Knoxville Parent - November 2012

N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2 F r e e

November 2012Volume I • Issue 9

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3 Knoxville Parent • November 2012

November 2012Volume I • Issue 9

Give Thanks!

on the cover:Knox County is beautiful in the Fall, and the many vibrant colors are just some of the reasons to

be thankful.

Photo Courtesy Eva Nations

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 monthly 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 PO 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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Parent publications are GREAT places to advertise! For more information, please call: (865) 622-9680.

Advisory BoardSr. Mary MartaAbbott, RSMThe Diocese of Knoxville

Marie AlcornUnited Way of Greater Knoxville

Mike BaileySmall Business Representative

Kathleen GibiCity of Knoxville, Parks and Recreation Division

Ellen ListonEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Tracey MatthewsKnox County Department of Education

Elizabeth PooleyMarketing Professional

Lee TramelKnox County Sheriff ’s Department

Liza ZenniThe Artts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Contributing WritersDave BrickhouseKristina HowardAmanda MarrTracey MatthewsJames McIntyre, Ph.D.Erin NguyenMike O’HernMichael Smith, Ph.D.Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.Lee TramelPiotr Ulmer, MSPTLiza Zenni

Contributing PhotographersThe Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater KnoxvilleKnox County SchoolsMichael KullEva NationsSevierville Chamber of Commerce

Knoxville Parent is now online!

Visit us at KnoxvilleParent.com

We welcome your letters! If you have a question or comment for Knoxville Parent, please e-mail it to [email protected]. Letters may be edited to meet space requirements.

Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers

Safe and sound: Mastering thankfulnessGratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.

Childwise: A different mirror, an equal educationHow schools have become our true melting pot.

A letter from the publishers

Going beyond the basics to find true thanksgiving

Childwise: A different mirror, an equal education

Housecalls: Fighting a cold, or combating the flu?

For good health: Celebrate the holiday season...safely

Safe and sound: Mastering thankfulness

The list: Ten terrific books about giving thanks

Attitude of gratitude

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A message from Dr. Jim McIntyre

Reaching out to parents

Gratitude: moment-by-moment

Live and learn: Get out to be safe

The creative kid: Music appreciation

Events for the month of November

I’m thankful for...

Entertainment, adventure, and education

Dad Dispatch

Knox Parent Puzzle Page

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Attitude of gratitudeFrom adversity comes appreciation.


by Eva Nations and Michael Kull

A message from the Publishers

This month’s theme is “Give Thanks!” We want to encourage you to be thankful for everything in your life and to challenge you as parents and caregivers to think beyond the traditional holiday notion of “Thanksgiving,” (see Piotr Ulmer’s article Going beyond the basics to find true thanksgiving on page 5). By doing so, you can help raise your children’s awareness of not only appreciating what they already have, but always aspiring to recognize, appreciate, and create anything that will improve their quality of life and bring success.

We are a nation of immigrants. The concept for Thanksgiving grew out of the aid provided by the native Americans to the newly arrived pilgrims. Although Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 1863 under President Abraham Lincoln, it was informally celebrated prior to that time as a way of building national unity. Today, that simple gesture of unity has grown into a call for equality for all our nation’s people. One interesting perspective on promting equality can be found in Mike Smith’s article, A different mirror, an equal education on page 6.

It is good to remember that being grateful comes from our hearts, and not just as a response to receiving another’s help. A challenging, yet rewarding experience comes from practicing gratitude in everything that we experience and do (see Chief Lee Tramel’s article, Mastering thankfulness, on page 10).

We are very grateful for the many opportunities to reach out through Knoxville Parent. We want to thank our advisory board members, our many contributors, writers, advertisers, strategic partners, and our family members for making Knoxville Parent a successful resource for our community.

Sincerely,Eva and Michael

by Piotr Ulmer, MSPT

Going beyond the basics to find true thanksgiving



eating sugar and artificial sweeteners – that’s when my memory improved. A few years after that, I went gluten free, which took me out of the mental “fog” I was in from making poor food choices. All these life adjustments,

combined with manual therapy and prayer, greatly improved the quality of my life. I thank God every day for this. The older I get, the healthier I become. It all took action, trial and error.

We may care about being hungry and act to satisfy this basic need, but fail to act on anything of a higher order, like noticing another person in need or going the extra mile to thank somebody. We may appreciate that Thanksgiving gives us a day off work, good food and football, but fail to stop, think, and act on the true meaning of Thanksgiving (and I don’t mean the prayer before the turkey!).

I beg you, don’t settle for less! Let’s make good decisions, and act on them. If we don’t do it, nobody will do it for us. The more we work at it, the greater the results. Maybe, even try prayer and fasting (but first enjoy the turkey!). May we be able to see beyond our daily necessities and become truly thankful every day for everything we have.

I grew up in Poland, and I never knew about Thanksgiving, until I came to the United States in 1992. My family and

I embraced this joyful holiday whole-heartedly. Halting the flow of life for a splendid family celebration rooted in spirituality and an abundance of food and comfort was very appealing from the start.

Even though we didn’t have Thanksgiving in Poland, we prepared for and celebrated other holidays like Easter and Christmas. I still remember the week-long cleaning of the deepest corners: beating rugs, washing all the base boards, windows, doors, walls and furniture. My parents made us go through this process every time. It was hard work, but the feeling of cleanliness, love, and happiness when time for the Christmas meal finally came was unforgettable. The previous generations worked hard to instill these values of hard work, motivation, thanksgiving, and charity in us.

When we moved away, we realized that we no longer had the support of our families for holiday preparations. It became evident that if we ourselves didn’t prepare the Christmas or Thanksgiving celebrations, it wasn’t going to happen. It meant the more we worked on the preparations, the greater the celebration became. Our hard work helped us to appreciate the holidays, because we invested so much of ourselves into putting them together.

Before coming to the US, my wife and I, along with our oldest son Aleksander, had to live with our parents, because we didn’t really have any prospects for our own apartment, not to mention a house. When I started my first US job as a contract physical therapist in a VA hospital in Detroit, within the first month we were able to rent a 2-bedroom apartment and also buy a used Honda Civic. I was making $15/hour, and everything seemed magical. I was very thankful for the opportunity this country gave to me, and I still am.

I am frequently surprised by people who seem not to be grateful for all the splendor surrounding them. I observe in restaurants, for example, some customers ordering food saying: “Give me a cheeseburger,” or “I’ll take a salad,” which seems rude and cold. There is no “Please” or “Can I have,” and everything seems to be in a tone of entitlement, even possessive. It aggravates me at times to see this. These customers just don’t seem to care.

With Thanksgiving approaching, do we remember how to give thanks, who to give thanks to and for what? Are we able to fully appreciate what has become “part of the daily grind?” Those who don’t care and who don’t take responsibility can become increasingly numb, have less and less desire and time to make the effort for others, like cleaning and other preparations for a holiday celebration. The demands of daily schedules can become so “squeezed out,” that little time, if any, is left for family. This increasing pace of life can cause exhaustion and even depression. I know about it. It happened to me. I didn’t know it before. I’ve learned.

One cause for this involves the food we eat. Foods containing genetically modified crops, saturated with sugar and processed heavily, for example, can damage our bodies. Food like this, then, becomes a burden instead of support and refreshment on the path of life. Feeling numb, exhausted, rushed, and not caring can lead to losing a basic awareness of ourselves and our surroundings, which then leads to poor decision-making.

This was certainly true for me. Some years ago, I discovered that a prayer and fasting “combo” worked well for me. I personally started with partial fasting, not eating meat on Fridays. I educated myself about good nutrition, and I stopped

“Even though we didn’t have Thanksgiving in Poland, we prepared for and celebrated other holidays like Easter and Christmas.”

Piotr Ulmer established CTS Physical Therapy in 2001. A native of Warsaw, Poland, he received his Master of Rehabilitation

degree from that city’s Academy of Sports in 1991. He formerly served as the director of an outpatient physical therapy clinic in Clarksville, TN and as a Sports Medicine Physical Therapist in

Knoxville before starting CTS Physical Therapy.

A message from the Publishers

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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 have just read A Different Mirror for Young People: A History of Multicultural

America. Originally published by Ronald Takaki in 1993, this edition has been adapted for young readers by Rebecca Stefoff. Takaki chronicles the many waves of immigration that have defined America: from the first English immigrants in the 1600s to the Irish, Chinese, Japanese, Russian Jews, and Mexicans of the 1800s and 1900s. Takaki also records the sad history of forced immigration of Africans who become slaves and the forced relocation of native Indians. The first generation came (or was forced to come) for economic reasons. The second generation realized that the best path to economic success, and assimilation into American society, was through education. For education to succeed, schools and teachers had to change.

In the antebellum South, it was unlawful to teach slaves to read. Frederick Douglass recounts that the wife of the plantation owner violated this edict and taught Douglass his ABCs. Her husband, however, stopped her by saying “It would forever unfit him to be a slave.” Douglasss said “these words sank deep into my heart” and sparked a revelation: “I now understood what had been to me a most perplexing difficulty—to wit, the white man’s power to enslave the black man…From that moment, I understood the pathway from slavery to freedom.” Douglass did escape and his many writings, including his 1845 Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglasss, an American Slave, helped bring attention to the abuses of slavery. After the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, former slaves now became American citizens and could benefit from education. Takaki notes that the attempts at educating these former slaves were swept away after Reconstruction by the institution of Jim Crow laws. It would take many decades before the Civil Rights movement, and the Supreme Court decision in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education, made racial separation unconstitutional in American schools. African-Americans are now an integral part of American society.

Many other ethnic groups have had to struggle against similar prejudices. The Chinese came to this country by the thousands in the 1800s and helped build America’s railroads. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 forbade these Chinese from becoming United States citizens. Second and third generation Chinese, born in this country, fought their way to citizenship through education. In the 1960s, Congress removed restrictions on Asian immigration. Now, Asian-Americans make up a significant part of our educational system. Russian Jews fled persecution at the turn of the 20th century. The first generation in America became an “army of

garment workers.” Some of the second generation went to Harvard in the 1920s, only to encounter attempts to restrict

Jewish enrollment. Mayor James Curley of Boston spoke against this discrimination: “All of us under the Constitution are guaranteed equality, without regard to race, creed, or color. If the Jew is barred today, the Italian will be tomorrow, then the Spaniard and the Pole, and at some future date the Irish.” Mexicans comprised a majority of farm laborers in the 1920s and 1930s. However, they lived in segregated neighborhoods and attended segregated schools. One student, according to Takaki, remembered his sixth grade teacher’s advice: “Your people are here to dig ditches, to do pick and shovel work. I don’t think any of you should plan to go to high school.” Fortunately, today, both Jewish-Americans and Mexican-Americans are guaranteed equal access to all levels of American education.

So Takaki’s record of immigrant struggles (the “different mirror that reflects everyone’s history”) also reveals the path to integration and acceptance of minority groups that has occurred in our schools. The more I read Takaki’s book, the more grateful I became for how schools have become our true melting pot. Our schools are now open to all, and the advantages offered by an American education are sought not only by its citizens but also by the latest generation of immigrants to this country. I became even more thankful for the nation’s teachers who, despite constant criticisms of their performance, labor daily to educate the myriad of multicultural children in their classrooms. There are many efforts underway to improve the quality of this American education. These reforms, however, should not hinder us from a heartfelt appreciation of all that our schools provide, a promise that generations of immigrants have desired.

“Our schools are now open to all, and the advantages offered by an American education are sought not only by its citizens but also by the latest generation of immigrants to this country.”

by Michael K. Smith Ph.D.

A Different Mirror, an Equal Education



Fighting a cold or Combating the flu?How to recognize the difference

Your child is sent home from school with a sore throat, cough, and high fever — could it be the flu that’s been going around? Or just a common

cold?Although the flu (or influenza) usually causes symptoms that make someone feel worse than symptoms associated with a common cold, it’s not always easy to tell the difference between the two. If most of your answers to the Symptoms Guide on the right fall into the first category, chances are that your child has the flu. If your answers are usually in the second category, it’s most likely a cold.But don’t be too quick to brush off your child’s illness as just another cold. The important thing to remember is that flu symptoms can vary from child to child (and they can change as the illness progresses), so if you suspect the flu, call the doctor. Even doctors often need a test to tell them for sure if a person has the flu or not since the symptoms can be so similar!Some bacterial diseases, like strep throat or pneumonia, also can look like the flu or a cold. It’s important to get medical attention immediately if your child seems to be getting worse, is having any trouble breathing, has a high fever, has a bad headache, has a sore throat, or seems confused.While even healthy kids can have complications of the flu, kids with certain medical conditions are at more of a risk. If you think your child might have the flu, contact your doctor.TreatmentSome kids with chronic medical conditions may become sicker with the flu and need to be hospitalized, and flu in an infant also can be dangerous. For severely ill kids or those with other special circumstances, doctors may prescribe an antiviral medicine that can ease flu symptoms, but only if it’s given within 48 hours of the onset of the flu.Most of the time, you can care for your child by offering plenty of fluids, rest, and extra comfort.And if the doctor says it’s not the flu? Ask whether your child should get a flu shot. Article reviewed by: Iman Sharif, MD.

© 1995-2012 . The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission. For more

information about cold and flu, visit the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital website (http://www.etch.org).

Questions

Was the onset of illness...

Does your child have a ...

Is your child’s exhaustion level ...

Is your child’s head ...

Is your child’s appetite ...

Are your child’s muscles ...

Does your child have ...

Flu

Sudden?

high fever?

severe?

achy?

decreased?

achy?

chills?

Cold

Slow?

no (or mild) fever?

mild?

headache-free?

normal?

fine?

no chills?

Symptoms GuideThe answers to these questions can help determine whether a child

is fighting the flu or combating a cold:


By East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Celebrate the holiday season...safelyHow to reduce your risk of residential fires

During the winter, simple actions like turning on the heat, decorating for the holidays and cooking large meals severely increase the risk of

fires and fire-related injuries and death. Thirty percent of all fires occur in the winter, causing more than 8,000 injuries and 1,000 deaths. Because of ice, snow and hazardous conditions, firefighting is far more difficult in the winter. Through taking these safety measures recommended by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, families will be able to reduce the risk of fire in their homes during the holiday season.Holiday Decorations

• Do not place natural Christmas trees close to a heat source, such as a fireplace or vent. Dry trees ignite very easily, so the tree should be watered frequently. Needles should be green and hard to pull off the branches.• Do not leave up a natural tree for more than two weeks. When the tree becomes dry, dispose of it by taking it to a recycling center.• Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, broken sockets or excessive wear. Electrical sockets should have no more than three light strands and should not be warm to the touch.

• Never leave tree lights on unattended.• Avoid the use of lit candles anywhere in your home.• Make sure holiday decorations do not block exits.

Heating• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.• Remember to turn off space heaters when leaving a room or going to bed.• Make sure the fireplace has a screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.

Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container a safe distance away from your home.

• Never hang items to dry above a space heater. • Inspect and clean your chimney annually.• Burn only clean and dry hard wood in a wood stove or fireplace.

Never burn plastics, garbage or wood that has been treated with a preservative, paint or other chemicals.

Cooking• Never leave pots on the stove unattended. If using the oven, set a timer as a reminder.• Only cook when alert and not under the influence of alcohol or medicine.• Remove anything flammable, such as potholders, food packaging or wooden utensils, from the stovetop.

• Keep sleeves rolled up and hair pulled back. Clothes or jewelry should not be loose or dangling.

• Create a “kid-free” zone three feet around cooking areas and keep hot foods and liquids away from counter edges. Use the backburners when children are present.

• Supervise children closely when using the kitchen. Though these tips will reduce the risk of residential fires, make sure

to have an escape plan (see the article, Get out to be safe, on page 16) that involves two exits from every room and a meeting place a safe distance away from the home. Families should practice this plan and know what to do in case of a fire. Additionally, check the batteries on all smoke alarms and replace any that are more than 10 years old.

“Because of ice, snow and hazardous conditions, firefighting is far more difficult in the winter.”

For more information about fire safety during the holidays, visit the U.S. Fire Administration (http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/winter.shtm) or the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital website

(http://www.etch.org).


by Chief Lee Tramel

Mastering thankfulness

experienced less depression, exercised more regularly, and were more likely to help others.

Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California is considered to be the world’s leading authority on gratitude. He is author of the book, “Thanks!: How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier.” His research has shown that those who practice gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have stronger immune systems, and have strong social

relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude. He says, “To say we feel grateful is not to say that everything in our lives is necessarily great. It just means we are aware of our blessings.”

All of us tend to take for granted all the good in our lives. One exercise that helps heighten your sensitivity to thankfulness is to imagine losing some of the things that you take for granted, such as your home, the ability to see or hear, or anything that gives you comfort. Then imagine getting each one of those back, one by one, and how grateful you are. Many experts in the field of gratitude believe we should start finding joy in the small things instead of waiting for the big achievements. Even in adversity, we should be asking what is good about this? What can I learn from this?

As an Assistant Chief in the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office I’ve learned over the years that gratitude can be an officer’s most powerful tool. We use it so many times on the job—dealing as a hostage negotiator, as we try to get the suspect to focus on the good things in life. We use gratitude especially as we talk to people who are in crisis or threatening suicide. I believe that police officers understand better than anyone that we have to learn how to ride the ups and downs of life.

So, how do we teach our children the true meaning of thanksgiving and live it every day of the year? The best way is to learn it ourselves, so we can show our children the way. There are many ways to practice gratitude. One is a journal of gratitude, writing down a list of three to ten things every day for which you are grateful. Another exercise is to write a gratitude letter to a person who has influenced your life. You can even set up a face to face meeting and read the letter.

Kansas City minister, Will Bowen, gave a challenge to go 21 days without complaining, criticizing, or gossiping. Millions of people took him up on the proposal and wore purple “No-Complaint” wristbands as a reminder. Along a similar theme, you can wear bracelets with charms to represent the things or people for which you are most thankful.

Singer, songwriter, and poet Willie Nelson said it best, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

Lee Tramel is the Assistant Chief Deputy for the Knox County Sheriff ’s Office. During his 26 year career, he also served in the civil

warrants division and as Assistant Director of the Court Services Division. Lee is a Knoxville native, where he lives with his wife and

10 year old daughter.

“Count your blessings; name them one by one; count your many blessings, see what God has done.”

Remember that soul lifting hymn? Do you know that expressing your thankfulness year round can actually help make you happier, healthier, and reduce stress? As Thanksgiving approaches we are reminded that we need to appreciate even the simple pleasures and be aware on a continuous basis of just how much we’ve been given. As writer Marelisa Fabrega said, “Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.”

Psychologists are finding out in scientific studies that gratitude heightens the quality of our lives. In one experiment, several hundred people were divided into three different groups and all were instructed to keep daily diaries. The first group was told to write about their daily lives with no other instructions. The second group was told to write only about unpleasant events that happened to them daily. The third group was asked to make a daily list of things for which they were grateful. The results showed that daily gratitude exercises resulted in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. The people in the gratitude group also

“‘Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present.’”

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Ten Terrific Books About Giving ThanksCompiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library


For libary information in your area visit:

www.knoxlib.org/

Bear Says ThanksBy Karma Wilson

Reading level: PreK – 2ndWhen all his forest

friends bring items for a feast, Bear is worried

that he won’t be able to show his gratitude, but they reassure him that just being himself is all the thanks they need.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning MessageBy Chief Jake SwampReading level: K – 6thThis lovely book is based on a traditional message of peace and appreciation of Mother Earth by the Native people of the Six Nations of upstate New York and Canada.

Thank You, WorldBy Alice B. McGinty

Reading level: K – 2ndA multicultural tribute to

the gifts of the natural world, from the earth and skies to the creatures all

around us.

Thank You, Mr. FalkerBy Patricia Polacco Reading level: 3rd – 6th This autobiographical story is author Polacco’s thank you letter to the patient teacher who changed her life by helping her learn to read.

StargirlBy Jerry Spinelli

Reading level: 6th – 12th When the unusual

Stargirl begins school at Leo’s high school, he

is swept away by her ability to show gratitude

for all the people around her and the little

things they do.

Thank You, SarahBy Laurie Halse Anderson

Reading level: 2nd – 5th In the mid-1800’s the

holiday of Thanksgiving in America was in danger

of being lost forever until it was saved by

a determined woman named Sarah Hale.

A Kiss for Little BearBy Else Holmelund MinarikReading level: K – 2ndWhen Little Bear’s grandmother receives a painting from him that makes her happy, she finds a creative way to send her appreciation back to him.

An Awesome Book of Thanks By Dallas ClaytonReading level: PreK – 3rdA joyful message of gratitude for things both expected and unexpected.

Junie B., First Grader: Turkeys We Have Loved and Eaten (and Other Thankful Stuff)

By Barbara ParkReading level: K – 3rd

The kids in Junie B.’s first grade class find that there’s more to be thankful for at Thanksgiving than just the

delicious food.Strength, and Wisdom, designed to lead to

a happy, productive life.

Turkey Monster Thanksgiving

By Anne Warren SmithReading level: 2nd – 5th

After her parents’ divorce, Katie thinks that the only

way she and her father and brother can be a real family

is to host a traditional Thanksgiving feast with

all the trimmings, until she learns what Thanksgiving is

really all about.


with family, friends, pets, teachers, and coaches. Children can be taught to offer thanks for health, safety, and for living in a free country. This activity can be performed in the context of prayer as in giving thanks to God “from whom all blessings flow.” When children learn to operate from awareness of blessings, they are more likely to be generous to others. Conversely, when children are

not conscious of blessings, they are more likely to cling to what they have and to grab for all they can get.

What about adversity, though? How can we help our children learn an approach to life in which they give thanks for their blessings, but also give thanks for adversity? One thing parents can do to assist children is to help them find the hidden blessings in their difficulties. When parents reflect upon our own lives, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that we learned more from our difficulties than we ever learned from times when things were going well. One common blessing from adversity is increased compassion for others. Another such blessing is the knowledge that we can persevere in the face of hardship. When children suffer misfortune in life, such as parental divorce, disability, illness, peer problems, or poverty, they can be shown how the experience has changed them for the better by making them more empathic through increased awareness of the misfortunes faced by others.

The all too common childhood experience of being teased or even bullied is one type of misfortune that requires parents to provide empathic support for the child and advocate for the bullying to end. A less obvious aspect of helping children cope with this experience involves assisting them to see the seeds of compassion therein. Children who are hurt through teasing or bullying can realize that the experience, though painful, gives them insight and increased empathy for others. To facilitate this awareness parents might say “You are dealing with something that is very difficult and I wish you did not have to experience this. Even though this situation is hard, I want you to understand you are gaining something very valuable from it. Because you now know how bad it feels to be bullied, you are not as likely to bully someone else. Perhaps you will even reach out to comfort someone who has been bullied by letting them know you understand what they are going through.” The lesson of finding the hidden blessing in being bullied could easily be missed, so it’s up to parents to make this lesson explicit to children. It’s never too soon in life to help children realize that the adversity they experience can change them in positive ways in terms of increased compassion for others, and for this they can give thanks.

Agency: The Tombras GroupJob No: ETCH-38139Client: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Pub: Knoxville ParentSize: Full Page 9.5"x 10"Title: Owie Boo Boo Print Ad

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

© 2012 East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, 2018 Clinch Avenue • Knoxville, TN 37901-5010 • 865.541.8000

by Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.

From adversity comes appreciationAttitude of gratitude

At Thanksgiving many families have a tradition of pausing to acknowledge blessings. All

family members are encouraged to identify that for which they are grateful, and the individual expression of blessings leads to a cumulative appreciation of the bounty in life. This is something about Thanksgiving people look forward to. Some people, though, have learned to express their gratitude every day throughout the year. An “attitude of gratitude” can help us weather life’s difficulties by keeping us ever mindful of our many blessings. A grateful attitude can also be applied in the face of adversity. One gift we can bequeath our children is to teach them the habit of appreciating their blessings and identifying the hidden blessings in adversity.

Our children can be taught to cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Although some children seem temperamentally inclined towards being grateful, parents should not assume that all children instinctively know how to count their blessings. Children can be helped to make a gratitude list in which they identify all for which they feel grateful. Parents can offer suggestions including concrete things such as food, clothes, toys, and shelter, before moving on to relationships

Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. is a private practice psychologist specializing in assessment. She is the married mother of two

school-aged boys.

“When children learn to operate from awareness of blessings, they are more likely to be generous to others.”

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with family, friends, pets, teachers, and coaches. Children can be taught to offer thanks for health, safety, and for living in a free country. This activity can be performed in the context of prayer as in giving thanks to God “from whom all blessings flow.” When children learn to operate from awareness of blessings, they are more likely to be generous to others. Conversely, when children are

not conscious of blessings, they are more likely to cling to what they have and to grab for all they can get.

What about adversity, though? How can we help our children learn an approach to life in which they give thanks for their blessings, but also give thanks for adversity? One thing parents can do to assist children is to help them find the hidden blessings in their difficulties. When parents reflect upon our own lives, it is hard to avoid the conclusion that we learned more from our difficulties than we ever learned from times when things were going well. One common blessing from adversity is increased compassion for others. Another such blessing is the knowledge that we can persevere in the face of hardship. When children suffer misfortune in life, such as parental divorce, disability, illness, peer problems, or poverty, they can be shown how the experience has changed them for the better by making them more empathic through increased awareness of the misfortunes faced by others.

The all too common childhood experience of being teased or even bullied is one type of misfortune that requires parents to provide empathic support for the child and advocate for the bullying to end. A less obvious aspect of helping children cope with this experience involves assisting them to see the seeds of compassion therein. Children who are hurt through teasing or bullying can realize that the experience, though painful, gives them insight and increased empathy for others. To facilitate this awareness parents might say “You are dealing with something that is very difficult and I wish you did not have to experience this. Even though this situation is hard, I want you to understand you are gaining something very valuable from it. Because you now know how bad it feels to be bullied, you are not as likely to bully someone else. Perhaps you will even reach out to comfort someone who has been bullied by letting them know you understand what they are going through.” The lesson of finding the hidden blessing in being bullied could easily be missed, so it’s up to parents to make this lesson explicit to children. It’s never too soon in life to help children realize that the adversity they experience can change them in positive ways in terms of increased compassion for others, and for this they can give thanks.

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Attitude of gratitude

“When children learn to operate from awareness of blessings, they are more likely to be generous to others.”


Dear Knox County Schools’ Families

November is a wonderful time to reflect on the positive and express our appreciation for all that is good in our lives and

our community. In the Knox County Schools we have much for which to be grateful. Excellent teachers, strong school leaders, committed staff, caring parents, great kids, a dedicated School

Board and an engaged supportive community are among the many ways that we are fortunate.

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our teachers and staff who are making a difference in the lives of our students each and every day. I strongly believe it is critical for us to reward our most valuable assets in the school system: our people.

I am pleased to report that many of our teachers are now beginning to enjoy financial recognition through a strategic compensation system that acknowledges and rewards the inputs and outcomes that support greater student academic achievement and growth. This is a very tangible way for our community to express its thanks for highly effective teaching and the resulting student academic success.

Elementary and middle school teachers in the Knox County Schools began receiving award notification in October as part of the APEX (Advance , Perform, EXcel) strategic compensation initiative. Approximately 58 percent of Knox County School teachers earned financial incentives ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 for outstanding performance. This translates into approximately 2,100 teachers receiving awards that totaled $3.6 million (funded through grant resources). High school teachers and school administrators will be notified this month of their APEX awards.

While we strive to ensure our teachers feel appreciated every day, APEX is a wonderful additional incentive we can now offer using grants received through the federal Race to the Top competition and Innovation Acceleration Fund. The Knox County Schools secured more than $10 million in federal competitive-grant funding to use in the design and implementation of our district-wide strategic compensation plan. The grant funding for APEX is available over the next three to five years, with a goal of incorporating APEX in our general operating budget if proven successful.

I also want to take a moment to say “thank you” to our parents who work so hard in partnering with our valued teachers each day as we work together to reach our ambitious goal of Excellence for All Children.

Sincerely,Dr. Jim McIntyreSuperintendent, Knox County Schools

Individual tutoring and group classes at reasonable prices.

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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 Knox County Schools, Knox County Council PTA, Knoxville

Parent, and Project GRAD Knoxville partnered to present “Parents: Our True Superheroes!” at the 8th Annual Parent Conference Tuesday, October 23 at the Knoxville Convention Center.

“Parents and extended families are critical ingredients in educating our children,” said Dr. Jim McIntyre, Superintendent of the Knox County Schools. “This conference provided a wonderful opportunity to support meaningful engagement for our most important allies in education. It also provided access to valuable resources to help our children succeed academically

and in life.”Parents had the opportunity to

attend multiple workshops on topics identified through input from parents throughout the Knox County Schools, such as homework help, resources for English language learners, special needs advocacy, college prep, and more.

Reaching out to parentsat the 8th annual Parents: Our True

Superheroes! conference

Conference attendee Linda Clark flashes her superhero cape.

Organizer Tracey Matthews, Keynote presenter Dr. Autumn Cypres, and Superintendent Dr. Jim McIntyre with a host of parent superheroes!

Conference attendee Yvetter Parker stands behind her superheroes!

Knox County School parents, plan to attend the conference next year!Information will be updated on KnoxSchools.org and

KnoxvilleParent.com.


• have access to technology, when many children have never even heard of the word “computer.”

I’m grateful that children in our country…

• can receive medical treatment even if their families cannot afford it.

• can depend on community resources to provide them with basic needs when their parents are unable.

• have access to a foster care system that provides for them when their families cannot.

• who cannot alone afford a post secondary education have access to a number of scholarships and grants.

So, may I suggest that you find one minute each day and encourage each family member to share at least one thing for which you are each grateful. Maybe, it’ll be something that someone did for you. Maybe, it was an opportunity for you to do something for someone else. Whatever you do, let’s not take life’s moment-by-moment “gifts” for granted.

When I first heard about this month’s

article, my heart started beating faster! Writing about “gratitude” is what I do daily. I personally have two gratitude journals, one for

work and for my personal life. I’ve found that if you purposely “look” for things for which to be grateful, you may find yourself not having enough time to write them all down, and that’s okay. What’s not really okay is for us to go about our daily lives without recognizing the many great things in which we sometimes take for granted. Here are a few thoughts of gratitude that I hope you will embrace with me.

I’m grateful that children in my neighborhood…

• can be seen playing safely outdoors without fear of shrapnel hitting them.

• seem not to care about the color of their friend’s skin.• don’t live on the streets.• have a safe place to eat and sleep.

I’m grateful that children in the Knox County Schools…

• are provided secondary education.• do not have to “secretly” attend school as they do in some

other countries.• do not have to walk miles and miles across dangerous and

hot deserts in fear of their lives if they are caught.

“You may think the grass is greener on the other side, but if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green.”

–Unknown

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”

–Cynthia Ozick

“I’ve found that if you purposely “look” for things for which to be grateful, you may find yourself not having enough time to write them all down...”

By Tracey Matthews, KCS Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement

Gratitude: moment-by-momentRecognizing the “gifts” we sometimes take for granted


Get out to be safeKnowledge you can use

Article provided by Premier Martial Arts

Developing a family escape plan

Barry Van Over is the owner and president of Premier Martial Arts International, of which there are currently over 80 location

nationwide. Mr. Van Over has two locations in the West Knoxville area and been empowering families lives through the martial arts in

the Knoxville community for over 20 years. Mr. Van Over and his local studios can be reached at www.premiermartialarts.com.

Teaching children how to focus, show respect, get and set goals is very important; of equal

importance is teaching well-rounded safety skills that will serve and protect their entire lives. The great part is the more you teach life skills the easier it becomes to teach safety skills and vice versa. Today we will focus on mapping out a family escape plan.EvaluateFirst when constructing a family escape plan, evaluate each member of your families ability to safely exit the house in a time efficient manner. A young child, an aging parent or anyone else with difficulties must be taken into account. Decide who is best suited among the family to help assist them to escape. Placing a small postcard sized note with the word ‘emergency’ on the chosen helper door and the family member name (or better yet picture) of who will need assistance will help keep their duty top of mind. In an emergency situation despite the combination adrenalin, lack of sleep and possibly smoke this top of mind awareness may help them quickly and clearly remember who they need to help get out. Know Where To GoEach member of the family must know two ways to exit each room in the house; one primary escape route and one alternate. This is if in case of a fire or a home intruder where one route becomes blocked and is unsafe. Having a second escape route could be a lifesaver.Set A Meeting PlaceMake sure that all family members know where the pre- designated meeting place they will be once they have exited the house. This meeting place should be a safe distance in case of fire but close enough that all members can get to

it quickly. If the meeting place is across the street then take other factors into account such as traffic or construction.Learn The HardwareMake sure that all family members know how to open (and lock) all windows and doors. Special window locks can be cumbersome without light so

make sure that you can open them both quickly and quietly.Sight And SoundBe prepared by keeping a flashlight and whistle within reach of your bed. Use the flashlight to help find the way out or as a tool for self-defense. Use the whistle to rouse other family members and to signal help.Numbers And StreetsMake sure that all children know to use 9-1-1, request the right service (ambulance, fire or police) memorize their street address and their home phone number. Role-play with them and have them understand the importance of the system and to never abuse it. Having this crucial information written down on the phone or by the phone is important because when an emergency happens, recalling basic information may be difficult.Practice Makes PerfectPractice your escape plan by practicing home fire drills. The younger your family is, the more frequently you should practice these drills. Give advance notice that over the next week or days you will have a practice drill. Review the basic elements of your plan, where the meeting place is, who will assist those who need extra help and what routes they should take. Then at a good time, run the drill and time your family. Post the result and practice until you are satisfied.

Teaching kids these skills helps make them more confident and responsible. By being prepared, having a plan and then practicing the plan keeps a family sharp, aware and safe, which will help everyone to sleep a little sounder.

“The great part is the more you teach life skills the easier it becomes to teach safety skills and vice versa.”

865-539-0377 • [email protected]

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“The great part is the more you teach life skills the easier it becomes to teach safety skills and vice versa.”

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 offers 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 offers 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.DentalStaffSchool.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.

Contact the Dental Staff School: (678) 819-3919 or by email at [email protected],

and start your new future as a dental professional today!

Cedar Bluff Dental Center, P.C.PARTNERING WITH:

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www.CedarBluffDentalCenter.com

Keep your teeth healthy for a lifetime!

Jessica’s New Future

Dental Staff School’s Open House in Knoxville, Tennessee is Thursday November 29th from 2-4 at

Patterson Dental Supply Company. 1001 Data Lane Suite 106 Knoxville, TN 37932


Coming up, you and your kids are invited to KSO Story Times: How Many Cats? Join a KSO Quartet at one of our local library branches as they perform an interactive program created for pre-school children and their families. How Many Cats? is a program all about cats joining children’s literature, excerpts of classical music, sound effects, and interactive elements. Children will count along with the

quartet as they discover how counting is important in music. Stories featured will include: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, How Many Cats? and When Cats Go Wrong. These programs are free and open to the public.

Open to all students, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra (KSYO) includes 270 of the region’s most talented young musicians. These young players participate in one of five orchestras from beginning through advanced levels. The orchestras present a combined concert three times throughout the year at the Tennessee Theatre. In addition the advanced ensemble, the Youth Orchestra, presents a special concert in February that features winners of the annual concerto competition. Students ages 7 – 18 participate in the KSYO, and their concerts are inspiring for peers considering playing an instrument.

The KSYO performs at the Tennessee Theatre at 7:00 PM on November 12, 2012; 3:00 PM on February 17, 2013; 7:00 PM on February 18, 2013; or 7:00 PM on May 6, 2013. All KSYO Concerts are free and open to the public with general admission seating.

And if that weren’t enough, KSO’s Very Young People’s Concerts are created specifically for preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade students. The program High-Low! Fast-Slow! explores opposites in music with the help of Maestro Lucas Richman and the KSO’s animated friend, Picardy Penguin. Picardy interacts with the audience, Maestro Richman, guest artists and the KSO! Reservation forms are available on-line at http://www.knoxvillesymphony.com/education-community/very-young-peoples-concerts/.

Dates for the Very Young People’s Concerts are February 26, 2013 at 9:30 AM at the Tennessee Theatre and 9:30 AM on February 27, 2013 at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville.

The KSO also visits elementary schools in our region through the classroom connections

Here in Knoxville, your child could be one of the over 30,000 children a year reached by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra (KSO) through its

extensive Education & Community Partnerships Program. Just last month the KSO Young People’s Concert series presented Scientific Symphony at the Civic Auditorium, during which over 10,000 students in the third-fifth grades explored the science of sound. How is sound produced? How does it travel? How do we hear sound? The symphony experimented with these questions using an oscilloscope that showed a visual representation of sound waves.

By Liza Zenni. Photos courtesy Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Music appreciation

Consider the following:

• The Rockefeller Foundation conducted a study finding that music majors have the highest rate of admittance to medical schools, followed by biochemistry and the humanities.

• The American Music Conference reports that music makers were more likely to go on to college and other higher education than non-music makers – 52% more likely! They also reported that music makers watch less TV and are more optimistic about their futures than non-music makers.

• Secondary students who participated in band or orchestra reported the lowest lifetime current use of substances (alcohol, tobacco, drug abuse). Texas Commission on Drug and Alcohol Abuse Report.

• The National Center for Education Statistics found that music participants received more academic honors and awards than non-music students.

• Business Week reported that the nation’s top business executives agreed that arts education programs help repair weaknesses in American education and better prepare workers for the 21st century.

• The American Association for the Advancement of Science, based at Brown University, studied the effects of art and music education on young children’s learning. They found that music instruction can help build intellectual and emotional skills, facilitate children’s learning and strengthen other academic areas, such as reading and math. One study (by researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of California) showed that when three and four-year-old children were given simple piano lessons over a six-month period, they performed 34% better than other children in IQ tests, some of whom had had computer lessons instead. These impressive results came from a study of 789 children from diverse social and economic backgrounds.

• “In an interview, one of the researchers from the University of California said: “Music training jump starts certain inherent patterns in parts of the brain responsible for spatial-temporal reasoning.” Computer lessons, on the other hand, do not force children to think ahead or visualize, as they must when playing a piece of music.


Coming up, you and your kids are invited to KSO Story Times: How Many Cats? Join a KSO Quartet at one of our local library branches as they perform an interactive program created for pre-school children and their families. How Many Cats? is a program all about cats joining children’s literature, excerpts of classical music, sound effects, and interactive elements. Children will count along with the

quartet as they discover how counting is important in music. Stories featured will include: Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, How Many Cats? and When Cats Go Wrong. These programs are free and open to the public.

Open to all students, the Knoxville Symphony Youth Orchestra (KSYO) includes 270 of the region’s most talented young musicians. These young players participate in one of five orchestras from beginning through advanced levels. The orchestras present a combined concert three times throughout the year at the Tennessee Theatre. In addition the advanced ensemble, the Youth Orchestra, presents a special concert in February that features winners of the annual concerto competition. Students ages 7 – 18 participate in the KSYO, and their concerts are inspiring for peers considering playing an instrument.

The KSYO performs at the Tennessee Theatre at 7:00 PM on November 12, 2012; 3:00 PM on February 17, 2013; 7:00 PM on February 18, 2013; or 7:00 PM on May 6, 2013. All KSYO Concerts are free and open to the public with general admission seating.

And if that weren’t enough, KSO’s Very Young People’s Concerts are created specifically for preschool, kindergarten, first and second grade students. The program High-Low! Fast-Slow! explores opposites in music with the help of Maestro Lucas Richman and the KSO’s animated friend, Picardy Penguin. Picardy interacts with the audience, Maestro Richman, guest artists and the KSO! Reservation forms are available on-line at http://www.knoxvillesymphony.com/education-community/very-young-peoples-concerts/.

Dates for the Very Young People’s Concerts are February 26, 2013 at 9:30 AM at the Tennessee Theatre and 9:30 AM on February 27, 2013 at the Clayton Center for the Arts, Maryville.

The KSO also visits elementary schools in our region through the classroom connections

“The American Music Conference reports that music makers were more likely to go on to college and other higher education than non-music makers – 52% more likely!”By Liza Zenni. Photos courtesy Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Music appreciation

Liza Zenni has been with the Arts & Culture Alliance since 2002. She holds a BA in Theater and a MFA in Arts Administration

from the Yale School of Drama. From 1990 to 1995 she was Executive Director of Theatre Bay Area, the largest regional

theater service organization in North America. She and her two daughters live in Oak Ridge, not far from where she grew up.

and in-school programs and presents KSO Story Times in local pre-kindergarten classrooms. Classroom Connections sends pairs of KSO musicians into classrooms to give students the opportunity to see instruments up-close and helps to prepare them for music that they will hear at Young People’s Concerts. The in-school program is performed by a KSO string quartet on a different cross-curricular theme each year. This year the quartet program, Musical Explorers, joins explorers from history with composers who made significant discoveries in music. The Side-by-Side program pairs a professional musician with a player in a local high school orchestra.

Students learn by “sharing a stand” with a pro through two rehearsals and a joint performance.

Upcoming Side-by-Side Concerts are at 7:30 PM January 15, 2013 at the Clayton Center for the Arts (featuring the KSO and Maryville High School students) and 7:30 PM on April 4, 2013 at the Farragut High School Auditorium (featuring the KSO and Farragut High School students).

For more information about all of these

programs visit www.knoxvillesymphony.

com and click Education & Community or Youth

Orchestra.

Events for November 2012K N O X V I L L E

(865) 584-9636 • DancersStudioKnoxville.com

Join the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble for the Annual

Dance Lecture Demonstration

Beauty • Structure • CreativitySun., Nov. 4 @ 2:30 PM

UT Univeristy Center Ballroom(FREE and Open to the Public)

Knox County SchoolsPARENT UNIVERSITY “P.E.”

(Parent Empowerment) Classesand Community Events

Submitted by Tracey Matthews,KCS Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement

Now Through November 11: Will Power! at the UT Clarence Brown Theatre. Bringing the beauty, humor and drama of his words to life, Will Power! takes you on a journey of discovering (or rediscovering) Shakespeare through scenes, monologues, and songs from his most famous plays Appropriate for all ages. Call 865-974-5161 or visit ClarenceBrownTheatre.com.November 3 and 10: “Chess for Kids” meets at 2 p.m. at the Knox County Public Library Bearden Branch. Children of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Visit www.knoxlib.org for more details.November 3, 10, 17, and 24: “Saturday Stories and Songs” are held at the Cedar Bluff Branch and Lawson McGhee Libraries from 10:30-

11:30 a.m. Join guest storytellers at the libraries to learn songs and stories that both parents and children can enjoy. Call Lawson-McGhee Library at 215-8750, Cedar Bluff Branch Library at 470-7033 or visit www.knoxlib.org for more information. November 3, 10, 17, and 24: “Parenting Classes for Divorced Families” are held each Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon at the Child & Family Tennessee Building: 901 E. Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37915. This is a 12-hour course consisting of 4 weekly sessions. Call 524-7483 ext. 240 for more information. November 4: Join the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble for their annual Dance Lecture Demonstration on Sunday, November 4 at 2:30 p.m. The lecture demonstration takes place at the University of Tennessee University Center Ballroom, and is free and open to the public. For more information, call 865.584-9636 or visit DancerStudioKnoxville.com. November 4: The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Chamber Classics series

presents Beethoven’s Symphony No, 1 in C Major. For more information, visit KnoxvilleSymphony.com. November 5: “All Over The Page: Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress.” This new book club presented by Knox County Libraries will take place at 6:30 p.m. monthly at the Lawson-McGhee Branch Library. To learn more about the book club and upcoming dates visit www.knoxlib.org. November 5: Sevierville’s Winterfest kick-off. Free food, music, and fun! From 3-8 p.m. at the Sevierville Municipal Complex. To learn more go to www.VisitSevierville.com or call (865) 453-6411. November 5: Mighty Musical Monday with The Amherst Singers at the Tennessee Theatre. The guest performers for the November 5 James A. Dick Mighty Musical Monday Program will be The Amherst Singers. In addition to the performers, Bill Snyder and Freddie Brabson will play selections on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Guest MC for the program will be John Becker. A boxed lunch may be purchased in the lobby for $5.00 (while supplies last). In addition, several snacks may be purchased at the concession stand. There is no charge for the program. For more information call the box office: (865) 684-1200, or visit TennesseeTheatre.com.November 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Fountain City Scrabblers” (all ages) group meets every Monday at 6 p.m. at the Fountain City Branch Library. Join other Scrabble enthusiasts and pit your wits against other word lovers. Visit www.knoxlib.org for details. November 5, 12, 19, and 26: “Ruff Reading.” Bring your children to the Clinton Public Library on Mondays at 3:30 p.m. A live dog will be present for the children to read to (or just to play with). Visit http://familyfriendlyknoxville.com/events-calendar/, for more information. November 5-February 28: Sevierville’s Smoky Mountain Winterfest Celebration. To learn more go to www.VisitSevierville.com or call (865) 453-6411. November 5 and 10: East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is providing “CPR and Safe Sitter Classes.” CPR Classes are being offered for teens and adults ages 14 and over on November 5 from 6 – 10 p.m. Safe Sitter Classes are being offered for teens ages 11-14 on November 10 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The cost for each class is $25. Call 541-8000 or visit www.etch.com for more information.November 6: “Car Seat Inspections” are being given for FREE by the Clinton Fire Department and East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Inspections will

be held from 5 - 8 p.m. at the City of Clinton Fire Department Station #1, 100 Longmire Road. Call 541-8000 or visit www.etch.com for more information. November 6: ELECTION DAY. PLEASE GO VOTE!November 6, 13, 20, and 27: “Families Anonymous” is a group of concerned relatives and friends who have faced up to the reality that the problems of someone close to them is seriously affecting their lives. The discussion topics are most often drug and alcohol related, but the floor is open to discussions of any type. This ADULTS ONLY group meets every Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. at Peninsula Lighthouse. For more information, visit http://www.faknoxpeninsula.blogspot.com/ or email [email protected]. November 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28: Knox County Schools Adult Education program will provide registration for the “English Language Learners Classes” (formerly ESL at Fountain City United Methodist Church every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. in room 112, and at the Cokesbury Center every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in room 112. The classes will take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – noon and 6 – 8:30 p.m. at the Fountain City United Methodist Church, and every Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. – noon at the Cokesbury Center. Contact Nancy Seely at 594-3622 or visit www.ae.knoxschools.org for more information. November 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: (two days or evenings are required): “Adult Education Registration/ Orientation” classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. or 4 – 9 p.m. at the Historic Knoxville High School. Once you are registered, Adult Education Classes take place on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – noon and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 594-3622 to sign up for mandatory orientation or visit www.ae.knoxschools.org. November 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29: “Nurturing Parents Classes” are held at the Child & Family Tennessee Building, 901 E. Summit Hill Drive, on Tuesdays 10 a.m. – noon and Thursdays 4 - 6 p.m. This is a 12-hour course in which attendance is mandatory. For more information call 524-7483 ext. 240.November 7: “Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.” The National Association of Social Workers-TN Chapter presents a 2.0 CEU lunch and learn presentation with guest speaker Carla Saunders. This event is FREE and lunch will be provided. To register for this event, visit http://www.etccynas.eventbrite.com. Please contact

Let us know about your family-friendly event!Send calendar submissions to [email protected]. Please include event address and contact information, and submit at least six weeks prior to event date.

K N O X V I L L E

Events for November 2012Lindsey Cody at 865-594-6658 or [email protected], for more information. November 7: “How Not to Lose Your Marbles!” Please join Sonshine Minsitry for the November 7th Family Support meeting from 6 – 7:30pm. Be resilient for the long haul with Mary Donnet Johnson, parent of a teen with autism. Training will be held at First Baptist Concord: 11704 Kingston Pk, Knoxville, TN 37934. Contact Sarah Davis at (865) 806-8555, for more information. November 8: “Family-to-Family Support Group” hosted by K-Town Youth Empowerment Network. The support group is held on the second Thursday of every month from 6 - 8 p.m. A light dinner will be served. Call 474-6689 for more information. November 11: Knoxville Civil War Talk and Book Signing. Dr. Earl J. Hess will give a lecture on new Civil War book, “The Knoxville Campaign,” and will be available to sign books after his talk. At the same time, artist Ken Smith will be at the Museum to sign prints of his work, “At First Light” an image of the 1863 Confederate artillery position excavated on the site of newly built Sorority Village. Free and open to the public. Call 865-974-2144 for more information or visit McClungMuseum.utk.edu. November 11: McClung Museum Stroller Tours: Zen Art. Join us for a morning out as our museum educator leads engaging gallery tours for parents and caregivers and their young ones. Crying and wiggly babies welcome! This month’s tour will explore our temporary exhibit, “Zen Buddhism and the Arts of Japan.” The event is free, but limited, and all attendees must register to attend at: http://mcclungmuseumstrollertour.eventbrite.com/. Call 865-974-2144 for more information or visit McClungMuseum.utk.edu. November 13: The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and United Way present “The Unbanked: Challenges and Opportunities.” This FREE event offers advice about financial stability for families, neighborhoods, and communities. If you work in any capacity (social service agency, financial institution, government) with the unbanked or underbanked, please consider attending this event. For more information and to register, visit http://unbanked.eventbrite.com. November 13: “Assessing

Challenging Behaviors” workshop presented by ASA-ETC and the UT Pediatric Language Clinic. This class will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at United Way of Greater Knoxville, Community Room: 1301 Hannah Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921. NOTE: this session was developed in conjunction with TRIAD and TEIS for use in TN. Class size limited to 30 and advance RSVP required (to ensure sufficient training and take home materials) – register early!! Contact [email protected] or (865) 247-5082, for more information and to RSVP. November 13 and 27: The Helen Ross-McNabb Center presents the “Mother Goose Program.” The Mother Goose program teaches crucial interaction in the formative first steps of an infant’s life. The program has 12 groups each month. The groups will meet on November 6 and 20 at the Knoxville Center Mall in the UT Classroom, and on November 13 and 27 at the Cokesbury Center. Call 523-8695 or visit http://mcnabbcenter.org/social-services/children.html for more information. November 14 and 28: “Mom’s Mother Goose.” This FREE workshop takes place at the Lisa Ross Birthing Center every second and fourth Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. The focus is on early brain development through stories, songs, and rhymes. Contact Kristin Williams at [email protected] or 524-4422, for more information. November 16: “Friends of the Library Used Book Sale.” Friends of the Library are bringing the best buys in town to the Powell and Cedar Bluff Branch Libraries from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Don’t miss these amazing deals. Most books are under $2 - there’s no better way to build up your personal library. Visit www.knoxlib.org for more information. November 16 - December 2: Oak Ridge Playhouse presents The Wiz. Get your groove on and ease on down the road in this Tony award-winning, hip re-telling of “The Wizard of Oz.” Dorothy’s journey through a land of wicked witches, scarecrows, lions, and men made of tin is told in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel, and soul! Soaring and exuberant, it radiates so much energy you can hardly sit in your seat. Visit www.ORPlayhouse.com for more information. November 29 - December 16: A Christmas Carol from the book by Charles Disckens, adapted for the stage

by Barbara Field at the UT Clarence Brown Theatre. The Clarence Brown holiday tradition returns – this time with new costumes, a new set and a new adaptation of the timeless tale of Scrooge’s redemption! Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Call 865-974-5161 or visit ClarenceBrownTheatre.com.

FREE Family Resource of the Month:

Knox Friends’ SHOEBOX Libraries is a program that places collections of books in the hands of those unable to get to conventional library services. SHOEBOX is led by Dottie Sampler, an experienced librarian with a unique sense of appropriate reading material for very specific groups. For more information visit Friends of the Knox County Public Library, 500 W. Church Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. Main Office: Abby Wintker (865) 215-8775 – http://www.knoxfriends.org.

For details and more information about any class or other Knox County Schools-related information, please visit www.knoxschools.org, select ‘Parents,’ and then select ‘Family and Community Engagement.’

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

Admissions Open Housefor prospective students and

families:

Grades 6-8 November 8 at 7:00pmGrades K-5 November 13 at 7:00pm

“Sing Down the Moon. Appalachian Wonder Tales” by Mary Hall Surface and David

Maddox

Presented by Heart to heart Players

November 9 & 10 at 7pmAdults $8.00. Students $5.00.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School Gym711 S. Northshore Drive.

Knoxville, TN

For more information call(865) 588-0415

(865) 769-6944Franklin Square

9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

K-12th GRADES • SAT & ACT PREP • HOMEWORK HELP • CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM

Grades K through 8th High School Programs

We Make Math Make Sense.

And now you can find out for free! Just give us a call and mention Knoxville Parent for this special offer.

For your K - 8th grader, come for our no-risk assessment and enjoy the first week for free with no obligation to join.

For your highschooler, come in for one free 90-minute homework-help session.

• Assessmenttodetermineyourchild’sspecificneeds

• Customizedlearningplan• Highlytrainedinstructors• Individualinstructionandguided

practice• Homeworkassisstance• Results!Yourchild’sprogress

ismeasuredbygrades,regularassessments,andloveofmathematics.

Fundamentalsdevelopmentandhomeworkassistancefor:

• AlgebraI• Geometry• AlgebraII• Pre-calculus/Trigonometry• Calculus• Statistics


by Kristina Howard, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union Marketing Specialist

I am thankful for . . .I am Thankful for...This cute turkey is made from your child’s handprints and footprints, cut out of construction paper. It makes a very nice Thanksgiving decoration.

Supplies: - Brown, red, orange and yellow construction paper - Pencil - Scissors - Glue - Googly eyes (optional)

Kristina F. [email protected]

Trace around your child’s feet using brown construction paper. These two pieces will be the turkey’s body.

Trace everyone’s hands in your house using red, orange, and yellow construction paper. Once cut, have each family member write what they are thankful for on their hands. These pieces will be the turkey’s feathers.

Glue the two footprints together to make the turkey’s body. (The heels make the head area.)

Cut out a round wattle and an orange beak. Glue the wattle, beak, and googly eyes (or paper eyes) to the turkey’s head. Make two legs from paper and glue then to the back of the body (or use pipe cleaners and tape them to the back).

Glue the handprint “feathers” to the back of the turkey.

This cute turkey is made from your child’s handprints and footprints, cut out of construction paper. It makes a very nice Thanksgiving decoration.

• Brown, red, orange and yellow construction paper

• Pencil

• Scissors• Glue• Googly eyes (optional)

Here’s what you will need:

(865) 769-6944Franklin Square

9700 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37922

K-12th GRADES • SAT & ACT PREP • HOMEWORK HELP • CUSTOMIZED CURRICULUM

Grades K through 8th High School Programs

We Make Math Make Sense.

And now you can find out for free! Just give us a call and mention Knoxville Parent for this special offer.

For your K - 8th grader, come for our no-risk assessment and enjoy the first week for free with no obligation to join.

For your highschooler, come in for one free 90-minute homework-help session.

• Assessmenttodetermineyourchild’sspecificneeds

• Customizedlearningplan• Highlytrainedinstructors• Individualinstructionandguided

practice• Homeworkassisstance• Results!Yourchild’sprogress

ismeasuredbygrades,regularassessments,andloveofmathematics.

Fundamentalsdevelopmentandhomeworkassistancefor:

• AlgebraI• Geometry• AlgebraII• Pre-calculus/Trigonometry• Calculus• Statistics


to learn more about a variety of animals and meet some of the zoo’s stars, including George the African Porcupine! Open daily from 9am – 5pm (except Christmas Day). Admission is $11.99 for adults (13-54), $9.99 (55+), $6.99 (3-12), children 2 and under are free. Rfadventures.com.

Spend some family time splashing around this winter at Wilderness at

the Smokies, Sevierville’s indoor water park resort. The resort’s Wild Water Dome is a 66,000 square foot indoor waterpark where it always feels like summer. Schedule a surfing lesson and learn to “hang ten” on The Smokies Surf Rider, get everyone together on the Runaway Canyon raft ride and take on the 3-story ropes course challenge inside Wilderness Adventure Forest. WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

For more information about winter travel to Sevierville, Tennessee, please go to VisitSevierville.com or call 1-888-SEVIERVILLE (738-4378).

Millions of Smoky Mountain Winterfest lights will brighten Sevierville from

November 5 through February 28. While the festive roadside light displays certainly provide extra holiday sparkle, winter has always been a great season for “bright” travel in Sevierville. Educational attractions abound with plenty of opportunities for interactive learning.

Dive head-first into the holidays – and great music - with a trip to Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Smokies Stadium. Introduce the family to classical music like “The Nutcracker Suite” by Tchaikovsky while driving through this mile and a half long synchronized light and music extravaganza. After the light show, park the car and check out Santa’s Village where you can pose for a photo with Santa, spend some time at the petting zoo and ride the Santa train. Open November 9 – January 6. Admission is $20 per family car or van (rates vary for large vehicles such as church and tour buses – see site for complete information). ShadrackChristmas.com.

Kids (and parents) who love animals love Rainforest Adventures. This discovery zoo is focused on conservation and education and, with hundreds of animals representing 140 different species, is recognized as one of the finest small zoos in the country. Daily Rainforest Animal Shows provide a great opportunity for everyone

Amanda Marr is marketing and communications director for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce. For more information about events, educational travel and family fun in Sevierville,

please go to www.VisitSevierville.com.

By Amanda Marr



by David Brickhouse

The blessing of fatherhoodLove and understanding


David Brickhouse and his wife Shalinka have learned that love, communication, and teamwork help build the foundation for a happy family.

My family is the most important thing in my life, and being able to experience

fatherhood is a complete blessing. I have 4 children the oldest is Nicole,18, then Briar, 16, Garrett is 12, and Gracee, 6. However, for me it was not as easy or as simple as I would have imagined. Something that made being a father difficult for me was that I also had an obligation to my country. As a medic in the U.S. Army I served for eleven years and was deployed twice.

Honestly, there were plenty of times when I felt my service to my country interfered with my obligations as a father. For instance, I was blessed to be present the day my youngest daughter Gracee was born, but I was deployed 3 days later. What made it hard was that I knew I would be missing those precious moments that really matter to a parent, like hearing her first words or watching her take her first steps, and not being there for those moments is difficult. After returning from Iraq, I came home to find that she was now 1 1/2 years old and would not let me hold her, because basically she did not know who I was.

I know my children understand that my commitment to my country is important, but that still does not change the fact that my absence did have an effect. My oldest daughter Nicole seemed to have some resentment for me not being around, but as she has gotten older our relationship has healed and progressed, and I can honestly say that it is as if we have never skipped a beat.

I believe being a good Dad starts with the understanding that it is not all about one particular role. I have never seen it as just, “Did I teach them the right things?” or, “Will they always make the right decisions?” For me its about, “Did I give them the love they needed, while teaching them the lessons I have learned about life, and creating memories they can look forward to having one day with their children?” For me, those memories include coaching my youngest son Garret in Football and Basketball, and teaching my oldest son Briar how to drive a car.

I really do not believe there is one thing that can make someone a good parent. It is trying to find a balance of love, respect, teaching, and encouraging that I think has the ability to mold a child’s character. I can

only hope to lead my children to being a better person, worker, husband (or wife), and parent than I was. My children helped make me into who I am today and I attribute a lot of my success and accomplishments to my children because I live to make them proud.

Now, this goes without saying; without the support and love from my beautiful wife Shalinka, I probably would have a completely different outlook on parenting. She is truly my rock and honestly having such a supporting spouse has made being a good parent quite easy. We have a great balance and understanding of our family values and we do our best to instill those values as a team. We feel communication is key in any

marriage and we work hard to make sure we stay on the same page. I believe that goes for parenting as well, because kids are smart and they will try and play mom against dad, so being able to communicate alleviates misunderstandings that tend to arise.

My family is my life and my love, everything I do I do for them, and I hope that my children will one day be able to cherish and experience the joy and happiness that having a family can bring.

David Brickhouse was born in Annapolis Maryland. As a captain in the U.S. Army, he served for 11 years two as a

medic, including two tours in Iraq. David holds a Bachelors and Masters from the University of Nebraska. He and his

wife, Shalinka, have been married for 17 years and have four children. He founded Prodigal Primary Care, wich has several

locations in Knoxville, in 2010.

to learn more about a variety of animals and meet some of the zoo’s stars, including George the African Porcupine! Open daily from 9am – 5pm (except Christmas Day). Admission is $11.99 for adults (13-54), $9.99 (55+), $6.99 (3-12), children 2 and under are free. Rfadventures.com.

Spend some family time splashing around this winter at Wilderness at

the Smokies, Sevierville’s indoor water park resort. The resort’s Wild Water Dome is a 66,000 square foot indoor waterpark where it always feels like summer. Schedule a surfing lesson and learn to “hang ten” on The Smokies Surf Rider, get everyone together on the Runaway Canyon raft ride and take on the 3-story ropes course challenge inside Wilderness Adventure Forest. WildernessAtTheSmokies.com.

For more information about winter travel to Sevierville, Tennessee, please go to VisitSevierville.com or call 1-888-SEVIERVILLE (738-4378).

By Amanda Marr


“I really do not believe there is one thing that can make someone a good parent. It is trying to find a balance of love, respect, teaching, and encouraging that I think has the ability to mold a child’s character.”

Knox Parent Puzzle Place

Challenge: Line them up!A penny is 3/4” in diameter.

1. If you had four pennies and set them down, side by side in a single row, how long would the row be? (1 entry)

2. What about 7 pennies? (2 entries)

3. Parent puzzle: How about 40 1/2 pennies? (3 entries)

Jimmy is running his best race ever!

He’s already completed 7/8 of the race, so he has only 25 more meters to go!

1. How long is the whole race? (2 entries)

2. If he’s running at an even pace the whole way and has taken 16.79 seconds to get where he is, what will be his final time rounded to the nearest hundredth? (3 entries)

3. Parent puzzle: Jimmy is not his real name. Where is he from? (4 entries)

Work this one together, parent and student!

Archie has 12 pennies that appear to be identical, but one of them is counterfeit. The counterfeit penny weighs differently from the others, but he doesn’t know if it’s heavier or lighter. He has a balance scale but is allowed only three weigh-ins. How can Archie

determine which is the counterfeit?Nearly 2,300 years ago, Archimedes (born in Syracuse, Sicily) was able to prove whether or not King Hiero’s crown was pure gold as the goldsmith had promised! Was it pure gold, or not? (5 entries)

Provided by West Knoxville Mathnasium • Mathnasium.com/WestKnoxville

Answers to last month’s puzzles1. Frankie can take his mom and dad to the chemistry

lab 24 different ways.2. Draw the figure challenge - # 8 is the only one that

cannot be drawn without lifting your pencil.3. The total owed for chores on Halloween would be

$5,368,709.12

And the winners of last month’s puzzle page drawing is Jeremiah M. (6-year old first grader ) and Elijah M. 7-year

old second grader, at Blue Grass Elementary!

Enter to Win Great Prizes!Send your answers to any or all of these challenges to [email protected], and you will be entered into a drawing to receive over $150 worth of gift cards and prizes from The Shops at Franklin Square. The more challenging the puzzle, the more entries you are awarded for a correct answer!


It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Nashville, Tennessee! November 16 – January 1Make it a Christmas to remember at Gaylord Opryland, where more than two-million lights along with acres and acres of stunning decor create a holiday atmosphere like no other. Delight in fi ne dining, eclectic shopping and festive entertainment, including ICE! — two million pounds of colorful, hand-carved ice slides and sculptures featuring DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek the Halls. It’s a holiday celebration you’ll never forget.

*Restrictions apply. See website for details. Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and all related characters and properties © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. Shrek the Halls © 2012 DreamWorks Animation L.L.C. © 2012 The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola” is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved.

Two- and three-night package guests receive exclusive perks. Book your holiday getaway today!

ChristmasAtGaylordOpryland.comor call (888) 677-9872

A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland® ResortCelebrate Beloved Traditions — and Make New Ones!

GO-2805-12 ACC_Knoxville-Parent_[9.5x10].indd 1 9/13/12 8:54 AM

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Walker Springs (Next to The Rush)

865-690-8819

Turkey Creek (Next to Party City)

865-690-6699

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Knoxville Parent - November 2012