Parenting NH May 2017

parenting

COMPLIMENTARY

MAY 2017

NEW HAMPSHIRE

MEET YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR

You are now entering comic book world

Dining out with ASD ParentingNH.com

Your Health, Our Trusted Experts...

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As the only Level III Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the greater Manchester area, the Elliot NICU has the high-tech resources and a team of neonatologists, nurse practitioners, nurses, and respiratory care therapists specializing in premature infant care. Babies in our NICU receive close observation, attention, and intervention for their very unique needs. Contact us to learn more about why expecting parents deliver their baby at Elliot Hospital and how the NICU plays a role in this critical decision.

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Playful Creative Adventures Summer at BYPC

Visit BYPC.org to learn about Summer Camps and Lessons where preschoolers explore, dig, paint, dance, sing, perform, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

155 NH 101 Bedford, NH 603-472-3894 www.bypc.orgmay 2017

20 Years

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• contents ON THE COVER:

School counselor Jodi Parsons with fifth-grader Lana McCarthy, 11, of Bedford.

Photo taken at McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford by Kendal J. Bush, Parenting New Hampshire’s longtime cover photographer. Check out more of her work at www.kendaljbush.com.

departments

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PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER:

Sharron McCarthy, x5117 smccarthy@mcleancommunications.com EDITOR:

Melanie Hitchcock, x5157 editor@parentingnh.com

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Kimberly Lencki, x5154 klencki@mcleancommunications.com

The evolving role of school counselors

PRODUCTION MANAGER:

Jodie Hall, x5122 jhall@nhbr.com SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER:

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Welcome to comic book world

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5 Summer reads

The Short List 6 for kids

I Want That 8 TWO-PART SERIES Cook with Your Kids 30

Dad on Board 32

Learning Curve 33

House Calls 34 Raising Teens & Tweens 35

Out and About 36 Five for Families 39

From the Editor’s Desk

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Nancy Tichanuk, x5116 ntichanuk@mcleancommunications.com MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES:

Barbara Gallaher, x5156 bgallaher@parentingnh.com Debbie Birch, x5133 dbirch@parentingnh.com

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Dining out with ASD

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Sweet and savory dishes

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©2017 MCLEAN COMMUNICATIONS, LLC

Parenting New Hampshire Magazine® is published by McLean Communications, 150 Dow St., Manchester, NH 03101, (603) 624-1442. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for any mistakes in advertisements or editorial. Statements/opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect or represent those of this publication or its officers. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, McLean Communications, LLC.: Parenting New Hampshire Magazine disclaims all responsibility for omission and errors.

from the editor’s desk WHEN CHOICE IS NOT REALLY A CHOICE AT ALL Americans want choices. In fact, we demand them. Making purchasing decisions is empowering. And that’s part of what makes the concept of school choice so attractive. Wouldn’t it be great if you could choose what school your child attends?

Senate Bill 193, which at press time had passed the state Senate and moved to the House would, if passed, establish education freedom savings accounts (ESAs). Parents who want to move their children out of a public school could tap into a designated amount of state funding to use toward sending their child elsewhere.

In Fiscal year 2018 and 2019, the base cost per pupil in NH using the state adequacy formula was calculated at $3,636.06. Parents of eligible students would receive 90 percent of this amount, or $3,272.45 to pay for private school, home school or other qualifying educational expenses.

One of the arguments for school choice is it evens the playing field for low-income students. In an op-ed published in the New Hampshire Union Leader in January 2016, then-Executive Councilor, now Governor Chris Sununu, wrote “New Hampshire families of low and moderate income should have a similar set of educational options for their children as do our more affluent citizens…government should not create barriers to their options.”

However, there are a few problems. There is no guarantee the private school you want to send your child to will accept them as a student. Also, under the current bill parents would be given a “freedom scholarship,” which would cover less than half the tuition of a private school in NH. According to Private School Review, the average private school tuition in this state was $10,003 in 2016-17.

That means you have to cough up the rest, which would be impossible for the families that advocates claim school choice would benefit. (And this money is in addition to continuing to pay local property taxes for education in your town – no break there).

In fact, according to the Las Vegas Sun, Nevada’s ESA program is getting 10 times more applications from wealthier families in the suburbs than from inner-city families in poor neighborhoods.

In 2015, Nevada was technically the first state to pass a law establishing ESAs for every student without restriction, the same law the NH legislature is considering. I say technically because the program has been weighed down by lawsuits and the state Supreme Court ruled that using public tax dollars to fund private education was unconstitutional.

The program remains in limbo.

Before proceeding, the NH legislature needs to consider what constitutional issues could arise. Also, they should narrow the scope of the law and apply income limits for the school choice program so it truly benefits lower income families. Or start small. Limited ESAs have been successfully created in Arizona and Mississippi for special education students and special circumstances including low-performing schools.

Lastly, school choice advocates in the legislature who want to expand education options could start by increasing public funding for charter schools.

We all want to do what’s best for our kids. And change can be good. But this bill as presented will not improve education for the kids of working families in NH.

Melanie Hitchcock Editor

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the short list ...TIPS, TRENDS & NEWS COMPILED BY MELANIE HITCHCOCK

This month on www.parentingnh.com: May is on its way and that means summer is right around the corner. These web-exclusive lists will help you plan out your month whether you are searching for that special Mother’s Day event or looking for a Memorial Day parade in your town.

Also, don’t forget to check out Parenting NH’s events calendar listing at www.parentingnh.com for other fun things to do throughout the month – we update it daily.  Where to take mom on Mother’s Day weekend: www.parentingnh.com/mom  Memorial Day parades in New Hampshire at www.parentingnh.com/memorialday  A guide to gardening with your kids: www.parentingnh.com/garden  State parks in the Granite State: www.parentingnh.com/stateparks

Don’t miss out on your chance to win The first and only comic book convention just for kids in New England is happening on June 11, and we want your family to be there!

The event, of which Parenting NH is a proud sponsor, promotes art education and literacy through comics. There will be more than 60 kidfocused, family-friendly artists and creators, fun activities, face painters, balloonists, Jedi training, a play with pirates, a superheroes meet-andgreet, games, costume contests, coloring and activity tables, cartooning workshops and more.

Kids Con New England is Sunday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Radisson in Nashua. For your chance to win, go to www.parentingnh. com/kidscon by June 4.

And don’t forget to enter to win two weeks at summer camp for your child at Camp Birch Hill!

Camp Birch Hill in New Durham is sure to be your child’s home away from home.

Camp Birch Hill specializes in skill development and exploring new interests, with a focus on fun. With activities from horseback riding to ultimate Frisbee and volleyball to swimming, there’s something for everyone and kids are sure to create friendships and memories for a lifetime.

Enter to win a two-week summer session at Camp Birch Hill valued at $2,500 at www.parentingnh.com/ birchhill by May 15.

Meet this young NH author John P. Curtin, Jr. (Jack), 20, of Litchfield, a 2015 Campbell High School graduate and Eagle Scout, is the creator, illustrator and coauthor of the Rhio and Friend’s™ children’s book series.

There are three books in the series – Rhio Saves the Big Day!, Rhio Saves the Big Project! and Rhio Saves Christmas! (released in December 2016.) The books are based on a group of wacky animal friends, Rhio the Rhinoceros, Liam the Lion, Joey the Bear and Carrot the Rabbit.

Originally starting out as a senior high school project, Jack took the skills that he learned from a high school graphics design course to digitally illustrate and publish his first book. He also created Brickyard Eagle Publishing, LLC. Jack is a sophomore marketing major at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.

His books are available on www.amazon. com, in print and Kindle format. You can also check out his website www.brickyardeaglepublishing.com.

New Hampshire State Library celebrates 300 years The New Hampshire State Library – the first state library in America – is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year.

While the New Hampshire State Library continues to be a centralized location for state and government documents, its collection also focuses on New Hampshire authors and illustrators, New Hampshire topics and library science materials. State Library staff provides library services to residents, scholars, visitors, elected officials and librarians throughout the Granite State.

Throughout the year, the State Library will post 300 fun facts of information about the library, as well as New Hampshire library history and New Hampshire literary history, on its Facebook and Twitter accounts. For more information about the New Hampshire State Library, go to www.nh.gov/nhsl.

6 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

Photo by Magicpiano, GFDL, commons.wikimedia.org

Let Their Imaginations Soar This Summer!

Summer Quest Day Camp offers convenient, 2-week sessions that are jam-packed with fun, adventure, new friendships and unique experiences.

603.888.1982 WorldAcademyNH.com 138 Spit Brook Road, Nashua, NH 03062

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I want that

Don’t forget mom!

COMPILED BY MELANIE HITCHCOCK

Kick off those heels At the end of a long workday, slip into something more comfortable. Unroll a pair of Flat Out Of Heels. The stylish, slip-on ballet flats are compact enough to roll up into any travel bag or handbag for when you are on the go.

Flat Out of Heels make a statement without compromising comfort and are available in different styles, colors and prints – from floral to leopard to metallics. Each pair comes with its own pouch.

Show her how much you appreciate her this Mother’s Day on May 14 with a special piece from Best Name Necklace. Best Name Necklace adds a personalized touch with a bit of glam.

Choose from silver, gold and rose gold, and several styles.

Available at www.bestname necklace.com; prices vary

Available at www.flatout ofheels.com; $14.99-$29.99

More fun than taking your pooch for a walk The Aerobie Dogobie’s flying disc combines softness, toughness, and great flying performance to make it a great toy for dogs. Its soft but tear- and puncture-resistant material is gentle on a dog’s mouth but sturdy enough to endure fetch after fetch. With its aerodynamic spoiler rim design making for stable, accurate flights, the Dogobie is easy for kids as young as five to throw well. Available in blue and yellow, the colors dogs can most easily see.

Available at Amazon.com; $8.99

It’s a date Busy careers plus young children plus no babysitter: it’s a formula that for many couples equals no date nights.

Date Night In offers a complete athome date experience for couples through a monthly subscription box service. Boxes provide themed dates with custom-curated activities, ambiance and a treat, designed to strengthen relationships through fun, memorable experiences. Three-month, six-month and 12-month subscriptions available.

Available at www.datenightinbox.com; starts at $34.99

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Extra storage, extra seat The FHE Foldable Storage Ottoman is a must-have for small living spaces.

Its patented design is ideal for extra storage and additional seating and assembles to full-size in three steps – no tools necessary. It collapses when not in use to be easily stored away.

Available in black, gray, white, red, taupe and brown. Also check out FHE’s licensed products line for kids, which features Disney characters.

Available at www.thefhegroup.com; ottomans start at $24.99

Camp 603 gives campers the chance to experience everything New Hampshire offers.

Campers hike breathtaking mountains, shred the lakes tubing/wake-boarding, and explore the Atlantic coastline. Our goal is to fill each day with life-changing experiences, promote lifelong friendships, and build self-worth.

a 603 summer! er m m su t ex n r u Make yo Camp603.com 603-568-8107 507 Hall St. • Bow, NH

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Registration for summer camps and recreational Fall begins June 1 and classesregistration begins April 1st. Call 603.889.8092 classes will fill quickly! or visit gymnasticsvillage.com.

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A day in the life of a scho The role of school counselors — and what they do to help students — has changed dramatically through the years

By Melanie Plenda

M

iddle school counselor Jodi Parsons said one of the first things parents usually tell her is that they didn’t know there was a counselor available to middle school kids and they certainly don’t remember them from their own school experience.

“That’s where our conversation begins,” said Parsons, who’s worked as a counselor at McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford for 14 years. “They probably were there, but their primary role was likely scheduling and adjustments and transitions. Now, that is such a minor part of my role.”

It used to be if a kid needed help picking the best elective, filling out a college application or finding out about prerequisites for classes, the guidance counselor was the go-to. But these days the counselor’s schedule is more likely to include classroom

School counselor Jodi Parsons of McKelvie Intermediate School in Bedford sits down with student Lana McCarthy.

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lectures on bullying or anxiety, researching appropriate 504 plans and addressing the effects of opioid-addicted parents and peers with students one-on-one.

“We are no longer guidance counselors,” said Annette Blake, past president of the New Hampshire School Counselors Association and a counselor at Belmont Middle School. “We are school counselors, because we really work with the whole school to prevent problems before they happen.”

“We work inside the classroom, alongside the teachers, to help,” Blake said. “And that’s another change we’ve seen in the field – we are here for all students, not just the ones at risk.”

Requirements in NH Under the Rules and State Practice Procedure in New Hampshire, school districts are required to have comprehensive developmental school guidance and counseling programs rooted in state and national standards (private schools are not required to have school counselors). These programs must encompass measures that reflect competency successes in academics, and social and career learning.

The counseling program also has to include: A curriculum that, in collaboration with classroom teachers and other educational professionals, provides all

•

ol counselor Connect with your child’s school counselor for a successful school year K-12 students knowledge and skills appropriate to their development, including prevention and pre-referral activities.

• Individual planning with all students

to assist in establishing individual goals and developing future plans through coordinated, ongoing systemic activities, including personalized, individual goalsetting and parental involvement.

• Supportive, short-term counseling—in-

cluding individual, group or both – with the goal of facilitating the educational functioning or academic achievement of all students K-12; crisis assessment and referral; consultation with school personnel, parents, local agencies, or appropriate others; conflict resolution; drop-out prevention; substance and abuse issues; individual, school, family, or peer issues impacting the educational environment.

And of course, college and career counseling.

Operating at a deficit Though the responsibilities of counselors and the complexities of the challenges they are charged with addressing have ballooned nationwide, fewer than 20 percent of school districts in the United States meet the recommended student-to-school counselor ratio of 250:1 or lower, according to a 2016 study conducted by Douglas Gagnon and Marybeth Mattingly at the Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire. In fact, access to school counselors varies considerably across states.

Median ratios are more than 1,000:1 in Arizona and California, but under 250:1 in North Carolina, North Dakota, Vermont, Montana and New Hampshire.

In New Hampshire, the counseling load in each elementary school is not supposed to exceed the equivalent of one full-time

guidance counselor per 500 students enrolled; in middle and high schools, it’s not to exceed the equivalent of one full-time guidance counselor per 300 students enrolled. Furthermore, for secondary schools with more than four school counselors, a director of school counseling must be hired to oversee the program, and high schools with an enrollment that exceeds 500 have to provide a registrar in addition to the required guidance counselors.

The district median ratio of studentsto-counselors in New Hampshire is 232:1, Gagnon said.

Further, according to the Carsey study, although rural districts are the most likely to lack any school counselors, the median caseload in rural districts is lower, at 380:1, and 25.5 percent meet national counseling recommendations. Only 4.2 percent of city districts nationwide meet or exceed a ratio of 250:1, with the median city district reporting a student-to-counselor ratio of 499:1.

That is having or can have a distinct effect on students, particularly the most vulnerable, the study’s authors found.

“Students living in poverty often benefit from more intensive support, as they are much more likely to come from difficult circumstances such as less stable homes and more violent environments,” according to the study brief. “It is difficult to estimate the number of children with social or emotional impediments to learning, but by any measure it is substantial. Addressing the non-cognitive challenges these students face is important not only for them but for their peers, who can experience harmful spillover effects.

“Even students who perform well can face ‘last mile’ hurdles that prevent them from successfully transitioning to suitable college or career options.”

The American School Counselor Association makes the following recommendations to parents: Understand the expertise and responsibilities of your child’s school counselor. School counselors make a measurable impact in every student’s life, assisting with academic, career and personal/social development. Professional school counselors are trained in both educating and counseling, allowing them to function as a facilitator between parents, teachers and the student in matters concerning the student’s goals, abilities and any areas needing improvement. School counselors provide services not only to students in need, but to all students.

Meet or contact your child’s school counselor at least three times per school year. The beginning of a school year is an excellent opportunity to initiate contact with your child’s school counselor and doing so can ensure your child’s positive school experience. Find out who the counselor is and what his or her experience and background are. By communicating with one another at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year, parents and counselors can have a definite impact on a child’s success.

Discuss your child’s challenges and concerns with the school counselor. As a parent, you know your child best.

However, the school counselor can help you better understand your child as a student. It’s important to encourage your child’s expression of needs, hopes and frustrations.

School counselors are trained to help your children.

Learn about your child’s school and social connections from the school counselor. When you need information or assistance, your child’s school counselor can help you get in touch with the appropriate school officials; learn about school policies on behavior, attendance, and dress; know the school calendar of important dates and stay connected with the school in many other ways. The school counselor can also help you locate resources in the community when you need them.

Work with the school counselor to identify resources and find solutions to problems. If your child is having a problem at school, it is important to work with your child’s school counselor to find solutions. Discuss resources available within and outside of the school, and get information on how such programs can benefit your child. Your school counselor can be a valuable partner in your child’s education and preparation for life beyond school.

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 11

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In her role as the Advocacy Chair for the New Hampshire School Counseling Association, Annmarie Timmins, a middle school counselor at the Center Woods Upper Elementary School in the Weare School District, recently surveyed 180 out of 793 New Hampshire school counselors.

According to Timmins’ survey, one of the biggest challenges counselors face is trying to fit the “extra” work handed them by school officials in addition to their regular responsibilities.

“Many of us in New Hampshire are doing some of what [American School Counselor Association] considers appropriate -- providing classroom, group, and individual counseling to all students -- but we also feel overwhelmed with ‘inappropriate’ tasks like bus and lunch duties, 504 case management and providing longterm therapy,” Timmins recently wrote in an article for the New Hampshire School Counselor Association newsletter.

She went on to quote a grade six and seven school counselor who said that in addition to her requisite counseling duties, she is also required to oversee testing, lunch, scheduling, PowerSchool updates for new students, class creation, and the end-of-year celebration.

“We are the dumping ground for all orphan tasks,” the counselor commented in her survey response.

Furthermore, nearly all of the respondents, Timmins said, identified barriers to doing what they are supposed to be doing, such as being asked daily or weekly to do hall, recess, lunch, and/or testing duties.

Timmins said the ASCA lists each of those duties as an inappropriate detraction of a counselor’s professional role. She went on to say that some school counselors were being asked to substitute teach, and that one does clerical work for the secretary once a week during the secretary’s lunch break.

Another significant portion of time, according to Timmins’ survey, is taken up by 504 plans, an educational plan for students with disabilities that lays out special accommodations that must be made for that child. The biggest problem, Timmins told Parenting NH, is that counselors are expected to complete all aspects of these plans, from writing them to holding meetings with all the concerned parties to overseeing implementation and offering long-term counseling.

This is a problem, Timmins said, because school counselors really aren’t meant

to offer therapy.

This sentiment was echoed by one counselor in Timmins’ survey who identified 504 plans as a top barrier to doing her job, replying that she felt “ill-equipped to deal with some of the issues because I’m not a therapist.”

Timmins, citing the ASCA’s “The School Counselor and Students with Disabilities” recommendations in her newsletter piece, writes that school counselors should not be writing plans, supervising the implementation of plans or providing long-term therapy.

“The Missouri School Counselor Association elaborated on ASCA’s position in its 2011 position paper on 504s to say that school counselors are often not trained on 504 Plans in their educational programs, writing plans can put school counselors in an adversarial role with parents, and overseeing plans creates a dual role conflict with teachers,” she writes.

Counselors are further challenged in finding time to get into classrooms, a mandatory part of the job.

According to Timmins’ survey, nearly 140 of the respondents are delivering classroom lessons and almost as many are offering small-group counseling. But they are only able to do so occasionally, according to the survey. Timmins writes that one elementary school counselor with a caseload of 430 students teaches in three to five classrooms a day and runs two to four groups a day on changing families, divorce, anxiety and social skills, while another K-5 counselor with a 400-student caseload is part of the daily Unified Arts rotation.

Going forward William R. Hughen, district director of school counseling for the Hudson School District, said that there has been a push in recent years to educate not only parents but school officials about what a counselor’s job does and does not entail. He said through increased awareness, some of the challenges that counselors face may be alleviated.

Timmins echoes this notion.

Timmins said “the results [of the survey] remind us that we must continually educate our stakeholders about our role and our professional expertise. Doing so can be a challenge but not doing so makes our jobs harder to do.”

Melanie Plenda is a full-time freelance journalist and mother living in Keene. She recently gave birth to her third child.

SUMMER CAMP Our camp offers a summer day program for boys and girls, ages 6-12. We integrate sports, recreational, and adventuring activities — all blended into one unforgettable 10-week experience! We’re located just off of Route 3 in Nashua’s Gateway Hills Technology Park. Camp runs from June 26 to September 1, 2017. Join us this summer!

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Welcome to comic book world Enter a magical place where kids learn and families come together

By Melissa Proulx

R

eading comics with his 3-yearold daughter can be nostalgic for Scott Proulx (no relation).

The illustrated stories might be My Little Pony-themed as opposed to the superhero ones that he tends to reach for, but it still reminds him of when he was younger.

“Kids still want to read comics like their parents do,” he said.

Proulx is one of the owners of Double Midnight Comics & Games in Manchester. The store opened 15 years ago, selling comics, games, toys and apparel. He said from the beginning, the focus of the store has always been to be a family-friendly place, because all the owners have kids.

“It’s the first thing we wanted to stress,” he said.

Over the years the increased popularity of the Marvel superhero movie series has helped to make comics more popular, particularly with younger kids and teenagers.

“I think it’s been steady for a few years now,” he said. “It’s just so commonplace and mainstream now.”

Events designed for kids are held at the store, showcasing different interests in different genres.

And it’s not just for boys either. “Girls were wearing superhero clothes just as much as princesses,” he said.

Through the years Proulx said he’s noticed that a trip to the comic book store has turned into a family outing; fathers are bringing in their daughters and mothers are tagging along with their sons.

Why read comics?

The experience of reading comics also has its benefits as well, Proulx said. The colorful, vivid illustrations keep kids’ attention. And because the overall story format doesn’t follow the usual left-toright reading format, it can be a good challenge for the younger readers to make sure they’re following along correctly and helps with inferencing skills.

“It’s more stimulating,” he said.

Studies show just as much. Graphic stories can increase creativity and as well as vocabulary. Michael Chaney, chairman of Dartmouth College’s African and

African American Studies program, knows that from both a personal and professional perspective.

“My literacy is due in large part to my interest in comics,” Chaney said, in a March 2017 article in the Valley News. “When other kids did sports, I was reading comics and coming across these words I’d never heard, like ‘sibilant,’ in the context of a sentence like ‘The alien tentacle emitted a sibilant hiss as the laser struck it.’ And you wonder, What the heck does ‘sibilant’ mean? Those kinds of passages sent me to the dictionary again and again.”

The comic book experience also provides another outlet in a world that has become screen-based, Chaney said in the article. Part of their appeal is that they provide an experience similar to that of watching a movie, he said.

“The coincidence of that shift in culture from analog-based to screens was just starting when I was in graduate school,” Chaney said, in the article. “The culture was becoming image-saturated, and for a while we had no idea how widespread the small screen would become, and how impactful it would be on our sense of identity. … We weren’t noticing, as a culture, how screens were defining what we see.”

For younger kids, too

When it comes to finding comic books marketed specifically for younger kids, there can be a void in the market.

That’s why Emily Drouin stepped in. For the last few years, she and her husband, Jeremy, have been designing and self-publishing a comic book series called Eplis.

“I’ve always loved drawing comics,” she said.

The sci-fi themed story chronicles the journey of scientist Dr. Archimedes as he battles against his enemy, Krios, who tries to devour entire star systems as a source of energy.

She, too, tries to make the comics colorful and full of whimsy to keep kids reading.

“For me, I always felt like comics should be fun,” she said.

The medium, she said, allows both her and her readers to be creative and silly. She saturates the pages with colorful images of the heroes and uses illustrious action words to help narrate the story.

“It’s appealing because they have a lot of excite-

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 15

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For additional details and more participating locations in New Hampshire, go to www.freecomicbookday.com.

• SUNDAY, JUNE 11 Kids Con New England Kids Con New England is the first and only comic book convention just for kids in New England. Event promotes art education and literacy through comics, with over 60 kid-focused, family-friendly artists and creators, activities, face painters, balloonists, Jedi training, play with pirates, superheroes meet and greet, games, costume contests, kids sketch-off and more. Parenting New Hampshire is a proud sponsor of this event.

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• SATURDAY-SUNDAY, SEPT. 16-17 Granite State Comic Con The Granite State Comi Con is two days of comic book and pop culture fun. This family-friendly event features hundreds of comic book creators, media guests, vendors from around the Northeast bringing the hottest collectibles and more. Attendees can get their pictures taken with superheroes, pirates, princesses and other characters. There is also a kids con with workshops, a coloring contest, face painting and character meetand-greets. Produced by Double Midnight Productions.

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ment and color on the page,” she said.

The Drouins also started Kids Con New England, a convention that holds a bounty of arts-themed and educational workshops for kids about the field to introduce them to the world of comics.

This June will be the second year the event is being held as a standalone event, though Drouin said she’s held small kids conventions within other comic conventions. Last year, about 1,000 kids and their families showed up for the inaugural event.

Freelance writer Melissa Proulx is a New Hampshire native and avid coffee drinker whose work can be found in publications including the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Business Review. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2015.

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17

Take your child on a summer re The best summer reads for elementary-school age kids, according to local experts

F

or a lot of school-age children, the phrase “summer reading” usually invokes long exasperated sighs, exaggerated groans and expressing the desire to do anything else during their school break. But summer is the perfect time of year to lay a foundation that will carry your child through their many years of schooling.

Younger elementary-age children may not be required to complete a summer reading list like students in the upper grades, but building a relationship with books should start early.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t get overwhelmed by where to begin your child’s summer reading excursion. We talked to local experts who can point you in the right direction.

For elementary-age youngsters, only one author came to mind for Cheryl Andrews, a first-grade teacher at Pelham Elementary School, who was recently named New Hampshire’s 2017 Teacher of the Year by the VFW New Hampshire Auxiliary.

“Anything by Marty Kelley. His humor always has the kids laughing and keeps them engaged with its fun illustrations.”

Marty Kelley, who lives right here in New Hampshire, has authored numerous illustrated children’s books, but the ones that

18 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

get kids laughing are “The Messiest Desk,” “The Rules,” and one particular favorite, “Summer Stinks,” an alphabetical foray into the many things about summer that maybe aren’t so fun.

With the rhyming cadence and allaround silliness of the illustrations, kids have no trouble becoming absorbed into Kelley’s youthful creations. Of course, books such as these are best when read aloud by parents or other family members. Through the entertaining use of various voices, facial expressions, hand gestures and the like, children being read to can better connect to the story at hand when their imagination is ignited.

When the time comes to move on to longer stories with fewer illustrations, the easiest way to transition your child to chapter books is through a book series.

Book series play a major role in developing your child’s relationship with their own imagination. Nurturing a child’s imagination does not take much effort, but it’s important to continue doing so as they progress in their reading development. Even if you have a child that is picky about what books they want to read, it’s simple to find a series they enjoy and will want to stick with.

Children’s services librarian at the Pelham Public Library Betsy Vecchi said that “familiarity with the characters and storyline are definitely a huge part of it. Reading books in a series, which are familiar and predictable, helps kids become more independent readers.”

One such series that she

• By Amanda Andrews

strongly recommends to young readers is the “Dragon Masters” series by Tracey West.

Full of all things dragons, knights and magic, this series is a great doorway into unleashing your child’s imagination into a fantasy realm.

If knights in shining armor aren’t your child’s forte, another recommendation would be the “Phoebe and Her Unicorn” series, by Dana Simpson. A little more humorous and modern, this comic strip-styled series is ideal for children who struggle with friendship and venture for something a little different than your average chapter book.

A suggestion that both third-grade teacher Deborah Bourque of the Pelham School District and the Head of Youth Services at the Manchester City Library Karyn Isleb agree upon is the “I Survived” series

by Lauren Tarshis.

This series is ideal for young readers with a love for history. These books are thrilling tales from some of history’s worst disasters told from the perspective of a young boy or girl who survived them. While some of these stories are tragic in nature, it awakens an appreciation for real-world events from a different viewpoint than that of their history lessons in school.

Another story that aims to do something similar is the “Magic

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Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osbourne.

With a total of 55 books, this series is a popular refuge for readers into the worlds of yesteryear. Through these books, your child, along with characters Jack and Annie, are transported to different time periods all through the magic of reading. From traveling back to the age of dinosaurs to meeting Merlin the Magician and some pirates along the way, this series is as timeless as it is entertaining.

Remember, parents: developing a love of reading all starts with you. Reading to your child before bed or creating summer traditions are ways in which you can keep their love of reading continuous all year long.

As Isleb said, “During the summer, it is so important to keep them reading. Summer is the time when most kids stop reading, and when they begin school in the fall, most lost some of their reading skills, which puts them behind.”

Take the time this summer to create traditions of your own: go to the park for a picnic and read “The Giving Tree” while sitting beneath a big pine tree; read “The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales” while camping out beneath the stars; or huddle beneath the blankets with a flashlight to incite quests for the scariest ghost story ever told.

Building traditions such as these, and following through year after year, will not only build that foundation for an avid reader, but will also broaden your child’s imaginative horizons. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what they’re reading, as long as they’re taking the time to do so. After all, a strong reader is one whose imagination is limitless, and the journey begins on page one.

Amanda Andrews, an avid reader and admirer of the written word, is a freelance copyeditor and an event coordinator at McLean Communications. You can find her somewhere in the woods of New Hampshire wandering between the pages of a good book. She can be reached at aandrews@mcleancommunications.com.

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Tips to having a successful restaurant meal with your family

By Pamme Boutselis

Dining out with Autism Spectrum

Disorder

T

lifetime.

aking the kids out to eat can kick start their appreciation for exploring new foods and environments – something that can last a

But for some kids, it can be a bit scary entering the unknown and especially so for youngsters on the autism spectrum.

With some preparation and patience, however, there are opportunities to create some memorable meals together, even away from the comfort of your own kitchen table.

First though, consider this scenario pro-

20 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

vided by Melanie Potock, a pediatric speech language pathologist and feeding specialist, and co-author of “Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater”: “When I’m working with a family with a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I ask parents to imagine that suddenly I’m inviting everyone to dinner – but it’s at a foreign country and we are going right now,” she said. “I’ve got reservations for us at a new restaurant that I’m quite excited about! As we enter the front door…the place just looks different than the restaurants in your hometown, and you’re not sure exactly where to rest your eyes, so you scan the room to get your bearings. You notice new aromas that are definitely not like the food at home, and even the new sounds make you feel a bit cautious, because you just don’t know what to expect.”

Suddenly, the environment is different; there are new people you’ve never seen before and the food choices are things you’ve never had before – or even if you have, they aren’t prepared in the same way. While that can be disconcerting for many, imagine what it might be like for someone with ASD. “All of their senses are bombarded with new stimuli, and it can be overwhelming,” Potock said. “Our job as parents is to help prepare our kids for the new experience and support them in the process of dining out. With time and the right supports in place, kids can learn to enjoy dining out with the family.”

J.P. and Stephanie Morgan have just begun venturing out with their boys, son Jaxson, 4½, and Logan, 10 months. The Nashua couple’s youngest is content as long as he has some toys and snacks to sustain him.

Jaxson, though, wants his food right away and doesn’t quite understand how to wait.

“This can present a challenge, especially on a busy night that results in a wait before we are even sat,” his mom said. “He will demand to be sat and brought his food and cry if we don’t prepare.”

So they talk about the process with Jaxson after watching a social story video about going

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He Theresa s, Esq.Kraft, Esq., of counsel Greg to a restaurant, talk about what they saw on the way to the restaurant, and bring along toys and coloring books – and as a last resort, they might revert to a game on the phone.Theresa “He knows if he is good, he can get a dessert, too, so that makes it a little easier,” Stephanie Morgan said. “When things are difficult because waiting can be hard, we use a lot of redirect with the items we brought.” Sounds pretty typical, right?

In many ways it is. Morgan said, “I would say it’s a combination of being four and having autism. Most kids at four have challenges with waiting. However, our challenge is amplified because if he’s impatient or his food isn’t what he wanted there is an urgency to get through to him before the meltdown gets worse.” It generally takes both parents to get through to Jaxson, which can be challenging in itself given they have another very young son who needs attention, too.

“It will take both J.P. and I constantly repeating his name and getting him to focus on us,” she said. “We will have to gently touch his arm and say his name a few times over and over and lots of ‘look at me’ for us to even begin to redirect.”

According to Potock, having a conversation prior to the outing with other members of the family who are joining you for dinner can be helpful.

“If it’s a partner or spouse, plan ahead of time for one adult to quietly help the child out of the restaurant if the situation appears to be just too challenging and a meltdown is imminent,” she said. “If dining alone with your child, quietly explain to the waiter that you may need to leave immediately and you’d like give the manager your information in case there is no time to pay the bill.”

Heather MacDonald and her husband, Harold Kim, of Windham, love dining out with their boys, Connor, 7, and Griffin, 6, although she acknowledges it does have its challenges.

“Connor is on the spectrum and sometimes cannot control his behavior,” MacDonald said. “Griffin is allergic to many foods, including nuts and eggs. Going out to eat requires research – Is it family friendly? Is it somewhere that cooks their food with nuts? Will they tolerate loud children? We have been to restaurants where Connor will act up and we get judgmental looks from staff.”

Both parents like to experiment a bit when dining out. Both boys like Mexican fare and with tortilla chips, salsa and rice – all safe choices – and friendly staff at some of their favorites, it can be a winning meal away from home.

“We have downloaded games to our phones as backup,” MacDonald said. “We also love restaurants with crayons and their own tablets. Also having Netflix and headphones is helpful if the boys get bored.”

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may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 21

Left: the Kim boys, Connor (7) and Griffin (6).

Below: the Morgan family, with Jaxson (4½) and Logan (10 months).

Courtesy photos.

In spite of preparation, issues can still erupt. Over time they’ve learned “calm, but firm statements to try to calm him down” can be helpful.

“We also talk about going to the ‘green zone’ to calm down,” said MacDonald. “When he has an episode, he requires lots of affirmation and physical hugs from the person he is not mad at. We’ve learned a lot of crafty ways to communicate with him so we don’t have to leave the restaurant.”

It’s important to remember, Potock said, “that this takes time. Break everything down into manageable steps, including starting with just a short visit to the new restaurant and build from there. Focus on what went well! Send a thank you note or make a quick phone call to the management if they were especially helpful.”

Keep in mind that dining out with the kids, especially if a family member is on the autism spectrum, takes preparation and practice. Start small, celebrate successes and find what environments work best for your child. Before long, you may well find yourself looking forward to breaking away from the kitchen and enjoying a meal out with the whole family.

Pamme Boutselis is the mom of four now-grown kids, a serial volunteer and writer.

Follow her on Twitter @PammeB.

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may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 23

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Savory and Sweet These fruit dishes from local chefs are untraditionally delicious

By Michelle Lahey

CONCORD’S OWN BURGER

VIBES Gourmet Burgers

25 South Main Street, Concord 856-8671 www.vibesgourmetburgers.com THE DETAILS: For the Concord’s Own Burger, VIBES tops its traditional six-ounce patty with applewood-smoked bacon, cheddar, sliced apple, lettuce, and a drizzle of New Hampshire maple syrup. “Besides adding a nice crunch and texture…the touch of tartness from our local apples really complements the salty, juicy flavors from the bacon and the sharpness of our Vermont cheddar,” said chef Dan Forcier. For the real hardcore eaters, try The Unusual, topped with sliced apple, cheddar, applewoodsmoked bacon, lettuce, pickled jalapenos, and whipped creamy peanut butter.

P

Photo courtesy of VIBES Gourmet Burgers

eanut butter and jelly. Pineapple on pizza. Apples on grilled cheese sandwiches.

It’s been clear for quite some time now that fruit pairs well with many savory ingredients. But what you may not know is that chefs across New Hampshire are taking this delightful combination up a few tasty notches.

PLANTAIN-ENCRUSTED COD

The Blue Mermaid 409 The Hill, Portsmouth 427-2583 www.bluemermaid.com

THE DETAILS: Sweet, citrusy fruits like mango always pair well with seafood, but at The Blue Mermaid, its Caribbeaninspired cuisine takes this combination to a whole new level. Case in point: this dish features fresh cod encrusted in plantains that is then topped with a mango vinaigrette and served with grilled banana and sweet potato hash.

NEWTON’S REVENGE PIZZA

900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizzeria 50 Dow St., Manchester; Brickyard Square, 24 Calef Highway, Epping 641-0900; 734-2809 www.900degrees.com

THE DETAILS: Pineapples aren’t the only fruit that can pair well with pizza. Enter the Newton’s Revenge, which is topped with red pepper pesto, mozzarella, goat cheese, caramelized onions, roasted chicken, and figs.

This innovative pie is then finished with basil and a balsamic reduction drizzle. Sweet, chewy figs paired with salty pesto and goat cheese?

Yes, please.

ORCHARD OMELETTE

Clement Room Grille, at the Woodstock Inn Station & Brewery

135 Main St., North Woodstock 745-3951 www.woodstockinnnh.com

THE DETAILS: Apple and cheddar omelettes are nothing new here in New England, but at Clement Room Grille, the restaurant put their own twist on this classic breakfast. The Orchard Omelette is filled with fire-roasted Fuji apples, walnuts, fresh basil, and New England Brie cheese — making for a decadently filling breakfast dish.

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 25

Photo courtesy of Vida Cantina

GRILLED CHICKEN FETA WRAP

PAN-SEARED SCALLOP AND STRAWBERRY SALAD

Ellacoya Barn and Grille

Black Forest Café and Bakery

2667 Lakeshore Road, Gilford 293-8700 www.barnandgrille.com THE DETAILS: The Grilled Chicken Feta Wrap at Ellacoya might on the surface sound straightforward, as it’s filled with grilled chicken, feta cheese, garlic mayo, and lettuce – but with the added apple and pear chutney, this wrap takes on a whole new kind of flavor. Sweet apple and pear mixed with salty feta and grilled chicken will be a worthwhile gift to all of your taste buds.

212 Route 101, Amherst 672-0500 www.theblackforestcafe.com

THE DETAILS: Sweet strawberries, sliced almonds, asparagus, mixed greens, barley brown rice salad, and scallops – all finished with a citrusy orange-basil vinaigrette. This is one sweet and savory combination that might sound a little out there, but is definitely worth trying. “The sweetness of the berries contrasts with the slightly salty, savory tones of the scallops,” said owner Martha Walters. “Also, the acid of the citrus [vinaigrette] balances the sweet of the strawberries - so it is a dish of contrasting elements that blend really well together.”

Bedford Farmers Market Tuesdays 3-6 p.m.

June 6 – Oct. 3, rain or shine St. Elizabeth Seton Parish parking lot, 190 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford www.facebook.com/Bedford FarmersMarketNH

10

farmers markets to visit in New Hampshire

If you are looking to make your own savory fruit dish, head to one of our favorite farmers markets to find the best produce NH has to offer. Bonus: you’ll also find flowers, meat, wine, baked goods, eggs, jellies, specialty foods and more. Many are opening this month, so be sure to check them out.

Concord Farmers Market Saturdays 8:30 a.m.-noon, May 6 – Oct. 28, rain or shine Capitol Street, Concord www.concordfarmersmarket.com Derry Homegrown Farm & Artisan Market (New this year!)

Wednesdays 3-7 p.m., June 7- Sept. 20 Location: Downtown Derry, on the lawn at 1 West Broadway www.facebook.com/Derry Homegrown The Farmers Market of Keene Tuesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m.- 1 p.m., May 6- Oct., rain or shine

CONFIT PORK BELLY TACOS

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Vida Cantina

Shovel Handle Pub at The Whitney Inn at Jackson Mountainside Resort

2456 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth 501-0648 www.vidacantinanh.com THE DETAILS: It’s no surprise that fruit (think mango) salsas go very well on top of fish tacos. But at Vida Cantina, they prove a little fruit goes a long way on confit pork belly tacos, too. This dish is topped with cotija cheese and a mango-habanero salsa for a spicy, sweet, and savory combination – all wrapped up in a tortilla.

357 Black Mountain Road, Jackson 383-8916 www.shovelhandlepub.com

THE DETAILS: You don’t actually need ski weather to enjoy a little après ski – especially when ribs are involved. These braised, St. Louis-style pork ribs are smothered with a mouth-watering blackberry barbecue sauce, and served with sweet potato fries and a seasonal vegetable for a full-on meal. You even get your choice of a half or full rack – but since the full is only $5 more, is there really a choice to be made here?

Michelle Lahey is a food writer who was born and raised in New Hampshire. She also blogs about food at www.ahoppymedium.blogspot.com.

Gilbo Avenue, behind Colonial Theater, Keene www.keenefarmersmarket.com Manchester Farmers Market Thursdays 3:30-6 p.m., June – Oct., rain or shine Concord Street, next to Victory Park, Manchester www.manchesternhfarmersmarket. com Nashua Farmers Market Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June-Oct. Main Street Bridge, Nashua www.facebook.com/Nashua FarmersMarket North Conway Farmers Market Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon, June-Columbus Day North Conway Community Center, Main Street, North Conway www.facebook.com/North-ConwayFarmers-Market

Plymouth Community Farmers Market Thursdays 3-6 p.m., June-Sept., rain or shine 263 Highland St., Plymouth www.harvesttomarket.com/ farmers-market/Plymouth-FarmersMarket-NH Portsmouth Market Saturdays 8 a.m.-1 p.m., May 6 – Nov. 4, rain or shine City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth www.seacoastgrowers.org/ portsmouth-farmers-market Salem Farmers Market Sundays 10 a.m.-2 p.m., May through Nov. Salem Marketplace, 224 North Broadway, Salem www.salemnhfarmersmarket. org

Only the best Just for you!

We are proud to announce that Parenting New Hampshire was honored seven times by the Parenting Media Association at its 2016 Design and Editorial Awards Competition.

Parenting New Hampshire brought home gold awards for Humor Column, Special Series and Service Feature; silver awards for Editor’s Note/ Publisher’s Note, Ancillary Publication Overall Design and Ancillary Publication General Excellence, and a bronze award for News Feature.

This marks the 10th year in a row that Parenting New Hampshire has been honored by PMA, and we are flying high.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

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29

cook•with•your• kids CONNECT THROUGH THE GENERATIONS ON MEMORIAL DAY

By Susan Nye

W

ith any luck, the long Memorial Day weekend will be warm and families will spend time outdoors enjoying some early summer fun. However, Memorial Day has solemn roots that stretch back to the Civil War. It is a day to honor our soldiers with parades and speeches. Along with the pomp and circumstance, there will be quiet, private moments. Memorial Day is also a time to honor our heritage.

I always think of my grandmother on Memorial Day. Each year on or around Memorial Day, Nana Nye visited the cemetery in her hometown of Brockton, Mass., to plant geraniums. We would spend the morning planting, watering and talking about family and Nana’s life.

Let this historic day encourage you to help your children learn more about their family and their heritage. Encourage your parents to share their stories with your children.

Or help the kids prepare a list of questions to learn more about their grandparents. You will probably find yourself eavesdropping and learning a few things you didn’t know.

Here are suggested questions kids could ask:

• When and where were you born?

• What about your parents, brothers and sisters – what were their names and birth dates?

• Did you know your grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles?

• Did you have pets? Can you share a story about a favorite pet?

• What about your neighborhood? Who were your friends? What did you do for fun?

• What did you want to be when you grew up?

• What U.S. president have you admired the most and why?

• What national or world event affected you the most?

• What new technology has affected you the most?

• Did anyone give you an opportunity or advice that changed your life?

• Have you met any famous people?

• What is the most amazing thing that you have ever done?

• When did you meet your husband/wife? Do you remember your first date?

• Is there anything you have always wanted to do but haven't?

• Describe a time when you felt truly happy. Where were you and what were you doing?

• What is your favorite place?

• If you could change something about yourself or your life, what would it be?

Need an icebreaker to get them talking? Encourage everyone to meet in the kitchen and bake together or in the garden to plant geraniums.

Susan Nye leads a memoir-writing group for seniors. A contributor to several New England magazines and newspapers, she shares stories and recipes on her award-winning blog Around the Table at www.susannye.wordpress.com.

30 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

NANA NYE’S BLUEBERRY CAKE

My sister Brenda still bakes our grandmother’s blueberry cake at least once or twice a summer.

When her children were little, it was their favorite birthday cake.

Set the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 10-inch springform pan, line the bottom with parchment paper and butter the paper. Dust the pan with flour and tap out any excess.

Sift together: • 2 1/2 c. flour • 1 T. baking powder • 1/2 tsp. salt • 2 tsp. cinnamon Whisk together: • 2 eggs • 3/4 c. brown sugar • 1/2 c. sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla • 1 c. milk • 1/3 c. melted butter Add the dry to the wet ingredients in two batches, stirring to just combine. Don’t overmix.

Toss one (overflowing) cup blueberries with 1 to 2 tablespoons flour. Fold blueberries into the batter until just combined. Spread batter in prepared pan.

Slide cake into the oven, reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for about 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

Cool cake in pan. Carefully remove springform collar. If you like, you can flip the cake, remove the springform base and parchment paper and flip the cake onto a platter. If all that flipping makes you nervous, slide cake with the springform base onto a platter.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING • • • •

1 c. (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature 4 c. powdered sugar 1 T. vanilla 1-3 T. milk

Put butter in a large bowl; beat with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. With the mixer running on low, slowly add sugar and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and beat to combine. Increase mixer speed and continue beating, adding the milk a tablespoon at a time, for 2 to 3 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Spread frosting on the top and sides of the cake.

Decorate top with more blueberries. Serve at room temperature.

The blueberry cake has made the rounds within the Nye family.

Top left: The author’s niece, Gillian, with her great-grandmother Nana Nye (recipe inventor) Above: The author’s nephew, Patrick celebrates with the cake Top right: The author’s nephew Dan, Gillian and Patrick with their grandparents Middle and bottom photos: Gillian also celebrates with the blueberry cake

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 31

dad on board Culture, the classics and Bugs Bunny MY DAUGHTER IS LEARNING FROM AMAZING TEACHERS, NOT SATURDAY MORNING TV

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For more information and registration for Summer Theatre Camp, please visit our website or contact our Education Administrator Andrea Underhill at (603) 816-2695 or andreau@peacockplayers.org.

MAY 12th - 21st

P L AY E R S

Tickets - (603) 886-7000 or online

BY BILL BURKE

y daughter plays double bass in her high school orchestra. Well, I assume she plays the bass in her high school orchestra. At least she tells us she does.

The curse of being the bass player’s parent is that we never get to see her during concerts. Bass players stand in the back behind the cellos and violas, the popcorn vendor, Business Select passengers and the touring cast of “Grease.” Also, she takes after her mom and me so that means height is not among her strong suits. We attend her concerts in the unshakable faith that she’s back there somewhere, throwing thunder.

Here are some of the phrases that my wife and I exchange at the outset of each concert as we scan the stage, looking for her familiar face: “I think I see the top of her head,” “that seems like her,” and “uueeuunnh” (that’s the shrug and the “I don’t know” sound).

That’s fine, though, because she’s part of an incredibly strong group led by amazing teachers who have created an award-winning music program. We could not be luckier, but that’s not my point.

Their musicianship is brilliant. They play pieces by legends: Bach, Mozart, Shostakovich – and also Fudd, Duck, Pig and Bunny. I can’t bring myself to admit to my daughter that for me, the cultural touchstone for the amazing art she helps make comes primarily from Bugs Bunny cartoons.

It struck me during the most recent concert, when I opened the program to see they would be performing the Barber of Seville Overture by Gioachino Rossini. Or, if you’re me, the song that plays when Bugs Bunny is piling fruit salad on Elmer Fudd’s head.

I suppose it’s great that my daughter’s cultural education is coming straight from the classics. Still, I can’t say there’s anything wrong with the fact that I know Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C Sharp Minor because it was in Walt Disney’s “Silly Symphonies,” Tom and Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and perhaps most famously, “Rhapsody Rabbit.” If only Franz Liszt were still around to collect royalties.

As a child of the 1970s and 80s, perhaps I do owe a good portion of my cultural education to Saturday and Sunday morning TV. Larry Fine was my favorite violinist, I love Wagner’s operas (his classic, “Kill the Wabbit” is a rousing piece, and my favorite maestro is Leopold). So thank you, Chuck Jones.

My daughter, however, is getting her cultural education in a much more traditional way. She may know Boston like the back of her hand because she played Fallout 4 (a video game set in a post-apocalyptic version of the Bay State capital), but she knows the classics because of her teachers. And for that, her mother and I are grateful. At the end of every performance, I am beyond impressed with what those kids do. Their professionalism, commitment to the work involved and the unbelievable results they get leave me dazzled every time.

Bugs Bunny would be over the moon. I know I am.

Bill Burke is a writer who lives in southern New Hampshire with his wife and daughter, who are vewwy quiet during wabbit season. He is also the managing editor of custom publications for McLean Communications.

32 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

learning curve Opioids, students and school nurses KEEPING NARCAN IN SCHOOLS IS NECESSARY TO HELP STEM THE TIDE OF OVERDOSE DEATHS

I

BY ELIZABETH FEINGOLD

recently read Elizabeth A. Harris’s article in the New York Times, “In School Nurse’s Room: Tylenol, Bandages and an Antidote to Heroin,” about the opioid crisis and our educational system’s attempt to deal with it.

I’ve taught a number of students who’ve struggled with addiction, and I’ve worked with them, their families and other team members in search of successful recovery. What has been new and heartbreaking for me over the past few years are the number of funerals I’ve attended for former students who’ve been unable to break free of addiction.

It’s hard for me to describe the devastation I’ve witnessed at these funerals.

There are the babies sitting on grandparents’ laps crying for their mothers or fathers who are no longer there to hug them, play with them, or watch them grow up.

There are the parents who tried for years to get help for their children in all ways they knew how, and who watched their children become shadows of themselves.

There are the friends who sit shocked and crying, some gaunt now in body and soul as they struggle with their own addictions, hugging each other in hopes of hanging on.

There are the neighbors who bring casseroles and stories of long-ago laughing and playful little boys or girls who climbed trees in their yards and loved to eat cookies.

And there are the teachers like me who mourn the lost talents and promise of these young people, and struggle to forgive ourselves as we wonder what more we could’ve done.

Harris’s article speaks to the growing number of school districts that retain supplies of naloxone (Narcan or Evzio) in their schools due to this burgeoning opioid crisis.

Some think schools shouldn’t keep the antidote to an opioid overdose in the nurse’s office. And there are nurses who feel burdened with this responsibility, added to many other significant responsibilities they deal with on a daily basis.

School nurses already deal with the daily challenge of supporting students with mental health issues or suicidal ideation and students who struggle with self-harming behaviors, bullying, abuse, or serious medical issues.

In early 2016, the Executive Council approved accepting a large donation of Narcan kits by Adapt Pharma. Since then several school districts have made Narcan available in middle and high schools throughout New Hampshire. The decision to provide this in schools must have been a staggering task for these school officials.

I don’t know what the answer is to this devastating crisis. But I do know this: I do not wish the experience of heartbreaking grief over a young person’s death due to drug addiction on anyone. I do not want to have to walk into another funeral filled with the suffering of those left behind who wonder – how can we stop this?

If providing this antidote to schools can save one of our student’s lives, I believe it’s what we must do.

Elizabeth Feingold retired from Kearsarge Regional School District, where she worked for over 30 years as a special education teacher and coordinator at the elementary, middle and high school levels. She is now a consultant and advocate. Reach her through www.seacservices.com or email seacsvcs@gmail.com.

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house calls Demystifying childhood pneumonia WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSES AND TREATMENT

P

BY MAIA S. RUTMAN, MD

neumonia sounds scary, but serious pneumonia has become less common with the current vaccine schedule, and most children with pneumonia can be successfully treated with oral medications and supportive care.

“Pneumonia” refers to infection of the lung tissue. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites. Viral pneumonia is the most common type. Pneumonia often occurs after an upper respiratory infection (the “common cold”). In these cases, the infection moves from the upper respiratory tract to the lungs. Fluid, white blood cells and debris gather in the air spaces of the lungs and block the smooth passage of air, making it harder for the lungs to work well.

Children ages one to five have the highest rates of pneumonia. The classic symptoms of pneumonia are cough and fever. Children with pneumonia can develop signs of difficulty breathing, such as breathing fast, belly breathing, using the muscles between the ribs to breathe, flaring of the nostrils or grunting. In serious cases, children can develop bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails indicating a lack of oxygen supply. Children with pneumonia can also have chest pain, stomachache, vomiting, decreased activity or loss of appetite.

Pneumonia can be diagnosed with a lung examination. Your health care provider may hear decreased breath sounds and/or crackling sounds when listening to your child’s lungs with a stethoscope. The primary diagnostic test for pneumonia is an X-ray of the chest. Blood tests can help doctors distinguish between bacterial and viral types of pneumonia, but do not diagnose pneumonia.

Children with pneumonia caused by bacteria can become sick fairly quickly, while those with pneumonia caused by viruses often have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe. While pneumonia is not contagious, the viruses and bacteria are transmissible, so it’s important for children with pneumonia to wash their hands often and avoid sharing utensils or drinking glasses.

Vaccines can prevent some e types of bacterial pneumonia. The standard childhood vaccine schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control includes immunizations against Streptococcus pneumonia, the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia, as well as other bacteria that can cause pneumonia. Since the introduction of these vaccines, the rates of hospitalization for pneumonia in children have decreased.

Children with chronic illnesses such as asthma, lung or heart disorders, or immunocompromise can be at an increased risk of getting pneumonia. The annual flu vaccine is recommended for all healthy children age 6 months through 19 years, and especially for children with chronic illnesses.

Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia get better within one to two weeks, although walking pneumonia may take four to six weeks to go away completely. Viral pneumonia does not respond to antibiotic therapy, so the treatment of viral pneumonia is primarily supportive.

While most children do well with oral antibiotics, those who are sicker or who do not improve may need to be hospitalized and treated with IV antibiotics. Patients who require oxygen treatment also need to be admitted to the hospital.

If your child has a fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing, it’s a good idea to have them evaluated.

Maia S. Rutman, MD is the Medical Director of Pediatric Emergency Services at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center. For more information, go to www.chadkids.org.

34 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

raising teens and tweens Heroin? Not my kid THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC AND ITS LINK TO PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION

BY TRACEY TUCKER

A

s opioid abuse and the deaths associated with it dominate the headlines, we are becoming all too aware of the crisis our state, and other parts of the country, are in.

Many parents in my practice who have kids in recovery, or are active users or experimenting ask me, “How did my kid ever get exposed to heroin? I thought only serious junkies did heroin.”

Some kids begin experimenting with marijuana and slide into a network of friends that expose them to more options such as mushrooms, prescription stimulant medication, Molly or ecstasy and prescription pain medication. Some of these choices are easier than others to obtain, including medication found around the home.

Kids will tell you that many of their peers offer them stimulants such as Vyvanse, Ritalin or Adderall, which are prescribed to kids diagnosed with ADHD or other prescription medication used to treat anxiety and/or depression. But the biggest factor of heroin use among adolescent and early adults is access to prescription pain medication or opioids.

Research says prescription pain medication can be found in one out of every five homes. Parents and kids are prescribed pain medication for a variety of valid reasons— torn muscle, bad back, dental or orthodontist work or surgery.

Think about how many pain pills are in the reach of kids of all ages. And think about the nature of an adolescent — experimenting, risk-taking, rule-bending. This does not account for all kids, but for those who are prone to addictive behavior, high risk-taking due to mental or emotional health concerns or kids with excessively challenging home and social lives, this is of certain alarm.

Heroin has become a larger issue because heroin costs less and it takes less to achieve the same effect as pain pills. An average pain pill can be sold for $25-$30 on the street, making it a pricey habit.

In addition, because of the increased regulations on pain medication distribution, the supply of these drugs is limited. So once a kid or adult becomes addicted to pain pills, they look to maintain their high elsewhere. Given the easier access and cheaper option these two drugs provide, this is why we are seeing kids and young adults transition from prescription painkillers to heroin, and even fentanyl.

What can we do? First, recognize that drug addiction can happen to any family and any kid. The idea that “my kid will never do drugs, especially heroin” is no longer true.

Kids and adults from all socioeconomic statuses are becoming victims to substance abuse, especially heroin.

Second, if you have pain pills in your house and are not using them, get rid of them. If you are using pain medications, make sure they are hidden and can’t easily be accessed by your kids. Third, unless your child absolutely needs a prescription pain medication, opt for a higher dosage of an over-the-counter painkiller such as ibuprofen.

If you don’t need to expose them to opioids, do not.

Finally, have ongoing conversations with your child about substance use. The more kids know, the more they are able to make educated decisions about potential risk-taking. If we communicate with our children in a non-judgmental or non-critical way, they are more likely to come to us for suggestions, support and help when needed.

MAY 6 & 7 Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2016 Feld Motor Sports, Inc.

380780

Tracey Tucker is Executive Director of New Heights: Adventures for Teens and a licensed mental health counselor at Tradeport Counseling Associates in Portsmouth.

SNHU ARENA

MonsterJam.com

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 35

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MONSTER JAM® TRIPLE THREAT SERIES 6 SATURDAY – 7 SUNDAY MANCHESTER – SNHU Arena. The Monster Jam Triple Threat Series takes the skills of Monster Jam competitors to a whole new level of athletic endurance with the survival of the fittest. This series can only be seen in select cities across the country and features the most versatile athletes of Monster Jam. Fans of all ages will enjoy witnessing each competitor drive three customized high-powered vehicles: Monster Jam Speedsters, Monster Jam ATVs and the famous Monster Jam trucks face off in battles of strength, ability and perseverance for the ultimate championship and a highly coveted bid at Monster Jam World Finals.

Show times: Saturday, 1 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. Also, the Pit Party on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to noon gives fans the opportunity to meet the Monster Jam athletes and get up close to the Monster Jam trucks. Tickets: $15-$70. www.ticketmaster.com

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL 4 THURSDAY – 7 SUNDAY

MILFORD – The Amato Center for the Performing Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St. Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza that has lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant that discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks." Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Tickets: $8 for students/seniors, $12 for adults.

Show times: Thursday and

Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 672-1002; www.svbgc.org/amato-center

PLAY BALL FOR CHAD NIGHT 5 FRIDAY

MANCHESTER – Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, 1 Line Drive.

The Fisher Cats and WMUR will Play Ball for CHaD! Have a fun night while raising money for the programs and kids at the

36 www.parentingnh.com may 2017

Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock. First pitch is 5:35 p.m. for a special double header. Fifty percent of all individual ticket sales to the games will be donated to CHaD. The night will feature activities for kids, games, raffles and photo stations, and the Fisher Cats will wear superhero jerseys that will be auctioned off at the end of the night. Stick around for a spectacular fireworks show. Tickets: $12 in advance, $14 on game day. 641-2005; www.nhfishercats.com

CAPITAL ARTS FEST 6 SATURDAY

CONCORD – Downtown Concord. Concord is celebrating its cultural vitality with a full range of activities for all. The Capital Arts Fest will run from dawn to dusk with more than 20 events, including arts, film, music and festivities. Don’t miss live performances by nationally acclaimed Squonk Opera, guided walking tours, a farmers market, The Community Players' performance of “Other Desert Cities” and much more.

Go to www.concordnhchamber. com for complete schedule and ticket information.

KidVenture Course features a series of zany, exhibit-themed challenges for ages 1-12. From crab walking under the “sea” and crawling through caterpillar tunnels, to transporting dino eggs to their nest and crossing the (pretend) Cocheco River, there is something fun for everyone. Not your traditional run, this course will have children moving, grooving and stretching their creative muscles. All Kid-venture participants receive a ribbon and a T-shirt (while supplies last) and can join in the festive atmosphere that surrounds this yearly fundraising event held outside, rain or shine.

Admission is $8 in advance, $10 on race day. 10 to 11 a.m. www. childrens-museum.org

KID-VENTURE COURSE

CHILDREN’S DAY

6 SATURDAY

7 SUNDAY

DOVER – Henry Law Park.

After the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s annual 5k Road Race for adults, the kids get their chance to shine. The

PORTSMOUTH – Downtown Portsmouth. Each year on the first Sunday of May, Downtown Portsmouth becomes headquarters for children of all ages with the celebration

17 WEDNESDAY

NASHUA – Keefe Auditorium at Elm Street Middle School. The evening kicks off at 6 with a showing of the award-winning documentary, “Screenagers.” “Screenagers” is a mix of science and story – looking at the research on how technology affects the developing brain and offering tips for helping kids find balance in our tech-filled world. At 7, attend a community fair featuring organizations that work with middle school students.

Also, desserts, coffee and raffles.

Sponsored by Elm Street MS PTO, Pennichuck MS PTO, Fairgrounds MS PTO and Nashua Public Library. Free admission. 6 to 8 p.m.

FAMILY FUN DAY 20 SATURDAY

NASHUA – Nashua High School South, 36 Riverside St. Family Fun Day focuses on health and fitness, safety, and literacy for children and their families. Family Fun Day offers all-day live entertainment, costume

PLANT SALE

20 SATURDAY AUBURN – Auburn Historical Association, 102 Hooksett Road.

Locally grown annuals, perennials, hanging baskets and herbs will be available for sale and proceeds from this event will benefit the historical association and Griffin Free Library. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free admission. www.auburnhistorical.org

9TH ANNUAL KITES AGAINST CANCER 21 SUNDAY

HAMPTON BEACH – Oceanfront Pavilion. Kites will fly high for Exeter Hospital's 9th annual Kites Against Cancer event. This uplifting family event invites community members to spend an afternoon at the beach surrounded by family, friends and neighbors in support and memory of those affected by cancer. The event kicks off with Zumba at 11 followed by family-friendly activities, including kite flying and decorating, face painting, raffles, refreshments, music provided

by Z107 and more. Kites will be available to decorate or personalize in memory or honor of a loved one.

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complimentary kite with each $10 donation to support the Beyond the Rainbow Fund at Exeter Hospital. www.exeterhospital.com

JUST SO, MR. KIPLING - THE JUNGLE BOOK 25 THURSDAY – 27 SATURDAY

ROCHESTER – Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St. Step into Rudyard Kipling's world and let your imagination soar as you connect with the cast of characters roaming the jungles of India.

Meet the individuals who influenced Kipling's family on the homefront of England during WWI. Theater-goers old and young will revel in the antics of familiar jungle animals including Baloo, Bagheera, Akela & Kaa and be drawn into Mowgli's kidnapping and rescue, his encounters with the man village and his final confrontation with Shere Khan. This Homeschool Theatre Guild production features over 30 homeschoolers from the Seacoast.

Show times: Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday, 2 p.m. Tickets: $5 in advance/$7 at the door. www.homeschooltheatre.org

SEA LAMPREY APPRECIATION DAY 27 SATURDAY

MANCHESTER – Amoskeag Fishways, 4 Fletcher St. The slimy and fascinating sea lamprey returns.

Hold a live three-foot-long fish and get sucked into the fun of a much under-appreciated animal as we learn all about the unique physical nature and lifecycle of the incredible sea lamprey. No registration required.

11 a.m. Cost: $3 per person; $6 per family. www.amoskeagfishways.org

parentin

ENTARY

“SCREENAGERS” FILM WITH FAMILY FAIR

characters and team mascots, bounce houses, an obstacle course, a coloring contest, and more. The first 1,000 attendees to Family Fun Day receive a giveaway bag. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission: $1 per person. www. liliguanausa.org/ffd-may

COMPLIM

of Children's Day. The Festival combines family-friendly activities and entertainment, all sponsored, hosted and supported by the downtown merchants, civic organizations and volunteers of the Seacoast. Pro Portsmouth creates a map for kids of all ages to follow the alphabet 'round town. From A to Z, they can visit shops and restaurants, head to the Block Party on Pleasant and enjoy all sorts of fun activities and entertainment. Rain or shine. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. www. proportsmouth.org

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COMPILED BY JACQUELINE TOURVILLE Itchy, Scratchy Fun: Teach your kids about the time-honored tradition of spring sheep shearing at the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival, held this year on Saturday, May 13, and Sunday, May 14, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds. Watch sheep lose their fleecy winter coats, see sheepdogs round up the flock, and take part in the festival’s many craft activities and hands-on demonstrations for kids and adults, including felting, spinning and weaving wool. Camp at the fairgrounds to make a weekend of it. www.nhswga.com

NH Renaissance Faire: Calling all lords and ladies! The always popular NH Renaissance Faire returns to Kingston this month for two family-friendly weekends that take you back to the days of knights in shining armor. Just for kids, the Faire’s Children’s Glen is filled with Medieval-style games, crafts, music and jousting. Kids younger than four get in free. Open May 13-14 and 20-21. www. nhrenfaire.com

Theme Park Fun Returns: Memorial Day weekend means the seasonal opening of some of New Hampshire’s favorite theme parks. At Clark’s Trading Post in Lincoln (www.clarkstradingpost.com), Clark’s famous trained bears will start entertaining crowds for another season on May 27, aka the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Further north in Jefferson, the post-Christmas vacation for Santa and his elves ends May 27, when Santa’s Village (www.santasvillage.com) rolls out the North Pole welcome mat for another fun-filled year. Go early in the season and beat the summer rush!

May is almost-summer season here in New Hampshire, a time when outdoor activities, festive events and kid-friendly things to-do start popping up everywhere you look. Ready for some fun?

MAYbe you will want to give these events a try.

Watch Cats Compete: What’s better than looking at cute cat videos on your phone? Seeing them — and petting them — in person! On Saturday, May 6, and Sunday, May 7, the Everett Arena in Concord hosts the Seacoast Cat Club’s annual Cat Show. See who will be best in show, and watch cats compete in an obstacle course competition. The event is purrrfect for kids, with a stuffed animal cat show that includes prizes, free face painting, and a kitty petting area where cats who love attention from children (many are retired show cats) are available for friendly pets and cuddles. On Saturday, stop by for an ice cream social. Attend one day, or both. For a full schedule of events, go to www.seacoastcatclub.org.

Kids’ Day in Exeter: Last year’s inaugural Kids’ Day festivities in historic downtown Exeter were such a hit that the celebration of kids, families, fun and games is back for a second year, and bigger than ever. On Saturday, May 6, from noon to 4 p.m., pick up a festival map at one of the information booths at the entrance to Swasey Parkway or the Exeter Public Library, then wander through downtown to take in performances by magicians and jugglers, play games, make crafts, listen to live music, visit with animals, take a break for story time and more. All events are free. www.visitexeternh.com

Jacqueline Tourville is Parenting NH’s travel and tourism guru.

may 2017 www.parentingnh.com 39