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December 4, 2013
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Check Out the Classifieds on Page 7
Teachers work smarter at Arbor Springs Two elementary instructors plan learning collaboratively to help their students By Celia Shortt celia@newnan.com
Cristy Fogle and Dr. Page Tarleton both have a different kindergarten class at Arbor Springs Elementary School in Newnan, but rather than work alone, they plan collaboratively to make the best possible learning experience for each student in their respective classes. “ You just bu i ld on each other,” said Fogle. “When you close your door and you go in your classroom and you teach on your own, you make your job 1,000 times harder because you get your best ideas from other people.” Fogle a nd Ta rleton have found co-planning provides a healthy and friendly competition for them both. “The friendly competition is so good because we don’t do it because we’re really competitive — like mean about it,” said Tarleton. “We do it because we don’t want one kid getting a benefit that everyone would be able to benefit from.” “And just by doing it together, we’re bouncing ideas off each
other,” finished Fogle. “A nd it ’s rea l ly work i ng smarter, not harder,” added Tarleton. “Because really the first person gets the kinks out and the second person just rolls with it.” Fogle and Tarleton use this system to create an environment in which each student can succeed and thrive. “We expect ever y k id to achieve their potential,” said Fogle. “For us to really do what we’re doing, we have to set up a room that allows every kid to move at their pace and be as challenged as much as they can.” “We don’t have unreasonable expectations,” said Tarleton. “But we expect the most from our kids, and they just soar.” Fogle and Tarleton make the kid’s activities quick and different, but supportive of the same topic — math, phonics, language arts, etc. They also make their students an active part of their learning. “They (our students) get to pick things that are important to them,” said Fogle. “The kids
are getting to work at their [individual] level.” Fogle and Tarleton also seek and encourage the parents of their students to communicate and be involved in their child’s learning. Both teachers contacted all parents within the first two days to report something good about their child. “The first two days of school we call every family and we have something awesome to say about their kid because that draws them in to say, ‘Hey, she’s gonna work with us. She’s not only going to call for bad stuff,’” said Tarleton. “We do love our families,” added Fogle. “We value our families.” “Your parent is your best ally,” added Tarleton. “If they’re on your side, and you have a great relationship, then that kid could move mountains.” The two teachers have had 100 percent participation in parent-teacher conferences. In the spring, the teachers will hold a special conference in which students will lead parents in the meeting, highlight-
ing what they’ve learned and improvements they’ve made throughout the year.
PhotoS By Celia Shortt
ABOVE: Mrs. Fogle works with Brayden Smith during class. LEFT: Kendra Lopez-Perez, Caden Oglesby help each other learn letters and sounds. BELOW: Matthew Davis, left, and Bradley Vanderwater help each other read.
T h e p a re n t s a l s o e nj oy and appreciate the way both Fogle and Tarleton run their classrooms. Symony Griffiths has worked with Fogle often, as her three youngest children have been in her class. Her youngest found difficulty adjusting to kindergarten, experiencing behavioral
teachers, page 3
Healthy Family Meals ...in a hurry!
The Turner-Nolen-Fanning home at 122 Greenville St. will be featured on the Tour of Homes.
Piedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary hosts 26th Candlelight Tour of Homes Piedmont Newnan Hospital Auxiliary will host its 26th Candlelight Tour of Homes Dec. 6 from 4-9 p.m., highlighting five homes in the historic GreenvilleLaGrange district in Newnan. Among the homes featured will be the Turner-Nolen-Fanning home at 122 Greenville Street. One of the first homes to be built by a female architect, this 1906 home is an example of an early Craftsman design. Dr. William Turner owned one of the first automobiles in Newnan, and the high step-in, drive-through portico on the front exterior gave him easy access: the height of the step matched his horseless carriages’ running board. His family owned this unique home until 1952, when it was sold to Col. Neil Nolan and his wife, Spennie. They created a beautiful garden behind their home and built a tennis court. The present owners, John and Nina Fanning, have enjoyed the home for the past 18 years. They enjoy entertaining in their historical but comfortable home, and their hospitality extends out back to an arbor-covered patio, a fishpond with a waterfall, and a pool and pool house. The tan brick, two-story home features the technique of half-timbering in both the exterior and interior. Elements of this design are seen throughout
the house, including the built-in window seat by the living room fireplace, the bay areas and fireplaces in the dining room and den, the dark, heavy-ceiling beams, the built-in dining room cabinet, and more than a thousand leaded glass window panes. Among original items in the home are a hanging chandelier and shades in the living room. In the kitchen, a set of cabinets from the original butler’s pantry is still in use. A dome-shaped leaded glass light over the main sink and a brick wall in the kitchen all provide authenticity to this unique kitchen, with its extra tall counters and island. The home, decorated in a Southwestern style, displays an abundance of Native American art and textiles. Welcoming visitors to this home is a 7-foot tall wooden Indian called “Chief.” A special feature in the den is a Southwestern landscape mural on the walls, frieze, and ceiling which blends stunningly with the creative simplicity of the unique early 20th century design.
LaGrange St. • Bryant-Christiansen home at 108 LaGrange Street. Proceeds from the event will be directed toward a $150,000 pledge for the establishment of a Healing Garden at Piedmont Newnan Hospital on Poplar Road. This unique garden and water feature will be located to the right of the hospital’s front entrance with views from the chapel. It will serve as a refuge of beauty, peace, and serenity for the community, patients, and staff, said auxiliary members. Tickets for the annual event went on sale Nov. 8 and may be purchased at the Piedmont New na n Fitness Center in downtown Newnan, the Coweta County Visitors Center at the historic courthouse in downtown Newnan, Branch and Vine at Ashley Park, The Poplar Shop at Piedmont Newnan Hospital and Collectors’ Corner on Highway 34 East, Sharpsburg. Tickets and information, including sponsorship opportunities, are also available from Auxiliary members or by callOther homes featured on ing the Auxiliary Off ice at 700-400-2380. the Dec. 6 tour will be: Tickets purchased in advance • Reese-Umberger-Wright are $15. On the evening of the home at 85 Greenville Street. event, tickets may be purchased • North-Rosenzweig-McCoat any of the homes on tour for ndichie home at 141 Greenville Street. • Cook-Healy home at 84 tours, page 3
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es the Healthy recip ve! family will lo ➤
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Beef Tacos
Fun favorites with a ‘trim’ twist Making the decision to eat better doesn’t mean you have to stock your fridge exclusively with carrot sticks and lettuce leaves. T here a re plenty of healthy and delicious meal options that will have your taste buds cheering. Fill up your fridge How many times have you raided the fridge, only to eat the first thing you could find? Arrange your fridge so everything at eye level is packed with nutritional benefits. The top shelf is prime space for fresh fruits, berries, vegetable sticks, string cheese and hard boiled eggs. Keeping lean proteins on hand is another way to take proactive steps towards creating healthy meals. Lean proteins, like the protein found in soy, can help families feel fuller longer and can also help lower the chances of childhood obesity.
Pick the perfect protein During dinnertime, entrées featuring beef, pork or chicken are often the star of the plate. However, m eat proteins can supply your recipes with unwanted saturated fats and cholesterol. I n stead of a sk i ng you r family to forego their favorite meat dishes, try swap ping out meat proteins with meat alternatives, using soy protein. Soy is a high-quality vegetable protein that is easy to incorporate into your family’s diet. It can support muscle strength and is an especially good choice for managing healthy weight for the entire family. Meat alternatives provide the taste, texture and nutrition that meat lovers want, without all of the saturated fats and cholesterol. Look for great flavor matches like ground pork, Italian sausage, ground chicken, crab and
ground beef. Quick, easy and delicious have to be a part of every family’s meal on busy weekdays. Breakfast Burritos are sure to be a family favorite. Simply fill tortillas with Italian sausage, eggs, cheese, salsa and fresh herbs for a hot, tasty start to your morning. Another sure crowd pleaser is Beef Tacos. Just swap out traditional ground beef for g rou nd beef a lter n ative and spoon your favorite taco ingredients into soft or hard shells. Homemade Beef Sloppy Joes are equally as easy to make. This recipe is a tasty way to get your whole family fed and out the door in time for evening activities. Once you’ve picked the perfect recipes and filled your fridge with lean proteins, like soy protein, eating well will become a healthy habit the whole family will love.