2021 August Momaha Magazine

VOLUME 12 · ISSUE 8

AUGUST

2021

Preparing our kids – and ourselves – for a new year

We’re Here

with Specialized Care for Kids, Too You know us for pediatric care, but the medical home you’ve come to know and trust also provides life-changing specialty care for kids. Backed by 40 years of research, the experts at Boys Town National Research Hospital provide patient-centered care with the most advanced treatments.

Here, you’ll find the region’s leading pediatric specialists and clinicians specializing in: • Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

• Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics

• Neurology

• Audiology

• Ear, Nose and Throat

• Ophthalmology

• Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

• Gastroenterology

• Rheumatology

• Craniofacial

• General and Thoracic Surgery

• Speech-Language

• Critical Care

• Infectious Disease

To find a Boys Town pediatric specialist near you, visit boystownhospital.org or call 531-355-1234.

• Neurosurgery

ASHLEE COFFEY

CONTENTS

REAL MOMS + ADVICE

SEASONAL

SPONSORED FEATURE

2 Editor’s Column 3 Bookshelf 10 Be Well 11 Volunteering at School 16 On Our Radar

6 Family Time Ideas 8 Tailgate Foods 12 Football Windsock 13 Nature Suncatcher 14 Supplying Classrooms

4 Early Development Network

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MOMAHA.COM EDITOR ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin and mom to Sam and Elliott.

Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH

VOLUME 12 ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2021 editor in chief

AS SUMMER WINDS DOWN, FUN FALL PREP BEGINS

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can’t believe it’s already August.

Before we know it, kids will be back in school and we’ll be planning for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and saying goodbye to yet another year.

I’m continually surprised by how fast time goes the older you get.

And while we had a great summer, we’re already looking forward to the cooler weather fall brings, along with the super fun activities. Hello, pumpkin patches!

If you’re like me — a busy working

mom — you’re probably looking to maximize your weekend time with your kids since your weekdays are full of school, work, cooking and housework.

In this issue, you can find a great list of fall happenings to help you get the most out of your short weekend time with the family.

We’ve also got some fun fall footballthemed foods and crafts to keep you occupied.

I hope everyone has a great rest of the summer and an even better school year.

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August 2021

TWITTER @momaha_owh PINTEREST /momahaowh INSTAGRAM /momaha_owh

COURTNEY BRUMMER- CLARK cbclark@owh.com 402-444-3118

creative director

KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375

assistant editor

MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034

momaha.com editor

ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075

designer

APRIL BURFORD

cover photo

ADOBESTOCK

custom publishing sales coordinator

N I C K C AVA L L A R O nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202

Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2021 by the Omaha World-Herald.

All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.

BOOKSHELF ASHLEE COFFEY

These easy-to-read chapter books stimulate the imagination

M

aking the transition from picture books to chapter books a rite of passage for young readers. Usually between the ages of 6 and 8, children will make the jump to easy-to-read chapter books. The challenge for parents is to help your children find books that interest them and push them to learn new words, while not being so hard that children get frustrated. If you are looking for inspiration, check out these titles:

THE BAD GUYS

by Aaron Blabey

A wolf, a snake, a piranha and a shark may certainly appear to be bad guys, but they’re not. In this hilarious 13-book series (with 14 to be released in December), the four animals team together to prove that just because they’re meat-eating predators in the animal world doesn’t mean they’re actually bad. And it’s hilarious. Kids will laugh at the slapstick comedy, and parents will laugh at just how clever Aaron Blabey’s art and words can be. And then everyone will laugh at each other laughing so hard. Grades 2-4

MIA MAYHEM IS A SUPERHERO!

by Kara West

Mia Mayhem is an ordinary 8-year-old girl growing up with her best friend, Eddie. Or so she thinks. One day, she receives a letter inviting her to attend the Program for InTraining Superheroes.

In disbelief, she tells her parents, who tell her they’re also superheroes. Her mom can fly and her dad can talk to animals. What will her power be?

Follow along with Mia in this 11-book series as she discovers her powers and fights the bad guys. Grades 1-3

SAM WU IS NOT AFRAID OF GHOSTS

by Dori Hillestad Butler

by Kara LaReau

Sam Wu is a character every kid can relate to.

While dealing with a bully who makes fun of him and after wetting his pants during a rocket-ship simulator ride for adults only, he’s more determined than ever to prove he’s brave.

With his friends’ help, he adopts a snake and tries to hunt the ghost in his closet. Both kids and adults will enjoy the many great lessons Sam and his friends learn throughout the series.

Grades 2-4

Kaz is a young ghost who was accidentally swept away from his home and ghost family by a strong wind. He settles in a library, where human Claire lives with her grandmother. Claire, who can see ghosts, befriends Kaz and together they search out the other two ghosts haunting the library. This 10-book series is funny and packed with lots of notscary ghost mystery action young readers will enjoy. Grades 1-2

Louise and Ralphie Ratso are brothers who want to be like their tough dad, Big Lou. He drives a truck and doesn’t smile much.

They try to act tough by doing bad deeds, but they always seem to go wrong and do more good than bad.

This funny series is also really heartwarming with the brothers’ good deeds and their dad’s tearful wish to be more like them. There are currently four books in this series. Grades 2-4

by Katie Tsang

THE HAUNTED LIBRARY

THE INFAMOUS RATSOS

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SPONSORED FEATURE EARLY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

The

BEST

possible start Network provides support, resources for Omaha parents of children with special needs STORY Corie Sass / Special for Early Development Network

I

n the fall of 2017, my 3-year-old son, Elliott, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, and our world was turned upside-down.

The condition affects his nervous system, among other things, and primarily affects his movement. Elliott is very bright, but struggles to even walk across the room.

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August 2021

PHOTOS Something New Productions

When he started to show symptoms at about 20 months old, his pediatrician referred us to the Early Development Network, knowing he needed a little extra help. At the time, I had no idea that Nebraska school districts provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities, free of charge.

One simple phone call and we

were connected with a services coordinator, who immediately made referrals for him to be screened by experts in speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and more.

Before we knew it, we had an amazing team of specialists who all worked together to help us come up with a plan of support not only for our son, but our

SPONSORED FEATURE EARLY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK

“ ”

“Elliott’s early intervention specialists were his biggest advocates from the very start, and they really listened and valued what was important to us.”

entire family.

Our services coordinator held our hand through every part of the process. She reached out constantly with services we might be eligible for, and was always there as we adapted to our son’s life-changing diagnosis and increasing needs. She linked us to financial resources, helped us navigate the system and introduced us to other wonderful special-needs families in our community.

Elliott’s early intervention specialists were his biggest advocates from the very start, and they really listened and valued what was important to us.

While he made improvements in some areas more than others (limited only by his diagnosis), they celebrated every milestone and comforted us during the challenges.

From helping us with grants for home modifications, to providing thoughtful recommendations for equipment and toys — they helped us find supports that would improve his strength and enjoyment of everyday living.

Beneath it all was their concern for his overall quality of life. Each day they came into our home with smiles, and he greeted them with the same.

We are so blessed to have been given such a wonderful team of individuals that treated our son like the most important little boy in their lives.

Though our son will continue to face challenges in the future, I feel 100% confident that the Early Development Network helped us give Elliott the best possible start to life.

If you have questions about your child’s development or would like to make a referral, contact the Early Development Network at 402-5974936 or visit omahaedn.esu3.org.

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KIDS BACK IN

1

Roast hot dogs and s’mores by the fire. This is pretty much a given thing to do every fall season.

You can even get fancy by having a hot dog topping bar nearby.

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Check out these fun ways to maximize your family time on weekends STORY Ashlee Coffey

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s school resumes and life gets busy again, parents will no doubt try to find ways to maximize their weekend time as a family as much as they can.

Check out these 15 things you can do at home or take part in around the metro area this fall.

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August 2021

Make hot chocolate.

Get the tried-and-true Swiss Miss mix or come up with your own recipe like coconut white chocolate, caramel or even peanut butter.

3 4 5

Go on a hayrack ride. Many local orchards offer fun hayrack rides for families.

Jump in a giant pile of leaves. While you’re at it, take some pictures.

Go to an orchard and pick apples. September is National Apple Month and the metro area has more than a dozen orchards where you can go to pick your own. It’s a ton of fun for the family, plus you can make and enjoy apple-focused recipes together.

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Make homemade doughnuts. Just buy a doughnut pan and you’ve got an easy way to make delicious and even healthy doughnuts at home. Try apple doughnuts (dipped in cinnamon and sugar) or even pumpkin. Yum!

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Get competitive — ninja-warrior style. Check out an indoor ninja warrior gym such as FitNest, 7009 S. 109th St. in La Vista, or Urban Air Adventure Park, 15364 Weir St. While many of these types of gyms are designed with children in mind, both offer fun adult areas as well.

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Go on a hike. It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy the cool, crisp weather and the changing colors of the leaves. See this and more during a hike through one of the many hills of the Midwest. Check out Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge, Chalco Hills Recreation Area, Fontenelle Forest, Halleck Park, Heron Haven Wetland Nature Center, Lauritzen Gardens, Neale Woods Nature Center, OPPD Arboretum or Prairie Queen Recreation Center, to name a few.

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Attend a family-friendly festival. There are lots of festivals taking place this month and next. Be sure to check out Valley Days, Aug. 13–15; Arrows to Aerospace, Aug. 20–21; Omaha’s Original Greek Festival, Aug. 20-22; Dundee Day, Aug. 21; Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival, Aug. 21-22; Millard Days, Aug. 24-29; SeptemberFest, Sept. 3-6; Plattsmouth Harvest Festival, Sept. 9–12; and Omaha River City Rodeo, Sept. 24-25.

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Go camping and, before bed, do some stargazing. This is always a good idea, but especially so once fall inches closer and the temperatures cool off.

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Take a short road trip. If you’re looking for a different take on dinner and a movie and don’t mind a road trip, why not consider a small getaway? Try dining at Eat Restaurant in Dodge, Nebraska. Or check out a flick at the Gateway Theatre in Albion, Nebraska. Or check out the AppleJack festival in Nebraska City, which is spread over three weekends beginning in midSeptember. A small town getaway may be just what you need to recharge and reconnect with your family.

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Watch a movie outside. There are a few places showing outdoor movies into the late summer months. Ditmars Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St. in Council Bluffs, will host a family-friendly outdoor movie every Friday through Aug. 27. Check out their Facebook page for more information.

Additionally, Falconwood Park, 905 Allied Road in Bellevue, shows outdoor movies on its 50-foot screen. Find out more information at falconwoodpark.com/drive-in.

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Make — and eat — caramel apples. Stay old-school or roll your caramel-dipped apple in candy or crushed cookies. Cut into pieces and share with the whole family.

VISIT OMAHAEDN.ESU3.ORG

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Make a fall craft with pieces of nature you find outside. You can make a suncatcher using dried leaves and flowers. Just press them between two sheets of contact paper and suspend it inside an embroidery hoop. Or you can create a sweet mobile to hang outside or inside featuring twigs, rocks, acorns and more. (See page 13.)

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Bake snickerdoodle cookies. Nothing says fall quite like cinnamon and sugar. These cookies — you can find lots of recipes online — are so easy and absolutely delicious.

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August 2021

Give these yummy food-on-a-stick options a try TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

A

s football season approaches, Husker fans are undoubtedly talking quarterbacks and fans in stadiums.

Sure, those are important, but let’s get real. Food reigns supreme.

To keep your crowd of all ages happy at your next tailgate or watch party, we’ve got a number of fun food-ona-stick options. They are all relatively simple to put together and the most time consuming can be prepped ahead, refrigerated and warmed just in time for kickoff.

FOOTBALL COOKIE POPS • • • • • •

1 container Nutter Butter cookies 2 cups milk chocolate candy melts ½ cup white candy melts Paper lollipop sticks Decorating bag or sandwich bag Parchment paper

1. Lay out a piece of parchment paper onto a baking sheet and set aside.

2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat milk chocolate candy melts on 50% power in the microwave for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.

3. Carefully separate each cookie. Dip the ends of the lollipop sticks into the melted chocolate and place in the center of a cookie half; carefully sandwich the other half on top.

4. Set cookies on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for five minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.

5. Remove from freezer and dunk each cookie into the melted chocolate. Let excess chocolate drip off before returning cookie pop to baking sheet. Freeze for 10 to 15 minutes to set chocolate.

6. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat white candy melts on 50% power for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Pour into a decorating bag or a zip-top sandwich bag.

7. Squeeze the white chocolate into a corner of the bag and snip the tip to pipe football laces on each chocolate-covered Nutter Butter.

Allow icing to harden before handling.

8. To serve a crowd, place cookie pops in clear sandwich bags tied with ribbon in your team’s color.

CHEESEBURGER MEATBALL KABOBS

SPIRAL-WRAPPED SAUSAGE ON A STICK

• • • •

• • • • • • • • • •

Wooden skewers 1 ounce meatballs Cheese cubes or slices Assorted vegetables of your choice: pickles, tomatoes, onion, bacon, lettuce — whatever you might load on a cheeseburger

1. Prepare the meatballs according to package directions.

2. Prep other ingredients while meatballs are cooking.

3. Once the meatballs are done, start building the kabobs. Slide fresh ingredients onto the skewers in any order, arrange on platter or tray to serve.

LOADED TATER TOT SKEWERS • • • • •

2-pound bag of tater tots 6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped ½-¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 tablespoon dr y ranch seasoning Wooden skewers

FOR DIPPING SAUCE • 1 cup sour cream • 1½ tablespoons dr y ranch seasoning 1. Preheat oven to 425 F. 2. Spread the tater tots into a single layer on the baking sheet.

3. Cook according to directions until golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

4. Remove tater tots from oven and let cool to touch, about 3 to 5 minutes. Thread 6 to 7 onto each skewer.

5. Return skewers with tots to baking sheet.

Sprinkle tots with ranch seasoning, bacon and cheese.

6. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

7. Remove from oven and serve with sour cream ranch dip.

8. For sour cream ranch dip, combine 1 cup sour cream and 1½ tablespoons dry ranch seasoning. Mix well.

1 cup whole wheat f lour 1 envelope rapid-rise yeast ½ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons brown sugar ¾ cup cottage cheese ¼ cup water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 egg 1¼ to 1¾ cups all-purpose f lour 12 polish sausages, brats or any other fully - cooked sausage or hot dog • 12 popsicle sticks • Honey mustard, for dipping

1. Mix whole wheat flour, yeast, salt and brown sugar in a mixer bowl.

2. Combine cottage cheese, water and oil; heat to between 120 to 130 F. 3. Add warmed mixture to flour along with the egg. Beat for 3 minutes on medium speed.

4. Add ½ cup all-purpose flour; beat 1 minute.

Gradually add enough all-purpose flour to form a soft dough.

5. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes, until dough is smooth and elastic. Cover and let dough rest for 10 minutes.

6. Roll dough into a 12-inch-by-10-inch rectangle. Cut 12 1-inch strips (each 10 inches in length). Wrap a strip around each sausage in a spiral, tucking ends under sausage.

7. Place on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet.

8. Cover and let rise 20 minutes, until puffy (dough will not double).

9. Place in preheated 350 F oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.

10. Remove from oven. Insert stick in one end.

Serve immediately with honey mustard.

Note: These can be wrapped tightly in foil and placed in a freezer for up to 3 weeks. Thaw in refrigerator, then either heat in 350 F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or microwave on a plate for about 45 seconds per dog.

Source: www.momontimeout.com

Adapted from www.madewithhappy.com

Source: blog.sidelinewarrior.com

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BE WELL MARJIE DUCEY

THE MAGIC NUMBER

Doctors, parents aren’t always waiting for babies to arrive anymore

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r. Lauren Nicola had plenty of reasons to schedule her baby’s birth at 39 weeks.

The former Creighton medical student was navigating the end of her residency, taking her boards and moving to Oregon for a new obstetrics and gynecology program right around the time her son was due.

But most important, it was the healthiest thing to do for both her and baby William.

“My husband and I originally chose a 39week plan because quite frankly I didn’t think I could make it being pregnant and working until 40-plus weeks or until I labored on my own,” she said.

“Working an 80-plus hours a week residency schedule can be a wear on the pregnant body.”

There are a wide variety of reasons that a woman may have an induction — the stimulation of uterine contractions to achieve LA LAU R EN N ICO a vaginal birth before labor begins on its own.

A provider may recommend an induction because of maternal health issues (infection, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or another medical condition). Sometimes, inductions are simply elective decisions.

Nicola said during the past four years, she’s seen planned inductions becoming more and more common in labor and delivery rather than focusing on the traditional 40-week delivery date.

Dr. Robert Bonebrake, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with Methodist Hospital Perinatal Center, sees no downsides as long as the parents of the baby are comfortable with the idea.

Though the practice can vary from physician to physician, it’s something that he discusses with the majority of his patients.

Dr. Robert Research shows that the risk of stillbirth is at Bonebrake the low point at 39 weeks, and inductions don’t come with a higher risk of C-sections as once thought.

“If you go to 40 weeks, the risk for stillbirth starts to stabilize and creep up a bit,” he said. “You’re waiting for something to happen that you want to avoid.”

That’s especially true for older moms.

The idea of inducing your child at a certain point in the pregnancy has evolved from the days when babies arrived on their own time. Now, it’s less common for moms to go much past 40 weeks because of the increased health risks in waiting.

“The recommendation is still not to go before 39,” Bonebrake said.

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August 2021

BECKY GREENE PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Lauren Nicola planned to have her baby at 39 weeks but, because of her elevated blood pressure, had William (inset) at just over 37 weeks.

Moms don’t need to worry if it’s not something they’ve discussed with their own doctor or they want to go the full 40 weeks. Bonebrake said it’s likely that everything is going to be fine.

But if baby doesn’t make an appearance on time, an induction probably will be discussed.

“You have to balance where they are and their desire for that experience while balancing it from the medical aspect as well,” he said.

Nicola said it’s nice when all the planning works.

But baby William had to be induced at 37 weeks due to her elevated blood pressure. It was a surprise, she said, but she was confident in her delivery team.

“It can be quite shocking for some mommies that have a surprise medical induction recommended, but we have to keep in mind that it is either recommended for mom’s health, baby’s health, or both,” she said. “The most important thing is you have a healthy mom and healthy baby at the end of this road.”

BE PRACTICAL & PRODUCTIVE 5 things to consider before volunteering at your child’s school STORY Emily Lambert | Rate.com

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any parents have great hopes for their children — and for their kids’ elementary school years. This is where children develop friendships, a sense of self and a lifelong love of learning.

Maybe that’s why parents get involved at school. When my son started kindergarten at our neighborhood public school, I was one of those parents who, without much reflection, quickly signed up to volunteer, and within a year had run for the local school council.

Six years later, still on the council, I can’t calculate the amount of time and energy I’ve put into “school stuff.” I’ve spent hundreds of hours with other parents organizing events, attending meetings, even lobbying elected officials. A year into this, our city tried to shut my son’s school, which sparked community organizing — and has given me perspective on how school involvement can escalate from PTA bake sales to full-time advocacy.

Volunteering has given me warm fuzzies, and some great friends, but I’ve made mistakes, too. With this in mind, and now that I’m graduating to being a middle school parent, here are five suggestions for the newbie school parent.

1 Why are you considering getting involved?

Before you respond to a PTA flier seeking volunteers, ask yourself: What are you hoping to achieve? Meet other parents, support your child’s teacher, make sure the school has enough Chromebooks? You don’t need to have the answers going in, but as time goes on, keep the question in mind. You want the time and energy you invest to align with your goals.

2 Are you a dreamer or doer?

Lots of people have great ideas and strong opinions. Fewer have the time, energy and dedication to see those ideas through. Yes, a bowling party would be great fun! But are you willing to organize it, or are you suggesting it so that someone else can?

Whichever category you fall into, develop an inclusive and tolerant mindset. If you like organizing, be sure to include people in different capacities,

then chill out if things don’t go exactly how you wanted. If you have great ideas to share but can’t help make them happen, know that those ideas mightn’t see the light of day.

3 What resources can you offer? Are they needed?

Find the appropriate outlet for your aspirations.

If a school needs fliers, and you know how to make them, offer your expertise.

If you don’t know InDesign from in-laws but can secure a gift card from work for a raffle, fantastic. If your school has a well-established PTA and a small army of volunteers who have planned out Teacher Appreciation events for the next 200 years, maybe look for another way to help out.

If you have strong feelings about funding, class sizes, capital improvements, testing and the like, you might skip the friendly parent group that plans softball outings and run for the local school board, or join a citywide

parent advocacy organization.

4 Is help welcome?

As a fresh, eager kindergarten parent, I couldn’t figure out why my son’s teacher wasn’t taking me up on my offer to do whatever she needed. Now, with the benefit of time, I see how eager beavers can be one more thing for a busy teacher to manage. My son’s teacher was a pro who’d mastered the art of getting 28 kindergarteners to sit quietly and learn.

She didn’t need distractions.

the school resisting 5 Is feedback?

In some cases, of course, you may have legitimate goals or complaints. Maybe your child qualifies for special services and isn’t getting them. Maybe the school needs a facilities upgrade. It’s easy for involvement to slide into advocacy.

Much of the above still applies. Out of respect for others in the school community, follow the appropriate chain of command. Start with the teacher, if it makes sense, before going to the principal or even social media. Make friends, because bigger changes require group action. While school can feel very personal, many families and schools have issues in common.

And when you’re at your 10th board meeting in a row, fighting for your cause and wondering how you got there, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

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Let your team spirit fly with a football windsock TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse

FOOTBALL WINDSOCK • • • • • •

Empty tin can Brown paint — acr ylic or spray paint White acr ylic paint Paintbrushes 12 inches thin ribbon or twine Wide ribbon in team colors (length needed will be determined by the size of your can and width of ribbon) • Large permanent glue dots • Large nail • Hammer 1. Wash out can and allow to dry completely.

2. Paint can brown. Once dry, add a second coat of paint if needed.

3. After brown paint is completely dry, use a small paint brush and white acrylic paint to add the “laces” to the “football.”

4. Using a hammer and large nail, poke two holes in the top of the can.

5. Thread one end of your thin ribbon or twin into each hole from the top. Pull the ends through the middle of the can and tie in a knot. This keeps the knot of the hanging string hidden inside the can.

6. Cut lengths of ribbon to add the streamers to the windsock. (For our windsock, we used a Campbell’s Chunky soup can. We added 10 18-inch-long pieces of 3/4-inch wide ribbon.)

7. Using permanent glue dots, adhere the ribbon to the inside edge of the can.

8. Hang outside and cheer on your favorite team!

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August 2021

Create a beautiful suncatcher with treasures kids find on nature walks TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Ashlee Coffey

O

ne of my family’s favorite things to do is go on walks.

We love to head to a trail or go to a state park, but even those simple neighborhood walks do the trick. And my kids absolutely love finding nature’s little treasures — rocks, leaves, flowers, sticks, etc.

— to bring back with them.

One time, we brought a small bag with us and I let them fill it to their hearts content — with the caveat that its contents have to remain outside. I can’t tell you how many random sticks or dried flowers I’ve found throughout my house.

But I decided to use some of their treasures to make a suncatcher we could hang in the house. You can use dried leaves and flowers or fresh ones. It’s entirely up to you. Here’s what you’ll need to make your own.

NATURE-INSPIRED SUNCATCHERS • Dried or fresh leaves and f lowers • Clear contact paper

• Embroider y hoop • String

1. First, if you want to use dried flowers and leaves, press your fresh foliage between sheets of newspaper and stack heavy books on top (or get a flower press). Leave it be for several weeks.

Fresh works great, too.

2. Take your contact paper and lay it out with the sticky side up. Lay your embroidery hoop on top and then carefully place your leaves and flowers down however you want.

3. Remove the embroidery hoop and carefully lay down another piece of contact paper on top so your foliage is encased inside. Go slow so you can avoid a ton of air bubbles. If you have any bubbles (and you will; they’re impossible to avoid entirely), just use a credit card to smooth them out as best as you can.

4. Lay your embroidery hoop back down, trace the outside of hoop around your design and cut it out. You want to make sure the contact paper circle is a little bit large than your embroidery hoop.

5. Lay the cut out piece of contact paper over the inner circle of your hoop and put the outside hoop over it and tighten. It can be a little finicky but just do your best to pull the contact paper tight while you tighten the embroidery hoop screw.

6. Once you’re finished, use the string to create a way to hang the sun catcher from a window in your home.

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Teachers are finding all kinds of ways to source the school supplies they need STORY Marjie Ducey

O

maha Mercy math teacher Christine Gonderinger once asked for graphing calculator emulator software for her computer.

A bit nerdy, she admits, and when nobody responded to that item on her school supply wish list, she rigged up a solution.

Usually, she’s asking for things like binders, rulers and Clorox wipes. This year, she’d love to go big with decorations.

“There’s not a lot of positive vibes in my end of the building,” she said with a laugh.

Amazon wish lists are making it easier for teachers to post requests for the extra things they need in their classrooms, and it’s even easier for parents to respond with a click of a button.

“I definitely saw it a lot last year and I have a feeling those are going to return,” Gonderinger said. “I think everything has kind of turned digital. It’s just easier than having to go to Target. Teachers have started to realize that and parents have started to realize that it’s easier for them to contribute.”

Facebook is another source. A few years ago there was a push for people to adopt teachers who needed help with supplies, said Angelica O’Brien, a first grade teacher at Holy Name School.

But neither method ensures that teachers are getting everything they ask for when they put out a supply list.

Omaha Public Schools teacher Noelia Weber says she’s planning to re-use as many supplies as she can this year so she doesn’t have to do one.

“It’s always my family members that help out, and I don’t want to ask them to get things for me,” she said.

A thermometer and a voice amplifier were asks last year that came in handy during the coronavirus pandemic. She preferred buying her own cleaning supplies so she could purchase what she liked.

Many teachers don’t do wish lists, either because they receive funds from their school or because they don’t want to overburden already financially strapped parents.

At St. Robert Bellarmine, parents give a set amount to the Home and School Association, which then divides it up between the teachers. At Holy Name, a spring fundraiser helps raise money for

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August 2021

ADO

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supplies. The advancement office at Mercy will ask donors for contributions when a teacher needs something extra.

Former Millard teacher Liz Smith would receive funds from her Parent Teacher Association to buy mileage tokens to encourage students in the school’s walking club.

Many teachers will purchase things they need from their own funds.

“Any art projects we do I buy all the supplies,” said Deb O’Malley, a fourth-grade teacher at Holy Name. “Any science experiments and classroom parties. I usually take care of things like that myself. It’s not just me though. This is something all teachers do and we do it for the students not to get any praise or glory. I think it’s a situation unique to our profession.”

Holy Name’s O’Brien said sometimes that can inch up toward $400 or $500 a year.

“I don’t keep track, because I wouldn’t want to know,” she says.

Teachers become adept at finding bargains.

Weber watches for things she needs on clearance.

Gonderinger says she’s good at thrifting.

“I have started to pick up packs of lined paper, old rulers and calculators at estate sales and store sales,” she said. “Having taught for five years, I’ve accumulated a lot and I’m able to reuse most of it.”

Her advice to new teachers is to be specific about the things you put on your wish list.

“You didn’t realize you had a favorite hand sanitizer until you had a gallon of the wrong kind,” she said.

What teachers need to help your kids learn

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As we near the start of the beginning of the school year, teachers are getting their supply and wish lists ready.

Many teachers are adopting Amazon wish lists where they can keep a continual list going of items needed for their classroom.

These can be easily accessed and purchased from by parents or community members any time of the year.

Below are the most needed supplies local teachers say they’re adding to their wish lists for the upcoming school year.

1. Math manipulatives (such as MathLink cubes) 2. Disinfectant wipes 3. Notebooks 4. A Sadotech wireless doorbell 5. Pencils (and pre-sharpened pencils) 6. Crayons, colored pencils and markers 7. Erasers 8. Paper (regular and cardstock) 9. Stickers 10. Glue/glue sticks

11. Headphones 12. Dry erase boards/markers 13. Large Post-It chart paper 14. Books 15. Healthy snacks 16. Tape: Mavalus, Scotch and packing tapes 17. Small handheld vacuum 18. Kleenex/tissues 19. Alcohol wipes for tablets 20. Post-it notes 21. Scissors 22. Storage baskets and bins

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ON OUR RADAR KILEY CRUSE

THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH

FOR ART LOVERS

FREEZABLE

This lunch bag features Packit’s groundbreaking cooling design. Non-toxic freezable gel is built into the walls of the bag. It’s so simple to use. Just freeze the entire lunch box overnight. Then in the morning, it’s ready to pack and keep your child’s food cold until lunchtime. amazon.com, $21.50

Artovida works with artists worldwide for their unique and stylish lunch bags. Made with a thick neoprene that will keep your food insulated for up to four hours, the Artovida Insulated Neoprene Lunch Bag stands upright and stretches to fit all of your lunch containers. When lunch is over, the tote conveniently folds flat.

It’s also stain-resistant and machine-washable. amazon.com, $24.95

EXPANDABLE

The Titan Deep Freeze Expandable Lunch Pack provides double capacity when expanded and includes two high performance ice walls that fit inside exterior pockets. The interior features an easy clean lining with Microban to help protect against bacterial odors and stains. The exterior is constructed of tough, water and stain resistant material that is easy to wipe clean. amazon.com, $25.50

BENTO BOX STYLE

The Bentgo Kids leak proof children’s lunch box has five compartments perfectly portioned for kids. A reviewer said her 4-yearold knows a different food group goes in each compartment to make a complete meal.

The small circular compartment is perfect for dips like ranch for veggies or syrup for waffle sticks. target.com $24.99

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August 2021

INSULATED

Packed with personality, Wildkin’s insulated lunch boxes were designed to help the environment by offering a fun and reusable option for lunch and snack time. It’s made from durable polyester fabric with an interior moisture-resistant nylon lining. amazon.com, $17.99

When children are your everything, Anything can be.

At Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, science and heart lead us to even greater pediatric breakthroughs. We provide the very best in pediatric specialty care, advance pediatric research, educate tomorrow’s experts and advocate for children, families and entire communities – to improve the future of medicine, and the life of every child.

To find a physician for your child, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org.

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