knoxville parent magazine - august 2014

A u g u s t 2 0 1 4 F r e e

August 2014Volume III • Issue 8

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3 Knoxville Parent • August 2014

August 2014Volume III • Issue 8

Become Part of the Knoxville Parent Family!Our readers, writers and advertisers all share the same purpose: To

help make Knox County the best place to live and raise your family! Call (865) 622-9680 today and get involved today!

Contents

K N O X V I L L E

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

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

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Advisory BoardSr. Mary MartaAbbott, RSMThe Diocese of Knoxville

Marie AlcornUnited Way of Greater Knoxville

Mike BaileySmall Business Representative

Paul ParsonEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Tracey MatthewsKnox County Schools Family and Community Engagement

Elizabeth PooleyMarketing Professional

Lee TramelKnox County Sheriff ’s Department

Liza ZenniThe Arts and Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville

Contributing WritersKatharine KillenTracey MatthewsJim McIntyre, Ph.D.Erin NguyenMike O’HernMary Pegler, M.S., CCLSSedonna Prater, MSKathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.Michael K. Smith, Ph.DJay Warrick, M.D.

Contributing PhotographersEast Tennessee Children’s Hospital

Web Master / Graphic Assistant / DistributionAdam Kalwas

Visit us at KnoxvilleParent.com

Michael Kull and Eva Nations, Publishers

Minding Our Mindsets

Helping Your Introverted Child Blossom

Helping Children With The Hospital Experience

Introducing Knox County’s 2014/2015 Youth Health Board Members

Rheumatic Fever: A Case Of Mistaken Identity

A Message From The Superintendent

4

5

7

8

9

11

Empowering Parents: New Books For Parents

Lending Library: Family And Student Success For The New School Year

A Case For Cursive

Selected August Events

Math Tricks

12

13

14

17

18

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the start of a new academic year! This month’s topic is about empowerment: gaining the ability to grow and expand; to recognize and use one’s own potential for greater success, not only in school, but in life.

We are very proud and excited to serve our community through Knoxville Parent magazine and KnoxvilleParent.com. We are also grateful for all the support, contributions and the demand that has empowered us to expand in our knowledge, experience and reach.

Dr. McIntyre voices this idea perfectly in his August message to parents, “...we must collectively create a pervasive culture of excellence....Only then will every child have the opportunity to successfully reach his or her highest potential, regardless of whatever challenging circumstances he or she may face.”

Here’s to a powerful new school year!Eva Nations and Michael Kull

@KnoxParentMag Knoxville Parent Magazine


and similar questions. Then both groups were first given eight easy problems to solve; the success rates were high for both groups. Next Dweck gave both groups four difficult problems that were too hard to solve. Both groups failed with these problems, but their reactions revealed their personal theory of intelligence.

The fixed mindset group “viewed their difficulties as failures, as indicative of low ability, and as insurmountable. They appeared to view further effort as futile and…as further documentation of their inadequate ability.” The

growth mindset group, on the other hand, viewed the unsolved problems as challenges to be mastered. They tried different problem solving strategies and constantly monitored their own performance. They remained optimistic that they could solve the problems.

Over the past two decades, Dweck and her colleagues have researched the implications of these two mindsets in the various domains of parenting, business, school, and relationships. The fixed mindset, which views intelligence as static, has the following characteristics: “It leads to a desire to look smart and therefore a tendency to avoid challenges, get defensive or give up easily, see effort as fruitless or worse, ignore useful negative feedback, and feel threatened by the success of others.” The growth mindset believes that intelligence can be developed and displays the following characteristics: “It leads to a desire to learn and therefore a tendency to embrace challenges, persist in the face of obstacles, see effort as the path to mastery, learn from criticism, and find lesson and inspiration in the success of others.”

Teachers and parents can learn techniques to help children develop a growth mindset. Parents should not praise intelligence or talent but rather reward persistence and effort: “That homework was so long and involved. I really admire the way you concentrated and finished it.” To Dweck, “the great teachers believe in the growth of the intellect and talent, and they are fascinated with the process of learning.” Great teachers set high standards for all their students and then seek way to implement these standards. With support from a school system, they help students confront challenges and learn from failures.

A growth mindset will help our children identify their strengths and weaknesses, learn to love challenges, and come to enjoy learning for the rest of their lives. The start of a new school year should provide inspiration for parents and teachers to help children develop this mindset.

Alfred Binet, the inventor of the modern intelligence test in 1905, felt that his instrument should be used to

identify children who needed help to succeed in school. In his book, Modern Ideas About Children, he summarized this philosophy: “A few modern philosophers…assert that an individual’s intelligence is a fixed quantity, a quantity which cannot be increased. We must protest and react against this brutal pessimism…With practice, training, and above all, method, we manage to increase our attention, our memory, our judgment and literally to become more intelligent than we were before.” The modern psychologist Carol Dweck, in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, characterized Binet’s dichotomy as a “fixed mindset” versus a “growth mindset.” An examination of these two approaches to learning can help parents and teachers as this new school year starts.

Children with a fixed mindset view intelligence as static and unchangeable. They might agree with the following statement: “You can learn new things, but how smart you are stays pretty much the same.” Children with a growth mindset view intelligence as malleable. They might agree with the following statement: “Smartness is something you can increase as much as you want to.” In her early research, Dweck selected two groups of children based on responses to these

Minding Our Mindsetsby Michael K. Smith, Ph.D.

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

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

[email protected].

“Children with a growth mindset view intelligence as malleable.... ‘Smartness is something you can increase as much as you want to.’”

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

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

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Minding Our Mindsetsby Michael K. Smith, Ph.D.

feels “unnatural” to them by teaching strategies and skills that make social interactions at school more tolerable. Introverts can be coached “to look for comfortable roles within larger groups” such as note-taker or agenda-organizer, and they can benefit from practice at home with

“speaking up” in class. Cain suggests parents teach their introverted child how to be a “pretend extravert” to get through challenging social situations: by making eye contact, smiling, and standing up straight, the child will appear confident even if he or she is feeling insecure. The social skill practice and training should be done in a non-judgmental manner so that the introverted child does not feel lacking in any way.

Effective parenting of an introverted child requires sensitivity and awareness on the part of the parent. The rewards of parenting such a child can be immense. As one mother of a “quiet” adolescent girl I know put it, “My daughter may not talk as much as the rest of the family, but when she does speak, I pay attention and I usually learn from her insights.”

by Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D.

Helping Your Introverted Child Blossom

In her remarkable book Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking, Susan Cain describes

gifts introverts have to offer along with challenges they face. Some of the gifts include a capacity for deep concentration, good listening/observation skills, and sensitivity to others’ feelings. Some of the challenges include difficulty with overstimulation, hesitancy to try new things, and reluctance to speak in a group setting. One of Cain’s chapters is devoted to effective parenting of introverted children with an emphasis on helping such children develop their full potential and ensuring they don’t get overlooked simply because they are quiet. Cain highlights several issues for parents, including: (1) helping the introverted child cope with school stress; (2) exposing the child to new situations and people; and (3) teaching the child social strategies to help him or her succeed in academic settings.

In order to understand why being at school can be difficult for an introverted child, it is useful to consider one definition of the difference between introverts and extraverts: introverts need time alone to recharge after being with people, while extraverts need time with people to recharge after being alone. Based on this definition, it should be clear that an introverted child could find being surrounded by people at school all day inherently stressful. Parents can help by recognizing their introverted child may need some quiet time and/or a low-stimulation setting after school. Parents can also increase the child’s self-awareness by educating him or her: “Because you are an introvert, you benefit from having some down time to recharge your energies after you have been with people all day at school.”

One of the insights about introverts Cain discusses is that introverts tend to react strongly to new people, places, and events. When an introvert states “I don’t feel comfortable at big parties where I don’t know everyone,” very often the discomfort is due to a reaction to novelty or overstimulation. Unfortunately, some people misinterpret the introvert’s dislike of big parties as antisocial. Cain makes clear that introverts are no more antisocial than extraverts; however, introverts tend to prefer smaller, more intimate gatherings with close friends and may gravitate towards deeper conversations as opposed to “small talk.” The risk for introverted children is that they will avoid trying new things because of their reaction to novelty/overstimulation. Cain recommends that parents aim for a balance between “overprotection and pushing too hard” by ensuring their introverted child is exposed to plenty of new people, places, and situations throughout childhood, but at a pace that is manageable for the child. While doing so, parents can offer empathic statements to their child about the difficulty of trying something new as well as recognition when a child stretches beyond his or her comfort zone.

According to Cain, many schools are more suited for extraverts than introverts in terms of being noisy, overstimulating environments that require students to participate in large group discussions. Cain identifies characteristics of schools that are more conducive to the learning styles of introverted children, while also recognizing that many families are not in a position to hand-pick their child’s school. Parents can help an introverted child to succeed in a school setting that

Kathryn Rea Smith, Ph.D. is a private practice psychologist specializing in psychological assessment and parenting consultation. Dr.

Smith can be reached at [email protected].

“...by making eye contact, smiling, and standing up straight, the child will appear confident even if he or she is feeling insecure. ”

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By Mary Pegler, M.S., CCLS. Photo courtesy of ETCH.

Helping Children With The Hospital Experience


Because child life specialists deal with patients of differing ages, they must be prepared with a wide variety of age appropriate activities and distraction methods.

Some pain management techniques involve words of encouragement, videos, favorite toys, music and iPads. Child life specialists play with children, because that’s what children do, to normalize the hospital setting and provide hands-on explanations to demonstrate procedures. For example, teddy bears are given to children to practice finger pokes and insulin shots so they see how it works.

Child life specialists continually assess what is going on at any given moment with a child and their medical treatment to support and comfort them. Specialists teach children coping skills, like deep breathing, they can use for the rest of their lives.

Child life specialists make pediatric hospitals like Children’s Hospital unique. At East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, the Child Life Department is an essential part of the hospital’s focus on family-centered care. Our 15 child life professionals serve as encouragers, confidantes and advocates for patients who may be frightened or unfamiliar with the hospital setting. They work with parents and other health care professionals to meet the special treatment needs and pain management of children of all ages. Beloved by patients, the child life specialists at Children’s Hospital believe in the power of play as a method of healing, growing and developing.

A medical procedure or hospital stay can be very stressful for a child and parents as well. Fortunately, there are

professionals called child life specialists who can help children cope with their stress and hospital experience.

The profession of child life specialist was developed to help children and their families deal physically and emotionally with medical treatments. Child life specialists use their training and knowledge of child development to educate, prepare and support children through all kinds of medical procedures and challenges. They also support families dealing with major changes resulting from a child’s disability or chronic illness, treatment and recovery.

Child life specialists are educated and dedicated specifically to one vital part of a child’s daily life–play. By assessing a child through play, a child life specialist can gain insight into ways to help a child cope with the hospital experience. Building on the care offered by physicians and nurses and child life specialists provide hands-on activities that reinforce a child’s understanding of his care.

Child life specialists work with children and families in various areas within the hospital for example:

• Emergency Department

• Surgery

• Radiology

Some of the services a child life specialist provides include:• Support during medical procedures• Therapeutic medical as well as recreational play • Emotional and physiological preparation for tests, surgeries, and other medical

procedures• Support for bereavement and grief • Hospital pre-admission tours• Coordinate special events and activities for patients and their families• Educate caregivers and staff about the needs of children under stress

Mary Pegler, M.S., CCLS, is the director of child life at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Visit www.etch.com to learn more about child life

services at the hospital.

“Child life specialists play with children ...to normalize the hospital setting and provide hands-on explanations to demonstrate procedures.”

• Pediatric intensive care unit

• Neonatal intensive care unit

• Inpatient units and outpatient clinics

Tiffany Smith, a child life specialist, spends time with a patient at East

Tennessee Children’s Hospital.


A few years ago, Jessica Demby was struggling. After graduating from high school Jessica tried college, but soon realized it wasn’t for her. Jessica did not know what to do and felt she had run out of options. All she knew was that living at home and making minimum wage was not what she wanted.

Now, in less than two years she’s doubled her salary, has paid vacations and holidays, and is truly enjoying her work every day.

What did she do?Jessica enrolled in the Dental Staff School, run by Janet Waldron and her husband, Dr. Jon Waldron, practicing dentist. Today, the Dental Staff School offers students the same great opportunity to build a career Jessica has enjoyed. In just ten weeks, students learn professional dental assisting in a real-offi ce setting.

Each Saturday, the school hosts the current class of students and offers state-of-the art dental equipment for students’ lessons. From working on models to practicing with the dentists and fellow students, Jessica really enjoyed the hands-on learning. “It wasn’t boring,” she says, “it was a whole lot of fun!”

Dental Staff School (www.DentalStaffSchool.com) is a ten-week dental assisting school in Pelham, AL; Marietta, GA; Knoxville, TN and Franklin, TN. Classes are held on Saturdays at local working dental offi ces. The program is accredited through National Accreditation for Colleges and Schools, Non-public Postsecondary Commission in Georgia, and the Alabama and Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

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A 7 year old becomes ill with fever and complains of joint pain in a knee. After a day or so, the knee

gets better, but now the pain is in the ankle. The next day, the ankle is better, but now the elbow hurts. A pink rash appears on the legs. Several hours later it is gone, but returns the following morning. The fever persists. Her parent notices that the child is short of breath, and makes an appointment with the doctor. What could be wrong? After an examination and laboratory testing, the diagnosis becomes clear. This child has acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an inflammatory disease occurring after an untreated strep throat 3 weeks earlier.

Sore throats are a common nuisance of childhood, but not all are alike. “Strep throat,” an infection caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus, frequently causes fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, headache, and malaise. Untreated, it typically runs its course in a week or so. So, why is your child’s pediatrician so careful to treat your child with the appropriate antibiotic if strep throat is the diagnosis?

Treatment with penicillin certainly shortens the duration of strep throat symptoms, but a more important reason to receive appropriate treatment is to prevent ARF. ARF is a potentially serious complication of untreated strep throat. While much less common today than prior to the antibiotic era, clinicians still see this disease in their practices. ARF occurs in about 2 people per year per 100,000 population in the U.S.. The figure in the developing world is about 19 per 100,000. Fortunately, less than 1% of untreated strep throats in the U.S. result in rheumatic fever.

Simply put, ARF appears to be a case of the body’s immune system causing damage to body tissues as it fights a strep throat. Researchers have determined that the molecular structure of certain body tissues bear a resemblance to the molecular structure of the streptococcal cell wall. In attacking the streptococcal bacteria, some cellular elements of the immune system may become confused and attack these body tissues as well, resulting in inflammation and damage. In this way, ARF is a case of mistaken identity.

A patient with ARF is usually between 5 and 15 years old, and develops symptoms 2 to 4 weeks following a sore throat caused by group A streptococcus. Symptoms may include fever, rash (see photo), joint pain (typically moving from joint to joint and very responsive to aspirin), and shortness of breath or fatigue related to heart inflammation. If heart inflammation occurs it may result in damage to heart valves or heart muscle, which can worsen over time. Nervous system involvement results in “chorea,” or abrupt involuntary movements. These movements can be accompanied by weakness and emotional disturbances.

Not all children with ARF develop all of the symptoms. The diagnosis can be difficult, and the severity of the disease varies from case to case. There is not a specific blood test for ARF, although physicians use laboratory testing to document that a streptococcal infection has occurred and that ongoing inflammation is present. Treatment is focused on eradicating the streptococcus

Rheumatic Fever: A Case Of Mistaken Identity

by Katharine Killen

Introducing Knox County’s 2014/2015 Youth Health Board Members

Thirty-one Knox County high school students

started their year of service on the Youth Health Board this month. A collaborative effort between the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) and Coordinated School Health, the Youth Health Board serves as a forum for youth to affect our community’s wellbeing through volunteer activities and service-learning projects.

“These young leaders bring a unique perspective as we work to explore and take action on a variety of public health issues,” said KCHD Youth Health Board Co-facilitator Kathryn Burklund. “We’re looking forward to beginning our work in the community with this exceptional group.”

The members are selected from an applicant pool of high school students who demonstrate leadership skills, a commitment to the community and an interest in health-related issues. Past activities include: working with KCHD to develop a conference for teens; coordinating volunteer projects at the Boys and Girls Club; and hosting an anti-tobacco public display.

The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) is a governmental agency dedicated to making every person a healthy person. KCHD conducts disease surveillance, prevention and control; emergency preparedness; nutrition and physical activity promotion; tobacco use prevention and control; health equity promotion; adult and child immunizations; and much more. KCHD’s mission is to encourage, promote and assure the development of an active, healthy community through innovative public health practices.

Here’s a list of this year’s Youth Health Board Members:Austin-East High SchoolJaida Hill, 11th gradeJaNiyah Rowans, 10th grade

Bearden High SchoolVinila Baljepally, 10th gradeChristina Paris, 11th gradeSelena Patel, 12th grade

Catholic High SchoolJack Staley, 11th grade

Central High SchoolHailey McDonald, 9th gradeKatie Walsh, 10th grade

Farragut High SchoolEunice Baek, 10th gradeKatherine Fu, 11th gradeAustin Hoag, 10th gradeMathew Saunders, 11th grade

Gibbs High SchoolClay Wilkinson, 12th grade

Halls High SchoolBriauna Blevins, 10th gradeSami Jo DePetro, 11th grade

Hardin Valley AcademyHaley Bauman, 10th gradeMariam Shakir, 11th gradeEric Stickles, 10th gradeMark Underwood, 11th grade

Karns High SchoolCristy Dodson, 11th gradeSavannah Watson, 12th grade

L&N STEM AcademyEmma Talley, 11th gradeKathryn Testament, 11th gradeMadeline Lonas, 11th grade

Powell High SchoolOlivia Andrews, 11th gradeJaden Hodges, 11th grade

South Doyle High SchoolMaddie Jennings, 11th gradeLibby Wilson, 11th grade

West High SchoolNicolas Clevenger, 11th gradeElla Walsh, 11th grade

Webb High SchoolKaitlin Ladha, 9th grade

For more information about the Knox County Health Department, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health.


A patient with ARF may develop a pink rash like this one.

from the body with antibiotics, reducing symptoms with anti-inflammatory medication, and preventing streptococcal infections in the future that would result in a relapse of the disease. A child that has had ARF should be treated with preventative antibiotics until adulthood to reduce the risk of subsequent strep infection (and relapse of rheumatic fever).

Should all sore throats be treated with antibiotics “just in case”? Definitely not. Less than 30 percent of all sore throats are due to streptococcal infection. Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other complications.

How do I know if my child’s sore throat may be due to streptococcus? Several clues are:

• Throat pain that is severe• Fever higher than 100.4 degrees• Swollen glands in the neck• White patches in the back of the throatChildren fitting this profile should be evaluated by a health care provider.

Appropriate treatment of strep throat will have your child feeling better sooner and will protect them from the potentially serious complications of rheumatic fever.

Some or even all medications can be discontinued. However, more severe cases will require long-term treatment including drugs and physical therapy. It is important for children to be in good general health with an emphasis on diet, exercise and skin protection from ultraviolet light.

A 7 year old becomes ill with fever and complains of joint pain in a knee. After a day or so, the knee

gets better, but now the pain is in the ankle. The next day, the ankle is better, but now the elbow hurts. A pink rash appears on the legs. Several hours later it is gone, but returns the following morning. The fever persists. Her parent notices that the child is short of breath, and makes an appointment with the doctor. What could be wrong? After an examination and laboratory testing, the diagnosis becomes clear. This child has acute rheumatic fever (ARF), an inflammatory disease occurring after an untreated strep throat 3 weeks earlier.

Sore throats are a common nuisance of childhood, but not all are alike. “Strep throat,” an infection caused by a bacteria called group A streptococcus, frequently causes fever, sore throat, swollen lymph glands, headache, and malaise. Untreated, it typically runs its course in a week or so. So, why is your child’s pediatrician so careful to treat your child with the appropriate antibiotic if strep throat is the diagnosis?

Treatment with penicillin certainly shortens the duration of strep throat symptoms, but a more important reason to receive appropriate treatment is to prevent ARF. ARF is a potentially serious complication of untreated strep throat. While much less common today than prior to the antibiotic era, clinicians still see this disease in their practices. ARF occurs in about 2 people per year per 100,000 population in the U.S.. The figure in the developing world is about 19 per 100,000. Fortunately, less than 1% of untreated strep throats in the U.S. result in rheumatic fever.

Simply put, ARF appears to be a case of the body’s immune system causing damage to body tissues as it fights a strep throat. Researchers have determined that the molecular structure of certain body tissues bear a resemblance to the molecular structure of the streptococcal cell wall. In attacking the streptococcal bacteria, some cellular elements of the immune system may become confused and attack these body tissues as well, resulting in inflammation and damage. In this way, ARF is a case of mistaken identity.

A patient with ARF is usually between 5 and 15 years old, and develops symptoms 2 to 4 weeks following a sore throat caused by group A streptococcus. Symptoms may include fever, rash (see photo), joint pain (typically moving from joint to joint and very responsive to aspirin), and shortness of breath or fatigue related to heart inflammation. If heart inflammation occurs it may result in damage to heart valves or heart muscle, which can worsen over time. Nervous system involvement results in “chorea,” or abrupt involuntary movements. These movements can be accompanied by weakness and emotional disturbances.

Not all children with ARF develop all of the symptoms. The diagnosis can be difficult, and the severity of the disease varies from case to case. There is not a specific blood test for ARF, although physicians use laboratory testing to document that a streptococcal infection has occurred and that ongoing inflammation is present. Treatment is focused on eradicating the streptococcus

Jay Warrick, M.D., is a board certified rheumatologist practicing in Knoxville since 1991. He

earned a B.S. at Davidson College and his medical degree at East Carolina University. He completed residency and fellowship training at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition to private practice, he assists in

staffing a children’s rheumatology clinic at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. For more information visit www.rheumatologyconsultants.org.

by Jay Warrick, M.D.

Rheumatic Fever: A Case Of Mistaken IdentityIntroducing Knox County’s 2014/2015 Youth Health Board Members

South Doyle High SchoolMaddie Jennings, 11th gradeLibby Wilson, 11th grade

West High SchoolNicolas Clevenger, 11th gradeElla Walsh, 11th grade

Webb High SchoolKaitlin Ladha, 9th grade

For more information about the Knox County Health Department, visit www.knoxcounty.org/health.

865-719-7543 • [email protected]

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“Should all sore throats be treated with antibiotics ‘just in case’? Definitely not....Inappropriate use of antibiotics can lead to development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and other complications. ”

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other information through your student’s portal account. Please visit knoxschools.org and click on “Popular Links” to get more information about the parent portal.Community Eligibility ProvisionThis school year, all students in 52 Knox County schools, regardless of economic status, will receive breakfast and lunch at no charge through the Community Eligibility Provision, a nationwide program funded and directed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For a list of the 52 schools, visit knoxschools.org and search “Community Eligibility Provision.” Career Magnet Academy at Pellissippi StateOn Aug. 11, 127 freshmen scholars stepped into our innovative new high school. Located on the campus of Pellissippi State Community College Strawberry Plains, the school—currently dubbed the Career Magnet Academy at Pellissippi State—offers broader access to critical career and technical education opportunities for students, leading to careers in high demand, high skill and high pay fields.

The new school year also means the “Original Knox County Schools Coupon Book” is soon available for sale. The book provides funds to meet school needs identified by parents, teachers and school administrators. The coupon book campaign is September 4-22.

Also mark your calendars for Thank a Teacher Week, September 29-October 3. We set aside a week each year to recognize our teachers and school staff for the invaluable service they provide children all year.

As students return to classrooms, I hope you share my enthusiasm about the bright future of the Knox County Schools, as we all work together to achieve our mission of Excellence for Every Child.

Sincerely,Dr. Jim McIntyreSuperintendent, Knox County Schools

We’re excited to enter into the new school year with an enhanced direction. After nearly 12 months of intensive

and productive public engagement and discussion, the Board of Education unanimously adopted the Knox County Schools’ new five-year strategic plan this month. The plan is a blueprint that reflects our aspirations for the future of the school district and the educational interests and priorities of our community.

Important dialogue from teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders helped steer the dialogue about the strategic plan

and influence our goals for the next five years:GOAL 1: Focus on Every Student Our passion for high-level student learning drives all of our work. We will focus on the specific learning and support needs of every one of our 57,000 individual students, to ensure that they are academically successful, college and career ready, economically competitive and personally fulfilled in an increasingly complex world. We promise to personalize learning, guarantee excellence in the classroom and facilitate high quality student supports so that every student can come to school ready and excited to learn.GOAL 2: Invest in Our PeopleOur students can only achieve at their highest levels when our teachers, leaders and staff also excel in their work. We will consistently build the capacity of our people by encouraging them to serve as a community of learners and leaders, so together we can all strengthen our skills and learn new ones. We commit to supporting our staff every step of the way, treating them as the respected professionals they are, and celebrating their remarkable accomplishments in educating our students.GOAL 3: Partner with Our StakeholdersWe believe that our district is more capable of preparing our students for a bright future when we benefit from the talents, resources and support of our broader community and all the stakeholders within it. We will more closely collaborate with all our partners to form “One Big Team” working for our students, inviting and earning stakeholder feedback, so we can continue to know more and do better and elevate our commitment to customer service and professionalism.Our future, then, will revolve around a Culture of ExcellenceWe are proud of the progress our students have made but recognize that if we are to achieve our ambitious goals, we must collectively create a pervasive culture of excellence, where every school is a great school, every student is supported and successful, every staff member is a steward of excellence, and every stakeholder is productively engaged. Only then will every child have the opportunity to successfully reach his or her highest potential, regardless of whatever challenging circumstances he or she may face.

We look forward to more discussion as we begin implementing the plan, and I invite you to learn more at www.knoxschools.org.

The new school year also spotlights changes we’ve made over the summer on behalf of our students, families and communities:New website We believe families will appreciate the changes to our website, knoxschools.org. The transition to the new website, however, means existing parent portal accounts are no longer available. The first step to setting up new and improved parent portal accounts begins this month, and you will be able to set up your accounts in early October. In the meantime, you can access your students’ grades, attendance and

Dear Knox County Schools’ Families

Individual tutoring and group classes at reasonable prices.

Get higher scores on the

ACT / SATPSAT

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

T E S T P R E PEXPERTS

“We are proud of the progress our students have made but recognize that if we are to achieve our ambitious goals, we must collectively create a pervasive culture of excellence...”

Empowering Parents: New Books For ParentsCompiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library


For library information in your area visit:

www.knoxlib.org/

Mama Doc Medicine: Finding Calm and Confidence in

Parenting, Child Health, and Work-Life Balance

by Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D.Pediatrician, blogger, and mother Swanson imparts

wisdom to other mothers on maintaining the health of their

children while maintaining their own well-being.

Project Kid: 100 Ingenious Crafts for Family Fun by Amanda KingloffKingloff, a former director at Parents magazine, provides a great variety of simple, low-cost craft ideas appropriate for kids of all ages.

All Joy and No Fun: The Paradox of Modern

Parenthood by Jennifer Senior

Rather than just another book full of parenting tips, this title takes a look at the

joys and struggles of being a parent and finding meaning

through it all.

Family Whispering: The Baby Whisperer’s Commonsense

Strategies for Communicating and Connecting with the

People You Love and Making Your Whole Family Stronger by

Melinda Blau and Tracy Hogg

Author Blau builds on principles created by “Baby Whisperer”

Hogg to provide a realistic approach to strengthening

families through better communication.

Mindful Discipline: A Loving Approach to Setting Limits & Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D. and Chris White, M.D.Psychologist Shapiro and pediatrician White outline an approach to parenting that balances making rules and setting boundaries with allowing children the freedom to make mistakes and the security of knowing they are loved in spite of them.

The Myth of the Spoiled Child by Alfie Kohn

Author Kohn takes a somewhat controversial look at the

popular notion that society today is filled with parents who are either overprotective or too

permissive and provides data that shows why this may not

actually be true.

Breaking Through: Using Educational Technology for

Children with Special Needs by Barbara Albers Hill

This practical resource aims to help parents and educators

select and use iPads and other tablet devices to maximize the learning potential of children with special needs and other

learning challenges.Smart Money Smart

Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money

by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze

Financial expert Ramsey, along with his daughter

Rachel, brings his no-nonsense approach to managing money to parents who want to teach

their children how to be smart about their own finances.

Kids Are Weird and Other Observations from Childhood by Jeffrey BrownThe author of the bestselling Darth Vader and Son takes on the subject of young children and the funny things they say in his newest book of comics. Strong Mothers,

Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker, M.D.Pediatrician Meeker follows up her bestselling title Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters with a book for mothers filled with practical advice on how to raise confident, happy boys.


Empowering Parents: New Books For ParentsCompiled by Erin Nguyen

Children’s Department, Knox County Public Library

Welcome to a new school year! With the start of a new school year come opportunities to learn new things,

strengthen family bonds and create great memories, and the Knox County Schools can help!

The Family and Community Engagement Department and Family Resource Center are pleased to provide tools to support families and student success. Among the many services we offer, the Lending Library provides a way to access sources of knowledge, resources and a system of support free of charge.

Topics in the Lending Library that can support your family include positive child rearing, understanding teen behavior, communicating with each other and others.

Through the Lending Library, books are mailed to families via the U.S. Postal Service free of charge. To return the book, parents simply insert it into the envelope that comes with the book and drop it off at any school location.

For more information about the Lending Library, to search for topics of interest and to easily check out one of the many books, please visit the Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement website at knoxschools.org/FCE or the Knox County Schools Family Resource Center website at knoxschools.org/FRC. Suggested Books for Your Family

The following list provides eight hand-selected books available for checkout through the Lending Library that will help strengthen family ties and ease back into the new school year:Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility. This parenting book gives you the tools you need to raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world. Learn how to parent effectively while teaching your children responsibility and growing their character. Establish a healthy balance of control and understanding through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging or power struggles.Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in Five Days. Parents, learn how to reverse negative behavior in your children—fast! With his signature wit and encouragement, the author offers parents hope and real, practical, doable strategies for regaining control and becoming the parents you always wanted to be. Focusing on changing a child’s attitude, behavior and character, this book contains chapters for each day of the week!The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD. This kid-friendly book answers many questions that both parents and children have concerning ADD and ADHD such as, What are ADD and ADHD? What does it mean to have ADD and ADHD? How can kids diagnosed with ADD and ADHD help themselves succeed in school, get along better at home and form healthy, enjoyable relationships with peers?Secrets from the Cradle to College Admission. This book of valuable secrets provides a guide for parents and students to collaborate in preparing for academic excellence. It further provides an encyclopedic reference for students with parental mentoring to prepare for personal growth and for self-empowerment.Mom’s House Dad’s House: Making Two Homes for Your Child. Can children flourish in any custody situation? If their parents or guardians read Mom’s House, Dad’s House, the answer is yes! The ground-breaking classic, now revised, updated and expanded, covers the legal, financial and emotional realities of creating two happy and stable homes for children in the often difficult aftermath of a divorce. How to Do Homework without Throwing Up. Author, Trevor Romain knows how horrible homework can be, and kids will see this right away as they page through

this book, grin at the cartoons and smile at Trevor’s funny insights! Kids will learn how to make a homework schedule, when to do the hardest homework first, the benefits of doing homework and more; serious suggestions are delivered with wit and humor because laughter makes learning fun!Study Smarter Not Harder. Provide your child with the key information he or she needs to study successfully in any situation with the help of Study Smarter, Not Harder. Practical exercises and motivational quotations make homework efficient and immediately useful. This new, third edition includes new strategies for time management, new tools for goal setting for maximum results, discussion of common myths such as speed-reading and methods to improve memory and concentration.The Working Parent’s Handbook. This insightful book offers valuable advice on the many facets of balancing your home and work lives. With familiar and empathic anecdotes from real-life parents and sections on issues as diverse as pull-up diapers and allowances, this book provides just the right information in just the right manner for the busy working parent.

Our departments wish all families a very successful school year, and please do not hesitate to contact Tracey Matthews, Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement Department Supervisor, at [email protected] or 865-594-9525, or Tamekia Jackson, Knox County Schools Family Resource Center Director, at [email protected] or 865-594-1192 if we can support you in any way!

Lending Library: Family And Student Success For The New School Year

By: Tracey Matthews, Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement SupervisorContributing Writer: Nicole Galler, Knox County Schools Family and Community Engagement University of Tennessee Intern


Writing, or having the ability to communicate, expressing thoughts and feelings, through symbols, has historically always been an indication of literacy. Being a literate society requires one to be able to read and understand the meaning attached to these symbols, as well as, to be able to produce them.

Cursive writing was developed into the more artistic form during the Renaissance, around the 14th century, and was the common writing practice for the literate, nobility and educated of society for centuries. Manuscript

Imagine for a moment a visit to our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. As you

and your children meander through the Rotunda of the National Archives Building, you follow the majority of the visitors to view the great Charters of Freedom: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. When you reach them and your eyes are finally upon those glorious, patriotic documents with their elegant lines of artistic penmanship, you glance over to see your sixth grade student staring vacantly.

It may take a few moments of mental cogitation, but the dawn of realization may surprise you to recognize that your student cannot read the cursive writing of the documents that establish our country’s values and provide the basis for our government. While this may seem like an unlikely scenario, the reality is with the digital age and the emphasis on digital literacy, the art of handwriting and in particular cursive handwriting has fallen out of practice in our schools.

by Sedonna Prater, MS

A Case For Cursive

“When the construction of letters becomes automatic and fluid, students have the ability to concentrate on the expression of actual meaning within the composition.”

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Writing, or having the ability to communicate, expressing thoughts and feelings, through symbols, has historically always been an indication of literacy. Being a literate society requires one to be able to read and understand the meaning attached to these symbols, as well as, to be able to produce them.

Cursive writing was developed into the more artistic form during the Renaissance, around the 14th century, and was the common writing practice for the literate, nobility and educated of society for centuries. Manuscript

by Sedonna Prater, MS

A Case For Cursive

“When the construction of letters becomes automatic and fluid, students have the ability to concentrate on the expression of actual meaning within the composition.”

between the hand and the brain, similar to an imprint, when one writes that is not quite the same as when one types. Legible handwriting is also a mark held in

great esteem by educators assessing writing assignments, standardized test evaluators who have to read written compositions, and future employers.

The State of Tennessee School Board at their July meeting voted approval of a preliminary policy to implement cursive writing standards for grades kindergarten through grade four. This will be presented for a final vote in October. While the School Board should be applauded for this initiative, educators and parents must remember that to fully perfect cursive, it must be emphasized beyond fourth grade. Focus on handwriting with your child by encouraging them to practice the rote exercises of manuscript or cursive, as developmentally appropriate, at least ten minutes a day. As they progress, encourage them to cursive handwrite letters to relatives, grocery lists, notes, homework assignments, and any other writing opportunities. Many students continue to print simply because they have not had enough practice in cursive, and it is easier. Consider cursive an important skill this year!

writing was brought to the U.S. from England in the early 1920’s by Marjorie Wise, a specialist in teaching handwriting. It was thought at the time that it would be easier for children to read and learn if they were more familiar with the type of print found in books (Zaner-Bloser, 2003). A few years following the emphasis on manuscript, educators felt that manuscript was not an acceptable ‘adult’ form of writing and returned the emphasis to the cursive handwriting prevalent during the 19th century. If anyone has a relative who attended school during the late 1920’s through the 1950’s, one will note the beautiful, stylistic handwriting taught.

While handwriting is more than just beautiful penmanship—it is a mark of literacy, it is understandable why the emphasis has decreased in recent years. Educators are concerned about making the most out of their schedule and focusing on priorities to meet changing standards and standardized assessment objectives. They are also very aware that they must prepare students to be able to navigate in this technological/digital age. However, educators and parents alike should not underestimate the benefits of writing. Handwriting teaches fine-motor dexterity, attention to detail, and there is evidence that legible handwriting actually promotes improved composition (Berninger et al., 1997).

When the construction of letters becomes automatic and fluid, students have the ability to concentrate on the expression of actual meaning within the composition. This can also be said with the use of a keyboard, however, there is something that happens to increase learning kinesthetically

Book your getaway today! GaylordOpryland.com

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From finding a new job to your child receiving straight A’s, life is full of reasons to celebrate and we’ll make your celebration getaway extra special by offering you a $50 resort credit per night up to a maximum of a $100 per stay. Experience something spectacular with our signature glass enclosed atriums filled with lush gardens and winding waterways. Delicious dining, unique shopping and fun entertainment options provide everything you need for a joyous occasion.

It’s Your Time to Celebrate withup to a $100 Resort Credit

Valid through December 30, 2014. Limited number of rooms available for this promotion. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion. Limit One (1) $50 resort credit per night (maximum of $100 per stay). A stay is defined as consecutive nights at the same hotel, regardless of check-in/check-out activity. See website for complete terms and conditions.

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

“[H]andwriting is more than just beautiful penmanship—it is a mark of literacy.”

By providing tuition support for our students, you are INVESTING in Catholic families of our Diocese and the

future of our Church in East Tennessee. Thank you!

econd ollection s

c August 23 & 24, 2014

Over the past two years, more than $225,000 has been raised during the Diocese of Knoxville’s Second Collection in support of our Catholic school students. As

families continue to struggle in difficult economic times, the need for supplemental tuition support has grown over 40 percent since 2010—last year a record $3 million was distributed! Through the generosity of our parishioners, we are able to fulfill a commitment to provide spiritual and intellectual growth to over 3,100 students in

our two high schools and eight elementary/middle schools. Please prayerfully consider contributing to the Second Collection on August 23rd and 24th.

Donate online at dioknox.org/schools.

Events for August 2014

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Upcoming Events From AC Entertainment

Summer Movie Magic: Dirty Dancing

Friday, August 22 at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm) and Sunday, August 24 at 2:00 pm (doors open at 1:00 pm) at the Tennessee Theatre. Doors open Friday at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $8 adult, $6 children under 12 and seniors 65 and over; Subscriptions are $35 adult and $25 children and seniors plus applicable service fees and are available at the Tennessee Theatre box office, Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets are on sale now.

Corey Smith in concert at the Tennessee Theatre

Saturday, August 23, 2014 at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm) at the Tennessee Theatre. Tickets are $25.00 plus applicable service fees and are available at the Tennessee Theatre box office, Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. Tickets are on sale now.

The Knoxville Choral Society will hold

auditions for all voice parts on the evening of Thursday, August 28 from 6-8 p.m.

Please call or email for a scheduled appointment time. We will provide the location at that time. Auditions will include assessment of vocal quality, sight-reading and tonal memory drills. No prepared piece is required. For more information about the Knoxville Choral Society or to download an audition form, visit our Website at www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org. To schedule an audition time: Please call 865-312-2440 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Once a time is set, location and other details will be provided. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.knoxvillechoralsociety.org.

Smoky Mt. Storytellers Association invites you to come in and sit a spell on the Back Porch for tales from the Smokies.

August 31: Jim Eastin and Janice Brooks-Headrick:

Jim Eastin is an award winning preacher and storyteller who has spent his life helping people appreciate one another and the

wonderful world God has made for us. He is a featured storyteller and teacher all over the southeast. If your group needs a program or has a special occasion to commemorate, he can design a program for you. [email protected].

Janice Brooks-Headrick loves ghost tales, traditional tales and life adventures. Gathering tales by listening to locals, natives and visitors, she shares the experiences of discovering a new culture, new attitudes, and life styles. She lives on English Mt. Sevier County. [email protected]. 865-429-1783.

Mabry-Hazen House Hosts 7th Annual Boomsday, Bluegrass & Barbeque

Celebration

Mabry-Hazen House will host its 7th annual Boomsday, Bluegrass, and Barbeque celebration on Saturday, August 30th, 2014. On a cool hilltop setting attendees will enjoy a great view of Knoxville’s premiere fireworks show, good food, and live music by 6 Mile Express. Tours of the historic home will begin at 6 pm, and dinner will be served at 7:30.

Voted one of the best places to watch the Boomsday fireworks show, Mabry-Hazen House also offers food and entertainment without the traffic. Tickets are $60 per adult and children under 12 are free when accompanied by a ticket holder. Tickets are limited to 200 adults to ensure a quality

event. This event has sold out for the past four years. Purchase your tickets in advance to guarantee your attendance. There is plenty of parking and the site offers easy access to I-40 without traffic concerns. Tickets may be purchased in advance by visiting www.mabryhazen.com or call 865-522-8661 for more information. The event will take place rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable. Sponsored by WDVX, All Occasions Party Rentals, Bandit Lites, and Crowne Plaza Knoxville.

The James A. Dick “Mighty Musical Monday” September 1, 2014 Program features Concert Theatre Organist and Recording Artist, R. Jelani Eddington. Brown Bag lunches by Chick-Fil-A available for $5.00

The Tennessee Theatre is pleased to welcome internationally acclaimed organist Jelani Eddington. Eddington has easily established himself as one of the most prominent and sought-after artists on the concert circuit. He has performed in most of the major concert venues throughout the United States, has toured extensively abroad, and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including his selection as the 2001 Theatre Organist of the Year.

For more information, contact the Tennessee Theatre box office at 865.684.1200 or www.tennesseetheatre.com.


Multiply by four. So you want to know what 13 x 4 is. First, let’s recognize that 4 = 2 x 2. So 13 x 4 = 13 x 2 x 2, right? Okay, understanding that, we can see that in order to multiply by 4, we can instead multiply by 2 twice. But here’s the linguistic twist to this thing. Multiplying by 2 is called “doubling,” and when we say

“double it,” it seems to be even easier! So 13 doubled is 26, and 26 doubled is 52. Just that easy. Can’t remember your 4 x 7 math fact? 7 doubled is 14 and 14 doubled is 28 – you got your fact back, jack!Multiply by eight. Same as four, but double it again. 9 x 8 = 9 x 2 x 2 x 2. 9 doubled is 18, 18 doubled is 36, 36 doubled is 72.

(You might not have noticed this right off the bat, but those two work in reverse as well. Need to split the $24 check four ways? Cut it in half twice. Half of $24 is $12 and half of $12 is $6. Eight people sharing the cost of the $600 beach house rental? Half of $600 is $300, half of $300 is $150 and half of $150 is $75.)Multiply by five. We can use the same principle we used with four and eight to multiply by five. But this time instead of multiplying twice, we’ll divide once and multiply once. Since 5 is 10 divided by 2, we can take our number and either cut it in half and multiply by 10 or multiply by 10 and then cut it in half. So what’s 12 x 5? Since 12 is even (thus easy to cut in half), I’ll say half of 12 is 6 and 6 x 10 is 60. What about 15? Since it’s odd, I think I’ll say 10 x 15 is 150, then half of 150 is 75. Either way you win!

As I’ve been writing this it has occurred to me that these are only simple methods, if one is already good at doubling and cutting in half. Then, I started thinking that I’m pretty good at the doubling thing, but that’s because it is natural for me to think about numbers. But, you don’t have to be a natural to end up with the same skill! Think how quickly you would get good at doubling numbers, if you were to practice doubling any number you saw – in your head – as you went through the day. Five birds in the air? Ten! Suite number 17? 34! Candy bar for 89 cents? $1.78! Gas for $3.33? $6.66! (But if the gas is $3.799 you’re allowed to round it off to $3.80, okay?)

Numerical fluency is not innate. It is learned by use. I might add that it will not be strong or permanent if you just memorize math facts – it comes with practice, and practice in varying circumstances makes it as strong as it can be!

Math tricks can come in handy on occasion. There are some fun ones for amazing your friends and

the like. There are some that can be kind of useful in doing your math, like the one for multiples of nine using your fingers. Unfortunately, for learning and using your math in general, learning and using tricks ain’t gonna get it!

But, I’ve got some “tricks” that aren’t really tricks. That is, these are ways to find your answer using mathematical reasoning, and they work like a trick because they’re so simple! Often, when I’m teaching these to my students, I lean in close and say, “Don’t tell anyone about this, because this is far too powerful to put into the hands of just anybody…” So, in that spirit, I’ll let you read it, but only you, okay?

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

Powerful Math Magic

“I’ve got some ‘tricks’ that aren’t really tricks. That is, these are ways to find your answer using mathematical reasoning, and they work like a trick because they’re so simple!”

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

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

and engagement with math throughout life.


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

Powerful Math Magic Some things aren’t made for adults

like Children’s Hospital, the region’s only hospital that’s just for kids.

Children are not small adults. And when it comes to medical care, they have much different needs. At Children’s Hospital, we understand that the first step in treating a child is to make them feel comfortable and safe — and that’s something we do every day.

We’re passionate about treating children. After all, we’re not just a hospital, we’re Children’s Hospital. www.etch.com

Client: E TN Children’s HospitalJob No: ETCH-43065Title: Bubble Mower Print Ad

Pub: Knoxville ParentInsert: April 2014Size: 9.5"x10"

knoxville parent magazine - august 2014

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