level classrooms and shared a presentation that morning for all students in grades 4-12 at a school wide assembly in the gymnasium.

His program instantly connected with students as he used his skills as a magician to grab their attention. Mr. Michael’s goal was to teach the students powerful tools that will enable them to overcome adversity on their way to becoming high achievers. Some of the program highlights included escaping from a straightjacket before the eyes of the crowd, tying knots with a piece of rope without letting go of either end, and using slight of hand to show the difference between illusion and reality. Michaels also shared his tips with the staff for working with children that deal with the effects of Tourette’s Syndrome that cause rapid, repetitive, and uncontrollable movements. He compared the disorder to a level of hyper focus that will result in tics that cause strong rapid uncontrollable responses as well as tics that only seldom occur. Michaels noted that Tourette’s Syndrome occurs in 1 out of every 160 people. Approaches to concentration and relaxation will help individuals learn how to mask their tics to make them invisible to others. He added that daily quiet time with focused breathing and meditation help him manage his own T.S. Finally, Michaels donated an autographed copy of his book to the Chambers Academy library. Published in 2017, by Jason Michaels, his book is entitled You Can Do The Impossible Too! The professional development program and student assembly was a big success for both staff and students at CA! We are continuing to work to make a positive difference for all of our students.

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Autauga County Schools

Drake MS Robotics Team Qualifies for World Competition

Literacy Night at AEEC

Storytellers, puppet shows, book walks, and riddles made for a great Literacy Night for with K-2 students and their families at Auburn Early Education Center recently!

The J.F. Drake Middle School Robotics team, Robot Impossible, won the VEX IQ Challenge Alabama 2020 State Championship recently in the area of STEM Research! They completed a research project and interviewed with a panel of judges to win this award and now qualify for the World Competition in Louisville in April.

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Creekside Ribbon Cutting for Little Free Library

Creekside Elementary held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently for their new Little Free Library! Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community, and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges all over the world.

Through Little Free Library book exchanges, millions of books are exchanged each year, profoundly increasing access to books for readers of all ages and backgrounds. This addition to the campus was made possible through a PTOFunded grant written by Nancy Chastonay and Sarah Hillyer. Donations of books are always welcome to keep the library stocked.

Wrights Mill Road Family Book Club

Wrights Mill Road Family Book Club celebrated “The Watsons go to Birmingham,” which was given to every school family. Families joined for more “traveling” together through book tasting Alabama literature on a giant state map, creating polaroid postcards, and driving future sphero Brown Bombers through book discussions.

It was a wonderful time of learning together!

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Pick Geography Bee Winner to Compete for State Title

Fourth grader Paul Bennett won the Pick Elementary School Geography Bee earlier this year before going on to the next level where he was required to take a test that further evaluated his knowledge of geography.

His score on that test has qualified him to move on to the next level!

Paul will now go on to compete on March 27 at Samford University to try to earn his spot as the state Geography Bee winner! www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Auburn Students Sign Letters of Intent

Two Auburn High School students signed their letters of intent to further their education at the next level. Luke York signed on to join the EAGLES program in the College of Education at Auburn University and Jhon Fernandez signed to attend CrossingPoints at the University of Alabama! Both of these programs offer postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities, and we wish them both the best as they take their next step in life.

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Respect Visitors to Trinity Christian School are impressed by the culture of mutual respect that permeates our school both in and out of the classroom.

Mr. and Miss OHS and Court

Congratulations to Miss OHS— Jailyn Dixon and Mr. OHS— Matthew Johnson!

Congratulations also to Jaylon Rowland and Julia Bush who were named Mr. and Miss OHS Runner-Up. The Interview Winner was Steven Harvey and the Best Dressed was India Brooks. Congratulations also to Mackenzie Ford—Miss Junior Class, Sabrina Hansen—Miss Sophomore Class, and Susannah Couey—Miss Freshman Class.

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AHS Robotics Team Wins State Championship

Auburn High Robotics Team 36830B not only won the Design (Notebook/Interview) Award but was also named overall Tournament Champions!

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Autauga County Schools

Champions for Kids Banquet

Thank you to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County for letting Auburn City Schools be a part of the 30th Anniversary Champions for Kids Banquet! We loved seeing the great things these young people are doing in our community.

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School Counseling Week at Dean Road ES

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Dean Road celebrated School Counseling Week recently! We’re so thankful for our counselor, Shanika Reid. Thank you for always supporting the students, families, and teachers at Dean Road!

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Trinity Christian School Honor Band

Congratulations to the 16 Trinity District Honor Band students for an outstanding performance!

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Lee-Scott Student Eligible to Compete in GeoBee State Competition

The National Geographic Society named Miles Zachry, an 8th grader at LSA, as one of the semifinalists eligible to compete in the 2020 National Geographic GeoBee State Competition to be held on March 27, 2020!

This is the second level of the National Geographic GeoBee competition, which is now in its 32nd year. To determine each school champion, GeoBee competitions were held in schools throughout the state with students in the fourth through eighth grades. This year, an estimated 2.4 million students competed in the GeoBee, with 8,661 students becoming school champions. School champions also took an online qualifying test, which they submitted to the National Geographic Society. Up to 100 of the top-scoring students in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense Dependents Schools and U.S. territories were invited to compete in the State GeoBees.

East Samford Hosts First Responder Appreciation Breakfast

East Samford School hosted a special First Responder Appreciation Breakfast honoring Auburn Police Chief Paul Register for his service to the community, and to congratulate him on his new role as Public Safety Director!

Men and women in uniform arrived early to open car doors and welcome students in the bus line before sitting down to enjoy a meal prepared by the ESS Parent-Teacher Organization. ACS hosts several of these breakfasts a year across all campuses to not only show gratitude for the men and women that put their lives on the line to keep us safe, but to also build upon the positive working relationship between all agencies across Auburn and Lee County.

Allen Orthodontics is pleased to be moving to Moores Mill in Spring 2019. î ˘is move will improve our patient experience by accommodating our expanding orthodontic services and technology, greatly increasing space for treatment and allowing easy parking and access to our oďŹƒce for all of our patients. Allen Orthodontics is thrilled to be joining a great mix of signature businesses that will be steps away from our new location.

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Autauga County Schools

Dr. Seuss Day at St. Michael Catholic Preschool and Kindergarten

St. Michael Catholic Preschool and Kindergarten celebrated Dr. Seuss day by dressing as their favorite book character. Throughout the year, students visit the library and learn about many different authors.

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Moffat’s Day at Auburn Classical Academy

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ACA's 3rd grade Moffat's Day - the children dress up as characters from the classical book “The Moffats” and spend the day learning about what life was like in the 1930s.

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Girl Scouts Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

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The 19th Amendment in the United States Constitution was ratified in 1920, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. In honor of the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) celebrated by hosting a Women's Suffrage event.

Girl Scouts of all ages gathered together at Auburn University's Pebble Hill on February 15, to learn about the women's suffrage movement. Together girls participated in engaging activities to learn about the history and envision how they can be leaders for justice. The focus of the event was to allow the girls to think about what justice means to them, how the Women’s Rights Movement is a part of their lives today, and encourage them to make advocacy a part of their lives.

During the morning session, Girl Scout Daisies-Cadettes (2nd-8th grade) participated in activities like drawing, playwriting, and poster making. In the afternoon, girls in grades 7-12 joined together for an open Q&A about women in politics lead by Auburn University Women's history professor and local Troop Leader, Melissa Blair.

"The heart of Girl Scouts is civic engagement, where girls feel inspired, prepared, and mobilized to lead positive change in our world," says GSSA CEO, Karlyn Edmonds.

"We teach our girls to advocate for what they believe in, so honoring the Women's Rights Movement is something we're very passionate about."

Girl Scout's mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. With one voice, one movement, Girl Scouts are here to change the world.

Please send school news to: Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com.

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Autauga County Schools

Thank you, Anfernee for Being Drake’s Role Model!

Even though AU Men’s Basketball played an away game recently, Anfernee McLemore (standing in center, back, in photo) got up early to pour into kids at Drake before school (just as he has for the past 2 years)! He is the epitome of a role model. Thank you, Anfernee for serving our kids so well!

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Please send your school news to: kendra@auburn opelikaparents.com.

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Board of Education Visits Auburn Early Education Center The ACS Board of Education visited Auburn Early Education Center recently. Board members and central office administrators had a wonderful visit and got to see a glimpse of all the wonderful happenings at AEEC. Thank you to Principal Matt Bruner and his student ambassadors for hosting us!

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Read to a Kid Day at Wrights Mill Road

Read to A Kid Day is always one of the best days at Wrights Mill Road! Our 5th grade students served up great books and treats in the "Grinch's Greasy Spoon Cafe'" and favorite book characters were everywhere to be found!

AHS Students win State HOSA Future Health Professionals Competition

The Following Auburn High Students have been named State HOSA Future Health Professionals Competition Winners: • Reagan Russell: First Place Epidemiology • Miles Hunt: Third Place EMT • Emma Hruska: Third Place EMT • Rachel Robinson: Third Place Medical Terminology.

These students are now eligible to compete at the International HOSA Competition in Texas this June!

Trinity Christian School Students Selected for Honor Band

Congratulations to Trinity sixth graders Molly Ebrahim and Alivia Jowers on being selected for the top band at Auburn University Middle School Honor Band!

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Autauga County Schools Auburn City Schools

OCS Cafeteria Managers Attend Nutrition Conference

Science Olympiad Winners

ACS Science Olympiad dominated at UAB’s Regional Competition recently!

Events like this allows students to become fully immersed in an atmosphere that promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 1st Place High SchoolAuburn High; 1st Place Middle School-Auburn Junior High; 2nd Place Middle SchoolEast Samford; 3rd Place Middle School -Drake.

Opelika City School Cafeteria Managers and Assistant Managers attended the Leap for Good Nutrition Conference sponsored by the Alabama School Nutrition Association held recently in Montgomery. Pictured are: Amy Jo Jacobs, Paula Smith, Vanessa Edwards, Margaret Purnell, Lynn Freeman, Debra Walker, and Meri Payne. Not pictured: Marsha Armstrong and Lynn Lee. Thank you for your dedication to our students!

MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW! BENEFITS •

Welcome pack

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Birthday card from Aubie

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Free admission to volleyball, equestrian, soccer, non-conference baseball and softball, and gymnastics

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Discounted admission to one football game

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Early admission to Fan Day (must be signed up prior to August 9)

TO JOIN VISIT AUBURNTIGERS.COM/KIDSCLUB

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

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Happy Read Across America Day from Dean Road Elementary!

Auburn Classical Academy’s 100th Day of School

Kindergarten and 1st grade's celebration of 100 days of school!

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LSA Read Across America Week 2020

Lower school students at Lee-Scott Academy kicked off "Read Across America Week" with a week full of guest readers, fun reading activities, and challenges to encourage our students to read more!

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• Riding - English, Western, and Jumping • Swimming • Heated Pool • Ropes Course • Climbing Tower • Outdoor Nature Skills • Sports • Soccer • Basketball

award-winning, n a n o t u o s is m Don’t mp for your ca d re te n ce ts ri Ch mmer! daughter this Su On Top of Lookout Mountain in Historic Mentone, Alabama

Best of Parenting WINNER 10

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Susan & Larry Hooks, Owners & Directors Donna Bares, Assistant Director

800-882-0722 www.riverviewcamp.com 19

• Beach Volleyball • Tennis • Canoeing • Golf • Archery • Gymnastics • Cheerleading • Dance • Chorus • Drama • Arts & Crafts • CIT Program • Campfires every night • Optional trips & more!

REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! Choose from 1- and 2-week Sessions and Mother-Daughter Weekends!

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Autauga CountyFatal Schools Vision

Chemistry at Trinity Christian School

Driving Program Comes to Lee-Scott Academy

Trinity eighth grade physical science students visualize atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions in lab!

Special thanks to the ALEA and Alfa for bringing the Fatal Vision Driving Program to Lee-Scott Academy! Students in 10th grade were put in “impaired� situations using goggles designed to mimic alcohol, marijuana, and drug impairment while driving and executing basic motor skills.

Learning About Creative Process at Ogletree Ogletree Elementary students had so much fun listening to Cassie Beasley and learning about her creative process!

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Dental Health at Dean Road Elementary

Visitor Day at Auburn Classical Academy

Congratulations to the Opelika City Schools Quiz Bowl Teams!

5th Grade Extracting Fruit DNA at Auburn Classical Academy!

Dr. Matthew Carter, pediatrician, and Dr. Trey Wages, anesthesiologist and pharmacist visited 5th and 6th graders at Auburn Classical Academy and shared their experiences on current science and medicine!

Thanks Thames Orthodontics for talking to our 2nd graders at Dean Road Elementary about dental health!

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Mayor Speaks at Ogletree Dads’ Breakfast

Thank you to Mayor Ron Anders for speaking at the Ogletree Elementary Dedicated Dads' Breakfast recently about the importance of positive male role models in young people's lives!

Autauga County Schools OHS Student Signs Volleyball Scholarship

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Congratulations to OHS Senior Raeden Gagliano on signing a volleyball scholarship to Southern Union State Community College!

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Auburn City Schools Community Partner

Thank you to @uwleecounty for supporting Auburn City Schools!

We could not provide the services we offer at the ACS Dental Clinic without these additional funds.

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Ogletree CNP Manager Named AL Child Nutrition Manager of the Year

This look is the look of surprise as Christy Sessions was named the Alabama Child Nutrition Manager of the Year by the Alabama School Nutrition Association! Auburn City Schools is proud of Christy, who is the CNP Manager at Ogletree Elementary, along with all of the school CNP managers and employees.

Ogletree’s Becky Johnson, won 2nd place in the fun award division. Chris Hardman, ACS Safety Coordinator, also presented two classes at this weekend’s conference on school safety.

Ashley Powell presented educational trainings for education sessions as well. Thanks for leaping into nutrition on leap year 2020!

AHS Debater Qualifies for Nationals

Auburn High School Senior, Michael Fain, went undefeated at the Montgomery Academy Deep South District Debate Tournament recently.

With this first place finish he qualifies for Nationals.

Alma Sorek, a 10th grader, also won third place and was the first runner up for Nationals!

OHS Student Named National Merit Finalist

Congratulations to OHS Senior Rebecca Wilson for being selected as a National Merit Finalist!

Wilson was recognized by the Opelika City Schools Board of Education at the February meeting.

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AHS Student Earns Good Citizen Award

Autauga County Schools OHS Thankful for Career

Auburn High School Senior Tyler Tanaka was awarded the annual Good Citizen Award by the Light Horse Harry Lee Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution! The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. Pictured here are Tyler with his parents, Mr. and Ms. Clement Tanaka, and AHS's Ms. Amy Robertson, School Library Media Specialist, the faculty member who nominated him for the award!

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

Tech Teachers

February is National Career and Technical Education month and at Opelika High School, we celebrated the best! Thanks to our career tech teachers for investing in our students and their futures!

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AHS Singers and Choral Company Named Grand Champs

The Auburn Varsity Singers and the entire Auburn Choral Company were crowned Grand Champions at the 2020 Southern Showcase in Opelika recently! The Auburn High Show Choir Band also won the award for Best Instrumental Sound!

Lee-Scott Student Places at Senior Science Olympiad

Congratulations to Camille Daugherty, Kristin Bailey and Anna Jones for representing LSA in the senior Science Olympiad at the University of Alabama! Camille placed third in her event against numerous schools from across Alabama. Way to go!

5th and 6th grade 'Robin Hood Character' day at Auburn Classical Academy!

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4 Skills -- from Empathy to Manners-That Tech Might Be Eroding

on your phone. Explain that it can be very difficult to put down your phone when you’re in the middle of a game or chat, but you believe it’s important to pay special respect to people like grandparents and elders. And of course, respect breeds respect, so put your phone down when your kid talks to you (unless it’s about how much redstone they need to build a castle in Minecraft, in which case it’s totally OK to ignore them!).

(and What to Do About It) You started with the best intentions. Your kid needed a laptop for homework. Your tween needed a phone to text you after school.

You wanted a Fitbit to lose a few extra pounds. But now, you look around and devices are plugged into every nook and cranny in your home. Everyone’s staring, tapping, tracking. While you’re grateful for things like Google Maps and Netflix that make your life easier and more fun, something feels off.

It’s the basics that are missing: courtesy, conversation, being bored, and appreciating simple pleasures.

But all hope is not lost. Here are four ways tech has nibbled away at valuable life skills and experiences, and what you can do about it.

Internet vs. Value of Boredom

When a phone full of cute cat videos and funny memes is only a swipe away, it’s easy to forget what it was like to be truly bored.

But science tells us that boredom is actually useful -- for kids and adults. Not only can boredom lead to deep thinking, it can help kids practice perseverance, or pushing through uncomfortable moments without stimulation or distraction. And without boredom, kids might not take the time to explore their surroundings -- dig in the dirt, wonder how a house is built, bake cookies without a recipe -- and they might not stumble on something they really love to do.

What to do: Create opportunities for boredom by setting up times and places where devices are off-limits.

And make sure kids have unstructured time -- even a little bit -- where they can roam the house or the neighborhood without a schedule.

Keep a list of activities that kids say they like to do -- from drawing to hammering to bouncing a ball -- and point them toward it when they complain.

Home Assistants vs. Manners

If you are one of the millions of households in the United States with Alexa or Google Home, you may have noticed an unfortunate side effect of using the device: a lack of enforced courtesy. Kids (and adults) shout commands at the device: “Play Beyoncé!” or “What’s the weather?!” The devices do not require a “please” or “thank you,” and the more lifelike these devices become, the weirder it is to hear your child rudely demanding something from a humanlike voice.

What to do: Model the behavior you want to see. It might feel strange to say “please” to a machine, but if that’s what you expect from your kid, you should do it too. It might help explain to kids that even though you know Alexa doesn’t have feelings, using polite voices and words makes it nicer for the real people in the house who do have feelings. You can talk about how it can feel bad to be around someone who’s yelling or angry, even if they’re not yelling at you.

Devices vs. Empathy

The mere presence of a phone on the table between two people having a discussion has been shown to decrease feelings of empathy. Whether this is because the phone owner is distracted by the possibility of an incoming message or the promise of something more interesting on the device is unclear. But it makes sense that if someone isn’t giving you their full attention, they’re less likely to understand or empathize with you, and ultimately that can affect the quality of the relationship.

What to do: Prioritize face-to-face conversation over devices by putting phones and tablets out of site during meals. Recognize your thought pattern during conversations, and if you find yourself wondering about a missed call or guessing how many people liked your most recent Instagram post, refocus your concentration on your friend, spouse, or kid. And acknowledge how difficult digital distraction can be to manage yourself so that your kids understand that you think it’s an important challenge to wrestle with.

Phones vs. Respect for Elders

How many of us have witnessed a teacher, coach, or grandparent try to make conversation with kids who can’t unglue their eyes from a screen? Of course it’s only polite to put down your phone when anyone is talking to you, but it can be especially embarrassing for parents who were raised to defer to the older generation.

What to do: Make your expectations very clear. Talk to your kids about how important it is to use good manners when you’re Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

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Mortgage Protection Insurance?

Q. My husband and I had our first child in December. We bought a house not long before the baby was born, and since then we’ve been getting mail and phone calls about buying mortgage protection insurance. We’re both 27, we have good jobs, and our mortgage is $105,000. Would it be a good idea to get this insurance?

A. Mortgage insurance is really nothing more than a life insurance policy with the word “mortgage” stuck on the front. They make it sound like a specialized product, and they jack the price up. The truth is it’s just a big rip-off in most cases.

If you two are healthy, you both could easily get $250,000 on 20-year level term life insurance policies, for around $12 a month.

Then, if something happened to one of you,

the other could pay off the house with the insurance money and still have a nice chunk left over.

However, I recommend going a little further. My advice is for each of you to get good, level term life insurance—not just to cover your mortgage—but for 10 to 12 times your annual incomes.

Both of you should have sensible plans in place to take care of your family now, and in the future, should something unfortunate happen.

Protecting Your Assets

Q. My wife is a teacher, and I’m a nurse. We make around $180,000 a year combined, and we’re set to pay off our home next month. We also have two teenagers who are both driving, so we were wondering about the best way to protect everything if one of them has an accident

A. With your income, and the stage you’re in when it comes to wealth building, I think it’s time to add an umbrella policy. This is a liability policy, and you could probably buy an extra million in liability coverage for around $250 a year. It attaches to the liability policy that’s already part of your homeowners and car insurance.

With a couple of teenage drivers in the house it might run a little more than $250, but I wouldn’t think it would be much more, if any. It would just add an extra million to the mix, just in case someone decided they were going to come after you because of a bad situation.

As you continue building wealth later, like if you get into real estate and start buying rental properties, make sure you put those in a limited liability company (LLC). You’re not there quite yet, but it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and do whatever you can to keep the size of the target on your back relatively small.

PIECES AND PATTERNS QUILTS OF WEST ALABAMA

On view through May 10, 2020 Come see the varied patterns and themes of traditional quilts in over 20 examples on view from quilters Plummer T. Pettway, Mary Maxtion, Yvonne Wells, Norah Ezell, Mary Lee Bendolph, and more. Preview the exhibition at mmfa.org.

This exhibition was sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts with additional support from cosponsors Dr. and Mrs. Robert Combs. Organized by the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Montgomery, Alabama. Mary Maxtion (American, 1924–2015), Hotel Window, ca. 1996, cotton, cotton/polyester blend, wool, and taffeta, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Gift of Kempf Hogan in honor of Nadine and Walter Ludwig, 2004.20.4

One Museum Drive, Montgomery, AL Open Tuesday–Sunday; Free Admission mmfa.org | @MontgomeryMFA

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The growing number of COVID-19 cases has triggered a wave of alarm and preemptive action across the globe and, closer to home, schools, libraries, and even churches have closed their doors. While social distancing is a necessary—albeit overwhelming—way to stem the coronavirus outbreak, many parents have been left floundering for ways to keep their kids occupied at home as they count the minutes for their day-to-day routine to go back to normal.

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Although some schools are providing their students with online classes, this may not be a viable option for your household and, even if it is, you still have to fill up the rest of the day as you hunker down at home with the kids. For many parents, letting their children play video games or watch TV for a reasonable amount of time is fun for the kids and gives you a much-needed opportunity to get things done. However, if none of that screen time offers any educational value or family bonding time, you may want to explore other solutions to help keep your kids and yourself from going stir-crazy. Moreover, if your child is experiencing depression and/or anxiety because of the coronavirus pandemic, engaging in activities that promote family bonding can help reduce the incidence of depression and anxiety in children.

Here are 10 fun (and cheap!) activities you can do at home with kids of all ages.

1. Set up an indoor campground.

Bring the sleeping bags and tents down from the attic and turn your family room or backyard into a campground. No sleeping bags or tents? No problem. Create a campground by arranging chairs in rows of two in the family room, draping a bedsheet over the chairs to create the tent, and piling pillows and blankets underneath to create a sleeping area.

You can make your campground as elaborate as you’d like with items you already have in your home. String Christmas lights across the top of the tent to create a starry night scene. Enjoy the glow of a campground “fire” made with paper towel tubes, tissue paper, and LED candles. Set up lawn chairs outside the tent and serve hot dogs, chips, and trail mix, play cards and board games, or do an easy “camping” craft like making

beaded necklaces or braided bracelets. Add to the camping aura by having the kids help you make s’mores in the microwave, oven or skillet.

2. Host Olympic games.

If you look in your kids’ toy boxes and closets, you’ll probably find that you have enough games and activities at home to arrange back-to-back and create a challenging obstacle course for your kids to compete in, tantamount to a kiddie indoor Olympic course!

You can kick off the “Olympic games” with an opening ceremony where each child gets to parade onto the course to a theme song of his or her choosing. Depending on your child’s age, your child may want to grab a favorite teddy bear to serve as his or her Olympic mascot. At the close of the opening ceremonies, get your stopwatch and scorecard ready and time your little Olympians as they compete in consecutive games of skill and physical fitness such as: • a ring or beanbag toss, a mini golf course competition (a broom, a ping pong ball, and a plastic cup can be used in place of a golf club, golf ball, and golf hole), or a ball throwing competition into boxes of decreasing sizes, with a point given per successful shot for each of these activities; • a sack race or a boiled egg and spoon race with a marked-off finish line and points given to the first person over the finish line; • a hula hoop competition with a point given for each second the competitors can hold up their hula hoop; • a pyramid cup-stacking race with points given to the first person to successfully stack his or her cups into a stable pyramid; • a physical endurance competition where

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points are given for the number of jumping jacks, push-ups, and sit-ups the child can do in three 30-second intervals; and • a mad dash crabwalk to the final finish line to close out the indoor Olympic games.

At the end of the games, be sure to hand out prizes to each child, whether the prizes be stickers, dollar bills, or, if planned ahead, inexpensive pre-ordered gold medals.

3. Send the kids on an indoor scavenger hunt.

Staying indoors can be a blast when the kids are set off on a scavenger hunt to seek and collect common household items. The scavenger hunt can be subject to a time-limit where each child competes alone or as part of a team to see which team collects the most items first. Go online for free, printable indoor scavenger hunt checklists listing everyday household items for seekers to find.

4. Throw a costume party.

Let your kids raid your closet for hats, scarves, and costume jewelry to throw a costume party. Add snacks and a tea set to make it a tea party-themed ball! Clear a space for a catwalk and let your little models parade their fashion choices for you.

5. Put on an airshow with popsicle stick airplanes.

All you’ll need for this creative craft is popsicle sticks, a cutting tool, craft glue or a hot glue gun, and paint if you’re not already using colored popsicle sticks. Find age-appropriate tutorials online to guide your child as she cuts and glues popsicle sticks to create toy airplanes. You can add a propeller to the airplane by twisting pipe cleaner around

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the nose of the aircraft. For added fun, create a runway by taping sheets of construction paper together along a table or floor or by laying down a section of cardboard complete with runway markings.

6. Hold an art show.

Grab smocks for your kids and spread out watercolors and brushes, crayons, markers, or colored pencils on a table along with poster board or construction paper. Provide glue sticks and safety scissors to allow for added artistic touches. Once your little artists have created their masterpieces, hang up the artwork and host an art show complete with glasses of apple juice “champagne” and hor d’oeuvres.

7. Make Play-Doh come to life.

Kids will enjoy following any of the numerous YouTube tutorials showing them how to make Play-Doh animal creations such as turtles, crocodiles, and unicorns, and a PlayDoh park scene featuring trees, flowers, and a duck pond.

8. Bring out your child’s inner chef.

Give your child an apron and set up a toppings bar to make homemade pizza or your own ice cream sundaes. Other kidfriendly foods you can easily find recipes for online to make together or let your older child make alone are Emoji-inspired rice cakes, berry parfaits with yogurt and granola, and no bake cookies.

9. Expand your child’s knowledge with easy science experiments.

Amaze your children while having them brush up on their science skills with these easy science experiments that you can do in your own home and with products you likely already have. Click on the “Experiments” section of sciencebob.com to learn how to do simple scientific experiments.

10. Relax with low-key, familybonding activities.

If your days at home are better-suited for more low-key family activities, consider starting a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle that you and your child can work on and frame once completed. Older children may be interested in starting a scrapbook or smash book with you. Other ideas for low-key fun for children of all ages are playing Mad Libs as a family, building a Lego village together, or playing tried-and-true family-friendly board. AOP

Dolores Smyth is a parenting writer and mother of three kids ranging in age from preschool to junior high. You can follow more of her work on Twitter @LolaWordSmyth.

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The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a joint research project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Alabama Department of Public Health. Its purpose is to determine why some babies are born healthy and others are not in order to aid in the development and assessment of programs designed to identify high-risk pregnancies and reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes.

New mothers are randomly chosen from the state birth registry to participate in PRAMS. Surveys may be returned by mail or completed over the phone. Let your voice be heard!

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Moms who complete the PRAMS survey receive their choice of a cooler bag, diapers, or manicure set!

Responses are kept confidential to the extent of the law. For more information, please call us at 334-206-2923 or go to alabamapublichealth.gov/PRAMS ADPH does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, religion, disability, genetic information, and other federal, state, or agency regulations and policies. Inquiries regarding 31 Street, Suite 1010, Montgomery, AL 36104, www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents nondiscrimination policies may be directed to Civil Rights Coordinator: ADPH CRC, RSA Tower, 201 Monroe Tel. 334-206-5226, or email crcomplaints@adph.state.al.us.

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Online & Virtual Resources

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Aquarium

Polar Bears

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Georgia Aquarium

http://www.discoveryeducation.com/learn/tundraconnections/

Google’s 8K Virtual Tour of the Space Shuttle

Explore the Georgia Aqaurium and watch live web cams. www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager

Monterey Bay Aquarium

With ten live cams to choose from, you can experience the wonder of the ocean no matter where you are.

www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams

National Aquarium

National Aquarium Virtual Tour

Polar Bears and the Tundra

Learn about the Royal Family and tour the Palace!

@ Washington, D.C. Go inside the Space Shuttle Discover with a special immersive film, 15 digital exhibits, virtual tours and over 200 online artifacts.

Scholastic

https://www.cnet.com/news/step-aboard-the-spaceshuttle-discovery-with-googles-8k-virtual-tour/

http://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/ learnathome.html

International Space Station

Royal UK

https://www.royal.uk

“Learn From Home” website with four categories: PreK and Kindergarten, and Grades 1-6+.

Titanic Sinks

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/ suni_iss_tour.html

Mars

http://www.historyview.org/library/titanic

http://accessmars.withgoogle.com

Jerry’s Artarama for Kids

Exercise

Moon

https://www.jerrysartarama.com/free-art-instructionvideos/skill-level/kids

Go Noodle

Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems

https://www.gonoodle.com

Art Online free video art lessons for kids.

Join Mo Willems everyday at noon to learn how to draw, doodle and explore new ways of writing. https://www.kennedy-center.org

Make

Free Art Lesson offered while schools are out. https://www.facebook.com/makepaducah/

Educational Girls Get STEM

Tune in to transport students to the STEM Center of Excellence where STEM will come to life in new and unexpected ways.

Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover.

http://moon.nasa.gov/resources/168/tour-of-themoon-4k/

Free Guide and video that teaches kids about the election process. http://freekidsguide.com/01fb20x01z03?fbcl id=IwAR3KoUx0QaUKRZ-5yKK8Psbetb3m1vEqOXWdhcfI4kS9EwNXwPHNyrEfBlc

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Virtual Story Time

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Free Virtual Experience Gymnastics.

Live 1 p.m. Central time.

https://www.instagram.com/gothamgymnastics/

Museums

Josh Gad (Olaf) Story time

Actor Josh Gad, who played Olaf in Disney’s Frozen movies, is reading to kids every evening off of his Twitter page.

http://accessmars.withgoogle.comtwitter.com/joshgad

The Ark Encounter & Creation Museum

View free livestreams of science labs, behind-thescenes tours, live animal encounters, lectures, etc. http://www.creationmuseum.org http://www.arkencounter.com

Storyline Online

Streamed videos of actors reading children’s books with creatively produced illustrations. http://www.storylineonline.net

Farm Tour

Learn Our History

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Online Gymnastics Camp, Virtual

https://britishmuseum.withgoogle.com/l

https://www.khanacademy.org

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Google Arts & Culture

Free education with video tutorials, schedule ideas and much more for kids from ages 2-7.

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http://amazingsciencefacts.com/virtual-tour-to-the-sun/

Virtual Tours

Khan Academy Online Learning

@S Tou mo vid

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British Museum

https://artsandculture.google.com/category/place

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Movement and mindfulness videos created by child development experts.

http://girlsleadstem.com/virtual-field-trip/

Choose a country and view tons of history, photos and historical places.

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A two hour and 40 minute real-time virtual video of the sinking of Titanic.

samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html

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@ London

3 Virtual Tours of Farms based on ages groups.

Musee d’Orsay @ Paris

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/ musee-dorsay-paris?hl=en

The J. Paul Getty Museum @ Los Angeles

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-j-paulgetty-museum?hl=en

Van Gogh Museum

@ Amsterdam

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/vangogh-museum?hl=en

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www.origin.americandairy.com under the News and Events tab.

Liberty Bell

@ Pennsylvania A 3-D virtual tour of the Liberty Bell with historical information. https://historyview.org/library/liberty-bell

Boston Children’s Museum

Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps! www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/ museum-virtual-tour

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Buckingham Palace

www.royal.uk/virtual-tours-buckingham-palace

Great Wall of China

This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.

www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china

History View Virtual Tours

Choose a place on the map and see options for virtual tours and information. https://historyview.org

Johnson Space Center

Join Boeing and Discovery Education on a mission to inspire the world through aerospace innovation with an exclusive virtual field trip to historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. https://www.boeingfutureu.com

Manufacturing Hub

Take a virtual tour of Arconic’s Advanced Manufacturing hub in Alcoe, Tennessee and learn about the exciting ways robotics and digital technology impact the skills needed to succeed in Advanced Manufacturing. www.manufactureyourfuture.com/VirtualFieldTrip/US

Mount Rushmore

@ South Dakota Tour the memorial, navigate 3D “point cloud” models, laser scanners and a large collection of videos and photographs. https://www.nps.gov/moru/learn/photosmultimedia/ virtual-tour.htm

National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. @ Washington, D.C.

https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/nationalgallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en

Taj Mahal Virtual Tour

http://www.taj-mahal.net/newtaj/

The Louvre

The Louvre-Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual trip.

www.manufactureyourfuture.com/VirtualFieldTrip/US

The White House

@ Washington, D.C. The White House - Get even more up close to this magnificent building than in-person tourists with a virtual tour of the White House. www.youvisit.com/tour/aid.depoy

U.S. Space and Rocket Museum

@ Alabama U.S. Space and Rocket Museum in Huntsville, AL-See the Saturn 5 Rocket on YouTube and more on this tour, thanks to a real father-son outing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qe5RqyMNhc

Live Webcams Around the World

Eagles nests, animal sanctuaries, bird feeders, manatees underwater, Fox dens, honey bee hive and more! View in reat time. https://explore.org/livecams

Yosemite National Park @ California

www.virtualyosemite.org

Zoos Atlanta Zoo

@ Georgia Panda Cam at Atlanta Zoo

Vatican

www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html

http://zooatlanta.org/panda-cam/

Yellowstone National Park

Facebook livestream offered every weekday at 3 p.m. (eastern time) showcasing an activity in their exhibit with an activity for kids to follow along with at home.

@ Wyoming Yellowstone National Park-Ready to explore Yellowstone? You don’t have to wait for your trip out here. You can start exploring now by virtually touring some of the main attractions around the park. www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm

Cincinnati Zoo

Facebook at Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Houston Zoo

@ Texas Tune in to the Houston Zoo Webcams and enjoy a live look at animals! www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/

Webcams

Ouwehand Park Polar Bear

Glacier National Park

@ Montana Webcams are located throughout the park to provide views of the vast diversity of landscapes found in Glacier. https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/photosmultimedia/ webcams.htm

Grand Canyon

@ Arizona Grand Canyon National Park’s Webcam (at the Yavapai Museum of Geology on the South Rim) offers a window into the sights, weather, air quality and seasonal changes that the park is experiencing. www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/ webcams.htm

Welcome to the Ouwehand Zoo’s tundra exhibit in Rehen, Netherlands, where two polar bear cubs play under the watchful eye of their mother. www.explore.org/livecams/polar-bears/polar-bearouwehand-twin-cubs-cam-2

Reid Park Zoo

www.reidparkzoo.org/cameras/lion-cam/

San Diego Zoo

@ California The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities and games. Enjoy the tour! www.kids.sandiegozoo.org

Smithsonian’s National Zoo www.nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams

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One of the toughest first decisions I had to make as a new parent-to-be was finding exceptional daycare for my newborn. I had to go back to work six weeks after giving birth so I began my daycare search long before my son was born. I

by Judy Miller

was thankful I did. Many daycares were full and had waiting lists. A number were simply not in our budget. Others did not take such a young infant.

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Begin Early Begin your quest for a daycare as soon as you realize that you will need it.

Many daycares require a deposit to hold a place for your child.

If your child has special needs that will need to be addressed, inquire if the daycare can support you in this and whether you will be comfortable. You may want to explore hiring a nanny or an inhome provider.

Ask Those Who Know I asked daycare-seasoned parents about the daycares they used before I began exploring daycare options. Their input helped me to decide the environment I wanted my child to be in.

Determine what your parameters are: location, cost, hours and days needed, and in-home versus a churchbased or commercial daycare center.

Schedule a tour of any daycare that has made it on to your final list of options.

Be sure to bring your list of questions with you.

Look for a Nurturing Environment Children require nurturing to grow healthy minds and bodies. Observe the environment as you tour the facility.

What is the daily schedule? How are children treated? What is the caregiver to child ratio? How does the daycare “feel”? How do the daycare employees transition children into new rooms?

Be Comfortable with the Method of Discipline Ask how the daycare disciplines a child. If you are not comfortable with their methods, walk.

I did not think about asking about discipline until my son, and only child at that time, was kicked out of daycare at the ripe age of twelve months for biting.

I found another daycare for him and tearfully told the caregiver the truth. She gave me a big hug and said, “Well, that’s normal!”

Pay Attention to Safety and Cleanliness What are the security procedures?

Does the daycare follow them?

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Check out the bathrooms. Ask to see the kitchen. Check if the caregivers and other staff members wear gloves when cleaning up bodily fluids. How are the rooms cleaned that your child will be in?

Are cots disinfected? Is bedding washed or sent home with you on a consistent basis? Are the tables and other furniture appropriately child-sized? Are the toilets and sinks? What is the outdoor play area like?

Assess the Communication Style How proactive is the daycare with communication? Will you get a summary of your child’s day, down to the number of dirty diapers and time and length of her nap? Will you be called immediately if there is a concern? Is the caregiver approachable for questions and discussion?

Understand Expectations the Daycare Has of You and Visa-Versa Are you expected to pay for a fulltime week over a certain number of days?

How do vacations and holidays work?

What hours is the daycare open? Will the daycare be able to take your child early or keep her late if necessary? If so, what is the charge of doing so?

Understand the Sick Policy Most daycares are specific about what constitutes a sick child or an infection that will not be allowed to be in daycare. A child in my son’s daycare came down with the highly contagious conjunctivitis (also known as pinkeye). I was relieved the affected child was sent home immediately and could not return to daycare until a doctor said he was no longer contagious.

As a parent you hope the daycare will follow the policies they have in place. Understand that adhering to the policy is important not only for your child, but others as well. AOP

Judy M. Miller is a freelance writer living in the Midwest and a mom to four children, all of whom have spent time in daycare when young. She is the author of What To Expect From Your Adopted Tween and Writing to Heal Adoption Grief: Making Connections & Moving Forward.

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

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Auburn Day School ad on page 13

1199 South Donahue Dr, Ste B Auburn, 36832 Auburn Day School is a half-day, drop-in STEM preschool serving children ages 8 months- 5 years. Rather than themes, our lessons are taught through overarching concepts, which are ideas that can apply to anyone, at any time, with any background knowledge. Our focus is on process rather than procedures. We want to help students to learn how to think, not what to think so we can help set the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Our classes are designed with children’s interests and readiness in mind. Our age ranges overlap a bit to give parents and teachers some choice over which class is the best fit.

Ages: Ages 8 months-5 years Contact: Katharine Murrah kmurrah@auburndayschool.com www.auburndayschool.com

Auburn First Baptist Child Development Center

Food Program), Premier Spirit Academy, field trips include swimming, bowling, parks, Callaway Gardens, Auburn University and movie theatre; art and music classes offered at the center.

Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-5:30pm Ages: 4 weeks to 10 years Contact: Tammie Long 334-745-6248 bonnieskids@aol.com www.bonnieschildcare.com

Indian Pines Country Day School ad on page 29

Chambers Academy ad on page 24

15048 US Hwy 431, LaFayette, 36862 Chambers Academy provides daycare services for children from 6 weeks old to 5 years. The daycare has been in existence since 1986.

Chambers Academy’s Daycare is a state licensed daycare for families desiring a safe and stimulating environment for their preschoolers. An extended after school day program is also available for our students.

Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: Ages 6 weeks-5 years 334-864-9691 www.chambersacademy.com

ad on page 33

128 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, 36830 Transportation from Schools available; Licensed by the State of Alabama; Nationally Accredited through National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs/ Association for Early Learning Leaders (NAC); Themebased Lesson Plans and Curriculum. The Child Development Center is a ministry of Auburn First Baptist Church in which we provide safe, loving, quality care for children in a Christian environment. We strive to provide the best in early education by providing hands-on learning so that each child may develop to his or her highest potential cognitively, physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. Now Enrolling Summer Camp.

Hours: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-5:30pm Ages: Infant through 6 years and After School care grades K - 5 Contact: Milissa Clowers 334-821-8125 afbcdc@gmail.com www.auburnfbc.org

Growing Room Child Development Center

Bonnie’s Kids Childcare Center

Growing Room Child Development Center

2314 Enterprise Drive, Opelika, 36801 Conveniently located across from Tiger Town.

“Where children grow.” Closed circuit monitoring; computer & dance programs; pick up from school for Beauregard, Opelika & Auburn, and Trinity Christian for after school programs, and summer camps. We are licensed for up to 200 children / DHR Licensed for 26 years with qualified staff that have been at the center for over 15 years.

Summer activities program for school age children; Breakfast, lunch, & snack provided (USDA

1755 Thomason Drive, Opelika, 36801 Now Open!!! Give Your Child the Growing Room Experience! More Informed Parents Choose Growing Room! “On Our Block”-language based curriculum, Character Education programs, A Beka Phonics, nutritious warm meals, superior security and an outstanding playground with safe, solid rubber surfacing. Extracurricular programs include JumpBunch & Dance. We offer before and after school care to most Opelika City Schools.

ad on page 9

Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Laura Smith 334-501-2044 www.growingroomusa.com/ auburn

ad on page 39

644 North Dean Road, Auburn, 36830 Give Your Child the Growing Room Experience!

More Informed Parents Choose Growing Room!

“On Our Block”-language based curriculum, Character Education programs, A Beka Phonics, nutritious warm meals, superior security and an outstanding playground with safe, solid rubber surfacing. Extracurricular programs include JumpBunch & Dance. We offer before and after school care to most Auburn City Schools.

Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Laura Smith 334-501-2044 hautrey@grauburn.com www.growingroomusa.com/auburn

ad on page 39

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1742 Saugahatchee Road, Auburn, 36830 Indian Pines Country Day School offers a preschool program for children ages three and four, and also a kindergarten for five year olds. Our goal is to provide your child with a healthy, happy setting in which to enjoy his or her first formal learning experience. We respect each child and strive to help him or her develop as a unique individual. Program includes themed units, language, math, science, social skills, phonics program and more. Lunch bunch, gymnastics, and art classes offered.

Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 3-5 years Contact: Stacy Jackson 334-821-7786 sccijackson@yahoo.com www.ipcds.org

Lee Scott AcademyPreschool ad on page 5

1601 Academy Drive, Auburn, 36830 To provide a safe and pleasant atmosphere in which students may develop socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Our goals and objectives are carefully geared toward the needs and developmental stages of the individual pupil. We are committed to a low-key readiness plan for this age group, using familiar teaching vehicles to introduce language skills and number awareness.

The program is lightly structured, based on our persuasion that four-year-olds thrive and learn in an atmosphere that stresses “fun with a purpose,” or learning by playing. We follow a thematic approach.

Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool-Kindergarten 334-821-2430 info@lee-scott.org www.lee-scott.org

Magnolia Heart Nannies ad on page 23

Auburn, 36830 We make it easy to find the right nanny for your family. Finding the right nanny is not easy. Sure, there are some good online resources out there, but it can be overwhelming and extremely time consuming. When finding someone to care for your precious children, you don’t want to cut corners. Whether you are looking for a live-in, full-time, part-time, date night, hourly-rate or family share nanny in the Auburn/Opelika area – we

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have you covered. Magnolia Heart takes pride in referring only the most qualified, dedicated nannies that match your family profile. Our nannies are enthusiastic, trustworthy, and reliable professionals who have been thoroughly screened and trained.

Ages: Birth to school age 800-460-9201 info@ magnoliaheartnannies.com www.magnoliaheartnannies.com/auburn-opelika/

Preschool Adventures at Lakeview Baptist Church

ad on page 17

1600 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, 36830 Our most important tasks are to help children develop mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially through a planned curriculum. It is the intent of Lakeview Preschool Adventures to provide an opportunity for preschoolers to socialize and learn with peers in a Christian setting. Christ-centered, focusing on Scripture memory, Bible stories, social interaction, letter and number recognition.

Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 1-4 years Contact: Holly Hutto 334-321-4905 hhutto@lakeviewbaptist.com www.lakeviewbaptist.org

Lakeview Preschool Adventures ad on page 17

1600 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, 36830 As a ministry of Lakeview Baptist Church, Lakeview Preschool Adventures we strive to not only teach preschoolers the basic ABC’s and 123’s; we also strive to teach them the love of Jesus and how He would want us to treat others. We do this in a loving, secure environment. The children stay active during center time, playground time, and large group time. They also have an academic time when they focus on their letters and numbers. Our desire is that each child graduating out of our program at four will not only know their letters and numbers but also know that Jesus loves them.

Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 1-4 year olds 334-887-7094 www.lakeviewbaptist.org/preschool-ministry/lakeview-preschool-adventures/

Parkway Baptist Church Preschool & Kindergarten ad on page 15

766 East University Drive, Auburn, 36830 Christian based preschool consisting of biblical and instructional curriculums. Instructional curriculum is Handwriting Without Tears®. The curriculum draws from years of innovation and research to provide developmentally appropriate, multisensory tools and strategies for our classrooms.

The program follows research that demonstrates children learn more effectively by actively doing, with materials that address all styles of learning.

Weekly Chapel, monthly lunch bunches, extracurricular tumbling classes, and more!!

Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12pm & 8:30am12:15pm Ages: 6 weeks through Kindergarten Contact: Dawn Woodrow 334-321-0537 dawn.woodrow@parkwayauburn. org www.parkwayauburn.org/parkway-preschool

Trinity Christian School ad on page 11

1010 India Road, Opelika, 36801 Trinity offers a classical, Christian education that employs time-tested curricula and teaching methods. Our students participate in hands-on learning about God’s creation and they practice Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

careful articulation when expressing the truth of God’s Word; all the while, they grow to appreciate great literature and Latin as well as how God weaves science and mathematics throughout His world.

Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Kindergarten 334-745-2464 www.tcsopelika.org

A to Z Home Daycare- Auburn

Located just 5 minutes from Auburn University Exit 51.

Hours: day and evening care available Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Belinda Dowdell 334-821-3292

A.C.H.R. Child Development Center-Darden 601 South 4th Street , Opelika , 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-5:30pm Ages: 3 weeks-12 years old 334-821-8336

Auburn City Schools After-School Programs

Programs located at and all Elementary Schools Auburn, 36830 IHours: After school until 5:30pm Ages: Kindergarten to 5th grade 334-887-2100 www.auburnschools.org

Auburn Day Care Centers

Central Office: 410 Boykin Street, Room 14, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Ethel White 334-821-4060 auburndaycarectr@bellsouth.net www.auburndaycarecenters.org

Auburn Outreach Multicultural After-school and Summer Services

103 O.D. Smith Hall, Auburn University, 36832 Hours: year round Ages: K-12 334-559-9023 www.auburn.edu/outreach/ceoe

Auburn United Methodist ChurchChildren’s Day Out

137 South Gay Street , Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Thursday; 9:00am-12:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to 4 yrs Contact: Allison McNeely 334-826-8800 meghan.kemp@aumc.net www.aumc.net

Auburn United Methodist ChurchDiscovery Club After-School Program

137 South Gay Street , Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; afterschool until 6:00pm Ages: Kindergarten to 7th grade Contact: Leigh Oelmann 334-826-8800 leighO@aumc.net www.aumc.net

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lee County 400 B Boykin Street and 1610 Toomer Street, Hours: Monday-Friday; 2:30-6:30pm.

334-745-2582 clubs@bgcleeco.com www.bgcleeco.org

Bright Beginnings at FBC Opelika

301 South 8th Street, Opelika , 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 11 months (and walking ) to Kindergarten Contact: Sherrie Crowley 334-364-2784 sherriec@fbcopelika.com www.fbcopelika.com

By His Grace Daycare & Learning Center 311 South 6th Street, Opelika, 36801

Hours: Monday-Friday; 5:00am-12:00am Ages: 3 weeks-13 years old 334-750-0309 byhisgracedaycare@charter.net www.byhisgracedaycare.com

Care A Lots Child Development Center

1515 Lee Road 298 and 3825 Highway 80 West, Smith Station and Phenix City, 36868 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-6:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years 334-297-1041 Smiths@carealots.net www.caralots.net

Child Care Resource Center

2015 Gateway Drive, Opelika , 36801 334-749-8400 www.ccrc-alabama.org

Childcare Network

702 Second Avenue, Opelika , 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6am-6pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years Contact: Michelle Abernathy 334-341-5042 www.childcarenetwork.net

Core After School Care

1311A Opelika Road, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday, 2:30-5:30pm.

Ages: K-5th grade Contact: Kimberly Core 334-521-5252 coreafterschool@att.net www.coreafterschoolcenter.com

Creative Discovery Child Development Center 1675 Shug Jordan Parkway, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 wks to 12 years Contact: Staci Greene 334-887-5730 kidscreative7@gmail.com www.creativediscoverycdc.com

Farmville Baptist First Steps Preschool

3607 Al Hwy 147, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-11:30am Ages: Ages 1-4 years Contact: Sherri Cash 334-329-KIDZ info@farmvillefirststeps.org www.farmvillefirststeps.org

Auburn United Methodist ChurchWeekday Preschool

Foundations Preschool Cornerstone Church

137 South Gay Street , Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-12:00pm Ages: 2-4 years Contact: Debbie Bagwell 334-826-8800 DebbieB@aumc.net www.aumc.net

2123 Hamilton Road, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:50am Ages: 6 weeks to 4K Contact: Amy Baxter 334-887-1152 amy@cornerstonebuzz.org www.cornerstonebuzz.org

Auburn University Early Learning Center

God’s Glory Daycare

Auburn Campus, 210 Spidle Hall, Auburn University, 36849 Hours: 8:30-11:30 or 12:30-3:30.

Ages: 3-5 years 334-844-4696 chshelp@auburn.edu www.humsci.auburn.edu

Big Blue Marble Academy

585 Devall Drive, Auburn , 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday, 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks-school age 334-518-6091 www.bbmacademy.com/locations/ auburn

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1500 Bruce Avenue, Opelika , 36830 334-737-0443

Grace United Methodist Church Preschool 950 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:30am Ages: 1 year-PreK Contact: Leslie Carter 334-877-5981 info@gracepreschoolauburn.com www.gracepreschoolauburn.com

Grove Hill Academy

1279 Weatherford Street, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Infant-school age 334-521-0308 www.grovehillacademyauburn.com

www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School

100 Church Drive, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-11:45am Ages: Preschool-Kindergarten Contact: Katherine Israel 334-821-98 dayschool@holytrinitychurch.info www.holytrinityepiscopaldayschool.info

Jacob’s Ladder Early Learning Center 954 Opelika Road, Auburn, 36830 Ages: 3 weeks-12 years old 334-821-5100

Joyland Child Development Center

410 Boykin Street, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 2 years to 12 years 334-821-7624 joylandcdcinc@yahoo.com www.facebook.com/pg/JOYLANDCHILDDEVELOPMENTCENTER

Little Explorers of Auburn Preschool

323 Airport Road, Suite F, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Thursday Ages: 2-4 year olds Contact: Amanda Carmello info@leapauburn.com www.leapauburn.com

Milestones Learning Center

1811 East Glenn Avenue, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-6:00pm Ages: 6 weeks to PreKindergarten 334-887-4391 milestoneslc@gmail.com www.milestoneslc.com

Miss Deanna’s Childcare

1901 Corporate Drive and 1745 East University Drive, Opelika and Auburn, 36801 and 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years 334-745-7139 and 334-821-0066 www.facebook. com/MissDeannasChildcareAuburn

Opelika Extended Day

Opelika City Schools, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday; afterschool until 5:30pm Contact: Scarlett McAllister 334-745-9700 scarlett.mcallister@opelikaschools.org

Providence Baptist Church Child Development Center

2807 Lee Road 166, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday, Half-day and full days available; 6:30am-5:30pm Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years Contact: Mandy Steward 334-745-0547 klecompte@providencealive.com www.providencealive.com

Sonshine Preschool at FUMC Opelika

702 Avenue A, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, 8:45am1:00pm Ages: Ages 2-4 years Contact: Drew Speakman 334-745-7604 drewspeakman@fumcopelika.org www.fumcopelika.org/pre-school

St. Michael Catholic Preschool

1100 North College Street, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool 3-4 years - Kindergarten 334-887-5540 2013smcp@gmail.com www.stmichaelsauburn.com

The Children’s House-Auburn Montessori 231 East Drake Avenue, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: School aged students Contact: Charlene Kam 334-209-2513 amstchori@gmail.com www.auburnmontessorischool.org

The Fig Tree Childcare and Learning Center 44 Lee Road 380, Valley, 36854 Hours: Monday-Friday; 6:00am-6:00pm

Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years 334-741-9216 gwen@figtreechildcare.com

The Little HAPIE Tree Preschool

Auburn Early Education Center, 721 East University Drive, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: Preschool 3-5 years Contact: Jessica Zevac 334-887-4958 jzevac@learning-tree.org www.learning-tree.org

The Oaks School

2201 Executive Park Drive, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday-Thursday Ages: PreK-Kindergarten Contact: PreK and Kindergarten 334-887-9947 www.theoaksschool.org

Trinity United Methodist ChurchChildren’s Day Out- Opelika

800 2nd Avenue, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-1:30pm Ages: Ages 3 months through Pre-K (Summer—ages 3 months—children entering 3rd grade) 334-745-2632 www.tumcopelika.org/connect/ kids/childrens-day-out/

University Daycare

2900 Waverly Parkway, Opelika, 36801 Hours: Monday-Friday Ages: 6 weeks-12 years Contact: Debbie Holley 334-203-1234 universitydaycarefamily@gmail.com www.udcauburn.com

Woodland Wonders Nature Preschool

2222 North College Street, Auburn, 36830 Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday, 8:00-11:30am Ages: Ages 3-5 years Contact: Sarah Crim 334-844-8091 preserve@auburn.edu wp.auburn.edu/preserve/woodlandwonders/ AOP

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FamilyCalendar Friday, April 17 Monkey Park After Dark: “Dazed and Confused” Sponsored by Opelika Parks and Rec. Enjoy watching “Dazed and Confused” at Monkey Park. 8:30 p.m. www. opelikasportsplex.com Fun with Frogs Kreher Preserve & Nature Center.

Local wildlife expert and naturalist Jimmy Stiles partners with KPNC educators for fun and adventure, exploring the forest looking for frogs. During this exciting program, participants of all ages will spend an evening learning about frogs, where frogs live, how to find them, catch them, and handle them, and how they are one of the best indicators of the health of our environment.

Fun with Frogs is $5 per person. www.auburn.edu/preserve The Black Feathers in Concert at Sundilla The Black Feathers, an awardwinning duo from Gloucestershire, England, will come a long way to make their Sundilla debut.

Showtime at the AUUF is 7:30 PM. Advance tickets are $15 and can be found at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online at sundillamusic. com. Admission at the door will be $20.

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be housed in our replica of a tavern, typical of the time period; demonstrations from blacksmiths, an outdoor cook using cast iron and a wood fire, as well as a split oak basket maker; bluegrass and country music bands; wagon rides and kids activities as well as tours of the site which also include the Indian Heritage Monument for the Creek Trail of Tears and a beautiful Dog Trot Cabin built in 1840.

***At press time, many local events were being canceled, postponed or rescheduled due to concerns about the COVID-19. Before making plans to attend one of these listed events, please use the contact information provided to confirm that the scheduled event is still taking place. ***

Saturday, April 18 Camille A. Brown and Dancers at the Gogue Performing Arts Center Camille A. Brown and Dancers is a Bessie Awardwinning, New York City-based dance company advancing the artistic vision of Camille A. Brown. Founded in 2006, the company performs locally and across the world, inviting audiences into stories and dialogues about race, culture and identity. The work uses theatricality and the aesthetics of modern, hip-hop, African, ballet and tap to tell stories that connect history with contemporary culture. Theater, poetry, visual art and music of all genres merge to inject each performance with energy and urgency. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu Diabetes Walk for Camp Seale Harris Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatic Center. Camp Seale Harris for children with diabetes will host the annual Diabetes WALK for Camp Seale Harris. The 1K/5K Walk/ Run will take place from 9 a.m. – Noon at the Opelika SportsPLEX. The WALK will feature a free family friendly 1K and 5K fun run/walk around the green space at the back of the Opelika SportsPLEX, DJ Todd Blackmon, a bounce house and face painting for kids and free healthy snacks for all participants. Each participants’ fundraising efforts or donations will enable kids to attend Camp Seale Harris – Alabama’s only diabetes camp. Camp Seale Harris gives children independence and confidence in managing diabetes, and support from friends that understand.

20th Anniversary of the Old 280 Boogie, Waverly The event will take place at the outdoor stage. The annual “Old 280” Boogie is renowned for its beautiful scenery and hospitable spring weather, which only adds to the Southern ambiance that sets the background for the fine bands and musicians that are featured during this one-day gathering. The Boogie is also home to a row or two of select eclectic artisans, delicious food vendors and modern farmers that market their goods and wares.

Fort Mitchell Pioneer Day and Quilt Show Pioneer Day at Fort Mitchell takes place in and around a very historic fort built in 1813 alongside the Old Federal Road. Quilt show; art contest for adults and children will

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

Tulotoma Art Trail Wetumpka’s historic downtown will transform into the area’s liveliest art show and this is your chance to be a part of it. Come join the fun, 10 AM to 5 PM, to experience the art and the music at the Tulotoma Art Trail. Check our web site: www.thekelly. org or contact us at thekelly36092@ gmail.com for additional information.

Anabranch/ Alabama Book Festival This free public event is the state’s premier book festival, with some 4,000 people from around the state and the southeast converging in the capital to meet with and hear from their favorite authors and scholars. A children’s activity area makes this a day of fun for the entire family. The 2020 Festival will continue the tradition of promoting reading and literacy to Alabamians of all ages and backgrounds.. Montgomery. www.800alabama.com French and Indian War Encampment.

Also April 19. The French & Indian War encampment focuses attention on daily life at a French frontier fort and Creek village in the year 1756. Living history demonstrations of military, Indian, and civilian life take place throughout the day with re-enactors dressed and equipped as they appeared in North America during the middle of the eighteenth century.

Sunday, April 19 Closing Reception and Awards Ceremony for 2020 Statewide High School Juried Art Show Join us for the closing reception and awards ceremony for the 2020 Statewide HS Juried Art Show, in the EBSCO Fine Art Gallery! This reception is free and open to the public! The gallery exhibit, which features the work of high school students from across the state of Alabama, was on display from March 23 to April 19 on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 AM to 5 PM and during Black Box Performances. For more info, call the SCAC at 205.669.0044 or email info@ shelbycountyartscouncil.com.

Tuesday, April 21 Zakir Hussain & Friends Ft. Kala Ramnath & Jayanthi Kumaresh Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center.

Zakir Hussain is appreciated as an international phenomenon and a classical tabla virtuoso. His many historic collaborations span decades and include John McLaughlin and L. Shankar, Mickey Hart, George Harrison and Yo-Yo Ma. For his performance at the Gogue Center, Hussain will appear with Indian classical violinist Kala Ramnath and veena (lute) artist Jayanthi Kumaresh. www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

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Wednesday, April 22 Baby Shark Live!

Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center. 6 p.m.

Take an adventure into the sea with Baby Shark as he joins up with his friend Pinkfong to sing and dance through some of your favorite new and classic songs! www.goguecenter.auburn.edu

Thursday, April 23 Auburn CityFest 2020 Juried Art Show and Preview Reception The Auburn CityFest Committee invites the public to an evening of great art, food, and musical entertainment.

The Juried Art Show and Preview Reception, held in conjunction with Auburn CityFest, will feature a variety of works by local and regional artists and will be held at the Historic Nunn-Winston House at Kiesel Park from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Patrons of the Juried Art Show will enjoy a variety of artwork including paintings, prints, textiles, photography, ceramics, and sculptures. The event is sponsored by the Auburn Arts Association, the AuburnOpelika Tourism Bureau, and the City of Auburn. The Juried Art Show and Preview Reception is a rain or shine event. auburncityfest.com.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Forest Friends Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Forest Friends is having its 10th birthday and you are invited! We would love to see all of our forest friends, past and present, as we celebrate this program through the years. We will have lots of fun activities, a slideshow, and visits from our forest friend teachers and animal friends.

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Autumn Grace North The Sound Wall, Opelika. Autumn Grace North is a 22 year old singer-songwriter, originally from the Pacific Northwest. She lived in LA for a few years and has recently moved to the great state of Alabama.

Autumn Grace produces and releases all of her singles and likes to provide a raw, vulnerable sound with her music that people can hear their own stories in. www. thesoundwallopelika.com Russell Marine- In Water Boat Show Also April 25 and 26. The Southeast’s largest inland, in-water boat show at the Ridge Marina on beautiful Lake Martin. Over 150 boats on display, come out and take a demo ride in your next boat. 9 AM until 5 PM, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. www.RussellMarine.net or call 256-397-1300 for more details.

Saturday, April 25 ARTiculate The Columbus Museum. K-12 youth on the Autism Spectrum and their caregivers are invited to experience the Museum through guided tours, hands-on gallery activities, and open-ended art-making with a sensoryfriendly focus. ARTiculate is the perfect way to explore the Museum’s collections and exhibitions in a low-stress environment before the Museum opens for regular hours. Kennan Ducey, Community Outreach Coordinator, kducey@columbusmuseum.com Toby Mac: The Theatre Tour Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Montgomery. www.mpaconline.org 2020 Coosapalooza Brewfest Join us for the third annual Coosapalooza Brewfest!

Enjoy the beautiful sights and sounds of downtown Wetumpka alongside the Coosa River, as you sample craft brews from around the South. All proceeds from the brewfest tickets will go to Main Street Wetumpka’s mission of downtown revitalization! Sponsored by Main

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FamilyCalendar Street Wetumpka and the City of Wetumpka. Musical acts and local food vendors will be on hand, along with a one-of-a-kind VIP experience. Entry at Coosa River Craft House and Coaches Corner Bar & Grill. Must be 21+ years of age and have proper identification to sample the craft brews. VIP Experience begins at 3 PM. 20th Annual Auburn CityFest The 2020 Auburn CityFest will take place at Kiesel Park from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Auburn CityFest is the largest, free outdoor festival in Auburn. This year‘s Auburn CityFest’s theme is “Back to the Future”; everything 80’s will be celebrated! Auburn CityFest is FREE to the public with many attractions and activities for residents of all ages. The festival has over 100 arts and crafts vendors, over 30 food vendors and 30 non-profit vendors.

Inflatables, pony rides, touch a tractor, sense tent and many other attractions. FREE to the public. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. www.auburncityfest.com Jasmine Hill Gardens Earth Day Celebration: The Beauty, the Joy and the Importance of Pollinators Participate in the history of the gardens, trees and flowers identification, and statuary tour with garden expert Jim Inscoe. Included in the price of admission.

Camp Smile-a-Mile Ride of Love Join us as we welcome bicycle riders on their last leg of the race. They will start their ride in Tuscaloosa and ride to Children’s Harbor to raise money and awareness for the camps held for children and families living with and fighting cancer. For more information call 256-234-3461.

5th Annual Cornhole Tournament Dadeville Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its 5th annual Cornhole Tournament. First tournament is a “blind draw” where pros are paired with armatures. The second tournament is a “bring your own team”. Each team then draws for the team they will compete with first. Festivities begin at 10:00 AM. There will be a food

vendor. If weather is an issue, this event can be moved inside the Lake Martin Events Center (The Rodeo Club).

collection and exhibitions while exploring the Museum at a leisurely pace. Free and open to all ages. Kennan Ducey, Community Outreach Coordinator at kducey@ columbusmuseum.com

Weogufka Mule Day Weogufka Mule day will have plowing demonstrations, Mule and Wagon rides, Log snaking, 3 Big Stages of Music, Hobby train display, Dancers, Food, and Vendors with arts and Crafts. RV campers welcome. 256-2498885. Event held annually on last Saturday in April.

Thursday, April 30 An Evening with Dr. David Jeremiah Auburn Arena. First Baptist Church of Opelika Men’s and Women’s Ministries will host Dr. David Jeremiah at the Auburn Arena. Musical worship at this event will be led

by Charles Billingsley. This event is for all ages. Tickets can be purchased. www.fbcopelika.com.

Bo Bikes Bama 2020 This year, the ninth annual Bo Bikes Bama ride will return to Auburn, where participating riders can choose either a 60-mile or 20-mile route. Both routes will take riders through the campus of Auburn University, while the 60-mile route will carry riders through Tuskegee and neighboring Macon County. The online registration fees are $65 for the 60-mile ride and $45 for the 20-mile ride.

Limited day-of registration is available inside of Auburn Area. Fees increase for day-of registration to $100 for the 60-mile ride and $65 for the 20-mile ride. www. bobikesbama.com

George Washington Carver Commemorative Festival Downtown on the Square. Annual community cosponsored event commemorating the life and work of Dr. George Washington Carver with music, arts, crafts and other multi-generational activities. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Visit website for event schedule. 334-727-7798. www.carverfestival.org.

TroyFest Also April 26. TroyFest, held in honor of Jean Lake, is the premier fine art & craft festival for the central Alabama region. The weekend long show draws upwards of 10,000 people to downtown Troy to celebrate the arts. As always, a wonderful selection of art, food, entertainment and activities will be offered for people of all ages. Come and join us in being a part of this year’s festivities. Troyfest is held each year on the last weekend in April.

Coming in May May 2: Babypalooza Baby & Maternity Expo Village Event Center, Opelika. 10:00 AM-2:30 PM. Babypalooza is where new, expectant, and even hopeful parents get to connect to each other and all of the local resources in the area. Features include pre and postnatal health seminars, parenting workshops, baby registry 101 with the ability to demo and win baby gear, baby and maternity exhibitors, and much more. Moms will be able to use the Babypalooza APP to get detailed vendor information, start their baby registry, add items to their registry and play the Baby Bingo and the Babypalooza

Sunday, April 26 Pop-Up Art! The Columbus Museum. Share a hands-on art-making experience inspired by an object in the Museum’s

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FamilyCalendar Scavenger hunt for prizes. TODDLER TOO New for moms that have come to Babypalooza over the years and are now looking for resources for their toddlers.

Vendors will include area attractions, private schools, day camps, early learning and movement classes and more. Admission is free for Babypalooza members. To subscribe and get details on how to win the big prizes visit BabyPalooza.com.

May 2: Garden in the Park Opelika Municipal Park, 8 AM - 3 PM. Arts and crafts festival where a variety of vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment will be showcased. All items sold are handmade or homegrown. Children enjoy inflatables, Rocky Brook Rocket rides, planting a tree seedling, Farmer Brown Party Animals and Home Depot building kits. Live entertainment is provided by local schools and dance groups. No charge for admissions into Garden in the Park. Food donations will be collected for the East Alabama Food Bank. Garden in the Park is a rain or shine event. We do ask that personal pets be left at home.

May 2: Valley Haven Hike/Bike/Run Hike/Bike/Run Registration starts at 7:00 a.m. EDT; events start at 8:00 a.m. A day of events including a 1 or 5 mile hike, a 10, and 20 mile bike ride, and a one mile, 5K or 10.5K run. Participants in the events pay a small registration fee or can just get pledges. Prizes and t-shirts to participants. Food and children’s activities available. For more information, call Tony Edmondson @ Valley Haven School, Valley, AL 334-756-7801.

May 2: The Flimp Festival The Montgomery Museum of Fine Art’s annual celebration of imagination, creativity, and good humor.

Fun for all ages in the many activities of Flimp!

May 7-8: S’more Fun with Mom Kreher Preserve & Nature Center. Mother and son duos mark your calendar! The City of Auburn and Kreher Preserve and Nature Center will co-host this program for two evenings, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. The evenings include a night hike, cookout, s’mores and storytelling. Also, participants may visit the craft station to create their own keepsake and commemorate this special night with a 5x7 portrait. A photographer will be available. Tickets are $30 per couple, each additional son is $10. This event is for mothers and their sons aged 4-12. www.auburn.edu/preserve May 8: :The Addams Family Young at Part” Musical Southside Center for the Arts, Opelika. Join Opelika Theatre Company for this all-kids production! The kids co-direct, manage lighting, sound, costumes, etc, with adult assistance of course, which is a huge learning experience for them. www.opelikatheatrecompany.com May 8: “Air Play” by Acrobuffos at The Gogue Gogue Performing Arts Center. Since 2005, Acrobuffos have been redefining traditional circus performance to the delight of all ages. Their latest production, “Air Play,” is a comedic physical theater adventure of two siblings journeying through a surreal world, turning everyday objects like fabrics, balloons and confetti into scenes of uncommon beauty and wonder. www.goguecenter. auburn.edu May 9: Auburn Taco Fest Greyston Mansion, Auburn. The Auburn Taco Fest is just that: a taco festival featuring the area’s restaurants with the best TACOS, along with live entertainment, bar service, games, giveaways and other featured vendors.

Tickets include: Admission to Auburn Taco Fest 2020, Samples of the Best in the Area, Live Entertainment, Family Activities and Games and Full Bar Service. Tickets are $10-20 for adults and $5-10 for children age 10-15.

Children under 10 get in free. The first 100 people to purchase tickets will receive special pricing, so act fast!

May 9: Mother Daughter Tea Party Opelika SportsPlex. Sponsored by Opelika Parks and Recreation. 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. Wear your Sunday best for tea, snacks, arts & crafts and photo booths. $10 per

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

daughter. 334.705.5560.

May 9: Birmingham Rose Show The Birmingham Rose Society presents its annual Rose Show on Mother’s Day weekend at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The judging is Saturday morning, but the festivities are all weekend! There are all sorts of categories ranging from “novice” to “experienced exhibitor” and also “artistic arrangements” and, a photography division. We also host a number of educational seminars to help educate the public on the care of roses.

May 9: Chunnenuggee Fair Fine Arts and Crafts festival that is family friendly, with a Food Court including freshly cooked delicious food.

The Chunnenuggee Fair also has Live Entertainment with local and regional bands that are terrific! We have a section with children’s activities including games, rides and petting zoo. We award cash prizes to the winners of the Fine Arts and Crafts shows. www.800Alabama.org May 9: Magic City Win Fest Birmingham. Come join us from 5:30-8:30 PM as we travel through several different regions spanning the globe. Attendees will be able to drink wine and beer specific to certain regions. Restaurants will also have food available for purchase. Take a break from your travels and enjoy the soothing sounds of live music. The World Tour will be held at the lovely Birmingham Zoo. Magic City Wine Fest is a rain or shine event and no refunds will be given. www.alabama.travel/upcomingevents/magic-city-wine-fest-2 May 9: Alabama Wildlife Center’s Baby Bird Shower Millbrook. Come join in the fun and help AWC prepare for baby bird season. Bring a gift, tour bird nursery and aviaries, enjoy refreshments, fun children’s activities, baby bird videos, and meet live raptors. Free after paid admission to Oak Mountain State Park. See website & Facebook for Baby Bird Wish List, updates & details: alabamawildlifecenter.org.

May 9: “The Fantasticks” Virginia Samford Theatre, Birmingham. Narrator, El Gallo, introduces us to Matt and Luisa, who experience the magical, moonlit phase of falling in love. However, El Gallo leads them from the romantic moonlight into the harsh sunshine, where the weaknesses in their relationship are exposed and the reality of the struggles and heartache love brings is revealed. With the record for the longest American theatrical run, “The Fantasticks” is a gem of the American musical theatre, beloved and as timely as it was when it opened over 50 years ago. www.virginiasamfordtheatre.org; May 10: Mother’s Day at The Montgomery Zoo Free admission for moms. Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Montgomery Zoo. All Moms receive FREE admission to the Montgomery Zoo and the Mann Wildlife Learning Museum. Join us for Mother’s Day. May 10: Mother’s Day Brunch at Ariccia Cucina.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a brunch at Ariccia Cucina.

To reserve a table, call (334) 844-5140.

May 13: Peppa Pig Live! Peppa’s Adventure Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, Montgomery. www. mpaconline.org May 14: Downtown Auburn Family Supper Set under an array of string lights, over 100 guests will join together “family style” in the middle of Tichenor Avenue. Guests will enjoy multi-course offerings from downtown’s finest chefs. Tickets will go on sale April 10th. Must be 21 or order to attend. If you or your business is interested in becoming a sponsor, please email Jessica Kohn at auburnmerchants@gmail.com.

May 16: Dino Dig The Montgomery Zoo. Go on an archeological dig and discover bones from the past. Make new discoveries and new friends. Geared for kids 4-10 years old, advanced reservations required.

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May 16: 28th Annual Fishing Rodeo Lake at Auburn Technology Park South, 7:00-11:00 AM. The first 175 children will receive a FREE rod and reel courtesy of Evans Realty and Auburn Parks and Recreation will supply the bait. Door prizes will be given out to lucky participants and prizes will be awarded to the biggest and smallest fish caught in each age category. We will also give out an award for the most fish caught overall. This event is a great chance to bring kids and their parents together with America’s favorite pastime...FISHING! The cost is $5 per child and can be paid at the event in the form of cash or check. Checks can be made payable to COA. There is a take home limit of five fish per child and parents must stay with their child at all times. www.auburnalabama.org/parks May 16: Swim Evaluation Day Samford Pool, Auburn. 3:00-5:00 PM. Complete your swim test for the 2020 pool season. This pool season we are requiring all patrons under the age of 13 to complete a swim test regardless of prior completion. This pool season we will offer swim tests the first 15 minutes of every hour.

May 16: 46th Annual East Alabama Old Car Club Car Show and Swap Meet USA Town Center, Opelika. This year we are honoring our military. We encourage vehicle enthusiasts representing vintage, classics, modified, custom, modern, wild, stock, rat rods, sports cars, motorcycles, and tractors to participate. Come see these motoring marvels or come buy one. For more about the event email David Pascoe at pascoedd@gmail.com or call 334-703-5528.

May 16: Opelika Main Street On Tap Downtown Opelika. The event will feature over 25 craft beer distributors and numerous food trucks on site.

Hosted in Opelika’s historic downtown, attendees will get to taste beers from a variety of breweries while enjoying the vibrant downtown area. www.opelikamainstreet.org May 16-17: Garden Tour presented by Lee County Master Gardeners Biennially, Lee County Master Gardeners select private gardens offering a garden tour that showcases a variety of garden landscapes, utilizing trees, shrubs, perennials annual flowers and vegetables. Large, grandiose gardens along with smaller charming gardens are featured. This is a self guided tour, your purchased ticket includes a booklet with map and addresses of the gardens and also includes a coupon for lunch at Chicken Salad Chick in Auburn. Master Gardeners are available in gardens to provide information and answer questions.

This is the primary fundraiser, supporting scholarships, community grants, tree plantings with children at their local schools, and monthly programs open to the public. www.leemg.org for additional information.

May 22: Funnymaine Live The Bottling Plant Event Center. Off The Couch Spring 2020 Comedy Tour.

May 23: Samford Pool Opening Day Join us for the first day of the 2020 Samford Pool Season! Samford Pool will be open to the public at 10 AM. www.auburnalabama.org/parks May 30: Burger Wars 2020 Downtown Opelika. The 6th Annual Burger Wars, a hamburger grilling competition sponsored by Opelika Rotary and Happy Hour Rotary Club, takes place on the same day as Touch-a-Truck! www.opelikarotaryclub.com/burger-wars

Please send your calendar events to Kendra@ auburnopelikaparents.com! www.auburnopelikaparents.com

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The Benefits of Balance Toys

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Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Whether it’s the first time an infant steadies their head upright or the breakthrough moment when our toddler stands unassisted, we celebrate balance-driven milestones in our kids. Children learn balance through experimenting with body movements, coordinating their physical behavior with sensory signals to keep things in line. Building this equilibrium helps kids move toward milestones like walking, stacking objects, feeding themselves and more. Good balance not only protects them against falls and injuries, but also allows them to improve their response to changing forces, surfaces and elements.

Give your kids a steady boost with the following products and encourage the exploration of balance through play.

by Gerry Paige Smith

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Teeter Popper

Y Velo Balance Bike

Simply-designed and easy to use, how children play with the versatile Teeter Popper balance toy is entirely up to them. While kids balance, twist and turn on the Teeter Popper, its suction cups grip and release against hard surfaces, generating a hilarious popping accompaniment to their play. Every play option fosters improved core strength, stability, balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. The sturdy plastic body holds up to 110 pounds and the durable silicone suction cups stand up to hours of play. The handle grips on each end also ensure stability and safe play. Stand, sit, rock, tilt, wobble, wiggle, and spin... kids’ balance benefits from the wild moves that emerge with the Fat Brain Teeter Popper!

Skipping training wheels, balance bikes are perfect preparation for children with their eyes on the prize of pedal bicycling. The Y Velo Balance Bike allows kids to practice with a stable double-width wheel before switching to a single wheel as they build confidence. Larger wheels and higher ground clearance are designed for safer play and easier riding on uneven surfaces. The dual rear wheel (three-wheel design) guarantees more stability for beginners with unrefined balance. Ensuring a best fit for a growing child, the seat height and handlebar height can be adjusted to ‘evolve’ with your rider. Available in vibrant colors of red and blue (and two child sizes), Yvolution’s Y Velo Bike is the best balanced choice for beginning bikers.

(Fat Brain Toys)

(Yvolution)

Walkaroo Beginner Stilts

Heavy Duty Swivel Seesaw

Giving little ones a leg up in the balance game is fast and fun with Walkaroo Beginner Stilts. Combining whole body effort with a simple step up, stilt walking is a great physical confidence booster. With footrest and handle positions that can be adjusted for a custom fit, these stilts grow with kids as they get taller.

When children gain confidence and improve their skills, the foot rests can be raised from the very lowest level to more challenging heights.

Constructed from strong tubular steel, the ergonomic handle design and grippy foot pads offer a quick and safe step up into stilt walking. Ideal for training core and extremity muscles, the Walkaroo Beginner Stilts lift kids’ balance to new heights.

The Heavy Duty Swivel Seesaw adds a twist to the regular up and down with a swivel function that takes riders full circle. The durable double steel frame, soft, easy-grip handles and comfortable molded plastic seats make this rotating seesaw a backyard favorite for kids. This heavy-duty version of Pure Fun’s seesaw features double-steel tubing that can support up to 175 pounds per seat, making it the best choice for kids of all shapes and sizes. A secure stopper with rubber bottom is attached under each seat for added safety. Its durable powder coat finish ensures this seesaw will stand up to the elements to provide years of outdoor fun. In addition to fostering physical development, playing on the Heavy Duty Swivel Seesaw turns a balancing act into pure fun!

(Geospace)

(Pure Fun)

Gerry Paige Smith is a syndicated columnist recommending the best products for kids and their families. Discover more at www.PageBookMedia.com

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www.facebook.com/auburnopelika.parents

Stargirl

Timmy Failure

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: A Sexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AAfter his father’s death, Leo Borlock (Graham Verchere) and his mom (Darby Stanchfield) move to Mica, Arizona for a fresh start. Following a traumatic bullying incident, Leo decides that it is easier to blend in with the crowd and not draw any attention to himself. On his sixteenth birthday he meets Stargirl Caraway (Grace VanderWaal), a quirky girl who is unapologetically herself.

As they get to know each other, Leo learns what it means to be yourself and not care what other people think of you.

Stargirl is based on a bestselling novel of the same name by Jerry Spinelli published in 2000. Though the movie adaptation does try to modernize in some ways, it still feels its age. I doubt that today’s teens will be able to relate fully to the characters and situations, as high school has changed dramatically in the last two decades. Much of the plot is unrealistic and the teenage characters make choices and interact in ways that don’t feel authentic.

It’s worth noting that the film’s overall theme is figuring out who you are and learning to be ok with standing out from the crowd - which is a message we’re all happy to share with young people. Seeing actual teenagers play teens is also refreshing, instead of the 20-somethings who are often cast in these roles. The musical elements are well done, especially Grace VanderWaal’s singing and ukulele playing.

Overall, Stargirl is a sweet, family-friendly coming of age story, though it does show its age in the depictions of teenagers and especially in its main female lead.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: A Violence: B Sexual Content: A Profanity: B Alcohol / Drug Use: A Timmy Failure (Winslow Fegley) is an 11-year-old who runs his own detective agency along with his business partner, an imaginary 1,200-pound polar bear named Total. Together they try to protect Portland from backpack thieves, homework, and Russian operatives.

Family comedies have to toe the line between humor for children and humor for adults. Many lean too far one way or the other, but Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made is a perfect balance. I laughed through the entire run time. The jokes are well written, which will appeal to adults, while also adding in some silly moments that children will love. Timmy is perfectly deadpan almost the whole time, making the absurd situations he finds himself in even more comical. His imagination runs away from him a lot, which leads to some entertaining “what if?” scenarios.

Along with being hilarious, this film also has a lot of heart. Timmy is struggling with school and relating to his peers. Timmy’s mom, Patty (Ophelia Lovibond), is trying to provide for her son as a single parent, while also endeavoring to figure out his eccentricities. She is not a perfect parent, but she is making an effort, and she is willing to admit when she makes a mistake, which makes her a dynamic and relatable character.

I highly recommend this film not just for kids, but for all ages. It’s a funny, earnest story about an eccentric young boy and the people trying to understand him. It has very few content concerns, making it a great option for family viewing.

A Hidden Life

Jumanji: The Next Level

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: A+ Violence: BSexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: AFranz Jägerstätter (August Diehl), has spent his life as a simple peasant farmer in the beautiful Austrian village of St. Radegund. Working the land alongside his wife Franziska (Valerie Pachner), their young children, and his friends and neighbors, he doesn’t expect the larger troubles of the world to come crashing down upon him. But war has broken out, and Franz is conscripted by the Nazis. Unwilling to swear the required oath of allegiance to Hitler, he is imprisoned, threatened, humiliated, and beaten - all in an attempt to force him to join the Wehrmacht (Nazi armed forces).

If you’re familiar with any of Terrence Malick’s work, you will be unsurprised that the style of this film has little in common with conventional Hollywood productions. Despite the quirks of Malick’s unique style, this is a beautiful film and well worth the absurdly long three hours it takes to watch. A Hidden Life has a terribly prescient message about standing up to authoritarianism and evil, whatever the cost.

Even more impressively, these powerful positive messages come with hardly any objectionable content. There’s no profanity (in English, at any rate; if there are German curses I couldn’t understand them), no sex, little on-screen violence, and no major substance abuse. A Hidden Life earns its “PG-13” rating from its difficult adult themes and allusions to violence. That said, this is not a suitable movie for children or young teens, simply because it’s filled with mature themes and is long and challenging, which tends to make for restless kids.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: B Violence: BSexual Content: B+ Profanity: BAlcohol / Drug Use: A After escaping from Jumanji, a game that comes to terrifying life, Spencer (Alex Wolff), Martha (Morgan Turner), Anthony (Ser’Darius Blain), and Bethany (Madison Iseman) agreed to destroy the game to prevent anyone else from being sucked in. Secretly, Spencer decided to keep the pieces, and reassembled the game for another chance to be the muscular Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) in a virtual world. When his friends try to rescue him, they accidentally bring along Spencer’s grandfather Eddie (Danny DeVito) and his old friend Milo (Danny Glover). With such an unlikely cast of heroes, what hope do they have of rescuing Spencer?

I seem to recall the comedy being a little stronger in the first film, but this doesn’t reach failed-comedy levels of aggravating. About three-quarters of the jokes landed, which is better than most dumb action comedies I’ve seen. The content is cleaner than most as well, with almost no sexual content (barring Ruby Roundhouse’s silly outfit), little profanity more significant than “hell” or “damn”, and violence that is firmly in the “slapstick” category.

If you saw the last entry in this franchise, you’ll have a good idea what to expect here. Another case of “second verse, same as the first”, Jumanji: The Next Level still manages to be a reasonably entertaining way to kill two hours. I was actually expecting to be frustrated with this movie, since my sequel fatigue is approaching terminal levels, but the film is sufficiently sincere and well intentioned.

(Streaming on Disney+)

(Streaming on Disney+)

(New on DVD)

Auburn Opelika Parents I April 2020

(New on DVD)

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www.auburnopelikaparents.com

presenting our

2019-20 inaugural season

Air Play

by Acrobuffos Friday, May 8

Tickets available now

I would rather be able to run the bases after my home run hit than have to stop to catch my breath by 2nd.

- Josie, 7th grade

For more information visit AlabamaHealthyTeens.com