Knoxville Parent Magazine- December 2014

D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 F r e e

December 2014Volume III • Issue 10

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3 Knoxville Parent • December 2014

December 2014Volume III • Issue 10

In This Issue...

Contents

K N O X V I L L E

Contact Info:Phone: 865.622.9680Fax: 888.457.9602E-mail: [email protected] Parent is published twelve times a year and is distributed throughout the city of Knoxville and surrounding communities. Knoxville Parent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. No person without written permission from the publishers may take more than one copy per monthly issue. Knoxville Parent may be distributed only by authorized distributors.

Knoxville Parent, LLCPO Box 52605Knoxville, TN 37950,phone 865.622.9680 • fax 888.457.9602The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted and property of Knoxville Parent. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publishers. Knoxville Parent utilize freelance writers, and the views expressed within this publication are not necessarily the views of the publishers or editors. Knoxville Parent takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or other materials.

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Advisory BoardSr. Mary MartaAbbott, RSMThe Diocese of Knoxville

Marie AlcornUnited Way of Greater Knoxville

Mike BaileySmall Business Representative

Paul ParsonEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Tracey MatthewsKnox County Schools Family and Community Engagement

Elizabeth PooleyMarketing Professional

Lee TramelKnox County Sheriff ’s Department

Liza ZenniThe Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Contributing WritersTamekia JacksonTracey MatthewsErin NguyenEliza NorrellMike O’HernSedonna Prater, MSMichael K. Smith, Ph.DJennifer Valentine, MSN, RN

Visit us at KnoxvilleParent.com

Michael Kull and Eva Nations, PublishersAdam Kalwas, Managing Editor

‘Tis A Gift To Be Simple

The “Gift” Of Life Skills

Can You Guess The Origin Of “In A

Nutshell”

The High Value Of Low Tech

4

5

6

7

The Dream Of Girls’ Education

10 Terrific Books: The Gift Of Reading

Things To Consider This Holiday Season: Important Reminders From Knox County Schools

Help Protect Yourself And The Ones You Love From The Flu

9

10

12

14-15

Knoxville Parent Magazine

The “Gift” Of Life Skills“One of the most prized gifts that a parent can give a child is the gift of life skills.”

PAGE 5

‘Tis A Gift To Be Simple“The virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection.”

PAGE 4

Can You Guess The Origin Of “In A Nutshell”“Generations of children not only melted coins in the nutshell, but also tried all kinds of other objects with varying degrees of success.”

PAGE 6

@KnoxParentMag


Patience is not a virtue easily embraced in our culture. So, taking a little time to recall the virtue of patience allows us to slow down a bit, creating that space that allows us to acknowledge and cherish the simple things

we might otherwise overlook. This, requires us to quiet our souls and still ourselves. It requires us to garner our faith and remain steadfast in the quiet, calm of hope. St. Therese of Lisieux stated, “I am a very little soul, who can offer only little things to our Lord.” Through her genuine humility, she reminds us even the simplest actions can be a great act that brings glory to God and infinite joy to our hearts.

I don’t remember all the Christmas presents through the years, even the ones that were so important on my list, but my recollections of family meals, Christmas gatherings, and time spent with family are precious and irreplaceable. My fondest memories of Christmas holidays are those times sitting in the warmth of the iron stove fire in my grandparents living room with all my family, cousins, aunts, and uncles sitting around. My grandmother always hid Christmas ribbon candy. I remember thinking it was so special to get that candy, because it was Christmas candy. My grandfather was a fabulous storyteller and musician, and I recall the stories shared in that familiar scene. When the moment was right, the banjos and guitars were brought out. My grandfather and my uncles would lead us all in songs late into the night. Like most of the females in my family, I cannot carry a tune, but I sure do love to dance. The chairs would be moved back, and we would transform that small living room into a magnificent dancing hall.

This holiday season, take time to enjoy those precious moments (some perhaps quite small and simple) with loved ones, friends and those precious little ones; Remember that time marches on for them too! While gifts may fade or be forgotten, the virtue of patience can help us to pay attention to those moments spent with loved ones. These moments will become lifelong and cherished memories.

As we enter the holiday season, we enter into a period of expectancy, longing, and

preparation. This season is a journey of faith and hope that asks for our patience, as we await the arrival of that which we so dearly long for: The Christ child, the arrival of the lamp oil, the purification of the temple, or just that one morning where family members, once scattered to the four corners can all be together, sharing in the warmth of their love for one another.

To children, this waiting can seem impossible. And for us adults, sometimes we forget to wait, because we are so focused on the many tasks that must be done along the way, but an important lesson for the season is the value of patience. Pope St. Gregory in the sixth century stated that “patience is the root and guardian of all the virtues.” St. Francis de Sales also commented on the virtue of patience when he said that “the virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection.”

by Sedonna Prater, MS

‘Tis A Gift To Be Simple

“The virtue of patience is the one which most assures us of perfection.”

-St. Francis de Sales

Sedonna Prater is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Diocese of Knoxville Catholic Schools. Mrs. Prater joined Sacred Heart Cathedral School as principal in 2004. She began at SHCS as an eighth-grade teacher in 1997, moving to vice principal in 1999 and serving in that role through 2003. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Tennessee.

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Educate Your Kids on the Truth About Drugs. Youth need factual information about drugs so they can make informed decisions and live drug free. Learn more, order free educational materials or request a speaker for your group or event at drugfreesouth.org.

Drug-Free South is a chapter of the Foundation for a Drug-Free World. The logo above is its trademark.

Season’s Greetings! This holiday season, even if your children’s “wish lists” include tangible items such as

bikes, dolls, and the latest video games, don’t forget that gifts come in different forms. Some of the most valuable gifts are not tangible and are given over time in the form of priceless lessons, though the “value” may not be recognized until later in life. One of the most prized gifts

that a parent can give a child is the gift of life skills that teach children smart ways to tackle aspects of everyday life. Read on to discover some practical skills that children should learn now and that will last a lifetime.Healthful EatingTeaching habits of healthful eating is a life lesson that can have a lifelong positive impact on your child’s health. A great start is to insist that children try new fruits and vegetables that they say they don’t like (but have never actually tasted) before rewarding them with dessert or another special treat. When it comes to selecting which foods to buy, research suggests steering clear of processed foods as much as possible in order to maintain a healthy diet. Unfortunately, processed foods tend to be the lowest priced items in most stores, but healthful alternative choices can be found. So, when shopping with a child, explain why you are selecting a certain item versus another item. This will teach discernment and good decision making, as well as teaching about proper nutrition. Limit household snacks to healthy choices, and limit beverages to water, because children will have plenty of opportunities away from home to eat junk food. Ordering water rather than other beverages at restaurants is also a way to save money. Finally, don’t forget to ask your children to help with the grocery list, so they can provide input, and you can be sure to include healthy items they enjoy.Healthful CookingCooking with your child provides a great opportunity to teach important life lessons like healthy food preparation, basic kitchen “know-how,” and other teachable moments! A good start is to modify how foods are prepared. For example, growing up eating meat that is baked, broiled or grilled instead of fried is a good investment in a child’s future health. Also, children who are accustomed to helping in the kitchen learn basic preparation skills, enjoy cooking, and are likely to be more open-minded eaters. These are the children who are prepared to make healthy food choices, even in your absence. As a former classroom teacher, I also think it’s important to remind parents that exploring and preparing new healthy recipes together with their children can reinforce basic educational skills like expanding vocabulary, practicing fractions, measuring and estimating. Teaching children how to enjoy preparing basic healthy meals may also impact their future spending practices. General Household DIY (Do-It-Yourself) SkillsWhen children learn basic household DIY skills, it fosters a strong sense

of independence, and it can save them money during adulthood. Start by demonstrating the use/purpose of basic tools, when there are small projects to be completed around the house. If you are not familiar with various tools or basic maintenance skills, recruit a family member or friend to provide a “family lesson.” Include children in simple home projects like changing a light bulb, using a plunger, and changing filters (air unit, water, dryer, etc). Let them watch or take part in more complex projects like making basic repairs or completing general maintenance around the house. You may not need to call a plumber to change the “thingy” the next time it doesn’t operate correctly! Lastly, involve children in basic car maintenance, such as changing a car tire, checking the oil, checking and adding air to car tires, and changing the air filter.

These gifts will increase a child’s knowledge, expand his or her ability and experience, and save both time and money in the future. What great gifts that will last a lifetime!

The Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement Department and Family Resource Center wish you a Happy Holiday Season!

The “Gift” Of Life SkillsBy Tracey Matthews, Supervisor of the Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement Department

and Tamekia Jackson, Director of the Knox County Schools Family Resource CenterContributing Writer: Eliza Norrell, Family and Community Engagement Department Communications Intern


Ros. Then is the world one.Ham. A goodly one, in which there are many confines, wards, and dungeons; Denmarke being one o’ th’ worst. Ros. We thinke not so my lord.Ham. Why then ‘tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinkingmakes it so: to me it is a prison.Ros. Why then your ambition makes it one: ‘tis too narrowfor your minde.Ham. O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count my selfe a king of infinite space; were it not that I have bad dreames.

Those bad dreams “in a nutshell” have led centuries of readers, including Freud, to analyze and interpret Hamlet’s character and actions. This attention to the play contributed to the widespread use of this phrase.Origin 3:Remember those elementary chemistry sets that were children’s Christmas presents? This phrase actually originated in the immensely successful 19th century manual for children by Friedrich Christian Accum. First published in London in 1817, Chemical Amusement, a Series of Curious and Instructive Experiments in Chemistry Which Are Easily Performed and Unattended by Danger gave careful instructions for experiments that any child could follow. Accum himself was a famous chemist. His research into gas lighting led to his association with the Gas Light and Coke Company, the first to supply gas lighting to public and private areas in London. Experiment 87 was entitled “To melt a coin in a nutshell.” The directions were as follows:

Take three parts of nitre, freed from its water of crystallisation, one part of sulphur, and one of very fine dry saw-dust, and rub them intimately together. If a portion of this powder be pressed down in a walnut-shell, and a small silver or copper coin, rolled up, be laid upon the powder in the shell, and the nut-shell be afterwards filled and heaped up with more powder, which should be pressed down close, and the powder be then set on fire by an ignited body, the coin will be found melted in a mass when the combustion has been completed, whilst the nutshell will be only blackened. Rationale.—This powder is in fact a chemical flux, but its chief action depends on the sulphur, which unites, partly, to the potash of the nitre; and the alcaline sulphuret thus produced, acts upon the metal, and forms with it a metallic sulphuret.

Generations of children not only melted coins in the nutshell, but also tried all kinds of other objects with varying degrees of success. However, “in a nutshell” became a playful expression for the limits of containment and spread throughout England and America.

by Michael K. Smith, Ph.D.

Can You Guess The Origin Of “In A Nutshell”

I just recently published a book entitled Playing Fast and Loose: Match Wits with the Author and Guess the Origin of Common Idioms.

My book invites the reader to guess the correct origin of common idioms. For each idiom, I constructed three scenarios. One scenario contains a short description of the likely origin of the phrase with some selected historical context that illustrates its usage. The other two scenarios also present short vignettes with factually correct historical citations; however, these two descriptions are not considered the likely origin of the phrase.

Can you guess the origin of the common phrase “in a nutshell”? Read the three scenarios below and try to select the one that is commonly considered the origin of this term. The answer is on page 9. (Note: Dr. Smith’s print and ebook can be ordered through Amazon.com)Definition: to say or write something conciselyOrigin 1:Would you think of putting an entire book in a nutshell? Apparently, Cicero, the famous Roman orator, did; he remarked that the entire Iliad of Homer could be copied entirely on a small enough piece of parchment to be stuffed “in a nutshell.” This anecdote is recorded in the Natural History of Pliny (published around 70 A.D.), one of the first encyclopedias. Books, letters, and government documents in the ancient world were written on scrolls of parchment paper. Cicero’s comment is certainly metaphoric, cautioning his fellow Romans about the limits of ancient wisdom. Many later readers, however, decided to test its literal truth. Ebenezer Brewer, in his 1899 Reader’s Handbook, relates the following story: “Huet, Bishop of Avranches, demonstrated the possibility of this being the case by writing eighty lines of the Iliad on the space occupied by one line of this dictionary, so that the whole Iliad might be got into about two-thirds of a single page.” Peter Bales, a Chancery clerk in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was not to be outdone: “He wrote out, in 1590, the whole Bible, and enclosed his manuscript in a walnut shell [which] contained as many leaves as an ordinary Bible, but the size of the leaves was reduced, and the paper was as thin as possible.” Pliny was covered by lava in the 79 A.D. eruption of Mount Vesuvius. His Natural History, which covered 170 volumes, probably could not be stuffed “in a nutshell” but his record of Cicero’s comment is still widely used.Origin 2:All the literal attempts to stuff manuscripts “in a nutshell” actually came after Shakespeare introduced this term in Hamlet. In Act 2, Scene 2, Claudius is disturbed and suspicious of Hamlet’s recent erratic behavior (no doubt due to Hamlet’s seeing the ghost of his father who claimed that Claudius poisoned him). Claudius sends two of Hamlet’s friends, Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern, to check on Hamlet. Hamlet is beside himself since he is not sure if he is seeing things, going mad, or trying to avenge father’s death.

Ham. Let me question more in particular: what have you my good friends, deserved at the hands of Fortune, that she sends you to prison hither? Guil. Prison, my lord?Ham. Denmark’s a prison.

Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., is owner of TESTPREP EXPERTS (www.testprepexperts.com ) which prepares students for standardized

tests such as the ACT and SAT. He is also a consultant to Discovery Education Assessment. He can reached at [email protected].



calculate what it would take to hold a given amount of weight. We’d determine the difference it might make on your homemade go-cart if you use smaller or larger diameter wheels.

My suggestion is to keep the gadgets out of your child’s hands as much as humanly possible. Recapture human interaction and the education that comes with the low-tech side of life. Don’t get caught in that “they need to learn how to use computers” trap. I truly believe that children taught “the three R’s” and critical thinking skills will go far intellectually in life!

I may have written here before that I’m old. I’ve got three kids scattered just about as far across the

country as they could get, I’m a grandfather, and I remember when we used sliderules instead of calculators (okay, maybe not that old, because I barely remember using sliderules). The point is that I grew up without all of the high-tech gadgets, and even my kids did, too, for the most part. Now, that I own a math learning center, I think I can see that the absence of those gadgets was a good thing.

Quite excited to be moving our center into a bigger space, I was telling my son’s mother-in-law that we will have a wall representing “math at work.” I have a framed photo of the space shuttle and a display of an American flag that was flown over the USS Asheville nuclear submarine. She surprised me when she suggested that I put something up about sewing. She said that she learned quite a bit of math learning to sew. That got me thinking about all the things we used to do growing up that helped us have an understanding of numbers and how they work – some subtle, some quite directly – that most kids aren’t doing these days.

We used to play cards. Four-handed games pound into your head that thirteen is one-fourth of 52. Three-handed games means each player gets 17 cards, one-third of 51, and you need to remove one card to play. We learned probability – eight spades have been played, so what’s the likelihood that they’ll go around again? On a no-pass hand, what are the chances that someone is void in diamonds?

While learning to sew and cook, we also learned about linear and square measurements, measuring volumes and weights, doubling, cutting in half, and all kinds of proportions and fractions.

Sometimes it was marbles or pool, were geometry was king. What was the proper angle of attack to cause your sphere to knock another sphere into a third sphere. Hint: the angle of incidents is equal to the angle of reflection (assuming no English, of course).

Other times we might even build stuff. We would measure, cut, estimate, or

By Mike O’Hern, Center Director of Mathnasium of West Knoxville

The High Value Of Low Tech

“Recapture human interaction and the education that comes with the low-tech side of life.”

As owner and director at Mathnasium (a math learning center with locations in West Knoxville and Chattanooga (www.mathnasium.com/westknoxville) for the past five years, Mike has extensive experience teaching children and

young adults the foundations of math concepts that are crucial to building their confidence

and engagement with math throughout life.

865-719-7543 • [email protected]

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is worth two in the booksIt’s hard to ignore lessons on nature when you’re holding it in the palm of your hand.

Parents, have your kids ever spent 3-5 days living and learning in the best outdoor classroom -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park? Ask their teachers how your students can experience hands-on environmental education that will impact their lives for years to come.

A bird in the hand

A few years ago, Jessica Demby was struggling. After graduating from high school Jessica tried college, but soon realized it wasn’t for her. Jessica did not know what to do and felt she had run out of options. All she knew was that living at home and making minimum wage was not what she wanted.Now, in less than two years she’s doubled her salary, has paid vacations and holidays, and is truly enjoying her work every day.

What did she do?Jessica enrolled in the Dental Staff School, run by Janet Waldron and her husband, Dr. Jon Waldron, practicing dentist. Today, the Dental Staff School off ers students the same great opportunity to build a career Jessica has enjoyed. In just ten weeks, students learn professional dental assisting in a real-offi ce setting.Each Saturday, the school hosts the current class of students and off ers state-of-the art dental equipment for students’ lessons. From working on models to practicing with the dentists and fellow students, Jessica really enjoyed the hands-on learning. “It wasn’t boring,” she says, “it was a whole lot of fun!”Dental Staff School (www.DentalStaff School.com) is a ten-week dental assisting school in Pelham, AL; Marietta, GA; Knoxville, TN and Franklin, TN. Classes are held on Saturdays at local working dental offi ces. The program is accredited through National Accreditation for Colleges and Schools, Non-public Postsecondary Commission in Georgia, and the Alabama and Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

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Enroll at Dental Staff School and start your new career today!

WHY WAIT?

What sets us apart from other schools?With Dental Staff School, you begin right away. We’re leading the way with online, interactive classrooms. This means you can study to become a dental assistant at your own convenience. Combined with a hands-on class that meets for 10 Saturdays from 8am -5pm, you will find yourself moving into your future faster than imagined.

Scared of the price tag that comes with top quality education?

You don’t need to be! The program price includes an online classroom, 3 certifications, tuition, supplies, and TN RDA license.

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Dental Staff School – Make it Happen.

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1715 Downtown West Blvd. Knoxville, TN 37919

“What have I done wrong that I should be afraid? All I want to do is go to school and that is not a crime. That

is my right.” Those remarkable words are written by Malala Yousafzai in her recent memoir I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition written with Patricia McCormick). As a teenager, Malala spoke out for girls’ education in her native Pakistan. Her efforts brought international attention and led to her being awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest recipient ever at age seventeen. More astounding is what she had to endure. At the age of fifteen, a Taliban gunman entered her school bus and shot her three times.

Malala grew up in the city of Mingora in northwest Pakistan. Her father ran a school for both boys and girls: “It was a humble place with nothing more than blackboards and chalk—and it was right next to a smelly river. But to me it was paradise.” Malala saw, however, that most women in her city were illiterate and most girls didn’t go to school. Her mother had trouble reading prices in the bazaar. Girls weren’t expected to be educated but to marry and run a household. As the Taliban gradually occupied her region, her father received threats for teaching girls. He resorted to having them enter through a separate door. This didn’t deter Malala’s thirst for learning; inside school, “We flew on the wings of knowledge. In a country where women aren’t allowed out in public without a man, we girls traveled far and wide inside the pages of our books.”

As the Taliban’s presence increased, many girls schools were closed, some were bombed, and edicts against the populace watching music, movies, and dancing were issued. Malala, however, continued to speak out. “We are afraid of no one, and we will continue our education. This is our dream.” She spoke to reporters on local television and then on Pakistan national television. She was asked to write an anonymous blog for the BBC about life under the Taliban. She was featured in a documentary produced by The New York Times which was shown throughout the world. In 2011, she was nominated for the international peace prize of Kids Rights, a children’s advocacy group based in Amsterdam. She also was awarded Pakistan’s National Peace Prize.

On her 16th birthday, she was asked to address the United Nations. Her speech still inspires: “Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who has raised their voice for their rights. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists, and millions have been injured. I am just one of them…I speak not for myself, but all girls and boys. I raise up my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. Those who fought for their rights: Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity…Their right to be educated. On the ninth of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends, too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage was born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My dreams are the same. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.”

As I was finishing this essay, Malala delivered her Nobel Prize acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway. A transcript of her lecture was immediately available online. I think her words are our gift during this holiday season and should inspire our endeavors in the New Year.

I call upon my fellow children to stand up around the world.Dear sisters and brothers, let us become the first generation to decide to be the last.











The empty classrooms, the lost childhoods, wasted potential—let thesethings end with us.Let this be the last time that a boy or a girl spends their childhood in a factory.Let this be the last time that a girl gets forced into early child marriage.Let this be the last time that an innocent child loses their life in war.Let this be the last time that a classroom remains empty.Let this be the last time that a girl is told education is a crime and not a right.Let this be the last time that a child remains out of school.

Let us begin this ending. Let this end with us. Thank you.

“What have I done wrong that I should be afraid? All I want to do is go to school and that is not a crime. That

is my right.” Those remarkable words are written by Malala Yousafzai in her recent memoir I am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Young Readers Edition written with Patricia McCormick). As a teenager, Malala spoke out for girls’ education in her native Pakistan. Her efforts brought international attention and led to her being awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize, the youngest recipient ever at age seventeen. More astounding is what she had to endure. At the age of fifteen, a Taliban gunman entered her school bus and shot her three times.

Malala grew up in the city of Mingora in northwest Pakistan. Her father ran a school for both boys and girls: “It was a humble place with nothing more than blackboards and chalk—and it was right next to a smelly river. But to me it was paradise.” Malala saw, however, that most women in her city were illiterate and most girls didn’t go to school. Her mother had trouble reading prices in the bazaar. Girls weren’t expected to be educated but to marry and run a household. As the Taliban gradually occupied her region, her father received threats for teaching girls. He resorted to having them enter through a separate door. This didn’t deter Malala’s thirst for learning; inside school, “We flew on the wings of knowledge. In a country where women aren’t allowed out in public without a man, we girls traveled far and wide inside the pages of our books.”

As the Taliban’s presence increased, many girls schools were closed, some were bombed, and edicts against the populace watching music, movies, and dancing were issued. Malala, however, continued to speak out. “We are afraid of no one, and we will continue our education. This is our dream.” She spoke to reporters on local television and then on Pakistan national television. She was asked to write an anonymous blog for the BBC about life under the Taliban. She was featured in a documentary produced by The New York Times which was shown throughout the world. In 2011, she was nominated for the international peace prize of Kids Rights, a children’s advocacy group based in Amsterdam. She also was awarded Pakistan’s National Peace Prize.

On her 16th birthday, she was asked to address the United Nations. Her speech still inspires: “Today is the day of every woman, every boy, and every girl who has raised their voice for their rights. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists, and millions have been injured. I am just one of them…I speak not for myself, but all girls and boys. I raise up my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. Those who fought for their rights: Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity…Their right to be educated. On the ninth of October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends, too. They thought that the bullets would silence us. But they failed. And then, out of that silence came thousands of voices. The terrorists thought that they would change our aims and stop our ambitions, but nothing changed in my life except this: Weakness, fear, and hopelessness died. Strength, power, and courage was born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. My dreams are the same. One child, one teacher, one pen, and one book can change the world.”

As I was finishing this essay, Malala delivered her Nobel Prize acceptance speech in Oslo, Norway. A transcript of her lecture was immediately available online. I think her words are our gift during this holiday season and should inspire our endeavors in the New Year.

I call upon my fellow children to stand up around the world.Dear sisters and brothers, let us become the first generation to decide to be the last.

The Dream Of Girls’ Educationby Michael K. Smith, Ph.D.

Michael K. Smith, Ph.D., is owner of TESTPREP EXPERTS (www.testprepexperts.com ) which prepares students for

standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT. He is also a consultant to Discovery Education Assessment. He can reached at

[email protected].

“I raise up my voice not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard.”

Answer (to page 6 idiom): Origin 1Although I love Shakespeare and chemistry sets, I give credit to Pliny for the original of this phrase. Peter Bales, by the way, did actually fit his written version of the Bible into that walnut shell.

10 Terrific Books: The Gift Of ReadingCompiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library


For library information in your area visit:

www.knoxlib.org/

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

8th-12thCadence Easton spends each

summer on her family’s private island with two cousins and friend Gat, but struggles to remember what happened

during their fifteenth summer in this suspenseful read.

Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers1st-4thThis is not your average alphabet book, but rather a series of connected stories for each letter of the alphabet full of clever wordplay and dark humor.

Sisters by Raina Telgemeier

5th-8thIn her latest graphic novel memoir, author and artist

Telgemeier explores her relationship with her younger sister Amara, infusing the tale

with her usual humor and charm.

The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak

PreK-4thThis book will have listeners of all

ages laughing out loud because the reader is forced to say every

word written in it, no matter how ridiculous.

Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire7th-12thIn 1905 Tsarist Russia, poor country girl Elena and wealthy city girl Ekaterina meet on a train and embark on a magical adventure that includes the witch of Russian folklore, Baba Yaga.

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

4th-7thLife becomes complicated for

eleven-year-old Ellie when her grandfather discovers

a way to reverse aging and turns himself into a teenager.

Gravity by Jason Chin

1st-4thIn a book that is both

beautiful and informative, young readers learn about

gravity and how it keeps everything on Earth from

floating into space.

Hansel and Gretel by Neil Gaiman

4th-8thAward-winning author Gaiman

presents his version of the classic fairy tale accompanied

by dark, spooky illustrations by artist Lorenzo Mattotti.

Benny and Penny in Lost and Found! by Geoffrey HayesK-2ndIn this graphic novel for beginning readers, mouse siblings Benny and Penny go in search of a missing pirate hat and try not to get lost themselves.

Loot: How to Steal a Fortune by Jude Watson4th-7thWhen March’s jewel thief father dies on the job, the twelve-year-old boy discovers his long-lost twin sister Jules, and the two set out to pull off their father’s last heist together.


10 Terrific Books: The Gift Of ReadingCompiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library

Keep Your Teeth HealthyFor A Lifetime!

(865) 693-6933


At East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, children are our only concern, and that drives our mission to improve the health of children through exceptional, comprehensive family-centered care, wellness and education. It is a mission that centers on an unchanging commitment to the physical, educational and emotional needs of each child.

www.etch.com

Client: East TN Children’s HospitalJob No: ETCH-41900Title: KNS Health Care Heros Pub Ad

Pub: Knoxville News Sentinel Health Care HerosSize: 9.5"x4.875"

due to inclement weather, parents have several resources in which they can receive information, such as: by phone through the SchoolMessenger automated system, visiting knoxschools.org, tuning in to your local media outlets, or following the Knox County Schools on Twitter via @knoxschools.

For more information, please consult the Knox County Schools Emergency Closings Policy by visiting knoxschools.org and searching for Policy AFC under the “Board of Education” tab.

FAMILY RESOURCES OF THE MONTH: Clothing Center, Community Chest, FISH PantriesThe Knox County Schools/PTA Clothing Center serves students in preschool through 12th grade by providing clothing free of charge to help ensure these students are able to attend school each day. For information on obtaining clothing, please call 594-3791. Thanks in part to clothing and monetary donations from the community, the Clothing Center served more than 2,100 students and provided more than 50,200 articles of clothing in the 2013-2014 school year. New and gently used clothing can be dropped off at the Clothing Center, located at 1000 N. Central Avenue, Monday-Friday during the school year and on Tuesdays during the summer. For more information, visit knoxschools.org and search “Clothing Center.”

Did you know the Community Chest of Knoxville sells all clothing items for only $1.00 each? And that’s just the great news! The even greater news is that three items of young children’s clothing can be purchased for $2.00!

However, the greatest news is that the proceeds from the Community Chest of Knoxville are used to support FISH Hospitality Pantries. FISH Hospitality Pantries distribute food to needy families every Tuesday and Thursday and third Saturday.

Visit knoxschools.org/frc for details regarding hours of operation and locations and to find other

local community resources.

As the winter months approach, the Knox County Schools would like to remind teachers, parents and students of the

school district’s inclement weather procedures. Before making the decision to delay or close school due to inclement weather, Superintendent Jim McIntyre relies on critical input from a variety of sources within the Knox County Schools and from outside agencies.

Either in the wee hours of the morning or throughout a risky weather day, McIntyre consults with the Knox County Schools’ transportation, security, maintenance, curriculum, instruction departments, and various city and county government agencies, including law enforcement and engineering and public works. Additionally, the National Weather Service is contacted to obtain up-to-date information.

In the event the superintendent decides to delay, cancel school, or dismiss school early, the Knox County Schools’ Public Affairs office will begin immediately disseminating the information via:

• automated phone messages to staff and parents• a posting to the school system website, knoxschools.org• notification to primary local news media outlets• social media posting via TwitterIf school is not in session or is dismissed early due to inclement

weather, all scheduled activities in which students are involved will also generally be postponed or cancelled. Parents can contact their children’s schools or check the schools’ web pages should they have any questions on extracurricular activities.

To receive the latest information on school delays and closures

Things To Consider This Holiday Season:Important Reminders From Knox County Schools

Individual tutoring and group classes at reasonable prices.

Get higher scores on the

ACT / SATPSAT

Call Dr. Michael K. Smith at 865-694-4108In Knoxville since 1983. Convenient location at 308 South Peters Rd.

T E S T P R E PEXPERTS


“The Music In My Heart I Bore Long After It Was Heard No More”

-William Wordsworth

The Knoxville Choral Society will hold auditions for all voice parts on the evening of Thursday, January 8 from 6-8 p.m. Please call or email to schedule an appointment time.

Auditions will include assessment of vocal quality, sight-reading and tonal memory drills. No prepared piece is required. For more information about the Knoxville Choral Society or to

download an audition form, visit our Website at www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org. To schedule an audition time: Please call 865-312-2440 or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Once a time is set, location and other details will be provided.

For more information, please visit our Web site atwww.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

At East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, children are our only concern, and that drives our mission to improve the health of children through exceptional, comprehensive family-centered care, wellness and education. It is a mission that centers on an unchanging commitment to the physical, educational and emotional needs of each child.

www.etch.com

Client: East TN Children’s HospitalJob No: ETCH-41900Title: KNS Health Care Heros Pub Ad

Pub: Knoxville News Sentinel Health Care HerosSize: 9.5"x4.875"

Things To Consider This Holiday Season:Important Reminders From Knox County Schools


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9700 Kingston PikeKnoxville, TN 37922

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long as flu viruses are circulating. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, but usually peak between December and February, and can last as late as May. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, so the sooner you get vaccinated the better.

Unfortunately, the CDC has said this will most likely be a bad flu season. This is for two reasons: one is that the majority of flu samples tested so far this year are H3N2 viruses, and we tend to have higher hospitalizations and deaths when this virus is dominant. The second is that some of the flu viruses circulating this season are slightly different from what’s in the vaccine. Even with this said, vaccination can still offer some protection and is still the most important step to prevent infection from the most common flu viruses. My daughter just turned 6 months old, and I took her to get a flu shot this month even though I knew many of the viruses circulating are slightly different from the viruses covered in this year’s vaccine. It’s still the best line of defense I can provide for her.

Sixteen times! That’s how many times some of us touch our faces in just one hour. Touching our eyes, nose and mouth

with unwashed hands is how many germs are spread. It’s a busy time of year, especially for those of us with children. As you prepare for the holiday season and the many gatherings with friends and family, it’s important to also prepare for flu season.

Everyday precautions, such as washing your hands and avoiding touching your face, can help safeguard your health. An annual flu vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting yourself against influenza. For many people, the flu means a fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches, fatigue, and miserable days spent in bed. For others, it means hospitalization and even death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 3,000 to 49,000 people die each year in the U.S. from influenza or from complications from the disease.

Anyone over 6 months of age should be vaccinated, but it is especially important for those in high risk groups, such as pregnant women, adults over 65, young children and those with chronic conditions, to get vaccinated. Getting a flu vaccine helps protect not only yourself, but also those around you because it decreases the chance you’ll spread the illness to them.

It’s not too late to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends vaccination as

By Jennifer Valentine, MSN, RN, and Knox County Health Department Director of Accreditation & Continuous Quality Improvement

Help Protect Yourself And The Ones You Love From The Flu

“An annual flu vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting yourself against influenza.”



• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.• Stay home if you are sick and keep your children home from school or

daycare if they are.• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth since this is how germs are

spread.• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with

germs.All of us at the Knox County Health Department hope you have a safe,

healthy and happy holiday!

Flu viruses are thought to spread through droplets when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk. You can also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has the flu virus on it and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose. Since most of us touch our faces 3 to 16 times per hour, frequent and thorough hand washing is essential.

Flu vaccinations are widely available at a variety of pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and the Knox County Health Department (KCHD). At KCHD the cost to Knox County residents is $25. Vaccinations are available at all three of our locations. Call 865-215-5071 or visit knoxcounty.org/health for more information.

If you think you have the flu, talk with your doctor. He or she may prescribe antiviral medications, which can lessen symptoms and shorten your sick time. Antivirals are especially important for those in high risk groups as mentioned previously because these medications may also prevent serious complications. It’s important to get antiviral medicines quickly because they work best when started within two days of the first sign of symptoms. Remember, please stay home, away from friends, family and loved ones if you are sick. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe this flu season:Everyday precautions to protect your family from the flu:• Get an annual flu vaccination.• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.• Cover your cough and sneeze.

“Flu vaccinations are widely available at a variety of pharmacies, doctor’s offices, and the Knox County Health Department (KCHD).”

Marek M. Pienkowski M.D., Ph.D.Graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in

Allergy & Immunology

Adult & Pediatric AllergyAsthma • Hay Fever • Sinusitis • Eczema • Headaches •

Insect Stings • Hives • Immune Disorders • Drug Reactions • Inherited Immunodefi ciency

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS

865-584-41127417 Kingston Pike • Knoxville, TN 37919

www.AllergyClinicTN.com

FREE ALLERGY SCREENINGS

Jennifer Valentine, MSN, RN, and Knox County Health Department

Director of Accreditation & Continuous Quality Improvement has over ten years of experience in public

health administration with recent emphasis in continuous quality improvement, performance management, strategic planning, and accreditation preparation.

long as flu viruses are circulating. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October, but usually peak between December and February, and can last as late as May. Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination, so the sooner you get vaccinated the better.

Unfortunately, the CDC has said this will most likely be a bad flu season. This is for two reasons: one is that the majority of flu samples tested so far this year are H3N2 viruses, and we tend to have higher hospitalizations and deaths when this virus is dominant. The second is that some of the flu viruses circulating this season are slightly different from what’s in the vaccine. Even with this said, vaccination can still offer some protection and is still the most important step to prevent infection from the most common flu viruses. My daughter just turned 6 months old, and I took her to get a flu shot this month even though I knew many of the viruses circulating are slightly different from the viruses covered in this year’s vaccine. It’s still the best line of defense I can provide for her.

Walker Springs - 8425 Kingston Pike (Beside The Rush) - (865) 690-8819

Turkey Creek - 11330 Parkside Dr (Behind Calhoun’s) - (865) 671-6699

Northshore - 2028 Town Center Blvd (Publix Shopping Center) - (865) 851-8029

Hardin Valley - 10720 Hardin Valley Rd (Beside Firehouse Subs) - (865) 200-5548

Maryville - 2020 West Broadway - (865) 591-6223

Documents

Knoxville Parent Magazine- December 2014