Page 8 April 30-May 6, 2014 St. Cloud “In the News”

2014 Summer Fun For Kids

(StatePoint) Long breaks from reading, writing and critical thinking can be detrimental for students. That's why savvy parents ensure that kids keep learning over summer. With the implementation of the Common Core and Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) Standards, bridging the gap between school years is more important than ever.

But you don't need to replicate a classroom to reap the benefits of summer studies. After all, it's called “vacation” for a reason. Here are few fun ways to keep kids' brains on high alert all season:Make Math Fun

The more interactive and hands-on you can make math, the more engaged kids will be. So avoid drilling them with stale worksheets.

Play a board game like “Monopoly,” and bestow the role of “banker” on your child. Or, let them handle the real thing on outings by letting them pay the ice cream vendor and the grocer. You can even consider capitalizing on the summer weather with a lemonade stand -- it's a great first small business experience.

Supplement these experiences with tools that go beyond a standard workbook. For example, a new book, “Amazing Visual Math,” covers the essential math concepts learned in the first years of school using interactive elements, including pop-ups, flaps and pull-tab elements. Designed to develop manual dexterity and sharpen visual skills, tools like this can make a tedious subject entertaining.Foster their Interests

The school year can be hectic and isn't necessarily an ideal time for a child to take on new hobbies. Summer however, is the perfect time of year to encourage kids to explore new interests through thematic summer camps, community classes and sports teams.

You can also nurture interests through non-fiction literature. Check out the “Eyewitness Books" series from DK Publishing with titles

that cover a broad range of topics like “World War I,” “Rocks & Minerals” and “Wonders of the World.” Newly updated this year and now available in paperback, they can help bridge the gap between last school year and the next.Get Informed

The implementation of new education policies and standards can be difficult on students, but you can help smooth the transition and prepare your child for the coming school year by learning more about it. Visit www.us.dk.com/education for Common Core and STEM information for all grade levels, activity sheets and book recommendations on all topics that support classroom learning.Friendly Competition

Start a family competition to see who reads the most books this summer. Post the results on the fridge so everyone can see.Road Trip Fun

Make summer road trips a bit less of a bore by stocking the car with fun games and activities. The Ultimate Factivity Collection series includes doodle and coloring pages, puzzles, crafts, stickers, facts and activities that encourage learning. With titles like “Animals,” “Fashion,” “Star Wars” and “LEGO Legends of Chima,” kids won't suspect they're learning.

To set up kids for a successful school year, find activities that strike the perfect balance between learning and fun.

Tips to Keep Kids Learning Over Summer

(c) Michael Barkley - ThinkStock.com

St. Cloud “In the News” April 30-May 6, 2014 Page 9

By Terri Fedonczak, Contributing Writer

lowers are blooming, and birds are chirping. Bare legs are Fblinding us with their unearthly

glow. This can only mean one thing: summer is on its way! Remember when thoughts of summer were filled with ice cream and lazy afternoons? Not anymore. Now it's, “Mother of Pearl, what am I going to do with my kids?” That lazy afternoon turns into a horror movie, with zombie kids following you around the house whining that they're bored. Or worse, latchkey kids calling you at work to see if they can dry the cat in the microwave. Since we can't take off work for the summer or work in the house with screaming kids, what do we do?

When I googled Summer Child Care, I got 33,600,000 hits. Good Grief. How do we make the perfect choice? First of all, lose the idea that you can make the perfect choice, because there are no perfect choices. Parenting is a job where you're building the plane as you fly it. That being said, here are a few tips for making the right choice for YOUR family.

First, calm yourself: This decision produces fear, because there are so many optionsor your options are limited. Both stories produce stress in the thinker. Remember, they are just stories. You will make much better decisions from a place of calm. When you feel the stress levels rising, take three deep belly breaths. Right now, put your palm on your belly button and breathe slowly and deeply so that you make your hand move outward. Then do that two more times. Feel your pulse rate drop and your shoulders come out of your ears. Doesn't that feel better?

Treat the problem like a puzzle or a mystery with you as lead detective: We make much better decisions when we engage our creative mind to help us sort through options. When we are stressed out, we are in fight or flight mode. All of our blood is in our extremities, preparing us to do battle or to flee, so our brain can't work properly. If you can treat this decision like a puzzle with a solution that you just can't see yet, then you can get creative without feeling overwhelmed. Assemble the clues or pieces of the childcare puzzle, and then put on your creative hat to find the solution that works best for your family.

Ask for help: This is where your friends and co-workers can step in to help. Ask them what they are doing with their kids thissummer. If they aren't knowledgeable, go to your school's guidance counselor or your church's child care program to ask for recommendations. Ask your boss about the possibility of summer hours; you will never know until you ask. Go in armed with a plan that benefits your boss as well, and

then release the outcome. Your boss will be more open to options if you're not needy and desperate when you ask.

Use baby steps: This is a big decision, and it may seem overwhelming. Use baby steps to acquire the necessary information to make an informed choice. A baby step is the most ridiculously easy step you can take in the next 5 minutes. Set your phone alarm for 5 or 10 minutes while you search for “summer child care options” on the internet or make a phone call to a friend. When the alarm goes off, bookmark or jot down the options, and then stop. You're done for this baby step session. When any task feels too big, break it down into smaller steps.

You determine when it's okay to leave them home alone: Just because the law says that your 11 year old can stay home alone doesn't mean it's the right decision for you. Every kid is different. I used the guideline that when my kid was old enough to responsibly handle baby-sitting jobs with ease, then they were ready to stay home alone. For my eldest, this was at age 11 (she could also have held down a job and planned a dinner party at 11! That's why she now holds a big-time production job; the kid is a rock). With my middle child, it was 14, with lots of telephone supervision from me. If you're leaving your kids at home, make sure you have a plan for check-in times as well as activities/chores for the day. Make the plan together, so that they take ownership of the d e c i s i o n . T h i s w i l l t e a c h t h e m independence and accountability; two things all parents want for their children.

Use your own family values to guide you: Don't feel pressure to be just like everyone else; do what feels right to you! If your family values are centered in creativity, sending your kid to a structured math camp is not the best choice for you, regardless of how prestigious it is. Maybe an afterschool program that focuses on art would be a better fit. Figure out what's important to your family values, and make a decision that feels right in your gut.

If you follow the above steps, you will make the right decision for you and your kids, regardless of their age and your circumstances. Keep gathering information and asking for help, until you reach a decision that feels good to you; then accept it and move on. Waffling on a decision produces stress and wastes energy that you could be using for a higher purpose. We only have so much energy every day; wasting it by worrying is counter-productive. All we can do as a parent is to make the best decision right now given the information that we have. It won't be perfect, because nothing ever is, but if it's made from a calm loving place, then you and your kids will be just fine.

What Will I Do This Summer?

2014 Summer Fun For Kids

Page 10 April 30-May 6, 2014 St. Cloud “In the News”

From Page 1March for Babies

motivation to make sure that more moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies.

Registration for March for Babies begins at 7:30 a.m., with the 3.2-mile walk kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Featuring entertainment, music, food, family fun and more, this year's March for Babies will be a fun-packed gathering, providing a memorable experience to all walkers. Participants can still sign up and raise funds at marchforbabies.org.

Money raised through March for Babies supports programs and research to prevent birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Premature birth is the most urgent infant health problem in the U.S. today. It affects nearly half a million babies each year,

2014 March for Babies Chairman and Osceola County Commissioner

Frank Attkisson.

Laurel and Ella Adkins, Osceola, FL March for Babies Ambassador Family. Both of the girls

were born prematurely.

Baby Ella Adkins was born nine weeks

including 28,551 in Florida. March of Dimes is committed to finding the answers to problems that continue to threaten the lives and the health of babies.

“It is not acceptable that one in eight of our babies here in Florida are born premature, and I hope everyone inspired to help knows they will make a difference,” stated Attkisson.

March for Babies is proud to have Publix Super Markets, Inc. as its Top Corporate Partner. Other local sponsors include Kissimmee Utility Authority at Gold, Toho Water Authority, Mercury EPM at Bronze, and our Media Partners are Bright House Networks, 101.9 AMP Radio, 105.9 Sunny FM, Mix 105.1 FM, St. Cloud In The News, El Osceola Star, and Osceola News Gazette.

For more than 75 years, moms and babies have benefited from March of Dimes research, education, vaccines, and breakthroughs. Find out how you can help raise funds to prevent premature birth and birth defects by walking in March for Babies at marchforbabies.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. The 2014 March for Babies is sponsored nationally by the March of Dimes number one corporate supporter K-Mart, Macy's, Famous Footwear, Cigna, Sanofi Pasteur, Mission Pharmacal, and United Airlines.

choosing from Dressage, English Equitation, Western Equitation, Poles, Trail Riding or Barrel Racing.

This year, the State Office for Special Olympics allocated nine Special Olympic Equestrian riders from Heavenly Hooves to attend state game competition at the Grand Oaks, Florida on Friday, May 2 and Saturday May 3.

Following the results of the area competition these riders were selected to go to state games:

Jeremiah Ketting; Owen Foster; Juan Velez; Frances Rivera; Dylan Cross; Alex Gonzalez; Adam Syed; Brian Kelley; Stephen Green.

The results for the winners are as follows:

The Heavenly Hooves Special Olympic riders competing in Area Games are shown as they parade

onto the field of competition at the recent Area 7 Equestrian Games held in Kissimmee.

Photo by Charles Green.

Jeremiah Ketting - St. Cloud - Dressage -First PlaceJeremiah Ketting St. Cloud - English Equitation - First PlaceOwen Foster - St. Cloud - Western Equitation - First PlaceOwen Foster St. Cloud - Poles - First Place

Juan Velez Kissimmee - Western Equitation - First PlaceJuan Velez Kissimmee - Trail Second - PlaceFrances Rivera Kissimmee - Western Equitation - Second PlaceFrances Rivera Kissimmee Trail - First Place

Dylan Cross Kissimmee - Western Equitation - Second PlaceDylan Cross Kissimmee - Trail Second PlaceAlex Gonzalez Davenport - Western Equitation - First PlaceAlex Gonzalez Davenport Trail - First Place

Adam Syed Orlando - Western Equitation - Fourth PlaceAdam Syed Orlando Trail Second PlaceBrian Kelley - St. Cloud - Western Equitation -First PlaceBrian Kelley St. Cloud Trail - First Place

Stephen Green - St. Cloud - Western Equitation - First PlaceStephen Green St. Cloud Barrels - Second Place

From Page 1March for Babies

as well as military memorabilia. Every Friday, Historian Roger Heiple makes history come alive for lucky visitors. For museum information, contact Jean Witherington, at 407-957-4347 or jowgen@embarqmail.com. Museum hours: Thursday-Saturday 11:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.

Mental Illness Support GroupWhen: Every Monday, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

thWhere: Veterans Memorial Library, 810 13 Street, St. Cloud

Osceola County Support Group for Mental Illness is a free anonymous support group for those suffering from bi-polar disorder, depression, and anxiety disorders. Family and friends of those afflicted are welcome to join as well. The group meets on the second floor of the library in the Barbara U. Thornton Room. For more information, call Pat at 407-593-1997 or Kathy at 407-847-7420. NOTE: There is no physician or licensed counselor in attendance at these meetings. The group's sole purpose is to provide a support system for those suffering from mental illness.

Heel and Toe Square Dance ClubWhen: Monday, 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Where: Senior Center Annex, 702 Indiana Ave, St. Cloud

No experience is necessary to join the club; beginners get lessons at the start of the evening. The first lesson is free; after that, dances are $5 per person. Singles, couples and families are all welcome. No special clothes or shoes are needed; just make sure your shoes are not the kind that will stick to the floor or fold up under your feet as you move. For more information, please call Ellen Bell or Paul Kurek at 407-931-1688.

NEW TIME! Narcoossee Area Chapter, Osceola County Historical Society When: first Monday of each month, 5:30 p.m. Where: Narcoossee Community Center, 5354 Rambling Road, Narcoossee

Our first project is to restore the circa 1886 Narcoossee Schoolhouse. Please join us in this historic effort. For more info see www.narcoosseehistory.org, E-mail: info@narcoosseehistory.org or call 407-595-6727

rd3 Annual Classic Car & Truck Show When: Saturday, May 10, 2014; 8:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. Where: Parking lot adjacent to BB&T Bank,

th4291 13 Street, St. Cloud Relay for Life St. Cloud Team St. Cloud

Police will be hosting this show to benefit Relay for Life/American Cancer Society. The registration is open to cars from 1920-1985. There will be goodie bags for the first 25 entrants. Trophies will be awarded to the Sponsor's Choice, Survivor's Choice, and Best in Show. The event will include 50's and 60's music, a 50/50 drawing, door prizes and food and beverages. Entry fees are $20 prior to April 25 and $25 on the day of the show. Registration is from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. day of and judging will take place from 12:00 p.m.- 1:00 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2:00 p.m. It is free admission for spectators. There are vendor spaces available. For more information, registration, or vendor inquiries please c o n t a c t S t e v e N a s h a t snash11@earthlink.net or call 407-738-6 3 9 8 o r A m a n d a N a s h a t nashajn@hotmail.com or 407-791-5930.

Celiac/Crohns of Osceola County Support Group (COOCS)

ndWhen: 2 Wednesday of every month, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

thWhere: Pro-Health, 3100 17 St. St. CloudCome together with others suffering

from these difficult diseases for support and friendship. For information or to RSVP, p l ease con tac t Ba rb Thomas a t bthomas@embarqmail.com or phone 407-908-5607.

St. Cloud Heritage Museum Scavenger Hunt & Historian!When: Every Saturday 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.Where: 1012 Massachusetts Ave., St. Cloud

The museum hosts a historical scavenger hunt for school age children to adults. Discover, learn and have fun during this very special journey to the past. These activities have been extended due to popular demand, so come and share the experience! The museum is open to the public for learning about St. Cloud history