Ryan, Krystal, Braydon, Kailey, Rome, and Sage’s Aunt
Writers April Collini
Kim Castner
Lisa Cone
Courtney Cutright
Teresa Martin
Amanda Powers
Rachel Robinson
Katie Lewis
Heidi Blackwelder
Photographers
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Growing Up In the Valley and Growingupinthevalley. com are published by MoFat Publishing. Growing Up In the Valley is published monthly. The views and the opinions expressed by the writers and advertisers do not necessarily represnt those of Growing Up In the Valley, it’s staff or contributors. The information presented here is for informational purposes only and although every effort has been made to present accurate information, we do not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of, or consequences from the use of this information or for the businesses and organizations presented herein. We urge all parents to confirm any information given herein and consult with a doctor or an appropriate professional concerning any information or question. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written consent of the publisher.
Proud to be Part of Your Family Since 2012!
Southwest and Central Virginia’s Premier Family Resource!
Welcome to the April issue of Southwest and Central Virginia’s Premier Family Resource - Growing Up In the Valley!
Spring has finally sprung and boy are we looking forward to warmer weather and festival season! Springtime around the Roanoke and New River Valleys always offer some great free festivals for you and your family to attend. It all starts with the Blue Ridge Kite Fest on April 19th at Green Hill Park.
But perhaps the largest and most popular of them all is Community School’s Strawberry Festival. Nothing says warmer weather like homemade strawberry shortcakes! The event is a Roanoke tradition and we look forward to it every year! All proceeds benefit Roanoke’s Community School. It will be held on May 2nd and 3rd at Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke. Check out the article on page 8 for all the info on this can’t miss event!
As we continue to grow and reach more and more families, we strive to make the magazine better than the previous issue. This issue marks the introduction of a new tagline “Southwest and Central Virginia’s Premier Family Resource”. We have made this change to make sure that parents of our entire region know that our magazine is for them, not just for one town.
We also are introducing a brand new paper which provides you with clearer text and pictures while still offering kids the same easy to color and draw on texture.
We thank you for reading and we look forward to meeting you and your family at one of the many events this spring!
-The Eagan Family Josh, Andrea, Anika and Evelyn
Jessica Farmer Amanda Robinson
Frozen 2013 - DISNEY
directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
Elsa, princess of Arendelle, was born with magical powers that allow her to create snow and ice. One day while she and her little sister Anna are playing, she accidentally injures Anna with a poorly aimed burst of magic. Anna is taken to the troll king, who is able to heal her. He erases her memory of the event and her knowledge of Elsa’s abilities, cautioning them that if Elsa doesn’t learn to control her powers, they could be the end of her.
So the castle’s gates are shut and both girls grow up in isolation as Elsa learns to suppress her powers. And when the king and queen die tragically in a shipwreck, Elsa is left as the next in line for the throne.
But during an emotional outburst on her coronation day, Elsa accidentally reveals her abilities. Panicked, she flees the kingdom and builds an ice palace for herself on a mountain peak. But in her haste, she unintentionally plunges the rest of Arendelle into a world of ice and snow.
Will Anna be able to convince her sister to return and reverse the spell? Or are the people of Arendelle doomed to an eternal winter?
Starring Tony Award winner Idina Menzel, Frozen is a breath of fresh air for the Disney princess franchise. In this heartwarming sister story, the message is one of forgiveness, second chances, and the real meaning of “true love”.
Al Capone Does My Shirts
by Gennifer Choldenko
AGES
10 and UP
The year is 1935, and twelve-yearold Matthew “Moose” Flanagan finds himself neighbors with burglars, mob bosses, and con men. Moose and his family have just moved to Alcatraz Island, home of notorious criminals like Al Capone and Machine Gun Kelly, so that his sister, Natalie, can attend a special school. Natalie is a little different from most kids, and it’s Moose’s job to protect her.
But living next door to convicts is only the beginning of his troubles. Of the twenty-three other kids on the island, not a single one is willing to stand up to the warden’s wily daughter, Piper Williams. Trouble seems to be her middle name, and it doesn’t help that she’s as pretty as she is clever. At five foot eleven and a half inches, Moose might just be brave enough.
Moose just wants to fit in, play baseball, and follow the rules. But with Piper’s constant scheming and his mother’s insistence that Natalie goes where he goes, just being a regular kid becomes a lot tougher.
Choldenko’s storytelling is equal parts poignant and hilarious, and she masterfully combines the two to convey a message of the importance of family and standing up for the ones you love. Moose and Natalie’s relationship will warm the heart of any reader. A Newbery Honor book and New York Times best seller, Al Capone Does My Shirts is truly one for the ages.
Allegiant
by Veronica Roth Grades 8-12
The secret that Jeanine Matthews has kept so close is finally exposed, and just like that, the world as Tris knows it is turned on its head. She and her friends decide to leave the city in hopes of discovering the truth, but nothing could have prepared them for what they find.
As Tris continues to struggle daily with forgiving her brother for his betrayal, she buries herself in her mother’s old journal as a distraction...and realizes that there was much more to her than met the eye.
Meanwhile, Four learns some unsettling information about his genetics, and he is no longer sure where his loyalties lie. He steadily enters a downward spiral. Confused about what to think and who to believe, he and Tris find themselves drifting further and further apart.
And all the while, the people they left behind in the city are preparing to go to battle.
What if everything you knew was a lie? Can Tris and Four reconcile their differences and work together to stop a civil war? Packed with startling revelations, sizzling romance, and fast-paced action, Allegiant is a thrilling conclusion to Roth’s bestselling trilogy.
The Hunger Games Catching Fire
2013
- LIONSGATE
directed by Francis Lawrence
Katniss has barely put the last Hunger Games behind her when the Capitol returns to collect her and Peeta for the Victory Tour. But before they leave, President Snow pays her a visit where he informs her that her family’s lives depend on her making her romance with Peeta believable.
As they travel across the country, Katniss begins to realize that her actions in the Games have sparked uprisings in the districts, and that people have begun to look to her as the symbol of
The Hunger Games
November 21, 2014
the resistance. Terrified for the safety of her family, she does her best to appear smitten with Peeta. And so, to solidify their relationship to the public, they decide to get engaged.
But it’s not enough, and when they return home to District Twelve, the rules for the 75th Hunger Games are announced: the tributes this year will be drawn from each district’s existing pool of victors.
Katniss must compete again, and either Haymitch or Peeta will be joining her.
Based on the wildly popular teen book series by Suzanne Collins, Catching Fire loses none of the momentum produced by the first movie. By combining nail-biting suspense and a bit of romance, the saga continues to thrill both fans of the books and newcomers alike.
New! Junior Kindergarten opening Fall 2014
Christ-centered nurturing environment
Focus on the whole child through spiritual, social, creative, and intellectual development
Low student-teacher ratio
Tuition assistance available
A Sweet Education
34 Years of a Roanoke Tradition Community School’s Strawberry Festival
Each year, thousands flock to Elmwood Park in Downtown Roanoke for the annual Strawberry Festival. According to Pattie Stratton, however, few know about the driving force behind the event. Stratton, the Director of Marketing and Development for Community School, hopes to change that.
The small school located on Williamson Road across from Hollins University is home to 144 kindergarten through eighth grade students and Stratton emphatically stated that “It’s their festival.” The students and their families play a major role in the event, which is a fund-raiser used for scholarships, classroom expenses and the day to day running of the school. But, the event goes beyond just a fund-raiser. Parents have to donate 12 hours apiece to the festival. The students, especially the older ones, can be found behind the scenes and working at the event too. And while this may seem like a daunting task at first, Stratton explained that the Strawberry Festival helps the families understand what Community School is all about. “They get there and have
ownership of this great event and have a ball,” Stratton said. “Our children learn to be a part of the community.”
The Strawberry Festival, which is marking its 34th year, is the longest running festival in Roanoke.
Stratton and the staff spend months preparing for the event, which this year will be held on May 2 and 3. The main feature: strawberry shortcake. A few weeks prior, volunteers meet to
bake the short cakes which are then flash frozen. The Thursday before the event, the majority of the day is spent slicing the strawberries. Then, on Friday and Saturday, parent and student volunteers spend hours scooping ice cream and berries atop the cakes for the masses to enjoy. Patrons can also choose a variety of other strawberry-themed treats, ranging from slushies to chocolate- covered berries. While the strawberries have to be shipped from California, since local berries aren’t yet in season, much of the other necessities are locally donated. Homestead Creamery and Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op donate milk, United Dairy donates butter, Mennell Milling donates the flour, Hollywood’s Bakery donates baking powder and a variety of other local restaurants donate sugar. Murray Cider even donates space for their prep work. Holding true to the school’s name and philosophies, it’s a true community event.
The Strawberry Festival, which is marking its 34th year, is the longest running festival in Roanoke. Stratton is especially excited this year, as it is the first event to take place at Elmwood
Article & Photos by: Katie Lewis
Park since it underwent renovation. Throughout the space, aside from the berry treats, attendants will find children’s games and arts and crafts vendors. Nationwide will also sponsor a NASCAR simulator. “We are trying to figure out how to grow, for us and for the community,” Stratton said. As a result, last year they added food trucks and a rock climbing wall. Over the past couple of years they have also marketed the event in ways to make it more accessible to the public. The week before the festival, sponsors and some Downtown vendors pass out wooden nickels featuring dollar off coupons. Roanoke.com’s Daily Deal offers discounts as well.
Typically patrons have to wait in line to buy tickets for the food items and then wait in another line for the food; while that is still an option, Stratton said they have started offering a variety of others. Tickets can be pre-purchased at the festival website and at all locations of their presenting sponsor, Hometown Bank. This is their first year to have a presenting sponsor for the event. “It’s such a family-oriented event and that’s what Hometown Bank wants as well. It’s a nice partnership,” Stratton said. The event will also have a substation set up in the Market Square building where people can purchase tickets and shortcakes. They may even have another substation set up on Grandin Road; Stratton promised that if not this year, that was a definite for the 2015 festival. Furthermore, those who can’t make it to the event can order shortcake kits online to make their own deserts for eight to ten people.
The Strawberry Festival has proven a successful endeavor. Ten years after the creation of Community School, parents decided to set up the fund-raiser to raise money for the school and celebrate spring. They came up with the idea of the Strawberry Festival, modeled after peach festivals they had seen. The original Strawberry Festival was held at Crestar Plaza and brought in $2,500. Last year’s event raised $59,000 for the school and drew a crowd of around 15,000 people.
As the event continues to grow, so does the school. On March 10, the school held a grand opening ceremony for its new building. Where there was origi-
nally an asphalt slab used for play, now stands an incredibly efficient building with green technology. According to the school’s Executive Director Linda Roth, the new building was added to enhance the educational experience. She explained that they have room for additional students, instead they wanted to “provide more learning space for the students we have.” The building will serve three main purposes: there is a music lab complete with a Yamaha keyboard system, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) lab
for experimentation and other handson activities, and a community space. “The thing we do best is experiential education. Our teachers are really creative. We needed a bigger space to perform and set up experiments,” Roth said. “Providing a space where they can explore is really a gift for them.” The new space will allow more room for activities and presentations and will also give the faculty, staff and students a meeting place. “Considering it’s Community School,” Roth said, “we didn’t really have a place
Students watch as the ribbon is cut for the school’s new building.
Students test out the new STEM Lab in the school’s new building
we could all get together.”
Like the festival, the school has come a long way. Community School opened in 1971 in an old country club building at Green Hill Park in Salem. According to Stratton, it was founded by a group of parents and educators who weren’t satisfied with the educational options in Roanoke. The school was created on the idea that kids learn best through experience and also places an emphasis on integrating the arts into the curriculum. “We give them a joy of learning and teach them how to teach themselves,” Stratton said. “We believe that the child should be very involved in their own education.”
According to Roth, when the school started there were only a handful of students and they were all taught in one classroom regardless of age. They quickly realized that this needed to be adjusted, but still somewhat stuck with the philosophy. Community School does not have grade levels, but instead, levels that incorporate age ranges. That way, students aren’t forced to move on to the next grade if they are not ready. An advanced student in the group may then become a role model for the others. The older kids also have buddies in the younger grades, whom they interact with on a regular basis.
At Community School, children are at the center of their education. The child runs their own conferences, chooses work to show their parents and sets their own personal goals for improvement. Since the school was founded on the idea that kids learn through experience, this is a major factor in the curriculum. “Children innately want to learn and are curious. If provided with the opportunity, they will take advantage of it,” stated Roth. Because of this, students are often asked to take part in simulations where they are placed in a situation similar to that which they are studying. For example, Stratton remembers an Ellis Island simulation for which her daughter had to reenact the role of a young female from the Ukraine. She had to research, dress up and simulate a variety of situations. The teachers also work together so that, for example, if students are studying Ancient Greece, they can incorporate this into their music and art classes as well. “It really
helps them understand the subject they are studying,” Stratton said. “We give them a joy of learning and teach them how to teach themselves.”
Another major philosophy at the school deals with student behavior. “When kids come to Community School, nobody is going to make fun of them,” Stratton said. “Bullying is not allowed.” She explained that this is enforced by the students not the teachers and that the kids simply don’t accept it. “We teach that everybody is different and there is something you can find to like about every person.” Strawberry Festival
May 2 & 3
Because, admit it... you need a better plan for Father’s Day.
FATHER’S DAY 5K & COOKOUT
5K • 1 mile run • Cookout • FUN!
Sat • June 14, 2014 • 9:30am • Salem Family YMCA
Take a walk or run with dad & chow down at our cookout. Join in our family friendly games, activities & photo booth. Compete for “Best Golfer,” “Fastest Dad” or “Highest Jumper.”
5K Run/Walk 10:00am Members: $30 / Non-Members: $35 Cookout & Fun 11:00am FREE with registration $5 to add a meal
BENEFIT: Proceeds benefit the YMCA’s Safe Kids initiative: “Keeping kids safe in the pool and afterschool.”
REGISTER: at your YMCA branch or at www.ymcaroanoke.org/FD5K
SPONSORED BY:
Puzzle It Out
Article by: Tracy Fisher
Max Axe iOS & Android Free
This game goes beyond your normal racing game. You play as Max, a noble viking who is fighting against a forest full of colorful and quirky bad guys. This game uses simple gestures so younger children will be able to play, but the levels rapidly get more challenging so even the most skilled mobile gamer will enjoy this app.
Puzzle Craft
iOS, Free
2048 iOS, Free
This is the newest app sweeping the country. It’s a simple premise. You slide numbered boxes around a grid and matching numbers will combine to create a new number. Your goal is to reach the number 2048 but it is harder than it sounds. You’ll have fun trying to beat your high score over and over!
Pile iOS, Free
Help build up your kingdom with this fun puzzle game. You’ll unlock new villagers and buildings with this addiciting puzzle RPG game. The app is a bit tongue-in-cheek,a dn all players will enjoy the villager’s quips and sayings.
Help build up your kingdom with this fun puzzle game. You’ll unlock new villagers and buildings with this addicting puzzle RPG game. The app is a bit tongue-in-cheek and all players will enjoy the villager’s quips and sayings
Are you sick of plain old tetris? Play this challenging spin on the classic game. You pile up colored blocks to create matching blocks of 3 in a row, but instead of just one oddly shaped piece at a time, you have a choice between 4 pairs of blocks.
3 Things That Need to Stay in the Classroom
by: Katie Lewis
Education is changing before our very eyes. Some days it’s inspiring, yet others it’s plain scary and even frustrating. I just read an article about things that are obsolete in education. Upon seeing the title, I feared that it was going to cite things such as teachers and textbooks. Instead, it went way beyond these things. Almost everything listed was technology related. It cited the negativities of computer labs, why schools shouldn’t ban cell phones, and stressed the incompetency of schools without Facebook and Twitter pages. I agree with most of what it said, but now I have another question: did I miss the article that listed books as obsolete, or can we safely say they are here to stay?
I appreciate technology and the advantages it gives us. I like that I can watch
from my computer to make sure students are working on assignments, yet I still think it’s more personable to walk around and look over their shoulders. I like that I can take my laptop anywhere and grade my students’ essays, but I miss using my purple pen to write comments that force conversations due to my bad handwriting. And I really appreciate that listening to music on personal devices while working can keep some students focused (and quiet) yet know I can’t use this as crutch for managing a particularly challenging group of kids.
Is technology, the thing that is supposed to provide us with superior connection, making us completely disconnected? Sometimes I feel that I am in a battle against technology. Technology is creating laziness and attempting to
put distance between my students and me. But I refuse to let it win. Sometimes the traditional method can still work. Or we can use a combination of the old and the new. No matter what comes of technology, there are three things that should never be completely removed from education.
Paper and Pencils – With computers, who needs them? Well, me, for one. Next thing you know, schools won’t even teach handwriting. Can you imagine? I guess we could assign everyone a font to help them feel unique. Every student works differently, but computers tend to speed up the process, which in turn speeds up the time spent thinking. Writing things out elongates the process and gives more thinking time. When my students go into their SOL writing test, I encourage them to
take advantage of the scratch paper provided them. There is something about jotting things down on paper. A web or an outline should be easy and rough, and the computer can make this a challenge. Next time your child is having trouble writing a paper, try the old-fashioned pencil and paper method.
Books – I support online textbooks. I support reading on a NOOK… I do it myself (although, I do get frustrated when I forget to charge it and can’t find out what happened next). But to totally do away with books would be such a disservice and would be devastating. Reading words on a screen simply doesn’t work for some people. I fear the day when books start to fade away like the compact disc. The last music store shut down at Valley View Mall recently. I remember when there was one on almost every corner. I hope this doesn’t happen to the bookstores. I need my Barnes & Noble. There’s nothing better than strolling through a bookstore, especially when it was suggested by one of your children. We all know the saying: don’t judge a book by its cover. Yet, let’s be honest, we have also all picked up a book due to an enticing cover. The Internet cannot engage us in the same way. Online books are fine, as long as it is just one option. You just can’t curl up with a laptop.
Teachers – Will teachers one day be completely replaced with online classes and curriculum? While convenient, even our current online classes that have a teacher behind the scenes
can be, at times, disconcerting. I am currently taking an online class, and though it has been a good experience, I wish I could meet the professor and have a face to face conversation. Sometimes the blogs and e-mails amongst the class just don’t cut it. I want to meet the person behind the stories that I am critiquing. This online format is surely not for the lazy or unmotivated. Younger students especially will always need the face to face encouragement of a teacher; a smile or a pat on the back can go a long way. I know I may be a little biased, since it is my profession, but teachers will always be a necessity.
I love technology; it has made my life easier in so many ways. I support using it freely and often in the classroom, but it’s up to us to make sure it is used for efficiency, learning, and creativity, which it can be on so many levels. One way to differentiate in the classroom is to offer some old-fashioned options along with the new. We need not force technology upon things that already work just because we can. After all, another old adage surely applies: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. In the future, as my car is driving me to the grocery store, I might think back and laugh at these words I’ve written (oops… I mean typed and submitted to the publisher electronically). Until then, I’ll enjoy my Nook and perusing the book store, I’ll hand write letters to my Nana but send e-mails to my colleagues, and I’ll simply allow technology to be a helpful companion NOT a dictator.
Roanoke Valley Montessori
Summer Camp Program
Our camps emphasizes discovery and investigating with direct hands on experiences that are enhanced with an ongoing Montessori curriculum that will keep children engaged and happy. Activities will include arts, crafts, cooking, music, drama, field trips, guest speakers, science, spanish, and much more!
Where summer fun and learning collide.
Safety Tips for the Spring and Summer
Summertime brings lazy days spent at the pool, chances to explore outside with friends, and warm nights watching baseball. While backpacks are stored for the season and swimsuits are almost constantly in use, kids spend most of the season making the most of the outdoors and time with their friends. Summertime is magical for everyone, especially children who look forward to the season all school year long. Everyone hopes to make the most of their summer season, but parents should pay special attention to the risks and injury possibilities that increase during June, July, and August when summer break is in full swing. Here is a brief list of potential dangers that any parent or caregiver is smart to pay attention to during the warm summer months.
WATER SAFETY- Adult supervision is very important during pool/beach season. Always make sure an adult is near any child who is swimming or playing in any type of water. Never leave a child unsupervised in any type of water-pool, beach, hot tub, sink, or bathtub.
SUN EXPOSURE- Sunscreen is a must for everyone-even on cloudy days. Sunscreen must be applied before heading outdoors and reapplied often. Children and adults can still get sunburnt on a cloudy or overcast day. Children can burn quickly and never should be allowed to apply their own sunscreen without adult supervision.
TICK BITES- In our area in the Valley, tick bites are common for adults and children. Any tick bite should be carefully watched and examined for rashes or signs of Lyme Disease. Protective clothing and bug spray is a great idea for anyone who may be
venturing out into areas that may be overgrown or wooded. After venturing out, closely examine your children for signs of tick bites. Don’t hesitate to call your pediatrician if you are unsure or uneasy about a bite your child may have gotten.
HELMETS- I’m a stickler about my girls wearing their helmets on any wheeled vehicles. As a teacher and mom, I’ve seen too many kids get seriously
by: Kim Castner
injured because they didn’t take the time to put on their helmet. Make sure your kids have properly fitted helmets that meet safety guidelines and offer whole head protection. It’s easy to fall on bikes and scooters- You’ll be glad they were wearing head protection if they fall.
BEE STINGS/ALLERGIES- If your child is allergic to bee stings, always make sure to carry his/her EpiPen at all times with you. Even the shortest trip outdoors can result in a bee sting and precious seconds can be saved if you are prepared. Make sure that all caregivers (especially camp leaders and coaches) are comfortable administering the EpiPen in case of emergency. Also, make those coaches and caregivers aware of any allergies that your child may have if they will be supervising them at all.
Rest easy knowing your child is safe on every ride.
Free online safety seat demonstration videos
Free Safety Seat Check Stations
Free safety seats for income - eligible families
Questions answered by a Cer ti�ed Safety Seat Technician
The VDH Child Passenger Safety Program is funded by 402 Federal Highway Safety Funds.
Keeping Your Family Safe Around Water
by: Kim Bratic, YMCA of Roanoke Valley
We buckle our kids into our cars like astronauts. We buy BPA-free plastic and organic food. We put up gates and buy helmets all in the name of keeping our kids safe and healthy. But, as careful as we are, there’s an extra level of safety that we sometimes overlook: water safety.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day in the United States, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years.
The good news is that it’s really easy to avoid becoming a statistic, because most water-related accidents can be avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few simple guidelines.
Learn to swim
Learning to swim is essential if you plan on being in or near water. Participating in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent according to Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. As an added bonus, learning to swim is fun and a great exercise. In our area, swim lessons are accessible at recreation centers, and public and private pools. Some facilities even offer income-based rates so that lessons are affordable to all.
Keith Gaines, director of aquatics at the Kirk Family YMCA in Roanoke, said that both one-on-one and group swim lessons are a great way for kids to learn to swim. “At the Y, we offer a wide range of swimming options for the whole family, starting with children as young as six-months-old. We work on developing swim skills, but especially for children, we teach safety around the water and drowning prevention strategies.”
Keep a watchful eye
“Anytime you have a standing body of water that is accessible, make sure you supervise your child at all times,” said Dr. Wendy Pomerantz, an emer-
gency-room physician at Cincinnati Children’ Hospital Medical Center. “Children can drown in even the smallest body of water, including toilets, decorative fountains, portable pools, buckets and bath tubs.”
Because parents and caregivers should never leave a young child unattended or allow anyone to swim alone, The American Red Cross suggests that children are taught to always ask permission to go near water. While parents are keeping a watchful eye, they should also encourage the buddy system (having children swim with others) and choose locations with certified lifeguards whenever possible.
Learn CPR and basic rescue safety techniques
Learning life-saving skills, such as CPR and rescue techniques, can help you save a life. According to the CDC, CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to save lives and improve outcomes in drowning victims. A number of organizations, including local hospitals, chapters of the Red Cross and YMCAs offer low-cost or no-cost classes that can teach essential skills in just a few hours.
Even schools are recognizing the importance of teaching water safety skills. Each spring, 300 second graders in Salem City’s four elementary schools
participate in the Salem Family YMCA’s free “Safe Splash” water safety program. For three weeks each May, every student travels to the Y, suits up and gets hands-on learning experience in water safety—from learning how to safely get into and out of a boat and properly putting on a life jacket to pool rules and beach hazards. Aquatics Director Shannon Hoopes said, “about 300 kids pass through the program each spring before they head to the pool, lake, water park or beach. Each of these water environments is unique, so each gets special attention. ”
No matter what your plans are this summer, water is all around us. Here are some tips to keep your family safe:
The American Academy of Pediatrics has these tips for protecting children:
Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
Practice touch supervision with children younger than five years. This means that the adult is within an arm’s length of the child at all times.
Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren’t tempted to reach for them.
The American College of Emergency Physicians has these safety tips:
Never swim alone.
Know how to swim and know your limits.
Never dive into unfamiliar water.
Never swim or boat during inclement weather.
All caregivers should learn CPR.
Have you ever seen a raisin dance? No, I don’t mean in a commercial or on TV. Chances are you haven’t, but with this month’s experiment you can make raisins dance in your very own kitchen.
Dancing Raisins
by: Franklin Stinson/Science Museum of Western VA
Materials Needed:
Carbonated Drink Raisins Clear Glass
Directions:
Pour the can of soda into the tall glass. Notice the bubbles coming up from the bottom of the glass. The bubbles are carbon dioxide gas released from the liquid.
Drop 6 or 7 raisins into the glass. Watch the raisins for a few seconds. Describe what is happening to the raisins. Do they sink or float? Keep watching; what happens in the next several minutes?
COME PLAY WITH US AT THE DUMAS CENTER!
Spring Break Camp
APRIL 23RD-25TH / 8:30-5:30PM / COST $125
No plans for spring break? Don't spend it on the couch! Come join us at the theatre for 3 DAYS of FUN! Students will present a Broadway Showcase for friends and family on the last day of camp!
Spring MINI-SESSION CLASSES
APRIL 7TH-MAY 25TH / COST $100 with RCT’s Spring Camps & Classes!
Imagination time (4 & 5 YEAR OLDS) SAT 10:00-11:00 AM FANCY NANCY! Audition technique (4TH-10TH GRADE) MON 4:15-5:30 PM 1,2,3...AUDITION! (AUDITION
CREATIVE DRAMA (1ST-3RD GRADE) WED 4:00-5:00 PM SONG & DANCE: DISNEY!
Raisins are denser than the liquid in the soda, so initially they sink to the bottom of the glass. The carbonated soft drink releases carbon dioxide bubbles. When these bubbles stick to the rough surface of a raisin, the raisin is lifted because of the increase in buoyancy. When the raisin reaches the surface, the bubbles pop, and the carbon dioxide gas escapes into the air. This causes the raisin to lose buoyancy and sink. This rising and sinking of the raisins continues until most of the carbon dioxide has escaped, and the soda goes flat. Furthermore, with time the raisin gets soggy and becomes too heavy to rise to the surface.
You might want to try other objects to
see if they exhibit this behavior. Any object whose density is just slightly greater than water’s and has a rough surface to which the gas bubbles can attach should be able to dance in the carbonated water. Some of the more common dancing substances are mothballs and pieces of uncooked pasta. Try putting other objects in the carbonated water. Can you find other substances that dance?
Carbonated beverages are prepared by putting the beverage into a can under high pressure of carbon dioxide gas. This high pressure causes the carbon dioxide gas to dissolve in the liquid. When you open a can of soda, the noise you hear is produced by the
carbon dioxide gas as it rushes out of the can. When the can is opened, the decreased pressure allows some of the carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the liquid to escape. This is what makes the bubbles in a soft drink.
Another way to do this experiment is to generate the carbon dioxide gas using the reaction of baking soda and vinegar. Fill your glass about 1/2 full with water. Add one teaspoon of baking soda and stir until it is dissolved in the water. Add 6 or 7 raisins to the glass. SLOWLY pour in vinegar until the glass is about 3/4 full. The vinegar and baking soda react to form carbon dioxide bubbles, and the raisins will dance just as in the soft drink!
For more science experiments visit
Fitting your Bike Helmet
If a bike helmet does not fit your child, it will offer little to no protection. So, take the time to get the right fit. Make the shopping trip a family affair and let your child help pick out a helmet they like. If they like it, they are more likely to wear it every time. In addition, your child’s helmet should meet the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s standards. Look for the certification label inside the helmet.
SIZE - Measure your child’s head to find the right size. Have your child try on several helmets until one feels right. Now, put the helmet level on their head and adjust the sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug.
POSITION - The helmet should sit level on your child’s head and low on their forehead. You should only be able to put two fingers between your child’s eyebrows and the top of the helmet. Your child should also be able to look up and see the helmet.
SIDE STRAPS - The side strap should make a Y underneath the ear for a secure fit. Be sure to lock the slider in place.
BUCKLES - Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps.
CHIN STRAPS - Buckle the chin strap and tighten it until it is snug. You should not be able to fit more than one or two fingers under the strap. When the helmet is buckled, your child should able to open and close their mouth comfortably. When your child opens their mouth very wide, the helmet should pull down on their head. If not, tighten the chin strap.
Protecting Your Kids from Serious Injury is Easier than You Think
Article by: Stephanie Specht Carilion Clinic
Bumps and bruises are just part of growing up. And as parents, we try to keep our children safe and protected, but an accident is bound to happen no matter how closely we watch them. While some falls can just result in a simple scrape or bump on the head, others can be much more serious.
“Each year, 2.4 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including 475,000 children,” said Jill Lucas-Drakeford, a Carilion Clinic community health educator and the coordinator for Safe Kids Southwest Virginia. “About 75 percent of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury.”
A TBI is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Head injuries are the cause of 80 percent of pediatric trauma cases. Just last year alone, physicians at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department treated over 300 children (ages 0-14) for pediatric traumatic brain injuries. This complex injury can cause a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities that range from mild to devastating, and recovery from a TBI can take years or it may affect a person for the rest of their lives. However, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your children.
“One of the best things you can do is to make sure your child always wears a properly fitting helmet that is specific to the activity or sport they are doing,” Lucas-Drakeford explained. “Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88 percent.”
Here are 10 other tips to keep your children safe, inside and outside of the home:
Always make sure your child wears a helmet when doing the following activities:
Biking
Skating
Skateboarding
Football
Hockey
Horseback riding
Riding a powered recreational vehicle
Skiing or snowboarding
Wrestling
Be a role model. If you wear a helmet and protective gear, your kids will too. If your child plays sports, learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion. This is even more important if you are a coach.
Do not let children use sports equip ment that is unsuitable for their age.
Replace sports equipment or protective gear when it has been damaged.
Install window guards in your home and use approved safety gates on stairs.
Secure televisions and furniture so that kids cannot tip them over.
Always use a car seat, booster seat, or a seat belt when traveling in a car with children. Every ride, every time.
Do not let children use playgrounds with hard ground surfaces.
Do not dive in water less than 10-feet deep or in above-ground pools. Check the depth and for debris in the water before diving.
Just a few simple precautions can keep an accident from turning into a tragedy. For more information, please ask your pediatrician or visit CarilionClinic.org.
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Safety on the Net
When talking internet safety a decade or two ago, the discussion seemed somewhat ominous and fear-based, centering on child predators and AOL chat room do’s and don’ts. The internet has evolved since then, and social media has changed the way so many Americans view individual presence on the internet. These changes have also affected our thoughts about privacy, posting, and perceived dangers. When it comes to children and teens, perhaps the lines become more and more blurred for parents who wish to allow their kids access and yet also want to know what’s going on while their young ones surf the web.
The increase in the ease of access has no doubt added to the shift in concern. According to a Forester study in 2012, fifty-eight percent of all American kids ages 13-17 have their own personal smartphone. In fact, the percentage of teenagers in America who own smartphones is greater than the number of adults in the entire world who own smart phones. This brings about a whole host of new apprehensions for parents with kids who seem glued to their screens. Internet safety becomes
more about internet health, because usage has implications reaching past physical dangers and extending to emotional, mental and perhaps even spiritual effects.
Before sliding down the slippery slope of vilifying the internet or technology, it’s important to note the wealth of positive things to do on the web. The truth is, technologies have been around forever, and so has this idea of becoming fully-engrossed at the onset of newer ones. According to Wellcast, a group dedicated to wellness, “Complete devoted immersion is something that the human race has done for a very long time.” Wellcast references a 19th century craze in England called “Kaleidoscomania” that apparently “swept” the nation. People were reportedly so obsessed with kaleidoscopes that they were “doing whatever the 19th century equivalent was of holding everyone up at a green light.” Though the internet has undoubtedly affected history more so than the kaleidoscope, we get the idea.
Scientists, physicians, researchers and parents all have somewhat varying thoughts on what may be normal or
by: Rachel Robinson
beneficial use for children and teens when it comes to technology.
In an interview with CBS news’ Larry Magid, author and Microsoft Researcher Danah Boyd speaks about how teens use social media. She wrote her newest book, It’s Complicated-The Social Lives of Network Teens in order to take a deeper look at how young people engage with social media. Though many parents have been given the message that safe internet use is based solely on restrictions, Boyd encourages parents to note the shift in cultural lifestyle from her generation to those growing up in the current digital age. She explains the importance of truly getting down to the heart of what exactly children and teens are using the internet to do.
“Young people have turned to social media because their lives have been so heavily restricted, per a variety of different social forces,” Boyd explains. “In such that my generation used to get on a bike and go wherever, today teens don’t have that opportunity and so they’ve turned to social media as a place to hang out and socialize with their friends.”
When asked about the variety of issues that many parents face regarding internet use, including “cyber-bullying, reputation issues and privacy,” Boyd explains that through her work with young people, she hopes to address parental anxieties by spending time with youth and conducting methodical research to see how to “get at what they are really doing, why, and understanding what the root is.” And as the book title sums up-It’s complicated. Boyd attributes parental fears somewhat to “24/7 news,” and the means by which parents recognize that there are terrible things that could potentially happen to their children, not only in the physical world but also online. The past several years, many parents have heard that their kids are actually more at risk in the form of cyber-bullying from their peers rather than online predators. With regards to her research on cyber-bullying specifically, Boyd acknowledges that bullying in general is indeed a problem among young people, and has been long before the internet arrived on the scene. She says that though bullying has not necessarily been on the rise because of the internet, social media has a way of magnifying bullying by helping to leave a visible trace.
“This means that (pre-social media) if your child comes home with a black eye, you know he’d got beaten up at school, but if he comes home grouchy you didn’t really know what was going on. Now, because of traces of data you see something on Instagram and you think you understand what’s going on.” Boyd continues to articulate that what fascinates her most is the difference in the “language” that children and parents use when talking about bullying.
“Adults use the language of bullying to refer to every aspect of meanness and cruelty, from lightly teasing to serious forms of physical and sexual harassment. Young people are more judicious and more constrained with how they use ‘bullying.’ They use ‘bullying’ to refer to really the same things that researchers do-psychological, physical, or social aggression repeated over time by people of differential physical or social power. They use terms like ‘drama’ to refer to a whole variety of other types of meanness and cruelty in part because they don’t want to position themselves as victims or perpetrators.”
Boyd continues that while maintaining some awareness of what your child is posting online is important, a punitive approach is not necessarily the answer. She advocates “getting to the root of the problem in order to find out what’s actually going on, so we can make an intervention that matters.” Perhaps this means having more conversations about friends, emotions and struggles, says Boyd. Others would elaborate that “unplugging” from technology is sometimes a catalyst to encouraging healthier behaviors.
Psychiatrist Victoria L. Dunckley, M.D. recently wrote an article explaining the effects of prolonged “screen time” in young children especially. While her evidence in favor of unplugging includes more than just limiting internet time, she outlines some interesting findings regarding brain development, emotional and mental wellness of children in this digital age.
“As a child psychiatrist, I see firsthand how screen-time (especially interactive) impacts mood, cognition, and behavior by causing hyperarousal and overstimulation, leading to a dysregulated nervous system. In short, screen exposure repeatedly induces a stress response. This is the mechanism behind all the effects, including physical ones such as obesity and metabolic syndrome. Parents, clinicians, and educators need to be aware that screen-time causes changes in brain chemistry, networks and blood flow, hormones, sleep patterns, and social interactions.”
She also asserts that young children who experience prolonged screen exposure (more than seven hours per day) have “structural and functional changes in brain regions involving emotional processing, executive attention, decision making, and cognitive control.”
Whether you’re for unlimited access or not, when it comes to internet safety and education, educators and parents play an important role in working with young people, not only with technology itself but with the underlying issues. Danah Boyd explains that the most important question she asks is simply, “Why?” She explains that educating ourselves and our children is more about relationships, questions and
conversations.
“We can’t solve this by solely setting rules or becoming experts of the technology. It’s about adults understanding the complex social emotional issues at play and thinking critically.”
Larry Magid identifies the issue at hand to be less and less about internet safety and more about health and life skills.
Wellcast gives some great tips for screen-overloaded kids and adults on how to slowly pull themselves back to a healthy level. The wellness gurus suggest scheduling periods each day that are designated as technology-free. Their recommendation is starting with about an hour a day to unplug in order to take part in other more engaging activities with your children. Taking a walk, baking a cake, going to an art gallery or shooting some hoops are all some ideas they suggest to separate from that screen. Wellcast also advises “when you can, you do it in person.”
They promote the human interaction that so many Americans have lost because of busyness and the convenience of texting, instant messaging, emailing and social media.
Perhaps the most practical tip that the Wellcasters give, is to keep sleeping time and smartphones separate. The temptation to check your phone or handheld device before bed is immensely increased when the phone is “sleeping with you,” says Wellcast. “(You’ll want to check) CNN before you go to sleep, or check Flipboard or check your Facebook status or see who’s updating on Instagram. It’s an endless process that will start again when you wake up in the morning.” They recommend charging your phone in the living room during the night. This is especially important for teens and children with handheld devices.
A local father explains that he has his daughter put her phone on the kitchen table before going to sleep so that she is not tempted to stay up later than she should.
With education and open conversation with our children and teens, technology doesn’t have to be a thing to be feared by parents. Check out the links below for more information and ideas about safe technology use.
Mad Lib
by: Amanda Powers
It was a(n) ___________ and __________ day at school. As I walked in the door my mother said, “Hi honey, what did you learn at school today?” Looking over at my mom sitting on the ________, I smiled. I was so feeling she asked because Safety _________ visited our classroom. “Well Mom,” I said, “I learned that I should always wear my ________ helmet when I ______my bike.” She was very impressed. “What else did you learn?” she asked as she picked up the _______ and ___________off the floor. I ______________ onto the sofa and continued telling her about my _________ day. “I also learned that we should change the batteries in our fire alarm and have a family plan for emergencies,” I said. She smiled, “It sounds like you learned a lot today.” I ______________ for joy! “Yes, I did! It’s so important to stay safe!”
Later that day I saw my friend, _________ riding their bike. They were not wearing their ________ helmet. I _____________ after them and reminded them what we learned in class. They thanked me and we decided to play a _______________ relay. It was the __________ day ever!
Flutter’s Word Flurry
Catepillar Safety
It was a warm, sunny day in the valley.
“At last!” cried Woolie. “I thought spring would never arrive!”
“Well actually Woolie, It’s been spring for a over two weeks now.” replied his sister.
“Then someone forgot to tell that to the weather, because it hasn’t been acting like spring!” Woolie exclaimed.
“You’re right litle brother,” Flutter said with a smile. “Hurry
up and get ready, we’re going to Grandma’s house.”
“Hooray!” woolie shouted. “Do you think Mom will let me ride my scooter there?”
“Mom told me you would ask that question. She said you can ride it as long as you wear your helmet,” Flutter explained.
“Aww man! Why do I always have to wear that thing?” Woolie grumbled.
“Woolie, you know that’s mom’s rule. As she always says ‘No helmet, no wheels.’” With that, Flutter flew outside to wait for Woolie.
After a few minutes, Woolie rolled out on this scooter wearing a frown and his helmet.
“What’s wrong little bug? asked Mom.
“Why do I always have to wear my helmet?” Woolie asked.
“You and your sister are very important to your dad and I,” Mom answered. “We love you and want to keep you safe.”
“You always say that.” Woolie whined.
You can always walk,” replied Momma ‘Pillar.
“Alright, I’ll wear it,” agreed Woolie.
In no time, Flutter, Woolie and Momma ‘Pillar arrived at Grandma’s house. Grandma was in the garage sorting through a mountain of boxes.
“Grandma!” shouted Woolie. “I’m so glad the cold and snow are gone and we get to see you.”
“I’ve missed you too, little bug” said Grandma. “Now that you’re here, I can use your help sorting through these old photos.”
“Wow, Grandma! this bug looks just like me,” said Flutter. “But I don’t remember ever having a bike like that.”
“Of course you don’t silly. That’s your mother when she was your age,” said Grandma.
“Let me see!” demanded Woolie. “Hey, wait a minute. there are tons of pictures of Mom as a little caterpillar riding her bike. How come she’s not wearing a helmet?
Story and Art by Andrea Eagan
That’s not fair!” shouted Woolie. “I hate wearing a helmet! Mom makes me wear one all the time but she didn’t have to!”
“Well back then, most bugs didn’t know how important it was to be safe on the roads,” replied Grandma. “Bugs didn’t wear seat belts or helmets. There were many bugs who suffered serious injury or died because they weren’t buckled or went without helmets. We were lucky your with your Mom, but there were many others who weren’t so lucky.”
“I still don’t understand why things have changed and I have to wear a helmet,” replied Woolie.
“Well, little brother, I think what Grandma is trying to say is that things change over time. We have better ways to protect ourselves now just like we have better bikes then they did back then!” Flutter explained.” “I mean, look at the bike Mom was riding.” Flutter said pointing to a picture of her Mom on a very old bike.
“Yeah, that sure is an old looking bike, it does not look safe at all!” Woolie said understandingly. “I guess that makes sense, just because they didn’t have helmets back then, doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t use them today. Thanks Grandma for showing us those pictures.”
“You’re welcome Woolie, I hope you learned a bit about why you should try to be safe” Said Grandma.
“I sure did Grandma,” Woolie said excitedly as he jumped on his scooter.
“Woolie!” Flutter said quickly “Did you forget something?” she said as she tossed his helmet to him.
“Oh…yeah,” Woolie answered as he fumbled to catch the helmet. “I guess I am still learning!”
Family Calendar
Need something to do this month? Classes, Festivals, Movie Nights & Story Times- we have them all! View our complete listings and submit your own events at Growingupinthevalley.com
Blue Ridge Kite Festival
April 19 • Green Hill Park • Free Event
The Blue Ridge Kite Festival is celebrating it’s 16th year! Every spring the sky is filled with kites from amateurs and professionals alike. Bring your family to this great free event and enjoy food and craft vendors as well as kite instruction and demostrations. The Richmond Air Force Kite Club will be exhibiting their flying skills.
The first 1,000 kids will receive a FREE T--Shirt!
Community School
Strawberry Festival
May 2-3 • Elmwood Park • Advanced tickets for sale online
The Strawberry Festival draws approximately 30,000 visitors to downtown Roanoke during the first weekend of May. In addition to delicious strawberry desserts, there are arts and craft vendors, children’s activities, and live entertainment. General admission to the Festival is free, but patrons are encouraged to purchase homemade strawberry shortcake, strawberry sundaes, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry slushies, or strawberries and cream.
Parents and staff from Community School prepare all the shortcakes from scratch, baking enough to serve over 12,000 strawberry shortcakes the weekend of the Festival. They also clean, cap and slice all the berries used, as well as prepare and serve all the treats over the two days.
The Guide
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Thursday • April 10
FREE Preschool Spring Party
10:30 AM
C. Darrell Shell Park
Ages 5 & Under
Free (540) 772-7507
Celebrate spring with the South County Library. Please bring a snack to share!
FREE Pokemon Club
4:00 PM- 5:00 PM
South County Library
Grades 2-6
Free (540) 772-7507
Come play your favorite handheld games, trade cards and make new friends! Please bring a snack to share.
FREE Spawn Point Minecraft Club
6:00 PM
South County Library
Ages 9-17
Free
Please register at (540) 772-8772
Saturday • April 12
Easter Egg Hunt
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Pump-It-Up, Roanoke
Ages 11 & Under
$12.50/Child
$5.50/Adult (540) 345-7867 for Reservations
Join the Easter Bunny on an egg hunt on the inflatables! Pictures and yummy breakfast treats, too! (Adult admission is for breakfast only.)
Awesome Amphibians
10:00 AM- 11:30 AM
Mill Mountain Discovery Center
Ages 6 & Up
$6/Child
Register online by April 9
Join us to discover the wet and wild world of amphibians. Explore amphibian characteristics and learn which amphibians can be found in Virginia. For more info, email Parksrec@Roanokeva.gov
Green Valley Elementary PTA
Spring Carnival
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Green Valley Elementary School
All Ages
Game Tickets $0.25
Celebrate Spring with our Silent Auction, Vendor Fair, Bouncy Obstacle Courses, Mechanical Bull Ride, Surf Board Ride, Pony Cart Rides, Duck Race Game. Putt Putt Game, Nail Polishing, Photo Booth, Dunk Tank, Pick-A-Jars, Book Fair, Live DJ, and not to mention, Great Food and Drinks!
FREE Community Easter Egg Hunt & Concert
11:30 AM- 3:00 PM
Huntington Court United Methodist Church
3333 Williamson Road, Roanoke
All Ages
Free
Please RSVP for Egg Hunt (540) 3663465
FREE Spectacular Saturdays
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Taubman Museum
All Ages
Free
Featuring gallery treasure hunts, arts & crafts, special musical guests and performances and more! Participate in an array of exhibition-related programming for adults and children. Enjoy a variety of creative projects and fun, exploratory activities every Saturday.
FREE BUMC Easter Party
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Bonsack United Methodist Church
4483 Bonsack Road, Roanoke Ages 3-11
Free
FREE Read To Pets
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Raleigh Court Library Ages 5-11
Free
Bring your young readers to Raleigh Court Branch Library! The children will have the opportunity to read picture books to friendly animals from Angels of Assisi.
FREE Salem Egg Hunt
1:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Longwood Park Ages 3-10
Free
Egg hunt at Longwood Park and pictures with the Easter Bunny! For more info visit Salemva.gov
FREE 3.2 Run in Remembrance
8:45 AM- 10:00 AM
War Memorial Hall, Virginia Tech
All Ages
Free
Run in Remembrance to honor the 32 victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre. The first 5,00 to register will receive a free running bib and T-shirt. The race begins at 9:00 AM, with a race photo taken at 8:45 AM. For more information please visit run.recsports.vt.edu
Romp-N-Roll Kid’s Night Out
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Romp-N-Roll, Blacksburg Ages 2-6
$20/Child
$30/Siblings
$40/3+ Siblings
(540) 552-7667
Registration required
Every kid deserves a special night out and so do you! That’s why we created Kids Night Out. Parents get an evening to themselves while the children get to run and play with our energetic instructors and enjoy a pizza party dinner at Romp n’ Roll!
Sunday • April 13
Paws for A Cause 5K
12:00PM- 3:00 PM
Virginia Tech Cross Country Course
All Ages
$5
PAWS FOR A CAUSE is a 5k walk/run on the Virginia Tech cross country course in honor of animals that have been abused, mistreated, or abandoned.
Participants are STRONGLY encouraged to bring their dogs! There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place that walk/run with a dog. Not only is it for a great cause, but this event is a HUGE PUPPY PLAY DATE that is lots of fun for both the dogs and their loving owners!
Come join the fun! There will be music, a photo station with costumes to dress up your dog, corn hole, ladder toss, and tons of other fun activities!
ALL the money raised will be given directly to Montgomery County Friends of Animal Care & Control and Pulaski County Humane Society.
Monday • April 14
FREE What The Craft?!
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Glenvar Library Ages 9-17
Free
This week’s craft is Clay Creations.
Tuesday • April 15
FREE Preschool Spring Party 10:30 AM
Hollins Library Ages 5 & Under Free (540) 561-8024
Celebrate spring with Hollins Library. Please bring a snack to share!
The Guide
FREE K-3 Spring Party
6:30 PM
Glenvar Library
Grades K-3
Free Please register (540) 397-6163
FREE Craft Time
4:00 PM
South County Library
Grades K-3
Free (540) 772-7507
Learn how to make art from recycled materials! Please register as space is limited.
Thursday • April 17
FREE Preschool Storytime
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Jackson Park Library
Ages 3-5
Free
Enjoy stories, music and motion.
FREE Drop In Story Time
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Barnes and Noble
Ages 0-7
Join us every Wednesday for our weekly Storytime in the Children’s Department! Each week we pair a fun story for kids through second grade with a craft.
FREE Car Seat Safety Check
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Roanoke City Fire Station #6
All Ages
Free
Motor Vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children, and 8 out of 10 children in car seats are not properly restrained.
Locally, Carilion Clinic Safe Kids and Roanoke City Fire/EMS hold a car seat safety check the 3rd Thursday of each month at Roanoke City FIre Station #6, located at 1333 Jamison Ave. This is a free service for anyone in the community who transports children.
Saturday • April 19
FREE 16th Annual Blue Ridge
Kite Festival
10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Green Hill Park
All Ages
Free
Let’s go fly a kite! Celebrate the arrival of spring with an exhibition by the Richmond Air Force Kite Club, as well as games, vendors and great food! Free parking, but please no pets! First 1,000 kids in attendance will receive a FREE t-shirt!
FREE Spring Fling
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Grace Family Church
All ages Free
There will be pony rides, face painting, an obsticle course, free hot dogs, carnival games and a drawing for the parents present to Hotel Roanoke restaurant. We’ll wrap up our celbration with an Easter Egg Hunt!
Tuesday • April 22
FREE Spring Break Comic Book Workshop
3:00 PM– 4:00 PM
Gainsboro Library
Ages 5-17
Free
Come and make your very own comic book for Spring Break!
Wednesday • April 23
FREE Busy Bookworms Play Date
10:30 AM
Glenvar Library
Ages 0-5
Free (540) 387-6163
Reading can be fun at any age! Please bring a snack to share with the group.
Friday • April 25
FREE Pizza and a Movie
1:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Melrose Branch Library
Ages 0-17
Free
Come enjoy Spring Break at the Library and enjoy the hit movie Frozen and some pizza.
April 23 • April 27
59th Annual Vinton
Dogwood Festival
Downtown Vinton
All Ages (540) 983-0614
Activities include a 5-day carnival, local entertainment, craft show, distance run, children’s area, and car show. The annual parade steps-off Saturday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m. Visit www.vintondogwoodfestival.org for details.
Saturday • April 26
FREE YMCA Kids Marathon
7:30 AM
Elmwood Park/Kirk Family YMCA
ALL AGES
$15 Members/$20 Non Members
Monday • April 28
FREE Lego Club
4:00 PM
South County Library
Ages 7-12
Free
(540) 722-7507
May 2 • May 3
Community School
Strawberry Festival
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Elmwood Park
All Ages
Free to attend
Strawberry Treats $1.50-$6/ea
Help support the Community School with some yummy springtime strawberry treats! Be on the look out for the Growing Up in the Valley’s photo booth!
Grocery shopping is expensive for a family! Couponing is a great way to help alleviate some of the cost of feeding a family - but what if you don’t have coupons? Our Grocery Index will help you figure out where to buy the most popular items used by families.
How do you read the chart below? It’s simple! Pick an item on the left and follow the line to the right to see how much an item is at one of four local grocery stores. If the price of that item is dark green, it is cheaper than other stores, if it is red it is more expensive. Next to the price, is how much more or less that item is at that store compared to the average price in the area. For example, milk was least expensive at Kroger at $3.38 which was $0.12 less then the average. This month, shopping at Wal Mart was your cheapest option. The total for the items listed would have cost you $115.27 or $4.03 less than average.
At the bottom of each store’s column is the discounts because of sales on the day we priced the products. Food Lion and Wal Mart were less then $1.00 apart with sales factored in. Kroger remained the most expensive.
NOTE: These are list prices and do not reflect any sales retailers may have had running at the time this list was created. Ground Beef is “USDA Inspected” at all stores. Target sells fruit per piece and not by pound, therefore price is estimated. Coupons can be used at all stores. Target allows “Stacking” which means using 1 store coupon and one manufacturers coupon per item. Pricing gathered on March 30, 2014.
The FilesMommy
Part Two: Making Room for Daddy
by: Amanda Powers
The days of staying out or up all night with your man are long over, but being close to him shouldn’t be. A big part of raising a healthy family is having a healthy marriage. However, I know how hard that can be! With babies who don’t sleep, older kids involvedin a million activities, work, bills, and everything in between, finding time and energy can be difficult. There is good news! Although it may not be easy, this task is not impossible! All it takes is a little effort and a lot of creativity. If you can’t think of how on your own (or your just too tired), I have a few tips that might help.
One: Make your mornings count. Basically, let your “goodbyes” count. Let your kiss linger. Look into his eyes. Really take a moment to send him off on his way. If you don’t get an opportunity at the beginning of your day, leave him a note. Make sure to put it in a place they he see it. Think about his routine. Maybe the bathroom mirror, his lunch, or his wallet. Make sure it’s somewhere he will find it early in the day. This doesn’t mean that mornings are the only time you can squeeze a little extra romance into your life. That leads me to my next tip!
Two: Little things can make a big difference! Whether its texting him a quick “I love you” or making his favorite dinner, the extra effort will surely be noticed. Even doing a chore on his to do list can make a big statement. You know that saying “it’s the thought that counts”? In marriage this is especially true.
Three: Schedule a date night. This works best if you can plan one for once a week, but if you can’t, you should do so at least once a month.
Babysitting tends to be the biggest issue when it comes to this, and I can relate! I have a few babysitting ideas that might help the process go more smoothly. First, do a “kid swap” with another couple. You keep their kids one night, they keep yours another. There is no extra cost, just a few extra kids once in a while. The upside to this is- you already know the sitters and both sets of kids will love it! Second, give the teens in your life a chance. If you know a teen that helps in the church nursery or sits for a family friend, consider them a useful resource. Teens are often affordable as well! Third, join Care.com. I recently signed up for the free service and the site is helpful. They give you information on experience, personality, and rates. Lastly, give the family a turn.
Grandmas are often up to a little extra spoiling, aunts and uncles may enjoy getting a chance to go do the kid things they miss. It never hurts to ask!
When you do finally get your date night, don’t waste the whole evening on “child chatter”. Make it a rule to get all the talk of children out in the first fifteen minutes. After that, talk about something else! Otherwise you may end up spending the whole time talking about your munchkins and not building your relationship.
Four: Don’t neglect yourself. Like before you were married and before kids, keep true to yourself. Do the things that make you feel pretty. Shave your legs, dress nice, paint your nails. Whatever it is that you do for you, keep doing it. Remember, if you feel good, you’ll be more open to feel romantic.
Five: After bedtime means “our” time. Yes, we all have things to do after the kids go to bed, but make a point to designate at least fifteen minutes to daddy every night before you hit the sack. All those other things can wait that long. This time gives you both an
opportunity to unwind and connect.
Six: Lastly, it is ok to be loving in front of your kids! Of course keep it G rated, but hugs and kisses should be a part of everyday life. Not only does it show your kids you are united, it gives them an example of what a good marriage ought to look like. Remember, he was your husband before he was their dad!
Consider this; having a good, healthy marriage builds stronger more confident kids. Children thrive in loving homes. The lack of this is often clear. There is absolutely nothing wrong with happy parents! Happier parents mean a happier family. Who wouldn’t want a happier family? Children produced out of love for one another and that love shouldn’t be over just because they are now here.
If you’re interested in learning a little bit more, there are several useful books. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is a helpful resource on what makes your spouse feel loved. It gives you an opportunity to find out what “love language” you speak as well! Also, Gregory J.P. Godek has a great book full of ideas called 10,000
Ways to Say I Love You. This has been a valuable resource in my own marriage. In fact, I passed it along so friends could take advantage of its amazing treasury of romantic ideas.
I have also found a great website on marriage. From communication to parenting, Engaged Marriage (engagedmarriage.com) has it all. I have found many useful articles and tips from this resource. They also offer their own books on the subject as well.
Marriage is a two way street, children just add a lot of traffic. Make the ride a little more enjoyable. Continually remind yourself why you had kids in the first place- LOVE.
Safety
by: Teresa Martin
on the Playground
As the weather becomes warmer, spring fever becomes rampant in houses all around the Valley. Many of us begin to long for those longer, sunnier, warmer days and the opportunity to get outside and enjoy it. Many moms and dads head for playgrounds and meet up with their other mom/dad friends with kids and enjoy the sunshine while watching their kids play.
Playgrounds are great! They offer kids fresh air, friends and exercise via the many activities that a neighborhood playground set offers. But they also offer up over 200,000 injuries per year according to kidshealth.org. Many of these injuries could have been prevented if only parents had checked the equipment for any sign of faulty pieces, potential hazards, or just provided more supervision.
Here are just some of compiled ways in which you can keep your child safe while enjoying the sunshine:
Make sure your children know the rules of the playground and the expected behavior.
Everyone needs to take turns and use the equipment properly. Children should especially never roughhouse on jungle gyms, slides, seesaws, swings
or other equipment. Teach them the basics- slide with feet first, don’t climb guardrails, and sit in swings. They should be sure their friends are not in the way if they are going to jump off equipment and try to land on both feet with knees bent. If playground equipment is wet, it will be slippery, therefore it may be better to come another time when it is dry. Teach your children to play safe.
Pick a playground that is age appropriate for your children.
Playgrounds geared towards older children will have play events that are just too big for children under 5. Think about the spacing of the steps and ladders as well as the height of the things in which to climb on. For parents of babies who are crawling or just learning to walk, you will want to pick a place with a smooth and easy surface to walk on. You’ll also want to look for those great little baby swings in which to give your little one a break from practicing these newly discovered skills!
Be aware of the surface beneath the playground.
Obviously a surface such as asphalt, concrete, or gravel will make a fall far worse than one of sand, pea gravel,
wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber. Even dirt and grass can be unsafe because of weather and wear. Synthetic turf and rubber mats are also good as they require less maintenance, therefore lasting longer. The surfacing should be soft and thick enough to soften the impact of a fall. Make sure that the areas around swings and other tall pieces of equipment have enough surfacing extending around it to protect should there be a fall. The greater the height of the equipment, the more likely a child can get injured if they should fall from it.
Report any faulty equipment
Report any faulty equipment to the city, town, or county parks department, school, or other organization that is responsible for the upkeep of the playground. Designate it as “off-limits” to your child while playing until it is repaired.
Watch your children as younger kids often can’t gauge distances properly and won’t forsee a dangerous situation by themselves.
Older kids often want to test their limits, so it’s important for you as a parent to help keep them in check. Be sure you can see your child at all times. Be aware of potential hazards on the playground. You don’t want your child tripping over a tree root, rock or other miscellaneous debris. Certainly if there is trash like broken glass or twisted metal, you want to make sure that it is removed and disposed of in order to keep kids safe. You also want to make sure that your children are not wearing clothing that will snag easily on the equipment. On those hot sunny days, be sure to check those metal slides, handrails and steps. They can become dangerously hot and contact burns can occur within seconds. And of course on those warm days, don’t forget sunscreen! You can get a sunburn even on a cloudy day!
As you’ve heard before, playing is an important part of kids’ physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development. Following these safety tips will help your kids play as safely as possible. Have fun and enjoy the sun!
Playground Safety Tips
Swings: Swings are the most frequent source of injuries from moving equipment on the playground. Check to make sure they are made of rubber or plastic, not wood or metal. Kids should ALWAYS sit, they should not stand or kneel while swinging. Have them hold on tightly with both hands and then come to a complete stop before getting off the swing. Make sure that they stay a safe distance from other kids swinging and don’t run or walk in front of or in back of moving swings. Swings were designed to safely hold only one person.
Seesaws: Seats are made for one child only, not for two to balance a heavier child on one side. Children should always sit facing each other and hold tightly with both hands while keeping feet to the sides so that they don’t get caught underneath the see-
saw as it comes down. As with swings, children should stay clear from a seesaw in motion and never walk under a raised seesaw.
Slides: How many times have you told your child, “Slide DOWN the slide, don’t walk up it”? Children like to test their limits and a slide is one of those places in which they like to do that. But really, they should only slide down the slide feet first, sitting up. Sliding any other way may seem like fun, but can be more dangerous. Children should hold on to the handrail when climbing and take only one step at a time and make sure the bottom is clear before sliding down. Once they have slid down, they need to quickly move aside for other children coming down the slide.
Climbing Equipment: This
kind
of equipment comes in many shapes and sizes. Some examples are rock climbing walls, arches, and vertical and horizontal ladders. Children should be made aware of a safe way to get down should that not be able to complete the climb. The highest rate of injuries are linked to climbing equipment. Make sure your child has proper shoes for play as well. Children also need to be aware of other children as they swing their feet while climbing ahead of them. Tell your children to keep plenty of space between themselves and their playground buddies. Remember also, that children under the age of 5 may not have the upper-body strength necessary for climbing. It is recommended that preschoolers should only climb 5 feet high and school-aged kids should only climb 7 feet high.
Are You Safe at Home?
Follow these simple safety tips to help prevent accidents and keep your family safe in case of an emergency.
•Make sure every bedroom has at least two safe fire exits
•Keep a change of clothes and blankets in the trunk of your car
•Replace or repair any frayed or exposed wires and check them often.
•Have prepacked emergency bags ready for everyone.
•Keep flashlights in every room of the house in case of blackouts.
•Have regular fire, earthquake and tornado drills
•Make sure your family knows where they will meet away from the house in case of an emergency
•Have easily accessible fire extinguishers in the kitchen, living room and basement.
•Teach older children how to properly put out small fires. Young children should be taught how to call 911.
•Keep all matches and lighters in locked containers.
•Keep sharp kitchen utensils out of reach of small children
•Lock all cabinets with access to water pipes.
•Most home fires start in the kitchen, never leave the room while cooking.
•Keep your cooking areas clean and free of debris.
•Keep the water heater area clean and dust-free.
•Lower the hot water temp to 120 and below to prevent accidental burns.
•Keep cleaning supplies in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf.
