Homework Spaces

It’s that time again. Time to get ready for the kids to go back to school! Woohoo! Right? And with school comes homework. Every family will need to create a space for their kids to do their homework and set them up for success.

Each space will need to be set up based on a person’s age and their needs. A younger child will need a desk and chair that is appropriate for their size. Younger children will need to be supervised, so a desk area in the living room or family room would be best. A high school or college student could have a desk in their bedroom or share a space in an office.

Creating a bright space will encourage creativity. That can be achieved with great lighting and bright colors. Organization is a priority when it comes time to study. Everyone needs access to study materials such as books, paper, pens and pencils as well as a way to avoid distractions such as television or household traffic. So, plan your study space with all of these things in mind.

Creating a space for more than one student can be achieved by adding a curved countertop with simple legs for support. Extending the countertop in both directions will allow space for more than one person to study. The upper cabinets are great for storage and the lighting is perfect with the window and task lighting. The bright pops of color with the yellow chairs and patterned curtains make this a bright and creative space that is perfect for one or more people to study or work.

For a study space in a bedroom, you could add bunk beds and use the space beneath for a study desk. The organization in this space is great. This room takes advantage of the bunkbed space perfectly as well as providing storage for clothing under the bunks. The window provides great lighting as does the task light mounted to the wall to allow more space on the desktop. The wall space allows for a corkboard to be hung for paperwork, and storage under the upper bunk allows for shelves to be hung from the bunk, allowing for books to be stored overhead instead of having them on the desktop. The task chair is padded and comfortable. This room has all the things you need for successful studying.

This living room had a small unused alcove where a desk, chair and bookcase fit perfectly to create a great study space. The space is bright and comfortable with a nice, comfy chair to read a book. It also has great lighting from the window and a movable task light. There is enough space on the desk for a laptop or to spread out a project without taking up space on the kitchen table. It is also a comfortable space with what appears to be items that are not brand new, but sourced from secondhand stores or hand me downs, which is perfect for saving some money when setting up a study space. This space is eclectic, and that is perfect for a creative mind.

Plan out your study space and add pops of color and great lighting as well as comfortable chairs so you or your student are set up for success when doing homework. And, of course, keep the homework away from the dog, as the excuse that the dog ate your homework is no longer valid! Welcome back, students!

Parsons, KS

August 8: Breast Cancer Support Group, 3:30 p.m., Cancer Center Conference Room. Meets the second Tuesday of each month. Call 620.235.7516.

August 10: Grief Companions Support Group meets the second Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Elm Haven West. Call 620.704.1110.

Via Christi Hospital - Pittsburg, KS

August 23: Cancer Support Group, 3 p.m., Cancer Center Conference Room. Meets the fourth Wednesday of each month. Call 620.235.7900.

Joplin, MO

Every day: Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings. Call 888.740.4568.

Every Monday: Tips for Living a Healthy Life, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., South YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Circle. Free; registration required. Call 417.625.2492.

Every day: 12-Step Recovery Meetings, Alano Club, 1800 E. 30th. Call 417.623.9645.

August 8: Brain Injury Support Group meets every second Tuesday, 12-1:30 p.m., The Independent Living Center, 2639 E. 34th. Contact 417.659.8086 for information and referral.

August 23: Grief Support Group meets every fourth Wednesday of each month, 6-7:30 p.m., Hospice Compassus, 2216 E. 32nd St., Ste. 201. Call 417.623.8272.

Freeman Health System

Joplin, MO

All events are free and open to the public, unless noted; support group meetings are cancelled on days Joplin R-VIII Schools close due to inclement weather.

August 1: Espresso Yourself Breast Cancer Support Group, 5-6 p.m., Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S. Joplin Ave. Come and enjoy a coffee courtesy of Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute. Our monthly breast cancer support group enables members to share, gain helpful information and useful tips, as well as form new friendships. Enjoy listening to a special guest from time to time. RSVP to Marcella at 417.347.2662.

August 1: AHA Family and Friends CPR, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Freeman Screen Team Resource Center, 1130 E. 32nd St., Ste.

417-206-4884

C. Friends & Family CPR is open to the community. This is not a certification course, but a participation card will be given. Class will cover adult, child and infant CPR, choking and AED techniques. Cost $20. To register, call Shelby Allen at 417.347.5646.

August 3: Freeman Early Detection Screenings, by appointment, Freeman Screen Team Resource Center, 1130 E. 32nd St., Ste. C. Early detection screenings include abdominal aortic aneurysm, peripheral arterial disease and stroke/carotid artery screenings, as well as osteoporosis risk assessment. Fees vary. Call 417.347.6555 for an appointment.

August 9: Freeman Cancer Support Group, 2-3 p.m., Freeman Cornell-Beshore Cancer Institute, 3415 McIntosh Circle. Call Kelley Wheeler at 417.347.4000 for more information.

August 15: Bariatric Weight-loss Support Group, 5:306:30 p.m., Freeman Business Center Conference Rooms, 3220 McClelland Blvd (back entrance). Designed to help those who have had bariatric surgery. For more information, call 417.347.1266.

August 17: Freeman Caregiver Support Group, 1-2:30 p.m., Joplin Senior Center, 2616 S. Picher Ave. Are you a caregiver interested in having a safe haven to share your feelings? Receive information about resources and coping mechanisms, gain advice on what lies ahead, make new friends and learn how to deal with family members. Debbie White, Joplin Senior Center director, will present about the activities, meals and healthcare opportunities Joplin Senior Center offers. Door prizes will be given out. RSVP to Kathy Mason at kdmason@freemanhealth. com or 417.347.8463.

National Alliance on Mental Illness - For information on NAMI, call 417.781.6264 or visit www.namijoplin.org. Meetings held at the NAMI building, 219 W. 2nd St., in Joplin.

Every Monday: NAMI Basics, 6-8:30 p.m. A signature education program for parents and caregivers of children and adolescents living with mental illnesses.

Every Tuesday: NAMI Connection Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Self Injury Support Group, 5-6 p.m.

Every Tuesday: Family Support Group, 6:30-8 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Dual Diagnosis Support Group, 2:30-3:30 p.m.

Every Wednesday: Post-5/22 Stress Counseling Sessions, 10 a.m.

Every Thursday: Family to Family Class, 6:30-8:30 p.m. For families or caregivers of individuals with severe mental illnesses. Includes current information about most major mental illnesses; information about medications, side effects and strategies for medication adherence; developing strategies for handling crises and relapse; focusing on care for the caregiver.

Neosho, MO

August 28: Caregivers Support Group meets the fourth Monday of each month, 5-6 p.m., Medicalodge, 400 Lyon Drive. Help with care, finances, insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, respite care, hospice care, day care and support for the caregivers. Sponsors: Avalon Hospice and Medicalodges Neosho. Call 417.451.2544.

Nevada, MO

Tuesdays: Farmer’s Market, 3-6 p.m., southeast corner of Ash and Douglas. Check out the freshest in farm produce each Tuesday afternoon just across the street from the hospital. Local growers meet to offer fresh fruits, vegetables and home-grown specialties.

August 22: Rich Hill Family Medical Clinic Screenings, 11 a.m.-noon, Kern Senior Center. Free screenings every fourth Tuesday of the month: This month features free blood pressure readings along with a bone density test. For further information, please call the Rich Hill Clinic at 417.395.2150.

Integris Baptist Regional Health Center, Grove, OK

INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center, Miami, OK - For more information, visit www.integrisok.com/baptist-regionalhealth-center-Miami-ok.

Every Tuesday: Free blood pressure and glucose screenings provided by INTEGRIS Regency Home Care and Hospice. First Tuesday: Commerce Nutrition Center, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Second Tuesday: Nine Tribes Tower, 10-11 a.m. Third Tuesday: Miami Senior Center, 10-11 a.m. Fourth Tuesday: INTEGRIS Baptist Village, 9-10 a.m.

August 1: Alzheimer’s Support Group meets first Tuesday monthly, 11 a.m., Generations fourth floor visiting room. Call 918.542.3391.

August 8 & 22: Depression Support Group meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, 2 p.m., Northeastern Tribal Health System Conference Room, 2301 Eight Tribes Trail. Call 918.675.2093.

Crisis Text Line Text 741741

Free 24/7 support for those in crisis to create a plan to stay safe and healthy.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Freeman Hosts JACC Morning Brew More than 75 people from around the Joplin metro area congregated inside Freeman Hospital West’s conference rooms for the monthly Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce Morning Brew event. Held Friday, July 7, the event highlights individual businesses and offers an informal setting for the area’s business professionals to meet, mingle, make contacts and, of course, sip coffee. Breakfast treats were served while various Freeman Health System department personnel shared their services to guests, ranging from Ozark Center and diabetes education to Children’s Miracle Network and maternity services. Freeman Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Paula Baker welcomed Chamber officials and area guests to the hospital during the hour-long event.