NEXTGEN October - November 2021

STRONG HOPES FOR THE FUTURE… HERO ON THE STREETS!

FORWARD MANATEE!

A HIDDEN GEM….

Serving the healthcare needs of Manatee County since 1973, Blake Medical Center is a 383-bed, tertiary hospital and leading provider of quality, compassionate healthcare. We offer a wide range of services including Manatee County’s only Trauma Center.

Services Provided

• 24 hour Emergency Care

• Adult Critical Care

• Allergy/Immunology

• Anesthesia

• Breast Care

• Burn Care

• Cardiology

• Complex Hand Repair

• Comprehensive Stroke Center

• Diagnostic Imaging

• Endocrinology

• Family Medicine

• Gastroenterology

• General Surgery

• Geriatrics

• Gynecology

• Heart Care

• Hematology/Oncology

• Hospitalists

• Hyperbaric Medicine, 24/7

• Infectious Disease

• Internal Medicine

• Joint Replacement

• Nephrology

• Neurological Care

• Neurosurgery

• Oncology

• Open Heart Surgery

• Oral Maxillofacial Surgery

• Orthopedic Surgery

• Pain Management

• Pathology

• Physical Therapy

• Plastic Surgery

• Podiatry

• Psychology

• Pulmonary Care

• Radiology

• Rehabilitation Services

• Rheumatology

• Robotic Surgery

• Spine Care

• TAVR

• Level II Trauma center

• Urology

• Vascular Surgery

• Weight Loss Surgery

• Wound Care

Your health is our priority. The caregivers at Blake Medical Center are here for you, providing safe and trusted care.

SUNMED™ offers best-in-class, award-winning hemp products at a friendly price. And unlike other products that use only CBD isolate, our proprietary SUNMED™ extraction process keeps many beneficial cannabinoids.

EXCLUSIVELY AT

Bradenton Locations

just

grow

Harvest United Methodist Church

PUBLISHER

Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County EDITOR

Darrell King

PRODUCTION EDITOR

Katelyn Disbro

Kelly Harbour

DESIGN EDITOR

Mara Stork

PHOTOGRAPHY

Whitney Patton

Wendy Dewhurst

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carlee Colonneso, Bre Jones Mulock, Christa Hardin, Caroline Lehman, Amy Treis, Sheri Roca, Colleen Hartnett, Tina Trivers

CALENDAR OF FAMILY EVENTS

Bradenton Macaroni Kid: Denise Granata

ADVERTISING SALES

Kelly Stasurak: kstasurak@elc-manatee.org

PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION

PCI Communications, Inc.

CONTACT NEXTGEN

EDITORIAL

ADVERTISING

FAX

941-757-2912

941-212-4988

941-757-2917

EARLY LEARNING COALITION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTEES

Adam Mohammadbhoy (Chairman)

Robert Bell (Secretary/Treasurer)

Andrew Minor

PRIVATE SECTOR APPOINTED MEMBERS

James R. Chatham, M.D., Lupita Wells, Len Tabicman, Michael Rampino, Christina Riggio, Karen Carpenter, Doug Hall, Zack Kallis, Rev. Dr. Robert Baker, Dr. Michael Mackie, Bryan Rench, Gary Scott, Caroline Halfacre, Tim Pye

LEGISLATIVELY REQUIRED MEMBERS

Rachel Kendzior

Children With Disabilities

Program Representative

Annette Larkin

Private, For-Profit Provider Representative

Dr. Robin Thompson

Manatee County School Board Designee

Jennifer Passmore

Board of County Commissioners' Appointee

Kathy Patreka

Head Start Director

Chantal Porte

Department of Children and Families Designee

James Disbro

CareerSource Suncoast

Dr. Carla McGill

October - November 2021

6

18

24

EDITOR

editor@nextgenmagazine.org

COMPETITION ENTRIES competitions@nextgenmagazine.org

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@nextgenmagazine.org

ADVERTISING SUBMISSIONS adsubmissions@nextgenmagazine.org

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS articles@nextgenmagazine.org

County Health Department Designee

Dr. Kristina DeWitt

Florida College System Designee

Marjani Jones

Faith-Based Provider Representative

Paul Sharff

Chief Executive Officer

SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE BOARD

Linda Guritz

BOARD OF EDUCATION MANATEE COUNTY

Charlie Kennedy, Gina Messenger, Rev. James Golden, Mary Foreman, Chad Choate Cynthia Saunders, Superintendent

NEXTGEN and the Early Learning Coalition do not endorse or warrant any products or services contained herein, unless otherwise expressly noted. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors. Submitted materials will not be returned. Whole or part of this publication may not be used or duplicated in any way without written permission from the Early Learning Coalition.

Early Learning Coalition is a 501-C

nonprofit organization committed to ensuring affordable and creditable early child care and early education through School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs. Sponsorship by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County and the State of Florida, Division of Early Learning and Manatee County Government.

Strong HopeS For tHe Future…

WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock

PICTURES: Whitney Patton

Like intriguing characters woven into a page-turner adventure novel with each chapter more astounding than the next, a collection of diverse life journeys leap into focus from a dazzling, mile-long resume and demand attention.

There’s the 16-year-old who hired his football buddies to hammer nails after school until 2 a.m. each night for his startup construction company and the high school track star doubling as a standout college tennis player who graduated early.

The phlebotomist in the mix drew blood from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. before university classes each morning and fixed cars by moonlight in an assisted living facility’s parking lot.

Deeper into the story, you’ll discover a dedicated middle school science teacher and a 26-year-old night administrator for Tampa General Hospital who bolstered the helicopter program there before flexing entrepreneurial skills in data system analytics.

A school board member, competitive sailor, and pilot all season the pages of this robust book of life. Including an accomplished academic holding advanced degrees in public health, epidemiology, and business administration.

While this dizzying kaleidoscope of colorful achievements and careers would reasonably flow from an army of people – a

collaboration of over-achieving individuals – they actually belong to just one man: Dr. Scott Hopes.

“I know it may be hard to believe this is all from one lifetime,” said Hopes, Manatee County’s Administrator and a father of three. “But I look back at all my experiences in education, business, technology, medicine and see them as a unique opportunity not many people have to give back through public service, especially after the state of Florida has invested so much in me.”

With a diverse arsenal of expertise guiding his decision-making. Hopes, a native from Houston, Texas, who finds stress relief flying his four-passenger Mooney airplane crosscountry, discovered his dream job just when he thought retirement might lure him out of the workforce and onto a sailboat. Responsible for carrying out the policies of the Manatee County Commission as well as the development and management of the county’s annual operating and capital improvement budgets, Hopes jumped into the role of County Administrator last spring and has not stopped running.

“He is an asset to the commission because he has the background and experience for the position,” said Manatee County Commissioner Kevin VanOstenbridge. “We put an emphasis on wanting someone with both public and private sector experience like him, and he’s done a very good job

reaching out to everyone, including each commissioner individually, to determine what their districts need.”

With the ink barely dry on his hiring contract on April Fool’s Day, Hopes guided the county into declaring a state of emergency in response to the breach at the former Piney Point fertilizer processing facility and dedicated weeks navigating the county’s course of action. Looming red tide and a churning hurricane swirling off the coast marked his first few days, including controlling an ongoing pandemic. After a deluge of fast-paced, high-pressure careers, this position put his knowledge and experience to the test.

“Dr. Scott Hopes is a distinctively talented, senior policymaker, administrator, complex system, and data analyst,” said Dr. Jay Wolfson, senior associate dean at the Morsani College of Medicine and associate vice president at USF Health. “He brings a rich and diverse, handson history in both public and private organizations in Florida and internationally. His experience, knowledge base, and practical understanding of public policy make him a very distinctive asset to the community.”

Wolfson emphasized Hopes’ solid decision-making stems from a deep respect for data, noting Hopes created and applied software analytics that permitted a detailed understanding of hospital finance,

operations, and the impact of policies in Florida. Hopes, at age 26, brought this capacity to his role as evening and night administrator of Tampa General Hospital, a 1,000-bed public teaching hospital, in 1986 before establishing his national consulting practice.

“Scott’s knowledge and experience in complex, often highly politically charged public and private organizations has always been grounded in his belief that policies and practices need to be driven by valid and measurable data and that in the public sector, transparency is essential to reducing ambiguity and creating consensus,” Wolfson said.

Coupled with his strengths in data analysis, Hopes’ epidemiology background has proved especially helpful if not serendipitous in stifling several COVID-19 outbreaks that roared through county buildings and threatened to pause the day-to-day operations of local government.

“We’ve had three or four outbreaks

As a kid growing up in the oil boom years of late-1970s Texas, Hopes first sparked a fascination for science while peering from the sidelines and watching his mother work as a medical assistant to the Houston Astros.

“I thought it was really cool to meet the baseball players coming in to be evaluated by the orthopedic surgeons,” said Hopes, who never missed a day of school from kindergarten to sixth grade and keeps a copy of Control of Communicable Diseases Manual on his desk.

Science and a love for the game of math lured him to achieve a B.A. in Biology from the University of South Florida before attaining a master’s in Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, as well as a doctorate in Business Administration.

While delving into university research and working on his degrees, Hopes responded to a critical shortage of science teachers in Florida’s public schools in the mid-1980s and taught eighth and ninth grade science in Hillsborough County, Florida. He fell in love with teaching and rose in one year to

Pointing across his office to a wall decorated with shimmering awards, Hopes zeroed in on a silver plaque that he considers the most special accolade of his decorated career. Etched words boast, “World’s

Greatest Science Teacher, 4th period, Burns Junior High School, 1986.”

“I have kept this plaque all these years, and I am honored to have it,” said Hopes, running his fingers across the list of engraved student names.

A man of many hats with an insatiable desire to learn new skills, Hopes traded his teaching position for a career in large system data analytics and eventually started CliniLinc – a health and medical information services and technology company with offices in Miami, Sarasota, Tallahassee, and Dublin, Ireland. However, Hopes’ drive to give back through public service resurfaced when Florida Governor Jeb Bush tapped Hopes to serve at the agency of Health Care Administration, where he oversaw the Bureau of Certificate of Need and Financial Analysis. He moved on to serve as the director of Health Policy, which is responsible for developing and implementing health care policy, research, and legislation in the state.

“Scott’s a data guy – data-driven, but he also understands what it takes to be a leader,” said Dr. Tim Novak, dean of the LECOM School of Health Services Administration, where Hopes teaches as an adjunct professor. “He understands the big picture of health care and always asks how it affects the patient.”

Hopes has fought for nearly 30 years lobbying the legislature to improve access to primary care and hospital services, better public education, and to hold the government accountable to Florida citizens and taxpayers.

Highlighting Hopes’ wide breadth of experience spanning both private and public sectors, Novak feels Hopes is perfect for the job of county administrator.

“He really does check all of the boxes,” said Novak. “He has a great insight on how to maximize resources and help a community thrive, not just survive.”

Hopes proved his ability to help a community thrive when the pandemic swooped across Manatee County in early 2020, shuttering schools and businesses. Hopes drew

on his knowledge in epidemiology while serving as a school board member, helping to design and implement protocols to reopen schools.

“Dr. Scott Hopes brought a high level of business acumen that he leveraged to

best support our students and employees through improved financial planning and innovative educational programs,” said Manatee County School Board member Gina Messenger. “His master’s degree in public health, and experience in healthcare,

proved to be especially valuable while reopening our schools in 2020. Dr. Hopes is a strategic planner with the ability to work as a team and serve as a leader.”

VanOstenbridge also views Hopes as an effective leader at the helm of Manatee County.

“He came into a county that was experiencing a lot of turmoil, and he very quickly calmed the waters,” VanOstenbridge said. “He took on a leadership role, and many people got behind him.”

Beginning and ending each day with a swim, Hopes finds release in exercise. An avid biker, he carved out a 28-mile daily route during his business trips to Dublin. On weekends, you may find him marveling at sea life while scuba diving or scoping out a quiet anchorage to spend the night on his boat. Just a few weeks ago, he flew his plane from California to Florida.

“When I fly, I truly can block everything out because I am so focused on everything from my flight plan to take-off and landing,” said Hopes, who learned how to fly when he realized he was renting a plane many days of the month, crisscrossing the country consulting with clients.

Tucked in the suburbs and serenaded by the percussion sounds of booming construction, Hopes at 16 didn’t flinch when a contractor overwhelmed with work asked him if he’d like to start his own construction company. With a loan from his dad, newly purchased equipment, and a tribe of friends, Hopes created his first successful business, profiting $17,000 that summer in 1977. A drive to succeed and experience as many avenues in life ignited within him as he set out to take in the world. As County Administrator, Hopes views his life path as a full circle with the chance to serve Florida again – a state where he gained college degrees, carved out businesses, and raised a family.

“This job is challenging, and I am exhausted,” said Hopes, his blue eyes peering over his glasses. “But it is absolutely the most fun I have ever had on a job, and it is a way for me to give back to Florida and Manatee County, a place I love living.”

Come and enjoy the wonders of science and nature. Whether you’re fascinated by fossils, amazed by manatees, or partial to planetariums, our world is waiting to be discovered in real life.

our environment.

Reclamation ecologists like Ashlee work to return mined lands to productive use as wildlife habitats, public parks and more —so future generations can enjoy these lands for years to come.

®

With every generation, we get better at protecting

LECOM Park is home to Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training and the Bradenton Marauders, Pirates Class-A Minor League affiliate.

Endless

Summer Nights

PICTURES: Whitney Patton

A Family Tradition SINCE 1926

Meet Your Lakewood Ranch Medical Group Team

Primary Care and Specialty Services

Primary Care

Your healthcare partners in all phases of life

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Care for women during the most sensitive times of life

Kelly Duggin, MD Family Medicine

Joel Hallam, DO, FACOOG Obstetrics and Gynecology

Claire McGill, DO Family Medicine

Indo S. Menon, MD Internal Medicine

Suzette Pinto, MD Family Medicine

Denise Digregorio, ARNP Nurse Practitioner

Terrell W. Martin, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology

General Surgery

Advanced procedures, including minimally invasive robotic surgery

David W. Dexter, MD, FACS General Surgery

Member of Manatee Physician Alliance

Alexa Kinder, PA-C General Surgery

The Way to Inspire and Give…

A mission to enhance the lives of Foster children

WORDS: Amy Treis PICTURES: Whitney Patton

"You don't have to be a foster parent to do foster care. Use your voice for those who can't speak up for themselves." Tori Hope Petersen, FFY (Former Foster Youth), spoke these words in the hope of raising awareness for the beauty of becoming a foster parent.

It is a vital role that will aid in the success of children who are in the unforeseen predicament of foster care. These adults forge a path for these children to see the beauty of life that is possible for them, and for that reason, foster parents are heroes that deserve as much support and encouragement as possible.

There is such a blessed place for support of foster families in the wonderful non-profit establishment called, The Twig, which stands for "The Way to Inspire and Give." Since 2016, The Twig, which boasts a location in Venice and a new store at 9706 SR-64E in Bradenton, has come to the aid of the foster community by serving as a resource for foster families. Their mission is to encourage and inspire the lives of children in foster care by meeting their needs in practical ways.

Through the love and devotion of the founders, Lloyd and Dianne Reed, these stores flourished to allow foster families the opportunity to shop with dignity in elegant settings. The Reeds understood the value of foster parents when they adopted their

own daughter and saw how much she thrived under the care of her foster mom. They wanted to make sure all foster parents could provide a loving environment for their foster children, and thus, the concept to create an inviting store was born.

The mission behind The Twig is "to inspire and encourage foster families by meeting their needs." Nicole Britton, the Director of Development for The Twig, takes pride in fostering this mission daily. She is proud to promote the three keywords of the store: Believe, Empower, and Thrive. Nicole

started at The Twig as a volunteer in 2017 and was quite active on the fundraising committee.

Her dedication to this organization led to the opening of the second store in 2020 because she was so active in sharing the mission with the community. Through her persistence in opening the eyes of others to the needs of the foster community, she has been able to share the stories of how The Twig blesses the children, which encourages them to find a way to get involved. As Nicole is proud to state, "our

core value is that we are blessed to be a blessing." Nothing could be truer than this statement.

A child's confidence can carry them throughout the most difficult of times. Imagine being in foster care and the uncertainty of if you will be adopted before you are 21. The Reeds and Nicole Britton realize that sometimes the simplest gesture of kindness can make a world of difference. Therefore, The Twig is such a value to the foster care community. It not

only helps the foster families, but it gives others a challenge in their lives to support such a mission.

The Twig relies on donations of clothing, shoes, and personal items for the children in foster care to choose for themselves. As they enter the brightly lit and cheerily decorated store, they sense they are entering a boutique that could be found on Rodeo Drive.

Imagine the children in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory entering the Chocolate

Room and their astonishment at the glory of all the delicious edible treats. Such is the feeling a child will feel upon entering The Twig.

The Twig established a reliable schedule for the children from ages newborn to teen, who are in care with a supervising agency, to shop for necessary items once a month. They are allowed to choose seven items in addition to undergarments, socks, and accessories. The Twig in Venice has exclusive shopping days on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month from 9 am to 2 pm, and The Twig in Bradenton has shopping days on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from 9 am to 2 pm. What an extremely helpful resource for foster families to help them provide the best life possible for their wards.

While The Twig inspires confidence and hope in its clients, it also motivates kindhearted souls to dedicate time and effort towards the store's success. The shopping days are made possible not only by the donation of the clothing and supplies but by amazing people who volunteer their time to act as "personal shoppers" for the sweet clientele. There are monthly drop-off days that astonishing people can donate needed items at the Venice and Bradenton stores from 4-6 pm.

There is a wish list on their website for specific items, but they truly accept whatever the heart wishes to donate. In addition to these generous donations, one can lift the spirit of The Twig by attending or sponsoring their annual fundraising events, such as The Twig Auction and the Turkey Trot, 5K race. Finally, what better way to advertise the delightful ministry of The Twig than by wearing some of the beautifully designed "Twig Swag."

This simple act can make all the difference to opening the eyes to the magical giving spirit that The Twig casts upon the community. It should also be noted that any items that are not purchased at the store are donated to other charities, such as Habitat for Humanity and the Loveland Center, or they are sold to raise more funds for The Twig.

Nicole Britton would also be proud to

mention how the goodness of The Twig does not stop with children in foster care. They have created a program called "Twig Box," for people who are at least 21 years old and have aged out of the foster care program. Volunteers put together a mixed package of personal care and hygiene products (and some fun surprises along the way.) These are then shipped to the individuals at the address they fill out on the website application for free. The saying of "every little bit helps" is exemplified in this action because even purchasing necessary items for daily survival can be a struggle.

There are three keywords that The Twig instills in all who are involved in its mission: Believe, Empower, and Thrive. The Reeds, Nicole, and so many other blessed community members have dedicated their time to helping kids believe they are of value to society.

They can empower children with confidence so they can face tomorrow with a purpose, and finally, children who thrive in foster care can develop into giving and exemplary adults. Such invigorating convictions are what make The Twig a truly unique and special contribution to the Gulf Coast region.

THE LOVELEE Worthington...

WORDS: Sheri Roca

A Hidden Gem

Just west of the Ellenton outlet mall and interstate 75 lies a hidden gem on the banks of Lovelee Lake, called Worthington. Originally Lee's Crab Trap II, Worthington has recently been transformed into a historical and charming wedding and event venue.

You may remember Lee's Crab Trap II, a restaurant known for its Old Florida décor and historical dishes and flavors. The restaurant was conceived and built from the ground up by Leeland Cline in 1985, with attention to every detail.

The most important detail was the view of Lovelee Lake. Knowing that each guest would be hoping for a glimpse of the amazing view, he first created scaffolding so that he could walk the property and gauge the perspective of every patron before he even began to build. It is this attention to detail, the rustic but elegant décor, and of course, the view that has already made Worthington a sought-after Wedding & Event venue for locals and destination weddings alike.

As you enter Worthington, the most notable element is its vaulted ceilings and natural wood décor, creating a feeling of romance and nostalgia. The entire 8,000 square foot establishment has a rustic, dreamy charm and at the center of the spacious ballroom is a grand, 6-foot crystal chandelier. Although the dripping

crystals may be a sparkling focal point, the lighting above the 40-foot bar and in numerous other locations throughout the establishment threatens to steal the show. These fixtures are a bit more whimsical, repurposed from great pieces of branches or driftwood by Leeland Cline himself. They are just a few of the many imaginative and indelible pieces of the original restaurant that add to the charm of Worthington. You may even catch a glimpse of gators on the lake as well as one in the venue!

"We were honored to be able to pay tribute to him and keep many of them as part of

our family's tradition. Our goal will always be to take his vision above all expectations, especially for those who want to be an addition to our next chapter!" said Jarrett James, Grandson of Leeland Cline.

The Event Director for Worthington, Lisa Van Beuren, is also the Lead Wedding & Celebration Planner. Lisa comes to Worthington with more than two decades of impressive and diverse hospitality experience. Lisa said: "At the end of the day, my goal is to help you create a memorable experience, in the most stress-free way imaginable, surrounded by the love of family

and friends and the joy of knowing you are in good hands." Worthington, Lisa, and their outstanding list of preferred vendors are passionate about making your most important day perfect.

Suppose you prefer an outdoor venue with a unique old Florida vibe that isn't just another beach wedding. In that case, there is plenty of room on the beautifully landscaped grounds, along the banks of Lovelee Lake, just outside of Worthington. There is also the large, covered deck overlooking the lake, complete with ceiling fans and ambient lighting for smaller wedding ceremonies or used as a gathering space for larger weddings & events and all receptions.

Keeping in mind, it is still Florida and, unless you are new to the area, you know that when it rains, it really does pour. And so, on your most important day, it is good to have a "Plan B." Worthington offers a perfect option. Lisa and her team can make the switch from an outdoor wedding at the lake to an indoor, fully air-conditioned backup plan, in the historical and unique indoor venue, with as little as 12-hours' notice.

Worthington and the two other local restaurants established by Mr. Cline, Hickory Hollow and Sea Hut, have

remained in the family for more than 40 years. The restaurants were left to Leeland's two daughters after his passing in 2008, and all continue to be owned and run by his daughter, Donna James, along with her son and daughter, Jarrett and Jennifer James.

The family's first restaurant, dating back to the 1970s, was the original Crab Trap. When Donna James inherited it, she renamed it The Sea Hut. The Sea Hut, popular for the peaceful and relaxing atmosphere and consciously sourced seafood, lies just minutes from the Skyway Bridge in Palmetto. As you would expect, the restaurant specializes in seafood, and some of the local favorites are the Sea Hut Crab Cakes and the Three Crab Soup. One of their signature items, Great Lakes Yellow Perch, definitely caught my eye.

Hickory Hollow Bar-B-Que is also in the family, voted #1 BBQ in Palmetto and Ellenton, which is prided for its Southern Home Cooking and offers far more than just Barbecue. You will also find specialties such as Asiago Olive Poppers, Brunswick Stew, Gazpacho Soup, and Fried Catfish. You will find it just off Highway 301 in Ellenton.

After the Crab Trap II's closing in 2010, it was put up for sale to the public and was sought after and officially purchased by Donna James in 2012 in order to keep it in the family. After more than two years spent lovingly transforming this iconic landmark into Worthington, their vision was finally a reality. In the words of Jarrett James, their vision included "a hint of the old Florida feel with a splash of elegance scattered throughout the newly remodeled venue, focusing on a more chic than shabby outcome."

Even Lovelee Lake holds much significance for the James family. Because the lake was never named, the James family was able to claim naming rights to it. To conceive the perfect name, it was important somehow to convey the beauty and elegance of the setting while tying it to the family's legacy. After much brainstorming, Lovelee Lake was born by paying homage to both Leeland Cline and his great grandmother Love Cline.

The estate holds a special place in the hearts of the James family, and they hope that The Worthington will be as sentimental to you as it is to them.

Donna James said: "We could not be prouder to embrace and share our family history."

This month, the James family would like to invite you to Worthington's first annual Halloween Party, complete with a creepy and creative Tim Burton theme, entitled, "Til Death Do Us Party." What better venue to host the wedding of Victor and Emily than the historical wedding venue of Worthington?

Three campuses. One mission.

Easterseals Academy specializes in serving Manatee and Sarasota county students, aged Pre-K to 22 years old, who are challenged by autism as well as developmental, physical, learning and mild behavioral disabilities.

Your child’s education experience will be enriched with art, music, Spanish, yoga, organic agriculture, nutrition, movement, PT-OT-speech-equine-behavioral therapies enhanced with neurofeedback, employment opportunity training as well as family support.

PICTURES: Whitney Patton

GET READY FOR HOLIDAY JOY!

WORDS: Christa Hardin

"Remember, don't be late. After we get back from the play, we're going to FaceTime with my family."

But wait, we have to leave at four from my mother's house, and then I have to pick up the kids for that volunteering thing tonight. There's no time."

Silence.

If you too have a busy, bustling schedule, a herd of kids to navigate around to events this holiday, and you occasionally get cranky, you're not alone.

So, in order to avoid letting the crankiness and the family squabbles take over this holiday season, we've got some family communication tips to evoke that sweet heavenly peace we all long for this time of year.

Remember, each communication tip won't always work for everyone, so to avoid a one-size-fits-all type of communication solution, we've got something for each style of communicator amongst us.

But first and foremost, before you read your tailored tips, there's an important tip to remember...

We all care, but we care differently.

Yes, you and your family love one another undoubtedly, probably even a bit more after this wild 2021 year, and that includes extended family.

When you're tempted to get caught up in unhealthy communication styles, remember this:

The best communicators know how to balance positivity, logic, and deep care for one another.

Most individuals get caught up in just practicing one of these three styles, but the goal is for all of us to balance them all together.

Depending on which type of conflict you and your family tend to get caught up in, are some tips for each of you!

For those who approach conflict with passion: If you or your family member is generally a reactive and passionate person, recognize that such a huge heart is a valuable gift to everyone. Yet around the holidays, this passion can turn into a major blow-up if they're not careful. Remind this person to pause and breathe before

they answer someone they are upset with and not to use harsh language but to take a break as needed and let others take much-needed breaks when they feel overwhelmed.

For those who approach conflict with logic: If you or your family member is generally a logical person, remember that it's awesome they can keep things straightforward and as fair as they know how. However, they must also remember there is more than one logical choice out there, depending on their vantage point. So, make sure this holiday that you all embrace both the logic and the emotions of your spouse or family, and remember to bring in compromise versus just perfect logic in an argument.

For those who approach conflict with positivity: If you or your family member is typically a positive person, what a positive gift to the family to have someone who always knows how to find a silver living. But don't cover up an important issue just because you don't like negativity. Remind them to logically face the facts and to show great care when they've hurt a family member, or they may find their stress slipping out sideways.

What should you do if you're in the midst of a family disaster and you can't remember any of your tips?

Remember just one thing about all. A healthy holiday starts with you taking a few moments to try to balance your approach to problem-solving with love and with gratitude for all the good you've experienced this year.

So, if you get caught in a rut or start to lose your patience with your people, take a few deep cleansing breaths, take a catnap or a quiet walk around the block, and head back to the family with joy, recharged and ready for holiday joy!

45%

of children in Florida are NOT READY for Kindergarten.

51%

of students in Manatee County cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of 3rd grade.

of children in Florida are NOT READY for Kindergarten

Early intervention and individualized attention gives students the best likelihood of success.

CAN YOU SPARE A HALF-HOUR TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIFE OF A CHILD?

ReadingPals provides mentors for at risk students in Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs to 3rd grade, through one-on-one instruction or small group settings.

Offered in Manatee County through the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, and the Manatee County School District under the direction of the Children's Movement of Florida.

Mentors meet weekly in person or virtually with 1-2 students at a time (total of 25 sessions).

Screening, training, mentor support and resources provided by the ELC of Manatee County.

Advice on literacy needs improvements for students provided by classroom teachers and parental consent for participation is required.

For More Information:

Contact the ELC of Manatee County (941) 757-2900 ext. 2501

ReadingPals@elc-manatee.org

Become a Volunteer:

https://bit.ly/3hzyubp

The Pyramid Model…

WORDS: Tina Trivers, M.Ed.

PHOTOS: Katelyn Disbro

The Pyramid Model was first developed by Dr. Lise Fox from USF. It is a three-tiered approach to help all children in the classroom. The base is Universal Promotion for all and highlights the importance of High-Quality Supportive Environments and Nurturing & Responsive Relationships. The middle is Secondary Prevention for some and highlights Targeted Social-Emotional Supports. The top is Tertiary Intervention for a few and highlights Intensive Intervention. As much as academics are important for children, we should be concerned with our children’s social-emotional health as well. If a child is having difficulty with their social-emotional health, they will have difficulty with their academics.

At the end of 2020, the Early Learning Coalitions (ELC) were approached by the Office of Early Learning, now called the Division of Early Learning (DEL), and asked to be a pilot site for the Pyramid Model Project. The ELC of Manatee was one of 13 ELC’s to accept and become a pilot site for the Pyramid Model Project. We recruited three child care centers to participate in the Pyramid Model Project as part of the project.

The participating centers are Happy Cubs, Easter Seals, and Reaching for the Stars. All three centers are involved and excited to be a part of this amazing project, and USF is currently training us, and it’s a two-year process. The goal of the Pyramid is to promote children’s success by creating an environment where every child feels good about coming to school, designing an environment that promotes child engagement, and focusing on teaching children what to do. We strive to meet these goals and make each of the three centers a Pyramid Model pilot site.

As part of the project, our ELC wanted to help set up Calm Down Areas in each classroom of the three child care centers. We ordered age-appropriate materials, ranging from Infant to VPK-age, and it was such a great time delivering the materials to the centers! The child care directors were thrilled and thankful to receive all of the materials!

The

Pyramid Model

As the Implementation Specialist, I am so excited to begin this Pyramid Model Project with all three child care centers! It will be beneficial for the children, parents, teachers, and directors at each center.

for Promoting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children

Tertiary Intervention Few Children

Secondary Prevention Some Children

Universal Promotion All Children

Topics:

Topics:

A “Virtual Coach” for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

A “Virtual Coach” for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

A “Virtual Coach” for Parents and Caregivers

Topics:

Caring for Baby: Nurturing tips about feeding, bathing, sleeping and safety.

Caring for Baby: Nurturing tips about feeding, bathing, sleeping and safety.

Language Nutrition: Learn fun activities that will help develop children’s reading and language skills and give them a head start in school.

Language Nutrition: Learn fun activities that will help develop children’s reading and language skills and give them a head start in school.

A “Virtual Coach” for Parents and Caregivers of Young Children

Lifestyle and Wellness Tips: Interactive “play” for you and your child to keep you both healthy — physically and emotionally.

Nurturing tips about sleeping and safety.

Topics:

Lifestyle and Wellness Tips: Interactive “play” for you and your child to keep you both healthy — physically and emotionally.

Caring for Baby: Nurturing tips about feeding, bathing, sleeping and safety.

Growth and Development: Measure physical, social and emotional health milestones. Learn ways to help your children grow and progress.

Nutrition: Learn fun activities develop children’s reading and give them a head

Language Nutrition: Learn fun activities that will help develop children’s reading and language skills and give them a head start in school.

Growth and Development: Measure physical, social and emotional health milestones. Learn ways to help your children grow and progress.

Lifestyle and Wellness Tips: Interactive “play” for you and your child to keep you both healthy — physically and emotionally.

Wellness Tips: Interactive your child to keep you physically and emotionally. Development: Measure emotional health ways to help your

Growth and Development: Measure physical, social and emotional health milestones. Learn ways to help your children grow and progress.

educational guidance to families and caregivers of infants through early childhood.

An interactive program that delivers health and educational guidance to families and caregivers of infants through early childhood.

Provided by:

An interactive program that delivers health

POWERED BY:

You will receive text messages from the number 52046. Message & data rates may apply according to your carrier rate plan. You may unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP. For assistance with the program, text HELP.

EarlyCare: Helping with Your Most Important Job — Caring for Yourself

and Your Young Child

This program helps you care for your children from birth through age 8, providing helpful, age-specific tips on speech and reading development, wellness, growth, educational and other milestones.

EarlyCare: Helping with Your Most Important Job — Caring for Yourself and Your Young Child

This program helps you care for your children from birth through age 8, providing helpful, age-specific tips on speech and reading development, wellness, growth, educational and other milestones.

There is no charge to participate or app to download.

How it Works:

To get started, text LEARN to 52046. Once you do, you’ll receive a text message with a link to a quick survey you’ll need to complete to enroll. Your feedback will help us deliver information designed to your interests and specific to your children’s ages.

Types of Content:

Easy to Understand: Tips and ideas, delivered by text message, to help support you and your young child’s health and development.

There is no charge to participate or app to download.

In-Depth: Detailed content including videos, tip sheets and articles.

Surveys: Sent throughout the program to see how it’s helping you and to direct the type of information that you receive.

Types of Content:

Multilingual: The entire program is available in both English and Spanish.

Easy to Understand: Tips and ideas, delivered by text message, to help support you and your young child’s health and development.

In-Depth: Detailed content including videos, tip sheets and articles.

Surveys: Sent throughout the program to see how it’s helping you and to direct the type of information that you receive.

Multilingual: The entire program is available in both English and Spanish.

Childcare Provider Directory

A Child's Galaxy Preschool 4417 20th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-755-6302

Adventures In Learning 712 61st Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-1816

A Growing Start Childcare Center, LLC 525 3rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-9750

A Little Schoolhouse Christian Academy 11740 U.S Highway 301 North Parrish, FL 34219 941-776-1973

All Gods Children Preschool 11107 Palmbrush Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-739-2776

Angel's Friends Child Development 611 North East Avenue Sarasota, FL 34237 941-953-3852

A Plus Growing Academy 800 10th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0797

A Readiness Learning Academy 9045 59th Avenue Circle East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-727-9354

A Readiness Learning Academy 2 6130 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-752-4927

Bella Rose Learning Center 708 32nd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-749-2800

Bible Baptist Church of Palmetto Academy 1750 6th Avenue West Unit 101 Palmetto, FL 34221 941-479-4958

Blanton Family Day Care Home 216 60th Street NW Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-8563

Boys And Girls Club DeSoto 5231 34th Street West Bradenton, FL 34210 941-758-3828

Boys And Girls Club at Harllee Middle 6423 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-751-7027

Boys And Girls Club at Lincoln Memorial Middle 305 17th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-721-6840

Boys And Girls Club Palmetto 1600 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-1268

Bradenton Christian School West 1305 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-404-4491

Bradenton Early Learning Academy 7700 Cortez Road West Bradenton, FL 34210 941-216-3305

Bright Angels Academy & Daycare, Inc. 1716 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-962-0472

Bright Beginnings Academy 614 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-479-7910

Bright Beginnings Preschool 4111 Webber Street Sarasota, FL 34232 941-921-6722

Bright Futures Daycare & Preschool, LLC 1617 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-251-5436

Bright Minds Family Home Daycare, Inc. 2101 32nd Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-565-9058

CapoKids Martial Arts Preschool 11534 Palmbrush Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-922-4520

Children's Nest of Manatee, Inc.

5051 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-753-9024

Children's Nest of Manatee 2 600 7th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34207 941-479-7789

Coarsey Family Day Care Home 2505 41st Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-567-7021

Community Christian School

5500 18th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-756-8748

Community Haven for Adults & Children with Disabilities 4405 Desoto Road Sarasota, FL 34235 941-355-8808

CORE Early Education And Learning 605 13th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-9069

Country Cubs Child Care Learning Center 12294 US Highway 301 North Parrish, FL 34219 941-417-7963

Countryside Academy For Children 5807 18th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-747-304

Creative Kids Connection 408 75th Street Northwest Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-8687

CRPE Academy 1621 66th Avenue Terrace East Sarasota FL, 34243 (941) 932-0984

DC's Child Care Center 5105 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-746-6090

Discover Our World Child Development Center 455 48th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-749-5263

Discovery Point Twelve Oaks 7218 55th Ave Bradenton, FL 34203 941-200-4250

Dixon-Wright Family Day Care Home 1016 31st Street East Palmetto, FL 34211 (941) 721-0232

Doodle Bugs! Children's Learning Academy 11015 Passage Drive Bradenton, FL 34221 (941) 721-0330

Doran Family Day Care Home 4719 Cayo Costa Place Bradenton, FL 34203 941-752-4802

Drama Kids International Multiple locations in Sarasota & Bradenton 941-922-8121

Easter Seals of Southwest Florida 350 Braden Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7637

Education Time 5165 33rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-7332

Evans Family Day Care Home 1500 7th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-720-9640

Faith Preschool of Faith UCC 4850 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-7895

Family Life Community School 3301 Moccasin Wallow Road Palmetto, FL 34221 941-281-6412

First For Kids Children's Christian Center 603 11th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-0824

Forza Child Development Center, Inc. 8605 Erie Road Parrish, FL 34219 941-545-6380

Foundation For Dreams 16110 Dream Oaks Place Bradenton, FL 34212 941-746-5659

Foundations Christian Montessori Academy of Sarasota 4141 Desoto Road Sarasota, FL 34235

Free To Grow Academy 5304 7th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-254-4268

Genesis Learning Academy 1420 6th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-723-7358

Grandma's Babysitting Center 1728 26th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-708-9864

Great Minds Childcare 1018 35th Avenue West Bradenton FL, 34205 941-896-5319

Growing Hands Learning Center 5743 69th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-845-4873

Happy Cubs 6207 21st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-798-6173

Happy Go Lucky 1606 55th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-752-4608

Hawkins Family Day Care Home 439 47th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-405-2405

Horizons Unlimited Christian Academy 2674 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Sarasota, FL 34234 941-957-0409

House of JBaby's Preschool

1300 Manatee Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-7415

Imagine Charter School at North Manatee 9275 49th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-981-5345

In The Beginning Learning Center 5503 12th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-567-6106

It's A Small World, Inc. Daycare & Preschool 900 3rd Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-405-4532

Jackson Family Day Care Home 6715 36th Avenue Drive West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-5097

Johnson Family Day Care Home 2403 Lehigh Avenue Bradenton, FL 34207 941-242-1831

Joy Learning & Development Academy 2515 37th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-721-0684

Jump Start Preschool of the Arts 11005 Passage Drive Bradenton, FL 34211 941-747-8900

Just for Girls

1500 10th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-8988

Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch 4225 Concept Court Bradenton, FL 34211 941-727-9072

Kids Academy Plus 57th 1415 57th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-727-1841

Kids Academy Plus 38th 5415 38th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-792-3678

Kids Academy Plus HL 4635 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-524-1045

Kids Club Child Development & Educational Center of Bradenton, LLC 5231 4th Avenue Circle East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-900-2812

Kids On The Rock 1401 14th Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-4567

Kids R Kids 4 Florida 11520 Palmbrush Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-727-9990

Kidzone Preschool 116 27th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-2727

Kingdom Academy 1801 North Lockwood Ridge Road Sarasota, FL 34234 941-365-5433

La Petite Academy 37th 4301 37th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-756-5227

La Petite Academy SR 70 6919 53rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-753-2336

La Petite Academy Vintage Road

4507 Vintage Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-7677

Lane Family Day Care Home 602 31st Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-1774

Laugh N Learn Academy LLC 202 3rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-281-2930

Learning Academy of Sarasota 133 McIntosh Road Sarasota, FL 34232 941-342-0800

Learning! Kidz Zone 2211 53rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-254-7859

Learning Unlimited 6210 17th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-5838

Learning With Love 2712 47th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-751-4989

Let's Learn Early Childhood Center 2118 1st Street West Bradenton, FL 34208 941-567-4279

Lil' Angels Daycare Inc. 1415 7th Avenue East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-729-0442

Little Einstein's Academy 3631 Tallevast Road Bradenton, FL 34243 941-894-6505

Little Geniuses LLC 7035 Professional Pkwy East Lakewood Ranch, FL 34240 941-200-1213

Little Manatee's Cove, LLC 707 3rd Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 (941) 405-7991

Little People's Place 374 Scott Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-355-8741

Love And Laugh Fun Care Center 2811 17th Street Sarasota, FL 34234 941-952-1626

Love Comes First Preschool & Child Care Center 8630 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-755-7800

Loving Hands Daycare 1204 60th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-755-6306

Manatee Charter School 4550 30th Street East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-465-4296

Manatee County Family YMCA 3805 59th Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-798-9622

Manatee United Methodist Preschool 315 15th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-750-6739

Mini Me Kids Daycare 1902 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-251-3504

Morgan Family Day Care Home 2809 8th Street Court West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-745-2401

My First Steps of Bradenton, Inc. 3815 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-727-5511

Myakka Early Learning Center, Inc. 37190 Singletary Road Myakka City, FL 34251 941-322-2605

Next Generation Academy 4636 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 941-251-2491

Our Kids West 2425 38th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-752-1715

Palma Sola Early Learning Academy 7315 1st Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-795-0788

Palmetto Youth Center 501 17th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0783

Pathways to Learning LLC 2601 7th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-896-8802

Pines of Sarasota Child Care and Learning Center 1501 North Orange Avenue

Sarasota, FL 34236 941-552-1861

Play & Grow Preschool Inc. 2435 Fruitville Road Sarasota, FL 34237 941-366-7300

Precious Jewels Academy 2700 Leon Avenue Sarasota, FL 34234 941-360-1122

Primrose School Lakewood Ranch North 5730 New Haven Blvd. Bradenton, FL 34211 813-230-2827

Primrose School Lakewood Ranch Town Center 9127 Town Center Parkway Bradenton, FL 34202 941-373-6363

Puppy Patch Preschool 1116 35th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-6648

Reaching For The Stars Academy 2239 14th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-3901

Risen Savior Academy 14605 59th Avenue East Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211 941-756-7545

Sand & Buckets Daycare 3407 17th Street Court East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-748-4799

Sandman Preschool & Academy 924 Wilmerling Avenue Sarasota, FL 34243 941-755-2591

School District of Manatee County

Professional Support Center 2501 63rd Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-751-6550

School for Constructive Play 6608 Marina Drive Holmes Beach, FL 34217 941-778-2210

Smarty Pants Preschool LLC

832 62nd Street Circle East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-747-7710

Smarty Pants Preschool 2 904 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-896-4796

Smiling Faces Academy, Inc. 910 19th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-756-1234

Smiling Faces Junior Academy, Inc. 1720 11th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-747-3925

Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc. 1222 36th Avenue East Ellenton, FL 34222 941-776-4947

Sproutlings Kids SFCP Too, Inc. 3411 US Highway 301 North Ellenton, FL 34222 941-845-4484

Stapleton Family Day Care Home 1110 42nd Terrace East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-580-0510

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Morton Clark 1707 15th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-750-6667

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Palmetto 1315 2nd Avenue West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-750-6667

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Parkland 6432 Parkland Drive Sarasota, FL 34243 941-750-6667

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning Pine Village 1103 56th Avenue Drive East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-827-2887

Step Up Suncoast

Rise & Shine Early Learning West Bradenton 2531 9th Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-750-6667

Sunny Daze Preschool East 9922 SR 64 East Bradenton, FL 34212 941-750-0042

Sunshine Academy & Daycare

2520 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-794-3143

Teachable Moments Learning Center LLC

4200 32nd Street West Anna Maria, FL 34205 941-900-1022

The Center of Anna Maria Island, Inc. 407 Magnolia Avenue Anna Maria, FL 34216 941-778-1908

The Goddard School 14534 Arbor Green Trail Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 941-752-6600

The Learning Experience Lakewood Ranch 14425 Arbor Green Trail Bradenton, FL 34202 941-251-4046

The Learning Post Child Care 623 30th Street East Palmetto, FL 34221 941-536-4858

The Myakka City Community Center 10070 Wauchula Road Myakka City, FL 34251 941-322-8114

The Renaissance Preschool Inc. 2500 10th Street Sarasota, FL 34237 941-365-0749

Thompson Academy LLC 1212 43rd Street West Bradenton, FL 34209 941-748-2162

Tiny Tots University 930 9th Street Drive West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-723-9072

Toad Hall Children's Center of Bradenton 4004 8th Avenue Drive West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-746-3951

Toddler's Ark FCCH 711 36th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-879-2407

Toddler's Inn Child Care Center LLC 2611 9th Street East Bradenton, FL 34208 941-746-4631

Tree of Life Preschool Inc 2200 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-747-1756

Trinity Children's Center 3200 Manatee Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-748-8608

Walker Family Day Care Home 3213 44th Drive East Bradenton, FL 34203 941-752-6629

Wee Care Christian Academy 10540 Hamilton Way Myakka, FL 34251 941-322-6409

Wee World Child Development Center 1020 4th Street West Palmetto, FL 34221 941-722-0810

Willis Family Day Care Home 3206 Clark Drive Sarasota, FL 34234 941-355-6574

Woodland Early Childhood Center 9607 SR 70 East Bradenton, FL 34202 941-753-8588

Mistakes

Are Part of Learning

WORDS: Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, PBS KIDS for Parents

It’s so hard to watch our children struggle, fall, and even fail. However, for learning to take place, struggling and failing are part of the process. As parents, we want to protect our children from hardships, so we may think hovering and plowing through dangers up ahead will somehow help them.

However, removing every potential obstacle takes away opportunities for our children to learn. And making mistakes is part of learning.

Here are four reasons why making mistakes can actually be really good for your child. You might find as you read through this list, these strategies work really well for adults too!

Making Mistakes Gives Children Realistic Expectations About Their Abilities and Skills

What better way to know whether you are really good at something or not by trying it out? When you try something new, you learn several things about yourself and the new thing: you really like it, you really dislike it, you’re really good at it, you’re terrible at it, or maybe you can get really good at it or even like it if you keep at it. It’s hard to achieve this level of awareness of our abilities, skills, strengths, and weaknesses unless we fumble along the way.

One way we can communicate to our kids after a mistake is by saying something like this: “I know math/dance/socializing has been so hard for you, and you feel like you keep messing up. When you’re learning something for the first time, it can feel that way. I’m here to help you. We’ll get through this. It’s okay if you make mistakes as you learn.”

Making Mistakes Can Increase Opportunities for Self-Compassion

Making mistakes can either lead to negative self-statements (which results in a chipping away of one’s self-esteem and sense of self), or it can lead to gentleness and self-compassion (which is our desired outcome). Why is self-compassion so important? Because when we can make it a habit to see our errors right in front of us while exercising self-control and gentleness for those errors, we can release ourselves from having to perform to a certain standard.

Self-compassion says: “Oops. That was not a mistake you wanted to make at all. That’s okay. That’s part of the learning process. Everyone makes mistakes eventually. Let’s figure out what went wrong, be patient with ourselves, and keep going. Or, we can choose to press pause and come back to it another time. We get to decide.” And don’t forget, this is something you can say to your child and to yourself!

Making Mistakes Helps Children Find Their Voice

It would be very easy and pain-free if everything we did turned out well. For many of us, that is preferable. Struggling with something, experiencing embarrassment or judgment, and feeling overwhelmed or frustrated are not pleasant experiences at all. However, when we struggle, make mistakes, make adjustments, change our course, and eventually experience a more desirable result, we are able to truly find our voice.

How would we know we are so passionate or interested in something unless we experienced all parts of the struggle and came out of it with a very different perspective? We might actually come out of the hardship with a zest for life, an appreciation for the skill, and understand the value of a friendship all because we made mistakes and came out on the other end. Our kids need to see us experience this too because then it gives them permission and comfort to know they’ll eventually find their voice too.

Making Mistakes Reminds Them They Are Not Perfect

So often, children who lean toward trying to be perfect begin to learn that the only way to not fail is to never try. If they never try, they will never make a mistake. If they never make a mistake, then perfection has been achieved! Right? Wrong! Avoidance gives children a false sense they have dodged a major humiliation error.

Truthfully, it only prolongs the inevitable. There is no guarantee that every decision will lead to a positive and desirable outcome every single time. That’s just not realistic. Thinking perfection can be achieved truly sets everyone up for failure.

The truth is making mistakes is actually such a gift because then you learn, grow, and become stronger and more resilient over time. Its important children receive this message consistently. It might go something like this: “We do not expect you to be perfect at all. We know you will make mistakes. We make mistakes too.

Everyone does eventually. Putting all that pressure on yourself to do school/sports/behavior right every single time is not realistic, and we don’t expect it of you. Please give yourself permission to let that expectation go.”

Of course, this is a process and takes time. Helping your children understand the value of making mistakes is really important. Be sure to do the same for yourself, too, since our kids are always watching. You are their model, and they use you as a gauge to determine how to respond to hardships, successes, and setbacks.

PUT PRAISE IN YOUR PARENTING TOOLKIT…

WORDS: Motherly

Common parenting wisdom says that we should lavish kids with praise whenever they behave well or do something good—the presumption being that praise makes kids feel good, and when they feel good, they behave better.

While the latter half of this theory is undoubtedly true, behavior is linked very strongly to emotion and, unfortunately, most praise doesn't make kids feel good or motivated. “

Praise, like penicillin, must not be administered haphazardly. There are rules and cautions that govern the handling of potent medicines—rules about timing and dosage, cautions about possible allergic reactions. There are similar regulations about the administration of emotional medicine. " —Dr.

Haim Ginott

This quote from the late psychologist and teacher Dr. Haim Ginott neatly sums up the problems with praising kids. Most of

the common praise heaped on kids today decreases, rather than increases, motivation because it makes children less likely to repeat a behavior unless there is a reward or offer. Popular generic praise has another drawback, it often causes the child to feel that they are being ignored or dismissed, rather than really seen.

So, should you avoid praise altogether? No, you just need to administer it carefully. Mindful praise can be a great addition to your parenting toolkit.

Try these 10 motivating phrases to praise your child's efforts and achievements:

1. Instead of: “Good job!"

Try: “Thank you for helping me tidy up. I especially like the way you lined the shoes up neatly together. That will make a really big difference when we're trying to find our shoes in the morning," Being specific is one of the keys to more effective praise. 'Good job' is non-specific—it doesn't tell the child what they have done that has made you happy, it offers no constructive feedback and doesn't provide them any clues about what behavior they should repeat in the future.

Tell them exactly what you are proud of. Point out why it has made you happy, so that they can replicate it next time and. Most importantly, specificity helps them feel valued.

2. Instead of: “You did it!"

Try: “I've been watching you try to tie your shoelaces for a long time now. It's tricky isn't it? I'm so proud that you kept trying and didn't give up though. I'm sure that you're going to get it soon with all this practice and patience!"

Praise the effort, not the outcome. Focusing only on achievements can demoralize and demotivate a child very quickly. It's alright to praise success, but it's more important to praise the effort that led to that success, even before it did. Praising effort motivates and shows the child that you believe in them.

3. Instead of: “You look so handsome/pretty!"

Try: “I love the animals on your t-shirt, which one is your favorite? Why is that?"

Praising children, especially girls, for their looks can decrease their self-esteem. They may begin to feel that people only like them because of how they look, which can build up to a tremendous level of pressure as they get older.

Praising a child for their appearance can unintentionally tie feelings of self-worth with their looks. If you want to comment on appearance, focus the praise on what the child can change, for instance, their clothes, and use them to start up a conversation that shows the child you're really interested in what they think and feel.

4. Instead of: “That's a great drawing!"

Try: “Wow, I love the color you have chosen for the flowers, why did you choose to paint them in that color?"

You may have been shown a hundred pieces of artwork this year, but to your kid, each one is special and new. While it feels easier to say, “That's a great drawing," without really looking properly, the looking properly is what children really want.

Picking out parts of the picture and asking the child about their choices shows that you're really looking at, and appreciating, their work. Which, in kid speak, translates into you looking at and appreciating them.

5. Instead of: “Way to go, buddy!"

Try: “You really put so much effort into that piece of work. I'm so pleased that your teacher has recognized that. You really deserve that grade. Is there anything you learned from this piece that you can use to improve your work next time?"

If your child works hard, notice it. Tell them you saw them working hard and that their effort was valued. When they get a good grade, don't just celebrate the outcome, but discuss with them

what went well. This is a great opportunity to help future school work by asking the child to consider the processes and actions that led to the good grade and applying them again in the future.

6. Instead of: “Smart girl!"

Try: “You worked really hard on that math problem. I knew that you could solve it if you really focused!"

Praising kids for fixed attributes—such as intelligence, or aptitude at certain subjects—can really backfire. If children think they are naturally good at something, not only will they tend to not try so hard next time, but they can get quickly disillusioned if they struggle, questioning if they are clever after all.

7. Instead of: “That was nice of you!"

Try: “I saw you help that little boy when he fell. He was really upset, wasn't he? I think you really helped him to feel better when you gave him a hug though. It feels good to help people, doesn't it?"

This is once again about noticing what your child has done and letting them know that you have seen, and appreciated, their actions by clearly describing what you have seen. Asking the child to reflect on how they feel about their positive actions significantly increases the chance of repeating them another time.

8. Instead of: “Yay, you made a poo in the potty!"

Try: “You made a poo in the potty! I know you tried a few times this morning and didn't manage to do anything, but all that practice has really helped, hasn't it? Now you've managed to do it!"

Potty training and praise tend to go hand in hand but praising kids for their 'achievements' can really backfire here. First, they may strain to do something when they don't need to go. Here the praise can teach them to ignore their body's signals and override them to get praised. This is not what you want to teach in potty training.

Second, praising results misses all the effort put in, even when they didn't manage to do something, or get to the potty on time. It's this effort, though, that got them to the end point. Once again, focus on the effort, even if there are accidents, not the outcome.

9. Instead of: “Yay, you finally ate all your dinner!"

Try: “I guess you're not hungry right now, that's okay. I'll put this food in the microwave, let me know if you want me to reheat it for you later."

Praising for eating is perhaps the most counterproductive praise of all. It encourages children to stop listening to what their bodies are telling them. They learn that it is good to eat when they are not hungry to please others, and to eat things that they don't like to feel good. In time, these eating behaviors can quickly lead to overeating, comfort eating and emotional eating. Keep praise well away from the dinner table.

10. Instead of: “Good job for calming down!"

Try: “You were really mad, weren't you? It's OK to be angry sometimes. As you get older, you'll learn more ways to control your temper. Until then I'm happy to help you to calm down."

Praising children when they are 'good' and ignoring them when they are 'bad' can cause all sorts of problems. When kids are mad, they don't get angry for no reason. They're angry because they don't feel good, and they can't control their emotions. Heaping on the praise when they calm down is like saying to them, “I only like you when you're happy."

Supporting them with their emotions, whatever they are, helps them to feel validated and connected to you, which will help them to share their feelings with you in the future. Praising a kid for hiding their feelings from you unsurprisingly causes many issues as they get older.

Praising mindfully and effectively takes time. Most of us were raised with superficial praise, and it's all too easy to slip and repeat the words you heard from your parents subconsciously. It's alright to slip and say “good job" sometimes. Just try to slowly move towards being more mindful of what you say. In time, this new way of praising will become second nature, especially when you see such good results from it.

Helping Our Kids Soar

Children’s Guardian Fund Annual Fall Luncheon

The Children’s Guardian Fund is a non-profit organization that provides for the immediate and ongoing needs of local children removed from abusive and neglectful homes. These vulnerable children get moved on short notice – often losing most of their personal belongings as well as the comfort of familiar surroundings. We provide for emergency needs such as cribs, school supplies, or other essentials and work to reestablish normal childhood experiences in the lives of the 1,200+ local children in foster and state care.

We invite you to join us in support of local children who have been abused, abandoned, and neglected by purchasing a ticket or sponsorship to this event.

RULES ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE!

Tips on Helping Your Child Learn to Cooperate…

WORDS: ZERO to THREE

Cooperation is the ability to balance one's own needs with someone else's. We often think of cooperation as children doing what adults want. That is compliance. True cooperation means a joint effort—a give and take that is mutually satisfying. To develop a cooperative spirit in children, we need to help them understand how our requests and rules are good for everyone.

Examples of Cooperation

The following examples show how cooperativeness grows across the first three years of life:

• A three-month-old wakes and begins to cry for milk. His mother,who is just putting the last dish in the dishwasher, says, "I'll be with you in one minute, honey. I know you're hungry." The baby quiets a bit and sucks on his fingers. This baby is learning that while he may sometimes need to wait a bit, his needs are important and will be met.

• A 14-month-old happily drops socks and t-shirts from one laundry basket into the other. His grandmother says, "Thank you for helping me sort the laundry. Why don't you come while I put it in the washing machine? I'll lift you up so you can press the button. Then we'll go for a walk." This young toddler is learning that part of being in a family is working together to complete daily chores.

• Two 30-month-olds reach for the same bright red shovel in the sandbox. One grabs, the other grabs. Tears follow while each assures the other: "Mine!" One child's father steps in and gently separates the two, handing a red shovel to one and a plastic bulldozer to the other. He shows them how one can bulldoze a pile of dirt, which the other can shovel into a bucket. These children are learning how to resolve conflict, cope with disappointment, and build relationships through cooperative play.

Tips for Helping Your Children Cooperate

Below are ways you can help your child experience the rewards and develop the skill of cooperating.

Take Turns

Between six and nine months, babies can begin to engage in back-and-forth interactions. They also learn to imitate. This is a great time to encourage turn-taking as you play with your baby. When you place a block in the bucket, give him time to copy you. Take turns putting objects in the bucket and dumping them out.

As he gets older, take turns putting pieces in the puzzle or shapes in the shape-sorter. When it's time to clean up, make a game of taking turns placing toys back on the shelf. These experiences are opportunities for him to feel the pleasure of accomplishing something as a team.

Explain Your Reasons for Limits and Requests

At three years old, most children use and understand language well enough to handle simple explanations. Point out how rules benefit the whole family. "We all help clean up. Then we don't lose our toys, and we can find them again." "When you help me put away the laundry, I finish quicker, and then we can play."

Take Time to Problem-Solve

You can help your older two- and three-year-olds come up with solutions to everyday dilemmas and encourage cooperation at the same time. Here are steps to try to help you teach problemsolving skills to your child:

• State the problem. "You want to draw on the wall, but mommy says no."

• Ask a question. "Where else could you draw?"

• Try a solution. Offer two options, both of which are acceptable to you—perhaps either paper or a cardboard box. If she insists she wants to draw on the refrigerator, set a limit. "I'll put the crayons away until we agree on a place to draw."

• Then re-direct. Most young children need help finding acceptable ways they can channel their desires. "You can put magnetic letters on the refrigerator."

Do Chores Together Starting at an Early Age

Let your child grow up experiencing the benefits of cooperation. Together you can set the table, clean up toys, or wash the car. Point out the advantages of cooperating. "Look how fast we set the table. Now we have time to read a book before dinner." "Boy, was it fun to wash the car with you. You are a great scrubber! Look how bright and shiny you made our car!"

Give Specific Praise for Cooperative Efforts

Point out why and how their contribution was important. This helps them recognize and value their skills. "You picked out all the white socks and put them together. That helped me finish the laundry quicker. Now we have more time to play." "You put the books away on the shelf. Now it's easier to choose one. Would you like me to read to you?"

Offer Suggestions, Not Commands Suggestions Elicit Cooperation

Commands often evoke resistance. "It is cold so you will need to wear a hat. Would you like help putting it on, or do you want to do it yourself?" This is likely to bring about a better response than saying, "Put on your hat."

Give Your Child Choices While Maintaining the Rules

"Teeth need to be brushed at bedtime. Do you want to do it before we read books or after?" Of course, they almost always choose to do it after, but they're less likely to protest, and the rule is still adhered to. Offering choices show your child respect, and respect creates a sense of collaboration.

Historical Attractions The Whole Family Will Love

Kids of All Ages Love Exploring Everything the Bradenton Area Has to Offer

Bradenton, Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key is known around the world for beautiful island beaches, sprawling nature preserves, exciting activities, and so much more. However, there’s so much more than outdoor adventures to discover here. The Bradenton Area’s history and culture is unlike anywhere else in Florida. Our history represents Old Florida at its finest, built on the backs of the maritime, agriculture, and railroad industries. Our founders date back to the 1840s, but our area’s history of human inhabitants goes back even further. We invite you and your family to explore our history and culture through several fun and interactive museums located throughout Florida’s West Coast.

Learning about where we came from will give you an even greater appreciation for where we are today, and where we’ll be in the future. Discover how visitors of all ages fall in love with the Bradenton Area when our history comes alive.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

See a 1913 Baldwin Locomotive at Manatee Village Historical Park.

Manatee County Agricultural Museum

1015 6th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221 | (941) 721-2034

Established to preserve, share, and educate the community about Manatee County’s agricultural heritage, this museum also looks to the future and supports local agriculture today. Historical artifacts and exhibits are rotated frequently to ensure there is always something new to see. The Manatee County Agricultural Hall of Fame is a dedicated space that honors local agriculturalists who have made a great impact on our community, while the Citrus Room showcases specialized tools and equipment from the local groves and businesses. The Ag & Economy board teaches guests how agriculture affects Manatee County’s economy, and allows children to guess which tools are useful to farmers. The Livestock Room highlights our area’s rich cattle industry, and “The Barn” contains larger agriculture equipment such as engines, a silo filler, seeders, fanning mill, and more. Learn more at ManateeCountyAgMuseum.com

See everything from historic photographs to authentic farm and citrus grove equipment, a 1925 Model-T, and more.

Keep Our Area’s Culture Thriving

The Florida Arts License Plate Program was developed so arts lovers could show their support of local artists in a fun, eye-catching way. The funds collected through the sale of these specialty plates are used to support local arts organizations, programs, and activities in the county. If you’re a lover of the arts, or just want to stand out and express yourself, there’s no better way to show your support for our local artists and turn heads than with a Florida Arts License Plate. Order yours today: dos.myflorida.com/cultural/info-andopportunities/florida-arts-license-plate/

We hope you and your family will explore the Bradenton Area to learn all about the history and culture we have to offer. Go online today to learn more about everything there is to do in the Bradenton Area. Visit BradentonGulfIsland.com

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

201 10th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205 | (941) 746-4131

Kids of all ages love the largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s West Coast. Oh, and adults like it too. Here, you’ll enjoy exhibits and educational programs that interpret the scientific and cultural knowledge of Florida, the world, and our universe. The museum’s exhibits include permanent and temporary installations. Exhibits range from fossil evidence of Florida’s earliest animal inhabitants and archaeological materials representing Paleo-Indian, Archaic, and pre-contact cultures to local history and creative exhibitions. The new Mosaic Backyard Universe is a literal backyard experience, complete with a giant artificial tree, that teaches children about our natural surroundings and beyond with interactive and fun activities. Showcasing our county’s favorite water-dwelling mammal, the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat provides a temporary home for manatees that will be released back into the wild, and has housed more than 30 manatees over the years. Parents and kids love getting an up-close look at these “sea cows” as they prepare to return to the wild. See all the exhibits at: BishopScience.org

In The Planetarium, guests can lift off from Earth and fly beyond our solar system, out of our galaxy, and to the very edge of the universe.

Florida Maritime Museum

4415 119th St W, Cortez, FL 34215 | (941) 708-6120

Florida’s maritime industry was essential in developing the majority of its coastal towns and communities, and that’s especially true for the Cortez Historic Fishing Village. Housed in a historic 1912 Schoolhouse and surrounded by the Cortez Nature Preserve, the Florida Maritime Museum documents the growth and significance of one of the Bradenton Area’s most crucial industries and time periods. Exhibits include historic photographs, boat models, tools, instruments, and other historically significant materials that were a part of Florida’s maritime culture and history.

For more information, visit: FloridaMaritimeMuseum.org

The museum is also home to a folk school that teaches traditional Florida skills.

Manatee Village Historical Park

1404 Manatee Ave E, Bradenton, FL 34208 | (941) 749-7165

Preserving, sharing, and educating visitors about the founding period of Manatee County, 1840-1918, this village features historical and replica buildings reflecting this crucial time in our county’s history. Today, guests can explore exhibits recreating the daily lives of early Manatee County residents. There are two permanent exhibits to enjoy: “One Century Plus of Ranching in Manatee County” located in the Wiggins General Store, and “Life on the Florida Frontier” found in the 1912 Stephen House. However, there are always new events scheduled to keep visitors coming back to experience something fresh, such as lectures, book signings, festivals, workshops, and demonstrations.

Learn more online at: ManateeVillage.org

Florida Railroad Museum

12210 83rd St E, Parrish, FL 34219 | (941) 776-0906

Have you ever wondered what it felt like to ride the rails in the 1940s or 1950s? If so, this is the museum for you. The goal of the Florida Railroad Museum is to recreate the sights and sounds of Florida railroading as it once was. To do so, the museum operates a six-mile line between Parrish and Willow, Florida where guests can take a train ride back in time. Each weekend, diesel locomotives pull equipment consisting of open window coaches, a covered gondola, and an air-conditioned coach. This is one of the most unique museum experiences in the world, but it doesn’t stop with classic trains. Whether you’re a train enthusiast, history buff, or coming for a show, this is a fun and interesting experience the whole family will love.

Offered on specific dates, guests can experience an intriguing murder mystery on the train, or a thrilling train robbery by ruthless outlaws.

Get your ticket to ride at: FRRM.org

The museum opened July 4, 1976, and features fourteen structures representing pioneer life in Manatee County.

Back to

School 2021

PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst

HERO ON THE STREETS…

Pastor Jerry Parrish and his one-man mission to keep kids out of trouble

WORDS: Bre Jones Mulock PICTURES: Whitney Patton

It's just after sunrise, and Pastor Jerry Parrish curves down a familiar road in east Bradenton, easing his black Impala into the driveway of a dilapidated house that seems to sigh into the Earth with walls harboring heartache. Thirteen siblings inhabit the home where a mom roams in and out of a jail cell and a dad – illiterate and a gang member – lurks somewhere in the cold, street shadows.

Parrish honks his horn, and a sixth-grader emerges quietly toward the soft glow of morning headlights as if stepping out of evil temptation and into a beacon of hope. Backpack slung over his shoulder; the boy jumps into Parrish's car, grateful the Police Athletic League's Outreach Director answered his call for a ride to school. With a phone ringing incessantly from kids scattered across Manatee County, the 54-year-old pastor always answers, even if he just finished a 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. shift roaming the dark streets while trying to reach gang members and drug dealers by spreading the gospel.

"This kid is seen as a throwaway kid, but he is not – he matters," said Parrish, a Texas native with a warm accent and friendly smile. "I was a throwaway kid. I was one of them. I have a hundred families like this. We have an epidemic in our streets, but this kid has hope, and we are trying to break the cycle."

Parrish, once a kid with a fiery temper who cussed out police officers, threw punches in backyard scraps, flirted with drugs, and sifted through trashcans for food, now desperately tries to shift the navigation of wayward, underprivileged, and at-risk youth. He has held hands and prayed with gang members at funerals and shuttled countless children to and from school.

He has walked door-to-door through the roughest neighborhoods in Manatee County, inspiring kids and teens to get out and mow lawns or paint over graffiti with him. He has fought for countless children stripped of any voice. Parrish, a former youth counselor and street minister for the Manatee YMCA, now works day and night with PAL to uplift the kids, many of whom think they have no fighting chance.

"He's a welcome asset in our PAL family and to our PAL team," said Deputy Ralph Bryant, director of PAL programs. "He will go out of his way to help in any way that he can. He is well known throughout the community, with contacts on every street corner. Whatever his needs, he can get it done. And if he can't, he knows someone who can. He has a big heart, and he pours it out to youngsters who are traveling down the wrong path so that they have a chance to correct their behavior and an opportunity for a good life."

Tucked in an Amarillo, Texas suburb, the First Baptist Church ultimately saved Parrish, who grew up with absent, divorced parents. Never missing a single Sunday, church members would pull up with their van in front of Parrish's home and shuttle both him and his siblings to services where volunteers would also feed the hungry kids. While he says love for the Lord bloomed there, it wasn't until a chance speeding ticket in his early twenties that finally shifted a bleak trajectory.

"I was speeding in my Capri Classic and cussed out the cop," said Parrish, shaking his head. "I was a real hothead and got arrested. The judge gave me 100 hours of community service washing police cars. I was there with a bunch of kids who stole bikes and realized I was good with managing these kids – reaching these kids. They needed a leader, and I knew I could lead them."

Soon Parrish found himself taking vacation days from his job at Xerox just to lead school assemblies about drug and alcohol abuse. Not long after, Parrish, along with his wife, whom he says is the greatest, strongest Christian he knows, took a leap of faith into the world of ministry. They created innovative programs like caring for babies born in the Texas prison system where moms would sign rights away so the Parrish's could shelter the babies in their home.

"We would take the babies into the prison every week to see the parents just so the moms and dads could build relationships with the babies," said Parrish, who now has three grown children of his own. "We did this for the kids."

Crisscrossing the country from Texas to California, Parrish spread his youth ministry to L.A., where he even debuted in episodes for Christian Television before the YMCA lured him to Manatee County. Here, in the neighborhoods riddled with bullet holes, fentanyl dealers, and gang rivalries, Parrish has thrown his heart out like a life raft to at-risk youth. Down-to-earth and often donning a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball cap, Parrish sometimes roams three nights a week through known gang territory, trying to stop the violence with the word of the Lord.

His phone rings all hours of the night with kids who are scared or hungry or just need a ride to school. He strives to make sure they know God and not just during a crisis.

"I identify with these kids because I was the kid I'm now trying to reach," said Parrish, who can share countless stories of children in need. They roll off his tongue with deliberate speed. He can remember names and ages and what school they attend. He knows their brothers and sisters and if their parents are in or out of jail. He knows how to reach them.

He reached Jorge Gomez in the first grade. Now 21, Gomez rings as a true success story, resisting the constant temptation of joining a gang with Parrish's love and guidance. Constantly mixing in the fringes of gang violence, Gomez turned to Parrish for an escape route out of hardship over the course of his childhood.

"He's my hero," said Gomez. "God sent me an angel in Pastor Jerry. I was always fighting and hanging out with the wrong group. He is the reason I am not in a gang."

Dedicated to Gomez, Parrish would inspire conversation with him while mowing lawns or playing sports.

"He always helped me stay out of trouble, like a father figure to me," Gomez said. "He got me into sports and made sure I was at school. He fed me. I was always so hungry, so he took me to eat."

While Parrish rattles off a rolodex of mantras, he insists the most, "If you feed them, you can lead them." He can close his eyes and instantly remember his own gnawing hunger pains as a child who never had enough food on the table.

"Many of these kids just want to eat," said Parrish, who remembers pulling out honeybuns from dumpsters with his brother. He eats one a day to remind him where he has come from. "They are so hungry. When you feed them, you build trust and a relationship with them."

Parrish has not only created relationships with struggling youth but also with allies nestled in the Manatee County School District. Sea Breeze Elementary Principal Tami VanOverbeke praises him for supporting the kids and families in the schools she has worked.

"Pastor Jerry has been absolutely amazing," said VanOverbeke. "Some of the wonderful things I've experienced thus far are going on home visits with me in the evenings when I'm not able to reach the families during the school day. Securing volunteers to help in the after-school programs to lower the student-adult ratio, buying and dropping off food for the families who express a need, donating bikes to use as raffle prizes, and mentoring students throughout the school year."

VanOverbeke emphatically believes Parrish is completely invested in the community and wants what is truly best for the kids.

"He wants them to be productive, hard-working, positive, contributing, and successful members of society, where they always feel connected and at-home in Bradenton," VanOverbeke said.

Busy extending branches and building bridges to kids, Parrish rarely sits behind his nameplate at PAL. With Hispanic roots anchoring him, Parrish connects to Latinos in the neighborhoods he serves.

"One of the biggest ways Jerry is an asset to PAL is that he participates in the culture of Latinos, and he has the ability to connect them to PAL," said Deputy Francine Houston, director of basketball at the league. "Many of these families are close and don't let outsiders in because of mistrust. Jerry provides a connection to PAL so we can serve these kids."

When Jerry is not mentoring youth across the county, you may find him indulging in one of his wife's famous dishes like lasagna or chicken parmesan. Married 35 years, the couple finds tremendous joy in their grandkids.

"They make me feel alive," said Parrish, who often tosses the

football around with his grandson. "I can feel the endorphins. I didn't think I would live past 20 or see these grandkids. God has the plan."

Parrish traces back God's plan to the dedicated First Baptist Church in his hometown, where the mentors refused to give up on him.

"They would stand me on a chair, look me in the eyes and say, 'You are going to change this world, son,'" said Parrish. "And I believed them."

Just before Parrish pulls into the middle school to deliver the Sixthgrader, he swings into McDonald's to order a breakfast burrito for the boy. Chatting about sports and school, the duo roll into the drop-off lane as Parrish's phone buzzes. Text messages and calls constantly flood him – many from kids who view Parrish as their hero.

"No, I see them as my heroes., said Parrish. "They do more for me than I ever do for them. They are like family."

Out & About

NEXTGEN encourages the use of face coverings and social distancing when out in public. Please note: Due to COVID-19 all events are subject to change or cancellation without warning. Please check with the venue prior to making any plans.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Bradenton Macaroni Kid is one of the area's top resources for all things family-friendly! With a comprehensive listing of holiday events, play groups, classes, festivals, summer programs, shows and much more, Bradenton Macaroni Kid makes it easy for parents to keep their children busy and entertained all year long. Don't miss the exciting giveaways, promotions, timely bits of parenting advice and humor! Like us on Facebook and sign up to receive the FREE weekly e-newsletter with the latest scoop on fun outings and events in Manatee County at www.bradenton.macaronikid.com.

The FromCradle to College™Foundati on Annual GolfClassic

The From Cradle to College™ Foundation Golf Classic

Hosted by State Senator Jim Boyd and State Representative Will Robinson, benefiting the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County

December 10, 2021 IMG Academy Golf Club

Anniversary Sponsor $10,000

• 3 foursomes in tournament

• 2 page spread in NEXTGEN Family Magazine ($2400 value)

• 2 company banners

• 3 hole sponsorships

Title Sponsor $6000

• 2 foursomes in tournament

• Full page advertisement in NEXTGEN Family Magazine ($1200 value)

• 2 company banners

• 2 hole sponsorships

Eagle Sponsor $3000

• 2 foursomes in tournament

• Half page advertisement in NEXTGEN Family Magazine ($800 value)

• 1 company banner

• 2 hole sponsorships

Lunch Sponsor $2500 (one available)

• 1 foursome in tournament

• 1 company banner

• 1 hole sponsorship

Birdie Sponsor $2000

• 1 foursome in tournament

• 1 company banner

• 1 hole sponsorship

Beverage Sponsor $500

• Recognition on Tournament Signage

Male Closest to Pin $200 (Two Available)

• Recognition on course

Female Closest to Pin $200 (Two Available)

• Recognition on course

Male Longest Drive $200

• Recognition on course

Female Longest Drive $200

• Recognition on course

Non-Exclusive Hole Sponsor $100

• Recognition on course

Fall For This Great Craft Idea!

Iam a big fan of the Fall, and even though we don't necessarily get to enjoy the changing of the leaves like they do up north, I can still pick up decorations, make autumn-themed crafts, and enjoy the desserts!

There is just something about the smell of apple cider, pumpkin spice, and candy that makes this such a fun time of year. Of course, I also get to look forward to turkey, dressing, and all the fixings of Thanksgiving.

When I get an opportunity to make a fall-related craft with my kids, I am all in. This is especially true when it comes to activities that involve Halloween.

A few years back, I made a decoration for my home by placing apple halves in red paint and stamping them on a burlap canvas. It turned out so well that I thought it would be fun to do it again, but this time with orange paint to make small pumpkins.

We even took it a step further, and my daughter added green stems and Jack o' Lantern faces to the shapes.

If you would like to recreate this Pumpkin Stamping Craft for Fall, you will need the following:

• Apple

• Black construction paper

• Glue

• Safety scissors

• Pencil

• Canvas board

• Orange acrylic paint

• Green acrylic paint

• Paint brush

• Sponge brush

• Plastic bowl or container

• Metal stand

• Paper towels

Tip: Most of these items can be found at a local craft store.

DIRECTIONS

To get started, first protect your surfaces with either paper towels or newspaper. Then, be sure to have your child wear an oversized t-shirt or apron to protect their clothes.

Next, pour orange acrylic paint into a plastic container and then have an adult cut an apple in half. Be sure to use the other part of the apple as a snack afterward.

FYI, I was going to have my daughter use a sponge brush to apply the paint to the apple for less mess, but it really needs to be submerged into the paint.

We used the sponge brush to fill in any empty spots on the canvas and wipe any potential drips.

Tip: If you want to skip using a stand, you can also substitute plain white paper for a canvas.

Once the apple half is placed in the bowl on top of the paint, lift it carefully, push it down onto the canvas, and apply pressure. Repeat this until your child has the desired number of pumpkin shapes.

You and your child can then start the process of cutting out the

Jack' o lantern faces from the black construction paper. If you would rather just have pumpkins, you can stop there.

Depending upon your child's age, you may need to assist in creating the shapes for the faces, and I suggest tracing with a pencil first and then cutting them out with scissors.

Next up, it is time to take the paintbrush and add the stems to the pumpkins. My daughter decided to go with a curly shape, but your child may want to go with a simple line instead.

When finished with the stems and most of the acrylic paint is dry, your child can then start adding on the faces. Simply apply glue to the surface and add the construction paper.

When the canvas has dried, it is ready to be displayed on the metal stand. I put ours in the living room, and I just love how cute this turned out.

I hope you and your family enjoy making this Pumpkin Stamping Craft for Fall together and have a Happy Halloween and Thanksgiving!

WORDS & PICTURES: Carlee Colonneso

Carlee Colonneso is a wife, and stay at home mother of three. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida and author of funlearninglife.com. Her website is a lifestyle blog that centers on family, crafts, recipes, and frugal living.

50+ Ways to Boost Your Creativity

Studies show a change of scenery awakens your brain’s creativity and improves your mental wellness. Unleash your power with SRQ’s ten airlines and over 50+ destinations to explore.

So go ahead and book your next family getaway today. Science says it’s good for you.

srq-airport.com

AVOIDING the perfect storm!

WORDS: healthychildren.org

Busy nights juggling sports, dance class, homework, and work or school events can create the perfect storm for making some regrettable food choices.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following tips to help busy families eat and drink better before, during, and after game time.

What Busy Families Should Eat and When

Preparing healthy food ahead of time makes you a proactive parent instead of a reactive one. Plus, it saves money in the long run—who could argue with that!

Go for small frequent meals and snacks. Try to spread calories throughout the day and avoid large meals in close proximity to exercise. If your entire evening is spent on a ball field or on the go, loading food up and taking it with you is a practical option. No matter how long you will be out for, always have a piece of fruit or a healthy protein or nut bar with you. Eating every 3 hours will help keep your child's blood sugar steady and decrease overeating at mealtimes.

Healthy snacks in the car are ok!

While the single-serving snacks from the store are handy, try creating your own prepackaged snacks that feature the foods your kids like most such as a half sandwich on whole-grain bread or a bag of sliced fruit. Don't forget about apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, and other fruit that also comes pre-packaged in a single serving size. While fruits can be high in sugar, they also offer other nutritional components that make them a win for busy child athletes. Other good snack ideas include dried fruit and nuts, hard-boiled eggs, and unsweetened applesauce.

Have a fueling and hydration strategy. Young children participating in light activities lasting 1 hour or less may not need to snack before and after exercise. Rather, help these children focus on good nutrition every day. Older, more active kids may benefit from some of the following fueling and hydration strategies.

• Before exercise: Around three to four hours before exercise, an athlete should eat mostly carbohydrates with a moderate amount of protein. This small meal should be low in fiber and fat, as these can cause an upset stomach. A 70-pound child should drink around 8-10 ounces of water around two to three hours prior to exercise, while a teenager or adult should have 12-20 ounces of water. Drinking an additional six to eight ounces directly before exercise will be helpful.

• During exercise: Hydrating is important during exercise. Encourage your child to have a small amount of fluid (three to four ounces) every 15 minutes. For activities less than an hour, water is sufficient. For activities lasting longer than one to two hours or in very hot environments, sports drinks can help replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes. Sports drinks are very different from energy drinks which have caffeine and excess sugar. Energy drinks are not recommended.

• After exercise: Within 30-60 minutes after exercise, it's important to replenish any fluids lost and refuel with an appropriate source of energy. Focusing on a snack that is rich in carbohydrates and proteins will help rebuild and restore muscles. Chocolate milk is an excellent example of a recovery drink.

Find energy balance. Athletes need more energy during times when they are more active than normal (e.g., try-outs, tournaments, multiple or overlapping sports). Encourage and plan specifically for extra food and fueling during these periods. Snacks that combine a carb like a cracker and some protein like peanut butter are the most energy-efficient. Make sure your child has access to these kinds of power-packed snack options.

How to Still Eat as a Family

The busy schedules of our families mean that many nights we are not all home at the same time to have a nice, sit-down dinner. Dump the guilt. Family meals may not happen every day—that's ok! Make the

most of your family meals when they do occur—and it doesn't have to be dinner. Why not make your family meal breakfast? It is more likely that everyone will be home at the same time early in the morning, which means it is easier to get everyone around the table for some healthy food and family bonding.

Eating Out the Smart Way

It's important for everyone in the family to make smart choices when you sit down at the restaurant or step up to the fastfood counter. Look for whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and words like steamed, baked, poached, roasted, broiled, or grilled. Do your best to avoid foods with the words fried, au gratin, crispy, escalloped, panfried, sautéed, or stuffed—good indications that the foods are high in fat and calories.

The AAP also recommends keeping beverages simple. Stick with milk (including non-dairy milk) and water as your child's main beverages.

Bottom line: Make sure whatever you would choose at that restaurant is something that you would prepare at home for your family— if, of course, you could find the time!

Remember…

There is no magical food or supplement that can transform an av¬erage athlete into a superstar. No matter your child's age, the most effective way to improve sports performance is to pay close attention to the basics: fluids, calories, training, conditioning, and rest.

A well-balanced diet provides a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats with essential micronutrients—calcium, vitamin D, B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants like vitamin C. These are all important for bone health and immune function. Eating either too many or not enough calories can contribute to fatigue, injuries, illness, poor performance, and prolonged recovery from sports injuries.

Teaching Kids to Cook

WORDS: eatright.org

The best way to teach kids about eating right is to get them into the kitchen to prepare healthy meals together. Cooking is a valuable life skill that teaches children about nutrition and food safety, as well as building math, science, literacy, and fine motor skills.

Encourage your child's interest and excitement in healthy foods by teaching them how to cook safely with this guide of ageappropriate kitchen activities.

Food Safety Basics

Before you enter the kitchen, cover the ground rules with children first:

• Wash hands in warm, soapy water before and after handling food.

• Pull back long hair off the shoulders.

• Keep countertops and working surfaces clean.

• Teach children to wait until the food is cooked before tasting. Don't let them lick their fingers or put their hands in their mouths, especially when working with raw foods such as cookie dough and raw meat or poultry.

• Avoid double-dipping or putting spoons back into food after using them for tasting.

• Remember, young cooks, need supervision.

• Follow the four simple steps:

• Wash hands, surfaces, and kitchen utensils.

• Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from cooked and other ready-to-eat foods.

• Cook to proper temperatures.

• Refrigerate promptly to 40°F or lower.

These basics are helpful guidelines for children and adults of all ages.

3-5-year-olds

Young children love helping out but need very close adult supervision since their motor skills are still developing. Teach these youngsters the importance of washing produce and using clean appliances and utensils.

Appropriate Tasks:

• Wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds. Make it a game by singing the "Happy Birthday" song together twice as you wash your hands.

• Wash fruits and vegetables in the sink with cool tap water.

• Wipe up tabletops.

• Mix ingredients like easy-to-mix batters.

• Brush (or "paint") cooking oil with a clean pastry brush on bread, asparagus, or other foods.

• Cut cookies with fun-shaped cookie cutters (but don't eat the raw dough!).

6-7-year-olds

Most 6-7-year-olds have developed fine motor skills, so they can handle more detailed work, but they will still need food safety reminders.

Appropriate Tasks:

• Use a peeler to peel raw potatoes, ginger, mangoes, and other washed fruits and vegetables.

• Break eggs into a bowl and remember to wash hands afterward.

• Scoop out avocados after sliced in half by an adult.

• Deseed tomatoes and cooled, roasted peppers with a spoon.

• Snap green beans.

• Load the dishwasher.

• Shuck corn and rinse before cooking.

• Rinse and cut parsley or green onions with clean, blunt kitchen scissors.

• Put leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours (one hour if it's warmer than ninety degrees).

• Pound chicken on a cutting board. Note: Always use a separate cutting board for ready-to-eat and raw foods, and be sure to wash hands with warm, soapy water after handling raw meats and chicken.

• Beat eggs.

• Check the temperature of the meat with a food thermometer – it's like a science experiment!

• Juice a lemon or orange.

8-9-year-olds

There is a wide range of skills in this age group, so tailor your tasks to each individual's maturity level. Teach the importance of wiping down all surfaces and refrigerating perishables, such as eggs and milk, right away.

Appropriate Tasks:

• Open cans with a can opener.

10-12-year-olds

For the most part, kids ages 10 -12 can work independently in the kitchen but should still have adult supervision. Before letting these kids do grown-up tasks on their own, assess whether they can follow basic kitchen rules such as adjusting panhandles over counters to avoid bumping into them, unplugging electrical appliances, using knives, and safely using the oven or microwave. Appropriate Tasks (with adult supervision):

• Boil pasta.

• Microwave foods.

• Follow a recipe, including reading each step in order and measuring ingredients accurately.

• Bake foods in the oven.

• Simmer ingredients on the stove.

• Slice or chop vegetables.

Cooking together can be a fun way to teach your child valuable skills, promote good nutrition and make long-lasting memories in the process.

Ki ds in th e Ki tch en

BANANA SUSHI INGREDIENTS

• 1 flour tortilla (I like to use whole wheat, but you can use white, too)

• 1 banana, peeled

• 2-3 Tablespoons peanut butter

• Nutella

PREPARATION

VEGGIE CHILI

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp. olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 whole large onion, diced

• 1 whole red bell pepper, diced

• 1 whole yellow bell pepper, diced

• 1 whole green bell pepper, diced

• 2 whole carrots, peeled and diced

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 3 c. vegetable broth (can sub chicken or beef broth if you prefer)

• 1 can (12 to 14 ounces) plain tomato sauce

• Salt to taste

• 1 tsp. ground oregano

• 1 tbsp. ground cumin

• 2 tbsp. chili powder (more to taste)

• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 whole large zucchini, diced

• Cheese for serving (optional)

PREPARATION

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion, 3 colors of bell pepper, carrots, and celery, then cook for about 5 minutes, occasionally stirring, until starting to soften.

2. Add the oregano, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir and cook for a few more minutes.

3. Pour in the broth and tomato sauce. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Add the beans and zucchini, stir, then cover and simmer for 30 more minutes.

5. Taste and adjust seasonings.

6. Serve with cheese.

1. Spread peanut butter on one side of a tortilla, then add a thin line of Nutella.

2. Peel the banana and straighten it. Place on top of Nutella.

3. Roll the tortilla up around the banana, trying to make it as tight as possible.

4. Slice your “sushi” roll into ½ to 1-inch rounds and serve.

RECIPES: Caroline Lehman

Photo: themanylittlejoys.com

Photo: thepioneerwoman.com

Digital Navigators…

WORDS: Women's Resource Center

As all three locations were shut down due to the pandemic, the Women's Resource Center was confronted with a glaring dilemma: "how will we continue to serve our clients?"

Since the opening of the Women's Resource Center in the 1980s, all programs have been delivered in-person, with many clients driving by and seeing the sign out front. How would we continue to reach those who may need us with our doors closed? With little infrastructure to offer remote services, the WRC team knew that a quick and thoughtful transition was crucial to supporting the community.

We weren't sure how people would respond to remote services, but we quickly realized virtual services were actually a better option for many of our clients. Remote services eliminate barriers to accessing services. Some examples of these barriers include transportation, childcare, or having to take time off work. There is also the benefit of privacy. Reaching out for help takes courage, and at times walking into a place to ask for guidance can feel daunting. By allowing clients to call or video chat with counselors/facilitators, we can lessen the barrier of stigma or anxiety.

Although the WRC continues to encounter a myriad of hurdles that come naturally when dealing with technology, we were surprised about our community's lack of digital access. Digital access includes technology/devices such as laptops or tablets, high-speed internet, and the ability to use the software and technology. Digital soft skills have become a requirement in our society. Many companies are

moving to "paperless”, encouraging their customers to use their app on their phone or complete transactions online. Even signing up for a COVID-19 test can require a web-based application process.

This makes you wonder, are we bringing everyone along on the journey into the digital age?

Since March 2020, the pandemic has pushed the need for digital education into hyperdrive, shining a light on those who may be at a disadvantage.

"Internet access is necessary for online learning, searching and applying for jobs, registering for unemployment compensation and other government benefit programs, finding health insurance information or securing telehealth services, ordering food and supplies online, and so much more," said WRC president & CEO Ashley Brown. "The digital divide is particularly relevant at a time when in-person interactions among people are limited and virtual interactions are vital."

Hearing this call loud and clear, the Women's Resource Center has deployed multiple efforts to help bridge the gap between digital access and education.

With funding from the Bank of America Foundation Neighborhood Champion Program, WRC launched the pilot Tech Essentials program. Through this program, WRC is working with clients who need technology, devices, and digital training. Each personalized plan has a specific set of training requirements that participants must complete. If they complete all of the program components successfully, they

receive the device they have trained on during the program.

In the pilot program, 37% of the applicants required a device for an online school or training program, 27% for homework or remote education for their children and 19% for a job search. 60% of the applicants are currently enrolled in school.

These women are actively engaged in bettering their future however, they are unable to find affordable devices and internet options. Over a few months, our Tech Essentials Trainers will work one on one with these clients to help increase digital literacy and enable them to acquire an affordable device.

We are really excited that this program has led us to participate in the Digital Access for All initiative of The Patterson Foundation. Through this initiative, WRC is participating in a pilot project using Digital Navigators.

A Digital Navigator is someone who provides individualized or small group assistance to community members who need affordable home internet service, affordable computing devices, and foundational digital literacy training to make the most of the internet and its opportunities. Multiple staff members at the WRC have been trained and are ready to assist any client in need.

We will continue to track the progress and outcomes of these programs to best adjust to the needs of our community. We believe in digital equity and the role we play to help all equally connect to promising opportunities.

On The Bookshelf

REVIEWS: Colleen Hartnett

(Birth to 3)

By Penny Ives

Just in time for Thanksgiving cooking and baking, Rabbit Pie tells the story of six bunny rabbits and their mother going through daily rituals. The text is short and reads similar to a recipe, while the illustrations are endearing and detailed. Each page lends itself to “finding all six bunnies” while they impishly lumber through their playful day. This is an ideal book to reinforce transitions for your little bunny. Available as a board book, perfect for little bunnies to grab and look at on their own.

TALENT SHOW FROM THE BLACK LAGOON

(7-9)

By Mike Thaler & Illustrated by Jaren Lee

(4-6)

By Suzanne Fossey & Illustrated by Gina Maldonado

As the northern states get ready for winter, Florida is fortunate to get bird migration. What better way to prepare your little chick than to read Little Chick ? The life cycle of a bluebird is told with happy, rhyming text and colorful illustrations. The last page of the book describes the cycle along with charming, coordinating pictures. A non-fiction theme wrapped up in a picturesque, patterned story—a wonderful study of the natural world through the viewpoint of a baby bird.

Here is another hilarious tale from the Black Lagoon Adventure series. In this book, the school talent show has arrived, and our main character is stumped to find a talent to showcase. All the other students have talents; a magician, a ballerina, a singer, a comedian; what’s a boy to do? He goes to his mother for assistance and he is instantly signed up for piano lessons. Can he pull off playing a song on the piano in front of everyone? Can he last through another lesson with the piano teacher that bathes in perfume? Read this hilarious book to find the answers. It is a great book to discuss and possibly conquer anxious feelings in your young reader.

The first 50 people to come into the lobby of the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, 600 8th Avenue West, Suite 100, Palmetto can pick up free copies of the books reviewed.

#THISBOOKISCOOL!

premiered on June 1, 2020, and since then, thousands of children from across the Suncoast region have qualified to receive free books, thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation.

In Laurie Miller’s recent THIS BOOK IS COOL! The Sequel blog, she shares: "Unlike most sequels, which, let's face it, are often truly terrible and completely unnecessary, this second release (only the second year of this program, what?!) of THIS BOOK IS COOL! was even better than the original. That's right! I said it. Better than the original!"

The rest of the team couldn't agree more!

During Summer 2021, to avoid the summer slide, the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (SCGLR) engaged our four-county region and partnered with 80 summer camp providers and summer learning academies to encourage a love for reading.

Why? Because nationwide, children from asset-limited families can lose an average of 2 to 2.5 months of reading skills each summer!

• In 2021, 7,811 children participated

• Of 7,811 kids, 7,323 read six or more books!

How many books did 7,811 kids actually read? Drumroll, please...

• 184,738 Books!

While the data from iReady scores show an upward trend, it's worth noting the valuable impact of connections made, relationships built, and memories created during the reading challenge can influence a love of learning.

Words: Karen Windon

InMay, THIS BOOK IS COOL! In School was piloted at Samoset Elementary School. With books focusing on themes such as inclusion, diversity, and social-emotional learning, the teachers were enthusiastic about participating.

Comments such as "I love your lesson plans" and "I am beyond excited to teach with these books" were inspiring to hear. The reaction from the children paralleled those of the teachers. According to one of the second-grade teachers, "The books were a HUGE hit, and the kids were delighted to use them in class then take them home."

Each lesson plan provides a quick overview of the lesson, learning intentions, success criteria, the key standard(s) for the lesson, vocabulary, assessment options, important questions for the lesson(s), and extension activities for each book.

These extension activities range from creating a puppet for retelling the story to researching the book topic to interviewing family members and friends, all with a goal of better understanding connections between the book and the child's own life. As a gift from The Patterson Foundation, each participating child will receive books to add to their home libraries. If THIS BOOK IS COOL! In School interests you, please email connect@gradelevelreadingsuncoast.net.

RADICAL INCLUSION: Evolving the Way We Connect SCGLR

Words: Hannah Saeger Karnei, Inaugural TPF Fellow

recently reactivated its Spanish newsletter and social media channels, including @LeerPara3roSuncoast on Facebook and @LeerPara3ro on Twitter.

Beth Duda, director of SCGLR, likes to use the phrase "radical inclusion." What this means is that SCGLR doesn't just look around and think, "Well, that's enough people." We seek to connect with EVERYONE, wherever they are in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 21% of households in Florida speak Spanish. If we only communicate in English, SCGLR is potentially missing out on 21% of the community.

We are fortunate to have stellar bilingual community engagement consultants already working with SCGLR who are brimming with great ideas for engaging with Spanish-speaking families. From Spanish book circles, bilingual family engagement nights, and newsletters (including COVID Response) offered in English and Spanish; we are learning more every day about being radically inclusive in communications and engagement.

In retrospect, perhaps the campaign should have known we needed consistent androbust outreach in Spanish. However, if the best day to start was yesterday, the second-best day is today. Our teams are working hard to make sure that we're utilizing the best channels, content, and engagement strategies to be radically inclusive.

• Questions about Spanish engagement? Please contact Connie Cuadrado at ccuadradotpf@gmail.com

Forward

PICTURES: Whitney Patton

So, what brings a successful businessman and former high school sports referee from Youngstown, Ohio, together with an esteemed educator and arts lover from Montgomery, Alabama – here in Manatee County?

Well, the two individuals above share a deep conviction that a successful public education system helps shape a community by providing life-changing opportunities to children from all walks of life.

Ernie Withers

Manatee!

Meet Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton and Ernie Withers, Co-Chairs of Forward Manatee, a group of community-minded citizens who hope to move Manatee forward by renewing the one-mill tax to support public schools first approved by Manatee County voters in 2018. Manatee County citizens will vote on the renewal of the school support referendum on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

Davis-Cotton is an acclaimed arts educator and National Milken Foundation recipient, while Withers is a successful businessman and the Immediate Past Chairman of the Board of the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce.

Both agree with Superintendent Cynthia Saunders that the original referendum

Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton

accomplished its aims by providing a pay increase for teachers and staff that reduced classroom vacancies, adding 30 minutes of instructional time for students each day, and expanding career and technical training and STEM classes for students. If renewed, it will also expand visual and performing arts education programs moving forward.

That’s music to Davis-Cotton’s ears.

“A well-rounded education was my avenue for success,” DavisCotton said. “As a youth, I was raised in the projects, and the project for me was getting out to realize my dreams. Education and the arts paved the way for me.”

Withers has deep roots spread throughout the school district. He has family, including children and grandchildren, who have graduated, attended, or are attending Manatee High, Southeast High, Palmetto High, Parrish Community High, Braden River High, and Lakewood Ranch High. Plus, he has family working in the school system.

“Because I am connected to the school district in so many ways, it is very important to me to support this cause,” Withers said. “We need to stay competitive with surrounding counties like Sarasota and Pinellas who have had the additional millage since 2002 and 2004 respectively. We need to renew this millage so we can keep high-quality teachers and continue to see our scores rise.”

Like Superintendent Saunders, Withers and Davis-Cotton believe the referendum is adding critical support to Manatee district schools.

“It’s working,” Saunders said. “Our teachers are staying, vacancy rates are down, students are succeeding (despite the pandemic), and our most valued programs are expanding. Our students and schools are climbing in state rankings, and we have initiated new innovative programs.”

The two co-chairs like that this is a renewal, not a tax increase, and that every dollar collected stays right here in our community. They also like the fact the district is in sound financial shape with solid financial ratings and growing reserve funds. Also, there is accountability because the district has a Citizens Financial Oversight Committee to make sure referendum funds are spent wisely.

“We believe even people without children in school should support this because public education impacts all of us,” Davis-Cotton said. “Quality education equates to quality of life, such as community safety, pride, and economic development. It results in higher incomes, better jobs, and rising property values.” Withers agrees.

“Today’s students are Manatee’s future pharmacists, construction workers, nurses, electricians, and engineers,” Withers said. “Investing in the next generation is a time-honored American tradition and a community-wide responsibility.”

For more information, go to manateeschools.net and click on “referendum” To support or participate in the campaign, go to forwardmanatee.com.

FORWARD MANATEE CO-CHAIR BIOS:

Dr. Denise Davis-Cotton has lived in Manatee County for 11 years. The arts are her passion, and she is a Past President of Arts Schools Network, the Founder and First Principal of Detroit School of Arts, and she was awarded the Congressional Record Recognition by the 106th Congress. She has received two Keys to the City of Montgomery, Alabama, where she grew up and is a Distinguished Alumni of Alabama State University.

Ernie Withers has built a distinguished career in the automobile business. He grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and wound up down here after meeting his wife, Cindy, a lifelong resident of Manatee County, while attending the University of South Florida. He and Cindy have now been married for 45 years. While raising a family, Ernie used to officiate high school football and wrestling at area schools. He will soon be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Aiming For

WORDS: Sheri Roca

PICTURES: Whitney Patton

Come one, come all and see The Amazing Emilie Bergbom flying high! Emilie is a nine-year-old Aerial Acrobat with her sights set on the Circus. And, where else but the home of the Ringling legacy, the land of big tops and big cats, would you see elementary school children dangling from great heights?

For over three years, Emilie has been training at South Florida Gymnastics and Cheer (and apparently Circus) in Bradenton. She began as a gymnast at the school but was always attracted to the circus training. When she finally participated in one of the circus clinics, she knew that she had found a new obsession.

Emilie dreams of pursuing the Circus long-term. She is currently on Pre-team at South Florida Gym and is working hard on honing specific skills in hopes that she will be invited to join their performance team, Circus Minius. The requirements to join the team are to show skill and proficiency in both ground and aerial art. The way she is going, it could happen soon.

She and her team-mates practice two to three times a week, not to mention the many hours she practices the dance and acro portions at home. According to her mother, Casey, Emilie is ALWAYS practicing! Santa even brought Emilie her own Lyra one Christmas. Still, the family decided the danger factor was a bit high, having one at home, so it now hangs at South Florida Gym, where professional coaches and spotters are on hand.

Tim Hernandez is the Founder and Director of Circus Minius at South Florida Gym and Cheer and has been offering recreational Circus classes for kids ages seven to 17 for more than nine years. With the support of Assistant Director Christine Warren, they offer training in juggling, riding a unicycle, and a variety of aerial apparatuses like the Trapeze, Tightrope, the Web, Silks, and Emilie's favorite, the Lyra.

The Lyra, in case you are rusty on your aerialist lingo, is a circular steel hoop, resembling a Hula Hoop, suspended from the ceiling, on which circus artists perform. The hoop can remain static during a performance, be it spinning or even swinging, while the

Aerialist performs tricks such as the Candlestick, Birds nest, and the Crescent Moon.

For Emilie's ground performance, she is working on a Poi routine. Poi, which originated with the Māori people of New Zealand, refers to both the style of performing art and the equipment used. Poi involves swinging wands with weights or scarves through a variety of rhythmic patterns. The artist can also sing or dance while swinging their poi. The poi itself can be made from various materials to include different handles, weights, and effects. Poi can even be performed with fire. Hopefully, it will be a while before Emilie attempts that act!

When asked if she was ever scared while practicing or performing, Emilie replied, "It used to be a little scary, but now it's just fun!".

When I asked Emilie's Mother if SHE was ever scared, she laughed and said, "Well, she has never been hurt, she has fallen, but she just kind of bounces. She is not the child that ever really cried when she fell, she bounces right back up and tries again."

While watching Emilie at practice, I witnessed this myself. After a fall from the Lyra during a stunt, she popped up and stated, "Whoops! Hand slipped!" And then, she pulled herself back up on the hoop. Thankfully, it was only about three or four feet off the ground at the time.

For her elementary school talent show, Emilie was hoping to showcase her Lyra act. Unfortunately, her school wasn't sure if having a 4th grader perform a dangerous act, on stage, in front of the entire school, was a great idea. So, Emilie recorded her routine and amazed her friends and teachers with the documented version at the show.

Behind every good performer is a great coach, and Coach Tim Hernandez has all the qualifications. First, the kids just adore him. But, more importantly, Tim was practically born into the Circus, performing with his family, the Hernandez Family Troupe, since he was a child. Tim is a world-class Juggler and Aerialist. He and his family have performed with a number of Circuses, including The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The Hernandez family's claim to fame was the Teeter Board or Springboard act. You have probably seen the death-defying act in

which one member of a Troupe stands on the low side of a board, resembling a playground seesaw, waiting to be catapulted into the air by another. The flyer may perform somersaults or land on a human tower or pyramid. The top flyer may even be catapulted onto a chair!

Assistant Director Christine Warren didn't always dream of joining the Circus. In fact, she is a Dental Hygienist with a daughter who has the circus bug. Christine started by being the helpful Mom when needed, and she learned and studied and began to "soak up anything and everything I could about the circus." And, eventually, she was offered a job.

Today, you can find Christine setting up rigging, designing costumes, and choreographing routines. Or you may even find her on the flying trapeze. At age 43, Christine was caught on the flying trapeze for the first time. "I just love it! The kids inspire me, and Tim is super charismatic and taught me everything I know." Says Christine about her second job and newfound adventure.

Emilie's nickname, Peanut, I assumed was given to her by her coaches or teammates because of her tiny stature, but that is not the case. According to Christine, one day, when Emilie first started with the Circus pre-team, she decided to give everyone on the team a nickname inspired by food.

There is now a Toast, a Sprinkles, and an Avocado on the team, just to name a few. And she gave herself the name Peanut. "I don't know why," said Christine, "She just has a big personality and a big sense of humor. She is sweet and spunky and full of life".

Emilie is clearly meant for the stage and limitless shimmering sequins. Her family and friends describe her as outgoing, funny, daring, highly energetic, super friendly, showy, and having a neverending positive attitude. You can often hear her say, "I got this!" That sounds like the perfect combination for a circus performer!

If you too have a child who is reaching for the stars and dreaming of the colors, flavors, and excitement of joining the Circus, not only does South Florida Gym host one of Sarasota's largest circus performance teams, Circus Minius, but they also offer open Circus Clinics every Saturday, as well as recreational classes during the week.

However, if being a spectator closer to the ground is more to your liking, Circus Minius hosts three shows a year, a spring performance, a Halloween performance, and a Holiday showcase that will surely amaze and entertain you.

Back to School 2021

Pictures provided by the School District of Manatee County

ELEMENTARY NEWS!

100 UP AT BALLARD!

Staff, students, and Ballard Elementary mascot, Stripes, were jumping for joy on the first day of school this year. That's because the school is celebrating its 100th year in 2022! The school is named after Dr. Charles Ballard, known for his philanthropy and support of education. According to Manatee County Libraries, Dr. Ballard donated city lots and money to the highest achieving eighth-grade students in Bradenton each year. The recipients of the land could either keep it as a future home site or sell it to support their future education.

SAM COOL LESSONS…

This imaginative science lesson is taking shape at Samoset Elementary in the fifth-grade classrooms of Ms. Candelora, Mrs. French, Mrs. Gaspard, and Ms. Guida. Small groups were tasked with tracing a classmate and then identifying organs in the human body with their functions. The students' work is now proudly displayed in the school hallway.

SHINING LIGHT AT BLACKBURN!

The staff at Blackburn Elementary School were blown away by the kindness of one young girl. According to Principal Danielle Delk, Layla has been visiting the Palmetto school to see her cousins since she was in an infant carrier. This year, she wanted to give back to her favorite school for her birthday. She spent all of her birthday money on school supplies and then gave them to the front office for students who needed them. Layla recently attended her first day in Blackburn's VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) program - and they are excited to have this amazing young lady on their campus. Thanks for inspiring us with your kindness, Layla!

Firearm Safety Tips…

WORDS: Petra Vybiralova

Safe Kids Supervisor | Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital

ccording to the CDC numbers, 39,740 people died from firearm injuries in the United States last year; this means each day, we lose approximately 109 people. Children account for approximately 19 of those deaths or hospitalization each day. Looking at ownership data, it is estimated that 44% of households have guns. The injuries occur because of homicides, suicides, and unintentional injuries.

This can pose a danger to children, particularly if guns are kept loaded and within a child's reach. Knowing that 50% of unintentional injuries to children from firearms happen at home and 40% happen at the home of a friend or a relative.

What can parents do to prevent unintentional firearm injuries from happening?

First, we have to understand what is happening with children in different stages of their lives. Small children may not understand the danger or may not be able to tell real guns from toy guns. Preteens and teens are not fully mature, which may cause them to be impulsive, and they may be more likely to commit suicide. Statistically, boys are more likely to get injured by firearms.

So what actions can parents take?

When children and firearms are at home, the guns should be kept out of reach and sight of children. Many parents believe that children who do not know where the guns are stored would not be able to use the gun. But when researchers talked to children, the facts were different. Children as young as the age of three are able to pull the trigger, and many first graders know where their parents store their firearms.

Guns should be stored in a lockbox with a code unknown to the children, or the keys should be kept where children can't get them. Further, most guns come with a gun lock which should be used if children are in the home.

If the child has special needs, special attention should be paid to the child's needs. For example, if the child is impulsive, please assure that the preventive measures are also in place to meet their needs and keep them safe.

Fact or Fiction?

• Most parents with guns think their children do not know where they hide them.

Fact: 8 in 10 first graders know where their parents' guns are hidden.

• Many parents think their children are not capable of firing a gun.

Fact: Children as young as three years are strong enough to pull the trigger of most American guns.

• Parents believe their children know the difference between real guns and toy guns.

Fact: Few children younger than eight years can tell the difference.

• Parents often believe their child would not touch a gun because "he knows better."

Fact: Studies found that most children will handle a gun if they find one, even if they have been taught not to. Research shows limited retention of information from gun safety trainings over time.

How are other people's homes?

These situations can occur when the child is going for a playdate or a sleepover. First, have a conversation with your child and teach them that they should not touch it if they find a gun. The child should tell a trusted adult immediately. The other thing that should happen is a conversation with the "hosting family" about how their firearms are stored. Firearms in other people's homes should also be locked in a safety box out of the children's reach.

Active shooter situations

• According to the Gun Violence Archive, in 2019, there were more mass shootings than days in a year. As parents, it is important to keep our children safe by making them aware of what we can do in the presence of an active shooter—having a plan in place may make all the difference in surviving an attack.

As a parent or caregiver visiting places, make sure to scan the environment and look for a place if you have to hide. Always know where your exits are.

• Try your best never to panic or freeze in an emergency situation. Try to find a way to escape and leave all personal belongings. Know your exits; don't always try to leave through the front entrance. TIP: If in a restaurant, there is always an exit in the kitchen.

• If you're in a place with no feasible exits and evacuation is impossible, place large items at the entrances and exits. Attempt to hide out of sight.

Safe Disposal

• If you decide that you no longer need a gun, find a safe way to dispose of it.

• Consult with local law enforcement in your area on how to do so (Police, Sheriff).

• Law enforcement agencies will dispose of any firearm properly.

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

KNOWLEDGE. INVESTING IN

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

We’re proud to support those who work toward a brighter tomorrow.

OB/GYN

River Landings OB/GYN

941-316-8200 • 6040 53rd Ave E, Ste A

Bradenton, FL 34203

West Manatee Health Center

(Perinatology Services Now Available!)

941-714-7150 • 2318 Manatee Ave W

Bradenton, FL 34205

DENTAL

East Manatee Health and Wellness Center

941-708-8710 • 1312 Manatee Ave E

Bradenton, FL 34208

Lawton Chiles Children and Family Healthcare Center

941-708-7607 • 1515 26th Ave E

Bradenton, FL 34208

PEDIATRICS

Edgar H. Price Children & Family Healthcare Center

941-776-4050 • 12271 U.S. Hwy 301 N

Parrish, FL 34219

Lawton Chiles Children & Family Healthcare Center

941-708-8600 • 1515 26th Ave E

Bradenton, FL 34208

Manatee Pediatrics

941-748-4602 • 712 39th St W

Bradenton, FL 34205

North Tuttle Pediatrics

941-315-6664 • 220 N Tuttle Ave

Sarasota, FL 34237

South Manatee Pediatrics

941-210-7942 • 6326 15th St E

Sarasota, FL 34243

Venice Pediatrics

941-493-3282 • 119 Shamrock Blvd

Venice, FL 34293

Whole Child Pediatrics

941-366-2273 • 6040 53rd Ave E, Ste B

Bradenton, FL 34203

Don’t Put Your Annual Mammogram on Hold

Getting a mammogram can help to find cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. We offer advanced 3D mammography with precision imaging and enhanced patient comfort features to make mammography feel better, even for women with dense breasts.

Other Comprehensive Diagnostic Services Include:

• Breast Ultrasound, including automated whole breast ultrasound for women with dense breast tissue

• Breast MRI

• Computer-Aided Detection (CAD)

• 3D Stereotactic Breast Biopsy

• Wire-Free Breast Mass Localization

• Professional Breast Health Navigation Services to provide personalized guidance for breast cancer patients, their loved ones and high-risk individuals

8340 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard Suite 160

Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

Conveniently located in Medical Office Building One on the LWRMC campus.

Connect with us!