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Contents
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
I
Dear Readers,
LIVING WELL
Community Profile: Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech........................................ 4 Mom’s Night Out Events............................................................................................ 4 Trick or Treat Trivia.................................................................................................... 5
t’s Fall Festival time and there are a LOT of great activities for you to enjoy this month. Turn to page 29 and let the planning begin! Space wouldn’t allow us to list every event so I encourage you to visit our always updated online events calendar at www.Jax4Kids.com to find all of the Fall Festivals, Events and Pumpkin Patches. Sesame Street is celebrating 50 years of teaching children and Sesame Street Live brings the show’s beloved characters face to face with children. We have a discount for you to take your kids to enjoy this interactive show. Sesame Street Live will be on stage at the Moran Theater October 26 and 27. Order tickets online at SesameStreetLive.com and save $4 on each ticket with the code J4K4. See page 15 for more details. Jax4Kids is proud to sponsor MOSH’s new exhibit, Astronaut. The exhibit is a rich educational experience that explores the physical and mental challenges of being an Astronaut and the importance of science in space. Read more about this fantastic new exhibit on page 16. Did you know you can swim with Manatees and it’s a less than three hour drive from Jacksonville? This unique family adventure is available at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Learn more about these aquatic relatives of the elephant on page 6 and the swim with programs available.
OCTOBER 2019
NATURE
Manatee Viewing Time Coming Up........................................................................... 6 Things to Do: Nature Events..................................................................................... 6
EATING WELL
Keeping children safe is a topic that we cover often – bringing you products, the latest in safety information and tips to help you protect your kids. Children are eagerly looking forward to Halloween but as parents, safety is as much on our minds as the costume and trick or treating is on children’s minds. Turn to page 10 for a list of tips to keep Halloween safe. You’ll also find information about Safer Lock – makers of medicine bottles and medicine boxes to keep these dangerous substances away from children. It’s a simple tool you can add to your at home safety routine. Gator Bowl Charities is offering a scholarship to local student athletes! Know a deserving athlete? Turn to page 19 for details. These are just a few highlights of an issue filled with valuable and useful information. Enjoy! Until next month, Alison Peters-Carlson Editor
Happy Halloween!
Follow us... Alison Peters-Carlson Editor....................... editor@jax4kids.com Linda Bigbee Graphic Designer...................... linda@jax4kids.com Tim Chavez Graphic Designer........................... tim@jax4kids.com Judi Fields Circulation Manager........................judi@jax4kids.com Beth Canonica Advertising Sales.................... beth@jax4kids.com Mary Gustafson Business Manager............... mary@jax4kids.com Published by Child Enrichment, LLC, 12620-3 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32246. Copyright 2019. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by Jax4Kids.com To Go is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for any errors and/or omissions. The Publisher’s liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to editor@jax4kids.com. For more information concerning advertising, call 904-710-2020 or e-mail advertise@jax4kids.com.
Sugar Cookies to Make Them Howl...........................................................................7 Things to Do: Eating Well..........................................................................................7 Proper Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes..................................................................8
HEALTH & SAFETY
Babies and Toddlers the most Common Victims of Dog Bites..................................... 9 Things to Do: Health & Safety................................................................................... 9 Safer Lock Keeps Medicines Secure....................................................................... 10 Keep Halloween Safe............................................................................................. 10
SPECIAL NEEDS
“Hyde and EEK!” Costumes a Step Ahead............................................................... 11 Things to Do: Special Needs................................................................................... 11
INFANT & TODDLER
Success in Preschool Is in the Numbers................................................................. 12 SIDS Campaign Working, Cause Still Not Known..................................................... 14 Things to Do: Infant & Toddler...........................................................................14-15 Kids Say the Funniest Things.................................................................................. 15
EDUCATION
Get Set to Be an Astronaut...................................................................................... 16 Scholarship Program Aims to Give Hope.................................................................. 17 Tips for Successful Note Taking............................................................................... 18 Things to Do: Education Events............................................................................... 18 Gator Bowl Charities Scholarship Available............................................................... 19 A Shelf Full of Hauntings......................................................................................... 20 Step Up: Be A ReadingPal....................................................................................... 20 Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage...................................................................... 21 Parent Academy October Courses........................................................................... 22 Duval County School News...................................................................................... 24 St. Johns County School District News..................................................................... 25 Clay County School News....................................................................................... 26
TEENS
Teen Driving Apps Can Keep Them Safer................................................................ 27 Things to Do: Teen Events...................................................................................... 27
PETS
Cuddling Has Mutual Benefits................................................................................ 28 Things to Do: Pet Events........................................................................................ 28
THINGS TO DO
Fall Festivals & Pumpkin Patches........................................................................... 29 October Events.................................................................................................30-31
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 3
LIVING WELL
Community Profile: Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech C larkeClarke Schools for Hearing and Speech has been providing children who are deaf or hard of hearing with high quality therapy and education to prepare them for success in a hearing world for over 150 years.
Boston-based lawyer and financier Gardiner Greene Hubbard grew interested in the field of deaf education when his 5-year-old daughter, Mabel, became deaf as a result of scarlet fever. Firmly believing his daughter could speak and learn just like other children, Hubbard hired a teacher to work with Mabel on her speech and language. At age 10, Mabel did as well in the classroom as any of her hearing peers. Watching his daughter learn and grow, Hubbard became a dedicated advocate of education for children who were deaf or hard of hearing. Together with philanthropist John Clarke—who donated $50,000—they founded Clarke School for the Deaf in 1867 in Northampton, Massachusetts. Renowned inventor Alexander Graham Bell was associated with Clarke for more than 50 years as a teacher, a researcher and a scholar. He served as Clarke’s board president from 1917 to 1922. After becoming a student of Bell’s when she was 16, Mabel Hubbard and her teacher eventually married and raised four children. Bell and Mabel’s father went on to start several world-famous organizations together, including the Bell Telephone Company and the National Geographic Society. Today Clarke Schools serves nearly 1,000 children in five main locations: Northampton, Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and Jacksonville. In 2017, it opened a preschool classroom, serving children ages 2 to 4 in Orlando/Winter Park. The program was made possible in part by funds allocated through the Florida Department of Health and the Florida Department of Education. Clarke’s Jacksonville campus opened in 1996 and serves children from birth to age 7 through early intervention, preschool/ kindergarten, primary, mainstreaming and speech and language services. Located in Mandarin, the school includes classrooms, therapy rooms, offices and an outdoor playground. Classrooms utilize sound field amplification systems and are designed for the unique acoustical needs of children with hearing loss. The campus is led by co-directors Alisa Demico and Cynthia Robinson.
Birth to 3 Programs – It’s Never Too Early to Start Newborn hearing screening and advances in technology (like digital hearing aids and cochlear implants) are helping children with hearing loss learn to listen and talk at earlier ages than ever before. At Clarke, parents receive the tools and support needed to facilitate their baby’s development and make the most of those important years before preschool. Clarke is one of two service providers in the Jacksonville area working with Early Steps, a local early intervention system, to provide services for infants and toddlers with hearing loss. Preschool/Kindergarten – Learning as a Family During the preschool years, the family continues to be the most influential factor in a child’s life. Families are actively involved through frequent communication, classroom observations, participation in school activities and parent workshops/support groups. Stimulating classroom activities enhance children’s listening, speech, language and pre-literacy skills while fostering their social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative development. Summer Program Designed specifically to mitigate the effects of the learning hiatus during summer break, the summer program offers an extension of what Clarke does every day during the school year. With very limited options for strictly LSL (listening and spoken language) summer programs, this is a unique opportunity for children to receive structured (and fun!) language and speech lessons. This comprehensive spoken language program is for children who are deaf or hard of hearing; who use spoken language as their main form of communication; and are entering preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten or first grade in the fall. Children who do not attend Clarke or receive Clarke services during the regular school year, and those outside the Jacksonville area are welcome to attend the summer program. Clarke is located at 9803 Old St. Augustine Road, Suite 7 in Jacksonville. See clarkeschools.org or call 904-880-9001 for more information, toget involved or to donate. j
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 4
Burnt Glassworks Pumpkin Workshops October 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-30 Come into the studio and try your hand at glassblowing to make a one of a kind glass pumpkin. Choose from classic orange ones, or, like any other workshop, you can choose any colors you like for your pumpkin & the stem. Choose from 3 sizes that range in price from $35 to $105. Burnt Glassworks / 904-631-6596 / 5105 Philips Highway #201, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / www.burntglass.com
/ 904-355-5661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com
Halloween Adult Bingo for Booooks October 24, 3pm to 4pm Adults are invited to play bingo to win popular fiction and nonfiction books. All materials will be supplied by the library. Wear your Halloween costume, to win an extra book each time you yell, “Bingo!” Free and open to adults. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo: A Carve-less Pump- 32082 / www.sjcpls.org kin Decorating Workshop Ladies Night Out at Doing Dishes Pottery October 12, 3pm to 5pm Studio • October 25, 6pm to 9pm Hand lettering is a form of work illustration Ladies Night is a fun night to paint what that involves drawing letter characters you want/how you want and socialize with instead of simply writing them. Attendees your friends. Ladies Night is for adults 18 will learn simple techniques that can be used for countless DIY projects from carve- and up. Just make a reservation, pay the less pumpkin designs to hanging wood sign $8 non-refundable deposit and bring your own beverage. Snacks and prizes will be decor. This lesson includes a how-to on provided. the following techniques: Sans Serif, Serif, and Script Letters, Drop Shadowing, Ombré Doing Dishes Pottery Studio / www.doingdishes.com Coloring, Banners, and Flourishes. AttendSan Jose Location / 904-730-3729 / 5619 ees must BYO pumpkin, either craft or real. San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville FL 32207 Shared paint pens and permanent markers Saint Johns Location / 904-824-7774 / will be included. Tickets are $45. Atlantic Beach Arts Market / 904-372-7442 2220 CR-210 W Suite 309, Saint Johns, FL 32259 / 1805 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / www.atlanticbeachartsmarket.com Halloween Costume Party with 19 Crimes Wines • October 31, 6:30pm Gift of Good Sense • October 15, 6:30pm The Publix Aprons Cooking School invites RealSense presents a life skills workshop adults for a Halloween Costume Party for adults. Get ready for the holidays and featuring 19 Crimes Wines. The men and special occasions with some financial tips. women depicted on 19 Crimes Wine labels They will present ideas for planning the are not fictitious; they were real “criminals” financial aspects of the holidays to avoid and scholars. The evening will celebrate the holiday hang-over. Topics covered will include setting an amount to spend; financial the history of the brand, and will feature planning for gifts, events; decorations; pay- the wines paired with chef-inspired dishes. ment options; and shopping tips. You will be Come dressed to impress, as prizes will be given for best costume. Dressing up is asked to share your tips as well. Free. optional, and costumes should be in good Jacksonville Public Library, Brentwood taste and PG-rated. The menu includes 19 Branch / 904-630-0924 / 3725 North Pearl Crimes Hard Chardonnay paired with Butter Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206 / www. Poached Lobster Crostini; 19 Crimes Red jaxpubliclibrary.org Wine - The Uprising paired with Braised Duck & Mushroom Pot Pie; 19 Crimes Dark Cat & Nat: #MOMTRUTHS Live Red - The Banished paired with Pimiento October 23, 7pm Cheese topped Filet with Brussels Sprouts Real-life mom friends Cat and Nat are touring the country to tell never-before-told Hash; and 19 Crimes Cabernet Sauvignon stories about the stress, guilt, joy, and more, paired with an Assortment of Chocolates with Berries, Pecan Pralines & Almonds. of motherhood. The pair have created a Registration is $50/person. Adults only. massive online community of moms by sharing their ultra-real and just a bit R-rated Publix Aprons Cooking School / 904-2624187 / 10500 San Jose Blvd Ste 36, Jackdispatches from the mom trenches. Due sonville, FL 32257 / www.publix.com to the content, this show is for adults only. Perfect for a Mom’s Night Out! Tickets range from $29.50 to $49.50, with VIP tickets available for $99.50. Florida Theatre
LIVING WELL
Trick or Treat Trivia
W
hat is the name of the Celtic harvest festival that many people believe Halloween is based on? Samhain (Pronounced SAH-win or SOW-in) There is some debate as to how many Samhain traditions made their way into the Christian holiday of Halloween. This is because the Celtic people had an oral rather than written tradition and so much about the life of druids and the traditions of the Celtic people has been lost. Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day and we do know that All Saints Day was moved from May 13 to coincide with Samhain, which was held around Oct. 31 to Nov. 1. By moving the Christian holiday to the date of a pagan festival converted pagans could keep celebrating their traditional holidays while still being Christians.
Allhallowtide which is a three-day celebration for Christian Saints. In the correct spelling of “Halloween,” where is the apostrophe placed? Between the two e’s (Hallowe’en) The apostrophe shows where the “v” was dropped from (All) Hallow(‘s) E(v)en = Hallowe’en. “Even” in Scottish means “Evening.” Trick-or-treating In what two countries was “guising,” the tradition of dressing up in costumes, and going door-to-door for food or coins for Halloween most popular? Scotland and Ireland. Guising during Hallowmas, the Christian holiday that Halloween kicks off, has been going on at least since the 16th century in Scotland.
What is a hallow? A saint or a holy person. Hallow when used as an adjective means holy and as a noun it means someone who is holy. You can see why All Saint’s Eve is also known as All Hallow’s Eve.
When people go house to house while “souling”, what do they ask for? Soulcakes. Souling goes back at least to the 15th century and involves people going from house to house singing for soul-cakes during Halloween. Soul-cakes are small round cakes In what year will the next full moon occur that are baked to commemorate the dead. during Halloween? 2020. The last Halloween Even though souling didn’t involve dressing up that had a full moon was in 2001 and the next in costumes (like guising) you can see why full moon on Halloween after 2020 won’t many people think it had a strong influence on occur until 2039. the trick-or-treating that we do today. What item is banned only during Halloween What were the original jack o’ lanterns from 12 a.m. Oct. 31 to 12 p.m. Nov. 1 in made from? Turnips (also mangel wurzels and Hollywood, California? Silly string. possibly rutabagas) Jack o’ lantern refers to a light that is sometimes seen in bogs or What popular fall festival activity did the marshes. It was explained in Irish folklore as Romans bring to Britain when they being Stingy Jack who avoided hell by tricking invaded? Bobbing for apples (a.k.a apple the devil but was denied entry into heaven due ducking, duck apple, dooking). Another to his sins. He now has to wander the earth variation was also played where apples were and lights his way with an ember from hell hung from strings and contestants would have held within a turnip or rutabaga. to try and bite into them. In terms of parties held in the USA, The word Halloween is a contraction of Halloween is third. What two days have what Christian holiday? All Hallow’s Evening more parties than Halloween? New Year’s (All Hallows’ Even), a.k.a All Hallows’ Eve, All Eve and the Super Bowl. Saint’s Eve, Allhalloween In Scots “eve” is “even”. The “v” was eventually dropped, as What candy is the SECOND most popular well as the “all” and the “s” in Hallow’s. So All Halloween candy? Candy corn. Chocolate Hallow’s Even became Halloween. Halloween dominates first place by a wide margin. j is the day before All Hallow’s Day (also known conversationstartersworld.com as All Saints Day) and is the first day of
2 Convenient Locations 8411 Baymeadows Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256 880 US Highway A1A North, Suite 6, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” – Victor Borge OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 5
NATURE
Manatee Viewing Time Coming Up
T
he manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water. These slow-moving creatures can weigh up to 3,500 pounds, a testament to their nicknames of “sea cows.” These mammals are usually seen grazing in swampy marshes or aquatic meadows. They are most commonly viewed in the winter months, between November and March.
digestion procession because they eat so much cellulose material.
Manatees can move freely between the salinity extremes of freshwater and saltwater environments, making them an interesting “hybrid” species that has captivated the public’s affections. The West Indian Manatee’s range is from as far north as Virginia all the way south to Brazil, while the Amazonian manatee can be found in the Amazon and the Africa manatee along the West Coast of Africa. They require warm temperatures as they begin to experience cold-stress in temperatures below 68F (20C) and are in danger of fatal hypothermia in waters below 62F (17C).
As a result, manatees are classified as endangered by many (although the U.S. Department of Interior downgraded their status to “threatened” in 2017). While increased protections that started in the 1970s that outlawed hunting, certain ship traffic, and other behaviors – they are still highly threatened. As of 2016, there were about 6,000 West Indian manatees in Florida and about 13,000 worldwide.
Are manatees friendly? Yes! They are really slow, gentle creatures. They swim at only three or four miles an hour. In short bursts, they can swim at up to 20 miles an hour, but this is uncommon. They spend about half of the day sleeping and the rest grazing. These amazing creatures can live up to 60 years. They are highly intelligent, capable of understanding discrimination tasks and associated items with one another. They have good long-term memory and have often been compared to dolphins concerning their capacity to learn tasks and develop mentally.
Are manatees endangered? Populations of manatees are incredibly low. They have no natural predators, besides crocodiles, which is rare. But they are threatened by low temperatures and several different diseases. The biggest threat to manatee populations is human activity (they are often killed by speeding boats, as well as red tide and the accidental ingestion of fishing materials).
Go see them It’s hard to imagine a life without manatees. Therefore, it’s essential that you consider an eco-friendly manatee tour to help bring awareness to the necessity of these gentle creatures. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge on the west coast near Homosassa is probably the single best place for manatee viewing in the world. It may not be the most remote or adventurous location, but the “swim-with” program is unique.
There are dozens of operators that run tours within the refuge, all of them carefully licensed and regulated by the U.S Fish & Wildlife Service. Visitors must adhere to strict guidelines on how to swim, kayak and canoe What do manatees eat? with manatees. This means that when you Manatees are herbivores, feeding on over 60 visit, you are not only guaranteed an amazing different species of freshwater and saltwater experience; you can do so safe in the plants. Common foods include sea clover, knowledge that you will be treading lightly, marine algae, seagrasses, pickerelweed, that you won’t be stressing the manatees and water celery, and mangrove leaves. They eat that others who come after you will also be up to fifteen percent of their body weight every able to share a similar beautiful experience in single day, requiring them to graze for six or the future. j seven hours a day. Manatees, like land effortlessoutdoors.com ungulates such as horses, and rhinoceroses, must use hindgut fermentation to help the
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 6
Things to Do Nature Events
Kids Tour of the Arboretum October 5, 10am to 11am This tour is designed to teach kids the relationship between people and the environment. The group will be taken around the arboretum and shown what plants can be used for purposes such as food, medicine, fibers, culture, and environmental factors. Kids will learn that plants are essential to life as we know it. This free tour is designed for kids roughly ages 7-12. Please email arboretum4kids@gmail.com as spots are limited. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens / 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / www. jacksonvillearboretum.org International Observe the Moon Night October 5, 5pm to 9pm Families are invited for a night of Moon, Planet and Star gazing at the Sykes Family Farms Crop Maze in Elkton, as International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) celebrates its 10th anniversary. Members of Ancient City Astronomy Club and NASA Solar System Ambassador, Joe Komjathy, will be on hand to share their expertise and answer questions, point out constellations and inspire participants in their own observations of the night sky. Telescopes and binoculars will be provided. Weather permitting. Sykes Family Farms Crop Maze / 904-692-1370 / 5995 Brough Road, Elkton, FL 32033 / moon.nasa.gov Mandala On the Rocks October 13, 10am to 11am The Nature painting workshop offers an opportunity for children and adults to express their creativity and practice the art of dotillism while using the world itself as a canvas. Participants will explore their findings to paint colorful mandalas inspired by the geometric patterns of the Earth. Suggested donation $5 per person $10 per family. Snacks, refreshments, and supplies will be provided. Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens / 1445 Millcoe Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / pachamamart.org St. Johns County Parks & Recreation: Bats October 16, 3pm to 4pm Florida is home to 13 species of bats. Bats are unique winged mammals that play an
important role in the ecosystem. Join St. Johns County Naturalist Kelly Ussia for an engaging and educational hour devoted to these amazing creatures. No reservations required, seating first come first served. For more info, contact Kelly Ussia at kussia@ sjcfl.us or 904-209-0335. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-209-0335 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org Astronomy for Kids: The Sun October 9, 2:30pm to 3:30pm Kids of all ages are welcome to come join the St. Augustine Astronomy club and learn about the closest star, the Sun. You see it every day, yet many know very little about it. After, if viewing conditions are right, they will hold a special solar viewing event. Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Anastasia Island Branch / 904-209-3730 / 124 Seagrove Main St, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org Family Fun Day & Camp Out Under the Stars • October 19, 3pm Families are invited to a campout at Russell Park. Share in the family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon and evening. Fun Day is free and open to the public, and will conclude with a Movie in the Park. Those who stay for the overnight campout will enjoy a pancake breakfast the next day. Reserve a camp site for $15 at the recreation office at Adele Grage Cultural Center in Bull Park. Jack Russell Park / 904-247-5828 / 800 Seminole Road, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233 / coab.us Farm of Fantasy Days October 19 and 26, 10am to 2pm Kids are invited to Trick or Treat to each of the animal habitats decorated in a Fairy Tale Fantasy world. There will be games, prizes, treats, photo opportunities, tractor rides, vendors, food trucks and a bounce house. No admission or parking fees, but donations are welcome to support the animal rescue and educational activities. Suggested donation is $5 per participating person. Celestial Farms / 904-647-5265 / 13958 Duval Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / CelestialFarms.org Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Nature events.
“Hateful words stand no chance against self-worth and a little humor.” – Iskra Lawrence
EATING WELL Sugar Cookies to Make Them Howl The best way to never be afraid of ghosts? Turn them into cute little sugar cookies. These spooky ghosts will be a hit at every Halloween party and are far easier to make then they look!
trace the edge and to flood the cookie. To trace the edges you want your icing to be thick enough that it holds its shape perfectly when piped, but not so thick that you aren’t able to push it out of the piping tip easily.
Use cold sugar cookie dough. A beautiful sugar cookie has to start with a good dough that holds its shape perfectly while baking. Sugar cookie dough should be stiffer than other cookie dough. It’s also very important to chill it. If you bake the dough before chilling your cookie will lose its edges and you’ll end up with some wonky looking ghosts! Also freeze the cut out cookies for 10 minutes for extra shape security!
After piping all the edges thin the remaining icing by adding a teaspoon of milk at a time until it’s the right consistency. You don’t want it to be so thin that it’s able to run over the piped edges, but it should lose it’s shape slightly when you start piping it onto the cookie. This allows it to flood over the cookie so that there’s no defining lines in the middle of cookie, but a thin smooth surface. Let this set before piping on the faces! Practice makes perfect.
Trace the edges, then flood. Decorating sugar cookies can be a little bit tricky. A good royal icing is important and the consistency is key. It’s helpful to trace the edges of your cookies with icing and then fill in the rest by “flooding” the cookie with icing. The same royal icing can be used to INGREDIENTS FOR THE COOKIE DOUGH • 3 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface • 1 tsp. baking powder • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt • 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened • 1 c. granulated sugar • 1 large egg • 1 tbsp. milk • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract DIRECTIONS 1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 2. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar together. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until combined, then add flour mixture gradually until just combined. Shape into a disk and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour. 3. When ready to roll, preheat oven to 350º and line two large baking sheets with parchment. Lightly flour a clean work surface and roll out dough until 1/8” thick. Using a ghost cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Re-roll scraps and cut out more cookies. Transfer to prepared baking sheets and freeze for 10 minutes. 4. Bake until edges are lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Place on a wire cooling rack and let cool completely. 5. Meanwhile, make icing: In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, corn syrup, milk, and almond extract.
This is the most important step. Take your time! Expect to have a couple silly looking ghosts when perfecting your icing consistency and finding your rhythm. Don’t fret and know they will all taste just as delicious. FOR ROYAL ICING • 3 c. powdered sugar • 1/4 c. light corn syrup • 1/4 c. milk, plus more for thinning • 1/4 tsp. almond (or vanilla) extract • Black food coloring
6. Place about 1/4 of icing into a small bowl and dye black with black food coloring. 7. Place about half the white icing in a piping bag fitted with a small round tip and pipe edges around cookies. 8. Thin remaining white icing by adding 1 teaspoon milk at a time until icing runs easily on cookies, but isn’t water thin. Place icing in another piping bag with a small round tip and fill in centers of cookies. Use a toothpick to pop any air bubbles and to spread icing to help fill any gaps. Let cookies dry until icing is set, 15 minutes. 9. Place black icing in a piping bag with a small round tip and pipe eyes and mouths onto cookies.j
Things to Do
note by making your own taffy in assorted flavors. Note: Vegetarian options available. $60 per adult. Add a minor child for $35 by adding two tickets to your cart and entering the code “TacosandTaffy” in the Promo Code box on the Checkout page. Jax Cooking Studio / 904Kids’ Fall AM Cooking Series 742–5906 / 14035 Beach Boulevard, JacksonOctober 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 9am In the cooking series, all classes are extreme- ville, FL 32224 / jaxcookingstudio.com ly hands-on, and children eat what they make Caring Chefs each day. Please send reusable containers October 20, 7pm to 9:30pm for your children to take home leftovers. Caring Chefs is the First Coast’s first, biggest Cost is $42 for each individual class. Kids will learn how to be safe in the kitchen, how and best food and wine-tasting event. Each year, 1,500+ guests fill The Avenues Mall, to read and follow a recipe, how to arrange sampling cuisine and drinks from around the kitchen workplace so that all the items needed for the recipe are located and placed Northeast Florida. The area’s finest chefs, sommeliers and brewers – along with guests nearby, how to accurately measure ingrediand volunteers – come together to raise ents using measuring cups and measuring spoons and about measuring equivalents, and much-needed funds to help the community’s more. Jax Cooking Studio / 904-742–5906 children and families. Event revenue benefits CHS services, including counseling, adoptions / 14035 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL and foster care, early childhood education and 32224 / jaxcookingstudio.com Community Partnership Schools. The Avenues Mall / 904-363-3060 / 10300 Southside Rock Shrimp Festival Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.chsfl.org October 5, 9am to 6pm Families are invited for the 47th Annual St. Marys Rock Shrimp Festival presented by the Conquer Cravings and Emotional Eating Kiwanis Club of St. Marys. The parade starts October 21, 2pm to 3:30pm Certified Health Coach Kim Hynes will talk at 10am at Meeting Street and will head up about the effects of sugar and processed food Osborne Street. All other festivities will be located on St. Marys Street, and will include on the body, mindfulness, techniques to curb cravings, and more. Registration required; call vendors, music, and rock shrimp dinners. the library to save a seat. Free. Discounted tickets for the dinners will be available at the St. Marys Welcome Center in St. Johns County Public Library, Main Branch / advance of the festival. The rock shrimp din- 904-827-6940 / 1960 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd, ners will be sold from 11am - 4:30pm, or un- St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.sjcpls.org til sold out, so arrive early. There will also an early morning 5K/10K at 7:30am. Registra- School Food Expo - Highlands Middle tion for the race starts at $20. Address below School • October 30, 5pm to 7pm Parents are invited to learn more about their is for reference only. St. Marys Waterfront Park / 912-882-4000 / 100 W St Marys St, St. student’s school dining program, sample menu items, meet the culinary team, enter to win Marys, GA 31558 / www.smkiwanis.com prizes, and more. Duval County Public Schools will be hosting several events in various Family Cooking: Tacos and Taffy regions throughout the district, so keep an eye October 17, 6pm to 8:30pm out for a School Food Expo near you. School’s out the next day, so start the weekend early by enjoying cooking with your Highlands Middle School / 904-696-8771 / 10913 Pine Estates Rd E, Jacksonville, FL family. In this fun, hands-on class, participants will be making tacos and taffy. Start by 32218 / dcps.duvalschools.org making from-scratch tortillas; then prepare Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of traditional fillings, salsa, and avocado crema Eating Well Events. to fill the tacos. Finish the evening on a sweet
Eating Well
Makinze Gore, delish.com
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 7
EATING WELL
Proper Sports Nutrition for Young Athletes
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hat should my child eat and drink to gain a competitive edge? Often parents, who have been bombarded with conflicting messages about nutrition with regard to weight management in particular, are misinformed about what foods their children require for the demands of athletic competition. Eating the right foods cannot make your child a superstar athlete, but can make the most of natural abilities.
cookies, soda and juices, offer carbohydrate-rich foods such as pasta, rice, wholegrain cereals/crackers, whole-grain breads, tortillas, bagels, low-fat muffins, granola bars, pretzels, yogurt, soy/almond/cow’s milk and whole fruits.
Protein – the building block While protein is important for building muscle, proper immune function, and hormone production, excess protein that replaces Energy – calories consumed vs. calories much-needed carbohydrate can actually expended impair performance. Young athletes get all the protein they need when eating a carbohyAccording to the Dietary Reference Intakes, active pre-teen females (ages 6 to 12) require drate-rich, well-balanced and varied diet. anywhere from 1600 to 2200 calories per day, Protein-shakes and supplements are not while males of the same age-range need 1800 necessary. to 2400 calories per day. Luckily, most young Fat – not too much, but not too little athletes will naturally increase their food Some fat in the diet is necessary for good intake to accommodate the day-to-day nutrient needs. health and is also used as a source of energy during exercise and recovery. Healthy fats can be found in nuts and seeds, peanut butter, Carbohydrates – the competitive edge olive oil, canola oil (including trans-free While many adults shun carbohydrates in the margarine) and fatty fish, like salmon. battle of the bulge, carbohydrates are the cornerstone of the athlete’s diet because they Unhealthy fats (also called saturated fats) can provide the main source of fuel for working be found in whole-milk dairy products and fatty meats; the tropical oils – coconut oil, muscles. Instead of sugary carbs such as
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 8
calcium, especially with endurance athletes, female endurance runners in particular. Iron-rich foods include fortified breads, cereals palm or palm kernel oil; and trans-fats, which and grains; lean meats and poultry; dark green are found in many commercially-prepared vegetables; and beans, nuts and legumes. foods – anything with “partially hydrogenated” Calcium-rich foods include low fat milk, listed on the ingredient label. yogurt, cheese, fortified soy milk, and dark green leafy vegetables. Hydration – morning, noon and night Child athletes have special fluid needs due, in Eat often – pre-exercise, during exercise, part, to the fact that they respond differently to post-exercise exercise than adults. For example, children Active children need to eat often to fuel their have a lower sweat rate and a greater relative bodies for physical activity – a small meal or body surface area, so they produce more heat, snack every 3 to 4 hours is a good rule. Pay but are not as efficient at transferring this heat particular attention to pre-exercise snacks to from the working muscles to the skin. help provide fuel, as well as the post-exercise Encourage your child to drink water throughsnack or meal to help speed recovery. The out the day. For endurance exercise and pre-exercise snack should be high in carbohyhigh-intensity exercise lasting for more than drate and lower in protein, fat and fiber, such 60 minutes, sports drinks containing carbohy- as granola bars, dry cereal, dried or fresh drate (sugar) and electrolytes (sodium and fruits, pretzels, or a raisin bagel. The post-expotassium) are recommended. It is important ercise snack or meal should give a moderate to replenish electrolytes while exercising in the dose of protein in addition to help maximize heat. glycogen stores and repair muscle damage. Ideas include Greek-style yogurt and a Vitamins and Minerals – micro-nutrients banana, turkey and cheese sandwich, or are a big deal Physically active children typically come closer spaghetti with lean meat sauce. j to meeting their requirements for vitamins and minerals than their non-athlete counterparts. The exceptions to this may be iron and
Aurea Thompson RDN, CSP, LDN Pediatric Nutrition Specialist Wolfson Children’s Hospital
HEALTH & SAFETY
Babies and Toddlers the most Common Victims of Dog Bites
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ogs are members of the family, which means they’re often invited to family cookouts, parties and other social gatherings. Despite all those Instagram photos of dogs donning human clothing, health and child safety experts remind the public that dogs are, in fact, animals, and even the friendliest Fido can bite. When bark isn’t worse than bite In 2018, there were 317 children and teens under 18 seen in Baptist Health emergency departments for dog bites. Of those, 147 were seen at Wolfson Children’s Hospital and 113 were seen at Baptist and Wolfson Children’s freestanding emergency departments. July was the month with the highest number of dog bites, followed by December. “There’s more exposure between kids and dogs during those times of the year,” said Cynthia Dennis, RN, injury prevention and Safe Kids Northeast Florida coordinator at THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. “During the holidays and the summer, kids are out of school. When the weather’s nicer, kids and dogs are outside together.” ‘There was blood everywhere’ After nearly a year, only a scar remains under Copal Lipnosky’s right eye. Copal and his mother, Sarah Peters, had spent that August afternoon at the beach in St. Augustine. While Peters started to prepare a barbecue, Copal went to help care for a neighbor’s dog. When he put his head inside the dog’s kennel to retrieve the water bowl, the dog bit his face.
“A great day can turn into a medical emergency so fast,” Peters said. A loaded gun Nick Poulos, MD, medical director of the Wolfson Children’s Pediatric Trauma Center and a pediatric surgeon for Nemours Children’s Specialty Care, said all children are vulnerable to dog bites, but the most common ages of victims are between infancy and 2 or 3 years old. Because toddlers are usually around the same height as a dog’s face, he typically sees injuries to the face and neck areas. “Dogs are animals. Even though they’re the family dog and you love them, when an adult leaves the room the dog is in charge,” Dr. Poulos said. “You wouldn’t leave a loaded gun in the room with your toddler; the same should be said about leaving your child alone with your dog.” Be a tree Safe Kids Northeast Florida urges parents and children to follow the Dos and Don’ts of dog bites. DO • Ask for permission from the dog’s owner before reaching to touch it. • Offer the dog your hand to sniff and pet the side or chest of the dog rather than its head. • Stay away from loose, unsupervised dogs that are wandering around. • If a dog approaches you that seems aggressive, slowly back away or “act like a tree” by folding your arms, standing still and avoiding eye contact.
DON’T “He had a big gash on his face and blood • Leave a baby or small child alone with a everywhere,” Peters said. “I was terrified. It dog, ever. was so scary to see. But the weird part was he • Tease a dog by pretending to take its toys or wasn’t crying, he was in shock and he didn’t treats, or pretending to hit or kick it. understand. I don’t even think he felt it.” • Bother a dog when it is eating, sleeping or in its crate. While Peters initially took Copal to a local hospital, she made the decision to bring him to • Pull a dog’s tail or ears, or climb or ride on a dog. Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the region’s only • Don’t run away from an aggressive dog. The state-designated Pediatric Trauma Center. sudden motion may startle it. j There, a team of pediatric emergency medicine specialists with Emergency Resources Group and pediatric maxillofacial surgeons Juliette Allen. Safe Kids Northeast Florida, led by The Players Center for Child Health, is with the UF College of Medicine – Jacksondedicated to child injury prevention and offer a ville, rushed to repair the damage on Copal’s range of programs to keep your kids injuface. ry-free. To learn more call 904-202-4302.
Things to Do Health & Safety
The Great Inflatable Race October 5, 9am to 12noon The Great Inflatable Race is a fun run with inflatable obstacles spread throughout the running course. Wave times are available from 9am through 11am. Registration fees are $75, with discounts for early registration available. Parking at the Equestrian Center is $5 at packet pickup and /$10 day of event. Additional pass must be purchased for the Inflatable Village. Passes can be purchased during checkout or at the race. A portion of proceeds from the race will benefit Fur Sisters and Swamp Haven Rescue. Jacksonville Equestrian Center / 13611 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32221 / thegreatinflatablerace.com Love My Heart Walk-a-thon October 5, 8am to 12noon The Love My Heart Walk-a-thon will be held at Ed Austin Regional Park. The event is held in memory of Dajah Thompson, a local high school student who passed away recently from Sudden Cardiac Death, due to an enlarged heart. Despite annual sports physicals, the condition went undetected. Only an EKG or echocardiogram would have diagnosed the condition, but those are not part of a routine sports physial. Thompson’s family has partnered with SafeBeat, a national initiative that establishes local and regional preventative heart screenings in an effort to prevent sudden death in youth and create a healthier generation throughout America’s public middle/high school systems. This event will bring awareness to preventive heart care, and raise money for Safebeat in order to provide heart screenings to athletes at a low cost to families. In addition to the walk-a-thon, there will be games, food trucks, vendors, and more. Event registration starts at $20/person, with team registration available. Ed Austin Regional Park / 904-572-8624 / 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / safebeat.org Game On! Ponte Vedra Triathlon October 13, 7am The Ponte Vedra Triathlon will be hosted at Mickler’s Landing and will include an Olympic distance Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike as well as the Sprint Triathlon and Sprint Duathlon. The swim will take place in the Atlantic Ocean, with the bike course taking you south on A1A through the GTM Research Reserve. Finish with a run north on Ponte Vedra Blvd.
This is a USAT sanctioned event. Registration starts at $110. Mickler’s Landing Beachfront Park / 1109 Ponte Vedra Boulevard, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / gameonraceevents.com Healthy Kids Running Series Sundays, October 13, 20, 4pm The Healthy Kids Running Series is a five (5) week running program for kids from Pre-K to 8th grade. Each HKRS Series takes place once a week and offers age appropriate running events including the 50 & 75 yard dashes, the 1/4 mile, the 1/2 mile and the one mile run. Kids compete each week for a chance to earn points. At the end of the series, boys and girls, who accumulate the most points in their respective distances are awarded trophies. All participants receive a medal on Week 5. Be sure to have your kids wear tennis shoes, and bring a water bottle. Registration is $40. Losco Regional Park / 904-248-0539 / 10931 Hood Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32257 / healthykidsrunningseries.org Student-Athlete Safety: Head, Heart and Heat • October 14, 6pm to 7pm Attendees will learn from local experts how to best protect their student-athlete. Topics include hydration, concussions, heart health, and strategies to prevent additional risk. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. Paxon School For Advanced Studies / 904-390-2960 / 3239 Norman E Thagard Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32254 / dcps.duvalschools.org Family and Friends CPR Class October 28, 6:30pm to 9pm This American Heart Association course “Friends and Family CPR” will give you hands on practice for CPR/AED (automatic external defibrillator) and choke-saving skills for infant and child. Adult CPR will also be demonstrated by instructors. In addition to CPR, this class will cover injury prevention tips and child safety. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, babysitter or friend this single session will provide you with the skills that can turn a life threatening situation into a lifesaving one. Cost is $30. Baptist Medical Center Beaches / 904-202-2229 / 1350 13th Avenue South, Jacksonville, FL 32250 / www.baptistjax.com
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Health & Safety Events.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 9
HEALTH & SAFETY Safer Lock Keeps Medicines Secure
“I
t all started in 2002 when my mother was in a serious car accident that put her in a wheelchair for almost two years. She endured over 34 operations—to her back, neck, shoulder, and knees, and her doctors prescribed some pretty powerful pain killers. My younger brother Steven, then 14, couldn’t resist experimenting, which was common in our high school. Our mom started to suspect something was going on, and she began hiding her pills in other containers,” says Joseph Simpson, co-founder of Safer Lock. Steven, denied his mom’s pills, eventually developed a heroin addiction. “It consumed every part of his day for two or three years,” says Joseph. Steven’s low points included dropping out of school and stealing from family and friends.
Lock, an easy-to-use medicine bottle cap designed to prevent unauthorized access to powerful medications. The cap has a four-digit lock that can be set to a patient’s preference, with 10,000 possible combinations. The medications inside can only be accessed if you know the four-digit code.
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They also developed The Safer Lock medicine box that lets you store all of your prescription and OTC medications in one secure place, and assists in protecting your family from accidental poisoning or medicine misuse. For parents with babies and small children, a medicine lock box is a vital part of childproofing your home.
The Safer Lock Medicine Box is made from The initial tragedy—Deborah Simpson’s sturdy food-grade plastic and locks with a devastating injuries—gave birth to Steven’s 4-digit combination of your choosing. The chemical dependency on opioids – first, pain Safer Lock medicine lock box is 5.5” wide, pills and then heroin. “Fortunately, Steven real- 3.3” deep, and 3” in height. This gives you ized he had a problem. Slowly, he beat his plenty of space to store all your medications, addiction but faces a constant battle to stay not just prescriptions. drug-free.” Safer Lock products are available at saferlockTo help others avoid this, Joseph and fellow rx.com and Amazon.com. j inventor Nathan Langley went through seven generations of prototypes to develop the Safer
AN SK FILMS RELEASE OF AN ARISE MEDIA /ARCHIPELAGO FILMS PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH RECONSIDER FEATURING ANNIE FABIAN BOBBY AXELROD ANDREW YOUNG & SUSAN TODD BY CALEIGH BARKER EDITED SOUND DIRECTOR OF WRITTEN STORY ORIGINAL MUSIC BY GIL TALMI BY JIM ISLER & LINCOLN ATHAS DESIGN BY BRIAN EIMER PHOTOGRAPHY ANDREW YOUNG BY ANDREW YOUNG & SUSAN TODD BY ANDREW YOUNG SUSAN TODD & WENDY MACKEIGAN SUPERVISING EXECUTIVE DIRECTED LINE PRODUCED PRODUCER KATHY E. RUOPP PRODUCER MYLES CONNOLLY BY SUSAN TODD & ANDREW YOUNG PRODUCERS JONATHAN BARKER SEAN B. CARROLL & STEPHEN APKON BY ANDREW YOUNG & SUSAN TODD NARRATED
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Keep Halloween Safe K
ids love the magic of Halloween: Trick-or-treating, classroom parties and trips to a neighborhood haunted house. But for moms and dads, often there is a fine line between Halloween fun and safety concerns, especially when it comes to road and pedestrian safety.
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alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups. Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours. When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls. Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings. j
Here’s a scary statistic: Children are more than 5. twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. 6. In 2017, October ranked No. 2 in motor vehicle deaths by month, with 3,700. July is No. 1, 7. with 3,830 deaths. 8. Top Tips 1. Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, 9. choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible. 2. Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. nsc.org 3. Children under the age of 12 should not be
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 10
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SPECIAL NEEDS “Hyde and EEK!” Costumes a Step Ahead
B
y far the coolest part of Target’s Hyde pirate, princess and unicorn. The pirate ship and EEK! Halloween Boutique options are and princess carriage matching wheelchair the adaptive costume options for kids with covers are sold separately. disabilities and/or sensory issues. It’s the brand’s latest step toward inclusivity and awareness, and it’s awesome.
“Based on the response to our Cat & Jack adaptive apparel and Pillowfort sensory-friendly home items, we know that design details can have a huge impact,” a Target spokesperson said. “We’re now bringing that spirit of inclusivity to our new Hyde and EEK! Boutique kids’ adaptive Halloween costumes, which we hope will bring more ease and joy to our guests’ everyday lives.” Currently, there are four different adaptive costumes – a shark,
JACKSONVILLE WALK SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2019 THE AVENUES MALL
REGISTER TODAY AT AutismSpeaksWalk.org
Back in 2017, Target offered it first series of adaptive clothing and sensory-friendly items through their Cat & Jack line. Earlier this year, the brand came out with its first sensory-friendly furniture line, too. All of their adaptive clothing items (costumes included) include thoughtful details like flat seams, no tags, and easier closures when needed. j scarymommy.com
Things to Do Special Needs Events
UF Jax CARD: First Work-Then Play October 3, 5pm to 6pm The UF Health Jacksonville Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) and Florida Diagnostic Learning & Resources System Multidisciplinary Center (FDLRS-MDC) hosts this collaborative skill development program. First Work-Then Play will introduce participants to a variety of pre-academic, vocational, and leisure based skills through the use of shoebox activities. Each group is facilitated by CARD and FDLRS-MDC clinicians who are trained to work with students diagnosed with autism, intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, speech and/or language impairment. UF Health Neurodevelopmental Pediatric Center / 904-633-0917 / 6271 Saint Augustine Road suite 1, Jacksonville, FL 32217 / firstworkthenplay.eventbrite.com
the facility more sensory-friendly. Available on the 1st Monday of each month from 3pm to 5pm from September – May. Access is for 2 hours of time on the trampolines and/or ninja course. One parent/caretaker/therapist is admitted for free with each sensory friendly participant $10 paid admission. Bravoz Jump socks are required for anyone going out on the trampolines. Jump socks are available for $2 per pair and are reusable on future visits. Bravoz / 904-373-6386 / 14985 Old Saint Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / bravoz.com
All Abilities Night at iFLY Jacksonville October 7, 5pm All Abilities Night at iFLY is a unique event that makes the dream of flight a reality for those in the special needs community. This program has been custom designed for those with physical and cognitive challenges to create an environment of support and inclusion, while focusing on making what seems impossible, possible. For more details and to reserve your spot, contact iFLY at 904-712-3388 or sales@iflyjacksonville. Jumpstreet Special Needs Event com. Everyone in the special needs commuOctober 5, 9am nity is welcome to participate. Event package Jumpstreet hosts a special event for children includes a pre-flight training session, and all with special needs and their siblings. The the necessary flight gear (suit, helmet, gogsemi-private event will be held the first Satgles). Each flyer will be assisted by specially urday of the month. From 9am to 10am, the event is private; from 10am to 11am, the event trained Flight Instructors during the event with is open to the public. Cost is $8 for children 5 extra attention and accommodations based on participant needs. Each flyer receives 2 flights (1 and up; $4 for children 4 and under. Parents/ minute each) for $39.95 and a free video. guardians are free. Jumpstreet / 904-8535721 / 1214 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, FL iFLY / 904-712-3388 / 10579 Brightman Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.iflyworld.com 32250 / www.gotjump.com 27th Annual CARD Conference 2020 Scholarship Deadline • October 4 On January 17-19, 2020, the 27th Annual CARD Conference will be held in Orlando, FL at the Florida Hotel and Conference Center. The conference will offer a series of breakout sessions and keynote presentations by experts in the field of autism and related disabilities. The University of Florida - Jacksonville, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities is offering several scholarships to parents and educators who would like to attend the Annual CARD Conference. Interested individuals should complete the application and follow the directions carefully. They are looking for individuals who can attend the conference and then bring back knowledge to share with others. Applicants who have been awarded a scholarship will need to register for the conference and make their own travel and accommodation arrangements. Following the conference, you will need to submit your receipts and then you will be reimbursed by the university for up to $500 of your conference-related expenses. For more information contact autumn.mauch@jax.ufl.edu. UF Center for Autism and Related Disabilities / 904-633-0801 / hscj.ufl.edu Sensory Friendly Night October 7, 3pm to 5pm Bravoz, in partnership with Reaching Milestones, offers Sensory Friendly Nights. During Sensory Friendly Nights, the music is turned off and the distractions are dialed down to make
Grand Opening at Lake Gray Invo Behavior and Therapy • October 12, 11am to 2pm Trick or treating can be challenging for those with autism or other developmental delays. Join Invo as they open their doors and welcome families to practice for the big night. Costumes welcome but not required. Activities include trick or treating, pumpkin painting, story station, character visits with Woody and Elsa, craft station, face painting, sensory station, Joel Pace music, and more. Free, but please register so they know how many to plan for. Invo Behavior & Therapy - Lake Gray / 800-3564049 / 6196 Lake Gray Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32244 / www.invocompanies.com Jacksonville Autism Speaks Walk October 20, 9:30am Autism Speaks Walk is the world’s largest autism fundraising event dedicated to improving the lives of people with autism. Autism Speaks Walk is powered by the love of people with autism and the parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, relatives and providers who support them. The event will be held at the Avenues Mall, at the VisionWorks Entrance. Registration begins at 8:30am, with opening ceremonies at 9:30am. Avenues Mall / 407-478-6330 / 10300 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / act.autismspeaks.org
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Special Needs events.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 11
INFANT & TODDLER
Success in Preschool Is in the Numbers
shape, such as a square, would look like if you broke it in half and changed its orientation.
Seeing patterns Another skill that may seem less directly f you’re a parent of a preschooler, you need to master counting aloud from one to 10 math-related is making and understanding might be wondering how you can help set and beyond and learn to identify written patterns – sequences that follow a rule. your child up for success once they enter numbers like 2 and 4. Simple repeating patterns are especially kindergarten. appropriate. They follow a rule that one part In addition, little kids should realize that each of the sequence repeats over and over again. By now, you have probably heard of the number word and symbol represents a For example, in a red-blue-red-blue-red-blue importance of reading and talking to your child specific quantity of objects. That is, the spoken pattern, that part is red-blue. to support their language and literacy skills. word “four” and the written number 4 are the You may have even made reading, talking and same as four cookies or four apples. They Supporting math skills at home learning the ABCs part of your daily routine. need to know that they can count to determine When families of young children do everyday how many of something is in a set. activities that support early math at home, But did you know that you can also support they tend to focus on number-related activities your child’s math learning during everyday They are also beginning to understand the related to directly teaching counting and interactions at home? concepts of addition and subtraction, even if naming numbers. they cannot do the math by themselves. And We conduct research that aims to define the they need to start seeing which numbers are For the best results, branch out. You can broad array of early skills that support bigger or smaller than others. support number skills through playing board mathematical thinking. Our goal is to get games and card games. Classic board games parents more familiar with the important role Where the things are like Chutes and Ladders help children learn to they can play as their child’s first teacher to They also need to develop spatial skills to get recognize written numbers on the spaces and lay the groundwork for learning math. ready to learn math. Examples include remem- spinners. They also help children see bering and reproducing a series of events, numbers laid out in order, enabling them to 1=one=an apple such as where and in what order different better tell which of two numbers is bigger. Young children need to develop several parts of a toy light up. A different type of Playing cards are especially helpful for different number skills. For instance, they spatial skill allows kids to imagine what a learning to recognize written numbers and
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counting and labeling sets of objects, such as all the spades or diamonds. Additionally, simple card games like War can encourage them to directly compare the size of numbers side by side. Cards can also lay the groundwork for learning subtraction when kids try to compare card quantities more exactly. For example, the 5 of hearts has two more hearts than the 3 of hearts. Preschoolers can learn even harder patterning tasks. These include replicating patterns with different materials. Given a model pattern of alternating red and blue Legos, children can make the same alternating pattern using orange and green buttons or other items you happen to have handy. Children can also use their pattern skills to get more adept with numbers. For example, see if they can count off odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. Explain that the rule of the pattern is either adding 2 each time or skipping the next number. j Erica Zippert, Postdoctoral and Bethany Rittle-Johnson, Professor, Vanderbilt University theconversation.com
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INFANT & TODDLER
SIDS Campaign Working, Cause Still Not Known
T
he Safe to Sleep campaign has helped educate millions of caregivers—parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, child care providers, health care providers, and others—about ways to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes of infant death.
Through outreach activities, collaborations, and partnerships, Safe to Sleep has helped to spread safe sleep messages to millions of people in communities throughout the world. In addition, research supported and conducted by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) has broadened our scientific understanding of SIDS. In 1994, the NICHD—in partnership with the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, the SIDS Alliance (now First Candle), and the Association of SIDS and Infant Mortality Programs—launched the campaign to educate parents and caregivers about ways to reduce the risk of SIDS. We have made great progress in reducing SIDS. The largest decline in SIDS rates occurred between 1992 and 1999. Between 1994, when the Safe to Sleep campaign started, and 1999, the overall SIDS rate in the United States dropped by more than 50%. During that same time period, the rates of back sleeping more than doubled.
death. By providing information about safe sleep environment and other health issues for infants, the campaign aims to reduce the rates of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), including SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death. Even taking into account the change in classification, African American and American Indian/Alaska Native babies are at higher risk for SIDS based on their numbers within the U.S. Since the start of the campaign, SIDS rates in the United States have decreased by almost 50%, both overall and within various racial/ ethnic groups. However, SIDS remains the leading cause of death for U.S. infants 1 month to 1 year of age. Some populations are also at high risk for SIDS. So the campaign collaborators and its partners still have work to do. Research shows parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths by doing the following: • Place your baby on his or her back for all sleep times—naps and at night. • Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety=approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet. • Keep your baby’s sleep area (for example, a crib or bassinet) in the same room where you sleep until your baby is at least 6 months old, or ideally, until your baby is 1 year old.
While SIDS rates were declining and then sta• Keep soft bedding such as blankets, bilizing, rates of other sleep-related causes of pillows, bumper pads, and soft toys out of infant death—such as “accidental suffocation your baby’s sleep area. or strangulation in bed”—were increasing. Several recent studies suggest that much of • Do not cover your baby’s head or allow the decrease in SIDS rates since 1999 might your baby to get too hot. Signs your baby be explained by changes in classification of may be getting too hot include sweating or cause of death. Some deaths that were once his or her chest feels hot. classified as SIDS were now being classified as other causes of death, such as accidental There is no certain way to prevent SIDS, but suffocation or other ill-defined and unspecified there are ways to reduce the risk and other causes. sleep-related infant deaths. October is SIDS Awareness Month, see safetosleep.nichd.nih. This shift in classification is one of severgov and CDC.gov for more information. j al reasons the Safe to Sleep collaborators expanded the focus of the campaign to include other sleep-related causes of infant
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 14
Things to Do Infant & Toddler
Peppa Pig Live! • October 1, 6pm Peppa Pig Live! will be on stage featuring your favorite characters as life size puppets and costume characters in her new show, Peppa Pig’s Adventure. Tickets start at $29.50 and are available online. VIP tickets are also available for an extra fee. Florida Theatre / 904-355-5661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com Baby 101 - Let’s Talk Baby October 5, 4pm to 6pm Orange Park Medical Center hosts a parent preparedness class that will enhance your knowledge and understanding of the newest member of your family. The event is free, but please register so they know how many to expect. Held in classroom 2. Orange Park Medical Center / 904-639-8500 / 2001 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073 / orangeparkmedical.com Baby Shark Live! • October 7, 6pm Baby Shark, the YouTube hit song, comes to the Florida Theatre with its first full theatrical show. Ticket prices range from $29.50 to $55.50 with Meet and Greet tickets also available. The Baby Shark Meet & Greet upgrade features access to an after-show Meet & Greet photo opportunity with Baby Shark and Pinkfong along with an exclusive Baby Shark souvenir bag. Florida Theatre / 904-355-5661 / 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / floridatheatre.com Empowered Birth October 8, 15, 6pm to 8:15pm This two part childbirth education class series is full of evidence based information that will help you feel educated, empowered, and at peace with the natural process of birth. It will also equip you and your partner with everything you need to achieve the calm, peaceful, positive birth experience you desire. Focusing on evidence based research, birth options & risk as well as comfort and relaxation techniques, this class will empower you in birth. Reserve your spot online in advance. The cost for the two part class is $200. Bay & Bee, Bartram / 904-637-0692 / 120 Everest Ln Suite 1, St. Johns, FL 32259 / www.jaxflbirthservices.com
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list Infant & Toddler Events.
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Open Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Ages 6 weeks – 5 years ■ ■ ■ ■
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$200 OFF Coupon
Receive $25.00 off a week for 8 weeks New full time enrollments only! Two week notice voids offer. One coupon per family. Multiple discounts not allowed. Must present coupon when enrolling. Expires 10/25/19.
Call today for a tour!
Intracoastal 904-641-5273
11761 Beach Blvd. # 13 Lic #C04DU370
Southside 904-997-1971
8595 Beach Blvd. # 201 Lic #C04DU369
Ponte Vedra 904-551-2614
11300 US HWY 1 North
Gate Parkway 904-538-0900
Lic #C07SJ0127
11526 Lake Meade Ave #105 Lic #C04DU1135
Arlington 904-807-9191
3033 Monument Road #21 Lic #C04DU0806
Quality Preschool and Childcare www.TsLearningCenter.com
INFANT & TODDLER
Things to Do Infant & Toddler
Baby/Toddler Little Ones Classes Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23, 30, 10:15am to 10:40am Baby & Toddler Times are for children up to 18 months of age. There will be songs, stories, and more. St. Johns County Public Library System Anastasia Island Branch / 904-209-3730 / 124 Seagrove Main Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080 / www.sjcpls.org Breastfeeding 101 Class October 10, 6:30pm to 9pm Breastfeeding is a learned art for mother and baby. Certified lactation counselors or IBCLC’s will teach you the key elements to get breastfeeding off to the very best start. Topics include babies feeding cues, proper latch and position, how long and how often to feed, signs that baby is getting enough, and breastfeeding for working mothers. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers. Since family support is so important, it is strongly encouraged for dad, grandmother or another support person to
attend at no additional charge. Expectant parents are encouraged to register for classes early, as space is limited. Cost is $30. You do not have to be a Baptist Health patient to attend. Held in the Azalea Room. Baptist Medical Center South / 904-202-2229 / 14550 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258 / www.baptistjax.com Preschool: Beyond the ABCs October 24, 6pm to 7pm Learning letter names is an important skill to know in preschool. However, there are many important skills that go beyond the ABCs. Being able to manipulate letter sounds, recognize words, as well as understanding the connection between reading and writing is vital to becoming a strong reader. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. S.P. Livingston Primary Learning Center / 904390-2960 / 1128 Barber St, Jacksonville, FL 32209 / dcps.duvalschools.org
Save $4 on Tickets! Use offer code: J4K4
Oct 26 – 27
Times-Union Center Moran Theater
Not valid on Front Row / VIP Premium Seating. Valid all performances. Limit 8 tickets per order. Additional fees apply.
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list Infant & Toddler Events.
Episcopal Children’s Services Free Child Care Resource & Referral (904) 726-1500 • (800) 238-3463 www.ecs4kids.org Child Care Resource and Referral Services can help your family by providing: • A customized list of local child care options from our trained specialists. • Information about quality child care and early learning programs • Financial assistance strategies and opportunities • Referrals to other community resources and programs.
Early Learning Coalition North Florida
Helping Children. Helping Families.
Kids really do say the funniest things! Please share your favorites with us by e-mailing your story directly to editor@jax4kids.com. One entry each month will be turned into a cartoon to be published in the next issue of Jax4Kids. We’ll send you the original cartoon as a keepsake.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 15
EDUCATION
Get Set to Be an Astronaut
A
re you ready to experience what life is like outside of Earth and its atmosphere? There’s no other job where you can find yourself quite as far above the Earth as that of an astronaut. From the Moon landings to the Mars One project, astronauts have become synonymous with adventure, exploration and endeavor. The Jacksonville Museum of Science & History (MOSH) hosts an interactive and hands-on exhibition, Astronaut, that explores the physical and mental challenges involved in space exploration and the importance of science in space. The exhibition, which opened Sept. 14, is di-
vided into three zones. There is a training zone where visitors can experience some of the challenges involved in becoming an astronaut, a rocket launch that simulates blast off and a space lab where life and science in space is explored. Through interactive exhibits, visitors can experience g-force, conduct maintenance on a space station, grow space food and learn the realities of showering, sleeping and using the bathroom in space. “Astronaut is a really unique exhibition because it reveals all the stages of becoming a space explorer,” said MOSH curator Paul Bourcier. “From training, to blasting off and living in space, Astronaut investigates the day-to-day activities alongside the unique science conducted in space, exposing a reality not often shown. There’s so much for the entire family to experience, enjoy, learn and be surprised by!” Astronaut also focuses on team work to solve problems, accurately perform tasks and over-
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 16
come challenges such as communicating with mission control, monitoring damage to your space craft or landing a capsule. Visitors can come and test their grip strength in special gloves that mimic a pressurized spacesuit, or they can work together to launch a space mission smoothly. Astronaut is created by Scitech and produced by Imagine Exhibitions. The traveling exhibition is supported locally by Jax4Kids, City of Jacksonville, Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs. The exhibition is on display through January 4, 2020 and is included with Museum admission. For tickets and more information, visit theMOSH.org or call 904.396.MOSH (6674). j
Join us any or everyday as your primary preschool or complement to other programs.
50% off
• School readiness • Socialization • Active, hands-on Family Registration learning ($20.00 value) • Parent-teacher Expires 11/1/19. communication No cash value. • Flexible Schedule • The Arts enrichment and Science
www.kidspark.com
Fun private parties. Hourly childcare days, evenings and weekends.
Come in for a tour! In Jacksonville - For ages 2 -12 Tinseltown 9726 Touchton Rd. #111 (904) 683-4554 License #C04DU0978
EDUCATION
Scholarship Program Aims to Give Hope T he Hope Scholarship Program passed by the state legislature last year provides a public-school student who was subjected to an incident of violence or bullying at school the opportunity to apply for a scholarship to attend an eligible private school rather than remain in an unsafe school environment.
Anyone who purchases or registers a motor vehicle qualifying for the Hope Scholarship Program in Florida may designate $105 of the state sales tax due at the time of purchase or registration to an eligible nonprofit scholarship-funding organization participating in the program. Motor vehicle dealers, private tag agencies, and county tax collectors are required to provide a contribution election form to each purchaser or registrant of a qualified motor vehicle. If the purchaser or registrant chooses not to contribute, the form does not need to be completed or retained. The dealer, agency, or county tax collector receiving the contribution must remit the contribution directly to the designated nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. If you have questions about the contribution remittance process, contact the designated nonprofit scholarship-funding organization. Each of the scholarship funding organizations below is approved to administer the Hope Scholarship, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, the
09.14 .19 — 01.0 4 . 2 0
Gardiner Scholarship and the Reading Scholarship Programs. Please contact the organization to determine the programs they administer.
CREATED BY
A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation-Fl, LLC P.O. Box 15719, Tampa, FL 33684 Phone/Fax: 888-707-2465 info@aaascholarships.org PRODUCED BY
Step Up For Students P.O. Box 54367 Jacksonville, FL 32245-4367 877-735-7837 info@stepuoforstudents.org Those receiving the Hope Scholarship can choose financial assistance toward private school tuition and fees, or receive assistance with transportation to a public school in another school district.
SPONSORED BY:
The scholarship option to attend an eligible, participating private school will cover published tuition and fees up to $6,519 for kindergarten – fifth grade, $6,815 for sixth – eighth grade and $7,111 for ninth – 12th grade for the 2018-19 school year OR the school’s total tuition and fees, whichever is less. The student will remain on scholarship (depending on available funding) until the student returns to public school or graduates from high school, whichever occurs first. j floridarevenue.com
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 17
EDUCATION
Tips for Successful Note Taking 1. Do take notes Students who take notes during a lesson achieve more than those who listen to the lesson without note taking. This is because the act of note taking staves off boredom and focuses attention on lesson ideas more than listening without taking notes.
may say an important point louder or softer than less important points, repeat the point or pause afterward for effect.
The primary value of note taking, though, is more in the product than the process, more in the reviewing than the recording. Students who record and then review notes almost always achieve more than students who record but do not review notes.
Recent research has shown a third R-step: revision, which occurs between record and review.
2. Take complete notes The more notes students record the higher their achievement. But many students are incomplete note takers, usually recording just one-third of important lesson ideas in notes. Incomplete note taking is perhaps due to human limitations. Lecture rates fall between 120 to 180 words per minute, but most people can only write or type a fraction of those words per minute. 3. Take detailed notes Students are actually fairly successful noting a lesson’s main ideas. They falter when noting a lesson’s vital details. Suppose, for instance, an instructor says: “Short-term memory has a limited capacity (level 1). Its capacity is just seven items (level 2). Capacity can be increased by chunking information into smaller bits (level 3). For example, a 10-digit phone number can be chunked into three smaller bits, 560-642-1894, and easily held in short-term memory (level 4).” In one study that examined missing details, students noted about 80% of a lesson’s main ideas (level 1) but progressively fewer subordinate details: 60% of level 2 ideas, 35% of level 3 ideas, and just 11% of level 4 ideas. Students especially omit examples from notes even though examples can be crucial to understanding lesson ideas. One study showed that students recorded just 13% of lesson examples. 4. Look for note-taking cues Students should be on the lookout for lecture cues that signal idea importance or organization and enhance note taking.
5. Revise your notes Note taking has long been considered a 2-R process: record and review.
Revision should be done soon after a lecture or even during a lecture when the instructor pauses. During revision, students should try to use existing notes to prompt the recall and addition of missing lesson ideas. 6. Replay lectures Students should take advantage of lessons posted online by viewing them more than once to maximize note taking. That’s because when students view a lesson multiple times, they record more complete notes and raise achievement. In classes where lessons are not posted online, students can ask permission to record lessons with their smartphones so that additional viewings are possible. 7. Take handwritten notes There are two reasons students should take notes longhand instead of on laptops. First, research has shown that students who use laptops in class spend considerable time multitasking, leading to curtailed note taking and lower achievement. The multitasking students reported checking mail (81%), surfing the web (43%), playing games (25%) and using laptops for other non-class purposes (35%). In all, students spend more than half a typical class period using laptops for things that have nothing to do with the class. The same study found that laptop use also distracted nearby students. Second, research has shown that laptop notes are inferior to longhand notes. Laptop notes are more verbatim than longhand notes, and verbatim note taking has been associated with shallow, non-meaningful learning. In addition, laptop note takers fail to note vital graphic information, such as graphs, charts and illustrations, which longhand note takers easily record in notes. j
Kenneth A. Kiewra, Importance cues can be verbal, such as when University of Nebraska-Lincoln an instructor says, “Note this” or “This is really theconversation.com critical.” Sometimes, it is not what is said but how it is said. For instance, an instructor
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 18
Things to Do Education Events
Educator Appreciation Days at Ripley’s Thru October 20 Ripley attractions in participating locations will offer free admission for in-state educators from September 3 – October 20, 2019. In addition, teachers can receive 50% off for up to three guests. Be sure to bring your photo ID and a pay stub; homeschool parents just need proof of homeschooling (letter of intent, homeschool ID, or verification of homeschool registration on county letterhead are acceptable forms of proof). Attractions include St Augustine Red Train Tours, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, Ripley’s Ghost Train Adventure and Bayfront Mini Golf. Ripley’s Believe It or Not! / 904-824-1606 / 19 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.ripleys.com How to Register for the 2020-2021 VPK Lottery • October 10, 6pm to 7pm Do you have a student who will be entering VPK in the 2020-2021 school year? If so, you will want to attend this training because the VPK registration process has changed. During this course, we will walk through all the required steps to enter the VPK lottery. Registration begins in January 2020. A limited number of spots will be offered to students next year. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a free family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. Duval County Public Schools District Building, Room 307 / 904-390-2960 / 1701 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / dcps.duvalschools.org Jacksonville Jaguars Learning Lab October 15, 10am to 12noon Students will receive an exciting 45-minute tour of TIAA Bank Field that will explain the history and features of the stadium; and a ticket to the Jets vs. Jaguars game on Sunday, October 27th. Students will also receive a link so their family and friends can buy discounted tickets to the game. The price is $35 per student. Contact Brian Szebenyi at 904-633-5263 or szebenyib@nfl.jaguars.com with any questions. TIAA Bank Field / 904-633-5263 / 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaguars.com Super Scientific Circus October 20, 1pm and 4pm – Regular Performances October 22, 10am and 12noon – School Time Performances
Trent the Mime and Mr. Fish use amazing circus skills involving boomerangs, bubbles, beach balls, bull whips, and magic to introduce the principles of friction, inertia, centripetal force, aerodynamics, sonic booms, air pressure, and ultraviolet light to prove science can be fun. Tickets for the regular performances range from $10 to $20. Tickets for the school time performances are $8.50. Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts / 904-632-5050 / 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.fscjartistseries.org Miss Nelson Has a Field Day October 29, 10:30am School age children are invited to a live production of Miss Nelson has a Field Day. Recommended for Grades: K-5th. General Admission tickets are $19. Thrasher Horne Center / 904-276-6815/ 283 College Drive, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.thcenter.org
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Education events.
SUPER SCIENTIFIC CIRCUS “Trent the Mime and Mr. Fish use amazing circus skills to introduce the principles of science!”
October 20 1 & 4 p.m. Times-Union Center
fscjartistseries.org
(904) 632-5000
EDUCATION
Gator Bowl Charities Scholarship Available
T
he Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence Scholarship, presented by Wells Fargo, is a $2,500 scholarship given out to four local student-athletes each year, but there is one big piece of this scholarship that
makes it different from all other scholarships. Forty-five percent of Florida’s children are not ready for kindergarten and 43 percent cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of the third grade. Additionally, studies show that children with mentors are more confident
and have fewer behavioral problems.
never forget!”
Imagine standing on the field at TIAA Bank stadium with thousands of people applauding you while you are presented your scholarship. Gator Bowl Charities makes this vision a reality through their scholarship. If you are one of the four student-athletes selected to receive this scholarship, it will be presented to you on-field, under the lights at the 75th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl which features an Southeastern Conference home team versus a Big Ten Conference, Atlantic Coast Conference, or Notre Dame visiting team. The selected scholarship recipients and their family members will receive a ticket package to the game.
Scholarship winners are selected by a group of TaxSlayer Gator Bowl committee and corporate members based on academics, athletic participation, extra-curricular activities, and community service.
2019 Gator Bowl Charities Award of Excellence recipient, Brooke Long said, “Walking onto the field to be recognized as a scholarship winner was a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll
Students can apply directly online or download a paper application at jaxsports.com/scholarship. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 11. Recipients will be selected by Dec. 6, and be awarded the scholarship on-field at the 75th Annual TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. The applicant must: • Be a senior in high school.
• Maintain a 3.0+ GPA (on an unweighted 4.0 scale) from an accredited high school in Florida’s First Coast area. • Participate in a junior varsity or varsity sport or its equivalent (dance, gymnastics, etc.) • Participate in extra-curricular activities through church, school and the community. • Pledge to remain drug-free, alcohol-free and tobacco-free. • Exhibit exemplary behavior, thereby being a good role model for peers. For additional information visit jaxsports.com/ scholarship or contact Kayla Vanderlaan at (904) 798-5998. j
“From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” – Dr. Seuss
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 19
A Shelf Full of Hauntings Coraline By Neil Gaiman The day after they moved in, Coraline went exploring.... In Coraline’s family’s new flat are twenty-one windows and fourteen doors. Thirteen of the doors open and close. The fourteenth is locked, and on the other side is only a brick wall, until the day Coraline unlocks the door to find a passage to another flat in another house just like her own.Only it’s different.
The Haunting of Hill House By Shirley Jackson The story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, the lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children By Ransom Riggs A horrific family tragedy sets 16-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. The Halloween Tree By Ray Bradbury It’s Halloween night and eight costumed boys running to meet their friend Pipkin at the haunted house outside town encounter instead the huge and cadaverous Mr. Moundshroud. As Pipkin scrambles to join them, he is swept away by a dark Something, and Moundshroud leads the boys on the tail of a kite through time and space to search the past for their friend and the meaning of Halloween. The Woman in Black By Susan Hill Set on the obligatory English moor, on an isolated causeway, the story has as its hero Arthur Kipps, an upand-coming young solicitor who has come north from London to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. The routine formalities he anticipates give way to a tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the deserted nursery, the eerie sound of a pony and trap, a child’s scream in the fog, and most dreadfully–and for Kipps most tragically, “The Woman In Black.”
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 20
EDUCATION
Step Up: Be A ReadingPal
R
eadingPals is a statewide early literacy initiative that provides volunteer mentors for students from Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) to 3rd grade who may need extra help, utilizing one-on-one or small group settings. It offers volunteers an opportunity to build meaningful relationships with young children by helping them improve their social-emotional development and early literacy skills. It is managed by The Children’s Movement of Florida. Forty-five percent of Florida’s children are not ready for kindergarten and 43 percent cannot read at a minimally proficient level by the end of the third grade. Additionally, studies show that children with mentors are more confident and have fewer behavioral problems. Programs are offered in 26 counties via 17 local United Way organizations and other community partners, with opportunities in more than 200 schools and childcare centers around the state. Mentors are provided to more than 3,000 students every year. ReadingPals volunteers are asked to commit an hour per week with their student(s) for 25+ weeks during the school year (some programs may offer a 30-minute per week or half-year option). Each school year, more than 2,300 volunteers statewide make this commitment,
and at least 40% return for another year! Once signed up through the United Way or The Children’s Movement of Florida, volunteers are connected with a regional coordinator at United Way (or other partner agency) who will provide details about participating schools in your area, volunteer time-slots, background screening, training and curriculum. The Children’s Movement of Florida is a citizen-led, non-partisan movement to educate political, business and civic leaders – and all parents of the state – about the urgent need to make the well-being and education of infants, toddlers and all other children Florida’s highest priority. The Children’s Movement has identified five areas for a first focus of special interest and action: • Access to quality health care • Screening and treatment for children with special needs • Quality pre-kindergarten opportunities • High-quality mentoring programs • High-quality support and information for parents Learn more at childrensmovementflorida.org.
j
“In the household in which I was raised, the themes were pretty simple. ‘Work hard. Don’t quit. Be appreciative, be thankful, be grateful, be respectful. Also, never whine, never complain. And always, for crying out loud, keep a sense of humor.’”
– Michael Keaton
A different way of teaching. A better way of learning. Grades middle through high school Low student to teacher ratio Standard and Honors curriculum Multi-sensory instruction Wetlands trials and outdoor classrooms McKay, Gardiner, Hope and Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarship participant Accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools
greenwoodjax.org Call for a campus tour 904-726-5000
To learn more visit our website
Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Across the Bay
by Carlos Aponte Bright, colorful illustrations bring Puerto Rico to life as one little boy travels across the bay to Old San Juan in search of a father he’s never known. (Ages 3 – 7)
The Secret Footprints
by Julia Alvarez, illustrated by Fabian Negrin Dive into the folk tale of the legendary Dominican ciguapas, human-like creatures who live underwater and only venture out at night. When one curious ciguapa girl stumbles upon a human boy who’s about her age, they slowly become friends despite their differences. (Ages 3 – 8)
1406 Kingsley Ave Suite E Orange Park, FL 32073
Jessica Grotberg (904) 729-6144
www.orangeparkartclasses.com
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peùa From the back of her Papi’s motorcycle, Daisy Ramona has a perfect view of the people and places that make her vibrant immigrant community so special. (Ages 4 – 8)
My Papi Has a Motorcycle
by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos If your family doesn’t know the life story of Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice, this picture book biography is for you! Sotomayor faced many struggles in life, but she didn’t let them stop her from achieving greatness. (Ages 5 – 8)
Waiting for the Biblioburro
by Monica Brown, illustrated by John Parra Based on a real-life traveling librarian in Columbia, a young girl feeds her need for stories while waiting for the Biblioburro’s next visit by writing her own. (Ages 5 – 8)
Create. Learn. Be Inspired.
 �
Who Was Cesar Chavez?
by Dana Meachen Rau and Who HQ, illustrated by Ted Hammond As a labor leader and civil rights activist, Mexican American Cesar Chavez was known for dedicating his life to improving the working conditions and wages of farmworkers. This biography from the popular Who Was? series tells of Chavez’s early life and the conditions that led to his push for social change. (Ages 8 – 12)
Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish
by Pablo Cartaya Based on a real-life traveling librarian in Columbia, a young girl feeds her need for stories while waiting for the Biblioburro’s next visit by writing her own. (Ages 5 – 8)
readbrightly.com
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 21
THE PARENT ACADEMY OCTOBER COURSES All courses are free of charge, and open to parents, caregivers and community members. Visit www.duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy for program descriptions, locations and to register.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Mondays in October
HOMEWORK HELP FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
The Center For Language And 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary
Tues. 10/01/19
ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN READ- Northwestern Middle School ING: GRADES 6-12
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/03/19
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF READING: GRADES K-5
Whitehouse Elementary School
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/03/19
SIX TOP INDUSTRIES FOR CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA
Duncan U. Fletcher High School 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Tues. 10/08/19
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF READING: GRADES K-5
Don Brewer Elementary School
Thurs. 10/10/19
RETIRED EDUCATOR & SUPPORT TEAM (R.E.S.T.)
Duval County Public Schools (District Building)
11:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/10/19
HOW TO REGISTER FOR THE 2020-2021 VPK LOTTERY
Duval County Public Schools (District Building)
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Mon. 10/14/19
STUDENT-ATHLETE SAFETY: HEAD, HEART, AND HEAT
Paxon School For Advanced Studies
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tues. 10/15/19
ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN READ- Jacksonville Beach Elementary ING: GRADES 3-5 School
5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
Tues. 10/15/19
STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MATH STUDENT
Highlands Middle School
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/17/19
EXPLORING ELEMENTARY MATH MODELS
R. L. Brown Gifted And Talented 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. Academy
Thurs. 10/24/19
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF READING: GRADES K-5
Hyde Park Elementary School
Thurs. 10/24/19
ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN READ- Bartram Springs Elementary ING: GRADES 3-5 School
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/24/19
PRESCHOOL: BEYOND THE ABCs
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
S.P. Livingston Primary Learning Center
Wed. 10/16/19
BREAKFAST LEARNING SERIES
Edward Waters College Schell Sweet Community Center
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Continental breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.
Wed. 10/16/19
ALL ABOUT THE PTA/PTSA ORGANIZATION
Duval County Public Schools (District Building)
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Tues. 10/22/19
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD’S IEP & ORGANIZING FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Pinedale Elementary School
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Tues. 10/22/19
FOCUS: THE ONLINE STUDENT GRADING PORTAL
San Jose Elementary School
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Wed. 10/23/19
MY CHILD IS GIFTED, NOW WHAT?
First Baptist Church of Oakland 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10/24/19
BABY UNIVERSITY
Edward Waters College Center For The Prevention of Health Disparities Building
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
PARENTING & ADVOCACY Wed. 10/02/19
BULLYING: AWARENESS... RECOGNITION...PREVENTION
First Baptist Church of Oakland 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10/03/19
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR JSO
The Center for Language and 11:00 a.m. Culture (CLC) on the campus of -12:00 p.m. Kings Trail Elementary
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
PERSONAL & INDIVIDUAL GROWTH Mondays in October
THE IMMIGRANT GUIDE: WHAT EVERY IMMIGRANT NEEDS TO KNOW/ROSETTA STONE
The Center For Language And Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays in October
ROSETTA STONE
The Center For Language And Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary
Mon. 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m., Tues. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Thurs. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday in October
ESOL ONE-ON-ONE AND SMALL GROUP TUTORING
Women’s Center of Jacksonville Expanded Horizons Education Program
Daytime and evening classes available. Call to register.
Monday through Friday in October
GED PREP COURSES AND ONEON-ONE TUTORING
Women’s Center of Jacksonville Expanded Horizons Education Program
Daytime and evening classes available. Call to register.
Tuesdays in October
ROSETTA STONE
West Riverside Elementary School
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tues. 10/1/19
WELLNESS RX
Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Jueves 10/03/19
COMO VENDER USANDO EL INTERNET (ESPAÑOL)
Southeast Regional Library
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10/10/19
MASTERING THE JOB INTERVIEW
The Center for Language and Culture (CLC) on the Campus of Kings Trail Elementary
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Fri. 10/11/19
WOMEN’S MEETING
The Center For Language And Culture (CLC) on the campus of Kings Trail Elementary
10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Thurs. 10/17/19
MANAGING MONEY IN TOUGH TIMES
The Women’s Center Of Northeast Florida
12:30 - 2:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/17/19
VISION KEEPERS
Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Mon. 10/21/19
ECONOMIC GROWTH
Edward Waters College
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10/03/19
FOCUS: THE ONLINE STUDENT GRADING PORTAL
Cedar Hills Elementary School
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Tues. 10/08/19
FOCUS: THE ONLINE STUDENT GRADING PORTAL
Sallye B. Mathis Elementary School
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Tues. 10/08/19
UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF YOUR GIFTED CHILD
Mandarin Oaks Elementary School
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR CHILD’S IEP & ORGANIZING FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
Palm Avenue Exceptional Student Center
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Mon. 10/14/19
HUMAN TRAFFICKING: HOW IT IMPACTS JACKSONVILLE
Southeast Regional Library, Room B
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Tues. 10/22/19
MASTERING THE JOB INTERVIEW
New Berlin Elementary School
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Tues. 10/15/19
MY CHILD IS GIFTED, NOW WHAT?
Loretto Elementary School
6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Sat. 10/26/19
WELLNESS RX
Edward Waters College Center for the Prevention of Health Disparities Building
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Thurs. 10/10/19
Visit www.duvalschools.org/ParentAcademy or call 904-390-2960 to register. Dates/times are accurate at time of publication.
If your child could use a boost, Sylvan gets results. Our students typically see up to three times more growth in their math and reading skills than other students. Call to schedule a Sylvan Skills Assessment and learn how Sylvan can help your student reach his/her full potential.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 23
Wellness Wednesdays Fight Stigma “Superintendent Coin of Excellence” Teacher When Bartram Springs Elementary educator Karly Hirst saw that one of her students was having a seizure, she immediately jumped to the student’s aid while keeping her class calm. For her heroic action and quick thinking, Hirst was presented with the “Superintendent Coin of Excellence” at the September School Board meeting. Additionally, a letter from the student’s family was read: An excerpt of the family’s letter to the district reads:
I was impressed by her actions being as I am a medical provider for the state of Florida. To have someone with little medical experience in true emergency situations handle it like she did. I commend her actions on the whole incident. I would hope the school district would recognize her for her actions and courage for this as well. I can now be at ease because I know his teacher knows how to control the situation and take command and care for not only my kid but other children.”
“Ms. Hirst jumped into action when she noticed my son was seizing. She had instructed the other classmates out of the class so they didn’t have to view the incident as it was unfolding. She came to my son’s aid when he needed it the most. She stayed by his side the whole time from the start of the incident to the end of the transport by Fire Rescue until we arrived at the hospital. She had all of the information that we had given her about our son in a folder of his medical conditions, medical history, his information, and medication he takes on a daily basis. She calmed him down after he came to.
The Jacksonville Public Education Fund facilitates the Teacher of the Year awards in Duval County, and has developed a yearlong program to celebrate, elevate and empower
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the stigma of mental health and how it can be reduced, was the focus of the district’s first “Wellness Wednesday.” “Wellness Wednesday” is a district initiative designed to proactively address the mental and emotional wellness of students. Statistics show why mental health education and awareness are critical: • One in five children between the ages of 13 -18 currently have or will have a serious mental illness. • Fifty percent of all mental illness
Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene embraces Bartram Springs educator Karly Hirst during the September School Board Meeting. Hirst was recognized with a Superintendent Coin of Excellence for her efforts in assisting a student -- also pictured -- who was having a seizure in her classroom.
Duval County’s top teachers from traditional and public charter schools. The cornerstone is the EDDY Awards, an elegant gala to celebrate all the teachers of the year and announce the Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year. The EDDY Awards are on Jan. 17, 2020.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 24
begin by the age of 14. • Less than 20 percent receive the treatment that they need. Every early release day – which occurs once a month on a Wednesday – educators will give 30-minute, videobased instruction with interactive activities on a topic surrounding mental health. The “Wellness Wednesday” initiative meets the most recent State Board of Education ruling passed in July. But more importantly, it aims to improve the emotional and mental well-being of students and help them identify the signs and symptoms of a mental illness. It will also show them how to get help for themselves and their peers.
River Oaks Center Takes Resources Not long after the River Oaks Center opened three years ago, Dan Renaud knew there may be a problem. The center – a partnership between Duval County Public Schools and Florida Recovery Schools – provided academic support and substance abuse counseling for Jacksonville high schoolers.
Teachers of the Year Named Duval schools have nominated 179 outstanding educators for nominated as their schools, Teacher of the Year, putting them in the running for the 2020 Florida Blue Duval County Teacher of the Year.
There is stigma that surrounds mental health, say behavioral health specialists, and this stigma limits people in getting the help they need.
The good thing, said Renaud, who serves as the director of the program, is that children throughout Jacksonville were coming. However, many of them were in great need; some homeless, some in the foster care system. “When children started coming to us, we realized a lot of them didn’t have resources,” said Renaud. “Kids with resources can go wherever they need for treatment. Our kids cannot.” It is why Renaud fought so hard to build partnerships with city, state, and community leaders...and why, three years later – as dozens of those community partners gathered to cut the ribbon on the school’s new location – Renaud grew emotional. “It’s not a ‘me’ thing, this is a ‘we’ thing,” Renaud said. “We could not afford to do what we do without our community partners. We get food support. We get clothing support. We get counseling support. We get academic support.” The new downtown location – located within the Westside Church of Christ Building at 23 West 8th Street – puts the school closer to community partners and resources in Jacksonville.
The classroom sizes are also larger, said Renaud. There are also security cameras, which allow staff to monitor what’s happening inside and outside the school. Additionally, unlike the previous location, students can access it using free JTA bus passes provided by the Center. “This doubles our capacity to serve youth,” said Renaud. More than 130 students have been through the program including 26 who are currently participating. Renaud said that as the program continues to expand, they will be able to serve more and more students. “The kids come here mainly because they know we love and care about them,” he said. “It’s important work because these kids don’t have the resources available to them and this school gives them the resources.”
Dan Renaud, director of the River Oaks Center, embraces one of his students in the program during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
St. Johns County
School District News
Merit Scholarship Semifinalists Officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 16,000 semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.
Creekside Scholars St. Johns semifinalists in the 2020 National Merit Scholarship competition include the following: • CREEKSIDE: Rohan Bongu, Savannah Butler, Ava Johnson, Thien Duy Nguyen, Spencer Reagan, Jenna Russom, Taylor Thomson and Henry Van Boskirk. • ALLEN D. NEASE: Camille Aguilar, Grace M. Bachmann, Sanya Bansal, Leon R. Durante, Joshua A. Prohofsky, Nikita M. Raju, Rishabh Singh, Victoria T. Vo. • PONTE VEDRA: Joseph DePorre, Diana Feier, Sophie Jordan, Porter J. Jordheim, Brendan J. Koziarski, Grace M. Littler, Christopher T. Nelson, Julianne E. Owen, Jeffrey W. Wells. • BARTRAM TRAIL: Spencer A. Boris, Julianna G. Chicerelli, Thomas D. Howland, Emily H. Kim, Jack J. Vranicar, Yvette N. Zerry . • ST. AUGUSTINE HOMESCHOOL: Harrison R. Keating. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million that will be orered next spring. More than 90% of semifinalists are expected to attain finalist
standing, and about half of the finalists will earn the Merit Scholar title. More than 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of semifinalists represents less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. To become a finalist, the semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.
Student Count
The student count for the St. Johns County School District’s first day of school was 39,159, an increase of 2,240 students or 6 percent over last year’s first-day number of 36,919. St. Johns continues to be one of the fastest-growing school districts in the state. The high school student count was 12,213 with 2,847 students at Bartram Trail High School, 2,217 at Creekside High School, 1,137 at Pedro Menendez High School, 2,669 at Allen D. Nease High School, 1,780 at Ponte Vedra High School, and 1,563 at St. Augustine High School. There were also 271 students in attendance at St. Johns Technical High School. Middle school attendance totaled 7,238, with student headcounts ranging from 727 at Sebastian Middle School to 1,321 at Pacetti Bay Middle School. The other first day figures were Alice B. Landrum Middle School with
1,154, Fruit Cove Middle School with 1,208, R. J. Murray Middle School with 704, Gamble Rogers Middle School with 866, and Switzerland Point Middle School with 1,258. The district’s K-8 schools totaled 7,965. Liberty Pines Academy had a first-day headcount of 1,404, Patriot Oaks Academy with 1,284, Valley Ridge Academy with 1,246; Freedom Crossing Academy with 1,302, Palm Valley Academy with 1,623, and Mill Creek Academy with 1,106. The elementary school population totaled 11,108. This count only includes approximately 25 percent of all kindergarten students since schools stagger the kindergarten start date over a four-day period.
Shoppers Donate to A.S.S.I.S.T.
Three types of scholarships will be orered in the spring of 2020. Every finalist will compete for one of 2,500 scholarships of $2500. About 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 220 corporations and business organizations for finalists who meet their specified criteria. In addition, about 180 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 4,100 collegesponsored Merit Scholarship awards for finalists who will attend the sponsor institution. National Merit Scholarship winners of 2020 will be announced beginning in April. These scholarship recipients will join more than 345,000 other distinguished people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.
October and November Calendar Friday, Oct. 11
First Quarter Ends
Monday, Oct. 14
Teacher Planning, Student Holiday
Monday, Nov. 11
Veterans Day – Student/Teacher Holiday
Wednesday, Nov. 27, Friday, Nov. 29 Thanksgiving Break – Student/Teacher Holiday
During one week in August, Winn Dixie ran a “round up” campaign, allowing shoppers to donate to the district’s A.S.S.I.S.T. (Aid and Support for Students in Sudden Transition) Program at the checkout line which resulted in donations of $4,046. Their support also included $10,000 in food to be distributed through Hugs Across the County and $5,000 in gift cards to help homeless students and unaccompanied youth in the county. Pictured from left to right are Superintendent
Tim Forson, Winn Dixie Coordinator of Community Engagement & Charitable Giving Amy Pierce, District Director for Student Services Kelly Battell, Ditrict Homeless Liaison Michael Israel, and Winn Dixie Regional Vice President for North Florida Shawn Sloan.
Follow us on Twitter @StJohnsCountySD
Connect on Facebook @St Johns County School District
Visit St. Johns County Schools online at http://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schools/ for more information.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 25
Clay County School News
Athletes of the Month
Art in Capitol Competition
August athletes of the month for the county are Mone Gordon, a volleyball star at Middleburg High and Tucker Reape, football kicker and tennis player at Clay High.
The Art in the Capitol Competition is a statewide visual arts competition that requires each school district to annually hold an art competition for all students in grades 6 through 8 attending public schools, private schools and home schools in Florida. The artwork should be judged by a selection committee consisting of art teachers whose students have not submitted work for the competition. Artwork Parameters: • All work submitted must be twodimensional. • All work submitted must weigh less than 15 pounds and not exceed 28”x28”x4”. • All work submitted must be original in concept, design and execution. • All work submitted must not violate any copyright laws. • All work submitted must include student’s name, grade, school and city in which the school is located.
Clay County All-Star Athletes of the Month are exemplary students and athletes who represent their schools and the district in a positive light. Each month, coaches will nominate one male and one female from each school. Out of these nominations, the district will select one male and one female each month. The selections are recognized throughout their schools and the district.
Mone Gordon
These nominations represent the following criteria: • Outstanding athletic accomplishment(s) • Great sportsmanship (during games and practices) • Strong work ethic and leadership • Perform at a high level in the classroom (3.0 GPA or higher)
School Selections include: • Cam Broughton; Olivia Klingler - Orange Park High Tucker Reape • Max Monroe; Anna Magruder - Ridgeview High • Cole Leclair - Middleburg High • Andrew Cox; Emily Loose - Keystone Heights High • Logan Myers; Paxton Shuppert - Oakleaf High • Colton Swartz; Sara Theus - Fleming Island High Thursday, Oct. 3............................................. End First Grading Period • Keelie Johns - Clay High Friday, Oct. 4.................................................. Planning Day/Student Holiday Monday, Nov. 11............................................ Veterans’ Day Holiday Monday, Nov. 25 thru Friday, Nov. 29.............. Thanksgiving Holidays
October & November Calendar
The winning selection from each district is to be given to the legislator of the district in which the student resides no later than 60 days prior to the start of the regular legislative session. The 2020 Legislative Session begins on Jan. 14, 2020. Dates for the 2020 Art in the Capitol Competition: • Fall 2019 – Districts hold annual Art in the Capitol Competition for all students in grades 6-8. • Nov. 14, 2019 – Each district’s winning selection of student artwork is given to legislator of the legislative district in which the student resides on or before this date. • Jan. 14, 2020 – Start of regular session and opening date of exhibit at the Capitol. • March 13, 2020 – Last day of regular session; legislator will return winning submission to the student after this date.
Winners! Orange Park Junior High 7th grade volleyball team celebrates after coming up with the win in 3 sets vs. Oakleaf Junior High, 27-29, 25-12, 8-15.
Clay District Merit Scholar Semifinalists FLEMING ISLAND – Kayla E. Herman and Alexandra D. Wolfe OAKLEAF – Jackson J. Hickey
RIDGEVIEW – Michael Chen and Madison Yonash GREEN COVE SPRINGS HOMESCHOOL – Seth K. Ewer and Ruth J. Pearl.
Connect with us!
Kayla Herman and Alexandra Wolfe
Jackson Hickey
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 26
Madison Yonash and Michael Chen
www.oneclay.net OP/Middleburg (904) 272-8100 Green Cove Springs (904) 284-6500 Keystone Heights (888) 663-2529 TDD (904) 284-6584
Things to Do
TEENS
Teen Driving Apps Can Keep Them Safer T he next National Teen Driver Safety Week takes place Oct. 20-26. Now in its 12th year, it is dedicated to raising awareness and seeking solutions to prevent teen injuries and deaths on the road.
There are now smartphone applications that you can install on your phone and your teen’s phone that can play a part in this effort. From communication to shopping, smartphones have made it easier than ever before to gain quick access to a range of information and solutions. Teen driving apps monitor or prevent specific behaviors that could cause dangerous driving conditions. The majority of parents with teen drivers use these to address speeding and distracted driving. Once installed on your teen’s smartphone, the apps will automatically initiate once a specific set of conditions are met. For example, some teen driving apps will turn on once it senses that it is moving at a particular speed. There are also apps that initiate if the phone is near another sensor that is placed in your car, allowing you to receive notifications if rules of the road are disobeyed. Speeding, one of the most common driving violations for teens, can result in hefty fines and penalties. These fines increase in residential zones, construction zones, and school zones, so maintaining proper speed while driving is crucial. The Hyundai Blue Link is an app built into specific models that tell when the car exceeds the speed limit. A similar app, Bouncie, has a component that transmits information through the smartphone when the driver is speeding or has to brake abruptly. An added benefit of this app is that it provides a record to the driver after each trip that can help improve his or her driving habits.
TruemotionFamily will tell them when their teenage driver is using the phone while at the wheel. Not only will you be able to monitor when your teens use their phones on the road, but you can also set up a system of rewards for safe driving through this innovative safety app. If you have tried other solutions but require more strict controls over your teen’s use of their smartphone while driving, then you can look to an app like Cell Control. Unlike other solutions, Cell Control is a small device mounted in your teen driver’s car. It can be programmed to limit what a smartphone can do while the vehicle is traveling at specific speeds. You can disable social media apps and mobile games as needed. You can also opt for a more passive app on your teen’s phone like AT&T DriverMode. This app turns on once it recognizes that your teen’s phone is traveling at a specific speed, and once initiated it will silence alerts and send automated responses to text messages and calls while your teen is driving. You can customize the answers to let them know that the driver will reply once he reaches his destination. Most of the apps on the market are meant to help parents of teenage drivers with notifications and other methods to prevent dangerous driving behavior, however, there are several that reward positive behavior. An app like Lifesaver enables you to reward your teen for proper driving. If your teen driver is new to the road, then you can use an app like Mojo that allows drivers to invite their friends and families to compete for prizes earned through safe driving practices. Good driving habits can be tracked in a group, and the company is growing partnerships with companies so drivers can be entered into drawings for real-world prizes. j
As smartphones have become more ubiquitous, their role in distracted driving accidents has increased at an alarming rate. Parents are trafficsafetystore.com not able to monitor everything their teens do throughout the day, but a smartphone app like
“Celebrate your successes. Find some humor in your failures.” – Sam Walton
Teens Events
life and the Hicks Honors College. This tour will focus on the College of Art and Sciences. University of North Florida / 904-620-2420 / 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / unf.edu
Six Top Industries for Career Opportunities in Northeast Florida October 3, 6pm to 7:30pm It’s time to talk careers for your talented teen and even adults, too. This course will include career paths with entry points at a variety of educational levels in the following industries: Aviation, Manufacturing, Logistics, Healthcare, Finance, and Information Technology. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. All Parent Academy courses are free of charge. Duncan U. Fletcher High School / 904-3902960 / 700 Seagate Ave., Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / dcps.duvalschools.org
FAFSA Workshop • October 8, 6pm to 7pm Parents of high school students are encouraged not to wait until their child’s senior year to familiarize themselves with the FAFSA. Suzanne M. Evans, Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs from St. Johns River State College, will give a presentation on Financial Aid and the FAFSA. Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Bartram Trail Branch / 904-827-6960 / 60 Davis Pond Blvd, St. Johns, FL 32259 / www.sjcpls.org
Explore UNF Event October 5, 9am to 1:30pm When choosing the right university for you, it is vital to consider the teachers, programs and experiences that will prepare you for the career you want to begin when you graduate. To give you a head start, high school juniors and seniors are invited to attend an Explore UNF event series at the University of North Florida. Teens interested in attending, must RSVP online in advance. During the Explore UNF events, students will be able to meet faculty, staff and students, while attending a resource fair, taking a tour of the campus and learning from information sessions on topics like study abroad, campus
Teen Halloween Party October 30, 5:30pm to 7:30pm Middle and high school students ages 11-18 are invited to the 2nd annual Teen Halloween Party complete with pizza, soda, candy, book prizes, and D.J., Demetris. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Free. St. Johns County Public Library, Ponte Vedra Beach Branch / 904-827-6950 / 101 Library Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 / www.sjcpls.org
Teen Snack and Chat October 9, 5pm to 6pm Each month, through a partnership with Volunteers in Medicine, an expert presenter will be on hand for a friendly, casual chat on a selected Youth Quake Live • October 4, 8pm to 10pm grown-up topic. Topic matter each month The doors open at 7:30pm and the show begins varies but can include medical and health, at 8pm. Admission is free, but a donation is career choices, budgeting, safety, and so much collected during the show to cover production more. Teens 12-18 will have the chance to get fees. YouthQuake Live offers reserved seating guidance and have their questions answered for all events. For $3 per seat, youth groups & in a safe space. Snacks provided. Free and no families have the opportunity to sit together registration is required. & enjoy the event without worrying about the Jacksonville Public Library, Main Branch / 904crowds. Reserved seating does not necessar- 630-2665 / 303 North Laura Street, Jacksonily mean front row. Location of your seats is ville, FL 32202 / www.jaxpubliclibrary.org dependent on the event and the church layout. Eleven22 / 651 Commerce Center Dr #100, Teen Halloween Mask Making Jacksonville, FL 32225 / youthquakelive.com October 15, 3pm to 5pm Teens are invited to come in and make a Test Prep at UNF • October 5, 8am to 12noon Halloween mask. Materials will be provided, In order to encourage academically talented but if you have something started, help will be Duval County Public School students to be available to get it finished. Free. successful with their college applications, Jacksonville Public Library, Regency Square the University of North Florida is offering free Branch / 904-726-5142 / 9900 Regency standardized test (SAT /ACT) preparation. High Square Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32225 / school juniors and seniors are welcome to sign www.jaxpubliclibrary.org up for one of these events to ensure they score the highest possible score on the standardized Project Life 101 tests that are often a college or university October 16, 4:30pm to 5:30pm requirement for admission. Sign up in advance. There are 21 life skills that every teen should When the class is full, they will close the know. Come and explore while these skills are section for registration. Please note, this Test turned into activities with technology, art and Prep event is for Duval County Public School craft projects and games. Free for all teens. students only, and registration is required. Held Jacksonville Public Library, Pablo Creek from 8am to 12noon. Regional / 904-992-7101 / 13295 Beach Blvd, University of North Florida / 904-620-2420 / 1 Jacksonville, FL 32246 / UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / unf.edu www.jaxpubliclibrary.org
Visit Jax4Kids.com for a complete list of Teen events.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 27
Things to Do
PETS
Cuddling Has Mutual Benefits
D
oes your dog like to cuddle? Those moments when our dogs choose to be right next to us, the times when our dogs initiate closeness to us. So why do dogs like to cuddle anyway?
had spent the greatest amount of time looking into each other’s eyes, both male and female dogs experienced a 130% rise in oxytocin levels, and both male and female owners a 300% increase.
Why do dogs like to cuddle? The biggest clue as to why dogs enjoy cuddling comes from the definition itself: “to cuddle is to hold close for warmth or comfort or in affection.”
Researchers suggest that the strong ability of dogs to bond with humans played a crucial role in their domestication. The theory is that in the wild the dogs that were able to bond with humans were the ones that received If you’ve ever seen a puppy pile you know how human care and protection. And yes, much of adorable it is. But aside from being the cutest that bonding surely included cuddles. thing ever it makes sense from an evolutionary standpoint. Puppies snuggle with one another So why do some dogs like to cuddle more than to keep warm. When you get cold you can others? Well genetics is certainly one part of snuggle up under a blanket or put on some it. Some dogs have been bred to be indepenextra layer, for our dogs it’s not quite that dent and less affectionate, while others are simple. bred for the opposite. Cuddling with humans was an important part of canine domestication. Early dogs helped us hunt and alerted us to danger, but we also helped each other out by cuddling and keeping each other warm. In fact, the term “three dog night” refers to those really cold nights when humans had to cuddle up with their dogs to keep from freezing. But when it comes to dogs cuddling isn’t just about warmth — it’s also a way to show affection. Cuddling, and showing affection in general, is one way in which our dogs strengthen their bond with us. Researchers have even found that bonding with their owners is more important to dogs than it is to other pets (sorry cat lovers).
Certain breeds such as the Maltese, Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrier have been bred to be lap dogs. Lap dogs are small enough to be held in our lap, and to have a temperament predisposed to do so. But there’s more than just genetics at work. Some dogs are just more affectionate than others. Some dogs don’t cuddle much, if at all. My previous dog Carter had a funny way of showing affection. He was a total Velcro dog (followed me around everywhere), yet he wasn’t fond of cuddling. At least not when touching was involved.
He’d get up on the couch with me, but he’d stay a few inches away. I called it his ‘personal space’ issue. Now when bad weather was on Cuddling is also a great stress reliever. Petting the way? He’d jump into my lap in a heartand talking to a dog for just a few minutes has beat. So he’d still come to me for comfort been shown to Increase oxytocin levels in both when he was afraid, but daily cuddles weren’t dogs and humans. Oxytocin, often referred to his thing. as the love hormone, is associated with social bonding and trust. New research found that Dogs have their own unique personalities, and human-dog interactions can elicit the same not all of them are super cuddly or affectionpositive hormonal response that mothers have ate. Dogs are just like people in that way; with their infants. some people love hugs, and other are a little more standoffish. j Mutual gazing had a profound effect on both Jen Gabbard, puppyleaks.com the dogs and their owners. Of the duos that
“Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It’s like medicine –very healing.” – Max Irons OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 28
Pet Events
Rescue Junkie Monthly Adoption Event October 5, 10am to 2pm EarthWise Pet Jax Beach hosts a special monthly adoption event with Rescue Junkie. Find the new love of your life while getting an exclusive deal on food and pet supplies at this fur-friendly event. Pictures of adoptees will be posted the week prior to the event each month. EarthWise Pet Jax Beach / 904372-7822 / 3846 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / earthwisepet.com Pars Fore Paws • October 7, 1pm Clay Humane is sponsoring the 13th Annual “Pars Fore Paws” Golf Tournament. There will be a shotgun start at 1pm at the Eagle Landing Golf Club. The format will be Captain’s Choice. All proceeds support Clay Humane. Registration entry fee includes 18-holes of golf with cart; bag service, complimentary driving range balls; lunch; dinner; and prizes. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place scores; Longest Drive; Longest Putt; and Closest to the Pin. There will be drawings for prizes, a 50/50 Raffle, and a Putting Contest. Individual registration is $100, or $360 for a group of four. Eagle Landing Golf Club / 904-276-7729 / 3973 Eagle Landing Parkway, Orange Park , FL 32065 / clayhumane.org
& Pet Costume Contest at this year’s Beaches Oktoberfest. A portion of the proceeds will benefit one of the non-profit partners, Fur Sisters - Furever Urs Rescue, Inc. In addition, there will be giveaways for all pet owners, vendors, music, food trucks, and a pet costume contest with lots of prizes. Beaches Oktoberfest / 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.beachesoktoberfest.com Best Friends Strut Your Mutt October 26, 9am to 12noon This fundraising festival includes interactive games and activities for you, your dog and your whole family. Activities include Paw Painting, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary Virtual Reality Experience, Flyball with Jumpin Jax Flyball Club, adoptable pets, Cooling pools for pups, and more. When you register for Strut Your Mutt, you can choose to register as an individual, start your own team to support the animals of Best Friends, or you can join a participating Best Friends Network partner team. The money you raise will go directly to that organization. Riverside Park / 753 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / support.bestfriends.org
Ripley’s Believe It or Not Halloween Pet Parade • October 26, 11am Ripley’s Believe It or Not hosts a Halloween Pet Parade. There will be a costume contest, trunk or treat, furry friend adoptions, activities for kids, and a showing of the movie Franken2019 Fall Festival & Dog Walk weenie. There will also be a special appearOctober 12, 8:30am to 2pm ance by “Wildman” Dusty Crum, from tv’s Families and their furbabies are invited for a “Guardians of the Glades”. Ripley’s Believe fall festival featuring a dog walk, car show, It or Not / 904-824-1606 / 19 San Marco Ave, music, food, ranch tours, hay rides, games, face painting and more. The dog walk begins St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.ripleys.com at 9am with registration at 8:30am. The cost Free Halloween Pet Photos (cut this one is $25 per dog and $15 per additional dog. To register your dog(s) please email Tatjana@ first) • October 26, 1pm to 3pm Pet families are invited to celebrate HallowSeamarkRanch.com . The fall festival will een at Earthwise Pet in Jacksonville Beach. be held from 10am to 2pm and has free Photos are free with any amount donation admission. which will be going to Southeast Region : Akita Seamark Ranch / 904-529-1951 / 3631 Rescue Society of Florida, Inc. Dress your Seamark Ranch Rd, Green Cove Springs, FL pet in costume for a chance to win prizes for 32043 / www.seamarkranch.com Best Dressed, Scariest, Cutest & Best Owner/ Pet Costumes. There will be free Halloween 2nd Sunday Barks & Brews bandanas available while supplies last. There October 13, 2pm to 5pm will also be sweet, healthy treats for furbabies Barked Goods hosts the 2nd Sunday Barks & cookies for humans. & Brews at Engine 15. There will be drink EarthWise Pet Jax Beach / 904-372-7822 / specials and food trucks for humans, and 3846 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL socialization for canines. 32250 / earthwisepet.com Engine 15 Brewing Downtown Tap Room / 904-551-9429 / 633 N Myrtle Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / engine15.com Dogtoberfest Yappy Hour & Pet Costume Contest • October 14, 12noon to 8pm All pet owners and well behaved dogs are invited to attend the Dogtoberfest Yappy Hour
Like Jax4Pets.com’s Facebook page at facebook.com/jax4pets to find out about other events for pets.
Annual Pumpkin Patch • Thru October 31 Christ United Methodist Church’s Annual Pumpkin Patch runs from Saturday September 28 through Halloween. In addition to pumpkins, there will also be a hay maze, storytelling, family photo ops, and more. The patch is open 7 days a week. Groups are welcome, but please call 904-249-5370. Christ United Methodist Church / 770-249-5370 / 400 Penman Rd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / christumcnb.org 2019 Beaches Oktoberfest • October 12, 12noon to 10pm, October 13, 12noon to 8pm The 2019 Beaches Oktoberfest features live music, food trucks, Cornhole Tournament, Bratwurst Eating Competition, a beach clean-up, 110+ ft. ferris wheel, arts & crafts vendors, games & activities, and more. General admission is free and VIP tickets are available for purchase. Sea Walk Pavilion / 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / www.beachesoktoberfest.com Amazing Grace Crop Maze Fridays, October 4, 11, 18, 25, 5pm to 10pm Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, 10am to 10pm Attractions include pumpkin patch, corn maze, farm animals, barnyard ball zone & more. Admission is $15.95 for ages 3 and up. Includes farm admission, and access to all attractions. Amazing Grace Crop Maze / 904-284-2949 / 2899 Wisteria Farms Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / agcropmaze.com
have their chance to win on Saturday, October 20 at 8pm. Admission is Adults (12 & up ): $15; Children (3-11): $10; and free for 2 & Under. Get a free child’s admission when the entire family attends in costume. Offer valid October 12-14th only. Catty Shack Ranch / 904-757-3603 / 1860 Starratt Road, Jacksonville, FL 32226 / cattyshack.org Halloween Golf Cart Parade & Spooky Halloween Bash • October 12, 9:30am to 1pm Families are invited for a Halloween Golf Cart Parade & Spooky Halloween Bash. The golf cart parade will be held at 9:30am. The cost to participate is $30/family. The Spooky Halloween Bash features trick or treating, food, vendors, a kids Halloween costume contest at 11am, bounce houses, character visits, and more. General admission is free. World Golf Hall of Fame / 904-940-4123 / 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine, FL 32092 / www.jacksonvillebusinessconnections.com Alimacani Fall Carnival October 12, 10am to 2pm The annual Alimacani Elementary PTA Fall Carnival features food, games, prizes, rides, and a petting zoo. Open the whole community. Alimacani Elementary School / 904-221-7101 / 2051 San Pablo Road South, Jacksonville, FL 32224 / www.duvalschools.org
Spooktacular at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens • October 11-13, 17-20, 25-27, 30-31, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres 6:30pm to 10pm Saturdays, October 5, 12, 19, 26, 10am to 10pm Activities include fall festivities on the Great Lawn, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres Fall Maze is open for special Spooktacular food menus, select animal the season on Saturdays, September 28 through exhibits including giraffes and jaguars, classic October 26. Activities include tractor see saws, monsters in Range of the Jaguar, Nemours Candy pedal carts, duck races, play fort with slides and Trail through Play Park, and Three Scare Zones. swings, pumpkin patch, cow train, corn cannon, Scare Zones are not recommended for the faint corn hole, horses, and more. There are some of heart; suggested for ages 10 and up. Tickets activities not included in admission. Be sure to are $12 for members and $14 non-members, and bring cash for those additional activities and for the can be purchased online or at the gate. Jacksonpumpkin patch. ville Zoo and Gardens / 904-757-4463 / 370 Zoo Admission: 0 to 23 months – Free; 24 months to 4 Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32218 / spooktacular. years old - $12 - plus tax; 5 years old to 64 - $15 - jacksonvillezoo.org plus tax; 65 years and up - $12 plus tax. Additional activities include Flashlight Night, Starlight Hayrides, Family Fun in the Pumpkin Patch and Haunted Cornfield Trail. Conner’s A-Maize-Ing October 19, 10am to 2pm Acres / 904-879-5453 / 19856 County Road 121, Christ United Methodist Church hosts Family Hilliard, FL 32046 / connerscornmaze.com Fun Day at the Pumpkin Patch. There will be a bounce house, pumpkins, face painting, bake sale, Sykes and Cooper Farms Corn Maze Christmas in the “Patch” and more. Christ United Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, October 5 - 27 Methodist Church / 770-249-5370 / 400 Penman Admission tickets include the following attractions: Rd, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / christumcnb.org Corn Maze, Hayride, Playgrounds, Cow Milking Station, Duck Races, Cow Train, Corn Box, Teeter Totter St. Patrick’s Episcopal Trunk or Treat 2019 and Farm Animals. Pumpkins, Sunflowers, and any October 19, 3pm to 7pm other items from the pumpkin barn sold separately. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church hosts their 4th annual Admission is Children 2 & under: Free; General Ad- Trunk or Treat. This festival will be a safe place mission (ages 3 to 64): $13; Senior Citizens (65+): for kids to trick or treat. The evening features $11; and Military (with ID): $11. games, music, food, treats, contests, prizes, and Sykes and Cooper Farms / 904-692-1370 / 5995 more. Costumes are welcome. Free and open to Brough Rd, Elkton, FL 32033 / sycofarms.com the public. This is also a benefit for their Children’s Ministries and Feed My Lambs so please consider Catty Shack Haunted Forest bringing nonperishable food items to donate. October 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26 – 6pm to 10pm St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church / 904-612-7657 / October 20, 27 – 1pm to 4pm 1221 State Rd 13, St. Johns, FL 32223 / Catty Shack Ranch hosts their annual Haunted For- www.stpatricksepiscopal.org est. Enjoy all of the big cats and other animal residents as you stroll through the sanctuary on your Halloween Express Train Rides way to the Trail of Horrors. There will be crafts and October 19 and 26, 10am to 4pm games for kids to enjoy, and candy. Children can Ride the rails to the Monster Ball where you will compete for the best costume on Sunday, October get to vote for your favorite monster to reign over 21 at 3pm while teens and adults 16 and up will the train trip. There will be Halloween entertain-
ment along the way. Come dressed in costume if you like. Tickets are $17 adults, $11 kids 12 and under, kids 2 and under ride for free, and $50 for the locomotive (limit 2 people in the Locomotive). Processing fee of $3 each will be added to ticket price. St. Marys Railroad / 912-729-1103 / 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 31558 / www.stmarysrailroad.com Town of Orange Park Fall Festival October 19-20, 10am to 5pm The Town of Orange Park Fall Festival is Clay County’s oldest and largest arts and crafts festival. The two-day festival has over 200 artists & vendors, live entertainment, a kids zone, food, and more. Park at Moosehaven and catch the free shuttle over to the festival grounds. Admission to the festival is free, but some activities do have a fee. Town Hall Park / 904-278-3043 / 2042 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 / opfallfestival.com Beaches Town Center Fall Festival & Costume Party • October 19, 10am to 12:30pm Families are invited for a free family event for children of all ages, to be held on First Street between Lemon Street and Orange Street. Activities include make-your-own-crafts, games, refreshments, costume contest, prizes, and more. Kids can Trick or Treat in all of the participating shops and restaurants in Beaches Town Center during and after the event. Beaches Town Center / 904-2411026 / 200 First Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / beachestowncenter.com Murray Hill UMC Fall Festival 2019 October 19, 11am to 2pm Murray Hill United Methodist Church hosts their Fall Festival. Activities include a bounce house, carnival games, vendors, hot dog lunch, snow cones and more. Murray Hill United Methodist Church / 904387-4406 / 4101 College Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205 / murrayhillumc.org 15th Annual Halloween Doors & More October 19, 2pm The Annual Halloween Doors & More is a festive land of fantasy and make-believe for the whole family. Attendees are asked to come in costume. There will be candy, toys, food, interactive experiences, live characters and more. Attendees can dance in the Troll Family Disco, get a spooktacular make-over at the Booutiful Salon or enjoy the gourmet food. Tickets are available in advance. Tickets are $100 for adults and $50 for children. Proceeds
benefit children with complex illnesses served by Community PedsCare, the pediatric palliative and hospice care program of Community Hospice of Northeast Florida. Jacksonville Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall / 904-8863883 / 510 Fairgrounds Place, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.communityhospice.com Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Spooktacular October 20, 3pm The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra hosts a Halloween concert for the whole family. Come dressed in your Halloween costume for a costume contest, trick-or-treating, spooky crafts and an Instrument Zoo – an interactive, hands-on experience with all the instruments of the orchestra. Pre-concert activities begin at 2pm. Tickets for the concert start at $10 and are available online. Times Union Center, Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org Avenues Mall-O-Ween Spooktacular October 30, 6pm to 8pm Kids are invited for a Mall-O-Ween at the Avenues Mall. The safe trick or treating event is free. Avenues Mall / 904-363-3054 / 10300 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.simon.com Halloween Trick or Treat at Moosehaven October 31, 5:30pm to 8:30pm Moosehaven hosts a safe and family-oriented tradition for families. The gates open at 5:30pm. Familes are invited for Trick or Treats, a spooky haunted house, food, and an outdoor movie. Free admission. Concessions are available for purchase. No pets or coolers. Moosehaven / 904-278-1200 / 1701 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL 32073 / www.moosehaven.org St. Johns Town Center Safe Trick or Treating October 31, 6pm to 8pm Families are invited to St. Johns Town Center for free and safe trick-or-treating, giveaways, characters, a complimentary photo booth and much more. The first 250 children to check-in will receive a reusable Halloween tote and candy map. Visit the Mall Office, located across from Maggiano’s Little Italy for more details. Families can begin the evening in the Park Green outside Maggiano’s Little Italy. St. Johns Town Center / 904-998-7156 / 4663 River City Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.simon.com
FALL FESTIVALS & PUMPKIN PATCHES OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 29
THINGS TO DO Astronaut at MOSH • Thru January 4 Jax4Kids.com proudly sponsors Astronaut at MOSH, a traveling exhibition that explores the physical and mental challenges involved in space exploration and gives visitors a taste of what life is like outside of Earth and its atmosphere. Through interactive exhibits, visitors can experience g-force, conduct maintenance on a space station, grow space food and learn the realities of showering, sleeping and using the toilet in space. The exhibition also focuses on team work to solve problems, accurately perform tasks and overcome challenges that an astronaut would face on a real mission to the cosmos. MOSH / 904-396-6674 / 1025 Museum Circle, Jacksonville, FL 32207 / themosh.org Bullying: Awareness...Recognition...Prevention • October 2, 5:30pm This course will review the warning signs and descriptions of behaviors associated with bullying, for both the victim and the bully, the laws associated with bullying, and DCPS policies and procedures. This course will also provide a description of a safe and supportive environment, while offering resources for both students and their parents. The Parent Academy of Duval County Public Schools is a family resource designed for parents, caregivers, and community members. All Parent Academy courses are free of charge. First Baptist Church of Oakland / 904-390-2960 / 1025 Jessie Street, Jacksonville, FL 32206 / dcps.duvalschools.org Belly Bean’s 1st Birthday Party October 4, 3pm to 6pm Belly Bean Maternity celebrates their first birthday with food, special vendors, giveaways, discounts and more. Belly Bean Maternity / 904-849-1667 / 463646 SR200 unit #1, Yulee, FL 32097 / bellybeanshop.com Weaver First Saturday Free For All October 5, 10am to 4pm Guests can enjoy free admission, as well as art-making activities for all ages in the Cummer Gardens, live music, and a Docent-led tour at 2pm. The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens / 904356-6857 / 829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / cummermuseum.org Build a Boat: Design Challenges October 5, 9am to 12noon Join the tag! team of mad scientists and inventive engineers and dive into boat design challenges. The crew will collaborate to design a seaworthy watercraft and then each mate will employ their innovative boat building skills to construct a steam-powered boat. For ages 9 to 12. Tickets are $15. Tag Children’s Museum of St. Augustine / 904-647-1757 / 76 Dockside Drive Suite 105, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.tagmuseum.org Military Vehicle Preservation Association Fall Rally • October 5-6 The Military Vehicle Preservation Association Fall Rally is a free event that showcases a variety of military vehicles from WWII through current day including Jeeps, halftracks, trucks, support team vehicles, and tanks. Battle demonstrations will be at 1pm on Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6. The Military Museum of North Florida / 904219-7998 / 1 Bunker Avenue, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 / www.flmvpa.org
The Learning Experience Southside 10 Year Birthday Carnival October 6, 12noon to 5pm The Learning Experience Southside celebrates their 10th anniversary with a birthday carnival in the center’s parking lot. Activities include rides, attractions, face painting, food, games, a magic show, and more. Admission is free, but some activities will require a donation. All proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish of Central & Northern Florida. The Learning Experience is an official Make-A-Wish Sponsor, and the goal is to grant as many wishes as possible for children with critical illnesses in the local community. The Learning Experience Jacksonville Southside / 904-620-8320 / 8411 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / www.thelearningexperience.com Ozobot Intermediate Challenges: Create a Bot, Code a Bot • October 9, 3pm to 6pm Join the tag! team for an afternoon of building your own brush bots and then learning to code the Ozobots. Participants will collaborate to take on programming challenges that require team work, problem solving, and engineering skills to solve environmental problems and navigate with maps. For ages 7 to 12. Tickets are $15. Tag Children’s Museum of St. Augustine / 904-6471757 / 76 Dockside Drive Suite 105, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.tagmuseum.org Aqua East GROM Fest • October 11-13 The 3rd annual Aqua East GROM Fest rolls into St. Augustine on October 11-12-13, 2019 for surfers, skateboarders and wakeboarders to compete for cash and prizes from Aqua East Surf Shop. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to join Aqua East Surf Shop in a full weekend of surfing, skateboarding and wakeboarding events for the whole family. The fun starts on Friday night with a free Skate Jam including games and prizes from Volcom, Billabong, Hurley, Vans and more. The first surf heat starts at 9am on Saturday morning and 1st place winners in each age division will win cash. Sunday’s Wake Tournament starts at 11am with wakeboard, wake surf and wake skate divisions. St. Johns County Pier / 904-471-8070 / 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St. Augustine Beach, FL 32080 / aquaeastgromfest.com Princess & Superhero Brunch October 12, 8:15am and 10am The Sheraton Jacksonville is hosting a Princess & Superhero character brunch Saturday, October 12th. There will be appearances by Elsa, Rapunzel, Moana, Spiderman, Batman, and Captain America. The Princess & Superhero Brunch will benefit the Heal Foundation which is a local nonprofit organization in Northeast Florida. HEAL supports organizations, programs, camps and schools which serve those with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Northeast Florida. There will be two seatings, one at 8:15am and one at 10am. Sheraton Jacksonville / 904564-4772 / 10605 Deerwood Park Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32256 / princessandsuperhero2019.eventbrite.com MOCA Fall Family Day 2019 October 12, 11am to 3pm MOCA Fall Family Day is free for the whole family to come downtown for some creative time together. Join the Jacksonville Zoo, My Gym, the Ritz Theater, WJCT, the Jacksonville Symphony, Indigo Art Therapy, the UNF Percussion Ensemble, and more. Free.
OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 30
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THINGS TO DO MOCA Jacksonville / 904-366-6911 / 333 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / mocajacksonville.unf.edu Popcorn & Pajamas Family Movie Night October 12, 6pm to 9pm Join Fostering Connections St. Johns for a family movie night to help support local foster families in St. Johns County. Your ticket includes admission to the movie, 1 popcorn ticket, and 1 cotton candy ticket. There will be a selection of food trucks with dinner options for the whole family, activity booths, and a basket raffle. Proceeds from Popcorn & Pajamas Family Movie Night will support outreach events for foster families. Tickets are $8 for children 3 and up online, and $10 at the gate. Adults and children 2 and under are free. Palencia Sports Park and Pirate Ship / 904-8135809 / 405 Palencia Village Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32095 / www.fosteringconnectionsstjohns.org Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert • October 12, 7pm and October 13, 3pm The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra presents Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, as part of their Symphonic Night at the Movies series. Based on the third installment of J.K. Rowling’s classic saga, the thrilling tale is accompanied by the music of a live symphony orchestra as Harry soars across the big screen. Tickets range from $29 to $89 and are available online. Times Union Center, Jacoby Symphony Hall / 904-354-5547 / 300 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202 / www.jaxsymphony.org 29th Annual Festa Italiana October 12, 11am to 8pm; October 13, 12noon to 6pm The Italian American Club of Jacksonville (IAC) joins the City of Jacksonville in the observance of October 2019 as Italian American Heritage Month. IAC is hosting Festa Italiana, a two day celebration of all things Italian. There will be free admission and live entertainment; donations for food, beverages, desserts. Italian American Club / 904-586-2700 / 2838 Westberry Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223 / www. iacofjacksonville.com Costume & Sewing 101 October 14, 12noon to 4pm Students ages 10+ will learn the basics of pattern cutting, machine sewing and hand sewing. Each student will design and build one full costume from Seussical the Musical (either Mayzie or a Wickersham Brother.) $15 and a $15 material fee. Limelight Theatre / 904-825-1164 / 11 Old Mission Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / limelight-theatre.org Southern Women’s Show Jacksonville October 17: 10am-6pm; October 18: 10am-7pm; October 19: 10am-7pm; October 20: 11am-5pm Annual show featuring fashion shows, cooking demonstrations, beauty tips, health screenings, decorating ideas and more. Friday is Girls Night Out, from 4pm to 7pm; admission is just $4 after 4pm. On Saturday, there will be a Mother Daughter Cookie Decorating Contest, and a Mother Daughter Look-A-Like Contest. Other features throughout the weekend include Dillard’s Fit For The Cure, Paw-ty Lounge with adoptable dogs and cats, a Silent Disco Party, and Family Fun with The Home Depot.
Admission is Adults: $12 at the door, $10 online in advance; Youth (6-12): $6; Under 6: Free with Paying Adult. The Prime Osborn Convention Center charges a parking fee of $5 per car. Prime Osborn Convention Center / 1-800-8490248 / 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204 / southernshows.com
Fall Festival
Friends of the Beaches Branch Library Book Sale • October 22, 4pm to 7pm; October 23 - 26, 10am to 5pm The Friends of the Beaches Branch Library hosts a book sale. Tuesday October 22 is the member sale for Friends members. Memberships can be purchased at the door. Saturday is bag day. Jacksonville Public Library Beaches Branch / 904-270-1520 / 600 3rd Street, Neptune Beach, FL 32266 / www.jaxpubliclibrary.org
SAT. & SUN. 10AM - 5PM
Elephant & Piggie’s “We are in a Play!” October 25, 10am and 12noon Elephant & Piggie, featured in Mo Willems’ best-selling children’s books, perform in a live stage production. Best suited for children in Pre-K - 2, this show includes music, dancing, and more, perfect for young audiences. Tickets are $8.50 each. Nathan H. Wilson Center for the Arts / 904-6325050 / 11901 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246 / www.fscjartistseries.org
FOR VISITOR INFORMATION, GO TO WWW.EXPLORECLAY.COM 9
Ancient City Kids Day October 26, 11am to 3pm Coordinated by EPIC and brought to the community by a committee of children organizations, Ancient City Kids Day is a day of fun-filled activities for children and families. The event is free for the public and will include over 40 youth service organizations each of whom will offer games, activities, crafts, give-aways, bounce houses or fun contests for kids. They will also be offering resource information for parents regarding programs and services in the community. There will be free t-shirts/goody bags for kids while they last. There is live entertainment all day. The only cost to the public will be for food or drinks but the cost is minimal. In addition to youth-serving organizations, EPIC has partnered with One Blood to host a blood drive during the event. Local law enforcement and first responders will also be at Ancient City Kids Day with a variety of vehicles and equipment for the kids to check out and learn about. Francis Field / 904-829-2273 / 25 W Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084 / www.epicbh.org Sea and Sky Air Show October 26-27, 11am to 4pm This free event will feature a dynamic over-theocean sky show highlighted by the world-famous United States Navy Blue Angels along with other military and civilian flight teams, live entertainment, a street festival featuring static displays of aircraft and military vehicles, simulators, recruitment booths, a kids area and more. City of Jacksonville Beach / 904-630-CITY / 503 1st Street North, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 / specialevents.coj.net EDITOR’S NOTE: Dates, times and locations are accurate at time of publication; events and activities listed in this guide are subject to change without notice. Visit Jax4Kids.com for updated information and more events!
TOURISM & FILM DEVELOPMENT
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OCTOBER 2019 • Jax4Kids.com • Page 32