Wiregrass Parents Magazine May 2020 Issue

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Volume 2 Number 9

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Columns 2

From the Publisher Ashton Wright

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Therapeutic Parenting Helping your child navigate difficult emotions during chaotic times.

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Common Sense Media Adjusting rules on screen time during Coronavirus.

Therapeutic Parenting Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

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Kids Health Watch

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by Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network

17 Parenting, Media &

Everything in Between Common Sense Media

Finish the School Year Virtually

Ten ways to help your kids finish this unique school year strong.

Life Skills for High School Graduates

What they should know before heading to college.

Departments 5

Teacher of the Month 9

On The Cover Marty Gary is graduating from Emmanuel Christian School. She is an all A Honor Roll student and won first place in the Distinguished Young Women’s essay scholarship. She also received the Savoy Jones Scholarship. Marty plans to attend Wallace Community College and transfer to Troy University where she will receive her BSN. Marty is the daughter of Kim and Mark Gary.

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Mom to Mom

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FromThePublisher The Area’s Go-To Resource for Families

Whew! We made it through April. Man, what a challenging month for parents. From canceling Alexis’s 5th birthday celebration to starting school at home and not being able to see friends, there have been so many ups and downs in terms of parenting.

I’m lucky to have already been accustomed to working at home, and last summer helped prepare me for working while Alexis isn’t in school, but add in school work, a husband who’s been home for several weeks (with pay, thankfully), and the inability to do our favorite out-of-the-house activities, and you’ll find a whole list of frustrations all the way around.

So how have I been making the most of these weird times? A lot of caffeine, music to block out background noise when working, books to help me escape reality for a little while, the occasional glass of wine, frequent texting with my best friends, and lots of video chatting with my parents.

I decided pretty early on that not only did I need to focus on the good in each day, but I also had to do my best to put a little good into each day. Most importantly, I gave myself, my husband, and my daughter a little grace. None of us have experience navigating what’s happening right now, and we’re all allowed to feel uncertain and frustrated, just so long as we don’t crawl in that head space and stay there.

This time has been especially tough for seniors. They’ve missed their prom and have no idea if they’ll get to walk across the graduation stage, not to mention all the other little things that happen in those last few months of school when you’re a senior.

That’s why we’re dedicating this issue to the Class of 2020. Inside this very special edition of Wiregrass Parents, you’ll find senior spotlights and an important feature as they prepare to leave the nest, Life Skills Every High School Graduate Needs. We’ve also included a great resource to help parents who are struggling with distance learning, Finish the School Year Virtually: 10 Ways to Help Your Child Stay Strong.

May is the unofficial start to the summer, when the water is finally warm enough to really enjoy a trip to the pool, lake, or beach, and we’re no longer reaching for a light jacket in the morning. Of course, none of us really knows what this summer holds in store for us. Will everyone be back at work? Will we be able to celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th of July? Will our kids be able to go to camp? Will that family vacation take place as planned?

I don’t have the answers to any of those questions, but I can assure you that Wiregrass Parents will be here to help you navigate whatever lies ahead. A special thank you to all the doctors and nurses out there on the front lines and all the other essential workers who’ve been working tirelessly to keep life semi-normal. And to all you parents out there trying to find that perfect balance of learning, fun, and sanity, hang in there.

You’re doing the best you can in a weird situation, and your best is enough.

Ashton

Publisher Ashton Wright ashton@wiregrassparents.com (334) 714-7831 Editor DeAnne Watson editor@wiregrassparents.com Associate Editor Alison Rouse Contributing Writers David Lozano, MD Janeen Lewis Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP Dave Ramsey Kimberley Carter Spivey Cover Photography Mark Broadway www.markbroadwayphotography.com

President Jason Watson Advertising Sales Ashton Wright ads@wiregrassparents.com (334) 714-7831 Ad Design Tim Welch

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Visit us at www.wiregrassparents.com

ashton@wiregrassparents.com

Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

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

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Wiregrass Parents magazine is published monthly by KeepSharing, LLC. Mailing address: PO Box 1882, Dothan AL 36302.

The phone number for voice is (334) 714-7831.

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

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

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TherapeuticParenting

by Sonia Martin, LICSW, PIP

Help Kids Navigate Emotions in Chaotic Times Any quick glance at social media in recent weeks will provide you with all manner of advice on how to best navigate this historic time of uncertainty – especially as it relates to parenting. Make a schedule for your kids, they need the structure. Don’t make a schedule for your kids, they need a sense of peace and calm and to be allowed to go at their pace. Enforce standard rules and discipline just like always – it communicates a sense of normality. Give grace, be present with your kids – forgo any non-essential rules in the home and just be with your kids. I think a lot of us in the parenting trenches tend to develop a strategy that lies somewhere in the middle of the road. And that’s good.

We are all trying to find our footing and walk that line of grace + guidance. Of rules + respect. Of love + leadership. And that is noble and right and worthy of your time because despite the best efforts of all of the advice-givers out there – there is no one size fits all answer to figuring this out. Every family is different. Every home is different.

Every kid within that family within that home

is different. So instead of getting caught up in adopting one particular model that promises success – lean in to discerning and understanding and being plugged into your particular child’s cues, behaviors and responses. But, in doing so, remember a few key principles 1. Remember that sad often looks like mad.

2. Remember that fear often looks like mad.

3. Remember that anxious often looks like mad.

Remember that your child likely does not have the capacity and maturity to come to you calmly and say, “Mother, I am feeling a bit wobbly these days. Everything is different. I don’t really understand. I am so worried and afraid. May we please discuss all of my emotions and concerns over dinner this evening so that you can bring clarity to the situation and I can then regulate my emotions?” As incredible as that would be – it is obviously wholly unrealistic. So remember - kids don’t have words, they have behaviors. When presented with a 5-year-old who is constantly throw-

ing tantrums and is just completely upside down – instead of reflexively punishing that negative behavior - take a minute and see if you can use your parental super power of deduction and assess what might really be the cause of the meltdown and meet your child there. Give voice to their feelings – “I wonder if you are having such a hard time tonight because you are worried about daddy’s job.” Start to help them begin to make sense of their own emotions and help narrate that for them. By doing so, you are starting to help them correlate their behavior with their emotions.

You are their anchor. You are their guidepost. You are the one who has the capacity and ability to make sense of the nonsense. So though you may not have all of the answers, you have great ability to bring your calming presence in the midst of the chaotic present.

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

SAFER AT HOME

SUMMER CAMP We are working hard to develop unique take-home art projects with virtual instruction from local artists and educators for your child. Whether your child already has a love of art or is just getting started, everyone will enjoy art-camping.

We look forward to sharing details soon, learn more at mmfa.org/camp.

Support for Safer at Home: Summer Camp is by Susan and Bob Runkle.

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

Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

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Darcy Butterfield Beverlye Intermediate School

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“She goes above and beyond, treats her students and their families like family.”

That’s why Crystal McCord’s entire family nominated Darcy Butterfield for Wiregrass Parents Teacher of the Month for May. “My husband was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease last year, and she is familiar with MND. She was very supportive of my husband being involved in class activities, and during Fall Festival she understood that my husband can not sit for long periods of time in his wheelchair and was able to give us times of activities so he could interact better with our daughter and so we were able to go home to take breaks.”

Butterfield teaches 5th grade at Beverlye Intermediate School in Dothan. She was inspired to become a teacher by her elementary school teachers.

“My schooling at Grandview Elementary in the 1970s was wonderful!,” she says. “I wanted to be as sweet as Miss Watford (2nd) and as awesome as my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Betty Keyton.

I kept in touch with Mrs. Keyton until her death.”

Butterfield says “at the risk of sounding like I’m giving a standard teacher answer,” watching her students grow and succeed is what keeps her motivated.

“If you truly believe this is your calling, then even on your worst days, there will always be that one student who does or says something amaz-

ing, and you think to yourself, ‘Yep, this is why I’m still here.’”

The 2020 school year is ending in a way no one could have predicted. Mrs. Butterfield says the key to keeping her students on track during this pandemic is communication.

“They have to know that I’m still here for them. We are doing small group online lessons together two times per week in order to prevent the usual summer slide from turning into a fourmonth avalanche. Also, once per week they talk with me one-on-one. They can ask me school questions or tell me a joke. The phone call is their topic choice.”

Butterfield says all the parents who have suddenly found themselves as co-teachers during this time shouldn’t panic, but if you do find yourself feeling overwhelmed she says you shouldn’t let your child see you panic.

“This is new territory for them also, and they need to know that their parents and teachers are working as a team. Also, your kiddos have already learned A LOT this year, so when all else fails, BUILD on that foundation.”

Darcy Butterfield received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Troy University-Dothan. She graduated from Dothan High School in 1982. She and her husband, David, have been married since 2012. In her 27 years of teaching, Butterfield has served as a cheerleader sponsor, dance squad sponsor, yearbook sponsor, and Science Olympiad coach.

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Lew-E the Clown

Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Announces Egg Quest People’s Choice Winners

Friday, May 29 * 10 a.m. - Ashford Library 2 p.m. - Downtown Dothan Library, 445 N. Oates St. Visit www.dhcls.org for details.

Lew-E and Oogly Boogly present their all-NEW show called “Imagination Celebration!” A jovial jamboree celebrates some of the world’s funniest fractured fairy tales. There is talk of there even being a certain celebrated Ogre and Donkey in the show this year!

In this 45-minute roller coaster ride of comedy, Lew-E and Oogly are geared up to ignite your imagination, taking them on a magical journey you’ll never forget!

Each show with Lew-E is crammed full of juggling, magic, puppetry, audience participation and so much more.

Congratulations to our “People’s Choice Award” winners in this year’s Egg Quest—“Calvary” by Classical Conversation Home School Group (1st place) and “Baby Yoda” by Wicksburg High School (2nd place).

Day at the Lake

Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Lake Tholocco, Ft. Rucker Join Outdoor Recreation for a Day at The Lake as we open Lake Tholocco for the summer.

Activities will include free swimming, kid’s inflatables, and use of the canoes, kayaks. Hotdogs, bratwurst, chips and other snack items will be available for purchase.

Open to the public. Credit and debit cards will be accepted at the West Beach swimming area. Pets and glass containers are prohibited on the beach area. The swimming area will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday thru Labor Day from 11am - 4pm including holidays. Patrons will need to purchase swimming wrist bands from the West Beach swimming area Friday Saturday and Sunday, Daily passes are: Ages 2 & under Free; Ages 3-12 years $2.00; Ages 13-17 years $2.75; Ages 18 and over $3.50.

For more information, please call Outdoor Recreation at +1 (334) 255-4305.

Miniature Art Exhibition: Open Call for Artists

June 13-July 3 Rudd Art Center, 144 E. Broad St., Ozark www.ruddartcenter.org We are accepting paintings, etchings, sculptures, mixed media, and free-standing pieces. Image size for framed pieces cannot exceed 8x10 inches. Measurements do not include the frame.

3-D creations of pottery, sculpture and other types of free-standing pieces should not exceed six inches in height, width and depth. There is a “Mini-Mini” category with pieces starting at 3 ½ x 2 ½ inches, 3x5 inches, and no larger than 4x6 inches.

A Night at the Park

May 22-23 * 4:30 p.m. Friday-9 a.m. Saturday Landmark Park, Dothan Visit www.landmarkparkdothan.com Experience the Park in a unique way with our 8th annual Night at the Park event. This camping adventure for families features a night walk through the Park, hay rides, Nerf war, Water Balloon Battleship, and of course, camping in tents. Your adventure begins at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and concludes at 9 a.m on Saturday.

The fee for the campout is $20 per person for Park members and $25 per person for nonmembers. A hamburger and hotdog dinner, s’mores, and breakfast are all included. Families are responsible for their own tents and sleeping bags.

Space is limited and taken on a first come, first serve basis.

Registration with payment is required to secure your spot.

Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

Little Shop of Horrors

Rescheduled for July 10, 11, 17 & 18 @ 7 p.m. July 19 @ 2 p.m.

Spanish Trail Playhouse, Chipley, Fla. Tickets: $18 Adults, $15 Seniors/ Military, $13 Students “Little Shop of Horrors” is a delectable sci-fi horror musical with an electrifying 1960s pop/rock score by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. For tickets or more info, visit www.spanishtrailplayhouse.com or call (850) 638-9113.

Children 5 and under not permitted.

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Pete the Cat and the Birthday Party Mystery

Through May 31 Ft. Rucker Center Library Do you like Pete the Cat? If so, the Abington Free Library in Abington, Penn., presents its Pete the Cat-themed Digital Mystery Puzzle. The puzzle is not timed, so take your time and have fun!

This activity may be most fun for ages 2 to 8.

For Pete the Cat and the Birthday Party Mystery, visit https:// docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLUD7mHmjTkC-W50u9hC3LGPFURjZSdMRjqnCc77ch3xzy1Q/viewform To learn more about what Abington Free Library has to offer puzzle and mystery lovers of all ages, visit www.abingtonfreelibrary. org/ or their Facebook page. For more info, call (334) 255-3885.

Stay Connected with Art from Home

While Wiregrass Museum of Art is temporarily closed to the public, we want to stay in touch with all of you! We are working from home to update online resources that will help you and your family stay connected with us, learn something new, and be #wmaINSPIRED until we can open the doors at 126 Museum Avenue again.

Following WMA on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter is one of the best ways to access digital content while the museum is closed. We will continue to post regularly to bring you images of art from the permanent collection, exhibitions past and present, as well as new learn-from-home educational content!

In addition, several local art studios are offering to-go art kits: All About Art – 100 S. Main St., Enterprise (334) 348-2738 AR Workshop Dothan – 2958 Ross Clark Circle (334) 731-3003 Tipsy Easel – 102 S. Cherokee Ave., Dothan (334) 714-7147 Pinspiration Headland – 24 E. Church St. (334) 693-2787

Patti Rutland Jazz Offers Facebook Dance Classes

We don’t want you to stop moving just because you are stuck in the house!

We will be hosting online dance classes on our Facebook social media pages. Go like our pages to join in the MOVEMENT. Every day at 10 a.m.

(Beginner) and 1 p.m. (Intermediate/ Advanced), join one of our amazing dance instructors for class!

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KidsHealthWatch

Sponsored by Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network

Children and Sleep Problems “Do children really have sleep problems?

Do children have obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy?” As a pediatric sleep physician, I have been asked these questions hundreds of times by friends, families, and even other doctors. I always answer these questions with a smile and this simple statement, “Yes, if you only knew.”

Awareness of pediatric sleep conditions has dramatically increased in the United States over the last 20 years. Obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and restless leg syndrome are just a few of the sleep problems that can negatively impact a child’s daily life. I have seen first-hand how treating sleep disorders can be life-changing for children, adolescents, and their families. Knowing this, I am very excited about the opening of our new pediatric sleep center.

The pediatric sleep center is on the second floor of our pediatric subspecialty clinic located at 5565 Montgomery Highway in Dothan.

While the subspecialty clinic started seeing patients in mid-April, the sleep center will open its

Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

doors later in the year, performing sleep studies on infants, children, and adolescents.

Our state-of-the-art sleep center, with four beds, will initially perform studies three nights per week with plans to increase that number over time. It will be one of two sleep centers in Alabama exclusively dedicated to pediatric patients. We will be working toward full accreditation through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), which will likely be completed within the next 12 months.

Because some pediatric sleep problems do not require a sleep study, children will require a sleep clinic evaluation before one is ordered. This evaluation is an important part of sleep medicine. The actual sleep study usually involves the child sleeping for one night at our sleep center. One parent or guardian is required to stay with the child.

Details of the study will be fully explained to the child and family prior to hook up of all monitoring devices. During each study, patients have multiple parameters monitored including breathing, heart rate, oxygen level, sleep

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stages, and leg movements. The goal for each study is to capture 7 hours of sleep or more.

As medical director of this sleep center, I am confident this facility will greatly benefit many children in the Wiregrass and surrounding areas. My hope is this sleep center will reflect my personal passion, two decades in the making, to provide excellent care to the children of Alabama.

Dr. David J. Lozano joined Dothan Pediatric Healthcare Network specializing in pediatric pulmonology at Dothan Pediatric Subspecialty Clinic in January, 2018. He is certified in general pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and is certified in pediatric pulmonology by the Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine Board of the American Board of Pediatrics. He is also certified by the Sleep Medicine Board of the American Board of Pediatrics. Dr. Lozano lives in Dothan and in his spare time enjoys playing golf, competing in triathlons, traveling, and going to the beach.

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Samson Student Named State 2A Scholar Athlete

Geneva Co. Schools Serves 13K Meals in One Hour

Geneva County School Nutrition employees are heroes! GCS’s Nutrition Program served 13,070 lunches and 13,070 breakfasts all in one day—in fact, in one hour! The staff have worked so hard the last couple of days and have completed a challenge that none of us ever dreamed we would be faced with.

School administrators, technology department and nurses all helped distribute meals and we appreciate their help.

Samson High student Derek Allen Warren was named the BryantJordan Class 2A Scholar Athlete for the state of Alabama.

PE Classes Continue Virtually for ACA

Abbeville Christian Academy students are staying active while learning from home.

Coach Carlisle is holding virtual PE with his elementary kids several times a week.

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Providence Christian Senior Appointed to Military Academy

Congratulations to Providence Christian School senior Michael Sullivan for his appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. The U.S. Military Academy at West Point’s mission is “to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the Nation as an officer in the United States Army.” Sullivan has chosen to accept the appointment to West Point and will begin this fall.

Wiregrass Art Museum’s Youth Art Month Winners

These are the winners from Highlands Elementary for Wiregrass Art Museum’s Youth Art Month. More than 600 entries were submitted from students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Out of the 177 artworks that were chosen for display, 23 students were selected from Highlands Elementary. Artworks from Mrs. Kravulski’s art classes, Mrs. Harden’s LinC classes, and Mrs. Adkinson’s 3rd-grade class were selected.

Dothan, Enterprise Martial Arts Academies Send Thank-You Notes to SE Health Staff

The entire community is standing behind our frontline workers in the fight against coronavirus.

Dothan and Enterprise Martial Arts Academy students sent thank-you notes to our frontline staff for their commitment and tireless efforts to keep our community healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you to the Lee family and the Dothan and Enterprise Martial Arts Academy for standing behind our frontline!

Highlands SGA Officers Help with School Tours

Highlands Elementary Student Government Association officers recently spoke at the school tours being held for new parents.

The officers also greeted parents and helped show them around the school.

The officers are: Sam Broadaway, president; Sadie Pfister, vice president; and Erin McKinley, secretary.

Houston Academy Seniors Honored on Would-Be Prom Night

The prom committee wanted to do something special for the seniors on what was supposed to be their senior prom night.

Jimmy Riggs, Natalie Jeffcoat, Leisha Hayes and Carol Wright had yard signs made to show how important they are to the faculty and to hopefully lift their spirits. Anna Beasley designed the sign and the committee wrote a special note to attach to their prom shirts. They delivered the signs and shirts personally to every senior at their homes.

This was an amazing gesture and very thoughtful!

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Science Fair Participants from Highlands

Mrs. Woodham took 12 students and eight projects to the Wiregrass District Science Fair at the Peanut Festival Fairgrounds to represent Highlands Elementary. Out of the eight projects which competed at the fair, four won awards. Three out of the four sixth-grade projects were chosen to advance to the regional science fair in Auburn.

1st Place in Aerospace for “Stealthy Shapes” were Dylan Lowlavar and Sam Butterfield (shown); 2nd Place in Energy for “H2O Temp Challenge” were Lillian Shaughnessy and Abigail Kennedy; and 3rd Place in Behavioral Science for “What Are You Really Drinking?” were Serena Porter and Kilee Warren. Best Board in Elementary Division for “Minty Fresh” were Erin McKinley and Ryleigh Braswell.

Wayne Farms Donates Sanitizer to Dothan City Schools

Houston Academy Students Write Persuasive Letters

A very special thank you to our friends and community partners at Wayne Farms.

Their facility donated 55 gallons of hand sanitizer to Dothan City Schools to aid in the protection of our maintenance and facilities workers while they continue to work throughout our district.We appreciate the continued support of members of our community during this time.

Mrs. Espy assigned a writing lesson for her thirdgraders at Houston Academy. Students were asked to write Mrs. Boothe a letter to convince her on why we need a popcorn machine in the lunchroom. Mrs. Boothe zoomed with them a couple of days later for the students to read her their letters!

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Houston Academy Continues Online

Mrs. Boone’s third-graders at Houston Academy are working hard! Students received Zoom session expectations, and also collaborated in a review of math two-dimensional shapes and finishing up assignments!

Highlands Elementary Students Place in Online Math Competition

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Highlands Holds Candy Gram Fundraiser

A fist bump to a few of our students that competed in an online perennial math competition.

Highlands Elementary School held its annual Candy Gram Fundraiser. Students sold more than 1,000 candy grams. The SGA plans to vote on a way to use the funds so they will be given back to the school in a beneficial way.

Please email news to: schoolnews@ wiregrassparents.com!

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Wiregrass Homeschool Graduation 2020

We work tirelessly to help kids get well because the world needs to see what Natalie dreams up.

HEART of the Wiregrass is excited to hold its upcoming WIREGRASS AREA homeschool graduation recognition ceremony in Enterprise. It will be held Saturday, May 30, at 6 p.m. at The Bridge Church of Enterprise, 1601 E Park Ave. Graduation is open to all homeschoolers in the Wiregrass.

WE DO WHAT WE DO BECAUSE CHILDREN HAVE DREAMS.

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Houston Academy Continues Enrichment

Enrichment classes at Houston Academy have also been in full effect! This is artwork that Katy Claire drew for Hannah Braswell’s LS class.

1 6 0 0 7 T H AV E N U E S O U T H BIRMINGHAM, AL 35233 (205) 638-9100 ChildrensAL.org

Easter Bunny Helps Deliver Belongings to Pinedale Students

Pinedale teachers and staff had a great day seeing some of our students as lunches and breakfasts were passed out.

The Easter bunny even made an appearance while we got personal belongings and packets to our students.

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Local Scouts Helping COVID-19 Effort

Free Online Resource for Students

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Enterprise Scouts are making ear protectors for our healthcare workers. Thanks to all the members of Pack, Crew and Boy and Girl Troop 150!

Carroll High Tennis Team Donates Snacks to Hospital

Following is a link to a website students may get on for free until the end of June.

This link can also be found on the Pindeale Elementary website under “Quick Links.” It’s like Big Universe where there are books for students to read. To login, you may use the following credentials: School Name: Read at Home; Username: readnow; Password: myon.Visit https:// www.myon.com/school/readathome.

The Carroll High Tennis Team donated the remainder of its snacks in storage for the tennis hospitality table to Dale Medical Center. The Carroll Tennis Team is proud to express its appreciation to the healthcare workers in our community!

Please email news and photos to: schoolnews@wiregrassparents.com!

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

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Carroll High Congratulates Scholarship Recipients

Carroll High senior Morgan Cheatwood, above left, received The Scholars Award from Troy University for full tuition and housing. Oscar Dunn, above right, received The Chancellor’s Scholarship and the A.W. & Florence Tate Memorial Scholarship at Troy University.

Tobias Thomas, below left, earned a scholarship from College Counts. Christian Peterman, below right, received a Track/ Cross Country Scholarship to William Penn University.

Mixon Students Dip into Chemistry

Fourth-grade siblings (and twins) Reese and Riley, from Miss Cook and Miss Powers’s classes, are hard at work learning about chemical changes as they dye Easter Eggs at home! Learning isn’t always in the form of a pencil and paper; sometimes the best lessons are found in everyday life activities!

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Headland Middle School Donates to COVID-19 Effort

Hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes counted, divided and donated to the emergency rooms at Flowers Hospital and Southeast Health, donated from Headland Middle School. Thanks to Mrs. Saffold for thinking of those on the frontlines of this battle!

Love our school, administrators and teachers and parents that donated the supplies to make this possible.

Mixon 4th-Grader Committed to Learning

Molly, one of Mixon Intermediate School’s 4th-graders, spends 30-60 minutes of time each day on her Freckle online practice assignments. Her mom says she picks two subjects per day to work on. The other parts of her day she has been enjoying the beautiful outdoors (flying her kite) and helping her mother inside with chores and learning all about cooking.

Mixon Student Helps Grandmother Garden

Mixon Intermediate fifth-grader, Adyah, is helping her grandmother garden and plant flowers and vegetables! We love seeing these life skills our students are learning.

Please email news to: schoolnews@ wiregrassparents.com!

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Screen Time in the Age of Coronovirus

Don’t feel guilty. We are living through a massive cultural shock. Families have enough stress to deal with, and counting screen minutes should be very low on the list of concerns for any of us.

Not all screens are created equal. Worried that the online classroom is adding to your kid’s screen time? Don’t be.

Screen activities shouldn’t be lumped together. Some are educational; some are just for fun. Some are high-quality; some are a guilty pleasure. What we do on screens and how we do it is more important than time spent.

For parents like me (I have a 5-year-old and a 7-year-old)— who are suddenly assuming multiple roles as caregivers, teachers, and playmates—the same questions are on repeat: What in the world am I going to do with my kids all day from now until who knows when? And … how many movies is it OK for them to watch in one day?

Parents tend to think of screen use guidelines as a daily maximum amount that’s acceptable. But if you look closely at popular recommendations, such as the ones from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the message—even before the coronavirus pandemic— is much more nuanced, and much less focused on time.

For a while now, media researchers have been advocating for a shift from screen quantity to content quality. If kids are engaged with high-quality content that stokes curiosity and fuels imagination, who’s to say that should end when they’ve hit their screen limit?

Research has also uncovered the importance of kids’ experience with media, based on who uses media with kids (siblings? parents?), the purpose of the content (school? entertainment?), and who’s talking with kids about what they’re watching (Daniel Tiger and Tiger King both make for great mealtime conversation). In other words: Context matters, too.

Key to this nuance is understanding that all screens are not equal. We shouldn’t act as though one hour of old DuckTales cartoons is the same as one hour of Zooming with a family member, or one hour of playing Fortnite with a friend, or one hour of drawing tutorials on YouTube. What a kid gets out of each is totally different, and satisfies different needs—and that’s OK. One of the things the current crisis has really brought home is how unbelievably social kids are, and want to be. In some ways, our adaptations to staying at home have made us use technology in ways that are great for children: in service of relationships. Kids may be watching more Netflix and playing more video games than usual. But they’re also video-chatting more, playing games with schoolmates, and even enjoying online playdates. Though nothing will ever replace in-person interaction for children, using tech to strengthen relationships is more important than ever.

With that in mind, here are some recommendations when it comes to using screens during this time:

Good content is key. Choose age-appropriate, highquality media and tech for your kids. Use our reviews to find good content.

Get creative. Let kids use your phone to shoot photos and videos and then go to town with stickers, slo-mo, and other editing tools. Give them a prompt like, “Take ten pictures of something round, and then write a story connecting each thing.” Have them make their own memes, record a song, choreograph a dance video—anything that gets them using screens to fulfill their imaginations.

Use tech to bond. Relationships are critical to kids’ healthy development. Tech can and should help kids connect to friends and family, collaborate with each other, play, and share stories, pictures, and videos.

Talk about it. We’re in a unique position where kids are likely using screens more, and we may have more opportunities to join them—or at least engage with them about what they’re watching and playing. Ask questions about their favorite games, shows, and characters. Discuss ideas and issues they read about or learn about through a TV show or a game. This is an opportunity for learning about each other and sharing your values.

Balance still matters. We should aim for a balance throughout the week. So, more screens? Fine. But also find time to be outside, to be active (indoors or outdoors, with or without screens), eat well, and talk to friends and family (on the phone, on social media, or on video chat).

The time at home with kids presents an opportunity to bond with them, even over media. This is not the time to try to deprive kids of something they enjoy and something that research has shown to have positive effects when used appropriately. There’s a ton of great high-quality content out there—let your kids use it, use it with them, and don’t guilt yourself over something that can still be part of a healthy, balanced childhood—especially during these times of heightened stress.

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It’s an unusual ending to the school year. Instead of year book signings, field days and end-of- the-year parties, kids are at home waiting to catch glimpses of their friends on Zoom.

It’s a tough time for kids, and keeping them motivated to finish the school year strong is tough for parents. Here are 10 tips to keep your child on the path to the finish line.

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1. Send the message that school is a priority.

Communicate to children that school is important, even if it isn’t occurring at the school building. Continue to read together, check in with them on their assignments, and take an interest in what they are learning. Research one of their school topics or check out your local library digitally to find online access to learning tools and books.

2. Set a goal.

Help your child set an academic goal they can achieve during the last weeks of school. Maybe they want to learn all their multiplication tables or read a thousand pages. If they meet their goal, reward them with something simple like ice cream or a new school supply or book.

3. Stay on Schedule.

Kids crave structure like to know what to expect, especially when times are tough. Try to keep routines like homework time, dinner time, and bed time. Make a conscious effort to keep the same schedule you had before virtual schooling began.

5. Set up an outdoor classroom.

Sometimes changing location gives a child that second wind they need to make it to the finish line. Let children have outdoor class time on the patio. When math problems are completed correctly, they can take a walk or ride bikes. Let them read in a hammock, in a lawn chair or in an outside tent. When they reach their goal, they can pass the football or shoot hoops. Plant a family garden as a science project and let the kids make observations when they are taking a break from their school work.

6. Hold an end of the year countdown.

There are many ways to count down the days until the end of the school year.

Mark off days on a calendar or put popsicle sticks or marbles in a jar and remove one each day, or share a special treat.

For each child in your house, fill a container with Hershey’s kisses that match the number of days left. “Kiss” the last days of school goodbye with one countdown chocolate each day when kids finish their school work.

7. Thank the teacher virtually.

4. Replace supplies.

By now your child’s notebooks, folders, pencils and crayons probably look worn out. Replacing these inexpensively and having them delivered to your house can be a quick pick-me-up that motivates your child.

Teachers work hard, even when they are teaching virtually. Make a video or a take a picture of your child holding a sign with a message for his or her teacher.

Then email it or use the teacher’s digital platform to send it to him or her. Your child could also decorate a card and write

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an encouraging note and give it to the teacher when school resumes in the fall.

8. Plan a virtual recess.

Kids crave social time with their friends, so this is the hardest part of them being out of school. Schedule a structured social time each day or week for your child to Face Time, Zoom, Skype or email a friend they miss.

9. Make virtual sports or arts part of school.

An important part of school is physical activity and the arts. Is your baseball player down because he misses throwing his curve ball? Maybe your martial arts lover is itching to practice her kicks. Why not sign up for virtual lessons? If you don’t have the right equipment it can easily be purchased online, and many instructors are setting up virtual venues for lessons.

There are many virtual art classes, and lots of “how to draw” lessons free on YouTube.

10. Celebrate.

Have a dance party in the den, a luau in the living room or arrange a Zoom party to celebrate the last day of school. If you’re in doubt about what to do, ask the kids. Even when they have to find a virtual way to have a party, kids are clever and will find a creative way to celebrate! WP Janeen Lewis is a freelance journalist, teacher and mom to Andrew and Gracie. She loves to finish the school year strong with her students and family.

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Being a high school graduate and preparing for college is a stellar achievement. It’s a time to get young adults ready for the life ahead with some practical and essential life skills. If you’ve been a parent who has managed most things for your soon-to-be college freshman, some core competencies are sometimes unintentionally neglected. However, by taking the time and necessary actions to teach them some foundational skills in advance, you can relieve any anxiety or uncertainty, making their transition into the next phase of their life much easier. For them to become acclimated in the world of “adulting” here are some skills needed.

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Waking up on time. This may seem sim-

ple, but it may have been easy living at home. Unfortunately, if they haven’t been waking up to the dreaded sound of an alarm clock, rather than waking up to the pleasant sound of your voice, they’ll no longer have that luxury in college.

Studying. Your student figuring out what works for them is the key to success. Do they study better alone, in a group, or with a tutor? They should discover what works best for them now and develop a plan.

Communicate with professors. Though this

may seem intimidating to do, believe it or not, professors want their students to succeed. Creating lines of communication with professors will be extremely helpful throughout their college career.

More Skills to Consider: 1) They should know how to find their polling place and vote.

2) They should know their social security number by heart. They will need it-often.

3) They should know that Tupperware is NOT disposable, it is reusable.

4) They should have a copy of their insurance card and carry it with them at all times.

5) They should know that if they park in a tow zone, there is a possibility that their car will be towed.

6) They should know the basics of over-thecounter medications. Advil, Tylenol and Motrin are analgesics. None of them should be mixed with alcohol.

7) Utilities can be expensive so pick a reasonable temperature for winter and summer and don’t leave all the lights on.

From GrownandFlown.com.

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Money management. This

might be one of your biggest fears when thinking about sending your child off to college. To keep it simple for them, discuss monitoring small expenditures like a latte from Starbucks, ordering a movie on demand, or eating out that can add up quickly.

Explaining financial responsibility regarding smaller purchases will help them see the bigger picture of managing their finances long term.

Time management. The responsibility to maintain their schedule now solely falls on them, which can be a huge adjustment and rude awakening if they are not prepared. An easy way to help them adjust to this change is by introducing them to time management tools, such as a calendar on their smartphone or a to-do list in their class planner. This will help them organize their day by planning to rest, leaving extra time in their day, limiting study breaks and setting deadlines.

Laundry. If your child hasn’t been taking on this task, now is the ideal

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Keep your priorities intact.

time for them to practice and master their skills. Guide them on which temperatures to use, the difference between bleach, detergent, and fabric softer—and the proper way to use them.

Help them understand how not to turn their favorite red shirt pink.

This is another important life skill to keep in sight. If kids outline their priorities for being in college, this will help them stay focused and stay on track. Creating a list of responsibilities at the beginning will ensure they will not stray too far from their goals.

Grocery shopping and cooking. Typically, with a high school student, chances are you’re doing the grocery shopping and cooking. Start with teaching the basics...how to create a shopping list and compare prices and providing them with affordable recipes that are easy and quick to prepare.

Disconnect from distractions.

There are a lot of distractions in college, and one of the biggest ones could potentially be having a social life and hanging out with friends. Every student needs a healthy outlet; however, they need to learn how to balance unnecessary distractions.

Car maintenance. If your child owns a car now, it’s the

Be open to change. Going to college is a huge change for any high school graduate. Chances are, there will be things that make them uncomfortable and force them out of their comfort zone. But it’s their time to explore the world that awaits them and embrace the journey ahead.

Transitioning to college is quite a change. Every life skill is incredibly valuable to your soon-to-be college student’s success. If you start teaching them now, it will make their transition so much more enjoyable for them and you...and you’ll feel more comfortable with them starting the next chapter of their life. WP

perfect time to help them develop good car maintenance habits. Some things to consider are when and where to change their oil, how to check tire pressure, change windshield wipers, and how to change a tire.

Attend class. The days of a class roster are over. And,

attending a college course is often not a requirement like in high school. However, their attendance is a reflection of their achievements; therefore, it’s crucial to attend class.

Public transportation. Although you may be sending your child off to college with a car, car issues and repairs do occur. And they need to understand how public transportation works such as a transit bus, Uber, or taxi.

Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

Kimberley Carter Spivey is an Alabama-born freelance writer, author, blogger, and editor. Founder of Girl, You Write, her work appears in numerous publications across Alabama.

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The Willoughbys

The Main Event

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: C Violence: C+ Sexual Content: B+ Profanity: B Alcohol / Drug Use: B Whether or not you will enjoy The Willoughbys depends entirely on your enjoyment of very dark humor. I have always enjoyed quirky films but this one goes too far for me. Frankly, I just can’t laugh at a movie that is centered around the abuse and neglect of children.

Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby (voiced by Martin Short and Jane Krakowski) are wrapped up in one another, kissing and gazing at each other constantly.

When Mrs. Willoughby gives birth to Tim (voiced by Will Forte), the couple are appalled. The new father dumps his infant son in the hallway, berates him for his birth and tells him, “If you need love, I beg of you, find it elsewhere.” Their attitude does not change with the birth of three more children – a musical daughter named Jane (Alessia Cara) and inventive twins, both named Barnaby (Seán Cullen). The children are ignored, starved, and thrown into the coal bin whenever they disturb the adults’ romantic idyll. Not surprisingly, the children decide they would be better off without parents and figure out a plan to “craft a murderous adventure” so they can “orphan themselves”.

If the plot doesn’t give parents cause for concern, there are plenty of events in the movie that will. It is difficult to overstate the cruelty with which the Willoughby parents treat their children. Despite the toxic parents, there are a very few positive elements in the film. The Willoughby siblings love each other and have close, nurturing bonds. Their love and unity makes it all the more painful when the children are separated by “Orphan Services”. This is a movie that makes viewers appreciate the need all children have for stable, loving families.

MPAA Rating: TV-G Overall: AViolence: B Sexual Content: A Profanity: B Alcohol / Drug Use: A Eleven-year-old Leo (Seth Carr) is obsessed with the WWE. While hiding from some bullies, he discovers a magical wrestling mask that grants him super strength. Knowing his family needs the money, he secretly enters a wrestling competition. With the help of his supportive grandmother (Tichina Arnold) and friends, Leo will discover what true strength is.

I’m just gonna come right out the gate and say it - I really enjoyed this movie. I know very little about wrestling (what I do know I learned from Nacho Libre), but you don’t need to understand the sport to appreciate what The Main Event is doing. The themes are really what set it apart from most family fare, with the main message being that mental and emotional strength are more important than physical strength. The movie also encourages kids to step out of their comfort zones and try things that scare them. And as an added bonus, there is a subplot that revolves around Leo’s family in which both Leo and his father (Adam Pally) learn how to open up and trust each other.

I have to give a shout out to the single dad representation. It’s hard to find media aimed at children that depicts single fathers, but this film does a great job. In terms of content, if you’ve ever watched professional wrestling, you’ll be relieved to know that this is the toned-down version of the theatrically violent sport. The fighting is so over-the-top that even a young viewer will be able to see that it is outside the realm of reality.

The Main Event is sweet and heartfelt without straying into sappy territory, and it’s a great choice for family viewing.

Trolls World Tour

Tigertail

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: B+ Violence: B Sexual Content: A Profanity: A Alcohol / Drug Use: A Trolls World Tour is a day-glo musical fantasy for kids. Eye-poppingly colorful, relentlessly cheerful, and filled with music-video-style montages, it will have young viewers happily bopping along to the tunes. Is it a great movie? No. But it could be a useful one.

The story, such as it is, is based on a piece of Troll history. All of the six Troll tribes used to live in harmony until conflict over music led to a sundering of the groups. But now, Queen Barb (voiced by Rachel Bloom) of the Hard Rock Trolls is determined to seize all the magical music strings, play one power chord on her guitar, and forcibly unite all trolls under rock. As the kingdoms fall before her sonic blasts, only Queen Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and her faithful friend, Branch (Justin Timberlake) are willing to resist.

The real reason to watch this film is for the messages it repeatedly imparts to children. As she begins her quest to save music, Poppy is filled with sunny optimism – she will find Barb, convince her that trolls are all the same, and become her best friend. But as Poppy travels through the troll lands and meets country trolls, and funk trolls and K-pop trolls, she realizes that trolls aren’t all the same. If you’re trying to teach your children to truly value diversity instead of papering over differences, this is the movie for you.

Whether it’s worth coughing up the $20 for the video-on-demand early release is up to you. Frankly, I’d wait until the price drops but I’m not sheltering in place with hyper, quarreling kids so your priorities may well differ from mine.

MPAA Rating: PG Overall: AViolence: A Sexual Content: B Profanity: BAlcohol / Drug Use: B Pin-Jui (Hong-Chi Lee, played in older age by Tzi Ma) dreams of leaving Taiwan and going to America. Growing up working, either on his grandmother’s rice farm or in a factory with his mother (Yang Kuei-mei), Pin-Jui wants a better life. His opportunity to go to the US finally comes, but with a terrible choice: he would have to abandon Yuan (Yo-Hsing Fang and Joan Chen), the young woman he loves, and marry Zhenzhen (Kunjue Li and Fiona Fu), whose father will pay for the move. Years later, with his mother dead and his family crumbling, Pin-Jui starts to realize the magnitude of his decisions.

These intergenerational dramas present an interesting perspective on the long-term effects of early life choices. I don’t think people, especially in highly individualistic Western societies, really think about the effects our choices have on future generations. Movies like this make those echoes far more apparent.

But this isn’t a movie for everyone. The long, slow drama means that there are a lot of shots of characters sitting silently while somber music plays. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it makes for a very sedate viewing experience. Add to that the fact that much of the movie is in Mandarin or Taiwanese (with English subtitles) and this isn’t a movie for those seeking fast-paced action and adventure. This is thoughtful and complex, and unlikely to leave you with a nice warm feeling.

On the other hand, there are almost no content concerns. As far as thoughtful drama goes, this is about as family-friendly as it gets.

(Streaming on Netflix)

(Streaming on Netflix)

(Video On Demand)

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(Streaming on Netflix)

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assisting Collin with addressing graduation invitations, helping with the garden, having a few meals in the backyard. We also celebrated Collin’s 18th birthday while in quarantine; that was a first. It was also the first birthday in about 15 years that it was just the three of us.

WP: Social distancing hasn’t changed the fact that moms are always busy. Between work, your husband and son, and everything in between, how do you avoid ‘mom burnout?’

AW: Honestly, I can not recall ever having “mom burnout.” I enjoy being a mom and all the duties that come with it. I’m not perfect by any means and I have had a lot of help along the way. Bruce has been a wonderful partner/daddy.

Angie Wilson

WP: One could argue that there are dozens of life skills kids need once they’ve left the nest. What skills do you hope Collin has learned from you?

WP: Your son is graduating from high school this year, but with school being canceled for the rest of the year, a ceremony is not likely to happen.

Are you and your husband planning anything special to make up for it?

AW: Collin loves to cook. He often grills the meat and sometimes the veggies that we are going to have for supper, but he does not like to clean up. He can, but it’s definitely not his favorite. He knows how to use a washer and dryer, but does not use them often. We have tried to teach him about finances and how to take care of his money.

WP: Are there any you still want to teach him?

AW: Personal safety (remind him he’s not in Blakely anymore) and remind him about checking the oil in his car and how to change a tire. I’m leaving those up to his daddy.

AW: Yes, as soon as the quarantine is lifted and it is safe, we would like to have a family/friend celebration.

WP: Missing out on the end of senior year is a big deal. How has Collin been handling it?

WP: Do you have any words of advice or comfort to offer to other parents who aren’t getting to experience those senior milestones with their kids this school year?

AW: I am very proud of the way that Collin has handled it. He was very upset at first but with today’s technology, he has been able to communicate with friends, family and church groups through text, chats, and Zoom. He also has had some down time to relax.

AW: Spend each day wisely and enjoy the extra time together.

That is one blessing that has come from the quarantine.

WP: Do you have a favorite Mother’s Day memory?

WP: Other than the obvious (no school, working from home, closed stores), how has the pandemic been impacting your family?

AW: My first Mother’s Day with Collin will always be my favorite.

I lost five pregnancies, one of which was twins. After the last pregnancy, I knew there was something else that I was supposed to do; I knew God had other plans. So we decided to try adoption.

After several attempts, we met Collin’s birth mom. There were a few bumps in the road, but for the most part, it was smooth sailing. He was born on April 3, 2002, and so Mother’s Day 2002 is my favorite!

AW: We are a very close family and because of the social distancing, we miss our family and friends. My mama lives across the street from us and we have distanced ourselves from her because of her age and health issues. I have been able to work at home and we only go to the store for essentials. Collin had to finish his high school classes online, and he and Bruce had several classes to complete for college at ABAC; their in-class work was shifted to online classes. We are also very social people and that has been a big change--no church gatherings, no tennis matches, no camping, no family/friend gatherings.

WP: If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice as a new mom, what would it be?

AW: Pick your battles! Who cares if he wore that same football shirt two days ago or if the line on his poster is not straight?

WP: What have you been doing as a mom to help keep things as “normal” as possible?

Angie Wilson is the office manager for Early County Family Connection. She and husband, Bruce, have been married for 30 years. They have one son, James “Collin” Wilson, 18.

AW: Cooking three meals a day, keeping up with the wash, organizing several closets, working on college forms for Collin, Wiregrass Parents I May 2020

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