Parenting TAMPA BAY
SEPTEMBER 2026
FOR LOCAL FAM I LI E S . BY LOCAL FAM I LI E S .
The Strollo Family on Corbett Prep’s campus.
BRIGHT IDEAS:
THE CORBETT PREP DIFFERENCE: Where Kids and Families Find Their Village and Voice HOW’D THEY REBUILD THAT?
Awesome new products created by local families
IT’S FALL, Y’ALL!
What’s NEW in Tampa Bay
+ MORE COASTERSAURUS AT LEGOLAND® FLORIDA RESORT
BayCare Kid for Life
The easy choice for expert care. For everything from routine care to complex treatment, choose BayCare Kids. With BayCare St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and over 75 locations in our pediatric network, we treat more children and are trusted by more parents than any other health system in West Central Florida. Well visits, specialty care, every stage of care – from cardiology to oncology, you can count on BayCare Kids. When it can’t wait, BayCare Urgent Care treats children age 6 months and older. And in an emergency, our dedicated pediatric emergency centers have experts who understand the unique needs of children.
We’re here for your kids, for life. 26-14784_0626
To learn more, go to BayCare.org/JustForKids or scan this code:
Articles 12 // It’s Fall Y'all: What’s NEW at Tampa Bay’s biggest fall events 15 // Coastersaurus: This retro wooden 15
roller coaster gives thrill-lovers a dose of nostalgia at Legoland® Florida Resort
17 // Dinosaurs Galore: Immerse yourself in all things dino during your next MOSI visit, from mini-golf to virtual reality
51 // Pumpkins with Purpose: Visit a
Watermelon Swim location for some fall family fun, and help your community while you’re enjoying fall
52 // From Patient to Parent: This Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital former patient shares his story about joyful parenting, thanks to his incredible medical care
19 // Foodie Adventures: With these
Central Florida foodie field trips, travel the world without ever getting on a plane
22 // Bright Ideas: Meet three local
inventors who are taking their family businesses to big places
8 // Noteworthy: What’s NEW and GOOD
28 // COVER STORY: The Corbett
10 // Top Picks: Our favorite things to do
Prep Difference. Read about how this educational gem changes families’ lives
37 // What’s in Your Wallet: September 17
Every Issue: in Tampa Bay this month
21 // The Play List: Explore Carrollwood Village Park
is Library Card Sign-up Month, so head on over to your local library for access to the whole world
27 // Moms to Know: Meet Arch Tuli,
39 // More Face Time, Less Screen Time:
31 // Teacher to Know: Meet Brett Keeley
Learn how Hillsborough County School District is changing its approach to screens at school
43 // Dairy and Development: It’s never too early to start loading up on the multiple benefits of dairy
47 // More than a Gym: Wesley Chapel
looks forward to family fun with the upcoming opening of the Mary W. Sierra YMCA
19 ABOUT THE COVER: We recently met up with the Strollo family of South Tampa to learn more about why they chose Corbett Preparatory School in Tampa for their boys and how the experience has changed their kids' lives in more ways than just academics. Flip to page 28 to read their story.
51 4 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
founder of Arch & Sons of Corbett Prep
54 // What’s Trending on
TampaBayParenting.com: What’s clicking and expanded coverage online
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 5
SEPTEMBER 2026 CREATIVE DIRECTOR AND EDITORIAL MANAGER Laura Byrne
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Anu Varma Panchal
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Zoë Joiner
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura Byrne Tamara N. New, M.D. Dalia Colón Claudia Sinram Wes Bailey Laura Cross Brie Gorecki Jana Henson Sara Hollenbeck Maggie Rodriguez Mikayla Cloherty
MARKETING COORDINATOR Constance Webb
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Ralf Gonzalez
LAYOUT & DESIGN Jennifer Dufek
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Laura Byrne Mc. Granger via Wikimedia Alexandria Ebron Dorimar Mercado Dalia Colón Kristen Fisher Claudia Sinram Jennifer Persons NHR photography Lucy Hewett /Field Museum Martin Baumgaertner/Field Museum
BOOKKEEPING James Anderson
DISTRIBUTION
TGS Media Distribution, tgsmedia.com
TAMPA BAY PARENTING MAGAZINE 320 W. Kennedy Blvd. Ste. 220 Tampa, Florida 33606 Phone 813-949-4400 Fax 813-315-6688 info@tbparenting.com editor@tbparenting.com BECOME A FAN tampabayparenting @tampabayparenting
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Tampa Bay Parenting is published twelve times per year and distributed throughout the Tampa Bay community. Tampa Bay Parenting is not responsible for any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or incorrect information (or the consequences related thereto) contained within the magazine or online; readers should not rely on any information contained in the magazine and they should always consult with an appropriate professional for guidance. Tampa Bay Parenting accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any loss or damage suffered by users of any of the information or materials provided by Tampa Bay Parenting. Some content published by Tampa Bay Parenting is sponsored or paid for advertising content, and some individuals quoted or cited in articles have paid for advertising or sponsorships; this content or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Tampa Bay Parenting.
guest editor Meet the
Dear Parents,
My husband and I moved to St. Petersburg from Decatur, Georgia, in December 2022 for me to accept the role as director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. I have spent nearly 25 years specializing in the care of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). I was born and raised in a small coastal town — York, Maine. As a very young child, I expressed a desire to become a doctor. I wanted to learn how to help people feel better. While I was in medical school, I met my first young patient with SCD. She was sick and in so much pain. I wanted to understand how to help her get back to playing like other kids her age. When I learned about this rare genetic condition, I was intrigued that a change so small could lead to such damaging problems. September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects the hemoglobin protein. Hemoglobin is the protein contained in our red blood cells that delivers oxygen to our organs and tissues. In individuals with SCD, their red blood cells become distorted, causing the cells to become trapped in the blood vessels and preventing blood flow. This blockage causes recurrent tissue damage and pain. Patients can develop frequent organ complications, and young children can even have strokes. In this issue, we are sharing the story of John, a longtime Johns Hopkins All Children’s SCD patient. Due to shortened lifespans in individuals with SCD, transfer from pediatric to adult care is a critical time. It is so rewarding to see how well John is doing since transitioning to an adult hematologist. It is my goal to help adolescents and young adults enter adulthood with less organ damage and improved quality of life. Recent advancements offer patients with SCD better options. We have new medications being tested in patients with SCD to determine if they will improve quality of life and prevent complications. Additionally, bone marrow transplant and recently FDA-approved gene therapy offer potential cures. We are so excited to bring these new therapies to our patients here in Florida! I am honored to be leading our team at Johns Hopkins All Children’s. We see patients in Lakeland, St. Petersburg and Tampa, bringing innovative therapies to children impacted by this devastating condition.
Tamara N. New, M.D.
6 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 7
NOTEWORTHY september
DON'T MISS IT!
Summer Baby Boom Continues at ZooTampa
“The Art of Bansky” at the Straz Center in Tampa The world’s largest authenticated collection of Banksy art is now on stage at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa. "The Art of Banksy" exhibit will be on display on the Morsani Hall Stage from July 31 through Sept. 27, while the Straz undergoes significant renovations and expansion of educational spaces for Patel Conservatory. We caught up with Straz Center CEO Greg Holland about the significance of bringing this exhibit to Tampa: “Tampa Bay is, to me, a place where audiences want new experiences. And the entire art world knows that. It didn't just happen. So we're so proud that the exhibit producers of “Art of Banksy” decided this is the next place for them to show the exhibit. It is a big deal. I saw it for the first time in 2022 in San Francisco and was so blown away. It's been in London; it's been in Toronto. We really are so fortunate to have it here at home.” The exhibit is stroller-friendly. strazcenter.org
There have been so many zoo babies, and we’re loving it! One exciting new addition is the birth of manatee calf Beatrix at the David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center. Her mother, Pneuma Thurman, was rescued on June 5 from the Manatee River after a watercraft injury. This is the first manatee birth at the zoo in more than a decade. zootampa.org
Jr. Bucs Fan Club Registration is Now Open! The Jr. Bucs Fan Club is the official youth fan club of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, open to kids ages 14 and younger. There’s a one-time fee of $35 with no annual renewal. Membership includes a welcome box with Bucs swag and access to member-exclusive events, including Jr. Bucs Trick or Treasure in October and Jr. Bucs Movie Night! buccaneers.com
Tampa Bay Food Fight Returns for an Epic Date Night for a Great Cause!
LEGOLAND ® Florida Resort’s New Entrance Sign A brand-new entry portal will be unveiled late this summer, creating a fresh and exciting arrival for families from the moment they step through the gates. Standing 26 feet tall and 50 feet wide, the updated portal will feature a fully backlit LEGOLAND Florida logo and “See You Next Time!” message. Thirteen brick-built models and minifigures will be integrated into the structure, including aliens, a spaceman, an alien tourist, LEGO® Friends characters, Lloyd, a fisherman, a jester, DUPLO® Hopsy and more. (Flip to page 15 to read more about how the park rebuilt Florida’s only remaining fully wooden roller coaster, Coastersaurus.)
8 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
Head to The Coliseum in St. Petersburg on Sept. 15 and taste signature dishes from 30 leading restaurants in Tampa Bay as chefs compete for top honors. The event supports Metropolitan Ministries’ Hunger Relief Network, which provides meals to individuals and families in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. It’s a who’s who of Tampa Bay’s culinary scene, hosted by Thaddeus Bullard, also known as WWE Legend Titus O'Neil, and Anji Corley. The evening will feature exciting entertainment and special guest judge Geoffrey Zakarian, Iron Chef and Food Network Chopped judge. Team Captains Nick Ocando (Alello and Juno & The Peacock) and Taro Larrea (The Sapphire) lead this friendly culinary showdown. Ticket purchase includes all food and beverages. tampabayfoodfight.org
OFFICIAL FAN CLUB
BIG FANS START YOUNG One-time $35 fee to join. Year-round access to Bucs family-friendly experiences for ages 14 and under. NEW MEMBERS RECEIVE: >> Exclusive invite to annual Jr. Bucs Trick or Treasure event in October
>> Welcome Kit shipped in the mail upon joining
>> Special $50 ticket offers for select games throughout the season
>> Back to School 25% discount at the Bucs Team Store each year, and more
COURTESY OF
SCAN TO JOIN
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 9
september Top Picks Our favorite family-friendly events in Tampa Bay TAMPA BAY RODEO & FAMILY FESTIVAL LABOR DAY WEEKEND: SEPT. 4-5 DOVER, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
Making its first-ever Labor Day weekend appearance, the Tampa Bay Rodeo is returning after a sold-out show in July! Featuring two action-packed nights of FULL RODEO competition, where the region's top cowboys and cowgirls will battle it out in bull riding, bronco busting, barrel racing, calf roping and more, and continuing its yearlong celebration of America's 250th, the Tampa Bay Rodeo is proud to work with Wounded Warrior Project® to create a memorable Labor Day weekend for wounded veterans and their families. tamparodeo.com
CHILDREN’S BOARD FREE FAMILY DAY AT TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART SEPT. 4 FROM 11 A.M TO 4 P.M. DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Explore stories and storytelling from the ancient to the brand new during this Once Upon a Time-themed Free Family Day. Families can create art, visit the galleries and more! There will also be a Teen Digital Lounge for teens where they can create digital art on iPads. tampamuseum.org
ZOOTAMPA KIDS FUN RUN PRESENTED BY MUMA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT TGH SEPT. 12 FROM 6:30 A.M. TO 9:30 A.M. TAMPA
Run, hop or crawl your way to the ZooTampa Kids Fun Run presented by Muma Children’s Hospital at TGH. This kid-friendly event features four exciting races: a 2K ZooRun, 1K ZooRun, Toddler Trot and Diaper Dash. Don’t miss this unique event that encourages a healthy lifestyle while offering wildlife viewing! Each registration includes a single-day admission to ZooTampa. zootampa.org
SKYWATCH AT MOSI RETURNS SEPT. 18 TAMPA
Stargaze on select Fridays with MOSI! From the ground level of the outdoor science park to the top of the Holloway Digital Dome Theatre, explore the night through telescopes as MOSI’s expert astronomers guide you in viewing the planets and stars. This event is open to all experience levels, and registration is required. mosi.org
FAMILY VIBES BABY EXPO
SEPT. 19-20 DOWNTOWN TAMPA, TAMPA CONVENTION CENTER Get ready for Tampa Bay’s newest family event! Family Vibes Baby Expo comes to the Tampa Convention Center Sept. 19-20, bringing expecting parents, new parents, young families and grandparents together for an exciting weekend of discovery, education, shopping and fun. Explore top baby brands, family resources, expert education, interactive experiences and more — all under one roof. Whether you’re preparing for your first baby or growing your family, Family Vibes Baby Expo is an event you won’t want to miss! fvbabyexpo.com
GLAZER CHILDREN’S MUSEUM BIRTHDAY BASH
SEPT. 26 FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 3 P.M. DOWNTOWN TAMPA Celebrate Glazer Children’s Museum’s birthday with a free, joy-filled party in the park featuring play, performances, community partners and family-friendly fun.
Date Night or Parents’ Day Out SCIENCE AFTER DARK AT MOSI SEPT. 4
Explore the wonders of science with food samples and spirited beverages at this adults-only night at MOSI. mosi.org
CLEARWATER MARINE AQUARIUM DOLPHIN YOGA SEPT. 11
Enjoy 60 minutes of relaxation and yoga with some flippered friends at Clearwater Marine Aquarium! cmaquarium.org
AFTERNOON TEA ON CRAFT SEPT. 27
Indulge in proper British afternoon tea aboard Craft with sandwiches, sweet treats and premium teas.
It’s Fall, Y'all!
We’re sharing all of the details about Halloween events, Fall Festivals, corn mazes and more in Tampa Bay! Flip to page 12 to see what’s NEW and scan here to explore even more fall family fun.
GO TEAM! Tampa Bay Rays Home Games Sept. 1-2 vs. New York Mets Sept. 11-13 vs. Houston Astros Sept. 15-17 vs. Athletics Sept. 18-20 vs. Boston Red Sox mlb.com/rays
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Home Games Sept. 20 vs. Cleveland Browns Sept. 27 vs. Minnesota Vikings buccaneers.com
but wait, there's more! SCAN HERE FOR MORE OF OUR WEEKEND TOP PICKS
Florida Waters Journey into the world of Florida’s manatees and other amazing wildlife! Learn More
get groovy this october Free admission with membership or zoo fun ticket! tickets on sale august 17 at Zootampa.org/cotn SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 11
It’s Fall, Y'all!
Tampa Bay’s Biggest Events Are Ready to Debut ALLNEW Experiences Starting this Month!
Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay SEPT. 11-OCT. 31, SELECT NIGHTS Separately ticketed event
The special events teams have been hard at work, tapping into their worst nightmares to conjure up some new terrifying experiences for you! We can’t wait to explore the all-new haunted House, Anaconda: Fear Has No Escape, and two all-new scare zones: Mr. Gleam’s Auto Spa and Rootbound.
Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida Resort SEPT. 5-OCT. 31, SELECT DATES Included with park admission
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is ready to debut the most monstrous expansion ever to its Halloween event that’s built just for kids with Brick or Treat Street! This all-new immersive trick-or-treat neighborhood features six life-sized LEGO® Monster homes inspired by some of your favorite Minifigures, like LEGO Mummy and LEGO Scarecrow. Kids will encounter surprises behind every door, along with hands-on challenges, interactive special effects and, of course, candy. The party continues as you make your way through Mischief Town, where you’ll find LEGO Monster meet-and-greets, live entertainment, seasonal LEGO building activities, the Potion Mischief Light Trail, The Great Monster Chase 4D Movie and more. Be sure to stay until sunset when the Monster Skytacular drone show launches on select Saturday nights. It’s such a cool show to see and a great way to end the day! legoland.com/florida
12 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
Popular haunted houses are rising from the dead with all-new storylines, so it’ll basically be new to you: Stranglewood Estate: Repossessed, Circus of Fear: Killer Encore and Shadows of Wonderland: Reign of Madness. The Punchline: Riot scare zone is also getting a new storyline. buschgardens.com
Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay SEPT. 12-NOV. 1, ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Included with park admission Halloween doesn’t have to be spooky, and this is where Spooktacular comes into play! It’s a sweet, enchanting world where kids can go trick-or-treating during the day, strut their stuff during the costume parade and experience other Halloween-themed activities with some of Spooktacular’s favorite characters like Kandy the witch! buschgardens.com
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa
SEPT. 25 WITH MEMBER PREVIEW NIGHT AND THEN TO TICKET HOLDERS ON SEPT. 26 Separately ticketed event. Zoo Members and Zoo Fun Ticket holders get in free.
Several new immersive adventures await you at Creatures of the Night this year, including the all-new Scared of the Dark spooky trail and Ghostly Groves, a family-friendly walk through a haunted neighborhood. Enjoy expanded experiences of returning favorites, like more disco boogie fun with the zombies at the Dancing Dead and breathtaking artistic performances from the living fountain at the Enchanted Circle when you first walk in. It’s eerie family fun for ghouls and goblins of all ages. We love that you can also book up-close encounters during the event, whether it’s going behind-the-scenes with one of the zoo’s southern white rhinos or going face-to-face with one of the Masai giraffes. There are also other wildlife connection opportunities during the event that everyone can participate in. zootampa.org
Lost Pearl Pirate Ship: A Pirate’s Halloween
Pirate Water Taxi’s Haunted River Cruise
This is an only-in-Tampa adventure on the water for the pint-sized ghouls and goblins! Kids and their families can take part in Halloweenthemed games with the crew and explore Patchy’s pumpkin patch, and each kid receives a complimentary pumpkin. It wouldn’t be a sailing on the Lost Pearl if you didn’t get the chance to blast the water cannons! tampapirateship.com
Pirate Water Taxi has once again teamed up with Stageworks Theater to create a unique evening on the water you won’t experience anywhere else. You’ll be transported back to the city’s Prohibition-era underworld as you sail down the river with the sounds of live jazz music and learn of the city’s haunting secrets. Your ticket includes a 45-minute cruise, complimentary themed beverages and photo ops. piratewatertaxi.com
OCT. 2-31 ON FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
OCT. 2-31 ON FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
Scan for more of our coverage of the best Halloween and fall events in Tampa Bay and beyond!
14 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
HOW'D THEY Re BUILD THAT?
COASTERSAURUS at LEGOLAND Florida Resort ®
Galacticoaster at LEGOLAND® Florida Resort launched us into the future of roller coasters, and now Coastersaurus is rolling us back to the past, reopening as Florida’s only fully wooden roller coaster, where it all started with thrill rides. A fully wooden coaster isn’t like other coasters. It feels and sounds different. You could say it’s like experiencing history in real life. The ride, which originally opened as Triple Hurricane in the former Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in 2004, has been fully rebuilt and refurbished to look exactly as it did before, and we got to meet up with two of the people on LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s team who helped it roar back to life: Cory Lytle, Technical Services Director (pictured left), and Andrew Walker, Head of Ride Maintenance (pictured right). TBPM: This has been a long time in the making. Tell us how you maintained the history of this ride.
TBPM: What was your journey like to this career to work on rides like Coastersaurus?
Andrew Walker: Over the last three years, we’ve replaced everything from the ground up: all the structure, the running surfaces, all the nuts, bolts, nails, the screws that go into it, so a complete overhaul of the control system.
AW: I think it's something with theme parks — not just engineering — you just kind of fall into. I lived local to a theme park in the UK previously. I always wanted to do something with my hands with the trade, and I was working part-time, and then the opportunity came up to work as a maintenance technician engineer with a theme park. So, yeah, just kind of fell into it, loved it, and carried on.
Cory Lytle: It’s great because we have so many families that say, “I rode this ride when it was Triple Hurricane in the Cypress Gardens days.” Now they're bringing their kids back and actually riding the ride as well, so it's really great to have that connection with the old versus the new. AW: I would say, for coaster enthusiasts, there's nothing like a wooden coaster, so that's why we want to keep it here. It's not as smooth as a steel coaster, so you'll hear all the knocks and bangs, but it's just part of it. It's part of what makes it great. CL: We’ve been really proud to maintain that history, that connection with the Cypress Gardens days. TBPM: Rebuilding this ride must have kinda felt like building with LEGO bricks. AW: Timber is very light. As with LEGO, the more you add together, the more strength you get. Each piece on here is giving the others strength. So, same as building LEGO. CL: It’s all the interlocking that goes on between the two. The wood here interlocks together. It's just like LEGO. AW: Each piece is different. You've got several different ones. You've got bents, ledgers, diagonals, cross ties, loads of different pieces. And a lot of that's manufactured on site. We'll get a delivery of timber. Then the local carpenters will assemble it for us. TBPM: How was this rebuilt to last for another generation or two to enjoy? CL: All the wood is pressure-treated wood, so it's going to be able to help maintain the structure over the years. AW: We're planning the next 20, 30 years. We want to keep this ride and then invest in it again. So we've improved the overall ride experience. We've made it more comfortable for the guests, improved some safety functions, so we're just trying to keep it up to modern standards, but keep that old feeling.
CL: For me, I was in the manufacturing industry for over 25 years, so I came into this on the maintenance and engineering side of it. I always dreamed of being part of a roller coaster company or an amusement park. I'm really, really glad to be here. TBPM: Advice for kids who may want to do what you do when they grow up? AW: I would say go to school. If you're interested in it, you really want to do it, go to school, get the training, come work for us. We want those young people, young kids to come through and be the next generation. CL: Stay focused on your STEM classes and definitely go back and get your vocational degrees if you would like to do something with your hands. And obviously in engineering fields as well, it's something we would be looking for. I would say if you're interested in building anything construction-wise or working with your hands, this is the type of industry to get involved with for sure.
FUN FACTS • Coastersaurus is a classic two-seater coaster, reaching speeds of 32 mph. • Kids must be 42 inches or taller to ride. • The original name, Triple Hurricane, was based on the three hurricanes that delayed the reopening of Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in 2004: Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne. • The original coaster structure was designed and built locally by Martin & Vleminckx Rides which is based in Kissimmee.
16 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
PRESENTED BY MOSI
Dinosaurs Are Roaring Into MOSI by Mikayla Cloherty
What if your family could travel back 66 million years and experience the world of dinosaurs without leaving Tampa Bay? At MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science and Innovation, the prehistoric past is coming to life with exciting new adventures. From dinosaur-themed mini golf to a thrilling T. rex virtual reality experience, families can take their MOSI visit to the next level with two NEW exciting add-on experiences. Gaze into the furious face of SUE the T. rex.
© 2018 Field Museum, photo by Lucy Hewett
Start your journey through the Cretaceous period with SciLinx Mini Golf, MOSI’s outdoor, nine-hole miniature golf course. The newly transformed Cretaceous Course invites families to putt their way through the prehistoric, surrounded by towering dinosaurs and photo-worthy surprises. As players navigate the course, they’ll discover how concepts like physics, force, angles and gravity help shape the game. It’s the perfect way to add outdoor adventure to your MOSI visit while sneaking in a little science along the way. For an even more immersive adventure, families can climb aboard MOSI’s Ultimate T. rex VR Experience and travel millions of years back in time. Using 3D goggles and motion chairs, guests are transported into a 360-degree prehistoric world where they can experience life alongside a T. rex family. From exploring the world of dinosaurs to facing the challenges of survival, this virtual reality experience offers a thrilling new perspective on one of Earth’s most fascinating creatures. The prehistoric fun doesn’t stop there! Families can also explore MOSI’s existing dinosaur experiences, including Dinovations Lab and Dinovations Dig, where young explorers can uncover fossils and discover the science of paleontology.
The dinosaur excitement continues in January 2027 when MOSI welcomes “SUE: The T. rex Experience.” Known as one of the most complete and best-preserved dinosaur fossils ever discovered, SUE will give Tampa Bay families a rare opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic dinosaurs up close. Visitors will discover the science behind this incredible discovery and learn how paleontologists use fossils to unlock the mysteries of life millions of years ago. At MOSI, dinosaurs are more than just fossils — they’re a gateway to curiosity, discovery and imagination. Through hands-on learning, innovative technology and unforgettable experiences, MOSI shows families that science isn’t just something you learn — it’s something you experience.
So grab your little explorers and get ready for a journey millions of years in the making. Whether you’re putting alongside prehistoric creatures, visiting a T. rex through virtual reality or counting down to SUE’s arrival in 2027, MOSI is where dinosaurs come to life. The prehistoric adventure is here, and it’s waiting for your family to discover it!
Learn More at MOSI.org SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 17
PREMIERES MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 Watch on WEDU PBS, the PBS KIDS Video app, the PBS KIDS channel and pbskids.org
18 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
wedu.org/education
PBS KIDS and the PBS KIDS logo are trademarks owned by Public Broadcasting Service. Used with permission. SUPER WHY COMIC BOOK ADEVENTURES © 9 Story Media Group Inc. “Super Why’s Comic Book Adventures” and logo are trademarks of 9 Story Media Group. All Rights Reserved.
CENTRAL FLORIDA FOODIE FIELD TRIPS Summer vacation may be over, but a day trip is all you need for these food-focused adventures. by Dalia Colón
Cheeseology
1527 E. 7th Ave., Tampa 813-557-6464 cheeseology.net photo credit Alexandria Ebron
Have some cheesy fun when you take a class at this cooking school in the Ybor City historic district. Learn to make your own mozzarella, pizza, cannoli, charcuterie or other foodie treats. Children ages 6 and up are welcome; kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida Sunday Charity Market 5306 Palm River Road, Tampa 813-621-1669 wattampa.com
The Happy Hangar Café 4241 Birdsong Blvd., Lutz 813-973-3703 thehappyhangar.com
Dig into Thai street food at this Buddhist temple’s Sunday morning market that is open to the public. Arrive early, bring cash and stake out a picnic table along the banks of the Palm River, where you’ll feast on noodle dishes, salads, desserts and more. This weekly event is family- and pet-friendly.
Watch small planes take off and land from the Tampa North Flight Center while enjoying pancakes, burgers and other diner food. The restaurant opens daily at 7 a.m. — perfect for families of little ones who wake up at the crack of dawn. Enjoy your meal in the air-conditioned dining room, or request a table on the porch for the best view of the tarmac.
H Mart Orlando
World’s Largest Entertainment McDonald’s
7501 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando, 407-853-8010 hmart.com A grocery store may seem like an odd choice for a family outing. But this isn’t your typical Publix. This is the world’s largest H Mart, a supermarket specializing in Asian fare. Enjoy a stir-fry meal or Korean corn dog in the food court, and bring a cooler with ice packs for all the new-to-you food items you’ll inevitably bring home. Kids love the toy department, and the K-beauty section is a hit with tweens and teens.
6875 Sand Lake Road, Orlando 424-444-1169 mcdonalds.com
It’s easy to see why fans call this behemoth fast-food restaurant “Epic McD.” With 19,000 square feet spread across three floors, it offers something for everyone — from Big Macs and Happy Meals to made-to-order pasta, Belgian waffles and even the discontinued McPizza. There’s a McDonald’s in Taiwan that’s taller and one in Germany that takes up more floor space. But those don’t have a 22-foot-tall PlayPlace or more than 100 arcade games, which makes Florida home to the world’s largest “entertainment McDonald’s.”
Coquí Snacks
photo credit Dorimar Mercado
3018 Lions Court, Kissimmee, 407-846-4126 coquisnacks.com
This Puerto Rican souvenir and snack shop is just the spot to load up classic treats from the island. Enjoy warm, cooked-to-order alcapurria fritters, empanadas and mini doughnuts, as well as refreshing limber frozen ice pops and more. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 19
35,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and endless new discoveries. GCM is Tampa Bay’s spot for hands-on play where kids climb, build, imagine, and follow their curiosity wherever it leads them. Plan your visit today. GlazerMuseum.org
Carrollwood Village Park by Claudia Sinram
It is not often that you find a park where every member of the family has something to enjoy, but Carrollwood Village Park checks every box. Whether your little ones want to cool off in the splash pad, race across the playground, or spend the afternoon climbing and exploring, this Hillsborough County favorite makes it easy to turn a quick outing into a full day of fun.
THE
PLAY LIST
photo by Kristen Fisher
photo by Kristen Fisher
photo by Claudia Sinram
Carrollwood Village Park is built on the site of a former wastewater treatment plant. This 64-acre park has become one of the county's most popular community spaces, welcoming more than 1 million visitors each year.
WHAT YOU'LL LOVE
The first stop for most families is the adventure playground. Designed with a nature theme, it features climbing towers, multiple slides, tunnels, bridges and play areas that keep children moving from one activity to the next. Right next door is the splash pad, where colorful spray features provide the perfect way to cool off on a hot Florida afternoon. One of the park's standout attractions is its zip line, which is always a favorite with older kids. Younger children can enjoy musical instruments, while families can spread out across the large lawn for games or a picnic.
PARK INFO
Beyond the playground, the park offers something for every age. Kids can practice tricks at the skate park, furry family members can burn off energy at the dog park, and parents can stroll along paved walking trails. Throughout the year, the park also hosts a variety of community events and activities, from outdoor fitness classes to fishing competitions, making it a destination families can enjoy.
CARROLLWOOD VILLAGE PARK 4680 W. Village Drive Tampa, FL 33624
PLAN YOUR VISIT
HOURS
Daily, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The playground and splash pad are located together, making it easy to keep an eye on kids moving between the two. There are shaded picnic tables throughout the park, along with restrooms and plenty of parking nearby.
ADDMISSION Free
PARK HIGHLIGHTS
• Adventure playground • Splash pad
Florida summers can be hot, so bring sunscreen, towels and a change of clothes if you plan to visit the splash pad. Water shoes are also a good idea for little feet.
• Musical play features • Skate park • Dog park photo by Kristen Fisher
PRO TIP: Visit in the morning before the summer heat peaks, then pack a picnic lunch to enjoy under one of the covered pavilions. If your kids still have energy to burn, take a family walk around the park's scenic trails before heading home.
• Zip line
• Walking trails • Picnic areas and restrooms
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 21
BRIGHT IDEAS:
Let’s meet three local inventors who are turning their big ideas into a family-owned business! by Laura Byrne
Have you ever used an everyday product and thought to yourself … there has to be something better out there? Or maybe you have a really cool idea for something that doesn’t even exist yet. Three local parents are proving it IS possible to turn your bright ideas into real, tangible products families will fall in love with, and we’re learning how they did it.
STACEY THOMAS
Founder of Smile Paint toothpaste for kids and a speech-language pathologist TBPM: What inspired the creation of Smile Paint? Stacey Thomas: I was inspired to create Smile Paint because of my son’s toothbrushing aversions and oral sensitivities when he was younger. My oldest child has special needs, and when he was little, he did not like any of the toothpaste flavors. He thought the minty toothpaste was too “spicy” and the fruity flavors had a bad aftertaste. We continuously tried new toothpaste flavors, toothbrushes, timers and songs, and nothing helped create a positive toothbrushing experience for my son. He had such anxiety brushing his teeth, and I felt so robbed of a peaceful bedtime routine with my child. I realized that I was not alone in the toothbrushing struggle. TBPM: How did your career as a speech-language pathologist help?
photo credit NHR photography
ST: Over my 25 years as a speech-language pathologist, I have met countless families who have experienced the same toothbrushing struggles with their children. I knew there had to be a better approach to introducing toothbrushing. Then it dawned on me. Children learn through PLAY! For example, when a child first learns to eat food, they use all of their senses to explore the food before they actually eat, so why should toothbrushing be any different? Right then and there, I decided to create a “playbased” toothpaste where kids can explore, have fun and play with their toothpaste. TBPM: How do kids use Smile Paint? ST: Smile Paint is a play-based toothpaste where children mix naturally colored and flavored toothpastes together to create new colors and new delicious flavors. They then paint their teeth and brush them clean. Smile Paint is a revolutionary concept that puts the control in the child’s hands. Smile Paint allows the child to be creative, have fun, explore and play with toothpaste. The Smile Paint kit offers four yummy, dessert-inspired, colorful toothpaste flavors, including Fluoridated Vanilla Cupcake and three fluoride-free flavors, including Strawberry Shortcake, Banana Cream Pie and Blueberry Cobbler. Each kit also includes a smock, paintbrush, toothbrush and mixing palette. Kids mix, paint and brush while having fun creating limitless color and flavor combinations, turning toothbrushing time into something to look forward to. TBPM: This toothpaste that supports a good cause, too! ST: A percentage of each Smile Paint Kit sold goes to our Smile Paint Foundation. The Smile Paint Foundation offers grants to companies that employ adults with special needs and to organizations that support special needs adults in living a limitless, purposeful life. You can follow all things Smile Paint on Instagram @smilepainttoothpaste and Facebook at facebook.com/smilepainttoothpaste. FOLLOW: @smilepainttoothpaste | smilepainttoothpaste.com
22 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
MORGAN UHL
Founder of Knobēz for kitchen holiday décor, former educator and fourth-generation Tampanian TBPM: What inspired the creation of Knobēz? Morgan Uhl: During the holiday season in 2021, I was looking to add more decorations to my kitchen without adding more clutter to my countertop. The idea of adding a cover to my already round knobs to make them look like Christmas ornaments entered my mind. After searching online and realizing such a decoration didn’t exist, I decided to set out on the path to bring decorative knob covers to market. Knobēz was born! TBPM: What exactly is it and how does it work? MU: Knobēz and Handlez by Knobēz are decorative covers for your hardware. Knobēz stretch to grip around your existing cabinet knob, while Handlez by Knobēz snap/grip over cylindrical hardware, and you can still use your hardware for function. TBPM: What has the response been like so far? MU: The market’s response was instant. I went from selling 40 sets of my prototype handglittered collection in 2022 to selling over 90,000 units in 2025. Social media has been my main driver for sales. TikTok followers are over 118,000, and Instagram is over 96,000; mostly gained through organic content. Knobēz is launching in retail this 2026 holiday season and is available on Amazon, Walmart.com, Target.com, Michaels.com and knobez.com. Follow: @knobezllc | knobez.com
MICHAEL BRAGLIA
Founder of Bubbez body cleansing wipes TBPM: What inspired the creation of Bubbez? Michael Braglia: The full story goes back about five years to when my wife and I had our first son. At 2 months old, he was diagnosed with failure to thrive and had multiple holes in his heart. He was born at 5 pounds 6 ounces, and by 2 months he still wasn't even at 7 pounds. At 3 months old, he had open-heart surgery, and thankfully he made a full recovery. Through all of it, we had to be extremely careful about keeping him clean and avoiding infection. We didn't trust baby wipes, so we used paper towels and soapy water, or gave him sponge baths constantly. We kept thinking, there has to be something better. Our homemade versions worked better than anything on the shelf, and that is where the real journey began. TBPM: How is it different than other wipes? MB: Most wipes can wipe visible dirt off your hands; that part they do fine. The real problem is they don’t actually wash, and what they leave behind: the smell, and that sticky residue that leaves you still feeling unclean. That is the part nobody had actually solved. Bubbez is a two-step system, and separating it into a wash and a rinse is what makes the difference. The wash wipe has a plant-based formula that creates a gentle lather to lift dirt, food and everyday mess off the skin. The rinse wipe then removes that formula along with any leftover residue, so nothing is left sitting on the skin. Once your hands air dry, they feel soft, clean and fresh, the way they do after a real wash at the sink. It is not about disinfecting or sanitizing. Hand sanitizer does that, and it is harsh and drying, especially for little ones. Bubbez is a genuine wash and rinse, just without the sink. You can truly feel the difference. TBPM: What has the response been like so far? MB: We're really just getting going. We launched the last week of June 2026, and we just went live on Amazon this week, so right now we're focused on getting our very first products into consumers' hands. Most people don't even know a product like this exists yet, and once they try it in person, that is where it clicks.
The internet and wipe aisles are crowded, with so many brands and slightly different formulations that it is hard for anyone to choose. With Bubbez, we didn't just make a better wipe; we reinvented it. We went back to the basics of the two-step wash and rinse you already use every day, with dishes, laundry, shampooing, all of it. We really believe we've created a new and better category for on-the-go cleaning, one that actually leaves your hands and face feeling clean, soft and fresh when you need it. TBPM: Anything else you want to add? MB: We created Bubbez out of a real need, during those true times when we wanted a better clean on the go and a product like this simply didn't exist. That is the whole reason it exists. We even named it after my two boys. I've called them my bubbez since the day they were born. There's more coming. We have a patent-pending large-format dispenser we're hoping to roll out sometime in 2027, once we finish finalizing the features, and we plan to offer larger wipes and additional formulations down the road. But we want to hear from the parents actually using Bubbez first, so we know we're doing right by them. We're a parentowned company, and our whole goal is to make the best quality products we can for other parents just like us. Follow: @bubbezofficial | bubbez.com SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 23
Seasons CHANGE.
MEMORIES LAST.
Celebrate fall and winter with a getaway to Dollywood and Pigeon Forge that you’ll never forget. Your family will enjoy cozy MyPigeonForge.com
cabin stays, incredible views of the Great Smoky Mountains, world-class rides including Dollywood’s new NightFlight Expedition, seasonal festivals, award-winning holiday shows, festive flavors, unique shopping and more.
Dollywood.com
It’s the most wonderful time of year to plan a trip here.
3
8 Family Traditions To Try This Fall and Winter By Margaret Bond
As the crisp mountain air drifts through East Tennessee, families all across the country make their way to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood. Surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, fall brings beautiful views and fun festivals, while winter creates a wonderland that can only be found here.
6
Go Snowtubing No Matter the Weather
View Thousands of Glowing Pumpkins
Named America’s Best Fall Event by USA Today, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival has glowing lights, world-class rides, live music, a harvest buffet and southern hospitality. 4
Whether you’re looking to ride down a 70-foot drop, make snow angels or warm up with some hot chocolate, you’ll find it at our outdoor and indoor attractions. 7
Have Dinner Served by Elves Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede is just one of the many live holiday shows that will fill you with the holiday spirit throughout Pigeon Forge.
8
1
Walk Through a Giant Christmas Tree
Hike America’s Most Visited National Park With stunning fall colors, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the perfect place for an unforgettable hike and incredible photo ops with the whole family.
The Island at Pigeon Forge is always decked out for the holidays, including a 40-foot Christmas tree you can walk through, as well as the festive fountain show. 5
Soar above the mountains, plunge into rapids, climb mountains and find a secret lake on NightFlight Expedition – the first-of-its-kind indoor immersive adventure coaster.
From a walking trail and a driving tour throughout town to a drone light show, dozens of twinkling trees and more at Dollywood, your holiday will definitely be bright.
Now’s the time to start planning your fall and winter getaways, so for exclusive coupons and more ways to save visit MyPigeonForge.com & Dollywood.com
2
Try a World’s First Ride at Dollywood
See Millions of Christmas Lights
Roast Marshmallows at a Resort
With two Dollywood resorts to choose from, you can enjoy s’mores and singa-longs around a fire, award-winning dining and indoor/outdoor pools – all just a short trolley ride to the park.
Margaret Bond is a writer based just outside of Nashville, TN. Her grandparents took her to Pigeon Forge and Dollywood as a little girl and she’s been a big fan ever since.
SPONSORED CONTENT
26 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
Moms to Know Arch Tuli
Founder, Arch & Sons by Maggie Rodriguez, co-host of Daytime on WFLA
For Arch Tuli, food has always been a love language. She remembers gathering around the family table as a child to enjoy wholesome, delicious meals that her parents lovingly prepared from scratch. “When I became a mom, I intentionally carried those traditions into raising my two boys,” she says. Today, those two boys, now 20 and 24, have helped their mother turn the family tradition of healthy eating into a thriving business that has grown by word of mouth. “Watching them take pride in something we’ve built together has been one of the greatest rewards of this journey. Arch & Sons has always been about family, and I love that they’re helping shape its future alongside me.”
TBPM: What is Arch & Sons? Arch Tuli: Arch & Sons is a healthy meal delivery business serving the Tampa Bay area. We prepare nourishing, home-style meals made from scratch using high-quality ingredients, with a focus on balanced nutrition and incredible flavor. Our goal is to make healthy eating easy and enjoyable for busy individuals and families. TBPM: Why did you decide to start it? AT: It all began with cooking healthy meals for a couple of friends. I loved showing them that healthy food could be both deeply nourishing and incredibly flavorful. One of those friends shared how much the meals had positively impacted her family and started telling everyone she knew. Before long, more people were asking if I would cook for them each week, and the rest is history. TBPM: What’s your culinary background? AT: My first classroom was my parents’ kitchen. I grew up watching food prepared with intention using fresh ingredients, balanced nutrition and the belief that cooking is one of the greatest expressions of caring for someone. That shaped the way I cook today. Before moving to Tampa five years ago, I built a successful healthy meal delivery business in Los Angeles. Those years gave me the opportunity to refine my recipes, understand what busy families truly need and develop the systems that eventually became Arch & Sons. Today, my cooking blends global flavors, traditional techniques and modern nutrition to create meals that are comforting, deeply nourishing and designed to support long-term health.
TBPM: What advice do you have for other women/moms who dream of starting their own business? AT: Don’t wait until everything feels perfect — just start. You’ll learn more by taking one small step than by spending months waiting for the perfect time. There will always be reasons to doubt yourself, but confidence comes from doing, not from waiting. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Building a business isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s about surrounding yourself with good people, staying true to your values and showing up consistently. The small, intentional things you do every day eventually become something much bigger than you imagined. TBPM: What’s the “recipe” for a good relationship with your children? AT: If I had to sum it up in two words, it would be: let them. Let them become who they are instead of who you imagined they’d be. Let them make mistakes, learn their own lessons and discover their own path, while always knowing they have a safe place to come home to.
We are continuing with this column in memory of Julie Tingley, our friend and creator of our Moms to Know and Kids to Know pages, who passed away on April 6, 2025. Julie Tingley's Legacy of Love: givesendgo.com/GFGT6 SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 27
COVER STORY
THE CORBETT PREP DIFFERENCE
Building Your Village, Your Child's Confidence and a Strong Academic Foundation TBPM: What set Corbett Prep apart from all of the schools you considered for your sons? Laura Strollo: We applied at several other private schools, but I kind of had this feeling they weren’t the right fit for Owen. So we decided to stay at our little PreK-4 nursery school versus pulling him out and sending him in because most of the private schools start at PreK-4. I was just talking to a friend, and I was like, “I don't really know where I'm going to send Owen. I don't think public's the right fit for him. But I also don't think any of the private schools I’ve toured are.” And she was like, “Oh, you should talk to my friend Jen who goes to Corbett.” So I hopped on a call with this woman whose children also go here, and after talking to her for like an hour, I was like, I have to go see this place. So, Matt and I came on the tour. And probably a quarter of the way through, we just looked at each other, and we're like, “OK, this is where our children are going to school.” It was just the feeling we got the second we walked on campus. It was exactly what we were looking for. TBPM: What about the school and campus made you feel like this is where your family needed to be? LS: Everyone just seemed genuine. From the moment we pulled in, I didn't feel like the school was trying to prove anything. It just spoke for itself. I just got this vibe when I walked into the office: This is a place where kids get to be kids. And yes, of course, there's learning, right? Because that's why our children go to school. But it just felt like it was about so much more than just the academics. For us, we wanted a place where we felt that it wasn't just focused on academics; it was focused on the whole child. It just so happened that one of the days I came on the tour, some middle schoolers were over here. And the way they looked you in the eye and said hello to you without anyone prompting them. It was just this culture and how genuine everybody felt. It was magical, actually. Let’s hear those school bells ring! It’s school open house season, the time of year when families begin to explore all of the educational options for their kids here in Tampa Bay. And luckily for us, we have some amazing options on the table, giving you more flexibility to find the perfect fit for your family. As a mom of two, with one heading into high school, it’s been a big topic of conversation for me personally with other moms as we weigh what to do. If you’ve been looking for the right fit for your pre-K through eighth-grade student, we’ve got one to add to your must-visit list: Corbett Prep in Tampa. Recently, I got to go one-on-one with fellow mama, Laura Strollo of South Tampa, to keep that “where will we send our kids to school?” conversation going. We’re learning more about her family’s decision to send her two sons to Corbett Prep and how it has changed the trajectory of her boys’ lives.
28 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
TBPM: Why was it so important for you for the school to go beyond academics? LS: I feel like at the end of the day, if we just raise our kids to be happy and good humans, we've all succeeded, and I just feel like Corbett is the perfect partner in that. It's raising them in an environment of acceptance, and I think it is so, so important, especially in today's world. I just feel it's allowed them to be who they are and be the best they can be and the best version of themselves. I just don't feel like my kids have any pressure to be somebody or something else. I mean, Owen has a bearded dragon that he takes to school with him. He’s very into nature, and he's allowed to explore that side of him. Instead of it being like, okay, we need to get back to math, they have figured out a way to tie his extreme passion for nature into the learning and just allowed him to be who he is. When he started at this school, he could barely get out of the car. He has a lot of anxiety and some other issues. Now he begged me to let him be head of school – “Can you win it in the auction at the big [school] event?” He wants to get up in front of the entire school and go and speak. The fact that that child even wants to do that is wild to me.
doing what they can to help the school. So it’s been this great sense of community and just finding your people. And I think it's fair to say that … a lot of these relationships will be lifelong relationships. TBPM: How do you think Corbett Prep is shaping who your kids are going to be when they grow up? LS: I think this school does everything that you want a school to do and more. It’s really raising good humans to put back into our community and into our society. The academics are amazing here. I think it's very rigorous academics, but I like the way it's done. It's done in a sense that allows children to be children and follow research and follow the science. And, two years ago, when he was in second grade, Mrs. Popalis, who's a teacher here, reached out to me that the Jane Goodall Foundation had reached out and they wanted to know if Corbett had any kids who would come and speak for Earth Day. And she was like, “What do you think? Do you think Owen would do it?” And I said, “I honestly don't think he'll do it, but let me ask.” And he was like, “Yeah, I'll do it!” He went to the aquarium. He was the youngest one there by a long shot, and all these other kids were in high school, and he spoke probably better than all of them did and was able to talk about his passions. That's not us; that's 100% Corbett, so it's just been amazing to watch. And it’s the same thing with Eli; they've allowed him to become the best version of himself as well, and I feel like there's not this need to conform here. They've fostered that love for nature, the environment, and not even just with nature. It's just helped both of them grow. Loving other things that are alive, whether it's nature, other humans, people with differences. I almost feel like it doesn't have to be taught here because it's just the culture. I think kids are so young that if you start at the right age, Corbett really helps with that. It's just a way of life, I guess. TBPM: What is the parent culture like here? LS: It’s been great. I think we've really been able to find our people here. They're not all just one group. It's different parents with different likes and interests. But it does feel like one big family here. I know everyone uses that term village. But I do think you have your village and your family here at Corbett. We don't have family that lives near us down here. And I think coming to Corbett … you feel like you belong somewhere. Like these groups of friends that we have, whether it's playing pickleball or, you know, doing dinners or things like that, and then getting together and volunteering for the school, I think that's been actually the most amazing thing to see. So even when it comes to our annual fundraiser in the spring. I mean, we spend days here, and I love it because we're with other moms and sometimes dads too, and even grandparents, and just everyone
I think it's great that these kids are moving and they're not just expected to sit at a desk all day. The schooling I had, and I can remember feeling like I was just gonna crawl out of my skin sometimes, and I think it's just amazing that these kids are allowed to come here; they’re allowed to be kids. I definitely think that this is going to mold who they are. I think these younger years are the formative years, and they are so important. And I just think that having the opportunity to have this whole place, the culture from everybody at the school, not just the teachers, the staff, everybody, the students, the families, it's really a gift. I think it's going to be something that we look back on when they're older and talk about what Corbett did for them and how it molded them. TBPM: What has the experience been like in the classroom as far as academics? LS: I have two very, very different children, and it's an amazing fit for both of them. They teach to where the kids are and then push them an appropriate amount. We're talking about math for him for next year and how he really needs to be at a much different level than where he was last year. And that's something that, over the summer, I've had multiple conversations that were brought on by the school, not by me calling and saying, hey, you know, pushing him and meeting him where he is and then pushing him even more, which is far beyond where his grade level is. And then you might have the flip side in other subjects, and they can support all of it. TBPM: Do you have anything you want to add? LS: There's something about when you drop your kids off to somebody, and they spend most of their time here during the school year. There's this comfort that you have as a parent that you know that they're surrounded by people who not only are going to give them the best education possible, but they're also going to love your children like they're their own. And then there's this culture here that I have seen that it's not just supporting the kids; it's supporting the teachers, supporting the staff. It's just really special. It really does feel like one big family here. I could talk about Corbett all day long. I absolutely love it. I love it. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 29
Learning Adventures
Confidence reaches new heights for seventh graders who push themselves beyond their comfort zones.
HAPPY STUDENTS S E R I O U S E D U C AT I O N ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE
T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5 8 : 3 0 A . M . (813) 961-3087 • PreK3-8th Grade • www.corbettprep.com
TEACHER to Know Brett Keeley
Fifth and Sixth Grade Language Acquisition Teacher at Corbett Prep by Laura Byne
Connection through language: It’s what inspires Brett Keeley every day in the classroom as the fifth and sixth grade language teacher at Corbett Prep in Tampa. He tells us he didn’t always speak multiple languages. It wasn’t until he was only a couple of years older than the students he teaches today that he came to understand the power of human connection that comes through learning a new language. And it’s a joy he’s been able to turn into a career and share with students here in Tampa Bay.
TBPM: First, let's talk about what inspired you to become a teacher. Brett Keeley: I'm a forever student. I never want to leave the classroom, so I kind of found a way to stay in school. And I love it. It's been everything that I had hoped for. TBPM: Why did you decide to take the path as a language teacher? BK: I started taking Spanish when I was in probably middle school, maybe a freshman in high school, and that was really the time that I fell in love with language. I continued studying languages through high school and college. So I did Spanish and French in school and then Portuguese. And I've studied Italian and had the opportunity to travel and spend some time abroad in Spain and Portugal and some other European countries. I think being able to give that to other students is something that's important to me. TBPM: Why do you think learning another language is so important? BK: I think it’s having the connection to other people. When you can go up to someone and speak to them in their native language, you gain an understanding of who they are, maybe because they're able to share more about themselves in a language that you can both understand, or because they are understanding that you want to appreciate and understand their culture. I think you kind of gain more as a person, and you gain more connections, and the world becomes smaller because everything feels more familiar. It's funny because English is my native language, but when I hear Spanish and French, it feels like home; it feels safe and warm and comfortable, and I don't think I would have that if I didn't speak the other languages. TBPM: Spanish is part of the curriculum in the elementary years here at Corbett. What has it been like adding French to their options as middle schoolers? BK: They've had some Spanish before, so they were at least familiar. But with French, most of them came in, and they didn't know anything at all. And at the end of the year, they're at least able to have a conversation, or they'll recognize it, or they'll try to write to me in French, which I think is nice. It shows that they're learning and they care, and it's something that's new to them. And I think that's why it's so much fun for them to learn, because it's something that they haven't had the opportunity to do before. TBPM: Why do you think it’s important to allow the kids to choose which language track they want to take in middle school? BK: I think it makes them feel like they have more of a voice. To give students the opportunity to find the language that they really like to learn, that makes all the difference. If you try to learn a language that you're not interested in or you don't have a connection to, it’s not going to be as easy to learn. I tried to learn German. Didn't go well. That just wasn't my language.
TBPM: What is your favorite to teach? BK: I think Spanish, just because there's so much we can do in the area with the language, and we have a lot of Spanish speakers on campus so they can interact with other people that are working here, or they can go out into the community and speak Spanish. But I think French is kind of fun too because we have some students who have family from Canada or France and they’re able to make connections with grandparents and aunts and uncles or people that live abroad. TBPM: When you see your students conversing in another language on campus or hear about them using their new language skills as they travel the world, what is that feeling like for you, knowing that it’s because of you? BK: So I had a student in student-parent conferences in February, and we were kind of talking about that. We were like, “how do you feel after learning, having studied a language in a classroom?” And she was like, “Well, before, I always wanted to study because the family had traveled. And she had shared that a lot of times it was like the anxiety of, I don't really want to speak to someone in a language that's not my own because I don't want to make a mistake and I don't want to look like I don't know what I'm talking about.” And that's something that we talked about in the first week of class: if someone does make a mistake, that's okay, that's part of language learning. She had mentioned that she was in a Spanish-speaking country, and she said, “I tried to order something, and I was a little worried, but even if I make a mistake, it doesn't matter. I got my point across, and I was able to communicate, and it worked even if it's not perfect.” I think seeing them take things like that from my class and then go apply it in the real world makes me feel like it's something positive that comes from language learning that you really can't see, but I know what's happening. TBPM: And you’re helping them build human connection around the world on a whole new level. BK: Yeah, people love to hear their language. I think if you were standing in a country like, I don't know, Germany or Greece, and everyone is speaking German and Greek around you, and then you hear an English speaker, you're going to go right to the English speaker because that's what's comfortable. I think if people hear you try, it just makes a difference, especially if it's someone who maybe came to the U.S. from a different country and isn’t comfortable speaking English or English isn't their first language. Knowing that they have someone who can communicate with them, I think, means more to them than if you say something and make a mistake, because they're still gonna understand you. And that means more than just … “That person speaks Spanish, and I could try, but I'm afraid.” Because then you never try, then you never have that connection. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 31
SCHOOL YEAR CLASSES ON SALE NOW! FOR ALL AGES AND SKILL LEVELS
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berkeleyprep.org SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 33
SOAR at St. John’s
At St. John’s Episcopal School, we believe in the sanctity of childhood. Our K4-8 experience ensures every child is known, nurtured, and inspired to thrive — developing independence, curious minds, and strong character. Scan to learn more and schedule a tour!
813.849.4200 | admissions@stjohnseagles.org stjohnseagles.org
Teaching students to soar beyond the classroom.
Please call to join us for a tour on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. or by appointment.
Discover the Westlake difference! westlakechristianschool.org 727.781.3808 EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND FAITH FORMATION
34 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
It starts with a
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Shorecrest Preparatory School — serving a diverse
community of students from 3 years old through 12th grade.
Join us for a Tour or Open House! Scan the QR code to schedule a visit.
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SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 35
First Month FOR INFANTS UNDER 12 MOS!
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36 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
September is Library Card Sign-up Month! by Wes Bailey, Librarian
Libraries have long served as centers of community and knowledge worldwide, and our patrons can take full advantage of our extensive facilities and materials. Hillsborough County residents can unlock a world of entertaining and valuable knowledge and resources by signing up for a library card, including access to thousands of print and electronic books and databases. For younger residents, we also offer plenty of resources they can explore to assist with school or discover personal interests. Please enjoy this selection of picture books and biographies that show children the history and fun of libraries.
A Big Surprise for Little Card by Charise Mericle Harper Having been training to become a birthday card, Little Card is disappointed when he’s told there’s been a mix-up and he’s actually supposed to be a library card. Will his joyous personality clash with the rules of the library?
Never Give a Baby a Library Card by Erin Sandberg A fun-hating “shouty man” espouses the dangers of giving babies a library card, warning of all the knowledge they could gain and all the new things they could learn to do.
The Man Who Loved Libraries: The Story of Andrew Carnegie by Andrew Larsen This stylized biography of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie discusses his life and how he helped fund the construction of over 2,500 public libraries worldwide.
A Library by Nikki Giovanni Poet Nikki Giovanni pens a charming ode to public libraries through the eyes of a girl returning library books, showing how she uses books to escape into a world of imagination and ideas.
Unstoppable John: How John Lewis Got His Library Card — and Helped Change History by Pat Zietlow Miller
This biography tells the story of John Lewis, who, after being denied a library card, became a prominent civil rights advocate against segregation in public spaces.
Our Incredible Library Book by Caroline Crowe
This charming book follows a library book as it circulates through a community. While the book sustains some damage, it serves as a reminder of how much the book is enjoyed by those who read it.
Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
In this story of the importance of following rules, a friendly lion starts frequenting his local library and becomes the assistant of the librarian Miss Merriweather, making sure to always follow the rules of the building. When she gets into trouble, however, the lion must decide whether to break the rules of the place that has accepted him in order to help his friend.
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 37
Friends, Books & a Little Less Screen Time by Laura Cross
A few days before the start of the new school year, Hillsborough County Superintendent Van Ayres was filming a back-to-school video with a group of kindergarten and first-grade students. As the cameras were being set up, he made a little small talk with the children and asked what excited them most about going back to school. “Making new friends!” “Talking with my friends!” “Getting to know my teacher!” Not one of them said they were excited to go to school to be on a computer or play on a device. And that simple conversation gets to the heart of why Hillsborough County Public Schools is changing the way it approaches screen time for its youngest students. Based on research about how young children learn best, HCPS is making changes designed to reduce screen time in kindergarten through second grade. As part of the new Screen Time Guidance, programs such as i-Ready, Amira and Imagine Learning will no longer be used as part of daily classroom instruction in grades K-2. Instead, students will spend more time reading printed books, writing, discussing ideas and participating in hands-on activities that support language and literacy development. Research on learning and development shows that young children build language, vocabulary and reasoning skills through conversation and interaction. Too much screen exposure can also reduce opportunities for sustained attention and deep thinking. Young students benefit from movement, exploration, multisensory experiences and collaboration. In other words, children between the ages of 5 and 7 need opportunities to talk, explore, ask questions and engage with the people around them. They need to hear their classmates’ ideas, look at their teacher, turn the pages of a book and work through problems together. Those experiences are a fundamental part of how young children learn. Superintendent Ayres says the response from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. “Every elementary school I’ve been in, a teacher has come up to me and told me what a difference this will make in their classroom,” Ayres said. “Our teachers want to engage with their students. They want the collaboration and discussions among their young students. These guidelines will support them.” Of course, going low-tech does not mean going no-tech. Technology is an important part of everyday life, and children need to learn how to use it appropriately. Devices will still be used when they serve a specific educational purpose. The goal is to make sure technology is being used intentionally, not simply because it is available. The district is also taking into account how much screen time children may already be getting outside of school. Reducing unnecessary screen time during the school day can help create more room for reading, physical activity, play, family time and face-to-face interaction. And perhaps that brings us back to those kindergarteners in front of the camera. When asked what they were most excited about when they returned to school, they didn’t talk about apps or devices. They talked about people. They were excited about making friends. Talking with friends. Getting to know their teacher. For our youngest learners, that may be the best reminder of all: School is a place to discover, wonder, move, talk, listen and learn alongside other people. Because sometimes, the most important learning happens when the screen is off and the conversation begins. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 39
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Learn more at FloridaMilk.com
PRESENTED BY FLORIDA DAIRY FARMERS
Dairy & Development Why Dairy Nutrition is Crucial for A Child’s First Two Years by Brie Gorecki
1,000 days. That’s the period from conception to 2 years old and one of the most crucial times for a child’s development. While most people assume proper nutrition begins at birth, it actually starts as early as conception. According to U.S. Dairy, several medical experts agree that the first 1,000 days are so important due to the rate of human growth and brain development. A baby's brain will double in size by 12 months and triple in size by 36 months, and dairy can help play a major role in these developments.
The Benefits of Dairy
The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that dairy contains seven of the 14 key nutrients important for early brain development. And there are big reasons why they recommend dairy milk and water as the go-to beverages for children between the ages of 1 and 5. • NUTRIENTS: One 8-ounce glass of milk contains 13 essential nutrients such as calcium, protein, phosphorus, riboflavin, iodine and vitamins D, A, B12 and B5. • IMMUNITY: Protein, selenium, zinc and vitamins A, B12 and D from dairy can help build a strong immune system. • BONE HEALTH: Calcium, vitamin D, protein, phosphorus, potassium and zinc play big roles in developing healthy bones.
Different Stages, Different Dairy Options
Because it is not recommended that infants under 12 months drink milk, increasing your dairy intake when pregnant is key, especially for the increase in iodine. Iodine deficiency is one of the leading causes of intellectual disabilities around the globe. Once babies reach 6 months, foods like unsweetened whole milk yogurt, cheese, cereals and other pureed forms of dairy can be introduced. At 12 months, whole milk can be added into a baby’s diet in moderation to help with both brain development and growth spurts.
Though dairy contains amazing health benefits, consult your doctor and pediatrician before incorporating anything into your diet. For more information on the benefits of dairy and for family-friendly dairy-filled recipes, visit Florida Dairy Farmers at floridamilk.com. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 43
The best part of their day starts when we pick them up! JOIN
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followed by an afternoon of homework support, art, sports, gym time, and weekly swim.
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Questions? Email Alyssa.Cole@JewishTampa.com or call 813.291.2206
44 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
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Fall into fun, fitness and family at the YMCA. Discover a place where healthy habits grow, kids thrive and families connect. Whether you’re reaching your fitness goals, giving your children a safe place to learn and play or spending more quality time together, you’ll find everything you need to make this season your healthiest and happiest yet.
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Membership at the Tampa Y gives you access to: Fitness classes and wellness programs for every level Discounts on programs like youth sports, swim lessons, holiday camp and afterschool care Personal and small group training by certified trainers Events, activities and so much MORE!
Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA tampaymca.org YMCA of the Suncoast ymcasuncoast.org
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PRESENTED BY YMCA
More Than a Gym: The Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA Opens This September by Jana Henson
The YMCA has been a part of Anna Carman’s life for as long as she can remember. She grew up attending YMCA of the Triangle's summer day camps and overnight Y-Guides programs as a camper in North Carolina, memories that still evoke camp songs, cabin games and lifelong friendships. Her positive experiences as a child led her to give back to future generations of campers by working at the Y, where she found a love for youth development and impacting her community. Now, Carman is the Family Programs Director at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA’s newest location, the Mary W. Sierra Family YMCA, opening in Wesley Chapel this September.
More Than a Gym
Mary W. Sierra will offer all the amenities people expect from a Y and then some: a lap pool, a teaching pool and family pool with a waterslide, dedicated group fitness studios, a turf training area, basketball courts with pickleball lines, a two-story climbing structure in Stay & Play, a nursery and floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the facility with natural light. Could a gym be described as beautiful? In this case, yes.
photo credit Jennifer Persons
But Carman emphasizes that the Y is about much more than fitness equipment and recreation spaces. “It’s a community gathering place.” That sense of community is reflected in the Y’s family-focused offerings. The Stay & Play and Youth Zone programs provide active, curriculumbased play for children aged 6 weeks to 11 years while parents exercise or participate in programs. Kids’ Day Out offers a camp-like experience during school holidays, giving children opportunities to learn, play and connect with friends. More than amenities, these programs bring the Y’s mission to life by fostering connection, belonging and personal growth for every member of the family.
Meeting Families’ Everyday Needs
At the Y, community and well-being go together, shaping experiences designed to support the whole person. Throughout the year, families can come together to build meaningful connections across generations and backgrounds. Parents’ Night Out will begin this fall. Held monthly, the members-only program offers children an evening of structured activities in a safe, supervised environment while parents enjoy a date night, run errands or simply take time to recharge. “Our programs are designed to support families through every age and stage of life,” says Carman.
Creating a Place Where People Feel Known
Carman still remembers the moment that first set her on a path toward leadership within the YMCA.
It was the people who kept her coming back summer after summer.
“I felt known, cared for and encouraged,” Carman recalls. Now, she hopes to create that same experience for families in Wesley Chapel. When asked about the impact she hopes the new YMCA will have on the community, her answer is immediate: “Life-changing experiences. We want this to be a safe space for community members at every stage of life, from expectant mothers to those recovering from illness or injury to the everyday gym-goer. We want to tell the story of why we do what we do every day. We want families to feel known, cared for and encouraged.”
“My [YMCA] directors saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself and encouraged me,” she says. SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 47
You’re going to spend thousands on Baby Products & Services. Spend one weekend saving time, money, and feeling confident about the decisions you’re making for your growing family.
family vibes
Baby Expo
bump • birth • beyond presented by
Prenatal Care Options Cord Blood Banking College Savings Plans Newborn Photography Holistic Solutions Lactation Specialists Pediatric Chiropractor Pelvic Floor Therapy Doulas Sleep Support Baby Safety and more!
September. 19-20, 2026 Tampa Convention Center
Nursing Nook
CPR Classes
Kids Zone
Seminars
Diaper Derby
Whether you’re expecting your first baby, welcoming a newborn, or chasing after an energetic toddler, Family Vibes Baby Expo, presented by Tampa General Hospital and ViaCord, brings together everything you need for one weekend, under one roof!
For Ticket Information: FVBabyExpo.com SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 49
PRESENTED BY WATERMELON SWIM
Pumpkins, Purpose & Melon Family Fun!
Visit the Watermelon Swim Pumpkin Patch this Season and Help Make a Difference. Pumpkin spice is back, Halloween is on the horizon and Team Melon is ready to celebrate our favorite season of the year. From Oct. 2-31, visit our annual Pumpkin Patches at our Lutz, South Tampa and Brooksville locations, or stop by the festive indoor pumpkin displays at our Riverview and Wesley Chapel locations. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., these are the perfect places to pick out your family's pumpkins, snap fall photos and get in the fall spirit. The best part? Every pumpkin makes a difference. Every pumpkin purchased helps provide life-saving swim lessons for local children with physical and cognitive disabilities through our Students with
Disabilities Scholarship Fund. Together, we're helping ensure every child has the opportunity to become safer and more confident in the water.
Join Us for Fall Fest!
Once you've found the perfect pumpkins, mark your calendar for our annual Fall Festival on Oct. 17 at our Lutz, South Tampa and Brooksville locations.
This FREE community event is filled with family-friendly fun, including: • Games and activities for all ages • Trunk-or-treating • Costume parade • Giveaways and prizes • Festive photo opportunities • Plenty of Melon Family fun!
Whether you're celebrating the season or simply looking for a fun day out, Fall Festival is one event you won't want to miss.
More Than a Swim School
For nearly 50 years, Watermelon Swim has helped generations of Tampa Bay families build confident, safer swimmers. Today, we're proud to be Florida's largest independently owned swim school, serving thousands of families each week across five locations in Greater Tampa Bay, with locations in Brandon and Zephyrhills coming soon. Our mission is simple: to create a community of safer swimmers and reduce the risk of drowning while increasing confidence in and around water. Drowning remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause for children ages 5-14. Research shows that formal, continuous swim lessons can reduce a child's risk of drowning by 88%. Everything we do, from swim lessons to our free water safety presentations to community events like our Pumpkin Patch, supports that mission. So come pick out a pumpkin, enjoy an unforgettable day of fall fun and, while you're here, stop inside to learn how Watermelon Swim can help your family build confidence and survival skills to last a lifetime.
RSVP for Fall Festival at watermelonswim.com for a chance to win swim lessons, prizes and more. We can't wait to celebrate the season with you! SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 51
From Patient to Parent: A Sickle Cell Survivor Shares His Greatest Joy by Sarah Hollenbeck
Twenty-four-year-old John Stephens III smiles as he pushes his identical twin daughters into the Research and Education Building at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida. He’s moments away from reuniting with a few of the doctors and nurses who helped him navigate sickle cell disease in his formative years, and he has news he can’t wait to share with them at the annual Family and Friends Sickle Cell Symposium.
52 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
PRESENTED BY JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDRENS HOSPITAL He embraces Tamara New, M.D., director of the Sickle Cell Disease Program at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Carrie Gann, D.N.P., a nurse practitioner in pediatric hematology and oncology who treated him for years. Then comes the exciting introduction: “These are my 4-month-old daughters, Kahlani and Leilani. They were born without sickle cell disease,” he excitedly tells New and Gann. John will never forget the relief he felt when his daughters’ first pediatrician visit confirmed they wouldn't face the same struggles he did growing up with sickle cell disease. “I knew, regardless, I was going to love them and take care of them, but, you know, knowing just how it feels dealing with the pain, with your own kids, you don't want them to go through what you did. They're healthy,” he says with relief. “I almost cried when their pediatrician said they were carriers of the disease but did not have it,” he elaborates. “The only reason I was able to fight those tears back is because it was our first time seeing them, but when me and my fiancé, Theresa Jean, celebrated the news at home, we hugged. We were very emotional. Something told us that everything was going to be OK, and it was. They're my two biggest blessings.”
An Inherited Disease
Since Kahlani and Leilani are identical twins, they share the same DNA. This means that if one identical twin had inherited sickle cell disease, the other twin would’ve had the exact same genetic setup for the disease. “So, it was an all-or-nothing chance,” John remembers. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder. Normal red blood cells are smooth and flexible discs shaped like the letter O, which enables them to move easily through blood vessels. In contrast, sickle cells are stiff, sticky, and often shaped like the letter C. The sickle shape makes the blood cells cluster together and adhere to the lining of blood vessels. That can lead to blockages in small blood vessels, slowing the flow of healthy, oxygen-carrying blood to body tissues and causing pain. Sickle cell disease results when a child inherits a defective gene from both parents. Because John has sickle cell disease, he would pass the defective gene on to his children. The mother of John’s fiancé also has sickle cell disease, so Theresa carries what’s known as sickle cell trait, giving her a 50% chance of passing the defective gene on. The couple weighed their odds but decided they wanted to start a family.
John’s Journey
John was born with the SC variant of sickle cell disease, which happens when one hemoglobin S gene is inherited from one parent and a hemoglobin C gene is inherited from the other. “I remember early on having a lot of hospital trips for pain and having to miss school because of it. I didn’t know many people with sickle cell disease so that was hard too,” John adds. Medicine provided comfort from the beginning, especially hydroxyurea, which helps reduce the frequency of pain crises and the need for blood transfusions by increasing hemoglobin levels, which can increase the size and function of red blood cells. L-Glutamine also helped by keeping his red blood cells round (versus sickle shaped), which allowed the blood cells to break down less frequently and flow easier through his body. John says learning his triggers also helped him keep tabs on when he needed to hydrate more, keep his body warm, or get more rest.
Comfort and Care
disease is unpredictable, but they were on my side,” John explains. “It made me, even as a kid, want to show up to my doctor's appointments.” John also appreciated the sense of community Johns Hopkins All Children’s brought in helping him connect with other sickle cell families through family symposiums and a community connection with Camp Boggy Creek, a free and medically supervised camp for children with serious illnesses. There, the kids can boat, swim, ride horses and be themselves. New has served as one of the camp’s volunteer doctors. “I think it's very important because a lot of our patients may not know somebody outside of their family who has sickle cell disease. I think it is important that they don't feel like they're alone and hopefully can form meaningful lifelong connections,” she explains. “Those were core memories for me as a kid,” John recalls. Reuniting with patients like John reminds New and Gann of the critical importance of the work they do. “Right now, our hospital has three sites where we see patients [St. Petersburg, Lakeland and Tampa], so we're trying to bring care closer to where our patients live,” New explains. “It’s important because sickle cell disease is a chronic illness and requires very specialized care and we want to make it as accessible as we can.” “It’s also the consistency of showing up for these patients and building their trust,” Gann adds. New says the most difficult thing about treating sickle cell disease is its unpredictability. “We teach kids to avoid certain scenarios or conditions, like jumping into a cold pool, becoming dehydrated or exercising at higher altitudes, because then they’re more likely to have an episode. And they may do that, and they still may have an episode,” she explains, “so that unpredictability brings a loss of sense of control.”
Looking Forward
Yet, New is excited about the future of sickle cell care, including new therapies, clinical trials and even gene editing technology that may be able to silence a gene in red blood cells, allowing normal hemoglobin to form and keeping cells from becoming sickle shaped. “It’s a great time to be in this very important field,” she adds. John recently transitioned out of the care of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital into an adult program. Gann says she feels lucky to keep in touch. “With patients that transition to adult care, you never stop caring for them or wondering how they are, and we love seeing them achieve so much success in life. I remember growing up, John always wanted to play sports and despite his mom’s reservations, he was like ‘I’m doing it.’ He just has that nothing-willstop-me, positive attitude,” she says with a smile. “It can be hard when our patients transition to an adult hematologist, but it also means we did our job. It’s hard, but it’s what we want them to do. It’s a sense of accomplishment.” John has big plans for his future. One day, he hopes to launch a nonprofit, focusing on helping other children and young adults with sickle cell disease. He’s still developing ideas, including mentorship, diet and exercise plans and outings, but says, “It’ll be meaningful because it’s coming from someone else who has sickle cell disease and knows what they’re going through. I mostly want to give others hope.” John adds that living with sickle cell disease gave him courage. “It motivated me to still show up for myself and never give up proving that my body is still capable. Now, I have my own place, a career and a beautiful family. I’m a big advocate for never letting sickle cell stand in your way.”
He says he found the most comfort at Johns Hopkins All Children’s with a care team that understood how he felt. “My mom and I felt everybody at Johns Hopkins All Children’s was always very helpful. Sickle cell
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 53
FALL BABY REGISTRY PICKS Ta m p a B a y P a r e n t i n g . c o m
what's trending...
Ask the Doctor: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital’s top doctors are sharing their top tips for the best school year ever!
Weekend Top Picks: Mockingbird 3.0 Stroller We love the new features of the 3.0, including an adjustable canopy for growing toddlers, a first-of-its-kind UPF 50+ leg sunshade that covers legs and feet, magnetic buckle harnesses and even a reversible seat liner that’s mesh on one side for hot summer days. From $549 at Target or Hellomockingbird.com.
The best ways to play as a family in the Tampa Bay area
Things to Do with Toddlers: Educational activities, playgrounds and more!
The Best Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Tampa Bay: 4-in-1 EaseClean Feeding Bottle Washer Pro
Must-visit spots to dine as a family
This Baby Bottle Washer automatically washes, sterilizes, dries and stores bottles, pacifiers, pump parts and other baby accessories, combining multiple steps. It offers four programs, each with customizable settings for versatile cleaning. $289.99 at Target, Amazon or Grownsy.com.
25+ Indoor Places to Play: Where to keep your cool this summer with the kids
Game Day with the Tampa Bay Rays: Top tips to plan an epic day at the ballpark.
SniffEase Spa 3-in-1 Nasal Aspirator A lifesaver for cold season, this 3-in-1 nasal aspirator is the first of its kind, combining spray, suction and micromist. Start with a gentle spray to loosen stubborn mucus, use the adjustable suction to clear tiny nasal passage, and finish with a soothing fine mist to hydrate and comfort your baby’s delicate nose and upper airways. Comes with adjustable levels, optional lights and lullabies and more. $49.99 at Target, Amazon or Grownsy.com.
Explore more of our Top Picks here! 54 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026
INSIDE LOOK: A ZooTampa veterinarian recently introduced acupuncture for the Zoo animals; we’re going one-on-one with her to learn more and maybe inspire your future veterinarian!
Flip through the digital versions of all of our issues, sign up for our weekly newsletter and stay-up-to date on all of the family-friendly fun in Tampa Bay!
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Follow along with us for inside looks of fun things to do with the kids in Tampa Bay, behind-the-scenes, sneak peeks and more.
INSIDE LOOK: Join us as we explore the ALL-NEW Lion & Hyena Ridge at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
INSIDE LOOK: Join us for a road trip to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, where you can experience the season without a visit to the theme park. Also, we’re chatting with the chef who created the spooktacular menu at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar for its Halloween transformation!
SEPTEMBER 2026 TampaBayParenting.com 55
320 W. Kennedy, Ste. 220 Tampa, FL 33606
56 TampaBayParenting.com SEPTEMBER 2026