Toledo Area Parent: September/ October by Adams Street Publishing Co.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 202230 30 PAGE10 BESTEVERSeasonalFunfrom September through Halloween Night PAGE20 VaccinesCOVIDforKids What you Need to know A andEmeriewithQ&AAverie Our Cover Kid Winners P.3

Partering with local employers and industry for onsite instruction and training Magnet schools attracting talented students from across the Toledo area Connecting classroom experience with future

CareerTech

2 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

Toledo Public Schools offer career alternatives to college

Toledo Early College High School (TEC)

Withitscollegeprepcurriculum,TEC readiesstudentsforhigherlearning and21stcenturycareers.OurSTEMM programfocusesprimarilyonmedicine andthehealthcareprofessions, enjoyingthesupportofProMedica andtheUniversityofToledo.

“This program wouldn’t have been possible without the collective input from (TPS Superintendent) Dr. Romules Durant, Toledo Chief of Police George Kral, Toledo Fire Chief Brian Byrd, the Mayor’s office, and everyone at Owens Community College,” said Brown-Martinez.

AnindividualizedpaththatcanleadtoacareerANDacollegedegree.

ENROLL NOW! FOR

“PS419 is designed to introduce students to careers in safety. It’s a technical program, just like learning heating and air conditioning.”

CollegeCreditPlus

All EMT certification is overseen by Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness and the goal is to create a career pipeline from TPS to a career in Toledo public safety. “I’ve worked with kids for more than 30 years and this is a great way to show them there are career opportunities out there for them even if they don’t go to college.”

LET’S GET TO WORK!

TPSGROWINGOPPORTUNITYISAT

StudentsatToledoPublicSchoolsareembracingthefuture. They’redevelopingvaluableskills,discoveringexcitingoptions andlearningtothriveinachangingworld. TPSoersmanychoices,includingpathsforcareer-minded studentsandthosepursuingacollegeeducation.

Oth er advantages, per James, are the hands on instruction in a “real world setting” and having the testing fees paid, saving a lot of money for a high school upperclassman.

While in high school, TPS students can prepare for the millions of new skilled positions now available in accounting, animal science, auto technology, precision machining, telecommunications, urban agriculture and dozens of other elds.

careersConnectingfromMagnetforPartering

CollegeCreditPlus thisstate-fundedeort, earnbothhighschooland creditatnocost.Theyalso thecollegeexperience, gettingaheadstartonhigher TheUniversityofToledo withTPSforthisprogram.

NOW!

Tech highschool,TPSstudents forthemillionsofnew CollegeCreditPlus

Whileinhighschool,TPSstudents canprepareforthemillionsofnew skilledpositionsnowavailablein accounting,animalscience,auto technology,precisionmachining, telecommunications,urban agricultureanddozensof otherelds.

Throughthisstate-fundedeort, studentsearnbothhighschooland collegecreditatnocost.Theyalso easeintothecollegeexperience, whilegettingaheadstartonhigher learning.TheUniversityofToledo partnerswithTPSforthisprogram.

Where: Bowsher High School How it works: Retired fire inspector Andre Tiggs leads this program, which pairs students interested in public safety with a career and personal mentor working in the field. “The goal is that once these kids finish the program, they’ll be certified EMTs right out of high school,” said Tiggs, who credits Toledo fire battalion chief Danny Brown-Martinez as being the main orchestrator of PS419, though Chief Brown-Martinez is quick to emphasize the program is a group effort.

AnindividualizedpaththatcanleadtoacareerANDacollegedegree. tps.org

RetiredfireinspectorAndreTiggs ChiefDannyBrown-Martinez

tps.orgTwier.com/TPSProud Facebook.com/TPSProud

Asweembarkonaschoolyearunlikeanyotherin ourhistory,we’rethankfulforthesupportandactive participationofourcommunitypartners,oursta, tps.org Twi er.com/TPSProudFacebook.com/TPSProud

“PS419 is designed to introduce students to careers in safety. It’s a technical program, just like learning heating and air conditioning.”

RetiredfireinspectorAndreTiggs ChiefDannyBrown-Martinez

weembarkonaschoolyearunlikeanyotherin ourhistory,we’rethankfulforthesupportandactive participationofourcommunitypartners,oursta, ourstudentsandtheirfamilies.Asalways,we’llface thechallengesofourtimeswithhopeinourhearts andanunwaveringcommitmenttoeducation. AnindividualizedpaththatcanleadtoacareerANDacollegedegree. ENROLL NOW! FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TPS.ORG

High Schools

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TPS.ORG

AEROSPACE & NATURAL SCIENCE ACADEMY OF TOLEDO 11600 West Airport Service Road Swanton, OH Programs419-671-170043558inaviation maintenance, animal science, urban agriculture, wildlife and fisheries, with partners Delta Airlines, Interjet West, The Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Toledo Metroparks.

With its college prep curriculum, TEC readies students for higher learning and 21st century careers. Our STEMM program focuses primarily on medicine and the health care professions, enjoying the support of ProMedica and the University of Toledo.

TOLEDO PRE-MED AND HEALTH SCIENCE ACADEMY This four-year academy focuses on Biomedical Science, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nursing, and all Health Science fields. At the academy, students will have the opportunity upon graduation to begin an entrylevel career in the medical field or choose to attend college and further their education.

James’ advice to others considering enrolling in a TPS Career Tech program, “Give it a go! It starts with one class and then you can follow your interest to a job with a local company. It has really worked out great for me!” TPS 2021 Grad James Curtis gained full time work with the City of Toledo

StudentsatToledoPublicSchoolsareembracingthefuture. They’redevelopingvaluableskills,discoveringexcitingoptions learningtothriveinachangingworld. oersmanychoices,includingpathsforcareer-minded studentsandthosepursuingacollegeeducation.

As we embark on a school year unlike any other in our history, we’re thankful for the support and active participation of our community partners, our sta , our students and their families. As always, we’ll face the challenges of our times with hope in our hearts and an unwavering commitment to education. Partering with local employers and industry for onsite instruction and training Magnet schools attracting talented students from across the Toledo area Connecting classroom experience with future careers

Withitscollegeprepcurriculum,TEC tps.org Twi er.com/TPSProudFacebook.com/TPSProud Career Tech

TPS CAREER TECH PROGRAM

Magnet Schools

Toledo Public Schools offers a number of magnet schols that are open to students who are interested in pursuing a specialized course of study. Students participate in project-based learning that includes hands-on activities and assignments that reinforce the curriculum.

Partering with local employers and industry for onsite instruction and training Magnet schools attracting talented students from across the Toledo area

CollegeCreditPlus

ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC) tps.org Twi er.com/TPSProudFacebook.com/TPSProud Career Tech

College Credit Plus

CareerTech highschool,TPSstudents prepareforthemillionsofnew positionsnowavailablein accounting,animalscience,auto technology,precisionmachining, telecommunications,urban agricultureanddozensof elds.

ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC)

ENROLL

College Credit Plus

JAMES CURTIS CLASS OF 2021, WAITE HIGH SCHOOL, IT SUPPORT STAFF FOR THE CITY OF TOLEDO M att Rodriguez began teach ing with TPS as a substitute in 2016. Over the years he worked in schools throughout the district before accepting a position in 2019 to teach In formation Technology in the TPS Career TechTheProgram.ITprogram, based at Waite High School, Rodriguez relates, offers several classes across grade levels — “I teach an intro level IT class for sophomores which covers hardware, software, pro gramming, how to use certain applica tions . . . a bit of everything. The focus is narrowed for juniors with a class in PC repair and servicing, and seniors have a class focused on networking computer systems." Successful completion of each of the classes provides the students with industry recognized certificates which tell prospective employers that the cer tificate holder is qualified in the desig natedJamesarea.Curtis (see the segment above) was Rodriguez’ student before graduat ing in 2021. “James was an IT inclined student who worked hard and had the determination to complete the class(es) and earn a certificate. He worked hard in class, but also put in the time with self study to pass the exams which led to his becomingAccordingcertified.”toRodriguez, he, along with TPS Career Tech instructors in a vari ety of career areas, “work to constantly try to get our students into positions in the community (related to their field of study). That is part of my job as a teach er in the TPS Career Tech program. It is very rewarding to have a student placed with an employer based on the skills that they developed through their high school education.”

CareerTech

ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC)

Connecting classroom experience with future careers Twier.com/TPSProud Facebook.com/TPSProud

JONES LEADERSHIP ACADEMY OF BUSINESS 430 Nebraska This419-671-5400Ave.7ththrough12th grade school provides a college and career readiness curriculum, with a focus on business and administrative pathways. Bloomberg Financial Lab.

WORK!

James describes his teacher, Matt Rodri guez, as knowledgeable, helpful and encouraging and the one who steered him to an internship opportunity with the City of Toledo, which led to James gaining full time employment. James began by setting up computers, before advancing to his current troubleshooting / support position. For students with a specific interest and aptitude, as James had with computers, TPS offers courses that teach valuable skills and can connect them with employers in the community, like the City of Toledo, a TPS partner. James says of Matt Rodri guez, “Mr Rodriguez, (my teacher) was very helpful with practical instruction and with tips for creating a resume, which is how I got my job.”

ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC)

J ames Curtis is a 2021 Waite High School graduate who leveraged the Toledo Public Schools Career Tech Program to land a job as an IT support tech nician with the City of Toledo. One of a staff of 4, James troubleshoots IT issues present ed by City employees on a full time basis. His interest in computers and the fact that the school pays the fee for certification testing, $300 for each of two tests required for “A+ IT Certification”, an industry stan dard, led him to enroll in the program.

Matriculating to a four-year college right after high school may not be the best career path for some young people. There are many other career paths that lead to lucrative, satisfying jobs. Toledo Public Schools has teamed up with various regional companies and organizations to create several job training programs in area high schools in a variety of career fields, including public safety, machining, carpentry, and more.

LET’S GET TO WORK! Toledo Public Schools offer career INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR

CollegeCreditPlus

1609 N. Summit St. Toledo, Ohio 43604

TOLEDO TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY 3301 Upton TTA419-671-3900Avenueisafullcareertechnology school for 7th through 12th graders that’s well respected within Toledo’s industrial community SchoolsElementary

TOLEDO EARLY COLLEGE 2801 West Bancroft St. Students419-671-4800graduate with an average of 55 college credits, which means they can enter college or university with junior status

CHASE STEMM ACADEMY 600 Bassett 419-671-6650Street ESCUELA SMART ACADEMY 617 Western 419-671-5550Ave. GROVE PATTERSON ACADEMY 3020 Marvin 419-671-3350Ave. HAWKINS STEMM ACADEMY 5550 West Bancroft Street 419-671-1550 phone MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. ACADEMY FOR BOYS 1300 Forest 419-671-4550Ave. MARSHALL STEMM ACADEMY 415 Colburn 419-671-5700Street MCKINLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 3344 Westland Ave. 419-671-3750 OLD WEST END ACADEMY 3131 Cambridge Street 419-671-4700 ELLA P. STEWART ACADEMY FOR GIRLS 707 Avondale Ave. tps.orgFacebook.com/TPSProud

MATT RODRIGUEZ

Throughthisstate-fundedeort, studentsearnbothhighschooland ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC)

CreditPlus state-fundedeort,

Through this state-funded e ort, students earn both high school and college credit at no cost. They also ease into the college experience, while getting a head start on higher learning. The University of Toledo partners with TPS for this program.Asweourparticipationourtheand

1609 N. Summit St. Toledo, Ohio 43604

LET’S GET TO WORK!

Whileinhighschool,TPSstudents canprepareforthemillionsofnew skilledpositionsnowavailablein accounting,animalscience,auto technology,precisionmachining, telecommunications,urban agricultureanddozensof otherelds.

VISIT TPS.ORG LET’S

Toledo Public Schools offer career alternatives to college

Through this state-funded e ort, students earn both high school and college credit at no cost. They also ease into the college experience, while getting a head start on higher learning. The University of Toledo partners with TPS for this program.

Asweembarkonaschoolyearunlikeanyotherin ourhistory,we’rethankfulforthesupportandactive participationofourcommunitypartners,oursta, tps.org Twi er.com/TPSProudFacebook.com/TPSProud

PS419 What it is: A public safety educational program, founded as a collaboration between Toledo Public Schools, Toledo Police, Toledo Fire and Rescue, City of Toledo, and Owens Community College. Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz first announced the program in his 2021 State of the City address. Where: Bowsher High School How it works: Retired fire inspector Andre Tiggs leads this program, which pairs students interested in public safety with a career and personal mentor working in the field. “The goal is that once these kids finish the program, they’ll be certified EMTs right out of high school,” said Tiggs, who credits Toledo fire battalion chief Danny Brown-Martinez as being the main orchestrator of PS419, though Chief Brown-Martinez is quick to emphasize the program is a group effort.

ToledoEarlyCollege HighSchool(TEC)

COVER PHOTO BY KELLI MILLER Averie (RIGHT) HOW OLD ARE YOU? Six years old. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? Art. TELL US WHAT YOU LIKE TO DO: Drawing and making cards for family and friends. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITY? Having campfires and jumping in the leaves! WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? “Hair Love” by Matthew A. Cherry. WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPIEST RIGHT NOW? Swimming! Our fall giveaway retails at $129. These six 10-inch wooden Bunny Hopkins Stepping Stones in Rainbow are handcrafted in Atlanta, Georgia to help kids use their imaginations through jumping, spinning, playing and exercising! Stepping Stones are an open-ended toy for kids to stimulate creativity, promotes physical play and aids the development of gross motor skills. Congratulations to Molly Jean Willis winner of our July/August giveaway!

3www.toledoparent.com • September/October • SEPT./OCT. ON THE COVER GiveawayONLINE Toledo’s Award-Wining Parent Newspaper Volume 30  Issue 5  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 Readers Sound Off Sign up for our newsletter at toledoparent.com for a chance to weigh in! 1. How important do you think preschool is for your child’s education? Very important - 45.5% Not important - 54.5% 2. How often do you dine out? Less than once a month - 50% Every week - 50% 1 Soak It Up: Area Splash Pads and Swimming Pools 2 Changes at McLaren St. Luke’s: Birth and labor services coming to an end 3 Kids Eat Free! Or Close To It 4 Toledo Parent 2021 End:FavoritesFamilyResults5IntheDeepYourguidetoToledoareapools ONLINEREADMOST Enter to win at toledoparent.com! Enter now through October 10 toledoparent.comatwithyouremailaddress. Is HarmfulCocomelonforKids? What’s the story with “Cocomelon”? Is it harmless fun, or more than a little bit addictive? By Chelsea Convis and Laurie Bertke Dr. Lauren Czerniak, DDS Recognized for her care for patients with disabilities by Emily Remaklus What Age is Best for Your Teen to have a Cell Phone? Questions to consider By Cheryl Maguire 3. Has your family been affected by the formula shortage? Yes - 16.7% No - 83.3% Emerie (LEFT) HOW OLD ARE YOU? Four years old. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL? Music. TELL US ABOUT SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES: Playing with Playdough and slime! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FALL ACTIVITY? Making s’mores by the fire with my mom, dad and sister Averie. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BOOK? “I love being me!” by Mechal Renee Roe. THE PERSON WHO MAKES YOU HAPPIEST RIGHT NOW: Mommy! Get to Know Our Cover Kids, Emerie and Averie!

letter from the EDITOR Publisher/Editor in Chief Collette Jacobs

One of the essential concerns in your Scorpio child’s life is forming a lasting connection with their parents. On November 3rd, 2022, a wave of energy aspects your child’s Sun Sign, amplifying Mercury, the planet of communication. This aspect has not occurred in 85 years. Think about it. You and your child share a divine opportunity to shift the emotional challenges they were born with and make their future adult relationships easier. It’s also an opportune time to access their gifts for listening, processing and communicating their feelings without worry. Scorpios have the gift of emotional intelligence. Share with them that they should never worry about what they’re holding inside because it is very important for others to hear what they have to say. They have the ability to feel a person’s highest good because they are natural empaths. Honor this in them. This is an exciting time to be a parent of a Scorpio because you can actually influence them through communication, expression and creativity. (cjacobs@toledoparent.com) Officer I. (mjacobs@toledoparent.com) (toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com)

Story Time Chess: The Game - You might think teaching a three-yearold anything about chess is a futile effort, but you’d be wrong. This game teaches all the basics in a way that is engaging for ages 3+. We gave this game to our niece in Brooklyn. Can’t wait to see what she has learned so far!

copies

“GOODNIGHT, MOON.” MY FAVORITE LINE IS, “GOODNIGHT, NOBODY. GOODNIGHT, MUSH.” Staff Writer: JeffMcGinnis(mcginnis@adamsstreetpublishing.com) JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. Contributing Writers: Laurie Berke, Erin Holden, Caitlin Hudson, Andrew Kersten, Molly Klima, Mary Rose Kulczak, Janeen Lewis, Jeff McGinnis, Emily Remaklus, Kimmie Rose, Penny Tullis Meeker, Autumn Vasqez, Lila Waterfield Advertising Sales Coordinator Libby Cassidy (sales@adamsstreetpublishing.com) THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR. Account Executives: Amy Bjarke (amy@adamsstreetpublishing.com) MISTY MORGAN AND LEO THE LOP. Gabbi Huff (ghuff@adamsstreetpublishing.com) GOODNIGHT MOON. Bonnie Hunter (bhunter@ adamsstreetpublishing.com) IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE. Jenny Leach (jleach@adamsstreetpublishing.com) WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. Art/Production Production Manager: Imani Lateef (imani@adamsstreetpublishing.com) THE PEOPLE COULD FLY: AMERICAN BLACK FOLK TALES. Senior Designer: Leah Foley (leah@adamsstreetpublishing.com) DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. Digital Media: Nate Light (digitalmedia@adamsstreetpublishing.com) BABA YAGA (THE LEGEND OF JOHN WICK). Web Manager: Matthew Haynes (mhaynes@adamsstreetpublishing.com) HOW TO SURVIVE A GARDEN GNOME ATTACK: DEFEND YOURSELF WHEN THE LAWN WARRIORS STRIKE (AND THEY WILL). Digital Marketing and Social Media: Margot Jacobs (margot@adamsstreetpublishing.com) PADDY’S PAYDAY. Administration Accounting: Robin Armstrong (rarmstrong@toledocitypaper.com) WONKY DONKEY. Distribution: Karena Adams (distribution@toledocitypaper.com) WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE. What’s your favorite bedtime story? Adams Street Media Co. Also publishers of: AuditedMemberby LIBRA SCORPIO Matt, Townes and I enjoying the Old Lower Town area of Quebec City during our family vacation. A few of our favorite things

ADVERTISING/GENERAL

This month will be an extraordinary month because your child will be very open to sharing their feelings, so there won’t be a problem determining what they want for their birthday or how they want to celebrate it. Birthday planning can often be an agonizing process for parents, especially when you have a Libra child who is typically reticent to share their inner thoughts. You can make it easier for them to open up by having them join you for a ride to the local party store. Pick the birthday budget and let them choose what they want to do. If they’re too young to visit a nice restaurant, make sure you plan a party with lots of balloons and games because they will be happy to participate this year. This is a significant time for them as they will begin to take big steps forward without questioning themselves. Enjoy getting to know who they are as this surely will be an exciting time for both of you.

editing, and should include

writer’s

Sept. 23 to Oct. 22

each.

GOODNIGHT MOON. Co-publisher/Chief Financial

ASTROLOGYKIDS

personal

limited to 300 words,

phone

Happy Birthday to your Libra child!

letter

Entire

prosecution. Letters to the editor

Jacobs

4 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com Fall Traditions, Old and New My summer was a wild ride filled with cross-country road trips, family time, cookouts and all kinds of revelry, but fall is where my heart is. I love every thing about it — the festivals, apple orchards, Cedar Point Halloweekends, Halloween parties, twinkle lights, chats around the firepit with family and long nights that make me want to stay home and bake cookies while Matt and I watch a terrifying movie (which I will later regret). I also can’t wait to see how Townes interacts with all of our seasonal traditions this year (minus the terrifying movies), and to build new traditions that he will appreciate as a 17-month-old.

publisher

2022

With love, Erin Holden Assignment Editor Toledo Area Parent

Oct. 23 - Nov. 21

RV Camper Set from Green Toys

Mark

by Kimmie Rose

This is another toy we gave to our four-year-old niece in Baltimore that was a big hit! This com pany’s toys are made from 100 percent recycled plastic – a very eco-friendly gift idea. Baby Time at the Maumee LibraryMatt and I take Townes to this storytime for 0-18 month olds as often as we can. There are songs, bubbles, dances and fun interactions between the kiddos. Every Tuesday from 10-10:30am. INFO For advertising and general information, call 419/244-9859 or fax 419/244-9871. E-mail ads to adsin@adams streetpublishing.com. Deadline for advertising copy 2 p.m. Friday before publication. Toledo Area Parent subscriptions are available by mail for $30 per year at Adams Street Publishing, 1120 Adams St., Toledo, Ohio 43604. One copy free per person per week; extra copies $1 Persons taking for any reason other than use are subject to must be are subject to the full name and number. Any submitted to the or may be printed at the publisher’s discretion in issues subsequent to its receipt. contents © by Adams Street Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without written permission of the publisher.

To develop your own ideas regarding how to make the most of fall in Toledo, use our Fall Guide and calendar for all the inspiration you need! We continually add to it on toledoareaparent.com. This September/October issue also has our Back to School and Open House Guides, which both serve as resources for parents with school-age kiddos. We are also celebrating the winners of our latest Cover Kid Contest, Averie and Emerie. Learn about them in our Q&A with them on page 3. Congrats, girls! Make plans for your fall activities and enjoy the season!

THE LITTLE AUTO, I JUST LOVE MR. SMALL. Editorial Assignment Editor: ErinHolden

editor

Myla Shaneck (9-months-old here) loves trying new foods, playing with her big sister, bath time and swimming!

Milo Brieschke (Sylvania), pictured here at 3-months-old. His mom calls him a “full-of-joy baby who is usually camera shy, but he was especially happy during this photo shoot, and it’s one of my favorite pictures of him!”

5www.toledoparent.com • September/October • Instagrams We Love @toledorep announces show dates and releases sneak peaks of future productions. It’s also a chance to see all the behind the scenes fun! @inviteonlyevents and @inviteonlyluxurypicnics will help you with the absolute cutest party set-up, all while supporting a local, black-owned business! @hotmessem: The local mother of three focuses on fitness, as well as the chaos that goes hand-in-hand with motherhood. Enjoy a good laugh and get inspired by Emilee Wilson. We’ve had so many adorable submissions from parents that it is difficult to choose which pics to share! Want to see your little one featured in the next issue? Email us at toledoparenteditor@adamsstreetpublishing.com to submit. #showandtell

A bit of summer splash time in downtown Toledo with Edison (4), Sullivan (2), and Penny (2).

Quinn Yoder (Toledo). pictured here at 7-months-old

Local writes7th-graderhisfirstbook

—ER Grab & Go Youth Meals program

The ProMedica Ebeid Center has created a meal kit program for children aged three to 18. To take advantage of the program, which provides five shelf-stable meals every Wednesday, the child or their guardian can go to the Ebeid Center at 1806 Madison Ave. on Wednesdays from 3-5pm. It’s that easy for kids to have five meals for the week, completely free of charge. To learn more, call 567-585-0469, or visit promedica.org. —EH

Governor Mike Dewine signed Senate Bill 1 into law on October 28, 2021 after a unanimous vote in the Ohio Senate to support the mandate. This new law requires all Ohio students to complete 60 hours, or “one-half unit” — as described by Ohio’s Department of Education — of course instruction in financial lit eracy as part of high school graduation requirements. Although this bill was signed into law in 2021, it will not go into effect until the 2024-2025 school year. Each school will be required to have an educator with a license in finan cial literacy. Considering this timeline, only students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after July 1, 2022 will be required to complete the financial literacy course before graduation. —AV

Extended Medicaid coverage for new moms

Tanzeel’s book, “My Story of America,” is his first-hand account of leaving Pakistan with his family for a new life in Toledo.

Financial literacy class now requiredfor Ohio students

what’s briefly happening...

Ohio Medicaid’s extended coverage for new moms has been extended from 60 days postpartum to 12 months postpartum, a decision approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in August. The extension means more help for mothers who need it, and it includes home visits by nurses, help with breastfeeding, postpartum depression management, and treatment for chronic conditions like diabetes.

“My Story of America” by Tanzeel Ahmad begins in Pakistan, where he emigrated from a few years ago. Tanzeel’s story details how his family’s religious beliefs and Muslim community were not accepted in his home country and how those practicing the religion in Pakistan were often persecuted. With the help of his teachers at Washington Local Schools, he not only learned English but wrote this amazing story about how he and his family started a new life here in Toledo. Read the full story at toledoparent.com.

6 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

“We know that access to postpartum care not only saves lives but leads to better health outcomes for moms and their babies,” said Maureen Corcoran, director of Ohio Medicaid. Find more information on this extension at governor.ohio.gov. —EH learnonlinemore learnonlinemore

Performing arts at the Toledo Met

Proud to be a Top FavoriteFamilyFinalist! Thank you to our patients and families who voted to recognize us as a top family favorite finalist. For more than 50 years, we have been a trusted source for pediatric healthcare in the Toledo community. Now Accepting New Patients! To schedule an appointment, call (419) 841-6202 or visit PediatriCare.org W676541

Toledo Met offers ballet classes from beginner to advanced levels, along with voice, acting and musical theater dance lessons. Their main focus is to instill a love of the performing arts in children. Make sure to mark your calendars for their December 4, 2022 rendition of “The Nutcracker,” which is sure to be a success given their accomplished instructors. Learn more about the Toledo Met’s programs at toledomet.com. Toledo Met, 5441 Main St., Sylvania. 419-913-8476.

New CEO of GENYOUth Perrysburg dietician Ann Marie Krautheim became CEO of the national nonprofit GENYOUth on July 1, a major accomplish ment affording her an opportunity to expand her community work. GENYOUth is known for its focus on youth nutrition, helping kids stay physically active, and making sure that students have healthy meal options at school. Krautheim was serving as the agency’s president and chief wellness officer before this promotion. A tireless advocate in the fight against food insecurity, she is an ideal leader for the organization. Read more about Krau theim’s mission at toledoparent.com.

Jennifer Montgomery, McLaren St. Luke’s President and CEO, explained: “We made every effort to avoid eliminating the program, but the loss of a large managed care health plan and other economic conditions have significantly reduced the number of patients who choose McLaren St. Luke’s for birthing services.” —ER Tutti Fruityfood truck For healthy treat options on the go, visit Tutti Fruity, a new food truck offering smoothies, smoothie bowls, freeze pops and “over the top toast” cov ered with berries and cream, pesto, nutty crunch and more. Find the schedule at facebook. com/tuttifruitytruck. —JM

—EH

Full STEAM ahead

7www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

Birth and labor services end at St. Luke’s McLaren St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee, has served expectant mothers for the past 25 years. The services will end in September as the hospital announced at the end of May that it will be closing the Holland and Perrysburg obstetrics physician offices, and labor and delivery will no longer be available at the hospital after September 30.

Beginning in September, Snapology Perrysburg will begin offering hands-on STEAM (science, technology, engineer ing, art and math) programs for ages 2-14 using Lego bricks and K’Nex as the vehicle to teach academic enrichment and social skills while having loads of fun. Working with schools, communi ties and parents to provide after-school programs, field trips, camps, workshops, birthday parties and scout events, current class offerings perrysburg.snapology.com.at —EH

n Sensory play activity is an other class offered where participants four-years and older are welcome to explore their sensory needs. Textured mats, balancing beams, stacking items, climbing and much more are available during the hour-long session every Monday and Friday. Classes are to help everyone and anyone, explains Sensei Rachelle. “It feels good seeing students accomplish multiple techniques. I get excited to see even the smallest strides. No mat ter the severity of the disability, I use creative ways to modify and break down techniques, so class participants have the greatest chance to succeed.” care (419) 867-8570.

8 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

By Lila Waterfield Ninja. The word likely brings a viv id picture to your mind. Generally, it’s the stereotypical Hollywood image of lithe figures sporting all black as they jump across rooftops and scale walls in the blink of an eye. But, when it comes to a therapeutic karate program, the word is much more inclusive.

providers:

Special Ninjas

Karate can be therapeutic for all abilities

Different options for working on those needs: n Private in-person lessons allow students to have a one-on-one expe rience, learning and exercising with their sensei. These tend to run for twenty minutes Monday-Thursday, though participants are able to add an extra ten minutes of curriculum time onto each lesson. Classes are firstcome first-served, but times can be scheduled up to a month in advance.

HOLLAND • PERRYSBURG • FRANKLIN PARK • WATERVILLE Contact us today to speak with one of our child

Special Ninjas Therapeutic Martial Arts, located on Key Street near Heat herdowns Blvd., has been serving our community for a handful of years, help ing young children and adults with mental and physical disabilities to gain new skills with each lesson. Meet the Sensei The brains behind Social Ninjas is Sensei Rachelle, the creator and sole instructor who leads each lesson and sensory play activity. Her career with special needs programs began over a decade ago in 2009 when she worked as a paraprofessional, following students to various schools as a part of IEP (In dividualized Education Program) meet ings. Her experience with karate is even more extensive: “I started Martial Arts when I was six years old. My parents put me in karate classes to gain confi dence, for socialization and for physical fitness. Looking back, karate played a huge part in helping me with the symp toms of [ADHD, Dyslexia, and Anxiety] . I feel like I can connect with students and I have a deeper understanding because I too deal with my own chal lenges.”Holding multiple Black Belts, Sensei Rachelle is also, “the second woman in the United States — my mom being the first — to achieve black belt in a style known as Chukidokwan. I am a Na tional Champion and silver and bronze medalist in WKC world champion ships.” Lessons Available “I saw great potential in different ly-abled people, and I knew karate is an activity where they could be in cluded and have fun, while working on therapy needs.”

ChildrensDiscoveryCenters.comGrowwithourS.T.E.A.M. curriculum: Science Technology Arts Math believe that curiosity has no entry-level. Our Reggio Emilia approach to early education puts the power of discovery in your child’s hands. By allowing student interests to mold our educational experience, CDC educators create a learning environment that allows your little one’s sense of discovery to truly thrive in its purest form.

powered

n Group lessons are also available, where participants are encouraged to build important skills such as partner ship, self-confidence and socializing with others. Therapeutic skill levels are also considered and incorporated into the classes to allow the participants to improve. Classes run for thirty min utes every two weeks on Fridays. Both private and group classes are planned for those seven years of age and older.

To check class availability and pricing, go online to their website, specialninjas.mykajabi.com, or visit their Facebook page.

Discover the power of childhood curiosity. at fivelocations!Toledo-area ENROLLINGNOW

APA recommends a minimum of two years

T he American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other health organizations and agencies recently extended the recom mended duration for breastfeeding infants from “at least one year” to “at least two years.”

Changes suggested for breastfeeding moms

By Caitlin Hudson

9www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

The WHO actively promotes breastfeeding on a global scale, and “is working to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months up to at least 50 percent by 2025.” However, the Center for Disease Control reports that in Ohio only five percent of infants were exclusively breastfed until six months, according to a report from 2018. The “AAP supports continued breastfeeding, along with appropriate complementary foods introduced at about six months, as long as mutually desired by mother and child for two years or beyond,” per a policy statement released on June 27. Why the change?

Gloria Shortridge, R.N., IBCLC, at the WIC Breastfeeding Program in downtown Toledo is a tremendous resource for those interested in learning more about breastfeeding. The Ohio Department of Health has a fantastic downloadable breast feeding guide at odh.ohio.gov. If you are pregnant and considering nursing your child, or are struggling in the early stages of nursing, this guide is an excellent resource with a ton of valuable information.Otherresources include the Nation al Breastfeeding Helpline, the Women’s Health website, the Center for Disease Control, Promedica’s Lactation Support, Mercy’s Lactation Support, and even a local breast milk bank, as reported in toledoparent.com’s “Donating Breast Milk, Saving Lives” piece, posted on MayBreastfeeding,6. for six months, two years, or even longer, is now considered preferable although it is certainly not always possible.

Additional Resources for Mothers National Breastfeeding Helpline: Lucas(800)-994-9662County WIC Breastfeeding Support: (419) 213-2124 and email at IBCLCIBCLCGloriawicbreastfeeding@co.lucas.oh.usShortridge,R.N.,419-213-2124|LauraMason,419-213-2124 to an APA policy statement,

According

Local Resources and support Although choosing to breastfeed may seem daunting— there are resourc es and support available locally.

The APA concludes their updated policy statement: “Exclusive or any breastfeeding is not always possible, despite the best of intentions, and these mothers and fami lies need special support to overcome the disappointment that may accom pany breastfeeding difficulties.”

breastfed infants have a reduced chance of: • otitis media (ear infection) • acute diarrheal disease • lower respiratory illnesses • inflammatory bowel disease • childhood leukemia • decreased chance of breast cancer • lower ovarian cancer rates • increased metabolism • faster weight loss • diabetes mellitus • obesity • asthma • atopic dermatitis • sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) For the mother, health benefits include: • decreasing type 2 • diabetes mellitus • decreased chance of hypertension

Several factors contributed to the updated breastfeeding recommenda tions, including the national shortage of infant formula, explored in toledopar ent.com’s “Fed is Best” story posted on May 31. New research indicates that ex tending breastfeeding to two years and beyond has significant health benefits for both mother and child. “Human milk has a unique compo sition, with antimicrobial, anti-inflam matory, and immunoregulatory agents and living cells, all of which contribute to the developing immune system of the child,” states the APA technical report of June 27, 2022. All of those factors contribute to a stronger immune system for exclusively breastfed infants with healthy gut bacteria passed through the mother while Mother-childnursing.bonding is another beneficial key factor to consider re garding breastfeeding. The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding states “the psychologi cal benefit of breastfeeding, including bonding more closely with babies, is an important influence on the decision to breastfeed.” Snuggling your infant skinto-skin produces oxytocin, the feel-good chemical, which also plays an important role in breastfeeding — triggering milk let-down. It has also been suggested that breastfeeding may decrease the chance of developing postpartum depression.Successful breastfeeding is still a challenge, even with very young chil dren under six months old, despite the new recommendations. “The Problem with the AAP’s New Breastfeeding Guidelines” (Buzzfeed) discusses the pitfalls of the new recommendation. A lack of support from partners and the lack of adequate parental leave policies across the US, along with other work place issues contribute to early weaning. FYI, a bathroom is not a suitable set ting for pumping or breastfeeding! Many factors in the US contribute to the negative perspective about breast feeding, especially in public. Nursing mothers “often report feeling ridiculed or alienated for their choice and conceal their breastfeeding to minimize unsolic ited judgment and comments,” the APA reports.Dr.Joan Meek, the lead researcher for the updated APA policy statement, shared the following in a New York Times interview: “Studies show that some women are reluctant to share their continued breastfeeding with even their health care providers because they do not feel supported in continuing to breastfeed beyond a year.” Socioeconomic factors and systemic racism also contribute to low breast feeding rates: “None of the Healthy People 2020 objectives for breastfeeding were met for Black mothers and infants among the 2018 birth cohort,” the report states, imploring that “implicit bias, structural bias and structural racism should be addressed to eliminate dis parities in breastfeeding and improve the health and well-being of all children andThefamilies.”updated report heralds the call for social changes that will benefit not just nursing mothers, but all families in the United States.

Wednesday, September 14 – Saturday, September 17, 2022 | 10am-5pm 22611 State Route 2, Archbold, OH saudervillage.org If it’s not pumpkins during the fall, it’s apples, and the folks at Sauder Village have an entire week to celebrate the fall fruit! Throughout the week, Sauder Village will share special apple-themed recipes and hands-on apple activities for all ages to enjoy. Visitors can also visit the 140-year-old cider mill and try some tasty treats from the Doughbox Bakery.

October 22 - October 23 | Time TBA

By Andrew Kersten

Cider Making Weekend

9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily 13639 Mulberry Rd. | Ottawa Lake 517-486-2237 | gustbrothers.com The fall season at Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm gets underway on Labor Day and the farm will be open each day through Halloween for pumpkin picking, homemade donuts and apple cider slushies, as well as hayrides on Saturdays and Sundays.

Trabbictrabbicpumpkinfarm.comFamilyPumpkinFarm is open from September 17 through Halloween and features over 40 acres of pumpkins. You and your little ones will enjoy hayrides, donuts, cider, animals and a corn maze. The hayrides are available on Thursdays and Fridays from 3-7 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-7pm.

Thebusiness.sylvaniachamber.org/eventsSylvaniayearlyfestivalhostedbytheSylvania Chamber of Commerce features craft booths from local vendors, live music, a farmers market, a corn hole tournament and trick or treating for the kids. The best thing? It’s all free!

October greatwhileofofsometegicallyanimalsHalloweentoledozoo.org/stompandchomp29isn’tjustforkids!Thewilldiscoverpumpkins,straplacedintheirexhibits,andofthemwillevenmakeamealoutit.Otherswillmakeafunmess,butallthemwillbeusingtheirnaturalinstinctsdisplayingnaturalbehaviors.Thisisawaytoseeyourfavoriteanimalsandparticipate in the zoo’s enrichment program at the same time.

Activities for the Entire Family

Pumpkin Cider Events Erie Rd., Erie, MI

1235

Patches andApple Orchards Erie Orchards &

Apple Week at Sauder Village

Get the family ready for the first big festival weekend of the year with apple picking, pony and hayrides, and a corn maze. Harvest Festival

Gust PumpkinBrother’sFarm

Time TBA

MacQueens offers apple picking to the public beginning around September 18 each year and continues through the third week of October. You can pick from any tree in the orchard, which has 16 different varieties of apples. If you’re not in the mood for picking apples but still want the freshest fruit, choose pre-picked bags to take home. Comment on social media to weigh in with more events and to let us know about anything we may have missed. Find the extended version, which we will be adding to throughout the season on toledoparent.com!

Trabbic Family Pumpkin FarmSunday-Tuesday | 10am-7pm (During the season only) Closed Mondays 1560 E Sterns Rd., Erie, MI | 734-848-4049 |

Toledo Zoo Events 2 Hippo Way | 419-385-5721 | toledozoo.org Little Boo at the Zoo October 20 and 21 | 10am-3pm Yourtoledozoo.org/boofamilycanhave all the Halloween fun, and your kids can get all the candy without the fright! There are various trick-or-treat stations.

Saturday, October 1 | 2-8pm Parking lot of the Historic Toledo Club 235 14th St. Ste. facebook.com/FamilyHouseToledo508

September 24 and 25 | Time TBA

This is the best weekend for apple picking. Guests can choose from several varieties of apples and enjoy a corn maze along with pony and hayrides. A magic show is presented on Sunday afternoon from 1-5pm.

September 6 – October 31 | 10am-7pm daily 7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon | 419-836-7613

MacQueen Orchards

Downtown Waterville Halloween

Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp

BEST EVER

Sunday, October 9 | 10am–5pm Downtown Grand Rapids, OH applebutterfest.org Since 1977, Grand Rapids has hosted this annual festival filled with live music, charming down town fall decor, crafts from over 100 local artists, and of course, apple butter – lots and lots of apple butter. Admission is free. Parking is $15.

Boo-To-Do

Mill

Grand Rapids Applebutter Fest

The largest family shelter in Northwest Ohio is putting on a fall festival for the whole family to enjoy! The inaugural Family House Fall Festival will feature live entertainment, food trucks, drinks and a play area for the kids. Admission cost is TBA and all proceeds will benefit The Family House.

Saturday, October 15, 4-10pm | Sunday, October 16, 10am-4pm Parade: Sunday, October 16 at 1pm Main St., Downtown

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm

7605 Garden Rd., Holland 419-865-2916 | macqueenorchards.com Apple Stir and Crafts Festival

Pumpkin PathOctober 22 and 23 |

The Family House Fall Festival

10 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

October 1-2 | 10am-6pm This festival has been a great way to kick off the fall season, and there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained. You can pick your own apples, tour the Giant Apple Cider Press or take a wagon ride. Live performances, an apple pie baking contest, pony rides and bounce houses help to round out the festivities.

We’ve rounded up activities from September 1 until Halloween throughout the Toledo area that you and your family are sure to enjoy!

October 15 and 16 | Time TBA Have you ever wanted to learn how to make fresh apple cider? Well now is your chance! You can watch the Cider Mill staff make fresh cider all day, then sample the deliciousness. Other activities include pony and hayrides, a corn maze and a petting zoo.

Who says you have to celebrate Halloween on Halloween? Get the fun started a week early and enjoy the pony and hayrides, crafters, entertainment and pumpkin and apple picking. Be sure to bring your best costume for the contest on Sunday at 3pm for ages 1-10. All participants get a prize!

Thewatervillechamber.com/calendar-of-eventsRd.WatervilleAreaChamberofCommerceand surrounding businesses are hosting the annual Halloween Boo-To-Do event where kids don their best costumes and collect candy handed out by local businesses.

Fleitzfleitzpumpkinfarm.comPumpkinFarmoffers up pumpkin picking, corn mazes, hay rides and the opportunity for kids to feed the goats. The farm is excited to roll out its new expanded play area for kids. Fresh apple cider and donuts are available to purchase!

Halloween Weekend

Thistoledozoo.org/pumpkinpath10am-4pmfamily-friendlytrick-or-treat tradition is back this year! Kids can visit various trick-or-treat stations, while the rest of the family enjoys local entertainers. Toledo Zoo members can get in at 9am on Saturday, October 22.

Pick Your Own Apples

SeptemberAppleerieorchards.comFestival10and 11 |

Thursday, October 27 | Time TBA 122 Farnsworth

Sylvania Fall Festival

Country Lane Tree Farm

Carter Historic Farm Events Scarecrow Contest & Workshop

Stevens Gardens Opens September 17 Monday-Thursday | 10am-7pm Friday and Saturday | 10am-6pm Sunday | 10am-5pm 4550 Weckerly Rd., Monclova Thisfacebook.com/farm.monclova419-392-2065year-roundgardenoffers seasonal fruits and veggies, along with fall activities that include hayrides, a cow train and a corn cannon available on Saturdays and Sundays only. Guests can get lost in the fall weather in the corn maze that is open every day beginning September 17.

October 1 | 11am-3pm This free community event brings everyone in the family together to enjoy fresh food from the farm, live music, wagon rides and hands-on heritage activities. Donut-lovers: Come with an empty stomach to participate in the donut-eating contest.

Opening weekend: September 24 & 25 Every Saturday and Sunday in October | 11am-4pm (last admission is 3pm) Country Lane Tree Farm 3525 N Bolander Rd., Thecountrylanetreefarm.comGenoa#1Agri-Entertainment and Agri-Educational Farm in Northwest Ohio is bringing back the Fall Family Fun Fest with activities including feeding animals, milking a real cow, seeing an observation bee hive, a corn cannon shoot and a pony and barrel train ride for kids. Tickets for ages 2-92 are $10 and children under two years old and adults with an active military ID get in for free.

Tombstone Bicycle Tour

Thetheartscommission.org419-254-2787ArtLoopHauntedHarvest Celebration makes its return in 2022. This year, guests can partake in action-packed creative events that celebrate local art, culture, food and music. Kids can also enjoy a petting zoo and trunk or treat.

Sunday, October 30 | 2pm Fun & Festivities - 3:30pm WhoPerformancesaysHalloween has to be cel ebrated on Halloween? Gather the family and head over to the Valen tine Theatre for a frightening good time. This family-friendly event fea tures activities and games for the kids and a Halloween-themed performance from the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet dancers.

Ticket sales begin on the farm at 7:30pm Must arrive by 10pm | $20 Every Saturday in October Country Lane Tree Farm 3525 N. Bolander Rd., Genoa Lookingpanicinthepines.com419-461-1298foraspooky time for the older kids? Look no further than Country Lane Farms’ Panic in the Pines, which includes three different haunts. This one is not for the faint of heart! It’s the perfect fall fright fest for families who are brave enough for the experience.

Sandpiper Cruises Events

May be too scary for the littles

Oak Harbor Apple Festival

Fall Family Fun Fest

Monday-Saturday | 8:30am-7pm Sunday | 10am-6pm 2790 US-20 ALT, Swanton Pickjohnsonfruitfarms.com419-826-1453yourownapplesor pumpkins, then enjoy spending time visiting the animals at the free petting zoo. There are also fresh apple cider and homemade donuts to snack on.

Halloween SpooktacularValentine Theatre

KOA Halloween Weekends

atHalloweekendsCedarPoint

Art Loop HauntedHarvest Celebration

Saturday, October 15 | 10:30am-3pm Oak Openings Metropark 5230 Wilkins Rd., Maumeemvadventurers.orgWhitehouseValleyAdventurersguides this annual five-mile bicycle tour. But this isn’t your usual bike ride. It’s a costumes-encouraged ride! The top three costumes will win a prize. Lunch is provided by Tombstone Chili. Check-in/day-of registration starts at 10:30am.

Saturday, October 13 | 5:30-8:30pm Uptown Green Park and Adams St.

1 Jefferson Ave. Docks by Promenade Falljmcruiselines.com/the-sandpiperParkColorCruiseontheSandpiper, Sunday, October 9, 1-6pm Halloween Boo! Cruise, Thursday, October 27-Halloween, 5:30-7pm Who says you can’t get out on the water during October?The Fall Color Cruise offers smooth sailing down the Maumee River, and the Halloween Boo cruise promises 20 minutes of Halloween treats and fun.

Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9 | 10am-8pm Downtown Oak Harbor 161 W. Water St., Oak Theoakharborohio.net/apple-festival.htmlHarbor42ndannualapplefestivalisback this year with two blocks of activities from over 100 vendors, including a corn hole tournament, bingo, live music, karaoke, a talent show and a baby/toddler contest. Opening ceremonies begin on Saturday at 9:30am, followed by a parade at 2pm.

Saturday, October 8 | Noon-5pm Central Park, Northwood At the corner of Wales and Takefacebook.com/northwoodfallfestivalOraminacarshowalongwithofferings from local vendors, crafts, live entertainment and kid-oriented events that include inflatables and a petting zoo, food trucks, music, a cornhole tournament and fireworks at night. This event will go on rain or shine!

11www.toledoparent.com • September/October • Johnston Fruit Farm

September 29 | 5-7:30pm Carter Historic Farm 18331 Carter Rd., Bowling Green Thewcparks.org419-353-1897falltradition of building scarecrows continues at Carter Historic Farm. You can partake in a scarecrow contest where you’ll build a scarecrow from scratch using the farm’s materials or your own supplies. Cash prizes are available. The scarecrows entered in the contest will be on display and judged during the Heritage Farm Fest on October 1. Heritage Farm Fest

Panic in the Pines

Northwood Ohio’s Fall Festival

September 16 - October 30 15600 Tunnicliffe Rd., Petersburg, MI Forkoa.com/campgrounds/monroe-co734-856-4972sevenweekendsinSeptemberand October, KOA Campgrounds is hosting a fall fest filled with mini golf tourneys, magic shows, pumpkin carving contests, pet costumes and haunted houses. Guests must stay for a minimum of two nights and will receive 50 percent off on Thursday if they stay all weekend.

September 15 - October 30 | 10am-8pm 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky Cedarcedarpoint.com/events/halloweekends419-627-2106PointwelcomesbackHalloweekends for the 25th year. If you haven’t experienced the fear and fright, there’s no time like the present. During the day, there are family-friendly activities and shows. Then, as Houdini once said, “The freaks come out at night.” After dusk, guests can make their way through haunted houses, fright zones and terrifying trails.

The period from birth to three months after delivery - the fourth trimester - is as significant as pregnancy for women’s health, explains Robin Berringer, a certified nurse midwife with ProMedica Physicians Group. “New mothers’ bodies need time and care to recover from the demands of pregnancy and childbirth, whether the delivery was vaginal or through C-section.

4. Start walking as soon as you have clearance (usually within the first 24 hours after delivery). Try for a little more each day! Walking helps with constipation, boosts circulation and improves muscle tone and mood.

6. Avoid smoking, alcohol and drug use as the body heals.

Concern: Pain and itching around the anus; inability to move bowels. Care: Over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream, witch hazel, increased fluids and fiber. Avoid straining and use stool softeners if needed.

3. Drink lots of water. Drinking more fluids helps you lose the water weight that builds up during pregnancy.

Concern: Uterine contractions are part of the natural healing process, but can be painful. Care: Heating pad and over-the-counter pain reliever.

Breast tenderness

“Go see your health care provider. Follow up. The baby has appoint ments, and most moms make it to those, but they can sometimes forget about themselves.”

Pelvic Floor Concerns: Stretched, strained, or injured pelvic floor muscles which support the uterus, bladder and rec tum. May cause you to urinate when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.

Care: Wear a menstrual pad (no tampons).

Care: Ice Pack, pillow for sitting on, witch hazel pads, sitz baths, warm water squirt bottle before and after urinating to ease discomfort and keep area clean.

Vaginal Bleeding Concern: A heavy flow is typical and will likely ease up after 3-10 days.

• Warm washcloths or shower before feeding or pumping.

Concerns: Sore, engorged breasts. Care: If not nursing, wear tight fitting bras, use a cold compress and avoid heat.

• Cold wash clothes between feedings If you have pain when feeding, seek out a lactation consultant.

Care: Kegel exercises and pelvic floor physical therapy.

12 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

Care: Seek professional help If baby blues last more than a couple of weeks. Postpartum depression is a serious condition

Hemorrhoids and Constipation

7. Listen to your body. It may take longer than six weeks (sometimes months) before you feel ready for activities such as intense workouts or sexual activities.

Key Recommendations for Postpartum Healing:

Postpartum care is critical to a woman during that important transition in her life.”

Robin Berringer, a certified nurse midwife with ProMedica Physicians Group

Emotions Concern: Hormonal changes can cause emotions to be more intense. 70-80 percent of women experience mild sadness (also known as the “baby blues”).

Common Postpartum Concerns and Care Numerous studies show that new parents feel unprepared for the physical changes that happen after giving birth. Here is a quick guide to the most common concerns and care tips: Perineum Concerns: This area between the vag inal opening and the anus can have pain, swelling, tearing and stitches.

The Fourth Trimester: Prioritizing Postpartum Healing

• Frequent nursing or pumping.

With the focus on a new baby, it can be easy for parents to overlook postpartum recovery.

2. Eat nourishing, healthy foods. The few weeks following birth is not the time to focus on losing weight.

8. Don’t forget to start planning for contraception!

1. Rest, rest, rest!

Cramping/Afterpains

bloomwomenscounseling.com

Need to talk? Therapy for Women & Moms Now accepting new clients!

By Penny Tullis Meeker

5. Accept help. Enlist support from family, friends and community resources.

Diastasis Recti Concern: Separation of the left and right sets of abdominal muscles or a lower abdominal protrusion that doesn’t resolve after 12 weeks postpartum. Care: Muscle retraining with a pelvic floor physical therapist. Traditional abdominal exercises can worsen the condition.

Beringer emphasizes that postpartum recovery isn’t just physical – all aspects of a person’s wellbeing are impacted. “It’s physical, emotional and social,” she says. Follow-up appointments with a health provider create the oppor tunity to address issues before they become more serious.

SCHOOL GUIDE

Our local schools are already back in full swing, but are you ready for the challenges that are ahead for both you and your child? Toledo Area Parent has tips for communicating effectively with your child’s teacher, as well as a list of tips for finding an affordable tutor. Find more at toledoparent.com!

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OPEN HOUSE SPOTLIGHT OPEN HOUSE SPOTLIGHT Imagine it—you and your forever friends. Dreaming up adventures. Making the whole world sparkle with your own personal brand of magic. Get started today! gswo.org/getstarted | 888.350.5090 All fun. No filter. Be a Girl Scout! CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Your child is AMAZING! Our care is AWARD-WINNING! PRESCHOOL 5:30AMCHILDCARE&-5:30PM 4937 Woodville Rd Northwood, OH 43619 419-697-5605 imaginativebeginnings.us

13www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

At iLEAD Spring Meadows, we see the leader in your child. As a tuition-free community school driven by project-based learning and social-emotional development, we are devoted to providing kids in grades K-8 with education that prepares them to be the leaders of tomorrow. We provide students the best academic and emotional support through small class sizes and individualized attention. We are now enrolling. Schedule a tour by calling 419-491-7423 or visiting ileadspringmeadows.org. St. Ursula Academy 4025 Indian Rd., Toledo 419-531-1693 | toledosua.org St. Ursula Academy is Toledo’s oldest all-female Catholic college prep school for girls from 6th grade to 12th grade. The ultimate mission of the school is to ensure that the young women embrace their own possibilities, explore new passions, grow in their faith, and become leaders in school and the community. The school has 20 Advanced Placement courses and 18 honors courses to challenge students and provide them with the possibility of earn ing college credits while in high school. Additionally, the school provides a one-of-a-kind “best fit” College Quest program.

iLEAD SPRING MEADOWS 1615 Timberwolf Drive, Holland, OH 43528 Tuition-Free K-8 Public Community School

14 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com “A smile is a wayto say whoyou sayingwithoutareaword” “A smile is a wayto say whoyou sayingwithoutareaword” SYLVANIA 6407 Monroe St. Sylvania, OH 43560 (419) 882-1017 LAMBERTVILLE 7928 Secor Rd. Lambertville, MI 48144 (734) 854-6221 MAUMEE 4413 Keystone Dr. Maumee, OH 43537 (419) 887-1247 2021perfectbraces.comWINNER • Small Classes with 10 or fewer students • Researched-based Reading Intervention Programs • Sensory Integration • Social Skills Program 4234 Monroe St., Toledo OH 43606 CALL 419.297.6313 HOPELEARNINGACADEMY.ORG THE PERFECT PLACE FORExceptional Learners LearningHOPEAcademyofToledo CLASS SCHEDULE, PRICING & MORE INFO ONLINE AT MINIMOTIONSDANCE.COM DANCE CENTER 32 YEARS OF TEACHING DANCE ENROLLING NOW Call Today! FOR FALL REGISTRATIONPROGRAM419.473.0999 | 2437 TREMAINSVILLE RD.CLASSES BEGIN August29th

15www.toledoparent.com • September/October • D o you feel intimidated when you think of talking with your child’s teacher? If your child complains about problems with his or her teacher, what do you do? I’m a parent and a teacher, so I’ve been on both sides of the teacher’s desk. I’ve also felt the challenges that teachers and parents feel while navigat ing remote learning. Here are some tips to help you communicate and connect with your child’s teacher even during the most difficult of times.

Try to understand both sides

Be an A+ Chaperone One way to connect with your child’s teacher is to help chaperone a field trip. Teachers really appreci ate the help of parents when they venture outside school grounds with a group of students, allowing you time to get to know the teacher better. Some suggestions for field trip chaperones:

• Show up on time so you can get information from the teacher and meet your group.

Building Bridges How to communicate and connect with your child’s teacher

• Learn the names of all the students in your group, and encourage them to pay attention, be on task and stay together.

Keep communications open and positive Typically, teachers welcome questions and comments about your concerns and are proactive. As a teacher, I would much rather know about a problem early so that I can consider how to deal with it and then to make a plan so that the issue is dealt with in the best way for all concerned parties. Your child’s teacher should be open to your suggestions, but don’t be too intimi dated to Keepask.upwith written teacher notes, permission slips, report cards and any other written communications the teacher sends home. Sending a quick re sponse to the teacher’s requests makes the teacher’s job easier.

Get to know the teacher Try to introduce yourself and talk to the teacher face-to-face or on a virtual call. If this is not possible, it’s never too late to send an email introducing your self while offering your support to the teacher. That way, if a challenge does present itself during the school year, a teacher’s first encounter with you isn’t a call about behavioral challenges or academic struggles. Be involved One of the best ways to get to know your child’s teacher is to be involved in what is going on in the classroom and at the school. One way you can do this is to volunteer. Ask if you can read to your child’s class. If volunteers are limited at your child’s school, you can organize signups for supplies and send in prepackaged craft items and snacks for class parties or events. If your career is related to something your child’s class may be studying, offer to answer ques tions face-to-face or virtually.

Teachers have a lot of different factors to manage in their classrooms, and with twenty-five or more students to super vise, sometimes they make mistakes or don’t see every problem. Your child may think something happened in class that wasn’t fair, and it’s easy for parents to react emotionally and immediately blame the teacher. It is important to support the teacher as much as possible while you gather information about what happened. Try to help your child see the teacher’s point of view, and talk about how people can have differences and still work together to succeed.

• If a child is consistently ignoring the rules, alert the teacher.

Ask the teacher or purchase sup plies for a lesson. Come to after-school events, school productions and parentteacher conferences so that you are visible and can touch base with your child’s teacher.The key is to be tuned in to what is going on so that you will be, and remain, in the know.

• Take head counts often, especially after bathroom breaks and lunch.

By Janeen Lewis

Understand that teachers are human Most of the teachers I know are caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of the children they teach. Often, they are parents too, and although it is hard to imagine, at one time they were students who lived through awkward growth spurts, prob lems with peers, lost homework and braces. They understand what parents and kids are going through, and they strive to build a positive connection between school and home.

Advocate for your child Don’t be afraid to speak up if a problem in your child’s class becomes pervasive. If your child’s grades start to slip, or you see that he or she is continu ally unhappy or you suspect your child is being bullied by a classmate, work with the teacher to devise a plan to help. Make a drastic change only as a last resort Sometimes children have personal ity conflicts with their teachers. That situation actually offers an opportunity for growth if teachers and students can work together in a respectful and pro ductive manner. After all, this is what children will need to do when they grow up. But if problems persist, it may be time to request a change to another class. Discussing your options with a school counselor or administrator may help you navigate a tough year.

Remember to keep communica tions positive. If you have concerns or think the teacher has dealt unfairly with your child, don’t jot down a negative note or email and send it first thing in the morning. For those more sensitive conversations, call and set up a time to meet after school. Of course, sending an encouraging note brightens a teacher’s day, so those are always a good idea!

• Keep your cell phone with you at all times. Get the teacher’s number and numbers of other parent chaperones to stay in contact.

• Take a picture of your group so that if someone becomes separated, you know what they are wearing and c an show the picture to other helping adults.

• And remember, you are there to help the teacher and students first and foremost. Model participation and a positive attitude about the trip.

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16 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com 5860 W. Alexis Rd., Sylvania, OH 43560 CALLSylvaniaPediatricDentalCare.com419.882.7187SYLVANIAPEDIATRICDENTALCARE 2021 RUNNER UP Runner Up: Best Pediatric Dentist Carrying a backpack can not only cause pain for the child but can change the whole spinal position. 6823 Spring Valley Dr., Holland | ChiropracticSpringspringmeadowschiropractic.comMeadowsCenter 419.866.6325 For A Consultation Call Dr. Shawn Brohl D.C.,C.C.S.P. Introducing Dr. Jacek Czerwinski, Associate Chiropractor • Carry what is only necessary • Get a backpack with padded shoulder straps • Use both straps when you wear a backpack • Center the backpack load • Tighten the straps of the backpack

Does the tutor’s personality work for you and your child? First, a tutor should be patient, empathetic, positive, passionate, creative and fun. These char acteristics help ensure your child can learn from the tutor and will walk away with self-confidence. It’s also essential that the tutor and your child have the ability to connect with each other. Is the tutor flexible? Each child has a learning style that is best for them. It might be visual, aural, physical, verbal, logical or a combination of those. Some kids are solitary learners, others are social learners and enjoy learning in groups. Look for a setting and tutor that fits your kid’s style. Does the tutor have excellent refer ences? Online tutoring services often have reviews from previous clients. Look for those with overall high ratings and positive comments. But beware of reviews directly on the tutoring com pany’s website, since these can often be manipulated. If you find your tutor offline or find very few reviews, ask for several references. Still, the references a tutor provides might not be an entirely accurate depiction of their character and experience, so use due diligence for your child’s safety to ensure your child receives quality service.

Finding a tutor Your child’s teacher and school administrators are an excellent place to start. They may be able to recommend a tutor in your community or online resources to help your child. Also, chances are one of your child’s friends has a tutor, so ask other parents for a recommendation.Searchonlinefor tutors in your area. You’ll likely find a couple of local tutoring companies. These companies often offer on-site tutoring, while some may offer in-home tutoring as well. There are also websites developed to help parents find tutors. Takeles sons.com has a searchable database of tutors. Just enter your zip code and the school subject to see a list of tutors in your area. This site also shows tutors’ ratings and their fees per session.

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Regardless of Your Budget by Kimberly Blaker

Kumon Math & Reading Center Has multiple Toledo area locations Kumon.com MathDork Private tutor based in Toledo Mathdork.com Huntington Learning Center 6638 Centers Dr., Holland 419-867-4000 huntingtonhelps.com

Finding a Tutor for Your Child

Care.com, connects people with various service professionals, including tutors. Experience in tutoring varies widely, however. Make sure to check the reviews for potential tutors for your child and ask for references.

A Village Learning Center 5327 308th 419-480-9825St. Avillagetoledo.com

17www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

If your child has a learning dis ability, poor or declining grades, poor time management skills or difficulty understanding homework, tutors are an effective way to get kids back on track and keep them there. But how do you find a good, reliable tutor who you can trust? And what if hiring a tutor isn’t in your budget? There are many options.

Free tutoring If tutoring isn’t in your budget, there are several options to consider.

If tutoring isn’t available at your kid’s school, ask trusted family mem bers, neighbors and friends to help. You might discover someone you know is quite enthusiastic to help your strug gling child. Another option is to contact your local high school or college. Students majoring in particular subjects or those who are looking at a career in teaching are often required to do a certain num ber of hours of tutoring. For that reason, these students often offer to provide tutoring for free. If you are looking for a remote learning opportunity that is also free, the popular Khan Academy website offers online video tutorials for students of all levels. Visit khanacademy.org to learn more. What to look for in a tutor There are several factors to consider when looking for a tutor. These include: Is the tutor qualified? Your best bet is to look for someone with a teaching degree since tutoring requires skills that not everyone possesses. For younger students, if the tutor has a teaching degree, specialization in a particular subject isn’t necessary. From high school and beyond, look for a tutor with expertise in the subject your child needs help with.

First, check with your child’s school for need-based assistance. Although the No Child Left Behind Act is no longer operating, some schools still offer oneon-one tutoring programs for eligible students. Many schools also offer afterschool group tutoring. Kids can stay after school to work on their homework with a teacher to assist, while some teachers are happy to do after-school tutoring for their students.

Some Toledo Area Tutoring Programs

Sylvan Learning of Toledo 1566 Spring Meadows Dr., Holland Has multiple Toledo area locations 419-491-3140 sylvanlearning.com Stars Test Prep and Tutoring 5151 Monroe St., #100 419-870-8384 starsprep.net

Online tutoring is another popular choice, though it isn’t right for every child. This is where diligent research becomes vital, as the reviews of many online tutoring companies are fair to mediocre, at best. The cost of online tutoring isn’t always consistent with quality.

18 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com Discover iLEAD Spring Meadows! Saturday, October 22th 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm A full bounty of games & activities for children of all ages. FREE to the public! TRUNK or TREATING Face VisitPUMPKINPaintingPAINTINGtheCraft&Vendor Fair TAKE A HAYRIDE! Great Food Truck Eats Enroll Now! iLEAD Spring Meadows A tuition-free public community school serving grades K-8 1615 Timberwolf Drive in Holland iLEADSpringMeadows.org TAKE A TOUR TUESDAYS: Sign up for your tour of iLEAD Spring Meadows 419-491-7423 Get Your Fall Fun On! Harvest Festival! • Locally owned & operated • Picture framing/matting • Memorabilia/shadowbox • Photos • Prints • Original paintings 328 W. Dussel Dr. Maumee, OH | 419.897.0591 | wellframeit.com Summer Vibes 2021 WINNER Voted BEST Professional Framers Hang on to the

19www.toledoparent.com • September/October • Plan an affordable getaway at VisitFortWayne.com/Fall A season for sipping, savoring and seasonal sights. Find all your fall favorites in Fort Wayne, Indiana Adventure Awaits VFW_Fall22_IndysChildSept_7.875x4.75.indd 1 7/25/22 4:42 PM Get Ready, Get Set! SCHEDULE A TOUR TODAY! 419-704-2009 or educareacademy.com With 10 convenient Toledo-area locations, Educare Academy proudly provides Free Pre-K—a high quality kindergarten readiness program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Education. Maximize early learning and help prepare your child for success!

Dr. R.W. Mills, Chief Medical Officer of Nationwide Children’s Toledo, says, “Some pharmacies may be hesitant to vaccinate a child as young as six months. Administering a shot to a baby or toddler who may be resistant is not the same as administering a vaccine to an individual who is able to sit still.”

As of late June, according to the Lucas County Health Department, 30.25 percent of children and young adults aged 0-19 years old have completed their vaccination series. In Lucas County, 58.42 percent of the population has com pleted vaccinations.

By Molly Klima healthy kids

“Any children in clinical trials were monitored very closely,” says Dr. R.W. Mills, Chief Medical Officer for Nationwide Children’s Toledo. “These new approvals have been approved unanimously by the FDA.”

Dr. Mills recommends waiting until closer to the eight-week mark to receive the second and third doses for both vaccines, as this increases immunity and also decreases side effects. Guidelines for when to receive booster shots vary based on whether your child receives the Moderna or Pfiz er-BioNTech. For the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, booster shots are recommended for kids five and older at least five months after their initial round of vacci nations are completed. Booster shots for those who completed the Moderna pri mary series are typically only reserved for those who are immunocompromised or have an underlying condition. If your child received the Moderna primary series and you are wondering about a booster or ways to maintain protection, Dr. Mills suggests speaking with your child’s pediatrician.

How and why to keep up with the vaccines

If a child has not yet started their vaccination series, parents may want to consider timing this with the beginning of school or heading into the winter months. For ages six months to four years, the second Pfizer-BioNTech dose is given four to eight weeks after the first, and the third dose at least eight weeks after the second dose. For ages five to 18, there is a two-dose series three to eight weeks apart. The dosing for Moderna vaccines is different from Pfizer, making the dosing times different as well. The two Mod erna doses are given four to eight weeks apart for kids six months to 18 years old.

Benefits of ongoing protection While Lucas County’s current risk level is low, Dr. Mills says the medi cal community is expecting continued surges around times of heavy travel, such as holidays, and during the fall and winter. “Once we are back to doing more things indoors and having people back together again in small areas, the level of transmission is expected to increase,” Mills explains.

“One of the misconceptions is that if you have been infected you don’t need a vaccination, but that natural immunity only lasts three to four months. You are also more likely to get Long COVID if you have not been immunized,” Dr. MillsDr.clarifies.Millsexplains that the effects of Long COVID are the same in kids as they are in adults, “We continue to learn about this as time goes on, a significant number of kids have Long COVID symptoms. They continue to have dif ficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, difficulty with memory and brain fog.”

Where to go Contact your child’s doctor and local pharmacies to check the availability of COVID vaccinesfor children under five.

20 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

Since June the Lucas County Health Department is scheduling vaccines for children as young as six months Monday-Thursday 8:30am-3:30pm and Friday 9am-3:30pm.

As of June 18, 2022 COVID vaccines have been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for chil dren as young as six months old. This approval applies to both Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

Dosing protocols

CDC Approves COVID Vaccinations for Children as Young as 6 Months

COMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS

As with adults, underlying condi tions for children do increase their risk of severe disease, including Long COVID. The high risk factors include obesity, heart disease, lung diseases and neurologic diseases. Dr. Mills says it is possible for kids without underly ing conditions to also experience severe disease to the point of requiring hospitalization.

“The benefit we have with all of this is that these [the vaccines] were all received by and tested on adults first. That’s how we’ve been able to learn that greater intervals between doses decrease side effects and increase im munity. Any children in clinical trials were monitored very closely. These new approvals have been approved unani mously by the FDA.” Dr. Mills explains. Due to the ongoing changes that occur with new knowledge, Dr. Mills recommends staying up to date with the CDC and calling your doctor’s office to make sure information or plans you are making for vaccines is current, as not all online websites are updated in a timely fashion. Contact the Lucas County Health Department to schedule your child’s appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. 635 N. Erie St. 419-213-4100. lucascountyhealth.com.

Concerns about side effects

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A common concern with the vac cines has been the potential long and short-term side effects. If a baby experi ences side effects, they typically show up in the same way side effects do for other childhood immunizations: irritability, sleepiness and maybe a fever. Older kids may experience the same effects as adults: chills, fatigue andMyocarditisfever. is a medical condition typically caused by viruses and results in inflammation of the heart. This condi tion was not something many parents thought much about for their kids until it became associated with COVID-19. While this has been a rare side effect of COVID-19 vaccines, kids are 50 times more likely to get myocarditis from a COVID infection than they are from the vaccine. While Myocarditis is rare, males aged 12-39 are at higher risk for this side effect with the Moderna vac cine. If this is a concern for parents, Dr. Mills encourages parents to ask about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

21www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

(She spends her days with her husband, her teenage daughter, three cats and a guinea pig.)

Serving infants through school age, Little Village Preschool provides a challenging, yet developmentally appropriate learning experience for all children enrolled. The school’s highly structured program offers both child choice and teacher directed activities that focus on the development of skills in the following areas: language and literacy, math, fine and gross motor, science, social studies, and social emotional maturity. Interactive applications allow families to stay connected to their child’s daily activities and milestone accomplishments. Frequent assessment identifies each child’s unique capabilities and individual plans focus on meeting milestone goals.

Wauseon author Merrill Wyatt has an eye for adventure. It is not surprising, then, that she loves a good mystery. “Growing up in a small town, I always wanted to have exciting adventures. You see them on television, you watch them in the movies and you say ‘Ooh, I want that to happen to me, too!’ Spoiler alert: it never did. But it was still a fun place to grow up,” she said.

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A TOUR! SCHEDULE A TOUR! 1315 Michigan Avenue • Maumee, Ohio • littlevillagemaumee.com 419-887-1685 Click for registration, scholarship applications, payment plans & details! www.ctwtoledo.org/fall-2022 FallOpenRegistrationsept.6th!

Local author Merrill Wyatt continues her middle school mystery series with her newest book By Mary Rose Kulczak Q and A with Merrill Your life in six words or less: Hectic but fun all the time!

The ideal way to spend a day: Going on little adventures that involve good food and seeing something new. (Next stop: Frank Lloyd Wright house in Springfield, OH.)

Describe Toledo in one sentence: It’s rustic and low-key artsy. (“There’s a lot of mystery here,” she added. “You see these old buildings and think ‘What happened?’”) Favorite place for a coffee and a good book: Brewhouse Coffee and Bake Shop in Maumee. What’s your favorite genre to read? Mystery, hands down!

Wyatt’s third book, “Tangled up in Nonsense,” will be released in Novem ber by Simon and Schuster. A sequel to her earlier book “Tangled Up in Luck,” it follows the adventures of unlikely friends and amatuer sleuths Sloane and Amelia as they travel to the banks of the Maumee River in Toledo to solve the mystery of a Prohibition-era bootlegger’s missing millions. Wyatt, who is a self-professed history buff and lover of old houses and architecture, likes to find ways to incorporate these elements in her stories. “I always wanted to be an author because I loved reading books when I was a kid and one of my absolute favor ites was the Nancy Drew series. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I found out that the primary ghostwriter for the Nancy Drew books lived in Tole do [Millie Benson]. As a kid, I probably would have stalked her had I known,” she said with a laugh.

Middle School Mysteries Wyatt has written three myster ies geared toward the middle school reader, an age that she knows well after working as a technologies instructor at Springfield Middle School for eighteen years.“I ended up really loving that age group a lot,” she said. “I just like how creative and fun the kids still are at that age. They are smart and insightful, and yet they also hang onto that childlike sense of wonder, which is a big part of why I aimed [my writing] at that group.”

A Writer’s Process Wyatt said her writing inspiration can come from unlikely places, and may develop over time. “Ideas churn around in my head for periods of time anywhere from weeks to years,” she said. “I might take bits and pieces of something I thought about years before. I do think through the ideas for a couple of weeks, or honestly, a couple of months. When I sit down to write, it typically takes me three months to write the first draft and another month to two months to revise it.” After finishing her first novel, Wyatt ap proached numerous agents to represent her, which proved to be a lesson in per severance. “With ‘Ernestine, Catastro phe Queen,’ I easily went through 60 or 70 agents, and they were all ‘no’s’ other than my agent who said ‘yes.’ And she sent it to 20 to 25 editors, who were all ‘no’s’ except for one editor.”

Mystery on the Maumee

What advice does Wyatt have for would-be authors? “Don’t give up! Do something that is hard every single day because it is good practice. It takes a lot to get a book published, and it never gets easy.” Find “Tangled up in Nonsense” on Amazon or locally at Gathering Volumes.

22 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com family matters

Dr. Magoun explains that screen time “can interfere with sleep, espe cially screen time too near bedtime, or if a screen is in the bedroom. We do not recommend any screens in the bedroom or using television to help kids of any age to fall asleep.”

n Video chatting with parent/caregiver involvement is okay for young children.

As a parent herself, Dr. Magoun understands: “The screen is a way to get other things done, to have a child From birth to age three, a toddler’s brain grows at a phenomenal rate. Those developing brains make 1 million neural connections per minute. Because their brains are still developing, babies and toddlers don’t process media in the same way as older children and adults.

n Avoid any violent content or content geared to adults or older children.

0 to 18 months Avoid use of screen media other than video-chatting.

Toddlers and Screen Time

Antisocial Behavior Violent content, including animated or cartoon-related violence, can lead to aggressive behavior.

"Four months old is the average age that children begin daily media viewing."

Risks of Too Much Screen Time

n Avoid short, user-generated videos such as those that are found on You Tube or TikTok as they don’t allow for a child’s slower processing time.

n Turn the television off when young children are around. Even when chil dren are not directly watching, televi sion negatively impacts language and other development.

23www.toledoparent.com • September/October •

Infant and Toddler Screen Use is High.

Parents should co-view media with children to help them understand what they are seeing and apply it to the world around them.

n Print books are better for young minds than educational apps and electronic books.

2 to 5 years Limit screen use to one hour maximum per day of high-quality programs.

The Pew Research Center found: 74 percent of children ages 0-2 watch television daily. 50 percent of children ages 0-2 watch YouTube or similar media.

Language Delay Screen time inhibits infants and toddlers’ ability to read faces and learn social cues, which are critical for learn ing language skills. Even educational programming can hinder learning when it replaces face-to-face communication, reading aloud, and unstructured play.

n Obesity When young children are sitting and watching, they are not engaged in active play and are more likely to snack on unhealthy foods.

Screen Time Tips for Toddlers

n Monitor screen time content as well as the time spent on screens. Choose high quality educational shows such as those found on Sesame Workshop or PBS.

Dr. Magoun wants parents “to think about both quality and quantity of time to engage with their young children [with] early childhood play, social interactions, learning to take turns and real-world experience.”

18 to 24 months Parents may introduce high-quality programming and watch it with their children to help them understand what they’re seeing.

What parents need to know By Penny Tullis Meeker digital Age be quiet and calm and engaged... but it’s not worth the benefits the parents get from having that extra downtime because, ultimately, the child will suffer for it.”

Sarah Magoun M.D., a pediatri cian with Maumee Pediatric Associates emphasizes that “if a toddler is engaged in screen time, they’re not engaged in other things that are important for learning and development. Toddlers, especially, learn by hands-on play and social interaction with the people around them, and they don’t learn those skills if they are engaged with a screen.”

American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations

n Lack of Sleep

Inclusive menu

By Laurie Bertke

Photo credit Laurie Bertke

Salutebudget.Pizzeria (pronounced “saluTAY”) opened in the Southwyck area at Glendale and Reynolds last sum mer and the first time we tried it my daughter declared it her favorite pizza in town. Salute has since become a regu lar addition to my family’s pizza joint rotation and our order is often person ally handed to us by the owner, Frank Williams, a 35-year veteran of the pizza industry.“Salute is Italian for “good health,” and we use all natural ingredients whenever possible,” explains Williams. “We strive to make the best product and to provide the best service in the area.”

Pizza is quintessential quick and easy family takeout food — a crowd pleaser for all ages that doesn’t break the

Gluten-free, vegan, and Keto options Facebook - 4.4 out of 5 with 24 reviews Google 4.4 out of 5 with 99 reviews original, pan or hand-tossed thin crust, and the smallest size is available with a gluten-free or low-carb cauliflower crust ($2 extra). The inclusive menu also features a vegan speciality pizza, vegan cheese bread and vegan pizza sub. Fast service, fresh ingredients Salute offers

salutepizzeria.com419-407-5516|Facebook:@SalutePizzeriaInstagram:@SalutePizzaMonday-Thursday:11am-11pmFridayandSaturday:11am-12amSunday:3-9pm The Short Course Kids Menu? No Carryout? Yes Online Ordering? Yes Delivery? Yes Dine In? Not really. Only a couple of tables available Changing Table? No Got Milk? No High Seats?Chairs/Booster No Healthy Options? Yes

24 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

Salute! Pizzeria 5155 Glendale Ave. | Toledoonline ordering (for a 99cent “convenience or call in your order the old-fashioned way. I planned to order early online to pick up our meal at a set time after our evening activities, but I ended up calling before we headed home and the order was ready when we arrived 15 minutes later. The restaurant offers an impressive array of hearty salads, or you can build your own by choosing a base and up to five toppings. I opted for a small Cobb salad, and there was enough to share with two kids. The bed of iceberg lettuce was fresh, crunchy and heaped with crisp bacon, grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, egg and a bit of avocado. I was happy with the salad and the Ital ian dressing and could definitely just eat this for lunch. I think my daughter’s in take of salad nearly matched her intake of pizza, which is saying something. For our main course, we ordered a large Triple Threat Pep with the default original crust and a medium, thin-crust Aloha — Salute’s take on Hawaiian pizza. We rounded the meal out with an Bottom line Salute stands out for its fresh ingredients, speedy service, inclusive menu and nice array of specialty pizzas. As one of the new kids on the block, Salute holds up well amid a crowded field in the Toledo pizza scene and I know my family will be back soon. order of cheese bread, which was chewy and filling but not a particular standout.

The Triple Threat Pep promised 3 times the pepperoni, and it did indeed come loaded with pepperoni curled into perfect little cups that were nicely crisped at the edges. Everyone in our party who sampled this one enjoyed it, with the only complaint being that the spicy pepperoni eventually became a bit intense.Theham on the Aloha was sliced thin and tucked beneath a layer of moz zarella and cheddar cheeses, topped with sweet pineapple and a generous amount of crunchy bacon. Despite the slightly burnt edges of the thin crust, Salute’s take on Hawaiian pizza was one of the best I have tasted. For a satisfying pizza meal at a reasonable, family-friendly cost, visit Salute! Small cobb

Salute Pizzeria Delivers South Toledo spot offers traditional, gluten-free, vegan and keto options

Thin-crustsaladAloha

you can

fee”)

The restaurant’s clean, simple interior has a couple of small tables and a few chairs, but Salute is primarily a car ryout spot with a menu that features an assortment of Italian-style pizzas, as well as salads, subs, chicken chunks and wings. Plan on picking up food to enjoy in the comfort of your home, or better yet, have it delivered. Salute’s menu includes traditional, keto, vegan and gluten-free options. Any pizza may be ordered with

— Salute’s take on Hawaiian pizza

This year’s show is packed with breath taking special effects, arena seating, concert style sound and lighting along with 3 RINGS bursting with excitement, laughter, and memories that families will always cherish. Free Children’s Tickets have been distributed to area elementary schools, pre-schools, day care centers, fast food, convenience stores, salons, and large employers. $14.50. Runs through Monday, September 5. 4:30pm. Toledo Speedway, 5639 Benore Rd. gardenbroscircus.com [film] Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D Take a trip back to the Permian era through the Jurassic era to see the landscapes of the South Pole as they were hundreds of millions of years ago with this 3D film, being shown at Imagination Station. Shows multiple times daily through Saturday, September 3. $4.50 for members, $6.50 for non-members. KeyBank Discovery Theater, 1 Discovery Way.

MORE EVENTS ONLINE TOLEDOPARENT.COMAT ADDITION!NEWEST

MAKE the Past Part of Your Future!

Join in the fun down on the farm at this free community event! Heritage Farm Fest is held at the Carter Historic Farm, a working farm and living history cultural center representing life during the Depression. Learn traditional life skills at hands-on interactive stations, enjoy live entertainment, and make memories. 11am-3pm. Carter Historic Farm, 18331 Carter Rd., Bowling Green. wcparks.org. Free

The 2022 season will welcome back audience favorites with a safe and abbreviated schedule that includes in-person gatherings, safe and selfguided programming, as well as virtual content, dance performances, art, food, and more. Downtown Toledo, N. St. Clair St. theartscommision.org Free

FRIDAY 9.16 [health] New Moms Support Group Do you have a new child and need some guidance, advice or just for someone to listen? Bloom Women’s Counseling, Consulting and Wellness hosts a support group for new mothers with babies from 0-12 months. Space is limited, so call to register. 9:30am. 112 E. Dudley St., Maumee. bloomwomenscounseling.com419-326-5732.

For events, rates, dates & hours visit Saudervillage.org Inn, Restaurant, Campground, Bakery, Soda Fountain, Unique Shops-general store, quilt, gift and multiple handmade crafts 22611 State Route 2, Archbold, OH 800.590.9755 SauderVillage.org 9.24

MONDAYimaginationstationtoledo.org419-244-2674.9.5 [parades] Labor Day Parade All local labor unions will march this year, including UAW, AFSCME, Toledo Port Council, Northwest Ohio Building Trades, AFL-CIO affiliates, Teamsters, and repre sentatives of the United Labor Commit tee. 9am. Downtown Toledo, Monroe St. & Summit St. Free TUESDAY 9.6 [pumpkin patches] Fleitz Pumpkin Farm Opening Day Dust off your boots, put on your sweater, and fall into pumpkin season. Hayrides, Maze, Play Area, donuts, goats, and, of course, pumpkins! 10am-7pm. Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, 7133 Seaman Rd., WEDNESDAYOregon. 9.7 [play] LEGO Freeplay Kids can have creative fun while practic ing their engineering skills at this monthly event held at the Sanger Branch Library. Both LEGO and K’Nex toys will be used. 3-4pm. Sanger Branch Library, Community Room B, 3030 W. Central Ave. 419-259-5370. toledolibrary.org Free

SATURDAY 10.1

Second Sunday Games

The Roche de Boeuf Festival has some thing for the entire family to enjoy. Children will love the kids zone and parents can shop for beautiful art and one of a kind items. Take a journey back in time with the Pioneer Village and enjoy wonderful music and entertainment throughout the day. 9am. Downtown @rochedeboeuffestivalwatervilleWaterville. Heritage Farm Fest

NW OHIO CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 SATURDAY

Bring the kids and create fun summer memories with the whole family! Visit Historic Sauder Village Ohio’s largest living history destination with costumed interpreters, working craftsmen in a walk through time from 1803 – 1920s. Take a ride on the Erie Express train. MAKE IT A GETAWAY: Stay at the Inn or campground. Dine at the Barn Restaurant. Enjoy sweet treats at the bakery and unique shopping.

The 21st annual International Festival is one of the most diverse cultural offer ings in Ohio. Featuring food, exhibits, shopping and family activities. Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday noon-6pm. Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd., Perrysburg.

SATURDAY 9.10 [festivals & fairs] Latin American Festival Homeboys Haven Presents Latin American Festival. Enjoy live entertainment, games, a cornhole tournament, a car and bike show, food vendors, and more. $25 advance, $30 at gate. 2pm. Promenade Park, 250 Water SUNDAYSt. 9.11 [author events] Parking Lot Party & Author Fair Join Gathering Volumes and over 20 area authors to celebrate books. From children’s picture books to horror, science fiction/fantasy to regional nonfiction, and everything in between, there is some thing for every reader. Rain date Sunday, September 18. 10am-4pm. Gathering Volumes, 196 E South Boundary St., Perrysburg. Gatheringvolumes.com [games]

Once a month Fort Meigs offers a wide variety of tabletop games designed to engage all levels of the family. Simple games for kids to learn their numbers and help with sportsmanship skills. For older kids and adults, Historical Minia tures will teach you about history as you command an army. 1-4pm. Fort Meigs, 29100 W River Rd., THURSDAYPerrysburg9.15 [storytimes] Mother Goose In Person

SEPT. THURSDAY 9.1 [circuses] Garden Bros. Nuclear Circus: Humans Gone Wild

SATURDAY 9.17 [festivals & fairs] International Festival

This 30-minute drop-in early literacy program for babies and their caregivers features music, rhymes and stories. Ages birth-18 months. Thursdays through October 20. 10-10:30am. Way Public Library, 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg waylibrary.info Free [dance] Art Loop: Dancin’ In the Streets

25www.toledoparent.com • September/October • CALENDAR Crafts, Cars and More at 49th Fest!

26 • September/October 2022 • www.toledoparent.com

TMOTC Mom to Mom Fall Sale

Iris Market

SATURDAY 9.17

Iris Market will be a kid-friendly community event that allows local businesses, farmers, and food trucks to serve the community. 11am-5pm. DeVeaux Elementary School, 2620 W. Sylvania WEDNESDAYAve. 10.19 [theater]

SATURDAY 10.15 [civic benefit] Back to School Event

The fall sale will be an opportunity to stock up on cold weather clothing and indoor activities. Sylvania Tam-O-Shanter Sports, 7060 Sylvania Ave., Sylvania.

TUESDAY 9.20 [visual art, mental health] Creative Kids Art Workshop NAMI Creative Kids provides an opportunity for children (6 to 17 years old) to express themselves creatively through art and identify positive coping skills. To register your child(ren), email kzientek@ namitoledo.org. 5-6:15pm. NAMI Greater Toledo, 4334 Secor WEDNESDAYRd. 9.21 [outdoor movies] Outdoor Movie Night: Despicable Me Showing the movie Despicable Me on our outdoor stage. All are invited to dress up as your favorite character from the movie! 6pm. Sunshine Communities, 7223 Maumee Western Rd., Maumee. Free

Featuring “Make Your Own Curiosity Jars” with The Flower Market. Each participant will dissect their own owl pellet and create a curiosity jar using the bones they collect, dried flowers, and other interesting objects. Halloween party to follow. 10am-11pm. The Flower Market, 8930 S. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI. @theflowermarket

Toledo-Lucas County Health Dept. is hosting a Back to School event with extended hours for your child to receive the items they need ie: Birth Certificates ($25, Ohio residents only), Shots for Tots N Teens (bring current shot record), Toledo Lucas County Public Library school-related services, and several more. 10am-2pm. Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, 635 N. Erie St. [outdoor recreation] Glass City GLOW-tacular Light up the night with glow archery, rock climbing, biking and paddling at this family-friendly event. Metroparks outdoor skills experts will be on hand to guide you as you discover your next outdoor passion – regardless of ability or experience. 7-10pm. Glass City Metropark, 1001 Front St. metroparkstoledo.com Free

SUNDAY@PerrysburgPowwow9.25 [markets & shopping]

TUESDAY 10.11 [lit.] Aya Khalil Book Launch Local author Khalil will be celebrating the release of her new children’s book, One World: Egypt, with an event held by Gathering Volumes at the Sylvania Farmer’s Market. 4-7pm. 5422 Main St., Sylvania. SATURDAYgatheringvolumes.com567-336-6188.10.15

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 SKIP THE PHONE CALL – SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM ONLINE 24/7! At McLaren St. Luke’s, we understand that you have enough on your to-do list every day. That’s why we offer the convenience of online scheduling for your annual screening mammogram. If you have a doctor’s order for a screening mammogram, you can schedule an appointment online. We are dedicated to providing advanced and comprehensive breast health services. It’s one more way McLaren St. Luke’s is doing what’s best.

Faire & Halloween Party

LOCATIONS McLaren St. Luke’s Main Hospital 5701 Monclova Rd. Maumee, OH 43537 FallenMcLaren419-891-8060St.Luke’sTimbersMedicalCenter 5757 Monclova Rd. Maumee, OH 43537 419-893-4856 To select an appointment time that fits your schedule, visit mclaren.org/StLukesMammogram ST. LUKE’S

[Halloween] Fall Festival & Truck-or-Treat Bring the whole fam for a day of costumed fun at The Shops at Fallen Timbers and fill your candy coffers, featuring the fan-favorite Truck-or-Treat, plus fun activities! Noon-3pm. The Shops at Fallen Timbers, 3100 Main St., Maumee. theshopsatfallentimbers.com

The Girl Who Swallowed a Cactus The Children’s Theatre Workshop will be putting on a live, free performance of an original play by Eric Coble. A young girl and her friends find fantasy adventure during a hot summer day. 4-5pm. West Toledo Branch Library, 1320 Sylvania Ave. 419-259-5290. toledolibrary.org Free

OCT. MONDAY 10.3 [misc.] Teen Cafe If your teenager is looking for a calm place to hang out with friends, the Locke Branch Library’s Conference Room is open to them. Study, relax or even play from the available card and board games. 3-4pm. 703 Miami St. 419-259-5310. toledolibrary.org Free

WEDNESDAY 10.5 [history] German-American Day A celebration of German culture will be held at the Wood County Museum. An introductory program will discuss German wedding traditions, followed by a “Story Slam” where participants can share stories. German snacks will be served. $5 suggested donation. 7-9pm. 13660 County Home Rd. 419-352-0967. woodcountyhistory.org

SUNDAY 10.16 [markets & shopping]

Wicked Plants Vendor

SATURDAY 9.24 [festivals & fairs] 20th Woodland Indian Celebration Enjoy two days of Native American cul ture in arts, crafts, dance, food, games, history, music, friendship and more. 10am, Sunday, Sept. 25 noon-5pm. Seven Eagles EARTH Center, 16486 Wapakoneta Rd, Grand Rapids.

27www.toledoparent.com • September/October • marketplace This ad was generously donated by Toledo City Paper TO BENEFIT FAMILY HOUSE SHELTER OCTOBER 1, 2022 / 2pm-8pm Parking lot party at the Historic Toledo Club For more facebook.com/FamilyHouseToledoinformation Food EntertainmentLiveTrucksDrinksKidsArea Family House has offered hope to whole families since 1985. Serving their immediate needs, as well as providing the tools to become self-sufficient. A EVENTFAMILYFORALLAGES 235 14th Street – Downtown Toledo

An open discussion for girls ages 7-11 to talk about what’s going on with them over cookies and milk. Register on Eventbrite. Noon-2pm. The Onyx Cafe, 27 Broadway St. [Halloween] Trunk or Treat Set up a trunk or bring the kids to this free event. Safe & secure place for the kids of all ages to trick or treat. Free cotton candy, hot chocolate, apple cider & doughnuts. Hotdogs, chips and pop available for purchase. 6-8pm. Iron Bandogs LE/MC Glass City, 1758 W. Sylvania SATURDAYAve.

SATURDAY 10.22 [civic benefit] Milk & Cookies

10.29 [Halloween] Halloween Spooktacular Not-too-spooky Halloween fun with a creepy puppet show, ghoulish crafts, haunted games, and scary treats. Come in costume if you dare! 2-3:30PM. Main Library, 325 Michigan St. SUNDAYtoledolibrary.org 10.30 [music, Halloween] The Andersons Family Series: Halloween Spooktacular Goblins, ghouls, and ghosts haunt the Valentine Theatre in this family-friendly event featuring spooky activities, games and a performance featuring musicians of the Toledo Symphony and Toledo Ballet dancers. $15-$45. 2-4:30pm. The Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. toledosymphony.com

October 20 & Trick-orTheHalloweentoledozoo.org/pumpkinpathOctobertoledozoo.org/boo2122&23funforthelittleonesthatdelightswithoutthefright!Zoo’sfamily-friendlyHalloweentradition!treatstations,entertainmentandmore! ANNOUNCE-MENTS BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920 Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promo tion and Distribution Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-866-482-1576 or visit dorranceinfo.com/macnet REPLACE YOUR ROOF with the best-looking and longestlasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors are available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer - $500 Discount + Additional 10% off install (for military, health workers & 1st responders.) Call Erie Metal Roofs: 1-855-338-4807

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