Wilmington Parent January 2018

JANUARY 2018 • FREE

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Our 20th Year of Serving New Hanover, Brunswick & Pender County Families!

EDUC ATION GUIDE SCHOOL LISTINGS I WORLDSCHOOLING I HOMEWORK HELP I SCIENCE FAIRS BUSINESS SHOWCASE: MY MICKEY VACATION TRAVEL

Specializing in dentistry for infants, children, adolescents and children with special needs.

8115 Market Street Suite 204 Wilmington, NC 910.686.1869 306 Dolphin Drive Suite 2 Jacksonville, NC 910.333.0343

growinggrins.com

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 1

IN THIS ISSUE

Have a cute photo you’d like to share?

Publisher/Editor in Chief Keith Jaworski 910-518-0011

E-Mail: seasidemedia1@gmail.com

Features Editor Danielle Villegas

E-Mail: danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com

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Submit your photo for consideration seasidemedia1@gmail.com February Theme - Be My Valentine Deadline for Submissions 01/12.

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Fax: 910-939-1439

To Advertise Contact:

January 2018

Andrea Knight 910-632-0283

E-mail: andreailmparent@gmail.com

SPECIAL SECTION: EDUCATION GUIDE

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WORLDSCHOOLING

Nancy Lievre 910-240-3461

E-mail: nancywilmparent@gmail.com

SCHOOL LISTINGS

Public Service Announcements/Calendar Please submit items/photos before the 2nd Friday of the prior month

SCIENCE FAIR BENEFITS

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HOMEWORK HELP BUSINESS SHOWCASE: MY MICKEY VACATION TRAVEL

Opinions/Suggestions/Feedback We value our readers opinions — help us to serve you better!

Our mailing address is: Wilmington Parent

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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CHILDCARE LISTING GUIDE

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HAVE YOU HEARD

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FAMILY TRAVEL

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PRODUCT REVIEW

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YOUR HEALTH

Wilmington Parent is published 12 times a year. Distribution of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of information, products or services.

The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publication's standards. All contents of Wilmington Parent are protected under copyright. Reproduction of any content requires permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

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GROWING UP ONLINE

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FIT FAMILY

Wilmington Parent • PO Box 1336, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480

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CALENDAR

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SCHOOL NOTES

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PEANUT GALLERY

COVER CREDITS Location: Cape Fear Museum Park 2 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

© Wilmington Parent 2018 Seaside Media, LLC Complimentary copies of Wilmington Parent are available to the public at various locations in the greater Wilmington area. One copy per family is permitted. Additional copies require the written permission of the Publisher.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

N

ew year, new goals, and a fresh start. That is always my plan on January 1st. I will try again this year, and hopefully not be disappointed by my progress when March rolls around.

If you have always struggled with the pressure to make big changes every new year, don’t let yourself stress. You officially have permission to make the smallest change you want to make, and be giddy with pride over your success! No matter if you only change the time you go to bed every night - be proud!

If you are planning to make any big decisions about school choice this coming year, our Education Guide has an extensive list of schools that are taking applications.

Everything you want to know about deadlines, open houses, and what is offered is packed into this month’s special section.

If you still need guidance, we will have our annual Education Fair in February where you can bring the kids and get a chance to meet representatives from schools all over the region.

Thanks for voting us Family Favorite Pediatric Dentist again this year!

2606 Iron Gate Dr. Suite 200,Wilmington, NC

791-7380 • WWW.CATCHASMILE.NET

FORTUNATELY, A LIFE CAN ALSO BE TURNED RIGHT-SIDE UP.

I hope everyone stays warm, if that’s what you want, if not and you are looking for some cold weather fun, check out the ideas in our Family Travel section. Our state is unique in that it offers summer beach fun as well as wintery mountain sledding to satisfy every type of adventurous spirit.

Go ahead and try something new this year!

Happy New Year!

Danielle

SEE HOW YOUR DONATIONS OF GOODS HELP AT SALVATIONARMYCAROLINAS/WILMINGTON.ORG

FIGHT FOR GOOD

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 3

HAVE YOU HEARD….?

604 Junction Creek Dr. Wilmington, NC 28412 910-793-2520

www.browningorthodontics.com

Starting the new year with a fresh look at school can help the whole family get motivated for the last half of the year. The Hill School of Wilmington is offering a series of workshops for parents and the next one is coming up the first week in February. Surviving Homework with Your Child will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018. This workshop is designed for parents that have a child with a language-based learning disability. In this session, parents will be exposed to a multisensory approach to supporting a student’s efforts to complete homework assignments. A wide range of study tips, technology tools, time management aids, and advocating skills will be presented. Please visit www.

HillSchoolofWilmington.org to register.

This past month, Elizabeth Brown, the Administrator at Childcare Network 158, had some special visitors at her school. Leonard Gbloh, director of Pre and Primary Education in Sierra Leone and Joseph Parmai, director of Secondary Education in Sierra Leone were in Wilmington to attend the Sierra Leone Partners Conference which was hosted by the local non profit group Mission of Hope. Mission of Hope is one of the groups working to help improve health and education in Sierra Leone. Preschool education is not widely available in Sierra Leone, but Gbloh and Parmai were anxious to take back many ideas and practices they saw first hand at Childcare Network.

newborn • maternity • senior • children and family portraits (910) 444 8859 www.justinajohnsonphotography.com

It’s that Holiday season again!

Come visit us at Cold Culture and give all of our non-fat Holiday flavors a try!

Check us out on Facebook

250 Racine Drive Suite # 12 910-523-5278

4 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Do you have a child that needs a little encouragement with their reading, or would just like some company while they try out their new skills? Canines for Literacy offers independently-reading children, ages five and older, opportunities to practice reading and improve reading skills in a comfortable and fun environment with a trained reading therapy dog and their human companion. Appointments are offered at every New Hanover County Public Library branch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3-4:15 pm, and are scheduled in 15-minute increments. Pre-registration is required online at the “Read to a Dog Calendar” link at www.nhclibrary.org.

If you, or someone you know, would like to help out beginning readers, there are opportunities available for volunteering at Rachel Freeman School of Engineering. Cape Fear Volunteer Center is looking for First Friday Readers. First Friday is designed to provide one to one reading with Freeman students at the beginning of each month.

Anyone with a couple extra hours available is welcome to fill out the online registration form at www.capefearvolunteercenter.org.

Have a tip, lead, or just an interesting bit of news to share? I want to hear all about it!

Send me an email to danielle.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com.

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PRODUCT REVIEW

BusyKid January is a good time to start teaching kids essential financial skills in 2018. This app gives kids a way to learn about cash flow, instead of just handing over cash whenever your kids want a new toy or to go see a movie with a friend, you can help kids learn about earning money and budgeting. BusyKid can be used on computers, smartphones and tablets to easily assign household tasks to kids that they can complete throughout the week to earn a digital paycheck on Fridays. Kids check off jobs when they are done and parents get a text asking them if they want to transfer money from their account to their kids on payday. Kids can load the money they earn to the BusyKid Spend Card and use it in stores like a debit card. There are also options to save, invest or donate money.

Volt

I am one of those people who can never seem to stay warm in the winter. These gloves are amazing and keep your hands warm. Volt Resistance’s Heated Fleece Gloves have state-of-the-art heat technology and are perfect for outdoor activities, and those cold mornings when you didn’t realize you would be scraping off your car windows.

They are powered by a rechargeable battery, and the charge lasts about 2 hours if you have them turned up all the way on high. On the low setting the charge will last up to 8 hours.

SnapBaskets

Replace plastic grocery bags with this easy to store, one-stop solution for carrying just about anything. These bags are collapsible, which makes them easy to store in my car, and durable enough to be used to carry heavy drinks and beach supplies.

There are different types to choose from: 30 Liter Tote, LaundryCaddy, TrunkCaddy,Cooler, Thermo, or EcoBasket. The 30 liter tote holds up to 30 pounds and folds down flat to less than 1.5” and stores neatly with the builtin WrapStrap. Visit www.clevermade. com to shop the different products.v

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 5

GROWING UP ONLINE

MAKING YOUTUBEKIDS SAFER FOR KIDS

By Carolyn Jabs

K

ids love videos—the sillier the better. And it’s a rare parent who hasn’t used them to secure a little quiet time. Today YouTube is, by far, the largest source of videos of all kinds. When they created an app for children in 2015, many parents assumed the content would be carefully curated and reliably child-friendly.

Much of it is. YouTubeKids lets even young children happily swipe through a vast collection of content, much of it featuring familiar characters like Winnie the Pooh, Peppah Pig and PAW Patrol. Education clips are also plentiful, many from reputable sources like Khan’s Academy and PBS Kids. Mixed into this stew are videos created by users which vary enormously in content and quality. A small percentage include bizarre and even traumatizing images, sometimes of those same beloved characters doing lewd and violent things.

How does this happen? Google uses artificial intelligence to decide whether a video is suitable for children. Although AI has come a long way, it doesn’t always spot problems that would be glaringly obvious to people. It may, for example, miss the nuance that distinguishes adult satire from the innocent content it’s meant to mock. And it’s often oblivious to trolls and clickbait—content created simply to lure clicks that generate revenue.

In its defense, Google warns that children may encounter inappropriate content and asks that parents flag such material so other kids won’t see it. Of course, that’s a significant change. In the past, parents could assume children’s media was created with the well-being of kids in mind. On YouTubeKids, at least some of the videos are created to satisfy algorithms, stringing together content associated with key words in ways that are at best nonsensical and at worst disturbing. Google keeps changing its policies in an effort to stay ahead of so-called bad actors, but often it seems the robots and their handlers are playing catch-up.

Even when content is properly curated, parents need to be aware that children see a lot of commercial messages on YouTubeKids. The Red subscription may be free of paid advertising, but children still have access to entire channels created by companies like Hasbro or McDonalds. They’re also likely to encounter unboxing videos, short segments in which someone breathlessly unwraps a toy or a sweet, a process that seems designed to incite cravings in kids.

Unfortunately, the parental controls for YouTubeKids are very limited.

Parents can’t set their own filters for content or create playlists of acceptable videos such as those reviewed by Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org/youtube-reviews). Most kids will still explore by swiping, so it’s good to know about these options:

Change the password. Find the Grown-ups only section in the YouTubeKids app, and unlock it by using the random four digit passcode. The numbers are spelled out so pre-readers can’t use the code. For any child at the edge of literacy, find the “Set my own Passcode” button and do it.

6 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Disable search. Searching for videos increases the likelihood that children will see something unsuitable. Google allows parents to set up a profile for each child, so search can be enabled or disabled depending on the child’s age and self control. Off should be the default. Tap the lock icon in the lower-right, enter the password, choose settings, create or find your child’s profile, and toggle off search.

Review history. Because YouTubeKids doesn’t have filters, parents can’t necessarily keep kids from seeing something they don’t want them to see. The app does make it easy to review history which at least allows a conversation, after the fact, about why a video is objectionable.

Block videos you don’t want your child to see. If you see something unsuitable for your child, block the video or the entire channel. Just tap the triple-dot button for the video and then tap block.

Report videos no child should see. Reporting gets the attention of human screeners who are actually counting on conscientious parents to let them know about unsuitable content that slipped by the robots. Think of this as a public service. If you see something, say something by tapping the triple-dot button and then Report.

Set limits. To its credit, YouTubeKids does include a timer. Once it’s set, a colored progress bar lets your child see how much time is left in a session. When the clock runs out, a “Time’s Up” animation appears and the app locks until a parent enters the access code.

Consider other options. Last but not least, consider other options.

YouTubeKids may have the largest collection of videos but, when it comes to kids, quality is preferable to quantity. Companies like Disney, Nick Jr, and PBS Kids have brands to protect so they are likely to be more careful about what appears in their apps. For other possibilities, consult the list of video alternatives compiled by Common Sense Media (www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/streaming-video-apps) Regardless of where your child watches videos, talk often about what your child is seeing and ask questions that develop critical thinking skills.

Why does your child like certain characters? Are they behaving in a way that would be OK if a real person did it? Why is something funny? Did your child learn anything from the video? Is someone trying to get them to buy or do something? Having these conversations helps children become more discerning about what they watch, a skill that will be only become more valuable as they get older. v Carolyn Jabs, M.A., has been writing about families and technology for over twenty years. She is also the author of Cooperative Wisdom: Bringing People Together When Things Fall Apart, a book that describes a highly effective way to address conflict in families, schools and communities. Available at Amazon and cooperativewisdom.org.

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 7

• PLAN YOUR MONTH WITH US

CALENDAR

JANUARY | 2018 ALL MONTH LONG! History Walking Tours of Old Wilmington Daily (Year Round). Cotton Exchange, Downtown. This leisurely tour takes us back in time as we talk about: Three of the most historic homes in Wilmington. History of Wilmington’s downtown and how it developed. Cape Fear River and its importance to the area. Wilmington during the Civil War, what life was like. Victorian customs, Folklore and Much More. Under age 12 admitted free with 2 paying adults. Call for tour times. $12/Adults. $8/Students & Seniors. Visit www.TourOldWilmington.blogspot.com or call 409-4300 for information.

1 MONDAY - NEW YEAR’S DAY Cape Fear Festival of Trees 9am-5pm. NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Final Day! The Lower Cape Fear Hospice hosts this beloved tradition amidst the inspiring backdrop of the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Thanks to the generosity of the presenting sponsor First Citizens Bank, visitors delight in dozens of dazzling, decorated trees in a unique aquatic setting. All visitors who purchase a general admission ticket to the Aquarium will also experience this festive event!

3rd Annual Wrightsville Beach Plunge 10:30am. Wrightsville Beach. The 3rd Annual Wrightsville Plunge benefits Communities In Schools of Cape Fear, which works to help keep kids in school, and on the path to graduation. What a great way to support our region’s youth, and have a blast at the same time! Festivities begin on the beach at 10:30 behind The Oceanic, between public access #’s 36 & 37. The Plunge will take place at Noon, with an After Party immediately following at South End Surf Shop featuring live music by Signal Fire! Individual registrations cost $25 per adult; $10 per child, and are available at www. ciscapefear.org/wrightsville-plunge.

2 TUESDAY Storytime at the Library 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Tuesdays. Main Library. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes.

Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 798-6303 for details.

Music and Movement Storytime 10:30am, Tuesdays. Pleasure Island Library. Join other children, parents, and caregivers 5 years and younger for

8 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

a music and movement storytime! We’ll read a few books, sing, dance and have other active fun! We’ll exercise and develop gross motor skills using a variety of movement and stretching disciplines including dance and yoga. No registration required.

Kid’s Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm Tuesdays. Children’s Museum. Learn new skills and explore fun seasonal recipes. Then savor the flavor of your hard work. Kids Cooking Club is sponsored by Harris Teeter. Visit www.playwilmington.org for weekly themes and call 254-3534 to pre-register.

3 WEDNESDAY Storytime and Music & Movement 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Wednesdays. Myrtle Grove & Northeast Libraries. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 7986303 for details.

S.T.E.M. Explorations 10am & 3:30pm, Wednesdays. Children’s Museum. STEM programs explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics by applying them in fun, hands-on activities.

Children will learn about the scientific process while measuring and recording in mathematical terms, developing critical thinking skills in the process. Please pre-register.

Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information.

4 THURSDAY Storytime at the Library 9:30am; 10am; 10:30, Thursdays. Myrtle Grove & Northeast Libraries. Babies up to 18 months at 9:30 are invited to bring an adult lap and enjoy up to 20 minutes of books, songs, fingerplays & rhymes. Toddlers 18 months to 3 years old are invited at 10am to 20 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in Story Place. Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are invited at 10:30am to 20-30 minutes of books, music, and pre-literacy activities in our storytime room! Call 7986303 for details.

Messy Hands Toddler Art 10am. Main Library. It’s the Process, Not the Product. Toddlers and their adults will be introduced to a variety of hands-on art experiences. The focus of this program will be on child driven art exploration. Come join us for a half hour of messy fun & make sure to wear play clothes. This

program is designed for children between the ages of 2-4.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org.

StoryCOOKS 10am, Thursdays. Children’s Museum. A cooking club for preschoolers where we read a story and make a dish inspired by the book. Visit www.playwilmington.org for more information and weekly themes.

Nature Navigators 3:30pm, Thursdays. Children’s Museum. Join us in exploring the beauty of the world around us! Nature Navigators will help foster a love of nature in children of all ages. From animal tracks to scavenger hunts, come explore some North Carolinian nature with us! Ideal for ages 5 - 9. Visit www. playwilmington.org for more information.

5 FRIDAY Toddler Time 10am, Fridays. Children’s Museum. No registration necessary.

Projects and activities for our youngest visitors (ages 4 and under) and their special grownups to work on together. Call 2543534 or visit www.playwilmington.org for more information.

Little Explorers 10am, Fridays. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the world around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required. Little Explorers is sponsored by the PNC Foundation. Visit www. capefearmuseum.com for more information.

Adventures in the Arts 3:30pm, Fridays. Children’s Museum. Please pre-register.

Bring your child to express their creativity through various forms of art including--but not limited to--painting, sculpture, music, theater, dance, drawing, and printing. Visit www.playwilmington.org for details.

6 SATURDAY Little Explorers 10am, Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the world around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required.

Little Explorers is sponsored by the PNC Foundation. Visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information.

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What Do You Do With a Chance - Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. The final book in the award-winning What Do You Do With …? picture book series by bestselling author Kobi Yamada and illustrator Mae Besom, What Do You Do With a Chance? inspires kids of all ages to find the courage to go for the opportunities that come their way.

Museum Explorers 2pm, Saturdays. Cape Fear Museum. Ignite your curiosity!

Discover history, science and cultures of the Lower Cape Fear through interactive science investigations, hands-on exploration and unique artifacts. Our activities are designed to stimulate curiosity and encourage families to have fun together.

Themes vary. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Approximately 45 minutes each time slot. Adult participation is required.

Super Saturday Fun Time 3pm Saturdays. TheatreNow. Join DOCK, the dog, and his twolegged friends as they uncover mysteries and discover artifacts (courtesy of Cape Fear Museum). Different adventure each week. Families welcome. $8/person. Visit www.theatrewilmington.com for tickets.

7 SUNDAY Family Fun Day 9am - 5pm. Airlie Gardens. Visit the parks and Arboretum for a full day of family fun. Contact 798-7700 or visit www.airliegardens.org for more information.

Residents Free Day - Cape Fear Museum 1 – 5pm. Cape Fear Museum. NHC residents are admitted free to the Museum the first Sunday of every month. Call 798-4350 or visit www.capefearmuseum.com for information.

8 MONDAY Storytime at Pleasure Island 10:30am, Mondays. Pleasure Island branch Library. Join our fun and educational storytime for all preschool ages (babies to 5 years of age)! We’ll enjoy books, music, manipulatives, and other pre-literacy activities. No registration or fees required.

Board at the Library 3:30pm. Northeast Library. New monthly gaming night. We’ll have a variety of board games available for you to try out, with different titles featured monthly. No registration is required and all are welcome.

9 TUESDAY Financial Aid Workshop with CFNC 6pm. Main Library. This free workshop is for college-bound high school students and their parents. April Query of College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) will explain how to apply for financial aid, starting with the FAFSA application for federal college aid programs. The workshop is free and you don’t need to register to attend.

10 WEDNESDAY Art Cart @ PI 3:30pm. Pleasure Island Library. Let your creativity flow in our creation station. We’ll have a cart set out in the children’s area full of materials for you to engage in a self-paced craft or activity. Kids ages 5-12. No registration required.

11 THURSDAY Preschool Math and Science Program 10am. Cape Fear Museum. Play, learn, and explore with your child. Math and science concepts will be introduced through interactive story times, hands on science experiments and exploration stations. This program is designed for children between the ages of 3-6. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org.

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Preschool Math and Science Program 3:30pm. Myrtle Grove Library. Play, learn, and explore with your child. Math and science concepts will be introduced through interactive story times, hands on science experiments and exploration stations. This program is designed for children between the ages of 3-6. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org.

Teen Tabletop Gaming 4pm. Northeast Library. Board games have gone far beyond Monopoly and rainy-day Scrabble. Come in to learn new games that will test your wits, your bluffing ability, and your friendships.

12 FRIDAY Little Explorers 10am, Fridays. Cape Fear Museum. Explore the world around us with hands-on activities, experiments and fun in Museum Park! Enjoy interactive story time, exploration stations and play related to a weekly theme. In event of inclement weather, program moved inside. Perfect for children ages 3 to 6 and their adult helpers. Adult participation is required. Little Explorers is sponsored by the PNC Foundation. Visit www.capefearmuseum.com for more information.

13 SATURDAY 153rd Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher 10am-4pm. Fort Fisher. Fort Fisher State Historic Site and Battlefield in Kure Beach and the Friends of Fort Fisher host the 153rd Anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Fort Fisher. This one-day living history event features Civil War reenactors; infantry units discussing camp life and garrison duty; and firing demonstrations. Program subject to change.

Striperfest Education Day 11am. Coastline Convention Center. Featuring a chance for kids to enjoy art projects, fisheries biology, face painting, casting lessons, boat trips, and more. The event begins with a Tag & Release Fishing Tournament.

Paddington - Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. Over 50 years ago, a small bear set out on the adventure of a lifetime. Since then, Paddington has charmed readers around the world with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. Join us for Storytime featuring this beloved classic, in theaters now.

ENROLL NOW IN OUR WINTER/SPRING CLASSES! CALL TODAY! The Little Gym of Wilmington

132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 Wilmington, NC 28403

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PHILLIPS ORTHODONTICS

14 SUNDAY Discovery Lab 2:30pm. Cape Fear Museum. Investigate, experiment, and explore! In the Discovery Lab, the whole family can drop-in for fun, quick experiments and hands-on investigations. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Adult participation is required.

15 MONDAY MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Railroad Storytime 10:30am. Wilmington Railroad Museum. Hear stories and enjoy creative activities in the Children’s Hall. $5/Family. Free/ Members. Call 763-2634 for more information.

16 TUESDAY Teen Cosplay Workshop and Anime Club 5:30pm. Northeast Library. Ever wonder how some cosplayers create such lifelike weapons and accessories? Learn how to make professional cosplay weapons with cardboard, tape and paint! Basic materials provided. Teens welcome to bring costume-specific items as needed. Registration required, as space and materials are limited, but the event is free! Need more than an hour to work on your stuff? No problem! Teen Anime and Manga Club is in the same room from 6:30 - 7:30. Enjoy working on your projects while watching streaming shows with fellow cosplay and Anime enthusiasts.

Dr. Warren Phillips Board Certified Orthodontist

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 9

17 WEDNESDAY

EVERYTHING MUST GO

PAINT-N-PLAY CERAMICS

Art Cart @ PI 3:30pm. Pleasure Island Library. Let your creativity flow in our creation station. We’ll have a cart set out in the children’s area full of materials for you to engage in a self-paced craft or activity. Kids ages 5-12. No registration required.

910-452-7177 CALL FOR STUDIO HOURS • CLOSED MONDAYS

Music Discovery - NC Symphony Demonstration 4pm. Main Library. Join North Carolina Symphony musician Rachel Niketopoulos in a reading of a children’s book, followed by an interactive demonstration of the instruments of the orchestra! Learn how brass instruments make their sounds and hear examples of classical and popular music composed for single instruments and the full orchestra. After the demonstration, everyone in the audience will have the opportunity to try their favorite instrument in the instrument zoo! This Music Discovery program is sponsored by PNC’s Grow Up Great initiative, promoting literacy and arts education for preschoolers and their families. No registration is required for this free event.

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18 THURSDAY Messy Hands Toddler Art 10am. Main Library. It’s the Process, Not the Product. Toddlers and their adults will be introduced to a variety of hands-on art experiences. The focus of this program will be on child driven art exploration. Come join us for a half hour of messy fun & make sure to wear play clothes. This program is designed for children between the ages of 2-4. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required at www.nhclibrary.org.

19 FRIDAY A Year With Frog and Toad 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. The Youth Theatre division of Thalian Association presents A Year with Frog and Toad at the Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage in downtown Wilmington, NC. Featuring a sing-along score by Robert and Willie Reale, this whimsical show follows two great friends – the cheerful, popular Frog and the rather grumpy Toad – through four action packed seasons.

20 SATURDAY A Year With Frog and Toad 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. See 01/19.

21 SUNDAY You! - Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. A life full of adventure first requires

Drop-In Child Care & After School Center

6

Drop In Care, After School Center with free van service and homework help, Drop-In Summer Camps, affordable rates, friendly & attentive staff.

Children ages 12 months and up.

Open at 7:45 M-F.

7946 Market Street #200 Wilmington, NC 28411

910-319-7879 www.PNPlayhouse.com

10 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

big dreams, and big dreams need big encouragement. From world-renowned author and artist Sandra Magsamen comes the new book You!, offering inspiration and hope to readers of all ages. Activities to follow.

Discovery Lab 2:30pm. Cape Fear Museum. Investigate, experiment, and explore! In the Discovery Lab, the whole family can drop-in for fun, quick experiments and hands-on investigations. Ideal for ages 5 and up. Adult participation is required.

A Year With Frog and Toad 3pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. See 01/19.

22 MONDAY Storytime at Pleasure Island 10:30am, Mondays. Pleasure Island branch Library. Join our fun and educational storytime for all preschool ages (babies to 5 years of age)! We’ll enjoy books, music, manipulatives, and other pre-literacy activities. No registration or fees required.

23 TUESDAY Fiction to Fashion - Intro Session 6-7pm. Northeast Library. Calling all creative teens (ages 13– 18) for our 4th Project Runway-style fashion design challenge.

Using unconventional materials like discarded library books, cassette tapes and CDs, we challenge you to make a stunning outfit to send down the runway at Expo 216. You could win “Crowd Favorite,” “Most Avant-Garde,” “Best Runway Swagger” or “Most Ready to Wear” and take home prizes. Sign up throughout the month of January, intro session is the time to check-in, ask questions, and pick up materials.

24 WEDNESDAY Art Cart @ PI 3:30pm. Pleasure Island Library. Let your creativity flow in our creation station. We’ll have a cart set out in the children’s area full of materials for you to engage in a self-paced craft or activity. Kids ages 5-12. No registration required.

CHILDCARE LISTING GUIDE CHILDCARE – PRESCHOOLS Childcare Network 8 convenient locations in Wilmington, Southport and Leland 866-521-KIDS • www.childcarenetwork.com Ages 6-weeks to 12-years The Children’s Schoolhouse Montessori 612 South College Rd. Wilmington, NC 28403 910-799-1531 • www.childrensschoolhouse.org Since 1985. Preschool and North Carolina State Recognized Kindergarten Program. Spanish, Gardening for little hands. Now enrolling students ages 3-5, for 2, 3, or 5 day programs.

Jenkins Preschool Academy 7888 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28411 910-367-7210 • www.jpawilmington.com Half day programs 9am-12pm, 2 or 3 day classes for 2-3 yr. olds, 5-day programs for 4 y.o. And PreK Kiddie Academy of Wilmington 7633 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 www.kiddieacademy.com/wilmington 910-742-4344 We provide educational daycare in the Ogden/Porter’s Neck area for students six weeks old to age 12. We are open from 6:30am-6pm and provide meals prepared by our on-site chef.

25 THURSDAY Runaways - High School Graphic Novel Club 6-7pm. Bespoke Coffee. Our Graphic Novel club has been so incredibly successful that we want to broaden the attendance just a bit, so we’re making one for teenagers! This should be a lot of fun, and we’re hoping the discussion will be a great outlet for kids to have fun reading new things and meeting other

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Gym & Learn Preschool Program Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Ages 3-5, boys & girls, 9am-1pm.

A good mix of structure, instruction, and free play including developmentally appropriate academics, gymnastics class, arts & crafts, & socialization.

Ongoing registration~choose 2-5 days per week!

Learning Center 2320 Scientific Park Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 910-254-7384 • denise.ward@aaipharma.com Ages 6 weeks-12 years. 5 star program with degreed teachers,low staff /child ratios, and a Project Approach based curriculum. Full day, After School and morning programs available.

Pax Natura Academy 4202 Wilshire Blvd. Wilmington, NC 910-791-2080 • www.childcarenetwork.net/159 Early Foundations Infant & Toddler Programs.

Preschool for 2 & 3 yo. Kindergarten Prep for 4 & 5 yo. After School Program.

Rainbow Garden Preschool Contact Lindsay Thacker 1497 Country Club Rd Hampstead, NC 28443 lindsayt@capefearchild.org www.capefearchild.org • 910-515-1100 3-5 day preschool inspired by Montessori and Waldorf philosophies for ages 2-6

DROP IN CHILDCARE Porter’s Neck Play House 7946 Market Street #200 Wilmington, NC 28411 910-319-7879 • www.PNPlayhouse.com The Play House is a drop in play center that cares for children 12 months and older. Daily play involves art, games, pretend play, dancing, relay races, puzzles and story time. No matter what time of day you stop in your child will have a great time! Promise. After school care available with transportation. Low hourly rates and affordable monthly packages available. Open at 7:45 M-F

PARENTS NIGHT OUT Carolina Gymnastics Academy 3529 Carolina Beach Road Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com Friday & Saturday nights, 6-10pm, ages 3-10.

Drop your children off for supervised free play in our 15,000 sq. foot gymnastics facility. Run, jump, & flip with your friends all night long!

Parents can relax at home, or get things done in time for the holidays!

The Little Gym of Wilmington 132 Racine Drive, Unit 1 910-799-3771/3770 tlgwilmingtonnc@thelittlegym.com www.tlgwilmingtonnc.com When school’s out or you are looking for a safe, fun and nurturing environment for your child in Wilmington, we’ve got your back! The Little Gym offers classes as well as weekend Parents’ Survival Nights.

We combine physical activity, gymnastics, games, and arts & crafts. Call us for fun!

Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 11

WE SERVE

bREaKfASt ALL DAY

cool people. What better book to kick it off than Runaways!

Bespoke Coffee has been kind enough to host us for the inaugural event, and we’re looking forward to meeting and hanging out with you guys! This event is for High Schoolers only.

28 SUNDAY

26 FRIDAY

29 MONDAY

4th Friday Gallery Night 6pm. Downtown Wilmington. The Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County presents 4th Friday Gallery Night, a free monthly self-guided tour of galleries, studios and art spaces featuring exhibitions of various artistic genres including oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, photography, glass, metals, wood, ceramics, mixed media and more. 4th Fridays also include opening receptions, artist discussions, demonstrations, live music, wine, food and other traditional and nontraditional art-related activities.

Storytime at Pleasure Island 10:30am, Mondays. Pleasure Island branch Library. Join our fun and educational storytime for all preschool ages (babies to 5 years of age)! We’ll enjoy books, music, manipulatives, and other pre-literacy activities. No registration or fees required.

A Year With Frog and Toad 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. See 01/19.

27 SATURDAY Fancy Nancy: Oodles of Kittens - Storytime 11am. Barnes & Noble. Fancy Nancy returns in a story about felines, canines, and making new four-legged friends! Nancy’s new kitten meets her posh pup, Frenchy. Will her two pets ever get along? Will Nancy be able to love them both the same? Find out at Storytime, with activities to follow.

A Year With Frog and Toad 7:30pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. See 01/19.

A Year With Frog and Toad 3pm. Hannah Block 2nd Street Stage. See 01/19.

30 TUESDAY Kid’s Cooking Club 3:30 - 4:30pm Tuesdays. Children’s Museum. Learn new skills and explore fun seasonal recipes. Then savor the flavor of your hard work. Kids Cooking Club is sponsored by Harris Teeter.

Visit www.playwilmington.org for weekly themes and call 254-3534 to pre-register.

31 WEDNESDAY Paper Football Bowl 3:30-5pm. Pleasure Island Library. Are you ready for some (paper) football?! Little hands can practice fine motor skills while coloring and flicking pre-made footballs. Older kids can practice folding, designing, and launching their own. Ages 6-12 welcome. No registration is required for this free program!

TO SUBMIT EVENTS TO THE CALENDAR, PLEASE EMAIL calendar.wilmingtonparent@gmail.com.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE FEBRUARY ISSUE IS JANUARY 9, 2018.

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2320 Scientific Park Dr. Wilmington, NC 28405

CALL For A Tour 910.254.7384 or 910.254.7385

12 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Dr. Raaj Amin

27417 Andrew Jackson Hwy E, Delco, NC 28436

www.sandpiperpediatrics.com 910-207-0777 www.wilmingtonparent.com

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Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 13

WORLDSCHOOLING

By Danielle Villegas

W

hen I first heard the term Worldschooling, I thought it was some exotic form of homeschooling for the extremely adventurous. As it turns out, that is a somewhat accurate description, but also so much more. Wilmington’s very own Crystal Blue who was a UNCW employee in her former life has been traveling the world with her 10 year old daughter, River, for the past 5 years. As I’ve followed her travels, I wanted to know more about the other families they have met along the way, each doing their own version of Worldschooling. These are the mommies and their children that are living the adventure.

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Miriam and Eva Worldschooling Journey Eva moved to Nepal in 2012 with her daughter Miriam who is now 7 years old.

Since then, travelling has been an important part of their routine. Last year, they spent seven months on the road and visited eleven countries. When Miriam turned five, and they could not find a school in Nepal that was able to accommodate our needs, they decided to Worldschool to be able to make the most of their living situation. Miriam is enrolled in a distance school that gives the option to follow an online course system and gives her a certificate upon completion and will issue a high school diploma if they follow the system until she is 16. Whenever they are on the road they try to focus on learning locally in the culture and/or landscape. Today Miriam speaks three languages fluently and experiences many things first hand instead of reading about them in a book or just hearing about them. Eva says that Miriam has learned there are different living realities for different people, realizes her own privilege and learned early how to share from the heart.

You can follow their adventures at www.facebook.com/miriamundeva.

Amber and Riley Worldschooling Struggles and Joys Amber and Riley are in their 5th year of slow traveling the world while Worldschooling.

Amber is a professional executive virtual assistant & marketing manager and Riley will soon be 13 years old. They are currently in Mexico and began online schooling when Riley was in 3rd grade, traditional school was not a good fit for him. Their journey started when they were evicted from their home due to a client breaking a major contract. Amber decided if she was working online and Riley was going to school online, why didn’t we just try traveling instead.

Amber does not technically “teach” Riley. She describes him as a child led learner, who leads the way in his education and follows his own interests. They use an online school that is extremely flexible, allowing him to take long stretches off, to do a bunch of classes all at once, and to be in several grade levels at once. They also utilize outside sources for immersive educational learning opportunities. It has not always been easy. Amber said math has been the bane of their Worldschooling existence, but it was really important to her that the choice for them to live an alternative lifestyle, so far outside the “norm” would not affect Riley’s ability to be accepted into top 4 year colleges. Absolutely they have had frustrations, but Amber said he is constantly thinking and when they are exploring the world, he refers back to previous adventures and how they relate to one another, building knowledge upon knowledge! Learn more about being a digital nomad, Worldschooling, and their adventures at www.traveldreamcoach.com.

14 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Melissa Ann & Ava Worldschooling Passion Melissa had never left the Midwest when she decided to study abroad in Cambodia while in college.The experience lit a passion in her for traveling, learning, and exploring. When Ava was born, Melissa had to decide to either suppress her new-found passion or to embrace the idea of having a wonderful travel companion. When Ava was two years old they began Worldschooling by learning as much as they could from their own backyard. As Ava grew, Melissa knew that it was time to see the world, learn from various countries and cultures, and to give back to others. Their three year plan is to have learning experiences on the six habitable continents, and then when Ava is older, experience Antarctica too. They have nicknamed this goal their “7 Continent Challenge”.

Ava is now four years old, attends a public preschool and while traveling, they take her schoolwork with them. Each time they plan the next destination, Ava looks at a map to learn the location of the country and what it borders, reads books, looks at pictures online, and watches videos to get an idea of what they might see. They also work on learning the language. Before Worldschooling, Ava was very bashful and struggled to make friends. While in Colombia, when a young girl approached Ava to play, Ava said “Momma, she speaks Spanish. I don’t know what she is saying to me”.

Melissa reminded her of the dolls in her backpack. Within minutes, these two former strangers were playing hide-and-seek with the dolls. No words were needed. Follow the fun on their Instagram: @2mermaids7continents.

Crystal and River Spreading the Worldschooling Love Where are they now? Five years and 32 countries later, they are still Worldschooling, now living in east Africa. Crystal is an educator, so she is able to work with her from an educator, as well as mother, perspective. As a cultural anthropologist, her focus is always on cultural immersion, the natural environment, outdoor adventure, and all of their Worldschooling experiences have this as the basic theme. Crystal wants River to be a good human and humanitarian, to see everyone as equals, love all, understand and respect cultural differences and never judge, hate, or disrespect any of humanity. You can find them living with monks in monasteries in Nepal, climbing the himalayas, sailing in Greece, biking Germany, creating art with the Masai in Africa, cooking dinner with Nepalese tribes, and educating through first hand experience. Crystal’s goal is to open eyes and hearts to the world. River also attends international schools when they are living in a location long enough. She has attended school in Mexico, the Marshall islands, Australia, and now Africa. This helps with language and cultural acquisition. Every day, all day they are learning. Learn about their journey at www.enlightenedglobetrekker.com. v

www.wilmingtonparent.com

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 15

E d ucat i o n Guide A NEW YEAR OF READING READING TUTORING K-3 STUDENTS • CALL NOW!

Brunswick County Schools 35 Referendum Drive Bolivia, NC 28422 Contact: Patricia Rourk Title: Director of Title 1-ESL-Migrant-McKinney Vento prourk@bcswan.net 910-253-2900 1-866-291-3737 www.bcswan.net

Visit our pages under “Departments” to learn more Brunswick County Schools is committed to providing public education to grades K-12 where our mission is “Producing College and Career Ready Graduates”.

Title 1 schools in our district receive federal funding to strengthen areas of core curriculum for students and provide added education, allowable under Title 1, throughout the district.

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Calvary Christian School 423 N. 23rd St. Wilmington, NC 28405 Contact: Jennie Price 910-343-1565 school@calvarybaptistwilmington.org www.calvarychristianwilmington.com

(910) 431-5137 • 4701 Wrightsville Ave. Learn2LearnTutors.com Nurturing the whole child through life experience, nature, science, arts and play

RAINBOW GARDEN PRESCHOOL Preschool & Extended Care Preschool 9am-1pm 3-5 days Day Care Hours 7:00-6pm Ages 2-6 1497 Country Club Rd, Hampstead, NC 910-233-8594 • www.capefearchild.org

Pre-K3 through 12th Grade Enrollment Period: Starts February 2017 until classes are filled Arts/Music: Art Class, Chorus and Band Languages Offered: Spanish Sports: Basketball Mission/Vision/Goal: For 25 years, Calvary Christian School has been shaping and encouraging the lives of children. Our combination of small class sizes and exceptional instruction makes Calvary a place where students can grow socially and academically. Our Christian emphasis helps them develop character and a foundation of values that will last a lifetime.

We begin with our PreK3-4 classes, where loving and gifted teachers prepare our students for Elementary School. Our Middle and High Schools offer a nurturing environment where students can excel. We have a strong Fine Arts program, with all students in grades 2 and up participating in band and chorus.

Our Elementary Grades have art and computer classes and our upper grades have Spanish. This past year we began our Athletic Program with the Calvary Lions Basketball team.

At Calvary, we believe the most important learning begins at home, and we work with our parents as partners to ensure that each child succeeds. We invite you to visit us and discover the difference Calvary can make.

Carolina Gymnastics Academy Gym & Learn Preschool 3529 Carolina Beach Rd Wilmington, NC 28412 910-796-1896 hwww.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com/ preschool/gym-learn

Academic preschool with Gymnastics Class every day! Give your child a jump start by enrolling them in our fast-paced, academically challenging, preschool. Our kids have the advantage of a small class size, huge outdoor play area, and a state of the art gymnastics facility. A good blend of structure, free play, and socialization. Ages 3-5.

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry 2525 Wonder Way Wilmington, NC 28401 Lori Roy, Director Susan Bolger office@cfci.net 910-362-0000 www.Cfci.net

Parent information meetings Saturday, 1/6/18, 10am, Thursday, 1/11/18, 6pm Wednesday, 1/17/18, 4pm, Tuesday, 1/23/18, 5:30pm Applications due Tuesday, 1/31/18 Lottery will be held February 20th at 9:00am K-8 Art, Music, Spanish, Technology, PE 5-8 Band 6-8 Musical Theatre, Acting, Creative Expression, Maker Space and Ethics Spanish K-8 Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is committed to promoting students’ abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways through an inquiry-based, integrated curriculum in a nurturing and empowering environment.

Childcare Network 6 Locations in Wilmington, 1 in Leland & 1 in Southport. All 5 star schools.

See website for complete listing. www.childcarenetwork.com

Ages: 6 weeks-12 years. All day preschool, Bright Baby Curriculum, High Reach Learning Curriculum for toddlers-two’s. PreKindergarten Prep Academy and Kindergarten Prep Academy for 4-5 year old. Fast Track special program for five year olds.

NCPrek in 7 locations.

Mission/Vision/Goal: We have very high standards of care, safety and education – plus a whole lot of fun, at a far more affordable price. We are the Working Parent’s best friend.

Pax Natura Academy 4202 Wilshire Blvd., Wilmington, NC, 28403 Contact: Jill Blondell 910-799-1788 cni159@childcarenetwork.com www.childcarenetwork.com

Grades accepted - 6 weeks - 12 years Enrollment period - NA open house date(s) - not scheduled arts/music - Little People’s Creative World Dance classes available to parents for extra cost, High Reach Learning Music and Art lessons, Mini Monet art classes for NCPK class. language(s) offered - English Sports - Soccer Shots available to parents for extra cost. Gross motor activities provided for an hour each day.

Mission/vision/goal - At Childcare Network 159 we strive to foster our students’ curiosities of nature and the community. We focus on learning through eco-conscious efforts amd work to develop leadership skills within our students. With the hope to create an appreciation of diversity and respect for all people, we strive to create global citizens who appreciate nature and their community.

INFANTS • TODDLERS INFANTS • TODDLERS • PRESCHOOL • PRESCHOOL • BEFORE &• AFTER BEFORE SCHOOL & AFTER• SUMMER SCHOOL •CAMP SUMMER CAMP

Curiosity-Launching Curiosity-Launching Learning Learning Experiences Experiences ® Kiddie Academy Kiddie® Academy has the teachers, has thetools teachers, and inspiration tools and inspiration it it takes to nurture takes to oversized nurture confidence oversized confidence and big ideas. and It’s big all ideas. It’s all part of becoming part of becoming an amazinganadult, amazing andadult, beginsand withbegins our with our ® Life Essentials Life Essentials® philosophy. philosophy.

Kiddie Academy® Kiddie Academy® of Wilmington of Wilmington 7633 Market 7633 Street, Market Wilmington, Street, Wilmington, NC 28411NC 28411 (910) 742-4344 (910) 742-4344 | kiddieacademy.com/wilmington | kiddieacademy.com/wilmington 16 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

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Apply Now For Fall 2018 2525 Wonder Way Wilmington, NC 28401

910-362-0000 www.CFCI.net

Application Process

Our Mission

Application Period: November 27, 2017-January 31, 2018

Completed applications must be returned to the school office no later than January 31, 2018.

Information Sessions Will Be At CFCI On...

Saturday, January 6th 10:00am Thursday, January 11th 6:00pm

Wednesday, January 17th- 4:00pm Tuesday, January 23rd- 5:30pm

CFCI will foster academic and social inquiry based learning by enriching the state curriculum. We will facilitate research, communication, and action through: Community partnerships, wellness, environmental education, global connections, and technology.

CFCI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or disability.

New application admission priority is determined by a lottery, which will be held February 20th at 9:00am.

St. Mark Catholic School St. Mark

Catholic School

Building Christian Character Through Excellence in Education

Join Us For An Open House Sunday, January 28, 2018 11:00 a.m.

Now Accepting Applications For PreK-3 Through 8th Grades

www.stmarkcatholicschool.org www.wilmingtonparent.com

1013 Eastwood Road, Wilmington, NC 28403

910-452-2800 Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 17

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Cape Fear Center for Inquiry is committed to promoting students’ abilities to think and create in personally meaningful ways through an inquiry-based, integrated curriculum in a nurturing and empowering environment.

CFCI is a tuition free public charter school open to any NC school age resident.

Hill School of Wilmington 3240 Burnt Mill Drive, Suite 9A Susan Harrell, Director 910-685-3734 info@HillSchoolofWilmington.org www.HillSchoolofWilmington.org

Grades accepted 1-8 Rolling admissions Open House: January 23, 2017, 5:30 pm Financial Aid session 6:00-7:30 pm Admission tours The Hill School of Wilmington offers a unique half-day academic program for students in grades 1-8 with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder. Our teachers are trained in the evidence-based Hill Center methodology and our instructional program uses a research-based, multisensory, structured language methodology based on the Orton-Gillingham approach.

We instruct our students using a 4:1 student to teacher ratio. During the traditional school year, our students attend the Hill School for three hours a day for intensive remediation in reading, writing, and math. They attend their base school for the remainder of the school day. A five-week Summer Program is also offered to provide students an opportunity to improve their skills as well as to help prevent the regression in performance that occurs without daily practice. We are the only school in southeastern North Carolina specifically designed to address the needs of students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder.

Mission: To empower children who have learning differences with the skills needed to become confident, independent learners.

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Island Montessori Children’s School: 6339 Carolina Beach Wilmington NC 28409 910-796-3003 www.im.school/preschool

Open house: call to set up a personal tour 3-4 year olds Open Enrollment all year long Languages - Spanish art/music - yes-----specialized instruction no sports Our Mission at IMS is to create a Montessori community that respects each child as an individual and fosters in each student respect for self and others, joy in discovery, independence communal responsibility, and a peaceful approach to problem solving.

Island Montessori Charter School www.im.school Brian Corrigan brian@im.school

Application period: January 4th-Feb 2nd Open House: Thursday, January 4th at 6:00pm Wednesday, January 10th at 5:30pm Saturday, January 20th at 1:00pm Tuesday, January 30th at 6:30pm K-8 Art/Music - Yes ---specialized instruction Languages - Spanish K-8 No sports Our Mission at IMS is to create a Montessori community that respects each child as an individual and fosters in each student respect for self and others, joy in discovery, independence communal responsibility, and a peaceful approach to problem solving.

Looking for employment with us? Email your resume to work@childcarenetwork.com

Jenkins Preschool Academy 7888 Market St. www.jpawilmington.com 910-367-0287

Ages: 18mo-5 year Enrollment: Open enrollment begins Thursday Feb 1, 2018 Arts/Music: arts and crafts, music and movement part of curriculum; Mini Monet offered on site Languages Offered: Spanish Mission/Vision/Goal : A private, part-time preschool. Classes are small (7/2 max child/adult ratio) for maximum learning opportunities. JPA follows the New Hanover Co school traditional schedule. We have certified & experienced teachers, a curriculum model, and unique learning environment that will promote a child’s personal and academic success in kindergarten and beyond.

Kiddie Academy of Wilmington 7633 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28411 www.kiddieacademy.com/wilmington 910-742-4344

Looking for employment with us? Email your resume to work@childcarenetwork.com 18 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Grades offered: 6 weeks - 12 years Enrollment Period: Open Open House: Call to schedule a tour Curriculum: Life Essentials Mission/Vision/Goal: Shaping and inspiring children for the future has always been a critical part of the Kiddie Academy vision, and our Life Essentials® curriculum brings it to life. We’re here

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to care for, educate and encourage your child to do more and be more—not just while they’re with us, but all day, every single day. That’s our difference. That’s why parents like you have trusted us for more than 35 years. That’s why Amazing Starts Here.

Learn 2 Learn Tutors, LLC 4701 Wrightsville Avenue, Wilmington NC 28403 910-431-5137 www.learn2learntutors.com

Grades offered – K-3 Enrollment Period - Open, no predetermined times to begin tutoring Open House – We are always available to meet with children and families Curriculum – Reading and Writing Mission/Vision/Goal – Provide individualized instruction for primary grade readers and writers with the goal of grade level performance

AAI Pharma Learning Center 2320 Scientific Park Drive 910-254-7384

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Grades offered: 6 weeks to 12 years Enrollment Period: Year round Open House: Call for a tour Curriculum: Our teaching staff (toddlers-preschoolers) implement a curriculum based on “The Project Approach.” This is a child-based way of learning in which teachers listen and observe the children and then use the children’s interests to develop the curriculum. A key feature of the Project Approach is that children find the answers to questions posed by themselves or the teachers through investigations, explorations, activities, fieldtrips, etc.

Mission/Vision/Goal: Creating a sense of community among staff, parents and children, all working together to help our children become competent and successful learners. We constantly strive to meet the needs of the physical,social,emotional,language,creative and cognitive development of the children. We believe family involvement plays an integral part in our quality program.

Myrtle Grove Christian School 806 Piner Road, Wilmington, NC 28409 910-392-2067 www.mgcs.org

Admissions Contact: Preschool through Kindergarten: Pam Noland phone: 910-3922067 x132 email: pnoland@mgcs.org 1st Grade through 8th Grade: Glenn Pleasant phone: 910-3922067 x125 email: mrasmussen@mgcs.org Grades offered: 3 year old Preschool through 8th grade Enrollment Period: Rolling Enrollment 2018-2019 Open House: Thursday, January 25, 2018 from 5:30-7:30pm / Tours and Activities begin at 5:30pm Prospective Parent Video: http://www.mgcs.org/admissions/ prospective-family-video Curriculum: MGCS provides a rigorous, biblically-integrated curriculum based on state and national standards (not aligned with Common Core). Our curriculum meets the needs of most above to well-above average students.

New Horizons Elementary School 3705 South College Road, Wilmington NC 28412 Contact: Donna Clark, Director 910 392-5209 director@newhorizonselementary.org www.newhorizonselementary.org

Grades: K-5th Open House: January 24, 2018, 9:00am-12:00pm and 5:30pm-7:00pm Arts/Music: Art and Music Languages Offered: Spanish Sports: Physical education and after school athletic clubs Mission/Vision/Goal: New Horizons provides a nurturing environment promoting student achievement and personal development through a whole child approach. Small classes ensure personal attention for every student. Engaging lessons, inquiry-based projects, and technology are infused into a challenging curriculum that promotes critical thinking, independent learning, and leadership.

Rainbow Garden Preschool1497 Country Club Rd, Hampstead, NC 28443 910-233-8594 www.capefearchild.org

Grades offered: 2-6 years Enrollment Period: Open Enrollment Curriculum: Montessori and Waldorf inspired Mission/Vision/Goal: Nurturing the whole child through life experience, nature, science, arts and play. Through our daily routine and work cycles your child will become prepared for Kindergarten and beyond.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR 2018-19 STARTING FEB 1ST CALL FOR INFO AND TO SCHEDULE A TOUR

(910) 367-0287 I www.jpawilmington.com I 7888 Market St Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 19

Topsail Montessori is located at 301 Whitebridge Rd., Hampstead, NC 28443 For more information, please visit our website at topsailmontessori.com.

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Interested in Montessori education for your child?

Topsail Montessori follows the Montessori curriculum and philosophy, providing individualized, hands-on learning for children ages 2-12 years. Our goal is to foster your child’s confidence, curiosity and a lifelong passion for learning. Offering full and part-time programs, our enrollment is open until spaces are filled.

Call or email us to schedule a tour soon!

(910)319-0813 topsailmontessori@gmail.com

Brunswick County Schools Annual Federal Programs Meeting Reunion Anual De Programas Federales Friday January 26, 2018 / Viernes, Enero 26, 2018 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Central Service Board Room 35 Referendum Drive Bldg K Bolivia, North Carolina Who should attend: / Quien debe asistir: Parents, Staff, Administrators, Private School Providers Padres, Empleados, Administradores, Proveedores de Escuelas Privadas 20 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Providence Preparatory Academy 2730 Northchase Parkway Southeast, Wilmington, NC 28405 Contact: Jim Mahon, principal 910-742-0712 info@providencewilmington.com www.providencewilmington.com

Open House: Tours are available by appointment.

Grades: K-5th (Grammar, 2 days a week) and 6th-8th (Logic, 3 days a week) (5th-7th, optional 2 additional days available for Independent Learning Program) Mission Statement: Providence Preparatory Academy exists to glorify God by partnering with parents, pointing students to Christ and providing a classical Christian education.

Course of Study: Classical, Christian, University Model. Providence utilizes a variety of challenging curriculum following a classical methodology.

Languages: Latin (2nd-4th Grade) and Greek (5th-7th) Sports/Arts/Music: We do not currently offer these programs, however, we partner with many organizations throughout the community, allowing plenty of opportunities to participate in such activities.

Smart Start of New Hanover County 3534 S. College Rd. Ste. F Wilmington, NC 28412 910-815-3731 www.newhanoverkids.org

Carolina Gymnastics Academy

GYM & LEARN PRESCHOOL NOW TAKING REGISTRATION & DEPOSIT FOR 2018-2019!

ACADEMIC PRE-SCHOOL W/GYMNASTICS CLASS EVERY DAY

Calvary Christian School 423 N. 23rd St. Wilmington, NC 28405 910-343-1565 www.calvarychristianwilmington.com Pre-K3 through 12th Grade Like us on

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Register Online:

www.carolinagymnasticsacademy.com 3529 Carolina Beach Road • 910-796-1896 Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 21

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

The earliest years of childhood are critical...

There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child begins kindergarten, and experiences during that time have a lasting impact on later learning, health and success. Smart Start brings together all the people in a child’s life – families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers and many others – to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. To learn more about what Smart Start does for our community We offer a Family Resource Room, parenting classes, help finding child care, health and safety information, and help transitioning children to Kindergarten.

St. Mark Catholic School 1013 Eastwood Road Wilmington, NC 28403 910-452-2800 www.stmarkcatholicschool.org

AD PROOFS MAY NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL SIZE

WILMINGTON PARENT 2018 AD PROOF

Fax: St. Mary Catholic School Fax: (910) 343-1227 412 Ann Street Wilmington, NC 28401

Phone: Phone:

L below and note changes, if any.

PreK 3yr – 8th Grade Open house: January 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.

St. Mark is a Catholic School committed to educating the whole child academically, spiritually, and physically. St. Mark Catholic School strives for academic excellence by instilling in each student Christian values, confidence, and a desire to be effective leaders of tomorrow. Along with a robust curriculum that includes a multi-tiered system of support, 21st century information skills instruction and high school preparedness, St. Mark supports 15 athletic teams as well as the arts including band, orchestra, multiple foreign languages and drama classes. St. Mark Catholic School will host an open house on January 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Please contact the school to schedule a private tour.

 APPROVED AS IS

910-762-5491, x110 910-471-2447 cell jdaley@thestmaryparish.org  SEE CORRECTIONS NOTED/SUBMIT NEW PROOF

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Preschool - 8th Grade Enrollment period: Rolling enrollment dependent on classroom space/availability Open house: January 28, 2018 10am-2pm and Thursday, February 1, 2018 – 9am-12noon HONE AND FAX NUMBERS, ADDRESSES AND ALL AD COPY FOR ACCURACY!! Curriculum: St. Mary School offers a rich core curriculum including: Language Arts, Literature, Science, Math, Social Studies, Religion, and weekly Mass celebration. below and note changes, if any.

Additional classes include Physical Education, Spanish, STEM, Library/Media and Technology. noted above or e-mail no later than: . SMART Boards, IPADS and laptops are used to enhance instruction in all grade levels and subjects. will be billed accordingly if changes or approval are not submitted by return date above. The school has a Chromebook 1:1 program in grades 4 – 8.

St. Mary offers an exceptional Fine Arts program including weekly Art classes, Chorus,  SUBMITArts/music: NEW PROOF  APPROVED w/CORRECTIONS NOTED Band, Creative Music and Suzuki Violin.

Language(s) offered - Spanish Sports - Middle School sports include basketball, volleyball, soccer, and tennis.

Extra-curricular activities include Science Olympiad, Chess club, Cheerleading and Fencing.

Date Mission/Vision/Goal: The mission of the St. Mary School is to ensure learning for all our students within the framework of Catholic Christian values. Our aim is to help our students grow in a manner consistent with their needs, interests and abilities, preparing them to live in a changing world as self-directed, caring, God-loving, responsible citizens.

Topsail Montessori 301 Whitebridge Road, Hampstead NC, 28443 910-319-0813 topsailmontessori.com

Grades offered: 2 years to 6th grade Enrollment Period: On-going Curriculum: Montessori Curriculum Mission/Vision/Goal: At Topsail Montessori, we strive to contribute to the world in positive and meaningful ways by creating a culture where learners are challenged to think critically, solve problems creatively, and engage peacefully with others.

Wilmington Christian Academy 1401 North College Road, Wilmington, NC 28405 910-791-4248 info@wilmingtonchristian.com www.wilmingtonchrisitan.com

Looking for child care?

We can help.

A free resource for parents of children ages birth to 12 • 1-800-653-5212

• Visit our Family Resource Room • Receive helpful tips on transitioning your child to Kindergarten • Get linked to community resources for young children

Grades accepted – Age 2 to Grade 12 Enrollment period – Year-round Open house date(s): Sun Jan 28 2pm-4pm Thurs Feb 8— 9am-Noon Tues Feb 13— 5:30pm-7pm Arts/music - Choral, Instrumental, Strings, Drama, Art, Creative Writing Language(s) offered – Spanish, American Sign Language Sports – Basketball, Soccer, Baseball, Volleyball, Cross Country, Golf, Tennis, Cheerleading Mission/vision/goal - WCA exists to assist parents in teaching students to glorify Jesus Christ in the pursuit of spiritual, academic, physical and social excellence.

Windermere Presbyterian Preschool 104 Windemere Rd. Wilmington, NC 28405 Contact: Leslie Moore 910-791-8290 windpreschool@att.net www.windermerepreschool.com

Ages/Classes offered: Toddlers-PreK (must be 1 and walking by August 31 for Toddler Class) Enrollment period: Begins in January Art/Music classes offered: Music offered weekly during class time Sports offered: Stretch-N-Grow available for 3’s and 4’s once a week Mission/Vision/Goal: We strive to meet each child’s indivdual needs through a variety of activities and experiences.

Half day preschool that offers a loving environment. We allow children to learn through play and teacher-directed activities. We focus on the social, emotional, spiritual, and academic development of each individual child.

Winter Park Presbyterian Preschool 4501 Wrightsville Avenue Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-5893 www.wppc-preschool.org

Visit us at www.newhanoverkids.org to learn more or call 910-815-3731 22 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Toddler-Pre-k

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Windermere Presbyterian

PrescHooL

We are a half day preschool serving Toddlers(must be 1 before August 31)-PreK. We offer a loving environment that allows children to learn through play and teacher-directed activities. We focus on the social, emotional, spiritual, and academic development of young children.

REGISTRATION FOR 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR STARTS SOON

Call 791-8290 or email windpreschool@att.net to set up a tour

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

www.windermerepreschool.com

OPEN HOUSE

February 2017 January 24,8,2018 9:00am-12:00pm and 5:30pm-7:00pm 9:00am - 12:00pm & 5:30pm - 7:00pm NHES is an interactive learning community that nurtures academic achievement and personal development for K-5 students.

Small class sizes ensure personal attention for every student.

Engaging lessons, inquiry-based projects and technology are infused into a challenging curriculum.

3705 S. College Rd. Wilmington • 910.392.5209

new horizons elem ent ar y. or g

www.wilmingtonparent.com 116197 nhes ad-wp.indd 1

Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 23 12/13/16 11:19 AM

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

Lifelong Benefits of Science Fairs for Kids

By Sarah Lyons

I

s your child considering participating in a school science fair? Are you wondering if the benefits are worth the time commitment? Participating in a science fair is a great way for kids to explore their world and how things work. Kids who participate in science fairs will learn skills that can be used for problem solving and critical thinking throughout their lifetime.

swers to their questions will not be from a textbook, but will come from their own hard work and experience. Reflection is key as they have an opportunity to think about what they would do differently, what they have learned, and why. The ability to analyze and problem solve will be skills they use throughout their lifetime.

Investigation

Once the science experiment has been completed and analyzed, kids will be expected to communicate their results through writing, speaking, and materials such as storyboards or other displays. Communication is one of the most important skills a child can develop. Even as our culture moves more towards digital communication, such as texts and emails, good public speaking skills are an asset they will rely on throughout the rest of their school and professional careers.

The first step in participating in a science fair is to come up with an idea. Kids will have the opportunity to choose a topic they are curious about, plan an experiment that will help answer their questions, and conduct an experiment. This fosters their creativity and problem solving skills. It will also encourage them to question how things work and make them aware scientific principles all around us.

Project management Once the child has planned their science experiment, they will need to manage their project. This is no small task. Kids will need to use time management, stay within a budget, acquire the materials needed, conduct the experiment, and meet deadlines. The ability to successfully manage a project is an invaluable skill that kids can use now and in the future as they continue their education and enter the workforce.

Analysis When the science experiment is complete, the child will need to compile the data, analyze it, and create a chart of graph of the findings. The an-

Communication

Most would agree that hands on learning leads to better understanding, which is what participating in a science fair offers to students. When time is spent researching, developing a project, analyzing the results, and studying it thoroughly in order to communicate the findings to others, we are much more likely to understand and retain the information we have learned. Teachers and parents would agree that science fairs help develop benefits that last a lifetime and kids will tell you that science fairs a lot of fun too.

Visit www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/list for a complete list of projects to get you started. v

Open House:

Sunday, January 28 10 am-2 pm Thursday, February 1 9 am-12 pm

• Preschool-8th Grade • Safe, Structured Environment • Enriched, Challenging Core Curriculum • Music, Art and Sports Programs • High Standardized Test Scores • Afterschool Care and Activities

217 South Fourth Street 910-762-5491 Ext. 140

Academic Excellence in a Setting of Catholic Christian Values

24 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

www.thestmaryschool.org

Students of all races, religions and ethnic origins welcome.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

How to Help Children with Their Homework: How Much is Too Much?

By Jan Pierce, M.Ed

W

Winter Park Presbyterian Preschool Enroll Now for 2018-2019 Half Day Preschool • • • • •

Ages Toddler - Pre - Kindergarten Low Teacher/Child Ratio Nurturing & Fun Environment Kindermusik Classes Stretch-n-Grow Classes

t precious gift!

children are our mos

791-5893 • 4501 Wrightsville Ave. www.wppc-preschool.org

Family Connections Counseling, PC

Specializing in Women, Children, Adolescents and Maternal Mental Health

We specialize in treating a wide range of mental health disorders, such as, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD assessment and treatment, child behavioral concerns, adjustment, separation anxiety, ODD, academic/social problems, trauma, social skills, parent coaching, prenatal and post-partum anxiety and depression.

Ashley Trotter, MA, LPCA | Julia Tabor, MA, LPC www.wilmingtonparent.com

Contact us today for a FREE consultation at 5022 Wrightsville Avenue, Unit B, Wilmington, NC 28403 www.familyconnectionscounseling.org 336.675.8287 • family.connections@aol.com Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 25

SPECIAL SECTION: Education Guide

hether you love it or hate it, homework is a component of your children’s education. In our busy lives with schedules full of sports, dance, music lessons and the like, families may find it difficult to set the children’s educational responsibilities as a high priority. Many parents err more on the side of slighting the importance of nightly homework than in giving too much help. There are those parents who make the mistake of doing the work themselves for a variety of reasons, but they are in the minority, and teachers will always spot such activity.

So what are the proper ways to deal with nightly homework assignments for our children? The entire family should be on board with support of nightly homework routines. Here are some tips for setting expectations in place from the beginning of a school career: • Set regular study times. You may need to be flexible, but never skip it.

• Provide a place to study with proper lighting, materials and resources.

• Remove distractions. Some can study with soft music, but T.V., loud music, or other children playing will distract from quality work.

• Be a good example by reading and modeling a lifelong learning attitude.

• Monitor assignments, know what your child is doing, and check over completed assignments.

• Keep lines of communication open with teachers and schools.

The difference between supporting and doing too much for children is really quite easy to determine. It is appropriate to review information with children by asking them questions and listening to their answers. It is helpful to train them to break large assignments into smaller chunks.

But it is never fine to do their assignments for them. Setting sound homework practices in place will pay dividends for years to come. v Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher, reading specialist and is a freelance writer. She is the author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net.

FAMILY TRAVEL

YOUR HEALTH

SNOW TUBING IN NORTH CAROLINA

W

e don’t usually get enough snow in Wilmington to truly enjoy the fluffy, freezing fun. No need to load your family and all the winter gear onto a plane and head north to find the white stuff.

A day’s drive is all it takes to spend a weekend slipping and sliding down hills and making wintery family memories.

Jonas Ridge Snow Tubing Snow tubing is an amazing activity that requires no lessons. Just a requirement to have fun. Jonas Ridge Snow tubing offers a safe place for the whole family to grab your special made innertube, take the conveyor to the top and hold on for an exhilarating ride down one of the six lanes on the hill. Get back up and do it again, and again, and again. They call the conveyor belt that gets you back to the top the “Magic Carpet Ride”. After tubing, you can warm up inside by the fireplace or watch from the observation deck. Safety is a priority at Jonas, and they even show you a safety video before you get started. Located in the high country of North Carolina, a 5 hour drive from Wilmington and is not usually as busy as some of the other snow tubing locations. They also have snow guns, so even if it looks like no snow, chances are, they have it in the cold mountain air! Jonas also has lights for night tubing. www.jonasridgesnowtube.com

Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park Moonshine Mountain Snow Tubing Park located in Hendersonville, NC. Also only a 5 hour drive, and offers the steepest snow tubing in the western part of our state. This is a little more intense, but they make their own snow and have over 500 feet of fun and excitement for all ages.

Moonshine is also the only Snow Tubing Parks in the Southeast that allows trains. We are the only snow tubing park in the southeast that allows trains. Trains must be supervised and no one under 48” allowed in trains, also trains are limited to 6 people. Unfortunately no reservations are allowed, but you can check their hours at www.moonshinemountain.com.

Hawksnest Tubing Park Hawksnest Tubing park is the largest snow tubing park on the East Coast.

It can get pretty busy on the weekend, but they have over 30 lanes of snow tubing that span from 400-1000 feet long, so your family can usually find plenty of space for some winter excitement. Hawksnest has four different snow tubing areas with different terrains for beginners up to advanced.

Hawksnest’s snowmaking facilities provide constant winter conditions and they have 100% lighting and snow tubing on all lanes, so the fun can continue into the night. Hawksnest currently has 20 ziplines for those wanting to soar above the snow. They have 4 mega zips, 2 over 2000 feet long and 2 over 1500 feet long. Ziplines are over trees, through trees, over lakes and creeks with panoramic views on almost every ride. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Hawksnest is a slightly longer drive at 5 and a half hours, but worth it. Check out their hours at www.hawksnesttubing.com.

WINTER DEPRESSION

W

e’ve all heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and many feel that they suffer from it. Short cold days and long cold nights can certainly add to the winter blues you’re feeling.

What are the most common symptoms of SAD? SAD symptoms are the same criteria you’d need for a diagnosis of major depression. These might include a depressed mood, feelings of hopelessness, a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep and appetite, a loss of pleasure in activities you once loved, and even thoughts of death or suicide. Persons with the winter version of SAD might also notice the following unique symptoms: • Heaviness in arms and legs • Frequent oversleeping • Cravings for carbohydrates/weight gain • Relationship problems There are little things that you can do to help combat those sad feelings.

Certain foods you consume may help chase away some of those blue feelings.

Mia Russo Stern, the Head Chef and Founder of Brooklyn Culinary Arts, an online school. Mia’s tips for eating your way to a happier Winter?

• Bring in ingredients that are in abundance this winter season. The more veggies you eat the better you will feel.

• Mushrooms are a natural source of Vitamin D which has been studied to elevate and boost mood. Enjoy mushrooms with earthy onions and kale for more nutrition and feel good antioxidants.

• Bring the colors of sunshine into your diet. Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato are great additions to any meal.

• Start your day with an orange or a grapefruit. All of those vibrant plants contain high amounts of Beta Keratin and Vitamin C which is super important for our immune system, and helps to make us feel vibrant and happy.

A wonderful way to enjoy these orange beauties is to combine them with some fresh baby spinach, leaves. Make a simple salad and add roasted sweet potato, and or orange segments.

• The Vitamin C helps your body metabolize the iron present in the spinach, so they are a terrific combination. Add a few walnuts for brain support, magnesium and mood support.

When to call a doctor?

Everyone has days in the winter when they feel sluggish or unmotivated.

But if your symptoms are causing disruptions in your life, then never hesitate to reach out to a professional. If symptoms occur for days at a time, you notice major shifts in sleeping or eating, you are withdrawing socially, or the activities that usually boost your mood don’t work, then it’s time to pick up your phone.

26 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

www.wilmingtonparent.com

FIT FAMILY

Healthier Ways to Rake It In Hopefully, your kids are getting their physical education and recess and enjoying healthy school lunches and active classroom parties. But what happens when the fall fundraiser sends them door to door selling cookie dough or the bake sale is just around the corner? Sending mixed messages undermines your valiant efforts to get your kiddos to eat healthy and makes it harder for them to develop healthy habits. It’s time to raise the bar on fundraising in a way that reinforces—not contradicts—the positive health messages we send to our kids.

Non-food Fundraisers • Car Washes • Game night, Bingo night • Parents’ day/night out—provide childcare with open gym and activities for kids so parents can holiday shop or have an evening out Active Fundraisers • Fun walks or runs • Walk-a-thons, bike-a-thons, jump-rope-a-thons, hula-hoop-a-thons (fill-in-the-blank-a-thons...)

• Student or family obstacle courses (check out the SuperFit School Challenge) • Teacher-student competitions in kickball, volleyball, Frisbee or other sports after school or on a weekend (Get the cool teachers involved— your kid knows who they are—to amp up participation) • Sales of fall or spring flowers, bulbs, and/or seed - let student do the planting and help with the yard work, with a purchase Source: parentsforhealthykids.org

Smart Snacks at School Here’s how you can get kids to choose—and other parents to bring—healthy snacks to your next school event and prevent a “snackdown.”

• Eye Appeal. Get kids and families to notice the healthy stuff by displaying snacks in a visually appealing way, like placing fruits and veggies in a decorative bowl or offering a rainbow of colors.

• Eye on the size. A snack is meant to hold us over until our next meal (not be a meal itself!). Exercise portion control by using snack-size bags, small plates or 3-ounce tasting cups.

• Don’t Sweat the Sweet Stuff. Likewise, if sweet treats are a must-have, limit the number of parents who bring them or serve sweet treats in small portions.

• Keep Cool. If providing drinks, choose water first. Add cucumber, mint, lemon or lime for a tasty twist.

• Don’t Go Nuts. It’s likely some kids and parents will have a nut, gluten or lactose intolerance or other food allergy. Write ingredients on index cards to display with snacks and keep ingredient labels on hand to answer questions that parents or kids may have about the offerings.

Learn more at ActionforHealthyKids.org and USDA.gov.

Wilmington Symphony Beethoven 15K/5K Run Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Wilmington Symphony Beethoven 15K/5K Run or Walk at Brunswick Forest. Scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 28, it’s a perfect tune-up race for late winter and early spring marathons and half marathons. Individual and four-person team categories are available. The race features inside bathrooms and locker rooms, a post-race party with adult beverages, food, vendors and exhibitors, plus costume awards category for participants wearing Beethoven wigs, carrying musical instruments, or just wearing the costume of their choice. Register online at www.wilmingtonsymphony.org.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Wilmington School of Ballet • Ballet & Tap from 2 1/2 years old and up • Classical Ballet, Pointe, Variations, and Contemporary • Home to Wilmington’s only professional ballet company • 3 season performance at The Wilson Center

www.wilmingtonschoolofballet.com 910-794-9590 SPECIAL

Register in January and get a month free tuition

Princess Birthday Parties www.princessforadayparties.com * $25.00 Off Princess Parties*

Wilmington Basketball Center

Supervised after school program

Offering homework assistance, daily basketball instruction and competition!

Monday- Friday, dismissal-6:00 PM Registration fee: $35.00: $85.00 per 1 child: $5.00 discount per additional sibling AFTER SCHOOL PICK UP FOR: Ogden, Blair, Murrayville, Castle Hayne, Noble Middle, Holly Shelter and Trask Middle

7207 Ogden Business LaneWilmington, NC 28411

910-233-7468 • Sign up at wbcinc.org Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 27

SCHOOL NOTES

School’s Out! NEW HANOVER COUNTY: Traditional Schools: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/26 - No School, Teacher Workday Year Round Schools: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/2 - 5 - Intersession 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/26 - No School, Teacher Workday CFCI Charter School: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/26 - No School, Teacher Workday Isaac Bear ECHS: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/2 - No School, Teacher Workday 1/15 - No School, Holiday Wilmington Early College HS 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/2 - No School, Teacher Workday 1/15 - No School, Holiday BRUNSWICK: Traditional Schools: 1/1-2 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/23 - No School, Teacher Workday Year Round Schools: 1/1-2 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/23 - No School, Teacher Workday Early College High School: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/2-3 - No School, Teacher Workday 1/15 - No School, Holiday PENDER: Traditional Schools: 1/1-2 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/22 - No School, Teacher Workday Penderlea: 1/1-2 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/22 - No School, Teacher Workday Pender Early College HS: 1/1 - No School, Holiday 1/15 - No School, Holiday 1/16 - No School, Teacher Workday

Visit www.nhcs.net, www.co.brunswick.k12.nc.us or www.pendercountyschools.net for more information.

28 | January 2018 | Wilmington Parent

Hoggard High Theatre Excels at NC Theatre Conference Hoggard High School Theatre Department’s drama team received several awards at the 2017 North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) State High School Play Festival held November 1617, 2017.

Hoggard’s awards include: Casey Burton – Excellence in Acting Award Festival Spirit Award Full Cast of “denty Crisis” - Theatre Arts Award – Excellence in Projection and Articulation After excelling at the Regional Play Festival and being selected as one of the top 16 productions in the state, the Hoggard Theatre Department drama team advanced to perform at the NCTC State High School Play Festival, which is affectionately known as the “State Football Championships of Theatre.” The Festival showcases the talent of more than 3,000 students from over 100 schools, in nearly 130 productions. At the NCTC Festival, schools from all across the state come together to share their talents and celebrate their collective achievements. Students showcased their work and vied for over $450,000 in scholarship offers from the NCTC 2017 Scholarship Partners: Catawba College, Greensboro College, and Lenoir-Rhyne University. For more information, visit www.nctc.org, or contact Jacki Booth at (910) 254-4290.

New Hanover County Students Receive Access to Public Library Resources New Hanover County Public Library and New Hanover County Schools have partnered on a new initiative called CLASS Project (Connecting Libraries and Schools for Success). CLASS Project will now provide more than 26,000 public school students with virtual library cards to enable easy access to library resources from home, school, and any NHC Public Library branch.

“This is a first for New Hanover County, and is a great collaboration between the public library and school system,” said County Manager Chris Coudriet. “CLASS Project will give students greater access to early literacy opportunities, provide free educational resources, and promote the progress of knowledge, benefitting students in pre-k all the way through high school.”

Students enrolled in NHCS will automatically have public library accounts issued using their NHCS student ID numbers, allowing them to connect to the library’s website to access over 100 databases and eResources, and borrow up to two books, audiobooks, or magazines at a time.

NHCS Child Nutrition Department Wins State’s “Turnip the Beet” Award

New Hanover County Schools’ (NHCS) Child Nutrition Department has qualified on the state level for the Turnip the Beet Award from the School Nutrition Services Safe and Healthy Schools Support Division of the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction for their 2017 Summer Food Service Program.

The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service launched the Turnip the Beet Award in summer 2016. The Turnip the Beet Award recognizes outstanding Summer Meal Program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high-quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious during the summer months. There are three award levels available: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.

NHCS’ Child Nutrition Department nomination has been forwarded from the state level to the national level for the Turnip the Beet Award from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. For more information on the USDA FNS Turnip the Beet Award, visit their website at www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/turnip-the-beet.

www.wilmingtonparent.com

PEANUT GALLERY

Brayden A. 12/1 • 6yo

Wulf • 5yo

Lily 1/11 • 5yo

Summer G.

Luke

11/21 • 10yo

1/27 • 3yo

Gracie 1/3 • 5yo

Lindsay K. 12/13 • 7yo

Grady 1/23 • 4yo

Emma M. 1/5 • 9yo

DOES YOUR CHILD OR GRANDCHILD HAVE A BIRTHDAY IN FEBRUARY?

Loen S.

1/19 • 1yo

www.wilmingtonparent.com

Renee B. 1/14 • 7yo

Honor them by having their photo published in Wilmington Parent.

Here's how: e-mail image (size not to exceed 1mb) to birthday@wilmingtonparent.com.

Deadline for publication: 1/12.

We have a limited number of spots, so if you sent your child’s picture and do not see it this issue, please check back next month!

Wilmington Parent | January 2018 | 29

Get Ready for Summer!

Summer Camp Fair

Saturday, FEBRUARY 24, 2018 10am - 3pm Mayfaire Town Center Next To H&M

FREE ADMISSION & FREE PARKING!

Camps for Every Interest and Age: Local • Residential • Sports Day Camps • Science • Athletic Drama • Eco • Art • Nature Surfing • Magic • Horse & Much More!

Plus Demos