Montgomery Parents April 2012

Breastfeeding is natural, free, and reduces or eliminates the cost of formula.

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THE BEST HEALTHCARE IN AMERICA IS RIGHT IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD.

Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading source for healthcare data, has now ranked Baptist Health one of the 15 Top Health Systems in America, making it the only one with that distinction in Alabama.

Based on a 2012 study, the nation’s top 15 health systems: • Saved more lives and caused significantly fewer patient complications • Followed industry-recommended standards of care more closely • Ranked higher in patient safety • Released patients half a day sooner • Scored significantly better on overall patient satisfaction • Provided an overall superior level of clinical care with better patient outcomes Baptist Health physicians and staff are committed to excelling at every aspect of patient care. We're leading the way to a healthier future for central Alabama.

Leading The Way

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Contents April 2012

Volume 17 Number 4

Features 62 Five Encouraging Things to Say to Your Kids

Learn what phrases of encouragement will make a lasting difference in your child’s life.

68 Choosing Childcare

Get the facts, do your homework and trust your judgment as you search for the right preschool/daycare fit for your family.

71 2012 Childcare Directory

Columns 6 From One Parent to Another

Our listing of River Region childcare centers offers many details to help you narrow down your search, begin personal visits and make a decision.

86 Help Your Teenager Land a Summer Job

Springtime is not too late for your teen to secure a summer job. Find steps for helping her start a business of her own or helping him find a job in the community.

DeAnne Watson

9 Living With Children John Rosemond

12 Kids Health Watch

On The Cover

Departments 10 Bits and Pieces

sponsored by Professional Pediatrics

14 Education Matters

16 School Bits

Superintendent Barbara W. Thompson

60 Get This!

Paige Gardner Smith

66 Page in a Book

84 Library Storytimes

82 The FlyLady

90 Calendar/Support Groups

104 Movie Reviews

103 Advertiser Directory

Paige Gardner Smith

Marla Cilley

Parent Previews

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Carrington Powell (age 3) has attended Southlawn Child Care Center since she was a baby. She and her proud mom, Patrice Powell, live in Montgomery.

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www.montgomeryparents.com

MontgomeryParents

The River Region’s Foremost Parenting Source

Montgomery Parents Magazine, is founded on the principle that parenting is an exciting, diverse, challenging, and significant, role in our community. Montgomery Parents Magazine is a community advocate for families and the parenting process.

Founder

Marty Watson (1950-2006)

Editor DeAnne Watson deanne@montgomeryparents.com

Associate Editor Alison Rouse

Research Editor Wendy McCollum

Contributing Writers Kelly Bartlett Marla Cilley Karen Doles, M.D. Michele Ranard, M.Ed. John Rosemond, Ph.D. Tanya Scherschel Paige Gardner Smith Barbara W. Thompson

Cover Photography William Frye Photography

Ad Design Tim Welch

Publisher Jason Watson jason@montgomeryparents.com

Advertising Opportunities 334.213.7940 ads@montgomeryparents.com

Member

www.montgomeryparents.com editor@montgomeryparents.com

From One Parent to Another...

While Jason and I were in Moscow the last week of March a thought went through my mind several times a day...I love springtime in Alabama! I’m sure that fondness was emphasized by the fact that you all were enjoying sunshine and 75 degree temperatures here, while we were NOT enjoying the 20s with snow most days of our trip. There were plenty of bright spots during our week though, thanks to a little girl we’ve now legally adopted named Lydia Grace Watson! We spent five days driving to the orphanage to spend one to two hours each day with Grace. Between our first and second trips to Russia, she turned one year old and even started walking. We got to see more of her personality during this most recent trip, as we watched her explore the room like any curious child when they’ve learned to get around on their own. Most of all, we treasure the many hugs and smiles exchanged, while we bonded more closely in preparation to become a family.

Our final day in Moscow was court day, and everything went smoothly as we testified before a judge about our lives here in Alabama, our current family, and our desire to be Grace’s parents. The adoption was granted and now we have probably what will seem like the longest wait of all the waiting throughout this process; it will be about 30 days before we can go back and finally pick up Grace from the orphanage and bring her home. While the wait is hard, I just keep thinking about how she’ll be walking through the soft green grass in our backyard and enjoying summer in the South before we know it. And she’ll have a mommy, daddy, brother, sister and even a furry friend (our dog, Sophie) to love and be loved by from now on! I’ll update you all again as soon as Grace is home safe and sound.

While we have a one year old about to join our clan, we also have a teenager who is old enough now for a summer job. Will got his driver’s permit in March and filled out his first job application a few weeks later. Big milestones for him and for us! This month we’ve included the article, Help Your Teen Land a Summer Job This Spring, in which the writer offers great ideas for helping your teen “network”, create a resume, or even start her own business. Give it a read and then hand a copy to your teenager to get him motivated about the possibilities that are now his during this new season of life.

Also, this month is our Annual Childcare Issue, which is a wonderful resource to help you know what to look for when touring childcare facilities in the community, and what questions to ask. Doing your homework and getting all the facts is super important when making this decision. To help you, we’ve also included our 2012 Childcare Directory. Centers are listed in zip code order so you can begin with the ones most convenient to your home or work.

Finally, with the warm weather comes more community events, and this month’s calendar is full of fun things to do with your family in April and early May. So let’s all get outside and make some memories!

Montgomery Parents magazine is published monthly

by KeepSharing LLC, P.O. Box 230367, Montgomery, Alabama, 36123. The phone number for voice and fax is (334) 213.7940. Montgomery Parents is copyrighted 2012 by KeepSharing LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. opinions expressed in Montgomery 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.

www.montgomeryparents.com

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Living With Children

By John Rosemond

Have Son Publicly Apologize for Stealing from Classroom Q: Our 8-year-old son

was caught stealing from the teacher’s prize box at school. He has done this in the past and was punished, but it seems he hasn’t gotten the picture yet. Do you have any suggestions for us?

A: Before I answer your question, I want to

address the issue of classroom “prize boxes.”

Recently, I wrote a column concerning the disconnect between research and practice in America’s schools. This “prize box” foolishness is a prime example of just that.

Well-done research has all-but-completely debunked the notion that rewards improve academic performance. If any improvement does take place, it is generally short-lived.

Furthermore, some research has found that rewards can actually depress motivation and result in lowered performance.

In a school setting, this issue is complicated by what I call “educational correctness.”

These days, a teacher who gives rewards must come up with excuses to give them to every child in the class. If she doesn’t, she runs the risk of dealing with outraged parents as well as disapproving administrators. In the final analysis, therefore, classroom rewards become meaningless, even counterproductive.

All of this has been known for quite some time. The question, therefore, be-

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

comes: Why are America’s schools still using rewards to “motivate” students when they are likely to have the opposite effect? The answer: bureaucracies are inherently rigid.

Once a certain practice becomes embedded in a bureaucracy—in this case, America’s educational bureaucracy—changing it takes more than evidence it isn’t working. It takes a proverbial act of Congress.

According to every manager I’ve ever spoken to in both settings, educational correctness is now having adverse effect on motivation and productivity in the workplace and the military. A submarine commander recently told me, for example, that many of the young people in his command don’t understand the concept of doing what is necessary simply because it’s necessary. And they have great difficulty grasping that obeying orders is not reason enough to receive special privilege.

I hear pretty much the same complaint from managers in corporate and business settings.

The most-often used word is “entitlement.”

Where your son’s nimble fingers are concerned, I first recommend that his teacher make the prize box disappear. Since it won’t disappear, however, I encourage you to make him get up in front of the class and apologize to everyone. In addition, there should be extended consequences at home (e.g., early bedtime for a month) and school (e.g., no recess for a month). Will that solve the problem? Maybe, and maybe not.

The fact is—and it’s a fact every parent should keep in mind—when a child does

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something wrong, and the adults in his life respond by doing something right, there is no guarantee the child will stop doing the wrong thing. In that case, the adults should simply keep doing the right thing. It’s called staying the course…no matter what.

Browsing a gift shop one day, I happened on a decorative plaque on which was inscribed a quote attributed to the late “power of positive thinking” guru Norman Vincent Peale: “Change your thinking, and you change your world.”

I thought hard about that for several hours and came to the conclusion that Peale was being redundant. A change of thinking doesn’t change THE world, and I’m reasonably certain that he wasn’t a humanist, so he really didn’t believe in the idea that each of us constructs our own, equally valid, reality. So I think he meant to say, “If you change your thinking, your entire worldview changes.”

When one’s worldview changes, his perceptions, priorities, values, and relationship to everything in the world changes as well.

For those reasons, his behavior also changes.

As such, people who know the individual in question can tell, even if they don’t know his worldview has changed, that there is “something different” about him, and they begin responding differently to him. His change of thinking, therefore, if it is valid and radical, changes other people’s behavior.

Family psychologist John Rosemond answers parents’ questions on his website at www.rosemond.com.

www.montgomeryparents.com

bits & pieces Upcoming Theatre

Junior League Hosts Rummage Sale

The Junior League of Montgomery will host Bloomingdeals Rummage Sale on Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, at The Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery.

This two-day sale offers fabulous preloved and new items to the community for purchase. The sale begins Friday, April 13, with shopping hours from 5 to 9 p.m. and continues through Saturday, with shopping hours from 8 to 10 a.m. On Saturday only, all merchandise will be half price. The event serves as an opportunity to purchase new and gently used items.

The sale will feature linens; furniture; men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes; housewares; and our most popular area--the children’s department.

Tickets at the door are $5. Proceeds raised by the Junior League of Montgomery support their work in the community through projects that improve the quality of life for families and children.

For more information, contact the Junior League of Montgomery at 288-8816 or visit www.jlmontgomery.org.

Wetumpka Depot presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat April 12-28. The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this musical parable. Set to a range of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock, this Old Testament tale is timely and timeless.

For tickets, visit www.wetumpkadepot.com or call 868-1440.

Faulkner Dinner Theatre presents Little Women, the Musical April 12-28. Theatre doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 6:15 until 7, with the show beginning promptly at 7:30.

Tickets are $25 and include dinner and the show. Members of the military can purchase tickets for just $20. Reservations must be paid in advance. For reservations or more information, call 386-7190 or e-mail boxoffice@faulkner.edu.

The Alabama Shakespeare Festival will roll merrily into its repertory season when William Shakespeare’s comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor runs April 13-May 18, followed by Henry VIII April 19-May 20. In addition to the openings of these two Shakespearean works, two hilarious comedies, The Thirty Nine Steps and Travels My Aunt, will reopen for the second half of their runs April 22-May 19. ASF’s Extreme Weekends, in which theatre lovers can see all four repertory shows Friday through Sunday, are available April 2022 and 27-29 as well as May 4-6, 11-13 and 18-20.

Tickets are available by calling, visiting www.asf.net or going to the ASF box office in Blount Cultural Park. All four shows are offered in the British Invasion membership discount package, which includes perks and benefits.

Way Off Broadway Theatre in Prattville presents All the King’s Women April 1429. This wonderful southern comedy tells the life of Elvis Presley through the eyes of 17 women: some enthralled, some appalled, but all OBESESSED! Directed by Laura Morrison. Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Arts Center, or by phone at (334) 358-0297. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

Taste of the Gardens 2012

Art Museum Offers Free Puppet Show

“Colors of the City Puppet Show” will be available to the public for children three to six years of age. Two shows will be held at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts each day on April 11, 12 and 13, at 9:30 and 11 a.m. After the puppet show, an optional 15-minute tour, “Peekaboo Street,” up) is offered. Students will explore a painting in the galleries. The performance and tour are free, but advance reservations are required. Please contact Jill Byrd at 240-4359 for more information. www.montgomeryparents.com

Southern Homes & Gardens and the American Red Cross present Taste of the Gardens, a benefit for the American Red Cross held annually at SH&G on Vaughn Road in Montgomery. Taste of the Gardens will be held Thursday, May 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event includes a silent auction featuring works from local artists; tasting from the River Region’s finest restaurants & caterers; and wine and music with Henry Pugh.

Also, during the Taste of the Gardens event, items purchased at SH&G will be discounted 20%. Event tickets are $20, and may be purchased from the American Red Cross. For more information, and to purchase tickets, contact Kelly Hodges at 260-4016; or e-mail hodgesk@montgomeryarc.org.

Shoppes at EastChase Summer Fashion Camps

The Shoppes at EastChase will host Fashion Camps for girls ages 6-12 during the months of June and July. The one-day camps will be separated into two age groups: ages 6-8 and ages 9-12. The sessions will take place two weeks in June and two weeks in July, and each fashion camp will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. with the cost of $65 per child.

Little fashionistas will learn about subjects such as Style 101, accessorizing, makeup, decorating and entertaining, with breakout sessions hosted by Williams-Sonoma, Claire’s, Earth Fare Organic Grocer, GAP, Anthony Vince Nail Spa, The Studio at EastChase and Dillards. The day also includes lunch, a $25 gift card to The Shoppes at EastChase, a special gift and an official graduation certificate.

Space is limited. For more information, visit www.theshoppesateastchase.com. To register, stop by Guest Services located next to Ware Jewelers or call the main office at 279-6046.

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Upcoming Acts @ MPAC

To purchase tickets to any of the following, visit www.ticketmaster.com, www.mpaconline.org or call the MPAC Box Office @ 481-5100: Disney Live – “Three Classic Fairy Tales” Thursday, April 12, at 3 and 6 p.m.

Tickets: $19, $24, $32 and $44

Comedian James Gregory Saturday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $30, $20

CAKE Tuesday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets: $27 Montgomery Ballet’s Gala Celebration Friday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. (20% off discount with password Medora) Saturday, April 21, at 2:30 p.m. (20% off discount with password Medora) Tickets: $42, $32, $22, $12 An Evening with Garrison Keillor Wednesday, April 25, at 8 p.m.

The Black Jacket Symphony presents Eagles “Hotel California” Friday, May 18, at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $34 (Orchestra & Loge), $27 (Mezzanine & Balcony)

Alabama Book Festival Set for April 21

The seventh annual Alabama Book Festival will be held in historic downtown Montgomery at Old Alabama Town on Saturday, April 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free public event is the state’s premier book festival, with more than 5,000 people from around Alabama and the South converging on the capital city to meet and mingle with 45 celebrated authors. Featured authors include Huntsville’s Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys and his new young adult novel, Crater, and Alabama native Rheta Grimsley Johnson with her new book, Hank Hung the Moon . . . and Warmed Our Cold, Cold Hearts. Author readings will be followed by book signings, giving attendees the opportunity to purchase books and get to know their favorite writers.

The children’s activity area, sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library, will feature storytelling, arts and crafts, and fishing for books. And in keeping with 2012 being the Year of Alabama Food, there will be plenty of delicious Southern fare from Boomer T’s Bar-BQ to caterer Jennie Weller on the grill. Sponsors include the Alabama Humanities Foundation, Alabama Library Association, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Alabama Writers’ Forum, Capitol Book and News, City of Montgomery, Montgomery City-County Library System, Old Alabama Town/Landmarks Foundation, Support the Arts Car Tag Fund, and Troy University.

For more information, visit www.alabamabookfestival.org or call 888-240-1850.

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Jubilee CityFest, Alabama’s premier festival, will be held this year on Friday, May 18, and Saturday, May 19, in downtown Montgomery at the Amphitheater and RiverWalk. Bama’s Big Bang, Alabama’s largest pyro music spectacular, will be held on Saturday. The fireworks spectacular will follow the music concert. Bama’s Big Bang is presented by Creek Casinos.

In addition to Bama’s Big Bang Saturday, Jubilee will kick off the weekend with BrewFest and BBQ Cook-off on Friday.

On Saturday morning, the Jubilee Run for Cancer sponsored by Alfa Insurance will start at 7 a.m. followed by KidsFest from 1-5 p.m. and the evening caps off with a music concert and Bama’s Big Bang. The ever-popular Montgomery Symphony Orchestra concert will still be held Memorial Day Weekend on Friday, May 25.

Tickets for Bama’s Big Bang are $25 pre-purchased and increase to $30 at the gate. That ticket includes Saturday night festivities only. Tickets for BrewFest are $30 pre-purchased and $35 at the gate. It is a separate ticket from Bama’s Big Bang.

KidsFest will be inside the Renaissance Convention Center and admission is $5 at the door for everyone. No exceptions.

Tickets go on sale April 5 through the Jubilee CityFest website (www.jubileecityfest.org) and Bama’s Big Bang website (www.bamasbigbang.com), Maxwell ITT, and the Montgomery Visitor Center.

www.montgomeryparents.com

Kids Heal h Watch

Sponsored by Professional Pediatrics

Seasonal Allergy Relief Does your child suffer from allergies? Have you walked down the children’s medicine aisles and looked at all the choices for allergies and felt overwhelmed?

Let’s see if we can figure out how to best help your child!

Allergies take on many forms in children. They can appear as skin problems such as eczema or hives. They can also appear in the form of asthma with chronic cough or wheezing. During the spring, summer, and fall, many children present with allergic rhinitis, commonly referred to as hay fever, which usually appears with a runny, itchy nose, congestion, sneezing, throat clearing, and itchy, watery eyes. This month we are focusing on hay fever, since so many children suffer with this in the spring!

Hay fever is an odd term, as seasonal allergies have nothing to do with hay or fever! These allergies are often caused by pollen from trees, grasses, and/or weeds, and symptoms range from mild to severe.

Many children have a telltale sign of allergies commonly referred to as the “allergic salute” where they take their hand and rub their nose upward to relieve the itching.

Some kids do this so frequently that they develop a horizontal line over the bridge of their nose. Many parents notice this line, but they don’t recognize it as allergies!

Itching is a hallmark of allergic disease,

and most allergic children will have itching of the mouth, throat, ears, nose, eyes, or a combination of any of these.

So, what can you do if you think your child is suffering from allergies? There are many medication options that are over the counter (OTC). The allergy medicine most people are familiar with is Benadryl or diphenhydramine. It works great but only lasts about six hours and has multiple unwanted side effects like extreme sleepiness or occasionally hyperactivity. There are two 24 hour allergy medicines that work great with very few side effects. One is Claritin or loratidine and the other is Zyrtec or cetirizine. Both work well and are good at relieving allergy symptoms for close to 24 hours. If they seem to cause sleepiness, administering the medicine in the evening often helps. Another great OTC medicine is Allegra or fexofenadine. This medicine doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore causes fewer side effects such as behavioral problems or sleepiness. This is a 12 hour medication (in liquid or dissolving tablet form) so it must be taken twice a day to keep symptoms at bay. None of these medicines treat the cause of the allergies, rather they are designed to provide temporary relief. It is best to steer clear of the OTC combination medicines, as the more ingredients, the more likely that your child will experience unwanted side effects.

If the above OTC medicines are not helping your child, they probably fall in the more moderate to severe category and you should see your pediatrician. The best medicine for nasal allergies are nasal steroids, as these medicines actually help treat the underlying cause of the allergy symptoms, the inflammation, rather than temporarily squelching the symptoms. These medications are available by prescription only. Many parents shy away from the nasal spray because they feel it will be too difficult to administer, but with practice and patience most children will get the hang of it and tolerate the medicine well. These medications need to be given on a daily basis throughout the allergy season. However, with easy once a day dosing, they will offer the allergic child the most relief!

Dr. Karen Doles is a board certified pediatrician practicing at Professional Pediatrics in Montgomery, Alabama. She completed her medical degree at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, and her residency at State University of New York in Buffalo. She lives in Montgomery with her husband and active 3 year old son.

Dr. C. Allen White Dr. Robert L. Coggin Dr. David W. Drennen Dr. Karen Doles Dr. Malissa Hoy

OFFICE (334) 271-5959 NURSE LINE (334) 272-6667

Newborn, Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

OFFICE HOURS Mon-Thurs Friday Saturday Sunday www.montgomeryparents.com

8:00 am - Evening Appts.

8:00 am - 4:00 pm 9:00 am - 12:00 noon 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 12

www.professionalpediatrics.com Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Basic tutoring helps kids prep for tests and little else. Kumon is different — we prepare for the classroom and beyond. For more than 50 years, Kumon has provided children of all ages and abilities with more than a quick academic fix — we’ve provided a methodology for learning that transforms lives. And with more than 4 million students worldwide, we’re certain we can help your child gain an unshakable understanding of reading and math and instill the motivation to learn for a lifetime.

For the kind of benefits that last a lifetime, call for a FREE PLACEMENT TEST. Kumon Math & Reading Center of Montgomery 8125 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116 334.649.1178 • www.kumon.com/montgomery-southeast

Academic Enrichment

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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Opening New Pathways for Student Success The focus of Montgomery Public Schools is to prepare students for life. We do that by creating pathways for students. Some, like our Advanced Placement programs and the new International Baccalaureate path that begins this fall, offers students a direct bridge to college.

However, not all of our students are interested in a traditional degree. And there are plenty of jobs for those bright young minds – high paying jobs.

There is a growing demand for highly skilled craftspeople in important positions ranging from construction and manufacturing to maintenance and healthcare. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the number of jobs for Welders will grow by five percent through 2016.

Experienced welders can earn between $80,000 and $100,000 per year. It is important for parents to understand that our children can be happy, productive and financially stable doing what many once considered a “dirty job.”

In the Labor Bureau’s review of the top 30 fastest growing jobs, about half do not require a traditional college degree.

However, training at the high school or two year college level will allow a worker to begin their professional lives earning a good salary and doing work that is rewarding. These professions do require students who are bright, self-starting and hard working. And there will be more to this training program than just learning a skill.

The Montgomery County School Board is considering a plan to add a new Career Tech High School to our system.

This Center will include core classes (math, social studies, language arts, science) that are tied to the skilled trades the students are learning. The Center will www.montgomeryparents.com

include an entrepreneurial strand where students will learn the basics of business.

They will learn problem solving and team work. Students will discover not only how to get a job, but how to start their own business.

There are three major goals for this new school and they are explained below.

Our most ambitious goal is to ensure all our graduates get jobs or go on to advanced training.

• This program will help prepare students for a rewarding and meaningful profession.

• The program will ensure graduates of this school will help fill the workforce needs of our area.

• This program will help students stay in school and earn their high school diploma.

The new Center will expand our excellent partnership with Trenholm State Technical College to help students earn certifications in certain fields and, in some cases, participate in dual enrollment to earn college credit while working on a high school diploma.

Our community partners are very interested in this new concept and have promised their support. Internships, apprenticeships, equipment and human resources from businesses and manufacturers around the state will ensure the Center’s success.

There is little doubt that there are good jobs for our bright young people who have strengths and interest that may not involve earning a four-year degree.

With board approval, this Center will provide these students with a skill and the opportunity to earn a wage that will allow them to support themselves and their families.

Schools need to be responsive to the ever changing world of work. This new Center represents our efforts to meet the needs of all students and our community.

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Thirteen Schools Show a 10 Percent or Higher Increase in Attendance Anonymous Donor Funds Incentives In an effort to increase student performance and attendance, a new incentive program provides financial rewards for schools and Central Office departments when the schools they supervise show marked improvement in attendance. The funds for the incentives are being provided by a local community partner.

Schools that increased their attendance by 10 percent or higher the first semester of this year are: Baldwin Middle, Brewbaker Middle, Carr Middle, Dozier Elementary, Dunbar Ramer Elementary, Flowers Elementary, Forest Avenue Elementary, Garret Elementary Halcyon Elementary, Highland Gardens Elementary, Loveless High, McKee Middle, and Wilson Elementary.

The private benefactor provided $9,500 allowing 13 schools and six departments within the central administration to receive $500 each for their work to increase attendance. The funds can be used for special purchases, products or projects at the discretion of the administrator for his or her department or school.

Superintendent Barbara W. Thompson, who initiated the program, is excited by the attendance boost in 25 percent of the system’s schools and the precedent set by the generous donation.

“There is no doubt that attendance is tied to student achievement,” said Superintendent Thompson. “The partner supplying the funds is happy to contribute anonymously, and understands the importance of children attending school.”

School attendance percentage for the first semester was compared to the first semester of the last school year. Likewise, schools that show an improvement in the second semester of 2012 compared to the same period last year will be eligible for the bonus.

“We can’t begin to teach students if they are not in the classroom,” added Superintendent Thompson. This is an excellent incentive program and we are so grateful to the donor who is providing these funds. It is just another example of how our partnerships with the community are making a real difference in our schools by supporting our major goals.”

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Trinity Junior Chosen For Washington Tour

Trinity Presbyterian School junior Molly Catherine Brown was recently selected to participate in an all-expense-paid Washington Youth Tour. This tour is sponsored

by Dixie Electric Cooperative in conjunction with the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Youth Tour that is held every June.

This week-long annual event will bring more than 1,600 high school students from across the nation to Washington, D.C. to tour various sites and meet members of the legislature.

Brown was chosen based on her application and interview scores, as well as her recent participation in the Montgomery Youth Tour. One hundred-and-fifty students statewide were selected to attend the Montgomery Youth Tour, and only 47 students were selected to attend the Washington Youth Tour.

Capitol Heights Middle Students Make CO2 Cars

Students at Capitol Heights Middle powered up their science class by making CO2 cars. The cars used compressed CO2 gas to power a wire-guided, wood-body car down a 50-foot track. The project challenged students to design their own cars using the principles of speed, low friction and aerodynamic shape with aesthetics.

During the week-long project, students drew, sanded, decorated the wood body and assembled 30 cars.

www.montgomeryparents.com

Success Unlimited Bestows Mr. and Miss SUA Honors

The titles of Mr. and Miss Success are the greatest honor a student can achieve at Success Unlimited Academy. This honor is not only voted on by the entire student body but also by the faculty and staff. The awards go to two seniors who exemplify what the school represents. They should be role models for the entire school and be involved in all service activities and provide leadership in those activities. Citizenship, Christian character, leadership and service are all considered when casting votes for well-deserving students.

This year’s Miss Success is La’Tonia Norman, the lead singer for SUA’s praise band, “Warrior.”

Norman also serves as the senior class co-president.

This year, along with other class officers, Norman led the class in sponsoring and organizing the fall festival for elementary students. She also was instrumental in organizing a food drive for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Presently, Norman is working to organize various senior activities for the Class of 2012. The elementary students were blessed last semester when she was chosen as an elementary assistant to help the elementary teachers with the younger students. Whatever Norman is doing, whether it’s singing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the Mustangs’ Senior Night in basketball, assisting with learning activities for elementary students, or organizing events for her fellow seniors, she does it with grace and a smile on her face.

Mr. Success is Desmond Reed. Even though this is Reed’s first and only year at SUA, students and staff took notice. Reed is a young man of character. He was chosen as one of the team captains for the Mustang Basketball Team. Because of his dedication, drive and determination, the team finished first in the conference. Reed was a constant encourager and leader for the team. As his coach put it, “he is the heart and soul of this team.” Not only is Reed an athlete, but he too is a musician and the drummer for “Warrior.” He spends endless hours in rehearsals and performances. This year when volunteers were asked to participate on the Christian Leadership Team, Reed was the first to raise his hand. He was just one of three young men nominated for the Christian Character Award given by the basketball conference. Reed participates in all school service projects and activities. “He has made a major impact on a lot of students in this school,” said Mrs. Nunnelly, Director of Student Services.

Brewbaker Primary Celebrates Random Acts of Kindness

In celebration of “Random Acts of Kindness Week” held February 13-17, students at Brewbaker Primary participated in several activities throughout the week to show their understanding of having important positive character traits and being respectful, responsible and resourceful students. On February 15, the students wrote a Kindness Story to share with Principal Erika Tyler and presented her with a Kindness Collage.

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Cornerstone K-5 Celebrates 100th Day of School

STJ Wrestler Champion In State Sectionals

Stephen Kwan, last year’s State Wrestling Champion (114 lbs.), maintained his winning tradition during State Sectionals in early February, winning his 122-lb. weight class. Other individual Saint James wrestlers who placed during the competition were Coleman Adams, runner-up (134 lbs.); Brett Murray, third place (128 lbs.); and Arthur Frawley, third place (222 lbs).

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The K-5 classes at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy celebrated their 100th day of the school year. Teachers Leann Lawrence and Michelle Blount planned many activities to reinforce the fact that it was the 100th day. Students enjoyed a snack that was ten pieces of ten different foods, made necklaces with 100 beads, and at recess, they did ten different activities ten times each. The children also practiced handwriting with the assignment, “If We Could Have 100 of Anything, What Would It Be?” Finally, the last activity, which was the teachers’ favorite, was 100 seconds of silence.

In addition to the snacks and activities, the classes had a 100th day of school project. The students and their families gathered 100 of different objects to bring to school. Some of the objects the students brought were 100 Legos, 100 suckers, 100 paper clips, and a list of their 100 favorite foods.

Principal Priscilla Stewart is shown with a group of Cornerstone kindergarten students.

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PCA Brings Home Medals in Science Olympiad

Prattville Christian Academy went to the University of Alabama in February to compete in Science Olympiad. The following students brought home medals in various categories.

Junior High School Winners: Brad Stearns, second place, Disease Detectives; Wade Scanlan, third place, Keep the Heat; Katie Goggins, first place, Mission Possible; Amber Gomez and Maddie Thompson, second place, Water Quality; and Emily Witcher and Addison Grissett, second place, Write-it-do-it.

High School Winners: Heather Campbell and Lauren Davis, third place Anatomy; Hannah Cherry and Maegan Stanfield, first place Forensics; Cody Lease and Jacob McMurtrey, third place Optics; and Hannah Cherry and Maegan Stanfield, third place Write It/ Do It.

Redland Teacher Receives WAKA’s Golden Apple

Redland Elementary second-grade teacher Chris Holley was recently surprised with the honor of WAKA’s Golden Apple Award. The parent of a current student nominated him for being very responsive to each student’s individual needs and giving them the gift of a lifelong love of learning. She said he is “teaching for the outcome, not the income.”

Holley, who graduated from Elmore County High School in 2001, has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from AUM. He taught at Wetumpka Elementary for three years, and this is his third year teaching at Redland.

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Eighth-Graders Take Part in Naturalization Ceremony

Eastwood Class Celebrates Long Division with Party

Has your teacher ever dressed like a hippy and danced on her desk? Mrs. Williams did as a reward for her fourth-grade students at Eastwood Christian School, when they all passed their long division test. The students danced along with her to Dr. Jean’s “Tooty Ta.” Lower School Principal Mrs. Gaines joined in the fun, as well as sixthgrade teacher Mrs. Joki. Students shown are Aiden Sutton, Aubrey Grace, Pierce Williams and Asa Button.

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On February 7, Montgomery Academy’s eighth-grade class visited the Federal Courthouse in downtown Montgomery to witness and participate in a naturalization ceremony. This was the perfect supplement for the class’s study in history on immigration last fall. Eighth-grade history teacher Dexter Hobbs discussed the process of being naturalized with the students the day before the trip.

The Honorable Susan Russ Walker, whose daughter, Lanier, is an MA graduate, was the presiding federal magistrate of the ceremony. Also participating in the ceremony were Clerk of Court Debbie Hackett, mother to MA graduates Daniel and Jenny, and Deputy Clerk Trey Granger, father of current MA student Lilla Bea Granger. The group of 25 candidates being naturalized was one of the largest groups the court has ever had. These individuals came from a variety of countries including China, India, the Philippines, Nigeria and Mexico. Candidates underwent an hour-long ceremony which included saying an oath of citizenship and the Pledge of Allegiance, which was led by four Montgomery Academy students: Class President Mary Braden Hendon, William Chandler, Annabel Roth and Nelson Whyte.

After the ceremony ended, Judge Walker called the students and the new citizens up to the front of the courtroom for a question-and-answer session where she opened up the floor for the students to ask questions. Among the questions asked was: “Why did you come to America?” The new U.S. citizens gave heartfelt, emotional responses, including one woman who told the students she came to America for religious tolerance. Another woman shared that she came to the U.S. simply because she wanted the right to vote.

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Homeschoolers Host Art Show at AUM

Seven homeschool students took art enrichment classes for five weeks through AUM’s Division of Continuing Education. Each week they studied a new artist and art medium. After studying artists and styles of art, students created their own masterpieces. Family, friends and AUM employees gathered on March 2 to view the students’ works of art. During the art show, students stood by their tables which displayed several pieces of their art and had the opportunity to explain their art to guests. Music and a slideshow from the five-week course played in the background. Lindsey Goodwyn taught this course and worked with the students to put the art show together.

Forest Avenue Third-Graders Host Reading Event for K5

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet thirdgraders hosted a Read Across America celebration where kindergarten classes were invited to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with them. Third-graders worked at reading and activity stations where younger students rotated. Kindergartners enjoyed matching games, word finds, rhyming sheets and several Dr. Seuss classics.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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Millbrook Holds Relay Sweetheart Formal

Holy Cross Classes Enjoy Multicultural Studies

The Holy Cross Episcopal School second-grade classes have been reading the short story “Jalapeno Bagels” as a part of their reading series. In the story, the main character is a boy whose parents are from Mexican and Jewish heritage. He learns to maneuver the interesting challenges of a multicultural family.

As a part of this story, students were asked to bring in items which would be indicative of family history. The students asked parents about their ancestors and brought in items which showed different family traditions. Also as a part of the day, Andrew Mannion’s mom, Karen, brought actual jalapeno bagels for the class to enjoy.

The students had a wonderful time showing their items as well as learning from others. Emily Holston, whose grandmother is Japanese, brought in a Japanese kimono. Shelby Brightwell, who was adopted from China, brought in Chinese clothing and lanterns. Matthew and Kendall Rice, whose grandmother is from Holland, brought wooden clogs worn in Holland by Dutch children.

“This was an amazing way for the children to connect with the different heritages which exist in families. Their parents and grandparents enjoyed sharing the family stories, as well,” stated secondgrade teacher Susan Springall.

From left, Shelby Brightwell and Emily Holston show off their beautiful clothing. www.montgomeryparents.com

Millbrook Middle/Junior High School held a Relay for Life Sweetheart Formal on February 17. One girl and one boy from each seventh- and eighth-grade class were eligible to run for the Relay for Life Queen and King. The king and queen were chosen by the amount of money they raised from the community.

Each candidate decorated a can bearing his or her photo and what they were running for. People (school, church, community, family, etc.) could “vote” by giving a donation.

Donations were collected January 9-February 10. All donations will go to support the American Cancer Society on behalf of Millbrook Middle/ Junior High School.

The Queen and King were announced the night of the Sweetheart Formal. The following students were recognized for their fundraising efforts: Nia Austin ($150), Cary Wall ($320), Quinaz Turner, Ashlee Burke ($560), Kameron Grant and Shamyra Smith ($380). The King was Quincy Turner ($105). The Queen was Skylar Rugley, who raised more than $1,100. The Queen and King are shown.

Carver Magnet Student Wins Talent Contest

Carver Elementary Arts Magnet student Anayah Thomas was all smiles when she was crowned the overall winner of the All Kids Rock Boys and Girls Pageant held March 10 at AUM. Contestants competed in two categories where they demonstrated their talent and stage presence. Thomas received a $100 prize and the title, which she will hold for one year. In addition, Highland Gardens Elementary student Hannah Sellers won the Viewer’s Choice division. Chisholm Elementary student Jasmine Hamilton was crowned the winner of the Big Kid division. All contestants received a framed certificate and logo bags filled with prizes.

All Kids Rock is an organization that believes all kids “rock” and provides activities for students with autism to build their confidence. It also raises funds to support research and raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders.

Catholic Teacher Honored for Innovative Teaching

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School sixth-grade teacher Shelley Herbek was honored at a recent reception hosted by the Junior League of Montgomery as one of the Innovative Teachers Initiative grant recipients.

Herbek was one of six teachers in the River Region to receive a $500 grant from the Junior League of Montgomery for their first annual award program. The winning grants must be used for innovative projects, have real world application, enhance school curriculum, and have a direct impact on students. Herbek plans to use this grant to purchase manipulatives, interactive software and books for the award-winning St. Bede Science Olympiad team. (photo by Laurie Gulley) 22

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CCCA Second-Graders Visit Callaway

Second-graders from Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy visited the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens as a conclusion to their study on butterflies. During their study at school, the students observed five caterpillars eat, grow, form cocoons, and hatch into magnificent Painted Lady butterflies, finally releasing them during recess one afternoon, much to the excitement of the students. While on their field trip to the Butterfly Center, they were able to see many cocoons of various sizes and colors--some butterflies even hatched while the students watched! In addition to learning more about butterflies, students attended a Birds of Prey show, and walked around Mr. Cason’s Vegetable Garden, enjoying a snack of cucumbers, carrots and grape tomatoes.

The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center at Callaway Gardens is one of North America’s largest glass-enclosed tropical butterfly conservatories, with more than 50 different species represented.

The students are shown with their teacher, Mrs. Katie Weaver, at Callaway Gardens.

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Flowers Elementary Enjoys Read Across America Week

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WSFA Today in Alabama anchor Judd Davis recently visited students at Flowers Elementary during Read Across America Week to read a story and enjoy snacks with several classrooms.

The students dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss characters while Davis and other guest readers read books. At the end of the day, they participated in a book character parade on campus.

Programs & Special Services College Preparatory Education • Individualized Tutoring Quality Instruction by Certified Teachers Distance Education • Evening School Programs for Special Needs Students

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Saint James School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

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Redland Sixth-Graders Win School Geography Bee

After thirty-five rounds, sixth-grader Abby Heinzen was named winner of Redland Elementary School’s third annual Geography Bee. Fellow sixth-grader Erin Pritchett was runner-up in the contest comprised of twenty-seven participants from each fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade class. The students were so well-prepared that Mulder Church Pastor Craig Carter, who was the caller, exhausted all of the prepared questions. Students had studied a booklet of questions covering geography around the world, including postal abbreviations and capitals of the fifty United States. Since there were still three contestants remaining, Carter had to start asking multiple-choice questions the students had not previously seen.

Fourth-grade teacher Holly O’Dell organized the Geography Bee. Participants included: fourth-graders Madison Kennedy, Ella Watts, Jordyn Cavalier, Sophie Noel, Brennan Worrell, Tyler Shaw, Tanner Bolt and Drew Stroh; fifth-graders Colton Greene, Michele Ramey, DeAsia Kirt, Haley Donovan, Will Menezes, Kaylee Adams, Grace Rawls, Nathan Burns and Philip White; and sixth-graders Abby Heinzen, Erin Pritchett, Kelsea Cumbie, Riley Pugh, Angela Borrelli, Tyler Moore, Kaitlyn Armstrong, Dylan Chaney, David Allen and Emily Pinkston.

From left are Erin Pritchett, Assistant Principal Matt Coker and Abby Heinzen.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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Pintlala Enjoys Week of Special Guests

BrewTech Students Place In History Poster Contest

Five Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School students placed in the school’s Black History Poster Contest! From left are second-place winner Alyssa Gable; first-place winner Shaheer Ali; and honorable mention winner Ashley Asouzu. Not pictured: Janie Arnold, who won third place, and Randa Salameh, who received an honorable mention.

Kindergarten students in Jan Moseley’s class at Pintlala Elementary enjoyed a story with Probate Judge Reese McKinney, Jr. Students celebrated Dr. Seuss’s birthday on March 2 with a week full of activities including a coloring contest, Cat in the Hat Tattoo Tuesday, taking the Reader’s Oath with Judge Adrian Johnson, a feast of Green Eggs and Ham cooked by The Cat in The Hat (secretary Susan Brock), Crazy Sock Day and a Classroom Door Decorating contest.

Other guest readers for the week included: Mary Briers, Pat and Joe Hatcher from Moseley’s Store, Reverend Gary Burton from Pintlala Baptist Church, Judge Hardwick, Debbie Hall from the YMCA, Sandra Berry from the Pintlala Branch Library, and Antha Taylor, retired teacher and proud Pintlala grandparent.

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Macon-East Senior Wins Soroptomist Award

ACA Inducts Students into National Jr. Honor Society

The Alabama Christian Academy National Junior Honor Society recently inducted 21 new members. Membership is bestowed upon deserving students by the middle school faculty and is based on students’ scholarship, service, leadership, citizenship and character.

To be eligible for membership, a candidate must have been in attendance for at least one semester at ACA and must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 out of 4.0. Once selected and inducted, all members are expected to maintain the standards by which they were selected and must maintain all obligations of membership.

The following inductees are all seventh-graders: Dylan Baggiano, Heather Barsukoff, Alley Blanchard, Emily Boyd, Kelsey Bradley, Connor Davis, Austin Gault, Justin Glass, Peri Greene, Beau Horn, Cade Horn, Matthew Johnson, Colton Kasarjian, Blake Mitchell, Aly Nguyen, Keely Nguyen, Laura Nickolson, Jalen Norman, David Poole, Morgan Prestage and Caitlyn Westbrook.

SUA History Students Design Commandments

Students in Mrs. Beard’s history classes at Success Unlimited Academy have been learning about the Ten Commandments and how they apply to their lives, as well as the history surrounding them. Students were placed into groups, and each group was given a commandment to research. One aspect of this assignment was to design a visual that would illustrate that particular commandment. When their commandment was completely decorated, each group presented their research to the class.

Students learned not only what the Ten Commandments are and where they originated, but also how to apply them in life. SUA believes in encouraging creativity and teaching students to work as a team so that they not only learn the concept being taught, but also develop life skills that will aid them as they transition into the next stage of their lives! Seen here are Sarah Head and Cody Washington, working together on their project.

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Katherine Ann Mitchell, senior at Macon-East Montgomery Academy, was the honored recipient of the Soroptimist Award. Each year young women from our local area are nominated by their school leaders based on academic, leadership, and community service involvement. The Violet Richardson Award recognizes young women who make the community and world a better place, through volunteer efforts in their community. The nominees send in articles about their volunteer efforts in the community as well an essay about why they volunteer.

Mitchell wrote about her organization, The Bullock County Key Club Ambassadors, which spends much of its volunteer efforts on helping rural humane shelters.”I volunteer with the Bullock County Key Club Ambassadors because I can directly influence those in my hometown through my community service efforts,” Mitchell said. “In my community there are so many areas that need a helping hand. As founder and president, I help recruit other young residents in my community and school to help make a difference in some of these areas. Especially dear to my heart is our local humane shelter.”

The Montgomery Soroptimist chapter honored Mitchell at their luncheon held at the Arrowhead Country Club in February.

She was presented with a $500 cash scholarship as well as a $250 donation to her local philanthropy, the Bullock County Humane Shelter. Mitchell will now compete on the state level where she could be eligible for one of 28 cash scholarship awards and an opportunity to receive a $2,500 contribution to her chosen philanthropy.

From left are Katherine Ann Mitchell, recipient of the 2012 Soroptimist Award, and Anna Kate Ingram, president of the Montgomery Soroptimist Chapter.

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Bear Students Excel In Read-a-thon

One-hundred eighteen students at Bear Exploration Center participated in the “Reach for the Stars” Read-a-thon presented by Usborne Books, earning $6,622.45 in pledges. The program invites students to ask family and friends to pledge money for reading a minimum of 300 minutes over a ten-day period. Sixty percent of the money went to the students in the form of new Usborne Books and the other forty percent was donated to the library for new books and materials.

Students were allowed to read anything they chose during the allotted time. “Reach for the Stars” is a reading incentive program designed to motivate children to read, keep them reading and reward them for reading.

Top performing students were: 1st Place – Minutes Read, Hannah Richardson; 2nd Place – Minutes Read, Obie Nutt; 3rd Place – Minutes Read, Gavin Baugh; 1st Place – Pledges Collected, Camryn Perine; 2nd Place – Pledges Collected, Jaylin Williams; 3rd Place – Pledges Collected, Alexis Duos.

If your school or organization would like information regarding “Reach for the Stars,” please contact Brenda Duos at (334) 260-8083 or visit www.ubah.com/v0238.

Back row from left are: Hannah Richardson, Principal Elizabeth Hill, Media Specialist Laurie Houlditch and Obie Nutt; and front row: Gavin Baugh, Camryn Perine, Jaylin Williams and Alexis Duos.

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MA Art History Students Travel to New York City

Montgomery Academy’s AP Art History trip to New York City included viewings of more than 11,000 works of art, 10 subway rides, visits to nine shops, meals to eight restaurants, and visits to seven museums over the course of six days and five nights, while seeing Broadway productions at four theatres, and studying three major buildings, after two flights to one fabulous city. Weeks before the February 15 departure date, students began a countdown for the much-anticipated trip to New York. They studied works of art and prepared journals that were filled with information about the venues that the class would visit while on the trip. During their travel schedule, the students would present their reports to their peers, sharing information about “can’t-miss” opportunities and things to see.

The 15 AP Art History students included: Catherine Adams, Meredith Bear, Brittany Briddell, Katie Coleman, Cille Harris, Dawson Haynes, Jean Catherine Hubbard, Bentley Hudson, Erin Katz, Gibbs Lee, Rosalind O’Connor, Sophie Odom, Ann Kathryn Parrish, Hannah Trachy and Sara Walker. They were led by AP Art History instructor Connie Deal and chaperoned by Registrar Connie Johnson.

Students had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim, the Frick Collection, the Neue Gallerie, the Brooklyn Museum, the Cloisters and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan’s collection alone boast more than 11,000 works, so while students breezed through each museum, they recognized works that they had studied in their textbooks and made connections to artists and time periods in art. The evenings included four Broadway plays: Anything Goes, War Horse, Seminar and BlueMan Group. The favorite restaurant was Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where students sang along and bounced their way through dinner in the ‘50s retro diner.

This group also experienced more “star power” than any previous group. The students kept count of famous faces they saw, being thrilled by appearances of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Saarsgard, Emma Stone, Miss Bermuda, Sutton Foster, Lily Rabe, and even got autographs from Jerry O’Connell and Alan Rickman after seeing their production on Broadway.

Finally, perhaps an aspect of the trip that truly counted, was the thrill that two seniors experienced as they received their college acceptances while in New York. Brittany Briddell and Rosalind O’Connor both found out that they were accepted into New York University and New York University Tisch School of the Arts on the day the group arrived to the city.

At left, after the Broadway play “Seminar,” Cille Harris, who shares a birthday with actor Jerry O’Connell, spent her 18th birthday seeing him on Broadway and then getting a quick pic.

Below, the group gathered for a quick photo op while at the Empire State Building.

Trinity’s 5K and Fun Run Run Away with Success

Trinity Presbyterian School’s annual “5K and Fun Run” was a grand success with more than 375 runners participating.

Families of runners enjoyed inflatables, face-painting and music provided by “The Gig at Christ Church.” Delicious barbecue and banana pudding, as well as granola bars, sliced bananas, oranges and other goodies were provided by sponsors Dreamland and the Alley Station. Thomas Stallings, Trinity junior and member of the track team, was the overall male winner with a winning time of 20’ 02” and Skip Portis, Trinity senior and member of the track team, was the overall female winner of the 5K. Fun Run winners were Halle Wiswall and Stewart Tankersley.

Overall Winners: Skip Portis and Thomas Stallings; 5K Winners by Division: Age 10 and under: Presley Miles and Mat Mathison; Ages 11-14: Zoe Portis and Charlie Lott; Ages 15-19: Caroline Stewart and Jack Albritton; Ages 20-29: Kayla Frisby and Nathan Honsoweb; Ages 30-39: Lucinda Howe and Adam McLeod; Ages 40-49: Tammi Stroud and Ted Meadows; and Ages 50+: Mary Rosevear and George McLaurine.

PCA Junior Wins AISA District Math Competition

Nathan Graham, a Prattville Christian Academy junior, placed as the Highest Individual Scorer at the district Alabama Independent School Association math competition and went on to compete at the state level.

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Holy Cross Students Visit Tuskegee

Lighthouse Celebrates Black History Month

Third-grade students from Lighthouse Christian Academy celebrated Black History Month by dressing up as famous figures from the past and present. Ameer Salaam portrayed General “Chappie” James and demonstrated air-to-air combat tactics. General James distinguished himself as a top jet fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.

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The Holy Cross Episcopal School fourth and fifth grades visited Tuskegee and the homes of both George Washington Carver and Booker T. Washington. The fourth grade studies Alabama history and the visit fit nicely into their unit on the Reconstruction Era and Turn of the Century in Alabama. The February visit was poignant for both groups during Black History month.

The students were guided through tours of both homes by rangers of the National Park Service. The children were able to hear recordings from Dr. Carver and see many of the items that were utilized in his laboratory in Tuskegee. They also enjoyed videos about the lives of these great Americans. “Hopefully, the students are able to better understand what it must have been like for these men to have both been born into slavery, and then be able to accomplish what they did,” stated teacher Nancy Stankard.

Holy Cross fourthand fifth-grade classes are shown in Tuskegee.

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ECA’s Lions Roar to Victory

Evangel Christian Academy’s boys’ varsity basketball team finished with a triumphant season. The team made it to the “Final Four Tournament” and advanced to play in the AISA state championship game. The ECA Lions beat Lakeside Academy with a score of 82 to 77 to clinch the 2A title. K.J. Cash was voted Most Valuable Player.

Prince Davis and Brandon Scott were given the All Tournament Designation.

This year’s championship team included: Zach Bruce, Jonathan Allen, Trent Clayton, Richard Reynolds, Dumar Sweeten, Prince Davis, Anthony Williams, Brandon Scott, David Witlo, Jordan Sanders, James Thomas, K.J. Cash, Jay Grice, Anthony McElheney, Justin Lane, Bobby Gosselin and James Truett. Coaches were Dale Kemsel, Kerwin Washington and Keegan Sanders. Managers for the team included Eric Cottrell, Chris Bass and Keiwan Lee.

STJ Middle School Scholastic Art Contest Winners Named

The Scholastic Arts Region At-Large Art Competition awarded one Gold Key, two Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions to STJ Middle School visual art students.

The winners were: Emily Kent, Gold Key in Mixed Media and an Honorable Mention in Drawing; Kendall McCann, Silver Key in Drawing and Honorable Mention in Painting; and Gabrielle Pohlman, Silver Key in Painting.

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Trinity Inducts New Members into National Jr. Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society induction of new members at Trinity Presbyterian School was held on March 14 in Willett Hall. New members and their families attended the ceremony and afterwards a reception. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded a Middle School student. The National Junior Honor Society strives to recognize the student who excels in scholarship, leadership, service, character and citizenship. Students considered for membership must achieve the required cumulative grade-point average.

Front row from left are: Steven Smelley, Daniel Smitherman, Grant Watson, Tyler Vermillion, Hammond Parsons, Jackson Scott, Bray Jones, Grant Keith, Alex Mershon, Jarrett Moseley, Ben Jones, Sam Bishop, Robert Adams, Hudson Hufham, Forrest Bankston, Addison Love and Carson Hartzog; and back row: Anna Slawson, Caroline Colee, Katie Chandler, Beth Birchfield, Leslie Schuneman, Gracie Champion, Betsy Byrne, Chloe Champion, Shea Henry, Katie Windham, Christina Hogan, Savannah Elrod, Meredith Moore, Jordyn Meeks, Katrina King, Mary Claire Pouncey, Tiffany Taylor, Aline Sluis, Jackson Byrd, Lance Freeman and Carter Green.

Not pictured: Parker Reynolds and Abby Grace Sims.

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STJ Eighth-Graders Visit U.S. Capitol

Saint James School’s Class of 2016 toured Washington, D.C. and the city’s numerous historic sights Feb. 12-15. Along with sitting in on a session of Congress, the students met with area Congresswoman Martha Roby, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, visited Ford’s Theater and Mt. Vernon, and toured the Smithsonian American Art Museum, to name a few of their many activities. The four-day excursion was a wonderful opportunity for students to observe, first-hand, the history-filled sites they’ve previously only read about in class. In addition, the event was a bonding experience for the eighth-grade class, before their transition into high school.

MA Interpersonal Relations Class Helps Salvation Army

On February 13, the Interpersonal Relations Class from Montgomery Academy performed its quarterly service project at the Salvation Army, where students prepared and served lunch for approximately 50 clients.

The table service was a special treat for the clients, who usually stand in line to get their lunches.

“Volunteering at the Salvation Army was a great experience and I really felt good about helping people that were in need. When people would come up to say ‘thank you,’ I felt like I made a huge difference,” said LaRonica Kelly. “I am really looking forward to going back there to volunteer soon.”

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Trinity’s Youth Delegates Succeed at Youth Legislature

Holy Cross PTF Holds Winter Dinner

The Holy Cross Episcopal School PTF held its annual Winter Dinner February 12. The theme was an Italian dinner, which worked well with the Global Studies unit the students had been working with for several weeks.

The students were treated to art activities and crafts, as well as pictures featuring a painted gondola. The Italian food was spaghetti made by St. John’s Episcopal Church’s Mike Jarrell, along with salad and bread provided by K-2 Catering. Pizza was also available.

Nancy’s Italian Ice provided desserts for all in attendance! Door prizes were given away which featured Holy Cross T-shirts, sweatshirts, Tervis tumblers and other Holy Cross goodies.

“Trisha Gadilhe and Helen Gary planned a fabulous event,” said PTF President Radney Ramsey. “Many thanks to their team of folks who set up, cleaned up and brought items to make this a special event which honors Holy Cross families. It is truly a Parent Teacher Fellowship at Holy Cross, which makes the place so wonderful!”

From left, third-graders Izabella Hernandez, Cooper Horn, Ariana Turberville, Olivia Jones, Madelyn Erdoes, and Ellie Pool enjoy Nancy’s Italian Ice at the PTF Winter Dinner.

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Youth Delegates succeeded during a weekend of congress, lobbying and debate at the Alabama YMCA Youth Legislature.

Middle School Youth Legislature participants did an outstanding job debating.

Seventh-graders Cole Brown and Sam Nunn received an Outstanding Statesman Award at Junior Youth Legislature. Several students were elected as officers to serve in the Junior Youth Legislature Chamber, including eighth-grader Noah McNelley, who served as presiding officer, as well as seventh-graders Catherine Price and Phelps Williams, who served as clerks. Sixth-graders Miller Johnson and Meredith Kingry, and seventh-grader Phelps Williams, also served as Pages for the High School Youth Legislature. Williams was given the Outstanding Page Award for Youth Legislature 2012.

Ninth-graders Turner Duraski and Carter Vance were chosen as Top Delegates in the First Year Chamber. Junior Jacqueline Morris received the Press Award. Junior Kristian Duraski was elected the Editor in Chief of the “Today Tomorrow” Newspaper and Morris was elected the Technical Media Director.

Several students had Bills that were named Outstanding in the Senate Chamber at Youth Legislature: Thomas Stallings (11th grade), Ashley Ann Adams (11th grade), Stone Phillips (12th grade), Dakin Hill (12th grade) and Taylor Lollar (12th grade).

“The Abolishment of Predatory Lending” created by Stallings and Adams (11th grade) was named Top Bill in the Senate Chamber.

Several students, including Jackson Britton (12th grade), Hill, Lollar and Phillips, were chosen to be a part of the Conference on National Affairs at the end of June.

Hill was the recipient of the Betty Car Leadership Award for her years of service and leadership in the Youth Legislature Program. Lollar was the recipient of the Youth Legislature Barringer Scholarship.

Tucker Helms, Turner Griffin, Jackson Britton and Stone Phillips are shown.

ECA Girls’ Basketball Sets School Record

Evangel Christian Academy’s varsity girls’ basketball team recently set a school record.

The girls beat Pickens Academy in the final four, and played Lakeside Academy for the championship game. ECA fell to Lakeside Academy 82 to 77 in overtime. Even though the girls did not win the state title, they finished second in the state. This was the first time in the school’s history that the girls’ team played in the state championship game.

This year’s team included: Hannah Pope, Taylor Bethea, Emily Berg, Jerrica Brown, Victoria Spellman, Lee Hodgson, Angelica White, Hannah Williams, Jordan Hunter, Taylor McNeil, Dalisa Bennett, Courtney Covington and Tia McNeil. Mike Creamer was the head coach for ECA’s girls’ basketball team.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@ montgomeryparents.com www.montgomeryparents.com

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Redland Classes Observe Read Across America

Classes at Redland Elementary School observed Read Across America Week February 27-March 2. Children participated in a variety of activities throughout the week, such as wearing silly socks on Monday, crazy hats on Tuesday, creative attire including backwards or inside-out clothing for “Wacky Wednesday,” dressing as book characters on Thursday and “going green” on Friday. The lunch room even served (scrambled) green eggs and ham for lunch on Thursday, with birthday cake served the next day in recognition of Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s birthday. Guest readers made appearances in classrooms around the school all week, and some kids chose to enter poster and poem contests.

Top right, Misty Trussell’s third-graders are shown dressed as their favorite book characters on the day “Coach Bear Bryant” (Assistant Principal Matt Coker) came to read to them.

Bottom right, Stacey Turner’s kindergartners made paper stovepipe hats to wear.

Macon-East Elementary Students Enjoy A.R. Party

Macon-East Montgomery Academy’s elementary school celebrated kids who achieved their Accelerated Reader goals for the third nine weeks with an ice cream sundae party and some outside fun. Shown enjoying their day are Jake Gracey, Cody Nesbitt, Jackson Little and Zack Taylor.

YOUTH SUMMER PREVIEW NIGHT April 24, 2012 4 - 7 P.M.

Join us for a “preview” of our summer Youth programs for grades K4 - 12.

• Receive discounts on every class • Meet our teachers • Win a FREE class • Meet Curtiss the Warhawk

Register for Preview Night or for more info visit www.aum.edu/coned or call 244-3804 Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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STJ’s Savannah Smith is National Merit Finalist

T.S. Morris Step Team Performs For Students

Recently, members of the T.E.A.M. Morris mentoring program for fourth- and fifthgrade boys performed a step show for the student body during the school’s annual Black History program. By stepping together, students had the opportunity to choreograph their movements, time their routine to music and learn to work as a team.

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Saint James School senior Savannah Smith has been named a National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist, a prestigious honor as only the top one percent of high school students are selected from the program’s initial pool of applicants. Approximately 15,000 students qualify as finalists, out of 1,500,000 entrants.

“This announcement is one of the really big highlights of my senior year,” Smith said. “It’s right up there with our marching band winning ‘Best in Class’ at the Atlanta Super-Regional Competition last fall. And then I’m also really proud of how well our basketball team has played this year.”

Smith excels in academics, the arts, and athletics. She has a 3.8 grade-point average, plays the center position on the Saint James girls varsity basketball team, and was codrum major of the school’s Marching Trojans Band during both her junior and senior years. Smith also plays oboe in the school’s concert band, is a member of the Trojans varsity softball team, and is a member of Tri M and Mu Alpha Theta, the music and math honor societies.

Smith, whose favorite subjects are band and government, plans to major in music education. Her mother Susan is the band director at Saint James. Her father Robert, the former band director at Troy University, is head of the Music Industry department at Troy and a Drum Corps International Hall of Fame inductee.

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Pre-Schoolers Visit Taylor Crossing Vet

Learning what happens when a dog swallows Gorilla Glue may not sound like a usual itinerary in K-4, but the children at the First United Methodist Church Pre-School enjoyed a morning full of unusual sights as they visited Taylor Crossing Animal Hospital March 21. Thirtysix eager four-year-olds gathered at the hospital to learn about the letter “V” as in veterinarian. Dr. Zeb King, a partner at the practice, spent the morning discussing pet health with the children. They watched Dr. King perform an annual physical on a pet, viewed X-rays, observed an ultrasound and an otoscope procedure. After the hospital tour was complete, the children were entertained by the dogs who attend day care, as the pets showed off their swimming tricks in the clinic’s heated pool.

The First United Methodist Pre-School is under the direction of Jean Carr. Also attending the field trip where Terri Neill, Courtney Albreckt and Becky Farace, all teachers at the kindergarten.

Pictured are students from First United Methodist Pre-School observing Dr. Zeb King’s display of hardened Gorilla Glue that was surgically removed from the stomach of one of his patients.

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Success Unlimited Has Resident Ambassador

Jamal Johnson, Success Unlimited Academy’s resident ambassador, is new to SUA this year. He enrolled in August as a sixth-grader, and his mom, Pam, is the school bookkeeper. Johnson loves his school and is quick to tell anyone who stands still long enough to listen, ALL about it.

Johnson is an encourager by nature. When another student may feel something is not going well, he always comes up with the positive side of the situation. Johnson loves Jesus and radiates His love to everyone. Every classroom needs a “Jamal” student to model responsibility, joy, self-control, honesty, humility, peace and patience. He has all the qualities needed to become a successful person and that is what Success Unlimited Academy is all about.

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MA French Students Receive Awards

Montgomery Academy French students recently took home four awards from the AAFC French Convention in Tuscaloosa. French 1A students including Margaret Ann Allen, Issey Behr, Amber Carter, Maclou Dillon, Emma Franklin, Alice McGowin and Caroline Sellers competed in the Group Oral performance, creating a tableau-vivant comic based on Calvin and Hobbes. They were awarded a “Très Bien” and “Best Theme-Related Material.” Talya Whyte received a “Très Bien” in Extemporaneous Reading, while Anne Louise Pass received the highest, “Supèrieur,” in both of her competitions: Solo Song and Extemporaneous Reading.

Children’s Author Visits Redland

Arkansas children’s author David Sargent, Jr. recently visited first- and second-grade students at Redland Elementary to talk about the importance of reading and writing. Sargent brought along four of his canine book characters—Emma, Spike, Tatum and Daphne—who performed for students in the gym. Children had the opportunity to purchase autographed copies of Sargent’s books to take home with them. Sargent is shown here with “Spike.”

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Students Explore Character at Success Unlimited Academy Students in the Career and Character class at Success Unlimited Academy are working to become team players and explore the qualities of people with strong character. The class, comprised of high school juniors, is studying what the top career recruiters in the United States value and look for in successful job applicants. During this school term, each student will take an honest look at his or her individual likes, interests and character, and then define where he or she wants to go in life and map out a plan to get there.

These motivated students will examine various career options and educational opportunities while learning what it means to be a leader in the world today.

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BrewTech Sweeps Technology Competition

Six BrewTech students swept the annual Alabama Council for Technology in Education ( ACTE) 2012 South Central Region Technology Competition, held on the campus of AUM recently. Sponsored by Graphic Design teacher Walt Thomas, student Marcus Dorsey placed first in Multimedia; Sydney Foster placed first in Website Design; Alysheia Gray placed first in General Applications; Jennifer Downs placed second in General Applications and Marie Sabillo and Eileen Merino placed first in Video Production. From left are Eileen Merino, Alysheia Gray, Marcus Dorsey, Marie Sabillo, Jennifer Downs and Sydney Foster.

ACA Participates in Private School Honor Bands Contest

This past January 14, the inaugural Capital City Private School Honor Bands was held at the historic First Baptist Church in downtown Montgomery. The Alabama Christian Academy bands placed the most members in this prestigious group, with a total of 38 members coming from both the ACA Middle School and High School Bands. Students earned a spot in the Honor Band based not only on their musicianship, but their outstanding qualities as leaders in our band and our school.

Participating in the Middle School Honor Band were the following students: Keely Nguyen, Brandon Hightower, Miranda Porterfield, Jasmine McDonald, Heather Barsukoff, Jonathan Helms, Samantha McDonald, Jeremy Kent, Destiny Thomas, Evan Mote, Turner Johnston, Banks Sewell and Julia McClendon.

Participating in the High School Honor Band were the following students: Jenny Galloway, Paul Bailey, David Swayne, Dalton Beasley, Ivey Best, Blake Clifton, Stewart Torode, Josh Youngblood, Nichole Warrick, Stuart Coats, Lindsay Grinstead, Wesley Faulk, Trevian Moss, Dalton Turner, Trent Tanner, Connor Carraway, Matthew Manuel, Andrew Mora, John McAuley, Randal Porterfield, Brigham Schellinger, Austin Singleton, Zack Andrews, Cole Rogers and Drew Tanner.

The following students earned first chair, meaning they were selected as the best players on their instruments out of all the students from ACA, Trinity, Catholic and St. James: middle school students Keely Nguyen – flute; Miranda Porterfield – oboe; Heather Barsukoff – alto saxophone; and Jasmine McDonald – euphonium; and high school students David Swayne – flute; Dalton Beasley – trumpet; and Andrew Mora – tuba.

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Holy Cross Catches Up with Class of 2011

Trinity Students Sweep Awards at Poster Contest

Trinity Presbyterian School sixthgrader Lauren Hemmings won first place in the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest.

Fellow sixth-graders Sam Farris and Collier Wilson took home second and third place, respectively, for their poster interpretations of peace. Each award was accompanied by a monetary gift. Hemmings was awarded $50 for first place; Farris $25 for second place; and Wilson $25 for third.

Every year, students in Montgomery schools and youth groups participate in the Lions International Peace Poster Contest to express their views on peace. Students 11-13 years old used pencil, charcoal, crayon and paint to make their posters for this year’s “Imagine Peace” theme. The posters were judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme.

Hemmings’s poster will go on to compete with other students in the Southeast United States and then with sixthgrade students from around the world for a grand prize!

Twenty-four international finalists are selected each year, representing the work of more than 350,000 young participants worldwide. Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international. At the international level, judges from the art, peace, youth, education and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners.

Front row from left are Lauren Hemmings, Sam Farris and Collier Wilson; and back row: Trinity’s Head of School Bob Neu; Trinity’s Middle School Principal Kerry Palmer; and Lions Club President Andy Huggins. www.montgomeryparents.com

Holy Cross Episcopal School’s eighth graduating class has made wonderful choices for the students’ upper middle school years. Each family weighed the choices of schools which accepted these students and chose the best fit. The students are shining their lights all over Montgomery and beyond.

The Class of 2011 branched out to many schools in the area after graduation: Baldwin Arts Magnet, Johnny Carr Academic Magnet, Montgomery Academy, Montgomery Catholic and St. James. We even have a graduate from this class in Texas. In an effort to keep tabs on our alumni, we contacted the students’ families to see how their first semester went in the new environment. Families report that their children are happy, have new friends as well as the old, and were well-prepared both academically and socially.

Katy Terry, who moved to Sinton, Texas, and entered school there, said, “I am doing just dandy here in Texas! I am loving middle school. I have made a lot of friends and I seem to fit in well. I have all As! I am taking classes in media, which was the smartest thing I have ever done. It is so much fun and we work on a program called Pinnacle.

That’s the program that places like HBO and Showtime use to edit film. So it’s really cool and looks really nice on a college application.”

Ford Mozingo and Annie Ramsey have had an amazing semester at Montgomery Academy. Both students performed well academically for first semester. Ramsey finished her semester with all As; similarly, Mozingo made all As with only one B for the semester. Both are involved in sports and other extra-curricular activities which continue their pursuit of activities begun at Holy Cross. Ramsey had a large role in the middle school play, The Dr. Seuss Odyssey, along with running indoor track. Mozingo played football in the fall, and is currently playing soccer.

Kendall McCann is sharing her amazing talents with the teachers and students at St. James. She is involved with track and loves the arts classes at St. James. Lauryn Maddox has all As at Johnny Carr Academic Magnet, along with playing volleyball.

Lauren Smith loves Catholic and has great grades according to her mother! Josh Davis, Chandler Bowen and Sullivan Fralish are also at Catholic. Their parents report good grades and wonderful involvement in sports by all three students.

MA Students Qualify for National Speech Tournament

Montgomery Academy students Sawyer Knowles and Bo Starke recently qualified to participate at the prestigious 2012 LFG/NFL National Speech & Debate Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 10-15. These students participated in the Deep South Congressional District Tournament held at The Montgomery Academy, which was the last step to secure a place at the National Tournament.

More than 3,200 students will participate in the 2012 NFL National Tournament, billed as the largest academic competition in the world. The event draws visitors from all 50 states and as far away as China. Top performers take home more than $200,000 in college scholarships.

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Catholic’s DuBois Elected 2013 Youth Governor

The 64th annual Youth Legislature Conference convened at the Alabama State House in Montgomery during the weekend of February 24-26.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School middle school delegates in attendance on Friday were: Brian Anderson, Agnes Armstrong, Emily Barranco, Madison Bednarz, Kathleen Beesley, Courtney Brodgen, Abaigeal Gilbert, Cheyenne Hayes, Steven Higgins, Kyle Hines, Haleigh Huggins, Emily Lafreniere, Aubrey Lenn, Zenia Mims, Ladariane Moore, Nadine Moussalli, James Sadie, Madison Searcy, Olivia Stephenson and Omari Vaughans. James Sadie was elected and served as the assistant floor leader. Cheyenne Hayes received an Outstanding Statesman award. Brian Anderson was selected Most Outstanding Statesman.

High school delegates from all over the state met in the chambers of the House of Representatives and Senate to debate and vote on bills they had written. Governor Robert Bentley and Judge Tommy Bryan were both in attendance to welcome the delegates and inspire them to stay involved with our representative government and to lead by example.

Representing Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School were officers Chad DuBois as House pro temp and Hannah Masingill as the House floor leader. Members of the House of Representatives from Catholic included Megan Karst, Katie Lafreniere, Seamus McGuire, Taylor Pitters, Jack Starr and Natalie Sullivan. Members of the Senate were David Norris, Kevin Norris, Paul Overton, Stefan Perritano and Cameron Powel. Charcille Randall was a delegate in the First-Year Chamber.

Students from Montgomery Catholic had a very successful weekend. House Bill #40, entitled the Mandatory Storm Shelters for Trailer Parks Act, written by Chad DuBois and Megan Karst, passed in both the House and Senate and received an Outstanding Bill award.

Chad DuBois and Hannah Masingill were selected to attend the Council on National Affairs (CONA), which will take place in July at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly in Blue Ridge, North Carolina. Jack Starr was selected as an alternate for this program.

Elections were held for officers who will serve at the 2013 Youth Legislature Conference and, again, the Montgomery Catholic students were rather successful. In his first election, Paul Overton won his race and will serve as the Senate floor leader. In a highly contested election, Chad DuBois was elected to serve as the 2013 Alabama Youth Governor!

DuBois has been involved with every Youth in Government program the YMCA offers and has held numerous offices and duties within each of these programs. He is shown being sworn into office as the 2013 Alabama Youth Governor. (Photo by Sue Terino) Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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STJ Offers New Equestrian Team

Saint James School is offering a new competitive sport beginning in the 2012-13 school year, introducing the school’s middle and high school students to the sport of equestrian show jumping. The “STJ Jumpers” will compete in events hosted by the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA), a national organization with more than 5,000 student-riders on 100 or more teams across the U.S. The IEA, begun 10 years ago, was formed and organized to “promote and improve the quality of equestrian competition and instruction.

Teams will consist of riders in three middle school and four high school levels, ranging from beginner to advanced.

As a school team sport, superior performance will provide students the opportunity to earn letter jackets and school recognition. The jumping season will begin in September. Students will be eligible to compete individually as well as part of the school team.

STJ student Olivia Kent is one of the students who will take advantage of the school’s newly established equestrian team. Kent is the daughter of George and Tiara Kent.

SUA Jr. High Learns First Aid

The seventh-grade students at Success Unlimited Academy were asked to design a bumper sticker dealing with first aid. They studied the importance of knowing first aid techniques, and how to apply them in their lives. Their teacher, Sue James, encouraged them to use their creative minds to make the bumper stickers unique!

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ACA Jumps Rope for Heart Association

If it’s March, it’s Jump Rope for Heart time for Alabama Christian Academy. Elementary students participate in the annual JRFH event to raise money for the American Heart Association. The students K5 through fifth grades have enjoyed great success with this event, raising more than $30,000 this year alone. The students have raised as much as $42,000 in a year for the American Heart Association. The yearly amount raised by the students at ACA has gained them the title of “Top School” in Alabama for more than 10 years with the American Heart Association. This also placed ACA in the top 10 of all schools in the nation.

This year’s theme was “Jumping like a kangaroo will make your heart go Boom, Boom.” Several promotions were organized to encourage the students to participate, including pep rallies, dress up days, etc. There were also lots of incentives for those raising more than $100. The top money raisers were Jordan Wilson and Jacqui Hagan.

The top money raiser for the middle school was Brandon Maddox. Each of these students received special recognition and prizes for their hard work.

Our JRFH event is coordinated by Patti Turner (P.E. teacher at ACA) and a host of parents. Turner uses the event to promote service to others and how to maintain a healthy heart through good eating habits and an active lifestyle.

A special thank you to the following businesses: Chick-Fi-La at the Promenade, Sports Clips at EastChase, the Alabama National Guard, Winn-Dixie at Promenade, CVS on Atlanta Highway and Vaughn Road, Flowers Etc., the Alabama National Fair and Nation Star Mortgage.

Top winners Jordan Wilson, left, and Jacqui Hagan are shown.

KIDS/YOUTH

RegisteR eaRly! Class size is limited!

SeSSion 1: June 11-29 SeSSion 2: July 9-27

SKYCAP COLLEGE ADVENTURE PROGRAM

Evangel Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

Evangel Christian Academy’s kindergarten classes celebrated the birthday of Theodor S. Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

The children learned about the life of the famous author and the events that inspired many of his books. The classes enjoyed a whimsical day full of activities based on the author’s stories. The students read The Cat in the Hat; The Cat in the Hat Comes Back; and Green Eggs and Ham. They also enjoyed watching film adaptations of these famous books. The children made their own “Cat in the Hat” party hats and enjoyed playing rhyming games. Their favorite activity was cooking and eating green eggs and ham!

Alabama State University offers this unique opportunity for elementary through high school students to learn, grow and have fun over the summer! Choose from classes in Academics, the Arts, Personal Computing, Sports and Recreation and more.

Register online at www.alasu.edu/continuingeducation or call 334-229-4686 for additional information.

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Macon-East’s College Tour Another Great Success

Covenant Kids Celebrate Dr. Seuss Activities

Children at Covenant Kids Child Development Center were thrilled to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss in March with a really fun day. They painted and constructed “Cat in the Hat” hats and some of the children are shown wearing theirs.

Also, the four-year-old class read tons of Dr. Seuss books, then made up their own silly rhymes. After a special afternoon snack, they were treated to the Dr. Seuss movie “The Lorax.” Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day!

Macon-East Montgomery Academy’s recent college tour was a great success and a lot of fun. Twelve junior classmates and two adults went on a five-school tour in just two days. Included on the tour were the University of Montevallo, Samford University, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham Southern College, and University of Alabama Huntsville. The colleges were all very different and gave students a variety of campus experiences. Students met with college admissions counselors, were given campus tours (some led by students and some by admission counselors), had opportunities to see a variety of campus housing options, looked at college classrooms, and even ate lunch in a college cafeteria. The experience gave students a chance to learn about public and private institutions, large and small campuses, and how to make informed decisions about majors, courses and financial aid.

Shown at the University of Montevallo are, back row from left: Student Guide Lovelight Cross, Macon-East students Trent O’Malley, Hunter Smith, Payton Shoemaker, Wesley Etheredge, Harris Stevens and Grant Still; and front row: Karson Loomis, Ashley Anderson, Emily Bianchi, Jordan White, Santana Wood, Lindsey Bass and Guidance Counselor Debbie Hooks.

April is Heartworm Prevention Month!!!

If your dog is not currently on Heartworm Prevention Stop by today for 25% the Heartworm Test Don’t forget-right now there is up to $20 off Trifexis!

We also have Proheart!

The only 6 month injectible Heartworm prevention!

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PCA Sixth-Grader Competes In National Geographic Bee Prattville Christian Academy sixth-grader Christopher Lough competed in the state level of the National Geographic Bee at Samford University on March 30. Lough was PCA’s first-place winner. He was then selected to compete in the state bee after taking a qualifying test. The winner of the state bee will be flown to Washington, D.C. to compete in the national competition. It will be aired on the National Geographic Channel May 24.

Edgewood Holds Annual Green & Gold Banquet

Edgewood Academy’s sixth annual Green & Gold Banquet, featuring football star Bobby Humphrey, recently took place at the Wetumpka Civic Center. A crowd of more than 200 people came to listen to Humphrey speak about the importance of helping youth and, more importantly, making sure they are given opportunities. He spoke briefly of his upbringing in Birmingham, and the importance of having passion in life’s pursuits. Humphrey set multiple records while a running back at the University of Alabama and later continued to set records as an NFL player and professional football coach.

The event serves as the primary annual athletic fundraiser for Edgewood.

WSFA 12 News personality Judd Davis was the Master of Ceremonies. After dinner, he hosted the giveaway of thousands of dollars worth of prizes for ticketholders.

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Catholic’s MathCounts Team Advances to State Contest

HIPPY Introduces Wonders of Science

Montgomery Public Schools’ Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program introduced preschool students and their parents to the wonderful world of science during the program’s recent “Mad Scientist Night.”

Assisted by HIPPY program coordinators Laura Collins and Elizabeth Fryer, students and their parents had the opportunity to visit 12 distinct science stations and participate in simple experiments where they made predictions and discussed the conclusions.

Dr. Kartz Bibb, professor of biology at Alabama State University, spoke to parents about encouraging their child’s interest in science and ways they can help make what can be a challenging subject easy to understand. Bibb said parents play a key role in helping children overcome myths they learn about science and talked about scholarships and career opportunities that exist for those with scientific backgrounds.

“Mad Scientist Night was a great way to show parents and our young people just how exciting science can be,” said HIPPY coordinator Laura Collins. “I would love to see these children grow up to be engineers, doctors or nurses, computer scientists, chemists, and teachers, but they ─ and their parents ─ have to be introduced to these ideas early.”

Above, HIPPY parent Jeff Hicks and his family share a light moment with Dr. Kartz Bibb, professor of biology at Alabama State University, during HIPPY’s Mad Scientist Night. www.montgomeryparents.com

For the third year in a row, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s MathCounts team advances to the state competition.

MathCounts is a national enrichment, club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory. The MathCounts Competition Program provides the extra incentive and the perfect atmosphere for students to push themselves to achieve more in mathematics. Consisting of fun and creative problems that promote critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, the MathCounts competitions have written and oral rounds, as well as individual and team components. Though challenging and non-routine, the competition problems focus on the sixth- through eighth-grade standards of the National Council of Teachers in Mathematics.

Montgomery Catholic’s MathCounts team finished second at the Montgomery Chapter competition and will advance to the state competition in Mobile on March 10.

Henry Petters will also advance as an individual at the state competition. At the chapter level competition, one team of four students and six individuals represented Montgomery Catholic. The team consisted of David Bender, Brian Brunson, Brian Lee and Katie McDaniel. Individuals who competed were Erica Harris, Tori Harris, Steven Higgins, Henry Petters, Beth Vaughan and Hugh Walker.

Several Montgomery Catholic MathCounts team members fared well at the chapter competition. Brian Lee won first place, Brian Brunson won eighth place, and Henry Petters placed ninth. The top ten scorers competed in a countdown speed round with Lee placing second, Brunson in fourth place, and Petters in tenth place. Montgomery Catholic’s MathCounts team is sponsored by Julie Flowers and Vicki Petters.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s MathCounts team, sponsors and individual competitors include Mrs. Flowers, Henry Petters, Brian Lee, Beth Vaughan, Erica Harris, Steven Higgins, Katie McDaniel, Brian Brunson, David Bender, and Mrs. Petters. (not pictured: Erica Harris and Hugh Walker)

ECA Football Players Receive Scholarships

Evangel Christian Academy recently had four football players receive college scholarships. Dwayne Gunter and Keiwan Lee both signed with the University of West Alabama. Thor Kilgore and Brandon Scott accepted scholarships to Huntingdon College.

The four seniors were recognized for their outstanding performance on the field. ECA’s football team had an outstanding season this year and advanced to the playoffs for the first time in years.

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Trinity Senior Wins Scholar Athlete Award

Cornerstone Fifth-Graders Visit Art Museum

Last month, the fifth-grade class at Cornerstone Classical Christian Academy concluded its history study on the Renaissance with a field trip to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Fifth-grade teacher Brittany Oue instructed her students in the history of the time period, emphasizing notable politicians, scientists, inventors and artists. While at the museum, students had the opportunity to study many of the important paintings of the Renaissance.

“The tour of the gallery at the museum reinforced our study,” said Oue. “Our docent was knowledgeable and interesting.” In addition to the tour, the Cornerstone students participated in a painting class sponsored by the museum.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Trinity Presbyterian School senior Jackson Fendley is the Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Award-winner for 3A Region 2. He will attend the annual banquet April 9 in Birmingham. All 96 regional winners will be recognized and honored and the 12 class winners and two state winners will be announced.

Fendley has a 4.23 cumulative grade-point average and is currently taking AP Calculus, AP English, AP Chemistry, and Honors Anatomy/Physiology. He has been awarded numerous accolades during his years at Trinity, which include the academic award for the highest GPA in honors chemistry, physics, geometry and Latin. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the National Latin Honor Society. In addition, he has served as secretary and treasurer of Trinity’s Latin Club.

Fendley has also been a member of Trinity’s varsity soccer team for five years, as well as a member of the Birmingham, Ala. United Soccer Association Academy Team where he has traveled all over the United States competing with his team. He was named to the All-Metro High School Soccer team for the past four years.

In addition, he was awarded the Montgomery Advertiser All-Metro Player of the Year. In 2011 and 2012 he was named to the Capital City Conference All-Tournament Basketball Team. Fendley also volunteers as a YMCA soccer coach for nine- and ten-year old girls and considers being a volunteer coach at the top of his list of honors and awards.

As his school counselor, Elizabeth Moseley has received “numerous calls from colleges interested in Jackson playing soccer at the college level.” Fendley has chosen to concentrate on academics in college and plans to major in chemical engineering at Auburn University’s Honor College where he has received a Presidential Scholarship, as well as an additional scholarship from the Chemical Engineering Department.

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Dallas Cowboy Visits Nephew at STJ

K5 student Chase Walker and his classmates got a big surprise when Walker’s uncle, Dallas Cowboy team member Frank Walker (#25), visited Mrs. Colleen Murphy’s class recently.

The kindergarten students had written Mr. Walker letters, and he wanted to pay a special, in-person visit to the class to thank them!

Evangel Christian Holds Science Fair

Recently, Evangel Christian Academy held its annual science fair. In the elementary division, the first-place winner was Chloe Britt, second place was awarded to Brandon Martin, and Ann Ware Knockemus placed third. Honorable mentions were given to Gabby Adams, Hannah Everage and Mathew Johnson. In the high school division, first place was awarded to Dalisa Bennett, second place was awarded to Emily Berg and Angelica White placed third. Honorable mentions were given to Sophie Key, Isabella Coleman and Paige Maluda.

Send Your School News by the 12th of each month to: editor@montgomeryparents.com.

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Redland Teacher Named Class Act

Redland Elementary fifth-grade teacher Britney Fureigh was recently visited by WSFA-TV’s Judd Davis, who honored her with the station’s Class Act Award. A native of Decatur, Ala., Fureigh attended Faulkner University on a softball and volleyball scholarship. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in education from Faulkner, she earned her master’s from AUM. She has taught in Elmore County schools since 2002.

Fureigh is shown with her homeroom class.

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of Montgomery

Lighthouse K3 Class Celebrates Dr. Seuss

Members of the three-year-old preschool class at Lighthouse Christian Academy celebrated Dr. Seuss Day by wearing “Thing 1” through “Thing 15” T-shirts and blue paper wigs created by their teacher Samantha McCall and room parents. Students were treated to an authentic snack of green eggs and ham and enjoyed hearing Dr. Seuss stories read by their teacher.

What do you want to celebrate today?

• School Events • Birthday Parties

Mayor Strange Visits Southlawn Classes

• Daycare Events • Church Events We offer inflatable Space Walks, Water Slides, Obstacle Courses, Combos, and much more.

Students at Southlawn Elementary received a special visit from Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange during Read Across America Week.

The mayor read several Dr. Seuss classics to the pre-K and kindergarten classes, and talked to students about the importance of reading.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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Discovery Education, 3M Look for Young Scientists

SUA Jr. High Students Make Spelling Sing

The seventh-grade students at Success Unlimited Academy met the challenge of designing a CD cover for their favorite musical group. This assignment incorporated spelling words as well as their outstanding creativity! Seen here are Sarah Moody and Destiny Dillard, who were the classroom favorites as voted on by their peers!

To help the next generation of great innovators, Discovery Education and 3M are looking for America’s next “Top Young Scientist.” Ten finalists will be chosen to work directly with a 3M scientist to create an innovation that solves a problem in everyday life that they will present at the 3M Innovation Center for the chance to win $25,000!

To enter the Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge, students in grades 5 through 8 can submit a short video that explains the science behind a solution to an everyday problem, such as: how to create greener transportation options; how to detect/ prevent food poisoning; and how to protect people in the event of an emergency.

All video entries must be submitted by April 19 to http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/ Photos from last year’s competition are available upon request and more details are available in our press release here: http://www.prnewswire.com/ news-releases/discovery-education-and-3m-search-foramericas-2012-top-young-scientist-137007373.html

PCA Fifth-Grader Places In Science Competition

Savanna Hardy, a Prattville Christian Academy fifthgrader, placed fifth at the district level science competition for the Alabama Independent School Association and went on to compete at state.

St. Bede Competes at Science Olympiad

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s St. Bede Science Olympiad brought home the third-place team trophy at the 19th annual Alabama Elementary Science Olympiad competition held at Jacksonville High School on February 18. St. Bede’s Science Olympiad team consistently ranks among the top teams in the state competitions each year.

The team is sponsored

by Lee Anne Barranco, Allison Boyd, Tracey Bender, Dr. Nick Bourke, Shelley Herbek, Tina Rutland, Bryan Teegardin and Laci Whitman. St. Bede Science Olympiad team members are fifth-graders Anna Catherine Barranco, Annamary Gilbert, Annie Bach, Demetrios Philippou, Ethan Macchia, Grace Leslie, Hunter Vaccarro, Jacob Flowers, Jonah Gier, Maddie Losik, Reagan Herbek, Thomas McLaughlin and Zoe Rutland. Sixth-grade members of the Science Olympiad team are Alex O’Donnell, Annabel Starrett, Carrie Belsterling, Henry Petters, Jessie Clark, Katie Fisher, Kyriacos Philippou, Lita Blackburn, Luke Craig, Mary Katherine Brunson, Ryne Herbek, Sieanna Albaugh-Grogan and Wesley Domsalla.

Team members are shown with their third-place team trophy and individual awards at the Alabama Elementary Science Olympiad competition at Jacksonville High School. (photo by Stella Philippou) www.montgomeryparents.com

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Lighthouse Pre-Schoolers Celebrate Dr. Seuss

The k4B class at Lighthouse Christian Academy enjoyed a week of celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday by reading their favorite books, making a painting of Green Eggs and Ham, painting shirts, making hats and many more activities.

Send Your School News to: editor@ montgomeryparents.com.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Montgomery Academy Chorus Travels to Louisiana

In February, Montgomery Academy’s Upper School Chorus traveled to Louisiana performing in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

The chorus members began their tour in Lafayette, performing at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The students continued their tour performing at Lafayette High School along with Lafayette’s chorus. Later, the chorus traveled to Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge to visit with Dr. Fulton, director of choral studies, and to sit in on his rehearsal with the LSU a cappela chorus. The LSU ensemble is currently recognized as one of the finest ensembles in the country and MA students had the opportunity to acquire new concepts and techniques to bring back to the classroom. The concert tour ended on Tuesday with performances at St. George’s Episcopal School and Isidore Newman. MA students received high praise at both performances.

In addition, the Academy chorus served as inspiration to the chorus members at Isidore Newman as they are trying to grow their program. Performing in venues like those listed above allows members of the Upper School Chorus to work with other choral ensembles and receive instruction from many of the foremost collegiate conductors in the country. These experiences also allow Academy students to become better at the craft of performing choral music.

Dental Hygienist Visits Covenant Kids Class

Ms. Britten Smith. a dental hygienist from Dr. Irwin’s office, paid a visit to the fouryear-old class at Covenant Kids Child Development Center recently. She is pictured with some of the students and Dr. Croc. The children especially enjoyed Dr. Croc, who was used to show the children the correct way to brush and floss their teeth. Smith also answered many questions concerning dental health. The children really enjoyed their special visitor and appreciated the time that Smith spent with them culminating their study of dental health. Covenant Kids is a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church and enrolls students from 6 weeks to 4 years old. For enrollment information, please call Director Kathy Hegwood at 356-9110.

Montgomery Public Schools Promote Random Kindness During Random Acts of Kindness Week February 13-17 in the Montgomery Public Schools system, several schools participated in activities aimed at promoting the three “R”s of the district’s Positive Behavior Support and Character Education programs: Responsible, Respectful, Resourceful. Character @ Heart coordinated these activities within the schools.

Bear Exploration Center celebrated the week with each grade level collecting donations for a specific organization. The organizations and grade levels were: kindergarten, “I Care Kits”; first grade, Frazer Clothes Closet; second grade, Socks for Seniors; third grade, Montgomery Cancer Center; fourth grade, Montgomery Humane Shelter; and fifth grade, Department of Human Resources.

Brewbaker Intermediate students wrote thank-you cards to Baptist East ambulance and emergency room department Montgomery Parents I April 2012

staff. They also donated used books to the library and spare change to the office for students that might need lunch money.

Capitol Heights Middle classes participated in “Operation Band-Aids” by decorating/creating boxes to collect Band-Aids that were delivered to a local hospital by the school administrators and the Random Acts of Kindness coordinator.

Students were given “good-to-the-bone” cards and extra credit for participation.

Students at Dannelly Elementary collected items for the Montgomery Humane Society, such as newspapers, towels and treats to support the shelter and the animals. Students also created cards to send to soldiers in Kuwait and Afghanistan along with boxes of Girl Scout Cookies.

Kindergarten students at Forest Avenue Elementary sent “Kindness Cards” to residents of nursing homes and assisted living centers for Random Acts of Kind51

ness Week. First-grade students collected outerwear for needy children in the city.

Students in second and fourth grades collected pet items for the Montgomery Humane Shelter. Third-grade students accepted donations for the Cystic Fibrosis organization. Fifth-graders served as ambassadors during school tours.

To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, Highland Avenue Elementary participated in the “Teddies for Tots” project. They collected teddy bears to be delivered to children at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham. Also, the student council had a bake sale to raise money to purchase a wagon for the hospital. Teachers created a “Kindness Wall” and posted the students’ random acts of kindness for the week.

To conclude Random Acts of Kindness Week, students at Brewbaker Middle held a “Peace Rally” with District Attorney Ellen Brooks as the guest speaker. www.montgomeryparents.com

STJ Students Participate in Youth in City

SUA Students Learn From ‘ResponsibiliTree’

Students in the Success Unlimited Academy Resource Room have been learning the various ways of being responsible and showing respect in and out of school. Ms. Kay Smith designed a unique contest in which the students all were asked to be respectful, responsible and caring to others. Each time she caught them showing respect or being responsible, a snowflake was added to the “ResponsibiliTREE” with their name on it! The student with the most snowflakes on the tree by the end of the contest was the winner!

Kay Smith is seen above rewarding Juwan Taylor, the winner of the “ResponsibiliTREE” contest.

Saint James School students Reed Chisenhall and Caitlin Cobb were elected as City Council members during the 52nd annual Montgomery Youth in City Government Program on Feb. 3. The Youth in City Government program is sponsored by the Montgomery YMCA and The Optimist Club of the Capital City.

Operating in the City Council’s temporary headquarters at One Dexter Plaza, students from across Montgomery ran campaigns to participate as City Council members and Youth Mayor. The winners “presided” over the city for a day. In addition to electing city leaders, student participants wrote and debated ordinances and benefitted from a variety of guest speakers who discussed the difficult tasks involved in operating city government. At mid-day, the Youth in City Government participants attended a luncheon at the Capital City Club, sponsored by The Optimists Club.

“The Youth in City Government program teaches students the value of participating in city government and how it works,” said Kay McGaughey, one of two faculty sponsors of the Saint James Student Y Club. “Students are allowed to present their ideas and become involved in the city government process, which provides them valuable insights.”

Cindy Somerville cosponsors the STJ club with McGaughey. Other Saint James School students who attended and participated in the Youth in City Government program were Kaitlyn Theriot, Zuri Foster, Laura Catherine Clark, Lexie Olszewski and Borden Cater.

Front from left are City Council members Reed Chisenhall and Caitlin Cobb; back from left are STJ Youth in City Government participants Kaitlyn Theriot, Zuri Foster, Laura Catherine Clark, Lexie Olszewski and Borden Cater.

AUM History Students Read at Seth Johnson

Eastwood Fifth-Graders Study Bunker Hill

Fifth-graders at Eastwood Christian School recently gathered in small groups, created a mound that turned into a hill and added soldiers – and a little red paint for the wounded and dead – as they re-created the battle scene of Bunker Hill. Claire Segura, McKenzie Higginbotham, Emilee Bowling and Josie Hinrichs are shown. www.montgomeryparents.com

Auburn Montgomery history students and faculty read to children at Seth Johnson Elementary School on March 2 as part of Read Across America, a national celebration of reading organized each year by the National Education Association on or near the birthday of Dr. Seuss. AUM’s history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta, was asked to take part in Seth Johnson’s celebration because the school’s library is a regular beneficiary of the society’s annual “Deck the Halls with Books on History” project – which donates history books to local public schools each December.

Seth Henry of Prattville is shown reading to children at Seth Johnson. (photo by Frank C. Williams) 52

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Holy Cross Lenten Outreach Supports Reality and Truth

It all began with the idea of thirdgrader Maggie Kinney in Claudia Lowe’s class, who wanted to do something real to help the homeless of Montgomery. She wanted her school to help, too. Now, months later, Holy Cross Episcopal School has begun its annual Lenten Outreach Project. This year, thanks to Kinney’s suggestion, the focus is the Reality and Truth Ministry which aids the homeless of Montgomery. The students do not bring money; instead, they bring needed items which will directly impact those the ministry serves. LaDonna Brendle, who heads up this ministry, came and spoke to the students of Holy Cross during their chapel time in order to give them insight into those that the ministry helps.

During each week of Lent, the students brought in different items which were needed. The first week the students brought in travel-size toiletries which will be used by the ministry’s home where the homeless can bathe. Each person is given a bag of items for personal use. During the week of March 5-9, the students were asked to send towels, washcloths and men’s socks. Most of those served by Reality and Truth are men. The following week, the students brought in coffee, teabags, creamer and sugar, which will be used by the ministry’s coffee house frequented by the local homeless. The final week of the project will focus on toilet paper, personal-size hand sanitizer and miniature flashlights.

Each year, Holy Cross focuses on a different ministry to support with outreach efforts. The projects are chosen with the involvement of the students in mind.

Outreach is a wonderful part of the Holy Cross education.

From left, pre-K students Kameron Davis, Addison Hatley, Mary Lenore Neeley, Kate Richie and Kaden Davis love giving to others!

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

25 minute ride with a full size Thomas the Tank Engine Meeting Sir Topham Hatt Storytelling, Live Music, Build with Mega Bloks® and Much More!

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Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum 1919 9th Street Calera, AL

APRIL 13, 14, 15, 21, 22 www.HODRRM.org For tickets and information, visit www.ticketweb.com/dowt or call 866.468.7630 Tickets are $18 for ages 2 and up.

Advance purchase is recommended.

Ticket sales are final. Events are rain or shine.

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Macon-East Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

On Dr. Seuss’s birthday, students at Macon-East Montgomery Academy read The Lorax, and told how they would help the Earth if they were the Lorax. Following the story, students enjoyed eating “Truffula Tree” cupcakes.

East Memorial Hosts Fish Fry and Auction

East Memorial Christian Academy will host its 8th Annual Fish Fry and Auction on April 14 from 10:30 a.m.– 1:30 p.m.

We will auction off vacation packages, golf packages, sports memorabilia, theme park tickets, NASCAR racing events and college football tickets...just to name a few. There will be fun and exciting things for the kids to enjoy such as face and nail painting, moonwalks and basketball. Everyone is invited.

Catoma Students Win Sportsmanship Award

Each year, the Upward Basketball Program at Catoma Baptist Church honors players who show and play with true sportsmanship. This award is called “The Allison Little Sportsmanship Award” and is in memory of Allison Dawn Little (19942006), who was a member of Catoma Baptist and played upward basketball.

Congratulations to this year’s winners: Mya McGhee, Kennedy Butler, and Trinity Eiland (pictured in that order). All three attend Catoma Elementary! www.montgomeryparents.com

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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The following students Redland Elementary students won awards in the Elmore County Farmers Federation Farm-City Poster Contest: Claire Sims, first place K-3rd Division-Mrs. Trussell’s class; Jackson Hill, first place 4th-6th Division-Mrs. O’Dell’s class; Stella Claire Segrest and Allison Casey, second place K-3rd Division-Mrs. Trussell’s class; and Zoey Hutto, second place 4th-6th Division-Mrs. Fureigh’s class.

Sims and Hill will now move to the state competition.

From left are Stella Claire Segrest, Allison Casey, Jackson Hill, Claire Sims and Zoey Hutto.

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Redland Students Win Poster Contest

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ECA Celebrates Grandparents Day

Evangel Christian Academy recently celebrated Grandparents Day. Grandparents were invited to eat lunch with their grandchildren and attend a special chapel service.

Each of the elementary classes sang for the delighted visitors. After the musical presentation, the guests enjoyed a short sermon from Pastor Mike Rippy, president of ECA and pastor of Evangel Church.

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Trinity’s Science Olympiad Wins First Place in Mobile

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Upper School Science Olympiad Team won first place in the Regional Science Olympiad March 3 at Spring Hill College in Mobile. The team qualified to compete in the state finals, which were held March 10 at Huntingdon College. The team won medals in 18 out of 23 events. Trinity’s Upper School Olympiad Team has placed first in the Mobile Regional the last three years.

Congratulations to the following students for their hard work and dedication to this team: 1st place Anatomy Nina Smith and Kelsey Henderson; 1st place Chemistry Lab Ariana Goldsby and Kelsey Henderson; 1st place Dynamic Planet Kristian Duraski and Jake Singleton; 1st place Forensics Ariana Goldsby and Turner Duraski; 1st place Remote Sensing Dawson Morris and Henry Miller; 1st place Robot Arm Caleb Redden and Jacob Redden; 1st place Rocks and Minerals Jackson Fendley and Henry Miller; 1st place Thermodynamics Ariana Goldsby and Kelsey Henderson; 1st place Towers Dawson Morris and Henry Miller; 1st place Water Quality Nina Smith and Kristian Duraski; 2nd place Disease Detective Kristian Duraski and Jacqueline Morris; 2nd place Forestry Nina Smith and Jacqueline Morris; 2nd place Optics Jackson Fendley and Je Sang Oh; 2nd place Protein Modeling Nina Smith and Jacqueline Morris; 2nd place Sounds of Music Jacob Redden and Caleb Redden; 2nd place Write it – Do it Ariana Goldsby and Jacob Redden; 3rd place Fermi Questions Jackson Fendley and Je Sang Oh; 3rd place Microbe Mission Nina Smith and Jacqueline Morris; 4th place Experimental Design Dawson Morris, Kelsey Henderson and Jackson Fendley; and 4th place Technical Problem Solving Je Sang Oh and Dawson Morris.

Back row from left are: Caleb Redden, Jacob Redden, Henry Miller, Je-Sang Oh, Jackson Fendley, Dawson Morris, Jake Singleton and Turner Duraski; and front row: Ariana Goldsby, Kristian Duraski, Nina Smith, Kelsey Henderson and Jacqueline Morris.

Edgewood Acquires New Coach Bus

Several Edgewood elementary school classes were able to participate in Baptist Health’s Let’s Pretend Hospital recently and enjoyed riding in the newly acquired coach bus on the field trip. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

BrewTech Students Compete In State Leadership Conference

Twenty-one students from Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) club, with advisor Diane Young, recently competed at the Alabama HOSA State Leadership Conference and nine students placed in their events.

Tiffany Keoudouangdy, Geordan Stapleton and Brandon Keoudouangdy ranked first place in health education. Devin Dean placed first in Dental Terminology. Andre’ Billups placed third in Extemporaneous Writing. Nautia Sparks placed third in Extemporaneous Health Poster, Savanna Tuten placed third in Job Seeking Skills. De’ja Trammell placed third in Prepared Speaking and Lacei Smith placed third in Researched Persuasive Speech. They will go on to compete at the HOSA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida in June.

Pintlala Participates in Coloring Contest

Pintlala Elementary students participated in a coloring contest as part of their Read Across America festivities during the week of February 27-March 2. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade colored pictures of the famous Dr. Seuss character, “The Grinch,” and the winners were: Ansley Brown, Zach Brown, Arlena Flynn, Mikel Owens, Ellisa Bozeman, Amber Wynn and Savannah Brock. Winners are pictured with the school’s very own Cat in The Hat, secretary Susan Brock.

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Forest Avenue Student Creates Autism Ball

Hemophilia Organization Holds Fundraising Walk

Nyla Harris, a fifth-grader at Forest Avenue Academic Magnet, decided to make her 11th birthday party center around a worthy cause. Thus, the Pink Palace Ball for Autism at Carter Symone Premier Parties for Girls was created. In lieu of gifts, she requested that her friends donate a puzzle and/or $5 to the Easter Seals of Alabama. A puzzle is the symbol for autism and Easter Seals of Alabama is in dire need of funding. Small in numbers and staff, they provide one-on-one individual therapy for those enrolled in their program. The Pink Palace Ball for Autism raised more than $790 and brought in 30 puzzles.

Homeschool Students Participate in TeenPact

Every year, homeschool students interested in Academy Days Co-op in Millbrook participate in TeenPact, a Christian nonprofit organization that offers students a handson way to learn about state government. Such was the case for Academy Days Co-op students Zachary Beaver and Jacob Beaver of Montgomery, Kaitlyn Taylor and Madison Taylor of Millbrook, and Cameron Mercer and Hannah Mercer of Holtville, who learned first-hand about the legislative process in Montgomery during TeenPact the last week of February. The six co-op students met state legislators and worked with other homeschoolers around the state to write their own bill and pass it in a mock legislation using parliamentary procedure. Visit TeenPact.com for more information.

From left are Zachary Beaver, Jacob Beaver, Kaitlyn Taylor, Cameron Mercer, Hannah Mercer and Madison Taylor.

Tonya Speed Dancers Shine

Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection students showed off their skills as they danced at Eastern Hills Baptist Church for the Winter Spectacular. Dancers of all ages performed ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and gymnastics for the crowd. TSDC has 52 dancers on the DC Strutter Dance Team, made up of Mini team, Pre-team and Senior Team. A

Six year-old Evan Ward looks like an average kid. However, he is affected with a chronic disorder, severe Hemophilia A. Diagnosed shortly after birth, and with an uncle also affected, Ward’s family has learned to cope well with this disease. Ward takes medication, called factor, through a port that was surgically implanted when he was almost a year old. Because he takes this astronomically priced medication prophylactically, Ward has not yet suffered a spontaneous and debilitating “bleed.” People affected by hemophilia can be prone to bleeding into joints and muscles, which causes pain and the chance of deterioration.

Because of his illness, Ward can attend a special summer camp designed for kids with bleeding disorders. This camp, called Camp Clot Not, is held every year at Lake Martin at the Children’s Harbor Mariners Camp, and allows these children the ability to have fun and fit in with kids who struggle with the same obstacles.

Evan’s parents, Brian and Tisha Ward, are founding members of an organization called Hemophilia and Bleeding Disorders of Alabama, Inc. (HBDA), which is dedicated to serving families affected with these types of chronic illnesses. HBDA hosts Camp Clot Not in addition to a family retreat weekend and an educational seminar. In order to continue providing these programs, HBDA hosts two major fundraisers, the Alabama Hemophilia Walk and Tee It Up for Hemophilia. The Walk will be held on May 12 at the Union Station Train Shed in downtown Montgomery.

Those interested in participating in this walk can visit www.hemophilia.org/ walk and register to be a team captain.

You can also contact the HBDA office at 277-9446 to get involved.

Below, Evan Ward works on his bandanna for his group, the Clot Not Cubs, at Clot Not Camp 2011.

class is shown above performing a tap dance to “The Brady Bunch.”

In other news, Anne Preston Speed, a junior at Huntingdon College, was awarded firs runner-up in this year’s Miss Huntingdon Scholarship Pageant held March 2. Speed performed an entertaining tap dance for her talent, participated in evening gown/ poise competition and an interview. She is an active member and recruitment chairman for Chi Omega at Huntingdon and her major is exercise science. She hopes to attend graduate school and pursue a career in physical therapy. She is also an instructor at Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection. www.montgomeryparents.com

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Miss Bright Star Holds Pageant and Workshop

The Miss Bright Star of America Scholarship Pageant for young ladies age 3-21 will be held on April 21, with applicants being accepted until April 15. A funfilled year is planned for the young ladies who participate this year, including volunteer community service work, meeting the governor, radio and television appearances.

The pageant’s education program built a solid reputation over the past 10 years and is a great success, thanks to the youth of Alabama who volunteered many hours to help others.

The categories of competition are introduction, off-stage interview, and poise and appearance. The overall winner will receive a $1,000 saving bond.

A free Star Performer Workshop will be offered for young ladies ages 5-18 at Trenholm State Technical College, 1225 Air Base Boulevard, Building D (Student Union) in Montgomery on Sunday, April 15, at 5 p.m.

The workshop is for young ladies looking to improve skills that promote self-confidence and poise and receive mentoring from today’s accomplished leaders. The workshop will include: How to Develop Your Modeling Skills; How to Develop Your Dancing Skills; How to Perfect Your Interview Speaking Skills and Confidence; How to Handle Introductions and Closing Statements; and will offer the chance to actually develop skills by practicing and receiving personalized feedback on the spot. Star Performer Workshop is co-sponsored by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Mu Chapter, Future Iota Leader and Save Kids of Incarcerated Parents.

For more information about the pageant or workshop, call 221-8779 or visit http:// www.missbsa.com

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Pink and Pearls for Girls Visit Rosa Parks Museum

Pink and Pearls for Girls visited the Rosa Parks Museum in celebration of Black History Month. The Pearl Girls enjoyed taking a bus ride back in time, visiting the early 1870s to the 1950s. They watched a video presentation about slavery, the Civil Rights Movement, segregation laws and the Bus Boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders.

Afterwards, the Pearl Girls worked together as a team on completing a scavenger hunt. They even had a chance to listen to stories and view pictures on the museum’s computers. If you would like to join Pink and Pearls for Girls, Inc., call Grace Smith at 561-5091.

www.montgomeryparents.com

Kids Dig Dinosaurs

Recommending the Best Toys and Products for Kids

Dinosaurs may have been gone from this earth for millions of years, but they remain one of the most compelling natural history interests among young children. For extinct creatures that have never been seen by human eyes, with only fossils left behind to tell their story, it’s sometime surprising that dinosaurs none-the-less captivate the imagination and interest of almost every child. Even children who can’t yet tell the difference between a bird and a bat, can almost certainly enlighten adults about the finer differences between Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus. The following toys and games will help you feed the young dinosaur authority new information and experiences on these prehistoric animals!

by Paige Gardner Smith

Velociraptor & Pterosaur Construction Set

Dino Excavation Kit: Stegosaurus Skeleton

Just like our knowledge of dinosaurs grew from solving the puzzle of pieces left behind, the Bloco Dinosaur Construction Kits helps kids build their understanding of these prehistoric animals as they construct their own models. Using 125 high-density foam construction pieces, 35 connectors and detailed instructions, young hands can assemble two dinosaurs, a Velociraptor and a Pterosaur. This fun and educational kid builds both fine motor skills in young hands and fine dinosaur models for showing off at home or at school!

Embedded in a gritty block of gypsum, the Dino Excavation Kit hides a complete Stegosaurus skeleton, just waiting for small hands to reveal it.

Using the same dedication and patience required from real dinosaur hunters, and using similar tools (hammer and chisel included in the kit), kids can carefully chip away the sandy matrix to slowly release T-Rex bones. Once the bones are cleared, they assemble to produce a true replica of the distinctly different Stegosaurus. The kit includes a colorful booklet that will fill in the chinks in every young paleontologist’s education.

(Bloco)

(Geoworld)

Schleich Dinosaurs

T-Rexcavator

With a reputation for accurate sculpting of high quality toys, Schleich’s new line of dinosaurs offer some of the best rendered examples of affordable dinosaur toys on the market.

Sculpted in close cooperation with the Humboldt University in Berlin and developed with the assistance of parents and teachers, Schleich dinosaur replicas are sturdy, meticulously hand-painted and come with educational booklets that expand any child’s knowledge of these extinct marvels. Dino-obsessed kids are too smart to fool with cheap and inaccurate dino toy knock-offs. Young collectors will get the best satisfaction from Schleich’s dinosaurs.

Just like in the real world of paleontology field work, digging for dinosaurs requires a good eye, steady hand and patience when removing bones from the matrix. The T-Rexcavator game will help cultivate these traits in every budding dinosaur hunter as players test their skill to see who can carefully tweeze bones from the board. The challenge is to avoid touching the sides during removal or you will trigger a dinosaur’s roar (reminiscent of the classic game ‘Operation’). Including 12 bone excavation cards and 36 dinosaur trivia cards, T-Rexcavator is a fun preview of some useful skills that will come in handy on a real bone hunt!

(Schleich)

(Uncle Milton)

Paige Smith is a freelance writer and syndicated columnist living in Alabama. More on GET THIS! at www.PageBookMedia.com.

www.montgomeryparents.com

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FIVE Encouraging Things to Say to Your Kids

by Kelly Bartlett

It’s no secret that kids need encouragement to thrive. But what exactly does encouragement sound like? It’s different than praise or admiration or guidance. It is common to want to give evaluative feedback to kids for their work (“Good coloring!”), or to tell them what we like about their accomplishments (“I like how you set the table.”), or what we expect of their behavior. (“You need to try your best at school today.”) Though these kinds of responses are well meaning, they teach kids to rely on our evaluations rather than to learn to form their own judgments about behavior.

Alfie Kohn, researcher and author of Punished by Rewards, says that kids can come to depend on praise and external validation instead of finding satisfaction in doing the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. “Rather than bolstering a child’s selfesteem, praise may increase kids’ dependence on us. It leads them to measure their worth in terms of what will lead us to smile and dole out some more approval,” says Kohn. He recommends that parents focus on supporting and encouraging their child’s efforts, rather than on praising the results. www.montgomeryparents.com

Encouragement is about teaching kids to see the value of their own accomplishments and to be in charge of their own success. It fosters internal strength and motivation by keeping the focus of children’s behavior on themselves instead of anyone else. As psychologist Rudolf Dreikurs said, “A child needs encouragement like a plant needs water.” Here are five encouraging things to say to your kids on a regular basis:

“Thank you!”

For tasks that a child has completed, let him know his efforts are appreciated. Tell him, “That helped a lot,” and, “I appreciate the time you spent on this.” It lets him know that his work is meaningful and he is an important contributor to the family. Saying ‘thank you’ is no less celebratory than saying ‘good job.’ Expressing gratitude for a job well done still communicates excitement and pride. The difference is you don’t need to tell your child that what he did was “good”; he will inherently feel it.

Claire, a stay-at-home mom of 3 boys, said that at dinner one night, she thanked her 3-year-old son, Tucker, for giving each family member a napkin to use. When Tucker 62

climbed into his chair and replied, “Mama, I like you thanking me. That feels nice,” she was struck by the power of those simple words. Without any praise, Tucker felt significant and appreciated; he felt his “good job,” and he was motivated to do it again.

“You did it!”

Use this kind of encouragement for when a child has achieved a goal or milestone.

Cheer for her by focusing on the effort it took to get there, rather than on the outcome.

Instead of saying, “I like how you built that Lego tower,” respond with, “Wow, you worked hard on that!”, “Look at what you accomplished!”, or, “You must feel proud.”

Responses like these focus the accomplishment on the child’s inner work, rather than on a parent’s external evaluation. It’s much more encouraging to say, “You sure never gave up during your game!” than, “You won your game, good job.”

“I’m listening.”

What could be more encouraging than to know someone is receptive to what you have to say? Active listening validates a child’s sense of significance and belonging in Montgomery Parents I April 2012

the family; they know they’re important and they matter. Let kids know you’re taking their thoughts seriously by echoing their statements back to them. There should be some backand-forth with open-ended questions (“What would you do about that?”), empathy (“Wow, you must have felt scared.”), and reflections (“Oh, you decided to take a break so you could calm down.”) Good listening sounds more like a conversation than a one-sided monologue. When a child is heard, she feels known.

“It’s OK to cry.”

It’s important for kids to know that their feelings are always okay. Learning how to manage these feelings takes support, acceptance, and lots of practice. Encourage kids by communicating that they are not wrong to experience unpleasant feelings like sadness, anger, or fear. Instead of saying, “You’re okay. Don’t be upset,” let your child know, “You have the right to feel angry. I understand; I would feel mad, too.” Or, “I can see you feel very sad right now, and that’s okay.”

Validating your child’s feelings leads to his own acceptance of them, and the realization that he is capable of handling them.

“I trust you.”

Instead of providing the answers and directing kids toward what to do, encourage them to make decisions and solve problems by letting them know you trust their ability to decide for themselves. Say things like, “I know you can figure this out,” “I have faith in you to find a solution,” “I know you’ll make an appropriate decision,” or “You lead the way on this.” Entrusting kids to make their own decisions is very empowering for young children! It shifts the dynamic from a parent’s control over a child to one of shared control.

It encourages kids to think through problems and come up with their own solutions.

Remember that by opting for encouragement over praise, you’re not ignoring your kids’ accomplishments or successes.

Encouragement is simply about keeping your response focused on their efforts and feelings as opposed to only the outcomes. Encouraging words not only reassure kids during times of success (“Wow, that took a lot of concentration!”), but also in times of disappointment (“I have faith in you to fix this mistake.”).

Instead of looking to a parent for affirmation, kids are able to decide how they feel about themselves. Their failures and successes, as they should be, are about them, not anyone else. mp Kelly Bartlett is a mother of two, and a freelance writer with a focus on child development, family relationships, and discipline. You can find more of her work at www.kellybartlett.net.

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Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort Makes a Splash This Spring with New Water Activities and Fun Children’s Programs

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the #1 resort on Florida’s Emerald Coast, announced fun in the sun this spring and summer and new activities that are making a splash – including new water sports, a fun and updated children’s program and so much more.

Sunshine, warm weather and white-sandy beaches are the #1 reason travelers pick Destin, Florida each year for their spring vacation.

However, a winning combination of accommodations, events, activities, dining and shopping, unmatched by any other vacation destination is the #1 reason travelers choose Sandestin for their Florida spring vacation each year.

New Club KZ - Among the many developments at the resort, Sandestin has updated its exclusive Club KZ; a supervised program which includes everything from Pirate Adventures, Wet N’ Wild activities, to a new club house. Club KZ’s kid-centered experience gives kids the chance to break away for the day and make memories that will last a lifetime.

The Debut of Expanded Water Adventures - Water sports are fun for all ages, but with the wide-array of options offered at Sandestin they are sure to have something for everyone. With a floating water park, YOLO

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(stand-up paddle boarding), parasailing, fishing and so much more it’s easy to see why kids and adults alike love the active outdoor lifestyle Sandestin embraces.

It Takes a Village for Kids to Have More Fun - The Village of Baytowne Wharf has also expanded its Adventure Zone, which now includes a EuroBungy, expanded three-level, 50foot high Ropes Course, Climbing Wall and its trademark Zipline for guests to have a bird’s eye view of the Village and glide over the Lagoon.

More Ways to Save - Sandestin offers nearly 1,300 accommodations, including comfortable studios, condominiums, villas and townhomes to suit every person’s preference and budget. A variety of accommodation settings are available with excellent values. If

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you’re planning ahead and looking forward to summer, Sandestin is offering many summer specials, including a free night with the purchase of six with use of the code FREE7.

Known for its events, Sandestin also presents a line-up that will delight people of all ages including: • FREE Wednesday Night Concerts in The Village of Baytowne Wharf • 26th Annual Sandestin Wine Festival – April 26-29: Featuring the tasting of, more than 600 domestic and international wines, the Sandestin Wine Festival www.SandestinWineFestival.com has been called “the most family friendly wine festival.”

• ANNIKA & Friends Event - May 12-13 For more information on Destin, Florida beach special offers, accommodations and events, visit www.sandestin.com/mp or call (866) 779-5593.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

$50

Per Child each Camp

Lighthouse Church 3560 Bell Road

Each Child will receivce a T-shirt, Water Bottle, Poster, & Soccer Ball.

Flag Football Camp

Each Child will receivce a T-shirt, Water Bottle, Poster, & Flag Belt with Flags.

Basketball Camp

Cheer Camp

June 18th -22nd

July 9th - 13th

July 23rd - 27th

July 30th - August 3rd

June 25th - 29th

July 16th - 20th

July 30th - August 3rd

Soccer Camp

K-5 - 4th Grade 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.

5th - 8th Grade 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Each Child will receivce a T-shirt, Water Bottle, Poster, & Basketball.

K-5 - 4th Grade 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.

5th - 8th Grade 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

5th - 8th Grade 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Each Child will receivce a T-shirt, Water Bottle, Poster, & Poms.

K-5 - 6th Grade 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

K-5 - 4th Grade 3 p.m.- 6 p.m.

For More Information Call 271-4200

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A Page in a Book

by Paige Gardner Smith

Women at the Heart of Art Asked to name famous artists, most folks will quickly offer up the familiar names of Da Vinci, Renoir, Picasso, Warhol and similar gentlemen who made their influential mark on the arts scene through history. But it’s only in the most recent century, as social mores and strictures loosened, that women artists have made their way into cultural ‘who’s who’ of famous artists. The following titles highlight a few of these women whose contributions to the broad palette of artistic sensibilities have enriched the art world and inspired new generations of girls and boys to make art from the heart.

Georgia’s Bones

by Jen Bryant, Illustrated by Bethanne Anderson (Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers) This beautiful testament to Georgia O’Keefe’s journey from eccentric child to one of the world’s most recognized artists supports every child’s inclination to render the natural world through art. Mirroring the experience of female artists who were just beginning to emerge as landmark contributors on the art scene in the 20th century, this quote from the book regarding O’Keefe’s signature images of bones has extra meaning: “Perhaps it was the quiet way they did their work – the years of being invisible, and then when everything fell away, they appeared, pure and beautiful.” Indeed. O’Keefe’s art has become a visible and lasting testament to the transformative eye of the artist on the beauty of nature.

Wanda Gag: The Girl Who Lived to Draw

by Deborah Kogen Ray (Penguin/Viking) Illustrator and author of the first modern children’s picture book ‘Millions of Cats’, Wanda Gag’s story is extracted from diary entries and letters in this uplifting tale of a girl longing to create art. Gag’s struggles with personal tragedy and with the challenges of seeking art training at a time when women were struggling to emerge as serious artists is a reminder that art often requires sacrifice. Reminiscent of a true fairy tale, the story of Wanda Gag’s artistic quest is an inspirational message to aspiring artists with their own stories to tell in words and pictures.

Art From Her Heart: Folk Artist Clementine Hunter

by Kathy Whitehead, Shane W. Evans (Penguin/Putnam) Patience and will underscore the artistic journey of folk artist, Clementine Hunter, a child of slaves who worked on a Louisiana plantation that served as a nexus for artist and writers in the early 20th century. Developing a passion for art in her mid-life, Hunter used the plantation visitors’ leftover paints and cast-off tools to render images from her world and culture – images that would later capture the eyes of the world. But when her poignant and powerful folk art style gained the art world’s attention and a gallery exhibition, her race still prohibited her from visiting her own showing until after hours. Undeterred by the barriers in her way, unfazed by her lack of formal training and unafraid to take up art late in life, Clementine Hunter’s contribution to the folk art world unlocked the door for many artists to step through.

Find more A Page in a Book recommendations at www.PageBookReviews.com.

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Choosing Childcare

Get the facts. Do the homework.

Trust your judgment.

by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.

Choosing a healthy, safe place for your child to thrive and learn is a daunting decision. But take a deep breath. Quality options for daycare and preschool are out there. It’s important to gather information, do the legwork, and ultimately trust your gut.

Get the Facts: Narrow the Possibilities

Begin your search early. Ann Douglas, author of Choosing Childcare for Dummies, suggests embarking upon your quest between eight weeks and a year before your back-to-work date.

Contact your local child care referral agency by checking Child Care www.montgomeryparents.com

Aware, a national consumer education parent hotline (1-800-424-2246) and web delivery system (www.childcareaware. org). The National Child Care Information Center (1-800-616-2242 or www.nccic. org) is also a good start.

Ask the referral agency about licensing requirements in your area and how to collect information about complaints or licensing violations. Ask about financial assistance programs for which you may qualify.

Also, be sure to investigate the many child care options in the River Region in Montgomery Parents’ 2012 Child Care Directory immediately following this article!

Home Daycare or Center?

Home daycare may make sense.

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Providers tend to have flexible hours (especially helpful for atypical work schedules). They may have less rigid schedules and policies which set you at ease. If it is important that your caregiver be open to lots of individual accommodations (i.e. irregular naptimes), a home provider might suit you and your child best. Some home providers are regulated, but many are not so it’s a personal choice.

Licensed daycare centers offer many advantages. Centers may hire certified early childhood educators with training in child development as well as clearly outlined policies. Also, having more than one caregiver on the premises provides peace of mind (especially if you’re concerned about TV watching or unfamiliar adults in Montgomery Parents I April 2012

a home setting). Centers offer reliability so you won’t have to scramble for care if one caregiver is ill or on vacation. The spaces in a center are typically kid friendly and designed with safety in mind. Because of government regulation, child to caregiver ratios, safety requirements, and criminal record checks are standard.

Do the Homework: Visit and Assess Quality

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends you consider the following 13 guidelines as you evaluate the quality of a provider: *Supervision. Are children supervised at all times, even when they are sleeping?

Is discipline positive, clear, consistent, and fair? *Handwashing/Diapering. Hands should be scrubbed with soap and water for at least 10 seconds and then rinsed and dried. Faucets should be turned off with a paper towel. *Director Qualification. Director should hold a B.A. degree and have worked in child care at least two years. *Teacher Qualifications. Lead teacher should hold a B.A. degree in a child-related field and have worked in child care for at least a year. *Child:Staff Ratio. One family home caregiver should care for only two babies. The fewer children each caregiver cares for, the better. *Immunizations. Does the provider have records proving that other children are up to date? *Toxic Substances. Are cleaning supplies and pest killers kept far from children? *Emergency Plan. Are first aid kits and emergency plans in place? *Fire Drills. Are these practiced monthly? *Child Abuse. Can caregivers be seen by others at all times so a child is never alone with one caregiver? Have all caregivers gone through a background check? Have all caregivers been trained to prevent, recognize, and report child abuse? *Medication. Is it kept out of reach and labeled properly? *Staff Training. Have all caregivers been trained in first aid and CPR? *Playground. Is it developmentally appropriate, clean, and inspected regularly for safety?

Quality Preschools

The National Association for the

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Education of Young Children (NAEYC) suggests the following 10 signs are indicative of a good preschool: 1. Children spend most of their time playing and working with materials or with other children.

2. Children have access to various activities throughout the day.

3. Teachers work with individual children, small groups, and the whole group at different times during the day.

4. The classroom is decorated with children’s original artwork and projects.

5. Children learn numbers and the alphabet in the context of their everyday experiences.

6. Children work on projects and have long periods of time to play and explore.

7. Worksheets are used rarely, if at all.

8. Children have an opportunity to play outside in a safe play area every day.

9. Teachers read books to children individually or in small groups.

10. Curricula are adapted for those who are ahead as well as those who need additional help.

Trust Your Judgment: Notice your Gut

One of the most helpful factors to consider when choosing a provider is the interaction between caregiver and children. Is there good communication? What is the caregiver’s interpersonal style?

Notice how the interaction makes you feel. Is it a place you would look forward to coming each day?

In order to find the best fit for your child, consider how the provider’s philosophy of child rearing, discipline, education, and nurturing meshes with your own. As Ann Douglas says in her book, “You can’t count on anyone else to guarantee your child’s health, safety, and well-being in a particular child care setting. Like it or not, the buck stops with you.” Do you agree with how a provider believes your child should be guided and cared for each day?

You should feel a sense of trust in the caregiver/program and that your child will learn and grow happily within a particular environment. mp Michele Ranard has two children, a master’s in counseling, and a background in teaching preschool and running a daycare. Visit her at hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.

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2012 Child Care Directory

Cecil

Religious Affiliation: NonDenominational Curriculum: Abeka; Hours: 6 a.m until 6 p.m., Ages: 6 weeks to 5 years; After school programs available Meals: brown bag (lunch and 2 snacks) Microwave available Multiple child discount and new enrollment discount Annual Registration fee and curriculum fee, please call for rates.

• Macon East Montgomery

15396 Vaughn Rd. — 277-6566 ext. 220 Fax: 277-6544; Website: www.maconeast.net Email: info@maconeast.net Mike Petite, Headmaster Curriculum: High Reach/ Reading & Math for 3 & 4 year, McGraw Hill Reading & Math for Kindergarten Hours: 7:45 – 2:40; ages: 3, 4, & 5 years Extended day care and early arrival available.

Meals: Hot; Multiple Child Discount After school care & Summer Enrichment program Staff/child ratio: K3 1:10, K4 1:16, K5 1:18 Call for monthly fees.

• East Memorial Christian Daycare 1320 Old Ridge Rd., Prattville, Phone: 358-4110 Founded: 2003; Director: Lisa Montgomery Religious Affiliation: Christian/ Southern Baptist Ages/grades: 6 wks.- K-4 Hours: 7am-6pm; Curriculum: A Beka Meals: offer snacks and Hot meal Registration Fee: $ 65.00; Call for rates Staff/child ratio: 1: 7 (3 and 4 yrs) 1: 4 (babies)

Hope Hull

• Hooper Child Care/Early Learning Center 360 Fischer Rd. — 288-2770; Fax: 288-9171; Website: www.hooperacademy.org Tara Harris, Director Curriculum: A Beka / Combined Hours: 6:45 - 5:45 ages: 6 wks. - 3 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Multiple Child Discount Annual Registration: Call for rates

Millbrook

• Busy Buddies (located in Millbrook UMC) 3350 Edgewood Rd.; 290-0600 Director: Susan Allen Curriculum: Thematic Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Ages: 6 wks- Pre-K 4 Meals: Brown bag Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Religious Affiliation: Methodist Annual Registration fee: $50

• The Learning Tree Child Dev. Center

• Poo Bear Academy 2441 Main St - 285-4462 Director: Teresa Williams; Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot ; Before & after school care Special Summer Program, Structured Pre K program.

Staff/Child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: $52; Call for rates

Prattville

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Deatsville Hwy. - 285-1188; Fax: 271-4970 Director: Wendy Ciambor Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 6:30 - 6; Ages: 12 mos. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care Multiple Child Discount depending on age Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Registration fee; Please call for tuition rates and fees

• Character Kids Preschool 1852 Hwy 14 East, Phone: 365-0777 Director: Clark Beiler

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• First Baptist Church Kindergarten 138 S. Washington St.— 361-9481 Fax: 365-0688; WebSite: www.fbcprattville.org Email: jamie.robison@ fbcprattville.org Jamie Robison, Director; Curriculum: Harcourt, Wee Learn by Lifeway and Sobut & Bogan Hours: 8:15-11:45; Ages: 3 yrs.-5 yrs.

Before school care begins at 7:15, extended program offered for after hours.

Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards FBC offers a Mother’s Morning Out Program. Please call them for more info.

Annual Registration Fee: Please call for rates • First Presbyterian Kindergarten 211 S. Chestnut St.— 365-6387; Fax: 361-7834 WebSite: www.fpcministries.org Melanie Mitchell, Director Curriculum: Modified A Beka Hours: 8:30-11:45; K3- 3 days/wk, NEW for Fall of 2012 we will offer a 5 day 3 year old class; K4- 5 days/wk; K5- 5 days/wk.; Meals: Children bring snacks Multiple Child Discount; Annual Registration Fee, Call for Rates.

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Early drop off and After school program offered Mon.- Fri. till 5:30 p.m.

• Grace Childcare Center

435 Shiela Blvd. —365-4936; Fax: 365-4366 April Smith, Director Website: www.gracechildcare.org Curriculum: A Beka; Hours: 7-6; Ages: 6wks. - 4 yrs.

After School Care and Summer program offered Meals: Hot; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards.

Multiple Child Discount Relig.Affl: Christian/Non-Denominational Computer offered; Annual Registration Fee: Please call for rates and fees • Kiddie College 821 Peachtree St. — 365-6156; Fax: 365-8878 Email: kiddiecollege@aol.com Emily Little, Director Curriculum: The Letter People and High Reach; Hrs: 6:15 – 6 p.m.; ages: 6weeks.-12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards KidComp and music offered; Librarian comes once a month. Annual Registration Fee: Please call for rates and fees • Kindercare Learning Center 701 Shelia Blvd. — 365-0470 Fax: 361-7865 Director: Charlotte Hardy WebSite: www.kindercare.com Email: chardy@klcorp.com Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs Curriculum: Preschool at Kindercare, Welcome to Learning. Meals: Hot; Before & after school care Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Annual Registration Fee: $55; Call for rates

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• The Learning Tree Child Dev. Center

1816 Glynwood Dr. — 365-1451; Fax: 271-4970 Caryn Marshall, Director Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 6:30 - 6 ; ages: 12 mos. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Registration fee: Call for rates • Wee Bee 949 Wright St— 361-2223; Fax: 361-2280 Director, Katie Poteet; Hours: 6:00am-6:00pm; Ages: 6 wks.- 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot (USDA); Before and After school care & Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Family Support & Family Guidance Staff/Child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Call for weekly rates.

Wetumpka

• Kiddie Kollege 202 Old Montgomery Hwy. — 567-4236 Hazel Downs, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 6:45 – 5:45; ages: 18mths. - 8 yrs.

Meals: Hot; After school care Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates.

• Sesame St. Clubhouse Day Care Center 815 Wilson St. — 567-2715 Cynthia Baker, Director Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 7 - 6; ages: 18 mos. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Multiple Child Discount

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Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: $50 Call for rates • Wetumpka Preschool Child Development Center & Periscope 502 N. Bridge St. — 567-4689 Debra Davis, Director; Curriculum: High Reach Learning; Creative Curriculum; Accredited: NAEYC Hours: 6:15 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 14 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program, “Periscope”; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: $50; Call for rates

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• Children’s Learning Center 305 S. Perry St. – 834-7475; Fax: 241-5171 Sheila Wilson, Director; Curriculum: Pinnacle Hours: 6:30am-5:30; Ages 6 wks. – 4 years Meals: Catered, Breakfast, lunch-hot; 2 snacks Computer for 4 year olds, music included; Relig. Affil.: Christian; Multiple Child Discount; One time registration Fee: $30. Call for Weekly Rates.

• Montessori Academy

1025 S. Hull St. — 262-8685; Fax: 834-7833.

Website: www.montessorimontgomery.com Email: info@montessorimontgomery.com Executive Director: Virginia Remko; Director of Admissions, Rhonda Barton; Curriculum: Montessori Hours: 6:30 - 5:30; ages: 12 mos. - 6 yrs.

Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Requirements. Call for Monthly Tuition

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

• Trinity Church Preschool

1728 S. Hull St. – 262-8830; Fax: 262-4469 Email: asdemoss@hotmail.com Director: Alice DeMoss Curriculum: ABeka, Handwriting without Tears, Saxon Hands on Math and Touch Math Hours: 9:30–1:10 M-W-F; Early room and Late room offered; Ages: 12 mo. – Pre K5 yrs.

Meals: snack provided for the one year olds, snack bucket for older children; Terrific Tuesdays offered as a fourth day option for 3 and 4 year olds.

Special Summer Program 8 week program After school activities: Painting with Barb Grimes, Big Green Bus; Before: Ballet for ages 3-5 years of age.

Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Registration fee: $100 Please call for rates.

36105

• Bryant’s Child Development Center 3645 Norman Bridge Rd. - 284-4542; Fax: 284-9045 Carrie Moore, Director Hours: 6:30 a.m. - 5:30 Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs; Meals: Hot; Before & After school care, Special Summer Program Multiple Child Discount; Relig. Affil: Christian/ Baptist; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates • Garner’s Daycare and Learning Center 3388 S. Hull Street — 261-4223 Mrs. Tonya Rush, Director Hours: 6:00 – 6:30; ages 6wks – 5 yrs Meals: snacks and hot meal; Call for fees and rates • My Little Scholars Christian Academy 3427 Norman Bridge Rd. — 269-6600

Rosemary Jones, Director Curriculum: McMillian Books Hours: 6:45 - 5:30; ages: 2 1/2 yrs – 12 years Meals: Hot; Before and After school care Special Summer program Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Relig. Affil.: Christian/Non-Denominational Annual Registration Fee: $50; Call for rates

• Sunnyside Child Care Center

3784 Norman Bridge Rd; 612-0903; Fax: 612-0907 Director – Tracy Hill Hours – 5:45 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Ages 6 weeks-12 yrs of age Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics and Wee Learn; Before and After school care available; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards All certified teachers. Meals: Hot ; Special Summer Program available; Registration fee $35

• Sunnyside Child Care and Preschool

3874 S. Court St.. — 269-9403; Fax: 269-9404 Debra Cunningham , Director Ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.; Hours: 6:30 a.m. – Midnight (available) Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics, Wee Learn; Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; FREE HOME PICK UP; Special Summer Program; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards All certified teachers. Registration Fee: Call for rates

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• Bethany Day Care and Kindergarten 714 Cedar St. -- 265-5521; Fax: 265-5521 (Call first) Email: bethanydaycare@aol.com Addie Myrick, Director Curriculum: Child’s World Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 2 1/2 to 5 yrs. (12 in summer);

Meals: Hot; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: 1:10; 1:20; Relig. Affil: Seventh Day Adventist Annual Registration Fee: $60; Call for rates • Cloverdale Preschool Academy 608 E. Fairview Ave. — 265-7488; Fax: 265-8725 Email: snall@cloverdalebaptist.net Sharman Nall, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 7:30 – 5:30; Ages: 6 wks. – 4 yrs.

(In Summer up to school age) Special Summer Program; Relig. Affil.: Christian/Baptist. Call for rates

• Evangel Christian Preschool

3975 Vaughn Rd. — 273-0730; Fax: 272-5662 www.ecalions.org; Email: ecaoffice@aol.com Rosemary Hean , Director, Curriculum: A Beka; Hours: 6:30-6; Ages: 6 wks- 4yrs.; Meals: catered Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Multiple Child Discount; Relig. Affil.: Assemblies of God Gymnastics, music, computer & dance offered Annual Registration: call for rates • Evolve Learning Center 4500 Vaughn Rd. — 396-0007; Fax: 277-6835 Jamie Roberts, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 4 yrs (extended care to 6-12 yrs) Meals: Hot; before & after school care; summer camp, Family Guidance; Multiple Child Discount Staff/Child Ratio: DHR Standards Relig. Affil.: Christian/Church of God Registration Fee: $50; Call for rates • First UMC Early Childhood Development Ctr 2416 W. Cloverdale Park — 834-8964

N O W E N R O L L I N G F O R 2012 2011

TH E LEARNING TREE C H I L D D E V E L O P M E N T C E N T E R S , I N C .

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1816 Glynwood Dr. Prattville - 365-1451 I 288 Deatsville Hwy. Millbrook - 285-1188 1767 Halcyon Blvd. - 272-3188 I 3335 Woodley Rd. - 284-5560 I 4120 Carmichael Rd. - 271-4733

SPECIAL OFFER

FREE REGISTRATION With this coupon and new enrollment only.

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WebSite: www.fumcmontgomery.org Email: CDavis@fumcmontgomery.org Christi Davis, Director Curriculum: Child-centered, Christian using spiritual enrichment learning activities to insure success.

Hours: 7 - 5:30; Ages, 6 wks. & 5 yrs. Meals: Hot; Special Summer Program Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Developmentally appropriate learning environment. Learn through play, making choices and guided discovery in warm, loving environment.

Gymnastics, dance, music and art offered Annual Registration Fee: Call for Rates

Website: www.montessoriatmulberry.com For Admissions info: Jackie Maloy Religious Affiliation: None Ages/grades: age 2 through Kindergarten Curriculum: Each child is encouraged to reach his/ her full potential in all areas of life. The specific needs of individual children are met at each developmental level. Our curriculum, which is challenging, interdisciplinary and real world related, provides a strong academic bridge to elementary school.

Registration Deadline: Open as space permits Testing Requirements: Personal interview Tuition: Please call for more information

Breakfast, Lunch + 2 snacks; Staff Child ratio: DHR standards All certified teachers; Registration fee: $35.00

• Heritage Baptist Child Development Center 1849 Perry Hill Rd. — 279-0643; Fax: 277-8887 Relig. Affil.: Baptist Tamira Quattlebaum, Director Hours: 7 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs.; Meals: Hot Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards; Tammy’s Academy of Dance and Flip Factory available.

Weekly chapel for 2-5 yrs. Call for rates and fees.

Registration: $50.00

• Oma’s Today’s Care 2510 Upper Wetumpka Rd. — 262-3402 Emily Little, Director Curriculum: Theme, self-developed Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Call for rates

• New Horizons Preschool 213 S. Madison Terrace — 834-9403 Cammie Thomas, Director Hours: 6:30 – midnight; ages: 6wks. – 12 yrs.

Curriculum: Little People’s Workshop, Hooked on Phonics, Wee Learn; Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards All certified teachers. Registration fee: $35.00

• Learning Tree Child Development Center 4120 Carmichael Rd. — 271-4733; Fax: 271-4910 Director: Nichole Hall Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 12 mos. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Multiple Child & Baptist Hospital Employee Discount.

Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Registration fee: Call for rates

• Montessori at Mulberry 2034 Clubview St Phone: 265-7733; Founded: 2010 Email: casadebambini@aol.com

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• Precious Memories Day Care & Learning Center 2123 Boultier St.; 834-1212; Fax:834-1212 (call first) Elizabeth Johnson, Director; Curriculum: Preschool Meals: One hot plus snacks Hours: 7 - 5:30; ages: 2 1/2 - 5 (12 summer) Special Summer Programs; Staff/child Ratio: DHR Standards/CDA Certified. Please call for rates • Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center 2703 Highland Ave. - 832-9403 Sandra Hill, Director Hours: 6:30am-6:30 pm.; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Before and after school pickup Extended care and Summer program available Curriculum: A Beka and Baby Can Read; Meals: Hot

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• Second Mom’s Childcare and Learning Center, Too 2726 Highland Ave.; Phone: 832-1876 Hours: 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Ages: 4 yrs -12 yrs Before and after school pickup Extended care and Summer program available Curriculum: A Beka Meals: Hot Breakfast, Hot Lunch + 2 snacks Staff Child ratio: DHR standards; All certified teachers.

Registration fee: $35.00

• Vaughn Park Church of Christ Mothers’ Day Out & Preschool 3800 Vaughn Road - Montgomery; Phone: 272-2665 Director: Denise Nelson or Linda Herzog Religious Affiliation: Christian/Church of Christ Ages/grades: 6 weeks – 4 years old Hours: 9:00- 1:00 Tues/Wed/Thur Curriculum: varies by ages; Founded: 2003 Meals: snack provided; Rates: call for rates Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards • Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center Alabama State University, 1100 Tuscaloosa Street Phone: 229-4470; Fax 229-4461

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Director: Gloria Johnson; Email: gjohnson@alasu.edu Hours: 8 – 5:15; Ages: 3 yrs – 8 yrs Extended hours and after school care available Curriculum: Saxon; Meals: Hot, Gourmet Food Services; Staff/child ratio: 1:15; Registration fee.

Call for rates

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• Cleveland Avenue YMCA Afterschool Childcare 1201 Rosa Parks Ave. — 265-0566; Fax: 265-0541 Daryll Woods, Director Hours: 2 - 6; (Summer and Holiday hrs. 6:30 – 6) ages: 4 - 12 yrs. Special Summer Program Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: 1:15 Annual Registration Fee: Please call for rates • Hansel and Gretel Preschool 3010 Mobile Hwy. — 269-5644 Rita Faye Green, Director; Curriculum: Creative Hours: 7 - 5:30; Ages: 8 weeks - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; After school care; Special Summer Program; Staff/child Ratio: DHR Standards Relig. Affil.: Christian/Baptist Annual Registration Fee: $50 • Kamp-A-Demics 2308 Dillard St., Montgomery Phone: 221-3101; Founded: 1999 Director: Vivian Gadson Ages/grades: 2 months – 12 years Hours: 6:30am – 5:30pm Curriculum: Pre-K, Play-based, and Creative Meals: Breakfast snack, lunch, and afternoon snack Registration: $50; Rates: $95/week Other: Certified Teachers • Kids First Day Care Center 1955 Walnut Street — 269-4657 Rhonda Thompson, Contact; Curriculum: Preschool Hours: 6:30-5:30; Ages: 6wks. – 12 yrs. (summer) Meals: Hot; Multiple Child Discount Staff/Child ration: DHR Standards No Registration Fee; Call for Rates • New Generation Preschool 3461 Old Selma Rd. — 263-9660; Fax: 263-9694 Email: ngpkids@knology.net Agnes Attia, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration: $50 • Peppermint Hill Learning Center 1217 Oak Street-- Phone: 230-9650; Fax: 230-9650 Email: ceeb57@aol.com Director: Cynthia Mull Curriculum: Creative Ages:6 mths - 6 years Hours: 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Meals: Catered, 2 snacks and 1 hot meal Staff/child ratio: 1:12 for 5 year old; 1:11 3 year old; 1:5 for 6 mths - 2 ½ year olds. Call for rates

• Southlawn Child Care Center

125 Greenleaf Dr. — 286-1056 or 286-9156 Fax: 286-1958; Email: southlawn1@aol.com Elizabeth Sankey, Director; Curriculum: Creative Hours: 5:30 – 5:30; ages: infant - 15 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Pre-Kindergarten offered; Certified teachers Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: $50; call for rates

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• Covenant Kids Child Development Center 9 Arden Road, Phone: 356-9110 Website:covenantkidsmontgomery.com Email:covenantkidsmontgomery@gmail.com Director: Kathy Hegwood Curriculum: Pinnacle Faith-based Curriculum Hours: 7:00-5:30; ages 6 weeks.- 5 years Meals: Morning snack, hot lunch, and afternoon snack provided Multiple Child Discount; Relig. Affil.: Ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates Now registering for fall enrollment. Call to schedule a tour.

• East YMCA Kindergarten & Child Care 3407 Pelzer Ave. — 272-3390; Fax: 395-6486 WebSite: www.ymcamontgomery.org Ruth Davis, Director; Curriculum: High Reach Hours: 7 - 6; Ages: 6 weeks - 5yrs.

Meals: catered; Special Summer Programs Multiple Child Discount; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Relig. Affil.: Young Men’s Christian Association. Wade pool, gym activities, music, Bible stories. Annual Registration Fee: $25 • Eastern Hills Baptist Day Care 3604 Pleasant Ridge Rd. - 277-5424; Fax: 271-2307 WebSite: www.easternhillsonline.com Stacy Royal, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 7 - 5:30; Ages: 6 wks. - 5 yrs.; Meals: Hot; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Relig. Affil.: Christian/Baptist Orff Music, Dance and Big Green Bus. Annual Registration Fee: $65; Rates: Call for weekly rates

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• Eastmont Baptist Church Kindergarten & Mother’s Day Out 4505 Atlanta Hwy. — 244-9324 Sherry Wallace, Director; Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 9:30 - 1:30; Ages: 6 wks. - 5 K Meals: brown bag; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Observe public school holidays.

Relig. Affil.: Christian/Baptist; Call for rates • Kiddie Korner Learning Center 417 Dalraida Rd. — 272-5098 Patricia Web, Director; Curriculum: High Reach Hours: 6:30 - 6; Ages: 2 years to 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before and after school care; Summer Program available; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Field trips, arts & crafts, outside games.

Annual Registration: $35

• St. Bede Child Development Center

3870 Atlanta Hwy. — 277-8551 Director of Operations: Audra Starrett Email: astarrett@stbede.org Hours: Full Day Program 7:00 a.m. – 6:00p.m.; ages: 6 wks. – 4 years Half Day Program 8:00-12:00; ages 3 and 4 years Hot Lunches prepared onsite Religious Affiliation: Catholic; Annual Registration Fee: $100 per child Secured web access and video monitoring Extracurricular activities available • The Rock Preschool 3401 Harrison Road; Phone: 260-0984 Principal: Felica Carswell Hours: 7 am- 5:30 pm; Ages: 3 yrs – 4 yrs Curriculum: A Beka Religious Affiliation: Non-denominational Summer Program available; Multiple child discount

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Meals: Afternoon and snack Staff/Child Ratio: 2:12; Registration fee: Please call for more information or visit http://www.therockofmontgomery.org

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• Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center 4320 Wetumpka Hwy. — 244-7799 Cindy Ashcraft, Director Hours: 6 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care, Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: $35; Call for rates • Resurrection Early Child Care 2815 Forbes Drive—265-4615; Fax: 265-4568 website: www.rcs-rcmsouth.org Principal: Sister Gail Trippett Hours: 7:45 – 3:10 (Extended care available 3:10 – 5:30) Ages: 3yrs- K4.; Meals: Hot (breakfast, lunch & snack) Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards. Call for rates

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• Green Gate School

3265 McGehee Rd. — 281-3300; Fax: 286-4884 Website: www.greengateschoolmontgomery.com Director of Education: Yvonna Richardson Headmaster: Kenneth Richardson Founded: in 1971, Green Gate School is SACS accredited. The school fosters the joy of learning and honors each student’s different learning style. Green Gate places the needs of the child first. Teachers implement innovative instruction techniques allowing bright young students to excel at their pace, and struggling students to work at a slower pace. A challenging and interesting curriculum

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adds the additional touch needed to keep an inquisitive group of young students happy. Green Gate emphasizes structure, yet allows students the opportunity to choose activities or special subjects they enjoy. Green Gate also encourages children to think for themselves, preparing them for independent learning in the future. Green Gate has no formal church affiliation and accepts students of all races and religions.

Testing: We accept testing and Progress reports from accredited schools only. We may require students to take a placement test upon admission. Testing is also available to identify learning differences and disabilities for a reasonable fee.

Learning Accommodations: We are happy to implement accommodations or recommendations designated by a professional educator or physician. We are qualified to test and identify learning differences and disabilities.

Tutoring: On site tutoring for students both during the academic day and before or after school is available for a reasonable fee.

Enrollment: One hundred forty students - Toddlers through Eighth Grade. Low student/teacher ratio.

Curriculum: Language Arts Open Court; Silver Burdette Math; High Reach Learning for ages 12 months through K-4; Hours: 7 am – 6 pm during the Academic School Year and Summer Camp Session Meals: Students bring their lunch from home; we provide organic milk or fruit juice for their lunch drink. Nutritious snacks morning and afternoon, organic milk or fruit juice served with snack.

Enrollment: Fees: $150 Registration/Curriculum and Cot Call $225 Call for full day 2, 3, or 5 day rates, half days rates also available. Family Discounts: Multiple 5% Child Discount on siblings. Extras: Mobile Mouse, Tonya Speed dance, Orff Music. Before & after school care; Special Summer Program • Whitfield Kindergarten 2673 Fisk Rd. — 281-2470; Fax: 281-2698 Jane Ruud, Director; Curriculum: Combined Hours: 7:30 - 4:15 & 9 – 1 (Mother’s Day Out) Ages: 4 mos. - 5 yrs.; Meals: brown bag Relig. Affil: Christian/Methodist Flip Factory, Dance Generation offered and aftercare pickup for Dannelly and Bear Special Summer program and Multiple Child Discount.

Optional late pick up 5:30. Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates

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• A Great Start Learning Academy

3410 Kessinger Drive - Montgomery Phone: 356-KIDS or 356-5437; Founded: 2006 Owner: Natalie Masood; Director: Kim Griggs Ages/grades: 6 weeks – 5 years old Hours: 6:30am – 6:00pm; after school available Curriculum: High Reach Learning Meals: Hot Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks Registration Fee: $35.00 + $20.00 Application Rates: Please call for current rates Staff/child ratio: At or Better than DHR Standards Other: All teachers CPR & First Aid Certified. Students learn Spanish, Computer, & Sign Language. Mobile Mouse Computer and ORFF Music are also available.

• Aldersgate Weekday Children’s Ministries

6610 Vaughn Rd. — 277-0880; Fax: 277-8812 Kristie Adams, Director Curriculum: Creative Curriculum (2-3 yrs), Sing, Spell, Read, Write (K4 & K5) Hours: 7:30 - 5:30; Preschool; Ages: 6 mos -K5 Meals: Hot; Relig. Affil.: Christian/Methodist Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Teach thematic units using social studies, science, math, language, art and music through a hands-on program.

Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates.

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• Ashley’s Lil Angels 3316 Horseshoe Circle, 239-9087 Web: www.ashleyslilangels.vpweb.com Email: ajordan9@aum.edu Director: Ashley Jordan Curriculum: A Beka, Jumpstart, self-made for younger ages Ages: 3 weeks to 5 years, after school (5 yrs-12 yrs) Hours: 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Accredited: NAEYC; Night care, 7p.m. until 12 a.m., Summer care available; Meals: 2 Hot meals and 2 snacks Call for monthly fees • JAAD’s Child Care & Development Center 4002 St. Louis Rd. – 284-9055 Email: jaads_inc@yahoo.com Theresa Hardwick, Director; Established 1996 Curriculum: self-developed Hours: 6 am-6 pm ; ages: 4wks.-15 yrs.

Night care available; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack Before & After School Care; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards. Call for fees and rates • Kindercare Learning Centers 3025 Buckboard Rd. — 277-3720 Fax: 277-3720 (will pick up fax) Email: rcaddell@klcorp.com Rene Caddell, Director Curriculum: Welcome to Learning; Preschool Readiness; Preschool at Kindercare; Special Summer Program; Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care Multiple Child Discount; NAEYC Accredited Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards.

Annual Registration Fee: $55; Call for rates

• The Learning Tree Child Dev. Ctr. 3335 Woodley Rd. — 284-5560

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Malkia Mathews, Director Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 6:30 - 6; Ages: 12 mos. - 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program/Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards Call for Weekly Rates • Lighthouse Christian Academy 3570 Bell Rd. — 271-4200; Fax: 271-1042 WebSite: www.lcapirates.com Email: info@lcapirates.com Gary Mohney, Principle Curriculum: A Beka Before and after school care hours: 7 to 6 p.m.

Ages 2 yrs. – 8th grade (8 - 12:30 preschool or full day) ; Special Summer Program; Meals: Catered; Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards; Call for rates and fees

• St. James School Kindergarten

6000 Vaughn Rd.—277-8033 ext 155 Fax: 277-3587; WebSite: www.stjweb.org Assistant Principal: Clare Simon Jim Terry, Principal Curriculum: K3 – Teacher developed curriculum integrates literature, art, music and science to Introduce readiness skills and a hands on approach; K4 – Houghton/Mifflin Comprehensive Pre-K alpha Friends curriculum; Pre-K 5 – HarCourt School Publishers Storytown and Sadier Progress in Mathematics Curriculum.

Hours: 7:45 – 11:30; ages: K3 – K4 (beginning 2012/2013 school year full day option available for K3 and K4) Or extended school day 7:45-2:45 for K5 Meals: Catered; After school care until 5:30 Multiple Child Discount; Special Summer Program (Camp STJ) Staff/child ratio: 2:14. Call for Rates

• New Life Care 5600 Carriage Hills Drive. – 288-5723 Fax: 288-5489; Email: tydirect@nlcogic.org Tynika Matthews, Director Curriculum: A Beka Hours: 6:30am – 6; ages 6 wks. – 4 yrs.

Meals: Catered Lunch, snacks provided Flip Factory; Multiple Child Discount; Relig. Affil.: Christian; Call for rates

• Treasures of Life 4701 Narrow Lane Road Phone: 819-4202 and Fax: 819-7233 Director: Kay Turpin Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m; 6 weeks to 12 years Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack provided.

Classroom video monitoring Certified staff, Before and after school care programs

• Oma’s Today’s Care 4211 Sunshine Dr. — 288-1180 Shannita James, Director Curriculum: theme, self developed Hours: 6:30 - 6; ages: 6 wks. - 12 yrs.

Special Summer Program Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards Annual Registration: $45; Call for rates

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• AUM Early Childhood Center 7051 Senators Dr. — 244-3772; Fax: 244-3688 Email: Rgriffon@aum.edu Ronnie Griffon, Director; Curriculum: Open Environment, Semester theme Hours: 7:30 - 5:30 p.m. ; ages: 3 - 5 yrs.

Meals: hot; Staff/child ratio: 1:7 Annual Registration Fee: Call for rates

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• Frazer Memorial Christian Kindergarten 6000 Atlanta Hwy. Phone: 279-0271; Founded: 1974 Director: Jill Struthers Website: www.frazerkindergarten.com Relgious Affiliation: Non-denominational Ages: 6 wks. to 2 yrs. Mothers Morning Out 3 yrs. - K4 & K5. Hours: 8:30 - 12:30 a.m.

Early drop off available at 7:30 a.m.

Lunch Bunch available for all ages until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Curriculum: A Beka; Other: Music, field trips, chapel, physical education and gymnastics. Strong faculty with unwavering interest in your child.

Tuition: Call for details

• GracePointe Child Development Center 1565 Ray Thorington Road - Montgomery Phone: 271-2525 or 301-0043 Founded: 1974; formerly Carriage Hills Kindergarten Director: Shea Roberson Religious Affiliation: Christian/Church of Christ Ages/grades: Birth – 5 years old Hours: 9 a.m.– 1 p.m.; Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays; Curriculum: Play-Based, Beyond Centers and Circle Time; Meals: Snack provided, bring lunch; Registration Fee: $75; Rates: Call for rates; Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Surveillance system, coded entry and two separate playgrounds

• Montessori at Hampstead

5251 Hampstead High Street Unit#111 Phone: 356-1969; Founded: 2011 Email: info@montessoriathampstead.org Website: www.montessoriathampstead.org Director: Betsy Hosp Hours: 7:15 until 2:45, early drop-off and after school care available Meals: Hot meals available or brown bag and snacks.

Religious Affiliation: Interdenominational Ages/grades: 18 months – 12 years Curriculum: Montessori Testing Requirements: Interview required, Transcripts for students 6 and up Sports & Clubs: P.E., ORFF Music, Big Green Bus, Dance Other: Farms Class, Movement Class, Theatre Class • Kiddie Home Daycare at Mitylene Forest 618 Silver Moon Court, 221-4446 or 396-2598 Email: lizamay1972@yahoo.com Director: Leeza Beaulieu Ages/grades: 6 weeks to 12 years Hours: 6:30a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snacks DHR standards Please call for rates • Kidz R Stars 5773 Roxboro Dr; 334-538-0317 Website: www.kidzrstars.zoomshare.com Email: kidzrstars@knology.net Director: TaTanya Wallace Hours: 6:30 – midnight, Sun-Sat; Ages: 6 wks - 12 Curriculum: Primary curriculum Accredited: NAFCC Meals: Two hot meals and one snack; evening snack and dinner.

Before and After school pickup; Multiple child discount; Registration fee: Please call for rates • Kindercare Learning Centers 6955 Halcyon Park Dr. — 270-5955; Fax: 396-6091 www.kindercare.com; Email: ctate@klcorp.com Courtney Tate, Director Curriculum: Early Foundations

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Hours: 6:30 - 6 ; Ages: 6 wks. to 12 yrs.

Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: Better than DHR Standards; Annual Registration Fee: $60; Call for Rates • Learning Tree Child Dev. Ctr. 1767 Halcyon Blvd. — 272-3188 Darlene Tucker, Director Curriculum: Full educational program Hours: 6:30 - 6; Ages: 12 mos. - 12 yrs.; Meals: Hot; Before & after school care; Special Summer Program; Multiple Child Discount Staff/child ratio: DHR Standards. Call for rates

• Memorial Presbyterian Church Children’s Ctr

2130 Bell Rd. – 274-1018; Fax: 274-1046 Nancy Perkins, Director; Curriculum: Sing, Spell, Read & Write and Thematic Units Hours: 8:30 -12 p.m. M-F; Ages: 2 mo.-4K; All day program for 2 months – 4 year olds, 7:30 – 5:30 p.m.; Summer program offered for 2 months to 5th grade Early and late rooms available; Meals: Brown Bag Chapel and music daily; Abrakadoodle offered Staff/Child ratio: by DHR guidelines Call for rates • St. James Christian Preschool 9045 Vaughn Rd. — 277-3412; Fax: 277-8680 Leah Winn, Director Curriculum: Teacher developed including hands-on activities and age appropriate readiness skills; Hours: 9 - 1; Ages: 8 mos. - kindergarten Meals: Brown Bag, snack provided; Late day offered Staff/Child Ratio: DHR standards Call for Registration fee and monthly rates

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• St Mark UMC Child Development Ministry 1785 Taylor Road; Phone: 272-0009 Director: Melissa Ward Assistant Director: Amanda Edwards Ages: 6 weeks – Pre K4 Curriculum: Creative; Snacks: snack bucket Monday- Friday; Hours: 7:30 –5:30; Summer program available. Please call for rates • Taylor Road Christian Kindergarten & Mother’s Day Out 1685 Taylor Rd. — 271-0845 Belinda Hepburn, Director Website: www.taylorroad.org (link to preschool) Curriculum: A Beka & Wee Care for MDO Kindergarten Hours: 9-1 (Monday -Thurs) Ages: K3 & K4; Mother’s Day Out Hours: 9-1 (Mon-Thurs) Ages: 6 wks.-36 mths.

Before & After care available Special Summer Program (6 wks – 5th); Meals: Brown Bag; Religious Affi.: Christian/Baptist Staff/Child Ratio: Better than DHR Standards.

Call for Rates • Time for Care Christian Academy 70 Ashburton Dr.; Phone: 356-1571 Owner: Joyce Pearson; Director: Wyvonia Hale Hours: 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. with extended care to 8 p.m.

Ages: 3 weeks until 12 years of age Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack Curriculum: Early Start; Registration fee: $25 • Vaughn Forest Preschool and Kindergarten 8660 Vaughn Rd. — 277-0362 Mary James Newsom, Director Curriculum: High Reach and Letter People

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Hours: 9 - 1 (early & late room available) Ages: 18 mos. - 5yrs. Meals: Children bring sack lunch and snack; Certified Teachers Staff/Child Ratio: Better than DHR standards.

Please call for rates • YMCA Goodtimes Before and After School Programs 2325 Mill Ridge Dr.—279-8878; Fax: 279-5784 Website: www.ymcamontgomery.org Before School Care at these locations: Forest Ave. Elem. 7am-8:15am McKee 7am-8:20am Bear Elem. 7am-8:30am Wares Ferry Elem. 6:45am-8am Halcyon Elem. 6:45am-8am Garrett Elem. 6:45am-8am Brewbaker Elem. 6:30am-8am Wilson Elem. 6:45-8a.m Snack included; Please call for rates and fees After School Care at these locations: Baldwin Jr. High, Bear Exploration Center, Blount Elem., Brewbaker Elem., Children’s Center, Crump Elem., Dannelly Elem., Dozier Elem., East YMCA, Fitzpatrick Elem., Flowers Elem., Floyd Elem., Forest Ave. Elem., Garrett Elem., Halcyon Elem., Head Elem., Macmillan at McKee Elementary, Morningview Elem., Pintlala Elem., Trinity Presbyterian School, Vaughn Rd. Elem., Wares Ferry Elem. and Wilson Elementary. Snack included; Hours 3-6pm; Multiple child Discount; Please call for rates and fees mp Please let us know if your child care facility was not included in this listing by emailing editor@montgomeryparents.com. We’ll make sure it’s included in our next Child Care Issue.

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I Don’t Have Enough

by The FlyLady, Marla Cilley

How many times a day do you hear the word ENOUGH come out of your mouth or into your brain. Let’s just look at damage that this word does to all of us.

1. I don’t have ENOUGH time! How many times do you say this one? We all have the same hours in every single day. Enough time to clean it the way your momma made you when you were a child. Enough time to get it right! So when we believe this lie; we stop dead in our tracks and DO NOTHING! 2. I don’t have ENOUGH help around the house! Oh Boy!!! Don’t get me started on this whiny attitude. If you live alone, it is just you.

Single parents don’t have anyone to whine to or nag either. You don’t hear them complain about this. There are no excuses for this attitude. If you will set the example in love, you will have the help.

3. I don’t have ENOUGH money! We have all said this one; over and over again. Do you want to know the truth of the matter? Rita

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Davenport taught me. If money will fix it; it is not a problem. If we will quit wasting our money on quick fixes we will have all we need. Say no to buying more clutter! This will happen once the clutter is out of your home. You will find a new freedom from letting go of your clutter. Not only will you have more open clear spots in your home, but you will also have the money that you didn’t waste on the clutter.

This goes for fast food, yard sale bargains and department store sales. When you start filling that hole that is in your soul with love, you will no longer need to just dump anything in there to make you feel better.

4. I don’t have ENOUGH storage! Yes you do, but you have clutter taking over its space.

Let go of the clutter and you won’t have to spend money on those storage units. By only having things around you that you love and use; your clutter will have to find a new home. That will release the space for the things you love.

5. I don’t get ENOUGH respect! Do you want to know why? Because you don’t respect yourself first. You don’t need outside admiration when you value yourself. You have to show a little to get a little. This goes even farther than this. The more you give the more you will get. Give it to yourself and reap what you sow!

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6. I can’t dress well because I don’t have ENOUGH nice clothes! This goes back to the respect issue. You don’t have to have fancy clothes to feel good and pretty in what you have. A clean pair of jeans and a bright colored shirt can make you feel like a million bucks if you will take the time to dress each morning. Once you quit wasting money and feel that you are worth it, you will get yourself one new outfit and a decent pair of lace-up shoes. You can save for them.

7. I don’t have ENOUGH love! Well you may be right about this one. You don’t have enough self love! If I can teach you to FLY...

Finally Love Yourself...then your home and life can come together. Have you ever been on an airplane and heard the flight attendant tell you that if the oxygen masks come down to secure yours first before you help your child or others? When you give, give, give and don’t save any for you, then you are left wanting. If momma ain’t happy then nobody’s happy! Take care of yourself first.

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS, check out her website and join her free mentoring group at www.FlyLady.net or her book, Sink Reflections, published by Random House,and her New York Times Best Selling book, Body Clutter, published by Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2012 Marla Cilley.

Used by permission in this publication.

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Public Library Events

MONTGOMERY CITY-COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Storytimes Juliette Hampton Morgan Memorial Library (Main Branch) 245 High Street 240-4991 Preschool Storytimes Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium

April 5 Easter is near!

Splat the Cat: Where’s the Easter Bunny Where Are Baby’s Easter Eggs?

Craft: Easter Bunny masks April 12 What is a twin?

The Twins’ Blanket The Barker Twins: The Big Sleepover Craft: Morgie masks

April 5 Happy Easter The Night before Easter Movie: “Easter with Max & Ruby” Easter egg hunt in the Children’s Dept.

April 19 I admire awesome people!

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man Baby Angels Craft: Awesome smiling face masks

April 12 National Library Week Welcome to the Library Mr. Wiggles We will have a treat.

April 26 Dogs have interesting lives!

A Dog’s Tale Marley, Farm Dog Craft: Dog masks

April 19 Visit from Deputy Dave (Robot) who loves talking to the children about strangers, proper use of 911, and saying no to drugs.

Governor’s Square Branch 2885-B E. South Blvd.

284-7929 Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

April 26 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Movie: “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” We will have a craft.

April 3 Easter Theme The Easter Egg Clifford’s Happy Easter Enjoy an Easter Egg Hunt

Morgan Memorial Library Young Adult Department April 2 @ 4 p.m.

Morgan Teen Advisory Board Help us plan teen programs, displays and activities. Members will enjoy snacks and receive volunteer hours for their participation.

April 10 National Library Week Special guest will eead Book!

Book! Book and Curious George Goes to the Library Bookmark craft

Morgan YA National Library Week Program April 13 @ 10 a.m.

The Theatre AUM Tour Troupe will present a live variety performance. This showcase act will feature the actors’ best talents through a collection of scenes of dramatic interest from their repertoire, which includes tragedy, comedy and song and dance.

Coliseum Branch 840 Coliseum Boulevard 271-7005 Preschool Storytimes Thursdays, 10 a.m. www.montgomeryparents.com

A Flock of Shoes Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons Activity: Flower Craft

Wednesdays, 10 a.m.

April 4 The Color Monster Easter Egg Hunt

April 10 Animals A Sick Day for Amos McGee Earnest, the Moose Who Doesn’t Fit Activity: Coloring Sheets

April 11 Special Guest Gary Ledbetter for National Library Week Celebration

April 17 Imagination Lola Loves Stories King Jack and the Dragon Activity: Draw a Story April 24 Frogs (National Frog Month) The Frogs and the Toads All Sang Froggy Goes to Camp Activity: Leap Frog & Coloring Sheets Baby & Toddler Time Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

An early learning program for children ages 6 months to 3 years April 4 Nursery Rhymes: “Little Robin Redbreast” & “Ring Around the Rosie” Signing “cookie” April 11 Nursery Rhymes: “Pussycat, Pussycat” & “There Was a Little Girl” Signing “bread” April 18 Nursery Rhymes: “This Is the House That Jack Built” Signing “monkey” April 25 Nursery Rhymes: “Wee Willie Winkie” & “Little Boy Blue” Signing “again”

April 17 Clucking Chickens Day Chicken Little The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza Maze activity page

National Library Week at Hampstead: April 9-13 Scavenger Hunt: Kids K-12th grade can pick up a Scavenger Hunt sheet, fill it out and turn it in for a treat during National Library Week.

April 24 Tree Tales Day The Grandad Tree Apples to Oregon Craft

Friday, April 13 @ 10 a.m.

Story Time with Katy Sulhoff of WAKA Channel 8

Hampstead Branch Library 5251 Hampstead High St., Ste. 107 244-5770 Preschool Storytimes Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Rufus A. Lewis Branch 3095 Mobile Hwy. 240-4848 Preschool Storytime

April 3 Spring 84

April 18 Pete the Cat: Rocking in My School Shoes Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes Let’s Color Your School Shoes April 25 Bumble-ardy Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow?

Letter P Alphabet Worksheet

Celebrating National Library Week w/Ms. Stringer April 4 @ 4 p.m.

Teen Book Club “Reading With Trooper Charles J. Dysart, Alabama State Trooper Storytimes with Ms. Stringer Mondays @ 10 a.m. Southlawn Special Ed. Group Thursdays @ 9:30 a.m. Rosa Parks Cultural Arts Center April 2 & 5 The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash Tiny Goes to the Library

April 9 & 12 The Night Before Easter Splat the Cat, Where’s the Easter Bunny

April 16 & 19 I Took My Frog to the Library Fire Up With Reading Read All About It April 23 & 26 Fun Day at the Library E.L. Lowder Branch 2590 Bell Road 244-5717 Preschool Storytimes Fridays, 10:15 a.m.

April 7 Night Before Easter Max’s Easter Surprise Activity: Easter Craft April 14 Let’s Eat Pancakes!!!

Runaway Pancake Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Activity: Pancake Coloring Sheet April 21 Tom’s Tail Activity: Muddy Pig Craft April 27 Let’s Party With Ms. Stacie as she celebrates her birthday!

Shawn and Keeper and the Birthday Party Activity: Coloring Sheet Rosa L. Parks Branch 1276 Rosa L. Parks Ave./240-4979 Storytimes Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

April 3 It’s Easter at Story Time!

April 10 Go to a South African wedding with Jafta at Story Time!

April 17 Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!

April 24 What happens when the Snake asks Can I Play Too? Fun For All Ages!

Thurs., April 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Learn all about the Farmer’s Market and the fresh fruits and vegetables that are available in your community!

Friday, April 12, at 4 p.m.

Get Creative @ Your Library. Join us and create something!

Pike Road Branch 9585 Pike Rd. / 244-8679 Storytime for ages 3-7 Mondays, 4:15 p.m.

April 9 It’s National Library Week and this year’s theme is “You Belong @ Your Library.”

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf April 16 Spring is here!

‘What!’ Cried Granny April 23 Meet two small yellow goslings.

Gossie Gossie & Gertie April 30 Meet Gossie and Gertie’s little brown gosling friend.

Ollie Ollie the Stomper Family Movie Time Thursday, April 19, at 4 p.m.

Hey, kids and grown-ups, come Montgomery Parents I April 2012

on over to enjoy a movie and some popcorn. The best part is the admission cost: FREE!

Tuesday, April 10 @ 10 a.m. “The Importance of Reading” Celebrate National Library Week with us!!

Wednesday, April 11 @ 11 a.m. “Celebrate National Library Week by Learning About Archaeology in Montgomery County” featuring Stacy Hawthorne, Alabama Historical Commission. See where the most important sites in Montgomery County are!

Pine Level Branch 20 Kohn Dr., Pine Level 584-7144 Pine Level Storytime group has combined with Pike Road.

Autauga-Prattville Library

254 Doster Street, Prattville; Call 365-3396 or visit www.appl.info Preschool Storytime, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. for toddlers-5 years old Stories, craft and snack! Children must be able to sit independently for 15-20 minutes. Parents/guardians must stay with the children at all times.

P.A.W.S. dogs Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Come read to our furry, four-legged friends!

Capital Mysteries Book Club for 1st through 4th grades 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 4-5:30 p.m.

April 12: The Ghost at Camp David; April 19: Trapped on the D.C. Train C.L.U.E. Homeschool Book Club for 4th graders & up 1st & 3rd Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon April 13: The Mystery of Blackbeard the Pirate April 20: The Mystery at the Kentucky Derby

Pintlala Branch 255 Federal Rd., Hope Hull 281-8069 Weds., April 4 @ 11:20 a.m. K There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick Craft: Easter Baskets Thurs., April 5 @ 11:20 a.m. Pre-K There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick Craft: Easter Baskets

Millbrook Public Library

Tues., April 10 @ 11:10 a.m. K Three by the Sea Craft: Make Stingray Fish

3650 Grandview Road; Call 285-6688 or visit http://library.cityofmillbrook.org/ Pre-school Storyhour every Thursday at 10 a.m.

Come join Miss Angie for stories, crafts, fun and snacks!

Weds., April 11 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.

Life South Blood Drive

Wetumpka Public Library

212 S. Main St. (next to Wetumpka Depot) Call 567-1308 or visit wetumpkalibrary.com Preschool storytimes Tuesdays & Fridays at 10 a.m.

Homeschool Book Club, April 17 @ 1 p.m.; Lunch in the park

Thurs. April 12 @ 1:30 p.m.

2nd Grade Ant and Grasshopper Craft: Name Mobiles Weds., April 18 @ 11:20 a.m. K Three by the Sea Craft: Make Stingray Fish Thurs., April 19 @ 11:20 a.m.

Pre-K Pajama Day Parade Snack: Popcorn Tues., April 24 @ 11:10 a.m. K No Sleep for the Sheep Craft: Tissue Flowers Ramer Branch Library 5444 State Highway 94 (334) 562-3364 Preschool Storytime Tuesdays, 10 a.m.

April 3 Clifford Keeps Cool April 17 Clifford’s Busy Week April 24 Clifford Grows Up Ramer NLW programs: Monday, April 9 @ 2 p.m.

“Celebrate Reading” with Montgomery County Commissioner Reed Ingram.

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www.montgomeryparents.com

Helping Your Teenager

Land a Summer Job

By Tanya Scherschel

It won’t be long until that final school bell rings, and you and your teenager will start thinking about a summer job. But don’t wait too long to start looking. The sooner you begin the better.

Statistics show that summer youth employment has been dropping for the last decade and now stands at less than 50 percent. Not encouraging news if you also consider that several businesses, like community Parks and Recreation Departments, providers of long-time staple summer jobs like camp counselors, lifeguards, and concession stand workers, begin recruiting for their summer positions in January and February. So, what should a spring jobless teen and their parent do? Plenty!

Make a plan.

Don’t fret if your kid didn’t get that lifeguard gig he wanted. Brainstorm other places that hire teenagers. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, “The sectors that traditionally employ younger workers are still the best bet: retail stores, hotels and restaurants.” Other venues also endorsed included: fast-food restaurants, because the recession has made cheaper outings more appealing; seasonal entities like www.montgomeryparents.com

ice-cream shops, and places in health care where, “teens under age 18 can find work as file clerks and cafeteria workers.”

Networking isn’t just for adults!

Networking, or talking to friends, has long been a jobseeker’s best friend for one reason: it works. When your teen decides to look for a job, encourage them to share this with the people around them. Toss the net far and wide to include friends, teammates, neighbors, grandparents, coaches, guidance counselors, and affiliations through church. Perhaps your teen might consider changing their Facebook status to “unemployed but looking,” and while they’re online, have them check out www.Teens4hire.org. This free site offers searchable databases on places hiring teens in your area, answers questions regarding whether or not they need a job permit, and provides a host of other job seeking information.

Make sure your teen knows the businesses they’re targeting.

A first impression is critical in landing a job, and a bad first impression is hard to take back. Before your teen even approaches the manager for 86

an application, have them drop in and familiarize themselves with the tempo of the workplace. Note how the employees are dressed. Slacks and a tie or a skirt might be warranted for an office job, but a crisp, clean polo and khakis may suffice for others. Note when the place is busiest. Asking for an application during lunch-rush at a fast food restaurant or during half-priced Tuesdays at your local aquatic attraction is not a good idea.

Make a resume.

Teenagers usually haven’t acquired much formal work experience, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have plenty to offer. Putting together a resume with your teen, in fact, can be a very positive experience. Brainstorm with your child.

Teenagers’ familiarity with technology can be so second nature that they take it for granted, but you can point out that the skills needed to speak fluent HTML or locate a missing file using Windows Explorer are not exactly common knowledge. Consider all of your child’s strengths: volunteer work, relevant studies, awards, and honors. Check out author and teacher Jeannie Withers at www. heygetajob.com for information about her teen job hunting book, Hey, Get a Job!, and to view her resume templates.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Start your own business.

Not ready for your teen to punch a time clock just yet? Starting a business as a lawn service provider, piano teacher, or a babysitter can be an appealing alternative to a traditional summer job, especially if your child is closer to a preteen than a teen. Make sure your teen has established a price for their service, knows what services they are including in that price, and that they can articulate this information to perspective clients when they call. Encourage your teen to spread word of their service through flyers they create and word of mouth. Want to really bump it up? Let them start a spread sheet so that

they have a tangible record of income and expenses.

The ability to earn one’s own money, traditionally or through an entrepreneurial endeavor, is a huge step in the life of a young person. Watching your kid go to work for the first time is also a big deal for us parents. Our babies are growing up. But the next time junior asks you for a new pair of skates or the latest fashion, you won’t have to point outside to the naked money tree. Getting them to relinquish their own money, however, may be just as fictitious. mp Tanya Scherschel is a freelance writer in O’Fallon, IL. Her eldest child will begin working this summer as an umpire.

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Family Spiritual News Clothes4Souls and Stop Hunger Now Events at Aldersgate UMC

Aldersgate UMC will host two exciting events on Saturday April 21, 2012. A clothing drive will be held to support Clothes4Souls, a Nashville based organization. Clothes4Souls works with clothing manufacturers and every day citizens to collect new and gently worn clothing to be distributed to people in the local and international world that are in desperate need of assistance. Aldersgate UMC will host a community wide clothing drive drop off from 8am -1pm. Please bring new or gently worn clothing.

These items should be clean and still in good shape. Worn clothing should not have holes and should still be in wearable condition. NEW clothes of any type are accepted.

No shoes please. Not only are we helping those in need by providing clothing, but also we are helping reduce the amount of clothing that ends up in our landfills everyday. For more information visit clothes4souls.org or contact 300-4835.

In addition to a clothing drive, we will also be working with Stop Hunger Now, a Raleigh-based international hunger relief agency. Stop Hunger Now launched its meal-packaging program in 2005. The program perfected the assembly process that combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 25 cents. The food stores easily, has a shelf life of five years and transports quickly. Last year we packaged 50,000 meals and are hoping to package an additional 50,000 meals on the morning of April 21, 2012. If you are interested in participating in this event or in making a monetary donation please contact 334-300-4835 for details or log onto to http://www.stophungernow.org.

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Switchfoot in B’ham

The popular rock band Switchfoot will perform at Samford University on Thursday, May 3, at 7 p.m. in Pete Hanna Center. Tickets are on sale now. The five-member group began with successes in the Christian rock scene before gaining mainstream recognition when its music was featured prominently in the 2002 movie A Walk to Remember. Their seventh studio album, Hello Hurricane, received a Grammy award in 2011 for Best Rock Gospel Album. All tickets are $16 and are general admission. Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.ticketreturn. com/prod2/team.asp?SponsorID=4517. For information, call (205) 726-2276.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Docarmo’s Taekwondo Has Amazing Month

Students on the Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center Elite Competition Team had a wonderful March showing. Members of the team attended one local and one regional tournament with great success. Justin Carpenter, Shelby Collins, Zachary Collins, Kahle Cox, Jaylon McGhee and Manav Patel attended Master John Flemings’s Martial Arts Invitational tournament in Montgomery March 3, and came away with six first place, four second place, and one third-place medal in both forms & sparring.

Eleven team members traveled to Dalton, Georgia, to the Georgia Martial Arts Festival on March 17; this tournament boasted more than 400 top-level competitors from across the Southeast with competitors arriving from seven neighboring states. This time the team walked away with six first-place, 10 second-place, and nine third-place medals or trophies in form, sparring and board breaking divisions. Special congrats to Kahle Cox, who had a clean sweep of first place in each division she entered.

Master Anne Docarmo, chief instructor, was very pleased with the results. “To have every one of our competitors place at an event of this level was very exciting; I couldn’t be more pleased with our team’s performance,” she stated. “Taekwondo is not about winning trophies; attending a tournament can allow students to express their techniques in a healthy manner, learn how to win and how to lose, make friends, develop confidence, take a step toward independence, and become a more well-rounded person. I am so proud of what our students gained this month!’

Those with interest in FREE taekwondo lessons at Docarmo’s Taekwondo Center can call 220-5835 or visit www.trytkdfree.com.

Capital City Juniors Win Volleyball Tournaments

The Capital City Juniors 14-1 volleyball team won another championship in Daphne at the February Fling volleyball tournament. The girls went three and one in pool play to seed #2 going into the tournament round. They put out the number-one seed from the other pool in a tiebreaker third set in the semi-final round to send them to the final, where they came back from a one-set deficit and defeated Panama City Volleyball Club in three.

In Huntsville, the Capital City Juniors went 12-1 in play to win the Rocket City Challenge Tournament, defeating teams from Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. This was the third tournament win for the girls this season.

From left are: Coach Kayla Schuran, Lexi Brantley, Julianne Wilkes, Parker Reynolds, Clayton Waring, Madeline Roth, Emily Barranco, Betsy Byrne, Elizabeth Beck, Annabel Roth, Rachel Foxx and Coach Geoff Waring. The girls are from a variety of schools, including Montgomery Catholic, Montgomery Academy, Trinity, Saint James, Macon-East Montgomery Academy, Eastwood Christian and Edgewood Academy.

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www.montgomeryparents.com

Family Calendar Ongoing Ala. Dept. of Archives & History

Exhibit galleries include children’s gallery and a reference room for genealogical and historical research.

Hands-On Gallery includes Granny’s Attic where you can try on clothes, uniforms, shoes, try an old typewriter, sit at an old school desk or experience making a quilt square. Discovery Boxes are filled with all kinds of Alabama history. Numerous handouts, videos on Selma to Montgomery March, Helen Keller, Mardi Gras and more. Photographs of Helen Keller on display. The Archives museum galleries are FREE to the public.

Hours are Mon.-Sat., 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Please note: The Research Room is only open the 2nd Saturday of each month. 624 Washington Ave., Montgomery. Call 242-4435 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov.

Alabama River Region Arts Center in Wetumpka has weekly after-school Arts Clubs which meet on Thursdays from 4-5 & 5-6 p.m. There are three clubs: Guitar (acoustic), Clay (polymer, ie “sculpy”) and Painting/Drawing.

Each Club is $20 a month. Students for Guitar Club must be 10 years old, but 7-year-olds are welcome for the other two. Clubs are limited to the first 10 students, for one month. While children are in Arts Clubs, parents are welcome to stay and browse our Gallery or Resource Library, or just wait in the kitchen with a soda! Studio space is also available on a lease basis. The Pottery Studio is available to ARRAC members trained on the wheel. First Saturday of every month is a free Sit & Sew, from 9 a.m.-noon. Bring your hand-sewing project or sewing machine for a morning of sewing with the ladies.

(Bluegrass Jam is going on at the same time in another room.) 300 W. Tallassee St. (former Wetumpka Jr. High building), Wetumpka, AL 36092. Visit www.arrac.org or see us on Facebook: Alabama River Region Arts Center, or call 578-9485 for more information.

Artists In Action: 1st Wednesday and 3rd Saturday of EVERY month at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts from noon-2 p.m.. Local and regional artists at work. For more info, call 240-4333.

“Artworks,” a hands-on children’s exhibit. FREE. Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, Blount Cultural Park. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tues.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m.

Sun. Open until 9 p.m. Thursdays. Closed Mondays. For more info, call 240-4333.

Bama Brushstrokes Art Club Meets 9 a.m., 2nd Saturdays of each month, Messiah Lutheran Church, 6670 Vaughn Road, Montgomery.

Club members include beginners, intermediate and advanced skill levels. Activities include seminars with well-known artists. Classes are taught by our members or guest artists. We share our talents with our community in various programs, such as the Memory Box Project for hospice patients through sponsorship by the Society of Decorative Painters. Our chapter creates finished paint projects and murals for various hospitals, libraries, and community-based organizations. For more info, contact Diana French, president, at garnet2@bellsouth.net.

The Central Alabama Tennis Association (CATA) is a volunteer-based tennis organization formed to provide programs which promote and develop the growth of tennis throughout central Alabama. The CATA has four essential charitable and educational purposes: (1) to promote and develop the growth of tennis in central Alabama area by providing a variety of educational and charitable tennis programs and services; (2) to educate the community concerning the importance or tennis and the benefits that can be derived from tennis; (3) to expand the opportunities in the community for learning tennis and to offer opportunities for learning tennis to individuals who do not have access to tennis; and (4) to provide programs and services in the community that teach participants scholarship and fair play and that permit access to volunteers and instructors who can serve as positive role models and mentors. For event info, call Ernie Rains, CATA Community Coordinator, at 324-1406 or e-mail www.centralalabama.usta.com.

Civil Rights Memorial A monument to those who died and/or risked death in the struggle for civil rights. 400 Washington Ave., Montgomery. For information, call 264-0286.

Cool Kids Cook is a faith-based ministry with classes offered at different locations. Please call 220-3651 if you’d like to attend or volunteer with this ministry.

www.montgomeryparents.com

April 2012

First White House of the Confederacy Open on Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m. This year begins the commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War. The First White House of the Confederacy played a significant role during the war and served as Jefferson Davis’ family residence from February-May 1861. Located at 644 Washington Avenue in downtown Montgomery, neighboring the Alabama Department of Archives and History. For more info or to tour the museum, call 242-1861 or visit www.firstwhitehouse.org.

Garden Tours Local gardens include Southern Homes and Gardens, Blount Cultural Park’s Shakespearean Garden at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Grace Episcopal Church, Prattville’s historic gardens in Old Pratt Village and the Wilderness Park, and Wetumpka’s arboretum at Ft. Toulouse. For more info in Montgomery, call 1-800-240-9452 or visit www.VisitingMontgomery.com. In Prattville, call 361-0961 or visit www.prattville.com/visitor/history. In Wetumpka, call 567-3002 or visit www.wetumpka.al.us/features. Other numbers are: Blount Cultural Park (274-0062 or www. blountculturalpark.org); Grace Episcopal Church (2151422); Old Alabama Town (240-4005 or www.oldalabamatown.com); and Alabama Garden Trail (1-800-ALABAMA or www.touralabama.org).

W. A. Gayle Planetarium Public Shows offered Mon.-Thurs. and Sun. Admission $3.50/person, children under 5 free, seniors $2.50/person.

Mon-Thurs. at 3 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. 1010 Forest Ave. in Oak Park. Call 241-4799.

Imagine It! The Children’s Museum of Atlanta is a family-friendly space filled with interactive and educational hands-on exhibits for children age eight and under. Imagine It! also offers birthday parties, memberships and field trip tours. Museum hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is $11 plus tax for adults and children ages 2 and above. Imagine It! is located at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. For more info, visit www.imagineit-cma.org or call (404) 659-KIDS [5437].

MOOseum, Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Children’s educational center featuring past, present and future in agriculture and the cattle industry. Free. Group tours should be pre-scheduled. Mon.- Fri. 9 a.m. -noon and 1-4 p.m. Last scheduled tour of the day starts at 3:30 p.m.

201 Bainbridge St., Montgomery. For info, call 265-1867 or visit www.bamabeef.org.

Old Alabama Town 19th and early 20th century outdoor history museum.

Tours Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $4 for students ages 6-18. Under 6 free.

301 Columbus St., Montgomery. For information, call 240-4500.

Rosa Parks Museum 252 Montgomery Street, 241-8615. Hours are Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. -3 p.m. Sundays and holidays, closed. Admission 12 years and under-$5.50/Over 12-$7.50. Alabama college students with a valid student ID: $6.50; discount price for both Museum & Children’s Wing: adults: $14, children $10 Tales for Tots 10:30-11 a.m. April 18. Join us for this FREE introduction to art in storybooks and in the Museum galleries for young children and their families. Each time a different work of art and special story will be presented. Call 240-4365 or visit www.mmfa.org for more info.

Classes Bradley Method Natural Childbirth Classes Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Zink Chiropractic Clinic, Course includes pregnancy exercise and nutrition, body changes during pregnancy, the coach’s role in pregnancy and natural birth, the stages of labor, breathing and relaxation for labor, common interventions and how to avoid them, breastfeeding, basic newborn care, and more.

Contact Lanette Tyler, 450-4605 or lanette.tyler@gmail. com; or visit www.bradleybirth.com Breastfeeding Class Designed to prepare the expectant mother for breastfeeding her newborn. Also includes troubleshooting common problems to establish a successful

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breast-feeding experience. Usually the first Saturday of the month, from 9-11 a.m. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. FREE. Class schedule is subject to change, so please call 293-8497 to register or for more info.

Childbirth Basics Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year but are often held on the first Saturday of the month, from noon-2 p.m.. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 by your 4th month of pregnancy to register.

Childbirth Preparation Class This five-week class meets once a week to learn ways to prepare for labor, birth and early parenthood experiences. Monday or Tuesday class, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Baptist Medical Center East, $60. Call 273-4445 for dates and to register.

Chinese Language Classes Auburn Montgomery’s Office of Far Eastern Initiatives offers Saturday classes for children and adults. The one-hour weekly courses are provided free-of-charge as a service to the community. For more information or to register, contact April Ma at 244-3018 or ama@aum.edu CPR & First Aid The American Red Cross offers classes in adult and infant/ child CPR as well as first aid and babysitting classes monthly. Call 260-3980.

Diabetes Education --Prattville Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available Wednesdays by appointment at Prattville Medical Park.

Call 213-6360 for more information.

Diabetes Education --Baptist Outpatient Nutrition and Diabetes Education services available weekdays by appointment. Call 213-6360 for more info.

Grandparent Class This program presents new concepts in newborn care to grandparents who need a refresher course. Usually one Tuesday per month. FREE. Call for schedule. Jackson Hospital. Call 293-8497.

Pre- and Post-natal Fitness Classes Includes water aerobics, step-floor aerobics and strength training. SportsFirst. Call 277-7130.

Your Amazing Newborn One-night class taught by a pediatrician and nursing staff usually one Tuesday a month. This class presents new concepts in newborn care and helps alleviate parenting jitters often experienced by soon-to-be parents.

Grandparents also welcome. Jackson Hospital. FREE. For more info, call 293-8497.

Services American Cancer Society seeks Volunteers for Road to Recovery This program is designed to ensure that cancer patients have transportation to and from medical facilities for treatment. Road to Recovery volunteers can be individual drivers with time to help others or even local companies who allow employees to provide transportation on company time in company cars. Anyone who has a driver’s license, a safe driving record, personal automobile insurance, owns a car or has access to one, and can spare as little as one morning or afternoon a month is encouraged to volunteer. For more information, or to volunteer, please call Luella Giles at 612-8162 or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Hospital Volunteers Volunteers are needed at Baptist Medical Center East, Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville Baptist Hospital. Duties vary by facility but include delivering mail and flowers, transporting patients, staffing waiting rooms and information desks, and furnishing coffee for visitors.

Volunteers work one four-hour shift per week. For more info, call 286-2977.

Hospice Volunteers Through volunteering at Baptist Hospice, the opportunities to help are endless. Our volunteers are an important part of the patient’s care and are the heart of the hospice family. There are many other ways to help, such as special projects and events or providing administrative support for the staff, that are essential. Volunteers often have special talents and innovative ideas that add so much to our program. Please call Gloria @395-5018 to join our dynamic team.

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Volunteer Services Jackson Hospital is looking for volunteers to work in key areas of the hospital. Volunteers provide an invaluable service to the hospital while making new friends and experiencing a fulfilling activity. Volunteers must be at least 19 years old and are asked to work 4 hours a week.

They must complete an application and pass a background check and health screening. If you are interested in volunteering, call Linda Dean, Dir. of Volunteer Services, 293-8967.

Baptist Sleep Disorders Centers Baptist Medical Center South and Prattville. Both centers have the ability to diagnose up to 84 different sleep disorders. There are four board-certified physicians and a clinical psychologist on staff between the two centers. For more information, call 286-3252 for Baptist Medical Center South and 361-4335 for Prattville Baptist Hospital.

Jackson Sleep Disorders Center Jackson Hospital houses a sleep disorders center on the third floor of the Goode Medical Building to monitor those who are suffering from sleep disorders. For more information, contact your physician or the Sleep Center at 293-8168.

Jackson Hospital Offers Animal Therapy Program to Pediatric Unit Jackson Hospital’s Animal Therapy Program is a vital part of its patient care. Animals in the program are limited to dogs, and no other animals are allowed to participate.

Currently, there are 10 dogs in the program. Their handlers have undergone extensive training and orientation, and visit the hospital weekly. For more information, please call 293-8894.

Nolan Research Pays Kids for Toy Testing Nolan Research, 2569 Bell Road in Montgomery, conducts toy tests that pay $20 in cash to each child ages 4-12 that participates. Testing takes place usually between 5 and 7 p.m. and only takes about 30-45 minutes. Results are used to help toy manufacturers decide whether or not to bring new toys out on the market. Please call 284-4164 to sign your child up and spread the word to any other families who may be interested in allowing their children to participate.

Support Groups Adoption Support

Alabama Pre/Post Adoption Connections (APAC), This group provides education and social interaction for adoptive families. Montgomery Group meets 3rd Thursdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Room 8114 at Frazer Memorial UMC. For more information, call 409-9477 or e-mail apac2@ childrensaid.org.

Autauga/Elmore Group meets 4th Tuesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., Glynwood Baptist Church, Prattville. Childcare, children’s group and dinner provided. For more info, call 409-9477 or e-mail apac2@childrensaid.org.

Panda Pals is a support group for families who have adopted or in the process of adopting children from China.

We have playdates, family nights and get-togethers to talk about raising our children from China. If you would like to join our group, just e-mail PandaPals2005@yahoogroups.com or call Tracie Singleton at 395-8215.

Cancer Support

American Cancer Society, including Montgomery, Elmore, Autauga, & Macon Counties: **To access or sign up for these programs, call the American Cancer Society’s Montgomery office at 6128162 or call 1-800-ACS-2345 and you will be connected to the Montgomery office.

Look Good…Feel Better is an American Cancer Society program in which trained volunteer cosmetologists help female cancer patients deal with the side effects of treatment. Patients are taught beauty techniques to enhance their appearance and self image during or after treatments, including ways to disguise hair loss and skin changes. Call Luella Giles at 612-8162 for more info.

Man to Man is an American Cancer Society support group for men who are battling or have survived prostate cancer. It offers them education, discussion and support.

Please call for next meeting dates at the American Cancer Society Office in Montgomery.

OTHER PROGRAMS/SERVICES OFFERED BY THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Reach to Recovery matches newly diagnosed breast

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cancer patients with survivors on a one on one basis.

College scholarships to cancer survivors Free wigs and other supplies for cancer patients Free rides to treatment through our Road To Recovery program (where volunteer drivers use their cars and time to take in need cancer patients to treatment) Free lodging through the Joe Lee Griffin Hope Lodge in Birmingham (if patients are sent to Birmingham for treatment) On-line cancer information classes and support group through www.cancer.org.

Information anytime and trained specialists at 1-800ACS-2345 General Cancer Support Group held at Christ Church, 8800 Vaughn Road, Tuesday afternoons at 1 p.m. This is an open group. For more information, please call Christy Holding at 531-1390 or Debbie Diemayer at 467-4578.

Women of Hope Breast Cancer Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 2nd Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Room 8114.

Provides education, awareness and mentoring for breast cancer patients/survivors, family or friends. For more info, call 220-4599 or e-mail womenofhope@charter.net.

Divorce & Grief Support

Bereaved Spouses Support Group A new ministry of Cornerstone Christian Church, USA (Unavoidably Single Again) Ministries is designed to offer ongoing support, social events and fellowship to those who have lost their spouses to death. The group is open to ALL widowed individuals, regardless of age, religious beliefs, or length of marriage or widowhood. Meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the church’s building, 301 Dalraida Road. Please e-mail Lynda Coats at farauthor@aol.com for more information.

“Big Leap!” start date TBD Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is designed to meet the needs of children who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. This group will provide a hands-on, safe space for age-appropriate expression of grief. These sessions will aim to increase feeling identification, decrease self-blame or guilt, and build coping skills. Through music, art, and play we will meet your child or grandchild on their level. We will encourage your children to hold tight to their memories as they make a “big leap” into their new future. This group is open to children ages 7-11.

Space is limited to 6 participants so call 279-6677. Start date will be determined once reservations are confirmed.

Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW “Comfort and Conversation” starts April 4 Wednesdays at 11 a.m., Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is intended to address those affected by a recent loss (0-12 months after death).

This group will offer you a safe place to bring your thoughts and emotions. Through meeting with others who are walking a similar journey, you will be encouraged to work through the complications of your loss, understand your pain, and adjust to your new reality.

Space is limited, so please call 279-6677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW Compassionate Friends, Eastmont Baptist Church, 4505 Atlanta Hwy, first Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child. Please call 284-2721 for more info.

“Connect” starts April 6 Fridays at 11 a.m., biweekly, Hospice of Montgomery office, 1111 Holloway Park. This group is for those who have already walked through the initial grieving process but still desire to connect with others who share similar experiences. This group will allow you to meet new people, stay active in the community, and look ahead to a bright future. We will share lunch, visit museums, volunteer, attend movies, and participate in area events.

We even have a fishing trip on the agenda! This group is ongoing and does not have a participation limit. It’s time to have fun again, come join us! For more info, call 2796677. Facilitator: Lee Lowry, MSW Divorce Care, Grief Share, Divorce Care for Children, All three groups meet Sundays at 5 p.m. at Heritage Baptist Church, 1849 Perry Hill Rd. Call 279-9976.

Divorce Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info.

Grief Recovery Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 6000 Atlanta Hwy., Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info.

Grief Recovery After Suicide, Frazer Memorial UMC,

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6000 Atlanta Hwy., first Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in Room 3102. This group is open to family members and friends who have lost a loved one as the result of suicide.

Group offers a confidential environment in which to receive support, hope and information. Contact Rev. Susan Beeson, 272-8622.

Grieving With Hope, St. Mark UMC, meeting weekly on Tuesdays from 1-2 p.m. The group offers a place to share, care and heal from the losses of life. Facilitated by Dr. Lennie Howard and Marie Parma. Contact the church at 272-0009.

Homeschool Support

ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization), Coosada Baptist Church on Coosada Road, Coosada. 2nd and 4th Fridays year-round from 10 a.m. to noon. This is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http:// www.onlineecho.com PEAK of Montgomery Homeschool Group Parent Educators and Kids (PEAK) of Montgomery is an inclusive, member-led group of homeschooling families who meet regularly for field trips, park days and other social and educational activities. We welcome all local home educators who enjoy sharing and learning within a diverse community. To join us, visit us at www.peaknetwork.org/montgomery

Illness Support

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Day Care, Frazer Memorial UMC, Thursdays, in Room 3101, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. There is no charge, but registration is required.

For more information, call the Congregational Care office at 272-8622. On the first Thursday of each month, the hours are extended to 12:30 p.m. while the Caregivers’ Support Group meets in Room 3103 beginning at 11 a.m. Only during this time will each participant need to bring a sack lunch. For the support group, call the church at 272-8622.

This new series is for all patients with congestive heart failure and their caregivers. This series is FREE for all participants. Below is the information: Cardiolife, a new educational series for congestive heart failure patients and their caregivers, meets 4th Thursdays of each month, 10-11 a.m. Diabetes Center classroom, Jackson Hospital. For more info, call 279-6677. Topics include: Lifestyle Changes, A Heart Healthy Diet, Proper Fluid Intake, Importance of Daily Weights and Exercise Tolerance. Support for this program provided by River Region Supportive Care – a Division of Hospice of Montgomery. Facilitated by Arla Chandler, RN, BSN, MBA. Depression/Bipolar Support Alliance, Room 3101 at Frazer UMC, 1st Thursdays from 7-8:30 p.m. This group is for those with depression and bipolar illness and their families. For more info, call 272-8622 or visit dbsamontgomery@yahoo.com Meetings also available 3rd Saturday afternoons from noon-2 p.m. at Dalraida UMC, 3817 Atlanta Highway.

For more info, call 652-1431.

Depression & Bipolar Support, Montgomery Public Library Main Branch, 245 High Street downtown, 2nd Floor Meeting Room, 3rd Saturdays, Noon-2 p.m.; OR 1609 West Street, north off Carter Hill and Narrow Lane, 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 201-9638 or 652-1431 for more info.

Fibromyalgia Support, Room 8114 at Frazer UMC, 3rd Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. This group is for those that have fibromyalgia and for their family members and friends.

For more info, please call 272-8622.

Gluten Intolerance Group (www.gluten.net) is a nonprofit organization with the mission to provide support to those with any form of gluten intolerance.

GIG-Montgomery assists with awareness of diverse potential symptoms, which can range from fatigue and headaches to nausea and intestinal problems. Guidelines are provided on how to eat safely both at home and eating out. Another objective is to facilitate more effective communication between the local gluten-free community and stores, restaurants and the medical community. Meets 4th Thursdays, 6-7 p.m., at Taylor Road Baptist Church, Fellowship Suite (faces entrance of EastChase-NE. Turn on Berryhill Rd by Eastchase). For more info, e-mail dr.hetrick@charter.net or visit http://gfmontgomery. blogspot.com or the group’s Facebook page.

Montgomery Area Mended Hearts, First floor of Montgomery Cardiovascular Institute on the campus of Baptist Medical Center South. For anyone who has

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Family Calendar experienced cardiac illness. Third Mondays, alternates between 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Call 286-3410 for more info.

NAMI Montgomery is offering “Family to Family,” a FREE 12-week education course open to all caregivers of adults with mental illness. Classes begin Thursday, Nov. 3, and meet weekly from 6-8:30 p.m. at Montgomery Public Library’s Lowder Branch, 2590 Bell Road.

Registration required. Call Mary Jo Logan, 271-2280, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Overeaters Anonymous, Unity of Montgomery, 1922 Walnut St., Saturdays from 3-4 p.m. Contact Misty at 324-9568 or Carol at 467-5742.

Parkinson’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, 4th Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 8114. Group is for Parkinson’s patients and their family members. For more info, call 272-8622.

PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsey) Support meets 2nd Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Room 3104 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group is for family members of patients suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsey. The group focuses on personal experiences and sharing, provides information and resources, and helps family members deal with the struggles that accompany PSP. For more information, call 272-8622.

Sjogren’s Support, Frazer Memorial UMC, meets 3rd Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. in room 3104. This group is for those with Sjogren’s disease and the family members of those affected by this disease. For more info, call 272-8622.

Tourette Syndrome & Tic Disorder Support meets 2nd Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Room 3101 at Frazer Memorial UMC. Meet others who are concerned about Tourette Syndrome, share experiences, ask questions, and learn more about the disorder. For more information, call 5460353 or e-mail TSgroupmontgomery@yahoo.com.

Veterans OEF/OIF Caregivers Support Group meets 3rd Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Room 3108 at Frazer Memorial UMC. This group provides support and understanding to those caring for OEF/OIF Veterans.

For more information, contact Joy Germanos, LCSW, PIP, Caregiver Support Coordinator at CAVHCS, (334) 725-2542.

Moms Support

iConnect, Frazer Memorial UMC, 3rd Thursdays from 9-11:30 a.m. in the Parlor. Share life, encourage and be encouraged by other women. We meet for breakfast, fellowship and a speaker. Advance reservations are necessary for breakfast and preschool nursery. Cost is $5 per meeting. For more info or to make reservations, call Frazer’s Women’s Ministry at 495-6391 or e-mail Sandy Boswell at sandy@frazerumc.org La Leche League of Montgomery, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2810 Atlanta Hwy., 3rd Fridays, 10 a.m. Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers who have completed an accreditation program and are familiar with breastfeeding management techniques as well as current research. Meetings are free and open to all women. Expecting moms, babies and children also welcome. If you need information before the next scheduled meeting, please call or e-mail Bridgit (569-1500 or bridgitbroom@gmail.com) Making Our Mothering Matter (MOMM), First Baptist Church, Prattville. Meets twice monthly from 8:30-11:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church in Prattville. We offer a time for fellowship, Bible study and special guest speakers. Cost is $5 per meeting to cover childcare expenses, crafts and operating expenses. Childcare reservations are required.

For more info, call Stacie Pruitt at 361-3386.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., Montgomery. Moms, are you looking for a good excuse to get out of the house? MOPS is a great opportunity to hone your mothering skills, meet new friends, and learn new things while deepening your relationship with God. Come join us on April 4 and on April 18. Free childcare is provided. For more info, call Andrea McGregor at 799-7847, Laura Forman at 306-0352 or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org.

MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), Vaughn Forest Baptist Church, 8660 Vaughn Road, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. MOPS is a non-denominational Christian organization open to all mothers of preschoolers, regardless of religious beliefs. The program does include childcare. For more info, call Shannon Melton at 280-2245.

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April 2012

Pregnancy Loss/Infertility

Hannah’s Prayer, Prattville First United Methodist Church, 2nd Thursdays and 3rd Sundays. Support group for women dealing with pregnancy loss/infertility issues.

Call (334) 365-5977.

Sav-A-Life conducts a HOPE GROUP for women who have experienced the emotional aftermath of an abortion. Groups meet eight consecutive Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. and are facilitated by women who have experienced abortion. The “Forgiven and Set Free” Bible study is used. Confidientiality is assured. Please call Kathy at 260-8010 for information.

Single Parents Support

Singles’ Small Groups, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall Lobby. Call 272-8622 for more info.

TNT (Tuesday Night Together) for Singles, Frazer Memorial UMC, Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall, Bldg. 7000. A meal ($5) and program are provided.

For reservations, call 272-8622.

Special Needs Support

Central Alabama Autism Support Team (C.A.A.S.T.), St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Hwy. 31 in Prattville from 6-8 p.m. 3rd Thursdays quarterly (Feb., May, Aug., Nov.). Visit www.easysite.com/caast or e-mail casst50@ yahoo.com for more info.

Down Syndrome Support, Vaughn Park Church of Christ, 1st Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Childcare provided. Call 356-9048 or visit www.montgomeryareadownsyndrome.com for information.

Montgomery Area Hearing Loss Support Group meets monthly at the Wesley Building of the First Methodist Church in Montgomery on 2nd Thursdays at 4 p.m.

It is affiliated with the nationally recognized non-profit advocacy group, Hearing Loss Association of America.

The purpose is to bring together all adults and parents of children who would like to know more about hearing losses, its causes and its possible corrections. Licensed audiologists make brief presentations explaining their local programs, their offices and the availability of hearing tests, of possible medical corrections, and/of hearing aids and cochlear implants. Refreshments at each meeting.

For more info, contact HearingInfo@earthlink.net Parents of Special Needs Children, Saint James UMC, 9045 Vaughn Road, 1st Sundays, 5-6:30 p.m. Please notify Chris Henderson if you plan to come. (Home: 215-0427; e-mail: chenderson41@yahoo.com River Region Autism Support Group, Cafe Louisa (in Old Cloverdale), 1036 E. Fairview Ave. We meet on 1st Saturdays from 4-6 p.m. This group is comprised of parents whose children are on the autism spectrum. We also welcome others involved with autistic children, such as grandparents, friends, teachers, therapists, etc. For more info about how to join the group, or if you plan to attend a meeting, e-mail Lyra Stephens at LyraStephens@yahoo. com

Teens/Families Support

Life is Fun Together (LIFT): A FREE Relationship and Marriage Enrichment Program providing different educational and fun-filled seminars to individuals and families. The LIFT Program is provided through Family Guidance Center of Alabama in partnership with the Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative. Call Tonya Rogers at 270-4100 for class start dates or more info!

“Relationship Smarts Plus” teaches teens in grades 7-12 about healthy relationships in a fun, interactive way.

Six-week sessions are available throughout the year on Mondays from 4–6 p.m.

“Smart Steps for Stepfamilies” is a six-week session that helps stepfamilies learn strategies to strengthen and stabilize their families. Parents and children ages 8 and up meet in their own groups, then meet up at the end of each session for a fun family activity!

“Together We Can” gives non-married parents the skills they need to maintain healthy relationships between themselves and their children.

“How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk (or Jerkette)” teaches single adults how to get the most out of dating.

“Mastering the Magic of Love” is a communication class for all couples. Bring your spouse, fiancé, or that special someone in your life with you to learn new communica-

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tion techniques and enhance your skills as a team of two. All adults are welcome, including graduates looking for a refresher!

Also…. LIFT has a brand-new program just for parents of teens!!!

“Bridging the Great Divide: Parents and Teens Communicating About Healthy Relationships” is perfect for parents or guardians who want open lines of communication with their teen. Topics include “Principles of Dating & Healthy Relationships,” “Sensitive Topics,” “Rules & Boundaries,” and more!!! Building D of Family Guidance Center, 2358 Fairlane Drive. This workshop lasts only three weeks, so call TODAY to reserve your spot!

You can look at a calendar of LIFT classes & events online by visiting our LIFT web page: http://www. familyguidancecenter.org/ Remember, LIFT has FREE programs for singles, couples, stepfamilies, parents, teens, and now parents of teens! Call 270-4100 or e-mail trogers@familyguidancecenter.org if you didn’t see your class listed so we can contact you when the next one starts.

Support Group for Teens with difficulties communicating with parents. This group began March 29 using the life skills training. Contact Felicia Pressley at Total Life Connection, 244-5061.

Youth Connection is a program offered through the Family Guidance Center of Alabama. It is an eight-week support group for teenagers ages 12-16 that meets on Tuesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Family Guidance Center, Building E. It is made possible to families free of charge through a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama. Topics include building positive self-esteem, decision-making skills, resisting peer pressure, communication skills, anger management techniques, healthy relationships and goal-setting. In addition to the teen group, a parenting support group meets at the same time and location at no cost. Two counseling professionals facilitate these groups.

For specific dates or to register, call Tammy Dozier at 269-0488, ext. 315, or e-mail tdozier@familyguidancecenter.org

This Month Friday, April 6

AUM Undergraduate Research Symposium 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the lobby of Goodwyn Hall. Area high school students interested in science are invited to attend, where they will have the opportunity to see research presentations from AUM science majors and experience what it’s like to study science in college. Everyone welcome. Breakfast and lunch provided. For more info, contact Dr. Chelsea Ward at cward3@aum.edu or visit www.aum.edu/ugr.

Brown Bag Concert Series -- Through May 25 Gold Star Park in Wetumpka. Free. Noon-1 p.m. An hour of entertainment with different vocalists or instrumentalists each week. Call 567-4811 or visit www.wetumpkachamber.com Late Night with YMCA Goodtimes Also April 13, 20 & 27 A weekly Parents’ Night Out program for parents of five-to 12-year-olds offered at the YMCA Goodtimes Center on Bell Road. Time is 6:30-11:30 p.m. and supper is included. Cost is $15 per child and no reservations are required. Child to staff ratio is 15:1. Call 279-8878.

Saturday, April 7

Home Depot Kids’ Workshop Free workshop teaches children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. This month’s project is a window bird feeder. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and an achievement pin. 9 a.m.-noon. Ages 5-12. Free.

8th Annual Autism Mud Bug Ball Roux Restaurant in Montgomery.

Shifts are 7 a.m.-noon (set-up); 11:30-3:30; noon-4; 3:30-7:30; and 5-8ish (tear down). Interested? E-mail your shift preference and area you would like to help to mudbugball@gmail.com. All volunteers get a free t-shirt, admission to the event and crawfish!

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Family Calendar Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Presents Health Fair 2012 Family-friendly community service event! 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Cleveland Ave YMCA, 1201 Rosa Parks Ave Diabetes, High Blood Pressure Screenings, Deputy Dave, ZUMBA w/the DFC, Face Painting, Wellness Resources and more! Non-perishable foods will be accepted at the door. Contact Mrs. Ashley: (334) 322-0475 / (334) 213-0051.

Prepared Childbirth Class Provides childbirth information for those who choose to have pain relief during labor and delivery. Topics include stages of labor, breathing and relaxation techniques, the role of the coach, and proper care of mother and baby after delivery. Sessions are taught throughout the year, from 10 a.m.-noon. Jackson Hospital, Classroom 1. Cost is $25. Call 293-8497 or e-mail liz.owen@jackson.org.

Creating Fabric Art 9 a.m.-noon at the Alabama River Region Arts Center, Wetumpka. Like to sew? Looking for a more unique type of fabric project? We are forming a new group to go beyond traditional quilting techniques and materials.

We will learn by doing and creating fabric works of art.

For more information, contact director@arrac.org or visit www.arrac.org. ARRAC is located in the former Wetumpka Jr. High school building at 300 W. Tallassee St., Wetumpka.

Saturday Walking Tours -- Also April 14, 21 & 28 Cities across the state are offering free guided walking tours at 10 a.m. each Saturday morning during the month of April. In Montgomery, the starting location is the Visitor Center; in Prattville, it is the Autauga County Heritage Center; and in Wetumpka, it is the Chamber of Commerce.

Old Alabama Town Saturday Jam Sessions Also April 21 9 a.m.-noon at the 1840s Rose House. Musicians, bring your acoustic instruments and join the fun! Admission to the jam sessions is free; tickets to tour Old Alabama Town are available at the Reception Center. For more info, call 240-4500 or visit www.oldalabamatown.com.

Cottontail Express at Heart of Dixie Railroad in Calera Welcome spring with a train ride to Peter Cottontail’s meadow. Hunt for Easter eggs and take photos with the Easter Bunny. Coloring, jump station and other kids’ activities. 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Call (205) 382-3946 or visit www.HODRRM.org

Wednesday, April 11

Prenatal Breastfeeding Class sponsored by Baptist Health Provides expectant mothers with information about breastfeeding. Partners are welcome to participate. Class meets 6-8:15 p.m. in the classroom at the Baptist Breast Health Center, Winton Blount Blvd. $15 per family. A 25 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Class sizes are limited and pre-pregistration is required. For more info, call 273-4445.

Coffee with the Mayor Join Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone for a cup of joe from 7-8 a.m. in the Mezzanine at Pike Road Town Hall. No reservations are required.

“Colors of the City” FREE Puppet Show at Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts -- Through April 13 “Colors of the City” and “Peekaboo Street” will be available to the public for children 3 to 6 years of age.

Two shows will be held each day on April 11, 12 and 13 at 9:30 and 11 a.m. This is a reservation-only program and is free. Please contact Jill Byrd at 240-4359 for more information.

Thursday, April 12

2012 Relay For Life Survivors’ Dinner at Faulkner University Relay For Life of Montgomery honors cancer survivors with a dinner at Faulkner University Gym, 5345 Atlanta Highway, at 5:30 p.m. Survivors will join together for a fun evening of food catered by Carrabba’s, giveaways and stories of survival. If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver and would like to take part in the Relay For Life of Montgomery, please visit www.RelayForLife.org/ Montgomery.

Disney Live – “Three Classic Fairy Tales” at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets: $19, $24, $32 and $44. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.ticketmas-

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ter.com, www.mpaconline.org or call the MPAC Box Office @ 481-5100.

Wetumpka Depot Presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat -- Through April 28 The Biblical saga of Joseph and his coat of many colors comes to vibrant life in this musical parable. Set to a range of musical styles, from country-western and calypso to bubble-gum pop and rock, this Old Testament tale is timely and timeless. For tickets, visit www. wetumpkadepot.com or call 868-1440.

Faulkner Dinner Theatre Presents Little Women, the Musical -- Through April 28 Theatre doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner is served from 6:15 until 7. The show begins promptly at 7:30.

Tickets are $25 and include dinner and the show.

Members of the military can purchase tickets for just $20.

Reservations must be paid in advance. Make reservations or for more information, call 386-7190 or e-mail boxoffice@faulkner.edu.

Great Locomotive Chase Weekend Through April 15 Hit the track for Marietta, Ga. Located just outside Metro Atlanta, you’ll want to board early to ride out a weekend chock-full of Civil War events. Thursday, it’s the repremiere of the 1956 movie “The Great Locomotive Chase.” On Friday, there’s no chance of bad luck with Civil War Home Front Days, a “Technology during the Civil War” event, Historic Marietta Trolley Tours, and book signing with Clint Johnson – Civil War historian and author. Similar events continue Saturday with the addition of the Marietta Square Farmers’ Market and a Living History on the Marietta Square featuring characters from “The Great Locomotive Chase.” A 1 p.m. statue dedication at the Marietta Confederate Cemetery will be the highlight of Sunday, as the Civil War weekend wraps up. For a complete listing of events, times and locations, visit www.MariettaCivilWar.com.

Friday, April 13

Parents’ Night Out at the Wetumpka Family YMCA A monthly Parents’ Night Out program for parents of kids 12 years and under offered the 2nd Friday of each month from 6-10 p.m. Games, arts and crafts, a movie and hot dogs are offered. Cost is $10 per child for members and $15 per child for non-members. You must register by the Thursday prior. Call 567-8282 for more info.

Symphony on the Sand at Callaway Gardens featuring the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Sit on the shores of Robin Lake enjoying ASO’s music under the stars on a Spring night. Ensure you have the perfect seat by purchasing a stage-front, beach table in advance. Call 1-800-CALLAWAY or visit www. callawaygardens.com.

Junior League of Montgomery Presents Bloomingdeals Rummage Sale -- Also April 14 Garrett Coliseum, Montgomery. Shopping hours: Fri., April 13, 5-9 p.m.; Sat., April 14, 8-10 a.m.

EVERYTHING HALF PRICE on Saturday! Tickets at the door are $5 and can be purchased on-line at www. jlmontgomery.org or at area locations, including the Montgomery Junior League Office, Barb’s on Mulberry, all River Bank and Trust locations, Calhoun Foods and The Shoppes at My Kid’s Attic. For more info, contact the Junior League of Montgomery at 288-8816 or visit www.jlmontgomery.org.

Prattville Community Chorus Spring Dinner Concert -- Also April 14 First United Methodist Church, Prattville. Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. & Concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available through Chorus members or purchase them at the Cultural Arts/Special Events office at 403 W. 4th Street. For more info, please call 358 -0297. Tickets are $15 and include dinner.

Day Out With Thomas at Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum -- Also April 14, 15, 21 & 22 All little engineers are invited to take a train ride with Thomas! The fun-filled family experience includes photos with Sir Topham Hatt, putt-putt golf, jump station, petting zoo, bubble station, temporary tattoos, maze, storytelling, videos, live music and hands-on fun in the Imagination Station! You’ll find commemorative activities, merchandise and give-aways available ONLY at this event. The 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 9:45 a.m. through 3:45

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p.m. on Fridays and Sundays, and 9 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets are $18 for ages two and up.

For tickets and info, visit www.HODRRM.org or call 866-468-7630.

ECHO (Elmore County Homeschool Organization) Monthly Meetings -- Also April 27 ECHO is a support group for homeschooling families in the tri-county area. The group usually meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month year-round from 10 a.m. to noon at Coosada Baptist Church on Coosada Road, Coosada. Membership is free. For more info, please visit http://www.onlineecho.com Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents The Merry Wives of Windsor -- Through May 18 Women rule and the knight’s the fool in this hilarious Shakespearean yarn. Sir John Falstaff is down on his luck and concocts a scheme to woo two married women in an attempt to get their husbands’ money. The wives get wind of Falstaff’s intentions and hatch their own plan to thwart the wayward knight. Recommended for ages 13+ due to mild adult language. Call 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net for tickets.

Saturday, April 14

4th Annual Pushing Pawns Scholastic Chess Tournament Hosted by Helena Intermediate School, 3500 Hwy 52, Helena, Ala. For more info, e-mail: CaesarChess@yahoo. com Comedian James Gregory at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. Call the MPAC Box Office at 481-5100 or visit www.mpaconline.org to purchase your tickets.

Spring Planting Celebration Help plant fruit trees and bushes at the two trailheads of the Pike Road Natural Trail with the Agriculture and Stewardship Club from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The club needs 50 volunteers to help for three hours each. Contact Rebecca Fonville at rfonville@staysailgroup.com for details.

Baby Boot Camp Sponsored by Baptist Health An abbreviated version of the Childbirth Preparation/ Lamaze Class offered by Baptist Health. Registered nurse instructors discuss birthing methods (including Cesarean), comfort measures for labor, medications and anesthesia options (including epidurals), postpartum care and baby care basics. Coping techniques (including Lamaze) are included in this class. This class meets from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Baptist Breast Health Center Classroom, Winton Blount Blvd. The fee is $45. A 25 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required.

Class sizes are limited and pre-pregistration is required.

For more info, please call 273-4445.

Maternity Area Tour @ Baptist Medical Center East A tour of the Labor/Delivery/Recovery (LDR), Postpartum and Nursery areas is offered to those not attending the Childbirth Preparation Class (a tour is provided as part of that class). Please meet in the main lobby of Baptist Medical Center East, 400 Taylor Rd., 10 minutes before the scheduled tour. The tour is at 10:30 a.m. Tour sizes are limited and pre-pregistration is required. For more info, call 273-4445.

Riverfront Park FREE Family Event Offered the second Saturday of every month from 5-8 p.m. Actvities will include: live entertainment, interactive activities for all ages (bocce ball & more), Food vendors and cocktails will be served from the SandBAR! Vendors include: iCantina, Dreamland, Peppertree Steaks and Wines, Cheezie’s Pizza, Nancy’s Italian Ice, Spacewalker, Bruster’s Ice Cream and Nathan’s Hotdogs. There will also be a fireworks display to conclude the day! For more information about this event, please contact the Riverfront Box Office at 625-2100.

Frazer Church Sponsors Chess Tournament for Kids in the Chess-in-the-Public-Schools Ministry 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Frazer Church, Room 8114 of the John Ed Mathison Rec Center. (Not the usual chess room at Frazer!) Please register by April 7. There will be three groups by grade: 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8. They will have ribbons for winners and runners-up in each age division. James Garner will be the tournament director. No clocks will be used. This is a “for-fun” chess tournament with NO entry fee. Just sign up, play and eat! The church will provide pizza, drinks and refreshments. Parents and friends are

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

also invited to watch. This chess tournament is open to all schools (public, private and military) and kids in grades 3-8. To register, e-mail your child’s name, school and grade to EPerry@faulkner.edu.

Way Off Broadway Theatre Presents All the King’s Women -- Through April 29 This southern comedy tells the life of Elvis Presley through the eyes of 17 women: some enthralled, some appalled, but all OBESESSED! Directed by Laura Morrison and features cast members: Michon Givens, Zyna Captain, Hollie Purisfull, Misty Corrales, and Tammy Hyman.

Tickets can be purchased at the Cultural Arts Center, or by phone at (334) 358-0297. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door.

Sunday, April 15

Miss Bright Star of America Scholarship Pageant Hosts Star Performer Workshop Free for young ladies ages 5-18. This fun-filled workshop will be held at Trenholm State Technical College, 1225 Air Base Boulevard, (Building D (Student Union) Montgomery, at 5 p.m. For young ladies looking to improve skills that promote self-confidence and poise and receive mentoring from today’s accomplished leaders. Star Performer Workshop is being co-sponsored by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Mu Chapter, Future Iota Leader and Save Kids of incarcerated Parents. For more info, call 221-8779 or visit http://www.missbsa.com Love art? Do art? SHARE Art! If you are an artist or just love the arts, share that love with your neighbors at the first event of the Pike Road Arts Council from 2-5 p.m. at Town Hall. Local artists are needed to display their work and to lead short workshops on their area of expertise. If you are interested, contact Patty Payne at patty@pikeroad.us.

Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Opening Night Game starts at 5:35 p.m., followed by MAX Fireworks Spectacular! For details, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call 323-2255.

Tax Relief Week: Gold’s Gym Montgomery Provides Week of FREE Workouts April 15-21 In conjunction with National Stress Awareness Day, Gold’s Gym is offering the community an outlet to not only relieve their stress, but more importantly, the opportunity to learn how to alleviate stress through a healthy, positive workout. Gold’s Gym is inviting local community members to release the added stress that has been mounting for weeks by celebrating Tax Relief Week at Gold’s Gym April 15 through April 21.

All adults are welcome to visit Gold’s Gym, located at 2300 Berryhill Rd. in Montgomery, for one free week of membership. For more information, please visit: http:// www.goldsgym.com, call 271-7575 or e-mail: cnorris@ goldsgym.com.

Go GUARD while you get YOUR DEGREE • Money for College • Part-Time Service • Student Loan Repayment

Tuesday, April 17

CAKE Performs at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $27. CAKE’s recent album, Showroom of Compassion, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 upon its release earlier this year. Call the MPAC Box Office at 481-5100 or visit www.mpaconline.org to purchase your tickets.

Wednesday, April 18

EarthDay Safari -- Also April 19 Montgomery Zoo. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 240-4900 or visit www.montgomeryzoo.com for details.

Thursday, April 19

ArchiTreats: Food For Thought The Alabama Dept. of Archives & History, 624 Washington Ave. Noon-1 p.m. Bring lunch and a drink and join us every third Thursday for these FREE lectures sponsored by Friends of the Alabama Archives. Today’s topic is “Incidents of the War: The Civil War of Mary Jane Chadick,” presented by Nancy M. Rohr. Call 353-4726 or visit www.archives.alabama.gov.

2012 Women’s & Home Decor Consignment Sale My Kids Attic, Coliseum Blvd. Buy items at great prices and sell those items that you no longer use.

The collection dates are: April 19-22. Consignors pre-sale shopping date is April 24. Public sale is April 25-28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. If you have not signed up for this sale or need more info, visit: www.mykidsattic.biz Hospice of Montgomery’s 18th Annual Fundraiser Monte Carlo 2012 Wynlakes Golf and Country Club, 6:30-10 p.m. Monte

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

“Premium Pinestraw at Wholesale Prices” Kenny Williamson Call 669-5959

Two Convenient Locations!

Ryan Rd (off Chantilly next to Walmart) On the Corner of Mcgehee and Carter Hill 95

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Family Calendar Carlo 2012 will feature the evening’s highlight, a Silent Auction of original art by local artists, baskets filled with gift certificates and items from local businesses, garden and landscape opportunities, elegant home furnishings and antiques, exquisite jewelry, sports items and memorabilia, trips and a collection of fine wines. Wynlakes executive chef will present a delectable buffet of hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Auction items may be viewed at www.hospiceofmontgomery.org. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased online or by mail: Hospice of Montgomery, 1111 Holloway Park, Montgomery, AL 36117.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Henry VIII -- Through May 20 The conniving Cardinal Wolsey maneuvers money and power his way, and sends his rivals to the chopping block--all while keeping favor with the king. But when Henry VIII seeks to divorce his queen so he can marry the beautiful Anne Boleyn, Wolsey finds himself playing on both sides of the executioner’s axe. Recommended for ages 11+. Call 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net for tickets.

Friday, April 20

Civil War Living History Confederate Memorial Park, Marbury. Free. A day of living history for schools and the public featuring infrantry, cavalry, artillery, commissary wagon, soldier’s equipment, uniforms, music, flags, civilian life, and (student participation) drill. 9:30-11:30 a.m. and noon-3:30 p.m.

Call (205) 755-1990 or visit www.exlpresouthernhistory. com/confederatepark.html.

Montgomery Ballet’s Spring Gala Celebration Also April 21 Montgomery Performing Arts Centre on April 20 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 at 2:30 p.m. A celebration of classical and contemporary dance, the Spring Gala features an exclusive world premiere, a sensual neo-classical exploration of human love and attraction, and a condensed version of a classical favorite. Guest artists Adria Ferrali of Florence, Italy, and Australian Timothy O’Donnell will

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April 2012

be premiering new contemporary ballets for southeastern audiences, and the Montgomery Ballet’s own Darren McIntyre will be re-staging the classic le Corsaire. Admission is $45, $35, $25 and $15 with discounts available for seniors, children, students and military. Tickets can be purchased through the MPAC box office at 481-5100 or online at www.montgomeryballet.org.

16th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival Through April 22 On the square in Dahlonega, Ga. Pre-festival events begin Friday with jamming, live country auction, and Master Class workshops. Saturday and Sunday events include two full days of bluegrass, mountain and folk music, local, regional and national performers, art, additional workshops, dancing, children’s activities, food and eclectic shopping in the historic Public Square and the adjacent Hancock Park. Free admission to all activities.

For more information, visit www.Dahlonega.org.

Saturday, April 21

Clothes4Souls Community Wide Clothing Collection 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 6610 Vaughn Road. We will accept new or gently worn, clean clothing. These items should be clean and still in good shape. Worn clothing should not have holes and should still be in wearable condition. NEW clothes of any type are accepted. No shoes please. Call 300-4835 or visit www.aldersgateumc.org for details.

Stop Hunger Now Food Packaging Event 8 a.m-1 p.m. Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 6610 Vaughn Road. We will be packaging 50,000 meals in the Christian Activity Center of our church. If you would like to be a part of this event or if you would like to make a monetary donation please call 300-4835 or visit www. aldersgateumc.org for details.

2012 Alabama Book Festival Old Alabama Town from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free public event brings more than 5,000 people from around Alabama and the South to meet and mingle with 45 celebrated authors. Author readings will be followed by

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book signings. The children’s activity area, sponsored by the Montgomery City-County Public Library, will feature storytelling, arts and crafts, and fishing for books.

Delicious Southern fare will include Boomer T’s Bar-BQ and caterer Jennie Weller. For more info, visit www. alabamabookfestival.org or call 888-240-1850.

Joy to Life Foundation Walk of Life 5K run/walk through historic downtown, complete with family-friendly entertainment to raise awareness of breast cancer. The Joy to Life Foundation provides free mammograms to the medically underserved in 29 Alabama counties. 7 a.m.-noon. Call 284-5433 or visit www. joytolife.org Sibling Preparation This fun one-hour class is designed for expectant “big brothers and sisters” ages 3-8. They will learn about the arrival of their new baby through an introduction to the hospital experience and the early days at home.

Parents should plan to attend with their child. This class meets from 1-2 p.m. in the classroom at Baptist Medical Center East, 400 Taylor Rd. The fee is $10 per family. A 25 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required.

Class sizes are limited and pre-pregistration is required.

For more info, please call 273-4445.

French & Indian War Encampment Ft. Toulouse/Jackson Park, Wetumpka. Witness a reenactment of the 1755 struggle between Colonial French, British and Native Americans by costumed characters, peek into their daily lives and see battles between French, British and Indian allies at the reconstructed Fort Toulouse and Creek Indian Village. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 567-3002 or visit www.fttoulousejackson.org Touch a Truck & More at Pratt Park 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Trucks and other vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be available for kids to touch and explore.

Kids are encouraged to climb aboard and learn how these vehicles operate. Bring your camera! Some of the vehicles will include a ladder fire truck, ambulance, police SWAT truck, garbage truck, wrecker, excavator, dump truck and

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

more! Admission is free, so bring the whole family. Sponsored by the City of Prattville. Call (334) 358-0297.

Bark in the Park Benefiting Prattville-Autauga Humane Society Cooter’s Pond, Prattville. 1-5 p.m. Prizes for Best Costume, Pet/owner Look Alike, Smallest & Largest Dog (depending on what donations are received prior to the event), Door Prizes, Bake Sale, Many children’s activities and On-site adoption team with animals looking for forever homes! Concessions will be sold. Call (334) 361-3640 for more information.

Alabama Nature Center General Public Weekend Also April 22 Enjoy hiking five miles of scenic ANC trails while learning about the fascinating natural history of central Alabama. You can even add to the outdoor experience with a tasty picnic under or around the ANC pavilion.

Sat., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 1-5 p.m. Call 285-4550 or visit www.alabamawildlife.org.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream -- Through May 20 Uncertain love is in the air as two couples find themselves lost in a mystical forest on an unforgettable midsummer’s night. Caught in a tug of war between fairies and foes, the four become engaged in a delightful game of “she/he loves me, she/he loves me not.” Recommended for ages 9+. Call 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net for tickets.

Sunday, April 22

Clifford and Virginia Durr Lecture 5:30 p.m., AUM’s Moore Hall Auditorium. Auburn Montgomery will host its annual lecture on civil liberties, in honor of Montgomery Civil Rights workers Clifford and Virginia Durr. Rev. Robert S. Graetz will serve as the keynote lecturer, along with filmmaker Andrew Grace who will preview parts of his new documentary “The Durrs of Montgomery.” The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.aum.edu/durr.

Kids Run the Bases at Montgomery Biscuits Baseball Games -- Also April 29 For details, visit www.biscuitsbaseball.com or call 3232255.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents The 39 Steps -- Through May 19 Four actors play 140 roles in the double Tony awardwinning Broadway smash. Richard Hannay’s dull life becomes anything but when he meets up with a mysterious female spy. When she is murdered in his home, an organization called the 39 Steps goes hot on his trail. This comedy thriller – adapted by Phillip Barlow from the novel by John Buchan and inspired by film legend Alfred Hitchcock – is filled with fever-pitched gasp-a-minute fun. Recommended for ages 13+ due to mild adult language. Call 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net for tickets.

Alabama Shakespeare Festival Presents Travels with My Aunt -- Through May 19 Adapted from Graham Greene’s classic novel, Henry Pulling’s dull life is turned upside down at his mother’s funeral when he is reunited with his long lost and eccentric Aunt Augusta. The two begin an around-theworld adventure in which they encounter spies, thieves, smugglers, and a long-held family secret. Four actors play 20 roles in this comical tour de force. Recommended for ages 17+ due to mild adult language and adult situations. Call 271-5353 or visit www.asf.net for tickets.

Monday, April 23

Silhouettes in Courage: March To Equality Art Exhibit -- Through April 27 AUM Goodwyn Hall Gallery. Designed and curated by students in Auburn Montgomery’s fine arts department, this exhibit features photographs culled from the Jim Peppler Southern Courier Photograph Collection at the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Library of Congress’s Prints and Photographs Division.

The exhibit highlights the contributions of activists in the Civil Rights Movement. The grand opening takes place on April 23, 5-7 p.m., and the exhibit runs through April 27.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Admission is free and open to the public. For more info, contact Keri Watson at 244-3927 or kwatson9@aum.edu.

Wednesday, April 25

“Bubble for Love”: Parental Alienation Awareness Day and End Child Abuse Noon. Sponsored by Alabama Family Rights Association. April is Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

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www.montgomeryparents.com

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Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Month …a time to emphasize that children are innocent and deserve the leadership of the adults (parents, leaders, community) around them to ensure their health, wellness and safety. Visit www.alfra.org Holocaust Education Program 9:30 a.m.-noon. AUM Physical Education Complex AUM will host its 11th annual Holocaust Education Program in collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama. Activities will include the screening of a film, presentation of high school essay contest winners, stories from Holocaust survivors, and a candlelight memorial for the 11 million victims of the Holocaust.

The event is ADA adapted. Admission is free and open to the public. For more info, contact Sheila at 244-3268 or sguidry@aum.edu.

Garrison Keillor at the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 8 p.m. Call the MPAC Box Office at 481-5100 or visit www.mpaconline.org to purchase your tickets.

Thursday, April 26

The Newcomers Club of Montgomery Monthly Luncheon Women who are new residents in the area are invited to attend our monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Country Club. Cost is $15 and reservations must be made by noon Monday, April 23, to Sheila Thomas at t_sheila@rocketmail.com or call 365-3463. Visit www.newcomersmontgomery.com.

“A Woman Like That” Film Screening AUM Goodwyn Hall 109, 5-7 p.m. The provocative work and heroic life of 17th-century female artist Artemisia Gentileschi inspired filmmaker Ellen Weissbrod’s own struggle to be “a woman like that.” A distinctly modern film about a 17th-century Baroque painter, “A Woman Like That” tells the incredible story one of the world’s first female artists. Filmed in New York, St. Louis and Kentucky, the film includes rarely seen paintings from private collections and intimate views inside museums in Rome, Florence and Naples. Admission is free and open to the public. For more info, contact Keri at 244-3927 or kwatson9@aum.edu.

Ladies’ Memorial Association of Montgomery Hosts 146th Annual Program Celebrating Confederate

Memorial Day 2 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery. The speaker will be Colonel John Eidsmoe. Visit http://theladiesmemorialassociationofmontgomery.yolasite.com/ for details.

Sunday, April 29

Jazz Jams at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts 2-4 p.m. Enjoy the Museum and a little jazz on a Sunday afternoon. Dessert, coffee and wine will be available for purchase. There is no charge to attend this event, but seating is limited. This event is partnered with Alabama Roots Music Society. Visit www.mmfa.org or call 2404333 for details.

Monday, April 30

Infant Safety/CPR Sponsored by Baptist Health Also May 1 Childproofing methods, care of the choking infant, infant rescue breathing and infant CPR skills are covered with hands-on practices using ACTAR CPR doll for class participants. Class meets at 6 p.m. on designated Mondays or Tuesdays in the classroom at the Baptist Breast Health Center, Winton Blount Blvd. $10 per person. A 25 percent class discount is available to Baptist Health employees and members of the military. ID required. Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is required. For more info, call 273-4445.

Thursday, May 3

Anthony Hamilton Performs with Ruben Studdard at Montgomery Performing Arts Centre 7 p.m. Call the MPAC Box Office at 481-5100 or visit www.mpaconline.org to purchase your tickets.

Friday, May 4

Prattville Cityfest -- Also May 5 Downtown Prattville. Admission charged. Arts and crafts show with food, entertainment, children’s area and free concert. Fri., 7-11 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call 365-7392 or visit www.prattvillecityfest.com American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Pike Road The Waters. Charlene Rabren will serve as honorary chair for this year’s Relay For Life of Pike Road.Rabren

was born and raised in the Pike Road community and has served as town clerk since the town incorporated in 1997. Her husband, Wayne, served as Pike Road’s first mayor. For information about joining the committee or about the event, call 612-8177 or visit www.relayforlife. org/pikeroadal.

Thursday, May 10

Taste of the Gardens 2012 5-8 p.m. Southern Homes & Gardens and the American Red Cross present Taste of the Gardens, a benefit for the American Red Cross held annually at SH&G on Vaughn Road, Montgomery. The event includes a silent auction featuring works from local artists; tasting from the River Region’s finest restaurants & caterers; wine and music with Henry Pugh. Also, during the Taste of the Gardens event, items purchased at SH&G will be discounted 20%. Event tickets are $20, and may be purchased from the American Red Cross.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, contact Kelly Hodges at 260-4016; or e-mail hodgesk@ montgomeryarc.org.

Saturday, May 12

Hampstead Institute Spring Food Festival Hampstead Institute Downtown Farm, 425 Moulton St., Montgomery. Festival celebrating the taste of local food in central Alabama. Noon-5 p.m. Admission charged.

Call 422-9331 or visit www.hampsteadinstitute.org.

Calendar information due by the 15th of each month.

Send an email to editor@ montgomeryparents.com.

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Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection 3370 Harrison Rd. | 277-1098 Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Gymnastics, Ballroom, Salsa, Zumba Fitness & Hip Hop

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Welcome to the Montgomery Parents’ Advertiser Directory. This section was created to help our readers easily access advertising information in our magazine. We know that readers consider our advertisers as valuable a resource as the editorial content in Montgomery Parents.

We hope this directory saves you time as you refer to the magazine throughout the month. Page numbers follow the advertiser’s name.

A Great Start Learning Academy, 76 Ace Bowling Center, 3 Adventure Sports II, 96 Alabama Army National Guard, 95 Alabama Christian Academy, 21 Ala Dept of Public Health, Inside Front, 7 Alabama State University Acting Camps, 33 Alabama Tennis Academy, 20 Aldersgate UMC Child Care, 76 Alfa Realty, Eddie McBrayer, Jr., 101 Arts in Motion, 85 ASKIN/Synergy House, 100 ASU Cont. Education Camp, 43 AUM Continuing Education, 35 Auditory/Visual Enhancement, 56 Baptist Health Services, 4 Betsy Echols, Realty Central, 99 Bloomingdeals Rummage Sale, 25 Born Boutique, 18 Bradford Health Services, 98 Brit Snap Photography, 64 Cancer Care Center, 61 Carriage Hills Animal Hospital & Pet Resort, 88 Chantilly Veterinary Clinic, 44 Chapman Orthodontics, 55 Churchill Academy, 17 Club Z At-Home Tutoring, 42, 99 Coastal Conservation, 39 Cottage Rental Agency, 67 Dana Coats Mabry, Life Coach, 100 Dancewear, Etc., 101 Dentistry for Children, 37 Donna Young, Supreme Landing, 100 Dr. A.W. Watkins Golf Tournament, 18 Dr. Bradley Willis-Dentist, 69 Dr. Kendall Dunn-Orthodontist, 47 Dynamite Magic & Balloons, 42 E & S Hobbies, Inc., 101 Edgewood Academy, 45 Edward Jones-Lane Easterling, 57 Evangel Christian Academy, 26 Montgomery Parents I April 2012

Family Karate Center, 1 Family Sunshine Center, 2 Faulkner University Paralegal Degree, 80 First UMC Montgomery, 41 First UMC Prattville, 54 Fleming’s Martial Arts, 64 Flowers Learning Center, 99 Frazer Memorial Christian Kindergarten, 79 Frazer Memorial UMC, 38 Grant Home & Janitorial, 100 Greengate School, 81 Handwriting for Kids, 101 Heart of Dixie Railroad, 53 Huntingdon Basketball Camp, 48 Huntingdon Football Camp, 36 Huntington Learning Center, 31 Joy to Life, Walk of Life, Inside Back Cover KLynn Ice Skating School, 47 Kingry Orthodontics, 45 Kumon, 13 Learning Tree Child Care, 73 Lighthouse Baptist Church Upward Camp, 65 Lil Pea Pod Boutique, 97 Loved Again, 78 Macon East Montgomery Academy, 15 Mareonta’s Fashion, 99 Memorial Presbyterian Childcare, 78 Montessori @ Hampstead, 73 Montessori @ Mulberry, 77 Montessori Academy, 75 Montgomery Ballet, 30 Montgomery Catholic Schools, 53 Montgomery Humane Society, 11 Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, 97 Montgomery Pediatric Dentistry/Orthodontics, 59 Montgomery Taekwondo, 100 Montgomery Zoo, 32 Mrs. Sandy’s House, 100 Mt. Meigs Accelerated Christian Academy, 28 My Kids Attic, The Shoppes at, 19 New Park, 8 Paint and Clay, 95 103

Party Ponies by Renfroe & Daughters, 100 Pediatric Cardiology, 20 Pediatric Nephrology of Alabama, 96 Petrunic Orthodontics,33 Professional Pediatrics, 12 Pump It Up Party, 54 Rachelle’s Salon & Boutique, 101 River Region Straw, 95 Riverview Camp, 83 Rolling Video Games of AL, 97 Saint James School, 24 Sea Dragon Pirate Cruises, 87 Sew Bernina, 49 Shade Tree Riding Academy, 35 Shark Tooth Creek, 44 Smart Smiles, 21 Smiles Galore Parties, 37 Southlawn Childcare Center, 70 Spacewalk of Montgomery, 49 Spacewalker, The, 95 Spotless Cleaning Services, 9 St. Bede Child Development Center, 72 St. Bede Summer Camp, 63 Success Unlimited Academy, 23 Sunny Side Child Care, 79 Taylor Crossing Animal Hospital, 28 Taylor Made Gaming, 57 Taylor Road Baptist Church, 48 The Big Green Bus, 101 The Dance Fitness Center, 100 The Montgomery Academy, Back Cover The Waters, 70 Tonya Speed’s Dance Connection, 101 Tree Theater Company, 63 Trinity Presbyterian Church Preschool, 77 Twisted Spur, 59 United Family Services Outreach, 101 United Gymstars & Cheer, LLC, 31 Vaughn Park Mom’s Day Out, 74 Vaughn Urgent Care, 55 William Frye Photography, 93 www.montgomeryparents.com

Mirror Mirror

The Hunger Games

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B Violence: C+ Sexual Content: B Language: AAlcohol / Drug Use: BThe MPAA has rated Mirror, Mirror PG for some fantasy action and mild rude humor.

There’s a good chance a sampling of people asked about the legend of Snow White would recite the songs and names of dwarves from the 1937 Disney animated feature. However this tale of a wicked queen and poison apple dates back long before Walt’s adaptation, and that makes it ripe for the retelling.

In the live-action version Mirror Mirror, the wicked queen of the land (Julia Roberts) is broke and the only way she can see to fix the problem is to squeeze more taxes out of her already impoverished subjects… or find a rich suitor. When the handsome Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) passes through the kingdom, the ruler figures her financial problems are solved (with added benefits).

However what she doesn’t know is that her stepdaughter Snow White (Lily Collins) has wandered out of the castle for the first time since the death of her father. It’s her 18th birthday and during her inaugural venture into the woods, she happens to meet Prince Alcott. Needless to say the foreigner is more attracted to the young princess than the desperate older monarch. Sensing she is losing her royal opportunity, the Queen summons her assistant Brighton (Nathan Lane) to take Miss White for a fatal walk in the forest. However his soft heart gets the better of him, so he releases her instead, telling her never to return.

Yes, the banished maiden does bump into seven height challenged men who, in this script, make a living using less than honorable methods. But the dwarves association with the endearing princess makes them better people and Snow White learns some basic self-defense moves that increase her own confidence.

It’s difficult to pinpoint what age range this story is trying to appeal to. Strangely awkward throughout, the brightest spots in this movie are the costumes and art design. Nathan Lane’s unabashed performance also goes a long ways to save this flailing film. Without this, adults may be bored, young children might be scared and those few left in-between would be only mildly amused.

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Overall: BViolence: D+ Sexual Content: B+ Language: B Alcohol / Drug Use: C+ The MPAA has rated The Hunger Games PG-13 for intense violent thematic material and disturbing images - all involving teens.

President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is the dictator of a post-apocalyptic country called Panem, where North America once existed. He resides in the highly advanced city called The Capitol, while the rest of the citizens live in 12 districts in various states of poverty. The residents of each are compelled yearly to surrender their teenaged children into a lottery where two dozen unlucky “tributes” -- one male and one female from each district -- will be forced to fight to their death. When 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen’s (Jennifer Lawrence) younger sister is selected, she immediately presents her own name instead and volunteers to compete in The Hunger Games.

Katniss is from District 12, a coal mining area that looks like today’s Appalachia, where she supports her distraught mother and younger sister by illegally hunting food along the border -- often with her best friend Gale (Liam Hemsworth). She and the 18-year-old boy share the tragedy of losing their fathers in a mine explosion. Now pulled from her family and Gale’s life, Katniss’ only chance of winning the bloody gladiator-style battle may be her tough upbringing and bow-hunting skills.

The “game” is a big event in The Capitol, with an Olympic-like buildup.

The tributes are donned in outlandish costumes and paraded through the city.

After the pageantry is complete they are brought to a stage and interviewed by Caesar Flickerman (Stanley Tucci), the host of the reality television show that covers the sport in great detail. From there the mostly starving and untrained competitors are placed in posh quarters, fed copious amounts of food, and put into a regime to help hone their survival and fighting abilities.

Katniss and Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson), the other tribute from her area, are offered the mentoring services of Haymitch Abernathy (Woody Harrelson), a drunkard who managed to win the games a few decades earlier. His help does nothing to make the situation look more hopeful for these two kids who hail from the poorest district in the land.

Based on an adolescent novel that has risen to meteoric popularity since it’s 2008 release, this movie brings the story’s gruesome concept to life with many violent scenes of teens slaying their opponents. Teens who have read the books will undoubtedly be interested in viewing this solidly produced movie that contains only a few mild profanities and a kiss between young characters.

What Parents Need To Know About Mirror Mirror...

Violence: Characters are subjected to slapstick violence throughout the film, some involving bladed weapons. Thieves ambush travelers in the forest on numerous occasions.

Sexual Content: A man is frequently seen without a shirt and other characters are shown in modest undergarments. A woman fawns over a topless man. A couple of moments of veiled sexual innuendo are heard.

Language: A single term of deity is used. A character calls another person a “twit”. Derogatory comments are directed toward little people (followed later by an apology).

Drugs/Alcohol: A character is drunk in one scene. A magic potion is secretly put into a person’s drink.

Other: Themes of “dark magic” are presented, including poisonous potions. www.montgomeryparents.com

What Parents Need To Know About The Hunger Games...

Violence: Scenes show teens maiming and killing each other, yet explicit details of blades and arrows puncturing bodies are shown on only a few occasions. Other combat scenes feature a rapidly moving camera or editing that cuts away to obscure violent details. Blood effects are frequent, including close-ups of gory wounds. Animals are hunted and killed.

Sexual Content: A teen boy and girl have an obvious attraction to each other.

Another teen boy and girl share a kiss. A girl’s clothes are removed as she is cleaned and prepared for public display, but very little of her body is seen.

Language: At least half a dozen mild profanities are included.

Drugs/Alcohol: An adult character is frequently inebriated. Other characters are seen drinking socially.

104

Montgomery Parents I April 2012

the 11th annual

5K Run|Walk & Kids Dash TAKE STEPS

TO STOP

ALL NEW FOR THE WALK OF LIFE 2012

BREAST

CANCER

OUR ROUTE IS NOW USATF CERTIFIED!

CHIP TIMING NOW AVAILABLE! For an additional $5, a walker or runner can choose to be chip timed.

Chip timing will provide a runner or walker with their official start and finish time. Only those who are chip timed are eligible for cash prizes.

SA T U R D A Y

CASH PRIZES FOR OVERALL MALE AND FEMALE WINNERS

1st Place $300 2nd Place $150 3rd Place $75

Plus cash prizes for first place male and female winners in each age category!

APRIL 21 R A C E B E G I N S AT

DOWN TOWN MONTGOMERY

8:30AM

BENEFITING THE JOY TO LIFE FOUNDATION

PRESENTING SPONSORS: AUTOTRADER.COM | CUMULUS MEDIA MONTGOMERY | LAMAR OUTDOOR ADVERTISING MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER | WELLS FARGO ADVISORS, LLC SIGNATURE SPONSOR: ARBOR PRO

Th e M o n t g o m e r y A c a d e m y

Raising e x p e c t a t i o n s

in college preparation and placement.

Contact Susannah Cleveland, Director of Admissions susannah_cleveland@montgomeryacademy.org • 334.272.8210 • m o n tg o m e ryac a d e m y. o rg Financial Aid Available

The Montgomery Academy admits students of any race, religion, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the school.