Family First Magazine - August 2020

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AUGUST 2020 | VOL. 2 • ISSUE 8

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FUN AND GAMES INSIDE!

CONTENTS

PUBLISHER Brian Rushing EDITORIAL Mary Ditch Editorial Director Bonnie Rushing Contributing Writer CREATIVE Amber Duplantis Senior Designer Lauren Pontiff Graphic Designer COVER PHOTO Keely Diebold ADVERTISING Deanne Ratliff Director of Sales Beth Tabor DIGITAL MARKETING Keely Diebold

TEAGUE, HAYES, ISLA, BRIGGS, & CAGNEY HORTON

Welcome Back-to-School!

Schools this year are varying their opening dates and things are changing daily based on where we are in the COVID-19 pandemic. As of press day, private schools are mostly starting on August 10, while public schools are starting on September 8. You have new options, either in-person learning or virtual learning over the internet.

But no matter when your first day of school is or how you choose to learn, our magazine will be here to entertain and educate you!

We want to assure parents that even if schools would happen to close again this school year, our magazine will still be on newsstands and available online for you and your family to enjoy. We take pride in being able to provide your family with fun and educational activities.

Be sure to find us on Facebook @FamilyFirstHouma to keep up with our latest editions and maybe find some fun and unique content!

We hope the 2020-21 school year is amazing for everyone!

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE Michelle Ortego

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 04 06 08 10 12 14

HOMEROOM HAPPENINGS

16 18

AT THE LIBRARY

FAMILYFIRSTHOUMA.COM

Summer Vacation

HEALTHY BITES WITH TGMC Magic Fairy/Wizard Rainbow Wands

KID ENERGY ALL-STARS Allie Trahan

SYNERGY CENTS WITH PENNY Penny Explains Parts of a Check

S.T.E.A.M. ACTIVITY The Unstoppable, Unpoppable Bubble

GET MOVING WITH THIBODAUX REGIONAL Healthy Habits for Children Lions, and Tigers, and Kittens, Oh My!

FUN AND GAMES Test Your Brain

MARY DOWNER DITCH

AUGUST 2020 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 8

CONTACT Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: mary@rushing-media.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

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AUGUST 2020

RUSHING MEDIA P.O. Box 5013 Houma, LA 70361 • 985.868.7515 Family First Magazine is a free publication.

The entire content of this publication is copyrighted by Rushing Media, with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Family First Magazine is published monthly by Rushing Media.

This is the age of a new Louisiana.

We built Louisiana’s largest pediatric health network to care for any of the one million children in our state and deliver on the belief that your child can be part of a stronger, healthier tomorrow. From check-ups to complex medical and emergency care, your child’s care begins here. Visit ololchildrens.org/believe for more.

Believe in me.

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AUGUST 2020

HOT SUMMER SAVINGS

homeroom happenings

UP TO 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE FINANCING

HOMEROOM HAPPENINGS: SUMMER EDITION! We hope you had fun on summer vacation!

Send your back-to-school pictures to mary@rushing-media.com.

•

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OFFERING CASH OR STORE CREDIT FOR THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Activity mats Activity Tables Bassinets Booster High Chairs Bottle racks bouncers bumbos changing tables developmental toys diaper bags diaper pails double strollers Exersaucers fetal dopplers food processors gates

high chair buggy covers high chairs jogging strollers johnny jump ups mobiles monitors push to walk toys pack n plays play yards ride on toys single strollers sit me ups swings toddler beds walkers

www.paisleyparkresale.com 6861 West Park Ave. Houma, LA• 985-876-2227

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AUGUST 2020

Auto - Home - Flood - Commercial 985-262-1435 • trinitycoverage.com

EARN YOUR DIPLOMA IN

COSMETOLOGY Become a Licensed Cosmetologist in 12-19 months!

We are also enrolling for Esthetics, Massage Therapy, Clinical Medical Assisting and Medical Billing and Coding to begin July 13th.

803 Barrow Street • Houma, LA 70360 • 985-601-4000 FAMILY FIRST

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AUGUST 2020

HEALTHY BITES WITH TGMC | BY JAMIE KING RDN, LDN & BAILEY LEE RDN, LDN

SNACK HEALTHY!

MAGIC FAIRY/WIZARD RAINBOW WANDS It’s almost time for the kids to get back in the routine of school…early morning wake ups, structured school days, after-school activities, and the list goes on! This is the perfect time to encourage and teach children about the importance of healthy meals and snacks. While we know children learn all day at school, we should also take advantage of small opportunities to teach them about being responsible with food in the kitchen.

There are several “lessons” that can be learned around meals and snacks. First, get your children involved in meal prep! Young children love getting creative in the kitchen!

Using cookie cutters to cut soft fruit is a fun way to get them involved, and they will be more likely to try foods that they have prepared themselves. Children also love dumping and mixing ingredients, so if you are making the dip listed in this recipe, have them pour the ingredients into the blender for you, and they can watch everything blend together to make a delicious dipping sauce! Most importantly, this is a great time to teach and remind children of the importance of hand washing. Have them wash their hands before touching food and anytime that their hands get too messy.

INGREDIENTS WANDS: • Seasonal fruit in a variety of colors (try raspberries, strawberries, mini oranges, apples, blueberries, grapes, watermelon, or cantaloupe) • Bamboo skewers

DIP: • 1/2 cup cream cheese

Another “lesson” that we can teach children during meal prep includes talking about the health benefits of certain foods. In this particular recipe, you can talk about how fruit is a great source of fiber, and some fruit also provides a great source of Vitamin C. Fiber is found in the skin or peel of many fresh fruits. For example, an apple with the peel contains about 4.4 grams of fiber, while apple juice would not provide any fiber. Fresh berries, such as the raspberries found in this recipe, are also a great source of fiber! Citrus fruits and strawberries provide a great source of Vitamin C. This vitamin is an antioxidant that helps protect our bodies against infection.

• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt • 2-3T powdered sugar

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

• 1/8 c of raspberries(or more, to taste)

DIRECTIONS STEP 1 Place all fruit on bamboo skewers. You can use small cookie cutters to make fun shapes with melons and apples.

Take time to teach your children small lessons with food in the kitchen, and enjoy making fun recipes together!!

FAMILY FIRST

STEP 2 Place all dip ingredients in the blender and mix well. Chill dip for one hour before serving for flavors to mix well.

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AUGUST 2020

IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH

LEADING EDGE

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGERY We’re the ONLY facility in the state offering breakthrough CT technology while keeping you safe.

When you need answers quickly, you want to rely on the fastest and safest diagnostic imaging possible. TGMC is the only facility in the state to offer the new GE Revolution Frontier Gen 2 CT Scanner.

This breakthrough technology presents medical professionals with the clearest images on the market while keeping patient safety and comfort at the forefront.

(left) 3D construction created from a scan by the GE Revolution Frontier CT system.

Learn more about how TGMC is on the leading edge of care at TGMC.com.

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AUGUST 2020

KID ENERGY ALL-STARS

ALL-STAR OF THE MONTH ALLIE TRAHAN SWIMMING, ORCAS (BUT WAS THANKFUL TO PRACTICE WITH THE STINGRAYS THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS)

When did you first learn to swim?

When I was about 4 years old When did you decide to join the swim team?

I joined in 2018 when I was 7.

How often do you practice?

I practice 3-4 times a week.

What is your favorite event to compete in at a meet?

I like the relay teams.

What is the best part of a meet?

Hanging out with my friends between the races and cheering each other on.

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AUGUST 2020

Do you have any traditions before getting in the pool?

Sunscreen and goggle check!

What is your fastest time in what event?

25:40 in freestyle What are you looking forward to accomplishing next?

I’m working on my flipturns Do you play any other sports?

I like to play soccer and do drama clubs.

ALL-STAR ADVICE “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”

– Michael Phelps

TIP FROM BERNIE & EARL Have an adult call 811 before you dig!

Nominate your child to be a Kid Energy All-Star by emailing rhett@kidenergyusa.com.

•

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AUGUST 2020

SYNERGY BANK PRESENTS SYNERGY CENTS WITH PENNY D. PELICAN

PENNY EXPLAINS PARTS OF A CHECK Hello, friends! I’m enjoying my summer break, but I am really missing my friends at school. I love teaching children all about banking and the importance of saving money.

Do you know there are different ways we pay for things? We use cash, debit cards, credit cards and checks.

A check is a document that tells a bank to pay a person or business money from another person’s checking account. The person who owns the account fills in information on the check including who should be paid, the amount, and the date. The owner must sign the check in order for it to be accepted. A check can only be written for an amount up to the balance in your checking account.

Maybe your parent wrote a check to your school to pay for your lunch or school pictures. The next time you get a check, see if you can identify all the parts.

PARTS OF A CHECK

Below is a sample check that Penny wrote to her friend, Tony Turtle, for a bike. All of the parts of the check are marked for you.

Date check was written The name and address of the account’s owner

8/1/2020

The amount the person should be paid written in number then spelled out

The name of the person being paid The bank where the checking account is Space to write what the payment is for

Check number used to track the check

bike

Bank’s routing number that identies the bank where the account is

Check number

Checking account number that tells the bank which account to pull the money from

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AUGUST 2020

Signature of the account owner

SPONSORED BY

WRITE YOUR OWN CHECK

Practice writing your own check below. Use the sample check on the previous page if you need help.

For more Synergy Cents editions, visit banksynergy.com/penny.

LOCAL BANKING FOCUSED ON

you

Synergy’s bankers are dedicated to helping you achieve your financial goals.

985.851.2217 | banksynergy.com FAMILY FIRST

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AUGUST 2020

S.T.E.A.M. ACTIVITY

THE UNSTOPPABLE,

UNPOPPABLE BUBBLE! We all know how to make basic bubbles, either with the solution from the store or even bubble bath for your tub. Bubbles are made of two simple things: an outside layer that is mostly composed of a thin film of water, and some air.

Adding soap and corn syrup to water helps make stronger bubbles, because soap and corn syrup molecules can squeeze in between water molecules and help the film of water stretch out without breaking.

When a dry pencil touches a bubble, the water in the bubble’s skin sticks to the dry pencil, breaking the skin and causing the bubble to pop! If a pencil is coated in soapy water, however, the skin of the bubble will merge with that soapy coating and it won’t pop!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: • Water (4 parts) • Dish soap (1 part) • Corn syrup (2 parts) • Straw • Pencil • Food coloring - optional

WHAT TO DO: STEP 1 Fill a bowl with water. Add a few drops of food coloring to see the water better!

STEP 2 Mix in the dish soap.

STEP 3 Mix in the corn syrup.

STEP 4 Experiment with your unpoppable bubbles! Dip the tip of the pencil into the mixture. Then, dip one end of the straw into the mixture and blow into the other end to make a bubble. Try to pop it with the pencil. You can use other objects such as paper clips or even a coin, as long as it’s coated in the solution.

STUDY SKILLS

ACT PREP

HOMEWORK HELP

Start the school year

STRONG

TUTORING IN:

ADVANCED MATH • ALGEBRA • TRIGONOMETRY STATISTICS • SPANISH • CHEMISTRY • GEOMETRY ELEMENTARY MATH, READING & WRITING CALL TODAY! 985-223-3798

Sylvan Learning Center • 657 Corporate Drive, Ste A • www.sylvanhouma.com

Say goodbye to

summer with a fresh

NEW SMILE! TIPS: Braces for children, teens, & adults

• To blow really awesome bubbles, use a wide straw (like a boba or bubble tea straw)!

• Swirl the straw around in the solution really good before picking it up to blow.

• This should be an outside experiment as it can get messy!

• Blow veerrry slowly!

Nicole Thieler, DDS, MSD

985.876.4484

206 Mystic Blvd. • Houma, LA 70360

www.thielerorthodontics.com

•

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AUGUST 2020

GET MOVING WITH THIBODAUX REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM

HEALTHY HABITS FOR CHILDREN WORRIED ABOUT COVID-19?

Trying to do what’s best to protect your child from COVID-19 and the vast array of germs they can be exposed to every day?

Sickness is a naturally occurring experience that can help build immunity. But, an ill child can be a scary thing for parents. Let’s explore some healthy habits which can give them a boost, keep them going, and help give parents peace of mind.

EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Carrots, green beans, oranges, strawberries - all are immunityboosting nutrients that help to increase the body's production of infection-fighting warriors that assist with blocking out viruses. Studies also suggest that diets full of fruit and vegetable nutrients can also help protect against such chronic diseases as cancer and heart disease in adulthood. Try to get your child to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

A serving is about two tablespoons for toddlers and one cup for older kids.

EXERCISE IS A BENEFIT TO YOUR HEALTH

Regular exercise and increased daily activity increases the number of virus destroying cells found in our bodies. Set your goal of being a great role model and help your child create a lifelong fitness habit. Playing outside, dancing, obstacle courses, playing tag, jumping rope, and running are all examples to help give children the urge to get moving! Other fun family activities include bike riding, hiking, inline skating, basketball, and tennis.

BEDTIME MATTERS

Sleep deprivation can make you more susceptible to illness by weakening the immune system. How much sleep do children need? Preschoolers and school age children should receive 10 to 13 hours according to the National Sleep Foundation.

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AUGUST 2020

TWENTY-SECOND HAND WASHING

Frequent hand washing with soap and water is a great way to fight germs and reduce stress on your child's immune system.

It is helpful to pay particular attention to their hygiene before and after each meal and after playing outside, handling pets, blowing their nose, using the bathroom, and arriving home from camp, school, or daycare. To help kids get into the handwashing habit at home, let them pick out their own brightly colored hand towels and soap in fun shapes, colors, and scents. When running errands, carrying disposable wipes and hand sanitizer can make it easier for quick cleanups.

Remember that hand sanitizer with greater than 60% alcohol content is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Don’t forget about that toothbrush! It is important to change or sterilize your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection, or a sore throat. Germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and can hop from toothbrush to toothbrush, infecting other family members.

For more helpful information about COVID-19 visit www.thibodaux.com.

SPONSORED BY

For more information contact the Thibodaux Regional Fitness Center, 985.493.4950.

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AUGUST 2020

at the library

BY NAOMI HURTIENNE MAGOLA, YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN

LIONS, AND TIGERS, AND KITTENS, OH MY! International Cat Day is coming up on August 8th and you can get ready to mark the holiday by checking out some great books about cats and kittens from the library. If you don’t know where to start, here are some of my favorite feline books. All three books are available through the Terrebonne Parish Library System, and you can reserve a copy today at www.mytpl.org.

K-3rd

Mr. Wuffles

Written and Illustrated by David Wiesner Mr. Wuffles is a cat and he has a lot of toys. So many toys, in fact, that he doesn’t notice the new, shiny, silver object on the floor next to them. But soon he takes notice and he is in for a surprise. This wordless picture book is a great opportunity for readers to work together to tell the story of Mr. Wuffles and his new found toy.

Preschool

The Very Fluffy Kitty, Papillon Written and Illustrated by A.N. Kang

Papillon is a fluffy kitty. A VERY fluffy kitty. So fluffy, in fact, that he floats up in the air! Miss Tilly tries her best to get him to not float, but Papillon did not like it. One day, when Papillon was floating around his home, he finds himself floating right out the window and now he is lost. Will Papillon be able to float his way home?

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AUGUST 2020

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT!

DR. MARK BILELLO

399 BAYOU GARDENS BLVD, HOUMA, LA 70364 985.872.9470 • DRMARKBILELLO.COM

EN POINTE 4th-6th

Warriors: Into the Wild Written by Erin Hunter

Rusty is a house cat. He gets feed every day, he gets pets and love from his humans, but it’s just not enough. He wants adventure and he knows it is out there. When he decides to venture into the wild he discovers a whole new world full of rival cat clans, ancient codes, spirts, and more. Will he be up the task to help save his new found family?

Styles for

•

Mon - Fri 10-6 • Sat 10-4 1539 MLK Blvd • Houma 985.851.1559 FAMILY FIRST

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FUN & Games

Heavenly Scent of Houma, LLC

Vitamins, Herbs, Essential Oils, Natural Cleaning Products

1437 St. Charles St. Suite. 109 • Houma, LA 70360 • (985) 868.2216

M-F 9:30-5:30 • Sat 9:30-2:00

Back To School We Go! No matter how your children will be attending school this Fall, we will continue to provide your family with the fun and games you have grown accustomed to receiving in the classroom!

We will be distributing with the Terrebonne Parish School District and in newsstands at local businesses.

Follow us for more! familyfirsthouma.com

SCHOOL

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AUGUST 2020

CAN YOU FIND THE SEVEN DIFFERENCES?

LET’S PRACTICE THOSE HANDWRITING SKILLS!

Centered on what matters most to you

Patient Centered Care for 25 years

Jennifer D. Rodrigue, Kenneth J. Cruse, Micah A. Callais, Henry M. Peltier, Meghan Louque MD, FAAP FNP MD, FAAP MD, FAAP PNP

• Free expectant parent consult • Routine/Wellness Care/Sports Physicals • Immunizations • ADD/ADHD Screening/Management • Same Day Appointments

In network with most Commercial Insurance and Medicaid

604 N Acadia Rd, Suite 200 & 200B • Thibodaux, LA 70301 • 985-448-3700 5040 W Main St • Houma, LA 70360 • 985-851-2000 • www.centerfp.com FAMILY FIRST

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AUGUST 2020

FAMILY FIRST

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MARCH 2019