metro east parent march issue

VOL 1 Issue 5 / MetroEastParent.com

March 2013 FREE

Parentmetro east

N.P.O. OF THE

MONTHXAVIER LUDWIGThe VOICE of GENERATION “I”

GymNAsTICs

?ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE

2913 Old Caseyville Rd.Swansea, IL 62226

618-407-5281

metro eastParent

Visitmetroeastparent.com

[email protected]

PLEASE CALL Robert Ludwig, Publisher 618-407-5281 or 618-363-3388

Sign Up Today!

FOR DETAILS & to Sign Up!

In partnership with

Metro East’s ONLY Camp Fair!

Saturday, April 20th 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

at

Belleville Main Gym2600 W Main St., Belleville, IL 62226

Plan out your children’s summer in one afternoon with over A hundred different cAMPS BeinG rePreSented

from both local and national camps.Come find various top sports, band, cheer, academic,

math, science, residential, VBS, special needs, nature, and many more types of camps.

KidsCamp &

Summer Fun Fair

FREE

GiveAWAYS!

FREE AdMiSSion!

MetroEastParent.com Page 2

Now Registering for Fall 2013

Completed summer camp brochure & registration form available after April 1 at www.althoff.net. For more details please contact Mrs. Amber Gaither, Director of Marketing, at Althoff Catholic 618.235.1100 or via

e-mail at [email protected].

2013 Summer Camps

Science - Mini Medical School - Stelatal & Muscular, Youth Draw-ing /Painting, Youth Ceramics, Drama I - The Wizard of Oz (2 week camp), Drama II - S’COOL.... A Teenage Pop/Rock Musical (1 week camp), Boys & Girls Basketball, Baseball, Co-Ed Golf, Boys & Girls Volleyball, Wrestling, Football, Boys & Girls Soccer, Cheerleading, Pom Pom

MetroEastParent.com

The next time you plan a Disney vacation, book with a travel agency that’s been specially designated as an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Unlike some other agencies, many of our agents’ extensive knowledge of the Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Cruise Line®, Adventures by Disney, Disney Theme Parks, resort hotels, dining, recreation – and other magical amenities – can help you get the most out of your vacation.

And, the assistance of our travel professionals can help you customize a Disney vacation that’s just right for you, your family and your budget.

So, contact us and get your Disney vacation started today. Being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is a designation that gives us a real distinction. And that can make a real difference for you.

Our designation gives a real distinction

to us.

And makes a real difference

for you.

©Disney

Insert Agency Information Here

Your Magical Vacation begins...when you Wish Upon a Star with us!

Debi, Missy, Brian, Cody, Dawn, Colette, Karen, Matt, David & Kristy

618-344-NEMO (6366)www.WishUponaStarWithUs.com [email protected]

Melodic Rhythms110 North High Street

Belleville IL 62220 618.233.0659

572 Memorial Drive

Breese IL 62230

618.526.7588www.MelodicRhythms.com

Music Lessons Instrument Sales, Rentals & Repairs

School Tutoring ACT/SAT Prep GED Training

Inside


Vol. 1Number 5

FeaturesMetro East Parent N.P.O. Showcase: Red CrossMarch is Red Cross Month. Find out what your area Red Cross is doing to help millions across the area. Also local blood drives where you can help save lives.

How to Do Your Taxes For FreeBelieve it or not, the IRS is here to help those for free do their taxes.

Baby LoveLocal Author, Pam Wilson, talks about her new-found love for babies once she had her own.

It’ll Make You Flip: What Gymnastics can do for your child.Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Miller explains how gymnastics can help children in all aspects of life.

10 Experiences Not to Miss at Disney this Year!Wish Upon A Star With Us owner, Debi Mitchell, tells about all the great things not to miss this year on your Disney trip.

The State of the ArtsSue Hezel and Garrett Peek tackles the ongoing concern of the Arts being removed from our area schools.

Potty Talk with Dr StephYou asked, Dr Steph answered all the tough questions about potty training your children.

11

172223

25

Departments6 News You Can Use8 Letter from the Publisher9 Voice of Generation “I”

Extra, Extra...10 Tooth Talk with Dr. Angie19 Keeping Your Electronics Alive Longer - Kara Prichard20 Books We Love: Easter 21 Column by Dr. Lahr-Well29 Ask the Trainer30 Daddy’s Cookbook - March Madness

Events Calendarpg 35

31

33

M a r c h

Coming April 20th at Lindenwood

University, Metro East Parent in partnership with

the Illinois PTA is hosting the

1st ANNUAL KIDS CAMP and SUMMER FUN FAIR! Everything you need to know about summer events

for your family will be represented.

VOLUME I, NUMBER VMARCH 2013

PUBLISHERROBERT LUDWIG

[email protected]

MANAGING EDITORCherie Washow

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGN

Robert Ludwig

ADVERTISING DIRECTORSteve Grappe

[email protected]

ADVERTISING STAFFJulie Fiorelli, Scott Boekhout, Rommel Sanchez, Robert Guion,

Sue Hezel

INTERNSAlexander Jones, Quinn Lawrence

METRO EAST PARENT618-407-5281

MetroEastParent.com2913 Old Caseyville Rd

Swansea, IL 62226

TO SUBMIT EVENTS TO OUR CALENDAR [email protected]

METRO EAST PARENT MAGAZINE IS A PUBLICATION OF THE CREED MEDIA GROUP.NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM

WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE PUBLISHER.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MATERIAL DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OR AN INDICATION OF SUPPORT BY ANY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

DISTRIBUTION OF THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN ENDORSEMENT OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.

Parentm e t r o e a s t

Web

sites

We

Love

CHECK OUT MORE News You Can Use on our websitemetroeastparent.com


YOUCANUSE

Parentmetro east

Online

Top Free Apps for MarchRed Cross First Aid App

March is Red Cross Month. You can help save lives in partnership with the Red Cross in so many ways, including downloading this First Aid app just in case you might need it! Give Blood!

I See-quence St. Patrick’s Day Social StoriesAn application providing a photo social story for individuals that need support in under-standing St. Patrick’s Day. Twenty-seven icons with real picture images are used to illustrate the sequence of events.

Johnny Appleseed - iStoryTime Classic Children’s BookEaster Bunny My FaceJohnny Appleseed is a celebrated American pioneer who lived from 1774-1845. He became well known while he was alive because of his leadership in conservation. His given name was John Chapman, but the nickname Johnny Appleseed later stuck with him following his passionate work planting apple seeds wherever he went.

Have you ever wondered what you will look like as a bunny? Now you can add a lil bit of Easter to a pho-to! Just simply import an image from your iPhone and place a mask over it to create a new image. Iis very easy to use and best of all it’s completely free!!

Happy Easter from theKidzpage.com! Over 200 kids Easter fun and games for you in this fun packed Easter Holiday section.

Please feel free to stay and play!

Easter! Chocolate, jelly beans, chocolate and then...MORE chocolate! But last year it almost didn’t hap-pen. Good thing my mom texts with him. For reals! She texts with Santa, too. Ask your mom - bet she does too and just never told you. But back to last year - I woke up early to find...NOTHING! No eggs - no baskets of chocolate - not even a jelly bean.

I woke up my mom and she checked her phone to see a text from the EB, himself. Seems he got into a scrape with some bad bunnies who wanted to be like him and was not going to be able to make the rounds. He sent out a mass text to all the moms he knew and they met up at Walgreen’s that morning to pick up the baskets. And then mom came home with a bunch

of baskets full of candy. And while mom was hiding eggs, I was coloring my pic-ture. And then it was time for the egg hunt. And then I opened my basket. And I was so happy I hugged my mom.

Mom says check these web sites for 24 hour stores: Walgreens.com/storelocatorWalmart.comschnucks.com

KidsKonnection.com is a Safe Internet Connection for kids!

Hundreds of websites that are tested kid-friendly and safe!

Use this page for a Home page on your child’s computer!

Venture into the World of Dr. Seuss at Seussville.com!

From the Cat in the Hat to shopping in Hooville, children of all ages

can learn about the incredible works of one of the world’s favorite authors!

When the Easter Bunny Fails!by Keyda W.

Keyda’s Korner

Go Figure...Easter Facts

you probably didn’t know...

16 BillionBesides chocolate, what other candy pops its head around the corner

during Easter time? Jelly beans! An astounding 16 billion jelly beans are made exclusively for Easter. That’s enough beans to fill

a plastic egg the size of a nine story building!

7 BillionThe pounds of candy consumed on Easter in the United States,

according to the National Confectioner’s Association

$1.9 BillionThe amount of money Americans spend on Easter candy each year.

700 MillionAmericans buy more than 700 million Marshmallow Peeps during the

Easter holiday, which makes Peeps the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy.

90 Million In all, 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made for Easter every year.

5 MillionEach day, five million marshmallow chicks and bunnies

are produced in preparation for Easter

8,968 PoundsAccording to the Guinness Book of World Records the largest

Easter egg ever made was just over 25 feet high and made of chocolate and marshmallow. The egg weighed 8,968 pounds and

was supported by an internal steel frame.

76%When taking a bite into one of those millions of chocolate bunnies,

76% of Americans prefer to bite off the ears first, while 5% eat the feet first and 4% eat the tail first.

5000 B.C.The custom of giving eggs at Easter time has been traced back to

around 5000 B.C. Egyptians, Persians, Gauls, Greeks and Romans all gave Easter Eggs to whom the egg was a symbol of life.

1682The first time the Easter Bunny was mentioned in literature in

Georg Franck von Frankenau’s De ovis paschalibus (About Easter Eggs) in 1682 referring to an Alsace tradition of an Easter Hare bringing Easter Eggs.

Page 7 MetroEastParent.com

It amazes me that when I go to one of my son’s basketball games the disrespect that parents and coaches alike show the officials and each other. This weekend I worked a Pee-Wee basketball tournament at my son’s school in which two coaches and a parent were ejected from the premises. Keep in mind, these were 3rd and 4th graders that overheard and witnessed their role models make complete fools of themselves, their teams, and their schools. And we wonder why some of today’s youth have little to no respect for authority.

Children mirror what they see and hear in adults that are supposed to mentor and teach them. Too many times do I see young children of all ages argue a call from a referee only to be parroted by their coaches and parents. Too many times do I see a pre-teen or teenager curse on the basketball court at a call made by the official, and the curses echoed in the crowd of parents. It is sad to think of a future when little Johnny thinks he can do wrong while his parents and coaches stand by and either do nothing to correct him or argue his point for him even when there is a clear violation. Even if the infraction was a wrong call, or if the official missed something, it is not the place of the child to argue the case, nor of the parents. Coaches can question calls, but not argue and try to belittle officials like they did this weekend at the tournament I worked. What are coaches and parents teaching the children by doing this?

They are teaching our children that we should settle disputes through bullying, confrontation, and denial of clear facts. They are teaching our children that it is okay to argue with adults or question their authority. They are our children that we can only succeed in life through what is marked down in the win/loss column, and that how you play the game is no longer more import-ant that whether you win or lose.

At a tournament my son was in last summer on his AAU basketball team, there was a questionable call in the last few seconds of the game that may or may not have decided the game. His coach left with the team at the buzzer to the locker room without making the team shake the hands of the opposing team or even accept the trophy and medals for coming in second place. The team had fought long and hard against stiff competition to be able to play in the championship game and should had been proud no matter what the outcome of the final game was. But that coach robbed the children not only of the medals and trophy, but of the dignity and sportmanship that all children in athletics should have at all times. I was never so embarrased in my life. I was embarrassed for my son, his team and the opposing team and coaches. Needless to say, that was the last time my son was coached by this particular coach.

I am not saying that we as parents cannot become involved in our children’s games. God knows I have spent many a time in the bleachers shouting at my son or the referees during a game, but I hope that I did so in a respectful and non-demeaning way. But we need to be careful of what we say and who we say it in front of at sporting events. We need to teach our children that it is nev-er okay to be disrespectful towards officials, coaches, and other players, and that sometimes a loss is more educational and worthy than a win with total disregard for rules and respect.

And we need to learn these things as adults and coaches!

letter from the publisher...

Robert Ludwig


Voice of Generation “I”All our dreams can come true,

if we have the courage to pursue them. ~ Walt Disney

by XAVIER LUDWIG

I give my father grief all of the time. That is my job. He tells me that it is his job to feed, clothe, and shelter me,

and of course to embarrass me in front of my friends as much as possible. My job is to get good grades, keep my room clean, and work hard at everything I do, and of course to give him grief as much as possible.

For those of you that do not know me or my father it is just the two of us. We are the actual “Two and a Half Men”- me, my father, and his alter ego. In a blink of an eye he can switch from being my best friend to dictator without breaking a sweat, but somehow ends the night with a hug and a kiss and a word of encouragement.

My friends love my father. He has al-ways been there for them, especially those who do not have an active father of their own. But they think he is crazy when it comes to some of the things he does when it comes to me. When he grounds me from my phone or computer for a week for getting a “A-“ on a test, they think he has gone off of the deep end. When I get my X-Box taken away for not trying my hard-est at a basketball game or cross-country meet, they think he is one step away from getting DCFS called on him for abuse.

I come from a small community in Southern Illinois where dreams are not set too high for fear of not attaining them. The bar is set just high enough to reach with little to no effort. The unthinkable is not even thought of. But my father has

always set my goals higher than those that were set for himself as a child. He has raised the bar for me, and when I was close to that mark he raised it even more. It has always been frustrating, but last week I found out that dreams can come true, and that his master plan for me is just beyond the horizon.

Let me give some examples. Last year as a 7th grader in Cross Country I was never close to being in the first pack. I always ended up near the middle, always giving it my all. Even though I never finished first, my father was always at the finish line with a smile and a look of encouragement and pride. This summer he took me out and worked with me and guaranteed that my 8th grade year would be different. He taught me that with hard work and determination that anything was possible. This year I went 24-1 in cross country. Twenty-four first places and the only race I lost was a ninth place finish out of 224 runners in which I was tripped twice and had to come from the back of the pack to catch up.

I am not saying this to brag, only as a reminder that anyone can do the same. If you block out all of the negativity and only listen to those who have your best interests at heart, your teachers, coaches, and par-ents, anything is possible.

One of my father’s goals for me is to attend an Ivy League college. Last week I became one step closer to our dream. I was accepted in one of the toughest high schools in the country to get into. Through testing and interviews, this high school chose me into their class of 2017, my father and I cried for an hour as we read the acceptance letter. The pride that came from my father was beyond any race or basketball game.

The people from my community had mixed reactions. To some there was pride,

that one of their own has accomplished something no one else in the community had ever done. Then there were the haters that thinks that anyone who ventures outside our inner circle should be excom-municated and forgotten about, never to be spoken to again.

I write to all of the kids that have dreams and come across such haters in their lives. Forget them. Move forward in your life and your dreams and never look back at those who do not celebrate in your accom-plishments. They are and never will be there to pick you up if you ever fail, only to celebrate the fact that you failed and came back down to their level. My father once told me that a shattered dream was not a dream you tried for and failed, but a dream that was never dreamed at all.

I wonder how many NBA stars once told people that their dream was to be a profes-sional basketball player and was laughed at or told that they should try and strive for something more realistic. Or if Bill Gates was ever told that there was no way that a computer that once filled an entire room could be in every home on every desk in the country. Or if Neil Armstrong was ever told that he was not going to be an astronaut and walk on the moon. Or if a skinny bi-racial kid from Kansas would be President of the United States, the most important man in our country and world. No dream is too big, no accomplishment is too small.

I give my father grief all of the time, but because of him I have dreams. Dreams that may seem beyond reach for a 13 year old, but with the right guidance and determi-nation I know I will someday surpass to move onto the next. I hope you all have someone like my father in your life to help you fulfill your dreams, if not there are many like him at your school or church that are more than willing to take up the challenge with you. Seek them out!



Q & AT o o t h T a l kwith Dr. Angie

As parents, we are not provided with an own-

er’s manual instructing us on how to be a good parent. In

fact, the popular opinions about the proper methods that should be used to guide a child into adulthood change from generation to generation.

As dental professionals, our challenge is to make similar deci-sions for our growing patients as the most recent research on den-tal and facial development becomes available. Some of the most compelling research available today is providing a connection between dental and facial development as it relates to neurologic development. Those progressive thinkers and healers who are leaders in the field of dentofacial and craniofacial development are relating the conditions of misguided or abnormal facial develop-ment with conditions such as attention deficit disorder, concussion frequency and severity, headaches, earaches, neck pain, dizziness, clicking and popping jaws (TMD) as well as Tourette’s Disease and other motor tic disorders.

Many parents are unaware that their child’s facial development is over 90% complete by the age of 12. There are many structural and postural influences that can affect facial development. An insufficient airway, poor posture, poor tongue mechanics (includ-ing speech and swallowing problems) crooked or decayed teeth along with many other issues can affect your child’s dental and facial development. Those dentists and orthodontists that treat the development of the dentofacial complex of the child recommend an evaluation by a trained professional by the age of seven. In fact, 75% of 12 year olds need orthodontic treatment. By guiding facial development through the use of interceptive appliances the treat-ment time needed in braces can be dramatically reduced. Many times, if interceptive treatment is not performed, the unfortunate need for the removal or amputation of multiple permanent teeth may be performed to create the room needed for an attractive smile.

Early treatment can guide the jaws and erupting teeth into more favorable positions, improve the growth and alignment of the jaws, preserve space for the permanent teeth and result in a more

attractive balanced smile.

There are a few things to look for in your child’s smile to deter-mine if interceptive orthodontics may be indicated:

• Crowded teeth• Spaced teeth• Missing teeth• Impacted teeth• Protruded teeth• Crossbite (upper teeth inside/ behind lower front or back teeth) • Deep overbite (lower front teeth not visible when mouth is closed)• Openbite (front teeth do not touch)• Midline discrepancy• Lack of symmetry of the face• Upper jaw or lower jaw forward• Clicking or popping jaw joint

In addition to the research that has become available in ortho-dontics, dental orthopedics and neurology, the developments in radiographic techniques that are available to dentists today make it easier to diagnose and treat the developing child’s growth and development issues. The modern cone beam CT scans allow a three dimensional imaging opportunity to visualize the soft tissue appearance of the airway to screen for tonsillar, nasal turbinate and adenoid airway obstructions as well as dental, skeletal and cervical (neck) structural issues that may affect your child’s structural and neurologic development. The two dimensional imaging systems used in the past offer much less diagnostic ability than the newer scans. In fact, we now have the opportunity to add the facial soft tissue image to the skeletal scans for improved diagnostics.

Your child is much more than just a pretty smile. Through im-proving your child’s smile, modern dentistry has the opportunity to help make your child become a more attractive, successful and func-tional adult. We hope that you take advantage of the training and technology that is available to the dental providers that are progres-sive-minded and trained in the latest techniques and technology.

Dr. Angela Tenholder, DMD, [email protected]

“Train a child up in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

[email protected]

Dr. Angie is a 1994 graduate of Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. Her office is in Millstadt, Illinois and she is opening an office in Columbia, Illinois early 2013. You can find more information about her and her practice at www.smileologydental.com.

MetroEastParent N.P.O. Showcase:

By Jason Sibert

American Red Cross employees, volun-teers and millions of others will celebrate the organization’s humanitarian record this month. American Red Cross Month stretches

back seven decades. In 1943, President Franklin Roosevelt declared the month of March American Red Cross Month to support the activities of the organization in World War II. Each of his presidential successors carried on the March tradition. Like many non-profits, ARC relies on the efforts of many volunteers.

“This March is really about thanking our volunteers, searching for more volun-teers and promoting the Red Cross to the public,” ARC Community Market Manag-er of the Greater St. Louis Region Sandy Vaughn said.

Clara Barton - patent clerk, educator, nurse, humanitarian and woman’s rights activist – organized the ARC in 1881. And since its inception the organization has worked to alleviate suffering in more than one way. In addition to disaster relief, ARC also provides community services for the needy, supports military personnel and their families, processes and distributes blood products, and provides both educa-tional programs on health and safety and international relief and development aid.

Barton is still a guiding light, as Vaughn, a Collinsville resident, said the ARC still follows her standards and guidelines today. After hearing about the tornado that destroyed 400 homes in Mt. Vernon, Illinois in 1888, Barton said “this beautiful little city has passed through a terrible ordeal. Death and destruction have swept over it and it lies in wreck and ruin.” Educating the public on the history and impact of disasters is a part of the Red Cross’ mission, and the Fairview Heights chapter of the Red Cross made a presen-tation in Mt. Vernon’s public schools last month on the history of the 1888 fire. They also provided education on how to protect oneself from the ravages of a tornado.

Continued on page 13

“This organization attracts people who want to help other people,” Vaughn said. “You have to have compassion for all sorts of people, and this attracts different types of people. We have some who do fundrais-ing, some who educate children and others who teach CPR.” As community market manager Vaughn works to promote the organization’s mission in the Metro East and surround-ing Illinois counties and raises necessary funds for ARC missions. She said many are unaware the organization’s dedication to house fires, as the Fairview Heights chapter aided 28 house fires in the month

on January. Fairview Heights resident and ARC volunteer Don Barkley recently spent three weeks in New York helping with disaster relief for Hurricane Sandy. “People are familiar with the Red Cross due to the fund drives they see on televi-sion and the blood drives,” Barkley said. “But when people are the victim of disas-ters like house fires, we’re there to provide necessities and help them get back on their feet and become self-supporting.” Barkley, retired from the Air Force, said the ARC dispatches people to a disaster site to let the victims know the organization will provide them with food and shelter for a certain period of time

after the disaster. The ARC will provide organizations with an opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness this month. At 8 a.m. on March 28th the local ARC will host the Emergency Preparedness Academy at the Edward Jones North Academy in Mary-land Heights, Mo. Business, non-profit, government and academic leaders from all around the Midwest will teach others how to build a culture of preparation in their respective organizations. The academy will feature mass casualty simulation and basic search and rescue operations. The cost is $80 per person and the session is limited to 25 participants. Interested parties can register online at www.redcross.org/stl.

Continued from page 11


Location Date TimeBelleville Parks and Recreation Friday, March 01, 2013 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.New Athens High School Monday, March 04, 2013 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.Whiteside Elementary-Belleville Monday, March 04, 2013 3:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.O'Fallon High School Tuesday, March 05, 2013 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Nashville High School Wednesday, March 06, 2013 8:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.Millstadt Consolidated School Thursday, March 07, 2013 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.Okawville High School Thursday, March 07, 2013 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Washington County Hospital in Nashville Friday, March 08, 2013 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Fire Station One in Belleville Monday, March 11, 2013 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.Lindenwood University in Belleville Monday, March 11, 2013 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.Valmeyer High School Monday, March 11, 2013 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.Holy Childhood School in Mascoutah Thursday, March 14, 2013 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.Lebanon High School Friday, March 15, 2013 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Marissa High School Monday, March 18, 2013 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.St. Teresa Church in Belleville Monday, March 18, 2013 2 p.m.to 7 p.m.Quail Club in Belleville Tuesday, March 19, 2013 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.VFW Hall in Waterloo Tuesday, March 19, 2013 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.St. Michaels in Random Thursday, March 21, 2013 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.Holy Childhood School Saturday, March 23, 2013 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia Sunday, March 24, 2013 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.Union Pacific Road in Dupo Monday, March 25, 2013 10a.m. to 2 p.m.St. Clare School in O’Fallon Thursday, March 28, 2013 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Metro East Area RED CROSS

BlOOD DRivES

Together, we can save a life

For the Month of March

MetroEastParent.com

David Robinson is serving as the interim principal at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Collinsville. He has been part of the metro community for the past eight years, however, on the Missouri side where he was the principal at a Lutheran school in the city of St Louis. For the past 17 years, David has served in ministry as a Director of Christian Education, classroom teacher, and school principal/administrator in 6 states throughout the Midwest. His wife, Diana, is also in education as an early childhood teacher at a charter school in St. Louis. His children, Callie and Preston, have had mom and dad as both teacher and their principal (and they say it’s the BEST!). David has served as a member of various boards and committees including School Night to Join Scouting, Chairman for the Greater St. Louis Area Council – Thunderbird Dis-trict, Lutheran Association for Special Education, President-elect for Missouri District Administrators, Lutheran Elementary School Association Marketing Team, and has served on various state and national school accreditation teams. David is a native Arkansan and remains loyal to his Razorbacks.

Igrew up playing baseball. For fifteen years, my life revolved around the sport. In my “growing up” and “grow-

ing older” years, I have found that I’ve spent more time watching than playing the game. My body doesn’t recover as well as it used to when I was younger. My rotator cuff is shot, my knees don’t carry the heavier frame as they did years ago, etc. You get the point. However, my son has helped me to begin to relive some of those glory days by getting me out and throwing the ball around every chance we get. He’s stepped up in ability and takes it pretty seriously. He made a big jump this year from just summer ball to a select team. The QUALITY of the players and program is different. His mom and I expect more from the program and, as expected, the select program expects more from my son in his dedication and performance. (Thanks, Mike, and Rawlings Recruits for the opportunity!)

I began a running program called Couch to 5K, a nine-week program progressing towards running my fist ever 5K. I have a pair of “shoes”, but I truly felt that my running in them just didn’t feel right. So, the search began as I traveled to different stores trying to find the “right” shoe for me. The QUALITY of the shoe must meet

the demand of my type of running. I found my shoes, and my training is going well!

QUALITY: It’s what customers of all kinds place on products: baseball pro-grams, shoes, clothing, EDUCATION.

I continue to be amazed at how blessed I am to work within a Christian day school. I hear from many parents who speak about the value they have placed on the QUAL-ITY that has been part of a long-standing history at Holy Cross Lutheran School. The 165 years of ministry and education have carried through as many as seven generations of families. The “word of mouth” quality is passed on to others as the time to begin looking for schools for the fall has begun. The confidence that I have is that this product of Lutheran Christian education has been tried, tested, and proven to be a “fit” for me and for many others as well. Comments that par-ents have shared with me have included: I never went to a Christian school myself, but I’m glad that I have the opportunity to provide this for my children; and from another parent, I couldn’t see another place for my child than this [Lutheran] school.

Just like the shoe for my running, it

had to fit well. I tried on many different pairs: big name brand to the everyday names, high price to more affordable for me. Regardless of the brand or price tag, I had to find the one that fit well. The true QUALITY didn’t rest in what others said in their reviews alone. I had to check it out myself. In making decisions about shoes, athletic programs, and even education-al institutions, we put things to the test. QUALITY is just one of the factors we use in our decisions in life.

I know I’m several years off from this for my children and it is only a dream (or maybe more of a goal!). National Signing Day last month was just another example of how student athletes and parents made a commitment to QUALITY, VALUE, and LOYALTY as these three benchmarks were part of the guiding principles to put a name on a line for a college or universi-ty. I applaud these commitments to not just the athletic side of this chapter in a child’s life but also the quality and value of the education that will go far beyond the hardwood, grid iron, and diamond field of dreams. Good luck to our students and parents continuing to seek QUALITY in the educational product. My hope is that amidst all of the alternatives out there, you find the right fit for you!

Stand by Me...


Check us out online at MetroEastParent.com

Scholarship Application Tips

FAMILY FEATURES

The high cost of a college education means that a lot of students are look-ing for financial aid to help pay for it.

But the competition can be stiff. According to the most recent National Postsecond-ary Student Aid Study, only 5.5 percent of undergraduate students received non-ath-letic scholarships. What can students do to give themselves the best chance of receiving some much-needed scholarship money?

“Start your search and application process as early as possible,” says Tiffany Turner, Program Manager at International Scholarship and Tuition Services, Inc., who manages 30 scholarship programs including Foresters™ Competitive Scholarship Pro-gram2. “Give yourself plenty of time to find scholarships that fit your skills and needs. And most applications will require essays and letters of recommendation, so you want to make sure you have plenty of time to pull those together.”

Turner also encourages students to apply for as many scholarships as they qualify for. “There aren’t a lot of big, full-ride scholar-ships available, but many smaller scholar-ships can add up to a surprising amount.”

The Scholarship Application When applying for scholarships, atten-tion to detail is an important step to success:

• Follow directions carefully. Make sure you have all the supporting materials required, but don’t include anything that is not requested. • Fill out the entire application. Don’t skip any questions. If one doesn’t apply to you, make a note of that on the applica-tion. If you’re not sure how to answer, you can contact the scholarship coordinator. • Proofread carefully. Typos and gram-mar errors can hurt your chances. Have a parent or teacher double-check your application. • Watch all deadlines. Set up a calendar for application deadlines and make sure you meet them. If you miss one, your application won’t be considered.

Many scholarship applications require some kind of written essay or letter. • Be specific. Focus on the topics the ap-plication requires. Use concrete examples rather than vague, general statements. • Be yourself. This is your chance to show scholarship providers what kind of person you are and why they should help pay for your education. Let your personal-ity come through, and include details that reveal who you really are. • Be honest. Never exaggerate grades, skills or experience. If you find yourself feeling the need to do so, you’re probably not applying for the right scholarship.

Volunteering and community involve-ment plays a big role in awarding today’s scholarships. “More and more scholarship providers are looking for well-rounded students who not only take their studies seriously, but also have a long-term com-mitment to their local communities,” said Turner.

For example, Foresters, an interna-tional life insurance provider committed to family well-being, offers the Foresters Competitive Scholarship worth up to $8,000 for eligible customer members and their spouses, children and grandchildren. In addition to academic requirements, ap-plicants must have performed a minimum of 40 hours of community service in the 24 months leading up to the application deadline.

“Do some research on the organization providing the scholarships,” Turner said. “You may find that successful applicants have volunteered more than the minimum, and that can make a difference in their award decisions.”

You can find local volunteer opportuni-ties by searching www.volunteermatch.org, and find or create your own teen-specific charitable projects at www.dosomething.org. Foresters also provides volunteer opportunities for its customer members.

Finding and applying for scholarships is a big process. But, when done right, it can help you achieve your goal of going to college.

MetroEastParent.com

Step 1: Gather Your Tax Information n Collect your tax information and log on to Free File throughtheIRSwebsite:www.IRS.gov/freefile.

Step 2: Choose an Option n The “Help Me Choose A Company” option helps you pick the brand-name software that will guide you through the tax process.

n Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic documents, perform basic math calculations and are for people who are comfortable preparing their own paper tax returns.

Step 3: Prepare and e-file Your Return n E-fileyourreturnforfree.Nomatterwhatoptionyou choose, IRS and brand-name software providers use the most current technology to ensure tax information is encrypted, so it’s safe and secure when it’s transmitted.

To view a video about Free File, use a scanner app on your smart phone to read this QR code.

How ToDo Your Taxes For Free!

ThRee SimPle STePS To geTTing STaRTed

Free File is also available online 24/7, giving you the freedom to choose when and how you do your taxes.

FAMILY FEATURES

Going to college; getting your first job; moving into your own place. To these rites of passage add one more: doing your own taxes. And, it’s not as scary as you might think.It’s not scary because there’s help available. It’s called Free File, and it’s offered exclusively from the

IRS in partnership with nearly 15 leading tax software com panies. About 3 million people use it every year. Free File lets you choose brand-name software that does the hard work for you — all for free. And, it offers a fast, safe and free option for everyone. Brand-name tax software is available to those who made $57,000 or less in 2012 — which is about 70 percent of us. Earned more? Try Free File’s online fillable forms, the electronic alternative to IRS paper forms.


Volunteer Income Tax AssistanceThere are thousands of Volunteer

Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites nationwide that offer free help to those earning around

$51,000 or less. To locate the nearest VITA site, search for “VITA” on IRS.gov.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE), which is supported by AARP, offers free tax help to people

who are age 60 and older. Locate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site at AARP.org or call 1-888-227-7669. Some VITA/TCE sites even offer Free File. You can do it yourself on their computers.

earned income Tax Credit (eiTC) helps you keep more

of what you earned No tax benefit offers a greater lifeline to working families than EITC. Yet, one out of every five eligible taxpayers fails to claim it, according to the IRS. Because of the economy, even more people may be eligible if they have had changes in their earned income. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

n The maximum credit for 2012 tax returns is $5,891 for workers with three or more qualifying children.

n Eligibility for the EITC is determined based on a number of factors including earnings, filing status and eligible children. Workers without qualifying children may be eligible for a smaller credit amount.

Learn more at www.irs.gov/eitc and use the EITC Assistant, or ask your tax professional. If you are eligible for EITC, you also are eligible for free tax help at VITA sites nationwide or to use Free File at www.irs.gov/freefile.

eiTC: Are you eligible?n You must have earned income.

n Your adjusted gross income cannot be more than the limit.

n Yourfilingstatuscannotbe“Marriedfilingseparately.”

n You must have a valid Social Security number.

n You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien all year.

n YoucannotfileForm2555orForm2555-EZ.

n Yourinvestmentincomemustbe$3,200orless.

Checklist of materials to do your taxes

Keep this list as a checklist of the items you will need to do your taxes. The IRS

recommends keeping all tax-related documents for three years, in case of an audit. Tracking

income-related documents can help you take full advantage of deductions available to you.

n A copy of last year’s tax return

n Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children

n All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms, from all employers

n Interest/dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms

n Form 1099-G showing any state refunds

n Unemployment compensation amount

n Social Security benefits

n Expense receipts for deductions

n Day care provider’s identifying number

Did you know? n Most refunds are issued in less than 21 days.

n Combining e-file with direct deposit is still the fastest way to get your refund.

n Use “Where’s My Refund?” to get personalized refund information based on the processing of your tax return.

n You can also use the IRS app, IRS2Go, to check the status of your refund.

n Can’t meet April 15 deadline? Use Free File for a free extension; then use Free File to do your taxes by October 15.

MetroEastParent.com

As electronics become less expensive and more common-place in our homes, less thought is given to protecting them from

accidents or abuse. Here are some ways to avoid the five most common electronics OOPS! We see on our repair bench (and affordably repair them).

1. WHOOPS! My toddler pulled the keys off my laptop keyboard! Most of the time, those keys just snap back on. Occasionally the clips break off the back. You could order individual key replace-ments, but I’d recommend going to E-bay and buying a spare keyboard (and keeping it for spare keys or in case of future keyboard failure).

2. UGH! Someone spilled juice on my notebook! First, if this happens to you, turn the laptop upside down and pull the plug and battery as quickly as possible and get it to the repair shop. If you’re lucky it’ll just be the keyboard that needs replaced. To lessen this risk, make your kids use a separate keyboard/mouse. Push the notebook further back on the table and connect a USB keyboard/mouse for them to use instead. It’ll keep your keys (and screen) protected from sticky fingers too.

3. OH NO! The screen is cracked! We see this happen to phones, laptops, and handheld devic-es almost every day. Don’t allow these devices to be used or stored on the floor. Be careful of storing laptops in the same bag overstuffed with books where books can squish the screens. Use cases that make a ridge (at least a few mm tall) all around the face of the glass on handheld devices (those decorative grips don’t protect anything). If all else fails, superglue these devices to your kids hands... (just kidding!) If a touch-screen gets cracked, put a piece of clear shipping tape over the glass (be careful not to cover the speaker hole) to prevent splinters until you have the glass replaced. After market replacements are available for laptops, phones, and other devices. Our rule of thumb is devices that cost under $150 aren’t worth a screen replacement.

4. GRR! My device has colored lights but doesn’t turn on! Whether it’s a laptop or a gaming con-sole, the most common culprit is dust and heat damage. Laptops aren’t made for use on your laps (primary reason why manufacturers call them notebooks now) or any soft surfaces. This closes off vents on the bottom of the unit needed for cooling. Not only does use on soft services create a fire risk, soft surfaces also increase dust and lint sucked into the fan that creates clogs similar to what you see in the lint trap in your dryer. Use compressed air in the vents to help minimize dust build-up in your laptop fans and gaming consoles. (Note: DON’T SPRAY CANNED AIR INTO THE DISK DRIVE! The propellant and bittering agent inside canned air will coat the lens inside the drive and make it stop reading the CDs and DVDs you’re trying to play.) If your device has failed in this way, it usually can be repaired through a service called a “reflow repair”.

5. UH-OH! The power plug broke! More com-mon for notebooks, this problem is happening more and more with tablet and mobile devices that use a small USB cable to charge too. To prevent this problem, don’t store a device with the power cord (or headphones) plugged in. For notebooks, don’t let anything strain the cord such as letting the “box” hang off the table or stretching a cable to reach a power receptacle. Watch that nothing is causing your cable to bend near the plug end itself. For mobile devices, don’t handle the device while it’s charging and be especially careful that you don’t try to plug the cable in upside down. If you notice you have to wiggle your cable to get the device to charge, immedi-ately try a different cable or take it to the store to have it checked. More often there is a break in the cable (see how it seems to have a bend in the end from all that strain?) that can be fixed before all the wiggling breaks the inside part. Notebook damage like this is almost always repairable, but if the mobile device costs $100 or less to replace, it probably won’t be cost effective.

Keeping Your Electronics AlivE longEr

By KArA PritchArdPresident of the computer Store in O’Fallon

215 Park St. • Waterloo, IL 62298Phone (618) 939-6232 • Fax (618) 939-4974

[email protected]


presented by

MorrISon TaLboTT LIbrary

Five Funny Bunnies: Three Bouncing Talesby Jean Van Leeuwen and Anne Wilsdorf AGE LEVEL: 6 and upMeet the bunnies. There’s bossy big sister Flossie. The twins, Homer and Henry always on the go. Whether trying to outdo each other or cheering one another on, making the most of an unexpected mishap or coping with a big sister in charge, these high-spirited bunnies will hop, pop, twirl, and leap right into your heart. Irresistible watercolor illustrations by Anne Wilsdorf bring these three wise and witty stories to life.

The Easter Bunny That Oversleptby Priscilla & Otto Friedrich AGE LEVEL: 6 and up

One spring morning, the Easter Bunny skips merrily along to deliver his colorful, hand-painted eggs. But the children tell him that it’s Mother’s Day, which can only mean one thing: HE SLEPT THROUGH EASTER!

Nobody wants eggs on Mother’s Day, or on the Fourth of July -- and especially not on Halloween. Children will sympathize with the little bunny’s plight and cheer when Santa finds the perfect gift to help!

Originally published in 1957, The Easter Bunny that Overslept now returns with a fresh look, promising to delight new generations of children. What a wonderful tale to share at Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas ... or at any time at all!

Marley and the Great Easter Egg Huntby John Grogan and Richard Cowdrey AGE LEVEL: 4 and up The day of the annual town Easter Egg Hunt has arrived, and Marley and his family are ready to find the big-gest, most eggstravagant egg! Marley is great at spotting the eggs in trees and behind plants, but he just can’t seem to get the eggs to Cassie or Baby Louie before someone else snatches them up. So, in true Marley fashion, Marley decides to forge his own path . . . right through the doors of the town shops. Stopping into the grocery, the bakery, and the party store, Marley creates calamity wherever his paws touch. But will his wild egg chase end up with Marley finding the big, glorious egg before the hunt is over?

Chester’s Colorful Easter Eggs by Theresa Smythe AGE LEVEL: 2 and up

Chester the Easter Bunny decorates six Easter eggs. He chooses the colors of the rainbow: red, green, yellow, orange, purple, and blue. He then hides them

for all his friends to find. On Easter, his friends discover his beautiful eggs and they all celebrate the special day together. This cheerful book reinforces

color identification and counting, and celebrates the Easter holiday.

Books We Love

EdITor’S ChoICE:

Some children are self-motivated. A parent will never have to do anything to help motivate this kind of a student. However, these children are the exception rather than the rule. So, how does a parent help? Discipline is the most urgent of issues. When society removed the option of school personnel actually “disciplining” students, schools began to become unwieldy in terms of student behavior. Let’s not talk about the far end of the spectrum...violence. Let’s talk, rather, about day to day classroom challenges for the stu-dent...as well as the teacher. Grades are a means of motivating some students; and general-ly, in order to earn good grades, a student has to turn in his/her homework. I cannot begin to tell you how many parents...over the last 30 years...have expressed their frustration to me about how their children would not turn in homework. Often parents would say that they had even helped their child do the homework, but the child still wouldn’t turn the work in to the teacher. How-ever, what is the discipline/punishment...other than a bad grade...for not turning in homework? Sometimes students will receive in-house detention...going to a special, supervised room where

they are to complete assignments. Yet, if a student is not motivat-ed to earn a good grade in class, what will motivate that student to do the work while in detention? Here is where parents play a critical role. Parents must help their children understand about setting short-range, mid-dle-range, and long-range goals. If a parent were not to turn in an assignment at work, there would be a price to pay. Sometimes the price is higher than others. It usually depends on the importance of the assignment. The same should hold true for homework assignments...as well as class work and grades. First, as a parent, you must keep in communication with your child’s teachers...to know whether or not your child is regularly turning in homework that is done well. If your child does not like to do homework, you must seek a resolution to such. Spank-ing is not in very many parents’ vocabulary these days; however, confinement to a bedroom and restriction from extra curricular activities are still options. Yet, if a parent confines a child to his/her bedroom, the parent must make certain to remove all forms of entertainment...other than books to read. This means that all TVs, MP3s, iPads, iPhones, etc. need to be removed. If not, where is the discipline/the punishment? Similarly, if a parent “threatens” to restrict a child from ex-tra-curricular activities (play time with other children, movies, dates, malls, etc), the parent cannot “cave in” when the child begins crying, whining, or throwing a tantrum. If the parent gives in, the child will never believe any disciplinary “threats” again. It only takes one time!!! On the positive end, parents can help children set goals, and of-fer rewards for jobs well-done. Rewards need to match the goals. If the goal is short-range...one week of homework done well...then chart the rewards where the child can visualize the requirement as well as the reward. Stars, for younger children, or tally marks for older students, will help the child see where he or she is during the week. Set realistic goals. If the child has 10 pages of home-work for the week, require stars for 8 of those. (You, as a parent, need to set high goals...A’s and B’s.) Then, at the end of the week, have the reward listed: a movie, a trip out to eat. You have to find what motivates your child. Do not give the reward if the require-ments have not been met; and do not regularly reward an ADD/ADHD child (or any child) with sugar! For middle-range goals...a research paper or end of quarter/se-mester grades, set a more elaborate reward...a week-end camping trip with Dad or Mom...some new clothing/shoes that the child wants. For long-range goals...a great year...give a family vacation that is out of the ordinary.

Do you have a question about education: rades K through 12? Please write to Dr. Lahr-Well

at [email protected]


Lahr-Well Academy maximizes your child’s educational future by empowering your child

K4—12th Grade

A unique, comprehensive curriculum combines instruc-tion in the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities and art: all grades.

Daily: intensive math, intensive science (chemistry, biolo-

gy, physics, earth science), hands-on science experiments, an IEP (individualized educational plan) for every child

Weekly: hands-on art, and composition

4 times weekly: four foreign languages for every child K4-12: Spanish/Italian/French/German…on a two-year rota-tion

An Ivy-League Education… at a fraction of the cost

Student Enrollment : 15

Lahr-Well Academy maximizes your child’s edu-cational future by empowering your child for success!

How is Lahr-Well Academy different from the rest? Students taught in combined “levels” - not grades...Our students test 2-4 years beyond chronological age in math, reading and English

Students are unique in their learning.

At Lahr-Well Academy, we individualize each lesson plan with each student, knowing they are not a carbon copy of another.

Want to learn more about Lahr-Well Academy?

Call 618-288-8024 to arrange for a free day’s attendance!

LAHR-WELL ACADEMY

LAHR-WELL ACADEMY

903 North Second Street

Edwardsville, IL 62025

618-288-8024 ph

[email protected]

www.lahrwellacademy.org

How to Motivate Your Child in Academics

By Dr. Romana Lahr-Well, Founder, President & Director of Lahr-Well Academy in Edwardsville, Illinois


I was never one of those people who LOVED babies. I had never really been around them, and so never understood

what the whole fuss was about. Even when I was in college and after, I just didn’t love babies. However, I LOVED three year olds. I have no idea why, but I loved working with them, talking with them and for a while teaching them. While working at a summer camp when I was about 22, an older woman with three little girls informed me, “Those first three years are the best. You get to form them, raise them, see who they are before they’re 3. It’s the best time ever.” I was too young to believe her… Until I had my own babies. Then I couldn’t get enough of them. I fell head over heels in love with both of my ba-bies and came to understand what everyone was making such a big fuss about. Granted, those days were not all fun and easy. Joe now 16 and six feet tall didn’t sleep through the night for an entire year. Howev-er, when he was five and six months old, he was the cutest baby ever, smiling at everyone and enjoying life. (he still does-both of these things) Jessie at 14 is almost as tall as me (she keeps measuring) cried for two months be-cause she had an irritated esophagus which we didn’t know about because she didn’t projectile vomit (usually a sign). Those days

were long and physically draining. But they were the best ever. I loved being a mom and playing with the kids. We walked, went to playgrounds, baked, had play-dates, and took mommy and me classes. Those days were better than I ever could have imagined. Just not at the time. Through parenting classes in different school districts, I met lovely women who have become close friends. We still laugh about our terror over day-light savings time when we knew our babies wouldn’t sleep. My days were long, but those years went fast. I know that hind-sight is 20/20 and I know not every day was amazing. I easily re-member very long days of being alone with a baby and then days when it was just me and the little kids. Once, my husband Kenny was out of town and it snowed. The city didn’t have us on their schedule so we were snowed in. I bundled everybody up and we went out to play and make snowmen. Jessie was only about a year old and didn’t like the snow. So, she sat down in the middle of the street and cried. I felt like crying, too. There were many times I felt like crying. Now, my tears would be for those moments and days when I had babies and toddlers. Because presently my days are filled with teen-agers becoming more and more independent. They still need me but in very

different ways. And while I understand the developmental changes rationally, I still miss the good old days. When I get frustrated because the kids don’t want to do something that I suggest, my husband gently reminds me that we don’t have three year olds anymore. We have thinking, growing, independent young peo-ple in our house and our lives. That’s hard to remember. And then…some days around her are just fun fun fun. As they can be with teen-agers who have a sense of humor and bring life, energy and chaos to any situation. My friend Fran, who has grown children and grandchildren reminded me, “Your learning curve is about to soar because you are living with teens!” If I survive I remind her. Because some days I still don’t feel like I will. So when I see those moms with little kids who need help with a door or look as bedraggled as I often felt, I’m much more compassionate. I smile. I help with the door or lend a hand. I also say, “Enjoy these days. They are the best of your life.” Often, I get a funny look as I would have given anyone who might have offered this advice to me ten years ago. But I don’t care. I know in my heart that sometimes being reminded to LIVE in the moment with those babies and toddlers is the best advice anyone can give…or receive.

How to Motivate Your Child in Academics baby love

by Pam Wilson

Pam Wilson is the author of S.O.S From Suburbia, a humorous look at surviving the craziness of the suburbs with great hair, good friends, and the energy to be Supermom while figuring out what is truly worthwhile. For the last ten years, Wilson has writ-ten a parenting column for St. Louis Moms and Dads. For a year, she wrote the “Off the Beaten Path” column for SwimBikeRun St. Louis, exploring different exercise options both inside and outside the gym. She has been married to Ken for 22 years and is the proud mom to two teen-agers: Joe and Jessie. Pam believes that chocolate is a food group and indulges daily. Pam grew up in St. Louis, but would live on the beach if possible.

Visit her website at: www.sosfromsuburbia.vpweb.com for more information about Pam, including speaking engagements and to order her wildly entertaining book.

MetroEastParent.com

Gymnastics is a full-body workout, promoting cardiovascu-lar health, strength, balance, and coordination, as well as flexibility, speed, and power. But did you know research has

shown that participation in gymnastics also may enhance reading scores in elementary school-aged children? According to a 1998 study by Ralph R. Barrett, an educator and gymnastics coach in Florida, gymnastics and gymnastics-like instruction—such as early move-ment classes—help forge neuro-logical pathways responsible for reading readiness and comprehen-sion. It also helps develop prob-lem-solving skills and increase attention spans.| “I do believe that my academic success was due in part from the lessons I learned through gym-nastics, such as time management, goal setting, and the importance of continuing education,” says Shannon Miller, whose seven Olympic and nine World Champi-onship medals make her the most decorated American gymnast, male or female, in history. After retiring from Olympic competition in 2000, Miller earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, followed by a law degree from Boston College. “Just like gymnas-tics, there is always more to learn,” adds the Rolla, MO-born mother of one. “Of course, I also believe that my success in gymnastics was due to the balance I kept between education and athletics. My parents made no secret that school came first, whether I was training for the Olympic Games or not.” In addition to the physical and educational benefits, gymnastics is fun! Not only do kids learn to fly through the air with grace and agility, but, if they stick with the sport, they also can make friends they often keep for life. Competitive gymnasts have the opportunity

to travel to new places, and many attend their first sleepaway camps with their teammates. So, if you find yourself with a fearless, active preschooler or elementary school-aged child on your hands—or theirs, for that matter—gymnastics might just be the sport for him or her.

Are You Ready to Tumble? How a child begins with gymnas-

tics mostly depends on how old he or she is. Toddlers and preschoolers are still learning colors, shapes, and gross motor skills, so gymnastics programs geared toward them tend to focus on early-development movement, like jumping on colored mats, crawling over obstacles, and swaying side to side. Basic gymnas-tics skills—doing handstands against the wall, swinging from a bar, and balancing on a beam, for exam-ple—might be mixed in with more ordinary physical challenges, like stepping over cones. Those classes typically are coeducational and use smaller, toddler-sized equipment.

School-aged students, on the other hand, can sign up for the USA Gymnastics (USAG) Junior Olym-pic Program, which offers classes at levels 1 through 10.

Levels 1 through 4 are develop-mental levels. In levels 1 and 2, be-ginning gymnasts learn skills such as handstands, cartwheels, and forward rolls. In levels 3 and 4, they progress to backward rolls into a push-up position on the floor, stretch jumps

on the balance beam, and handstands on the vault. At some gyms, gymnasts also may begin competing at Level 4. School-aged gymnasts are separated by gender. Boys learn skills on the parallel bars, rings, high bar, and pommel horse, while girls learn skills on the uneven bars and balance beam. Both genders participate in the floor exercise and the vault.

It’ll Make You Flip! Get Your Child on a roll with

Gymnasticsby Lynn Daue

Shannon Miller, the most decorated American gymnast in history.

Pho

to b

y Re

nee

Pa

rent

rau


See How They Roll Before enrolling your child in a gymnastics program, do some research. To start, search the Internet for local facilities. When you have narrowed down your options, visit each gym and take a tour with a staff member. Ask the instructors about their certifications. All teachers and coaches, ideally, should be first aid- and CPR-certified, at mini-mum. Instructors should also have taken Fundamentals of Gym-nastics, a free course for professional members offered through USAG University. Other certifications, via USAG, include Junior Olympic Development Coach, Junior Olympic Team Coach, and Nation-al Coach, for competitive teams, and Developmental Teacher, Advanced Teacher, and Director, for recreational programs. Some preschool-level instructors may also have a Kinder Accreditation for Teachers, or a Preschool Fundamentals Theory Certification, older USAG certifications that are now part of the recreational education track. Daniel Chan, a San Francisco-based magician and former gymnastics instructor, further recommends spending some time in the gym at a program, beyond a tour, before signing up your child for classes. “Watch other classes and observe the teachers,” he suggests. “See more demonstrations and competitions before enrolling to make sure this is right for [your child].” Your involvement as a parent, and financial commitment, will vary depending on your child’s age and skill level. For children in

developmental programs, classes average $10-$15 per class with tuition paid every eight to twelve weeks. Parents of toddlers must participate with their children, while students ages 3 and older can take classes by themselves.

The Next Level

In the USAG Junior Olympic Program, after mastering basic developmental skills, gymnasts ages 6 and older have the option to move into a competitive program. At the compulsory levels, 4 to 6, they learn skills such as back handsprings on the floor and fly-aways on the bars, performing the same routines as their opponents in each event. Once a gymnast competes through the compulsory levels, he or she can move on to the optional levels, 7 to 10. The difficulty of the skills performed at those levels increases exponentially. At levels 7 and 8, USAG does not allow extremely difficult moves like double front tucks. Levels 9 and 10, however, have no such restrictions, only limits on the number of extremely difficult tricks a gymnast may attempt in a routine. Gymnasts create their own routines at those levels, and, except at Level 7, are judged on com-position as well as skills execution. After high school graduation, many Level 10 gymnasts go on to compete at the collegiate level. Whether your child just wants to learn to turn cartwheels or is eager to take on the competition, there’s a gymnastics option out there. Call your local gym to learn more.

MetroEastParent.com

10 Unique Experiences atP irate and Pals Voyage

Set sail on Bay Lake for a pirate’s view of Cinderella castle and the Wishes fireworks show.

Sorcerers of theMagic Kingdom

Be recruited by Merlin to help save the Magic Kingdom from villains in this

exciting game that will have you running all over the park.

Celebrate The Magic ShowCinderella Castle transforms into a piece of living art at this

nighttime show honoring the art of Disney storytelling.

Disney Phineas and Ferb:

Agent P’s World Showcase

AdventureGo undercover when you become a secret

agent on this interactive quest.

Kidcot Fun Stops

Kids can create a free personalized souvenir and collect stamps at over

10 World Showcase Craft Stations!

These are just some of the experiences that agents can help plan for you at Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.


10 Unique Experiences at

unc

Disney’s Family Magic Tour

Participate in a guided scavenger hunt in the Magic Kingdom where your family will solve

riddles and have memorable surprises.

The P irate’s LeagueChoose from different makeup looks

in order to be transformed into a pirate for the day. It’s swashbuckling fun!

Conservation StationGo wild for this area at Animal Kingdom Park that is home to animal encounters, interactive exhibits and a veterinary facility.

The Harmony Barber Shop in the Magic Kingdom has a special

My First Haircut Package that comes with commemorative Mickey Ears and a certificate.

These are just some of the experiences that agents can help plan for you at Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency.

DisneyResortsTake time to visit the Disney Deluxe Resorts connected

by the monorail.

Discover the variation in décor

and plant life as you explore the

grounds.

Child’s First Haircut

Carolyn McCarty – Illinois PTASouthern Region Director

I am asked regularly, “Why are you still active in the local elementary school’s PTA?” The answer is simple... the kids!

For years, I was not active in my local PTA. I was career focused, spending more than 25 years climbing the corporate ladder in the world of retail and finance. In 2006, a company buy-out gave me the opportunity to make a change in my life. I decided it was time to take on the challenging position of Stay-at-Home Mom! It wasn’t long before I began searching for something that would satisfy my need to be engaged outside the home, while still fulfilling my commitment to my new position. I found it right out of my back door at my local elementary school and in the PTA unit I had been a member of since 1986. Volunteering in my sons’ classrooms, I saw first-hand the need to get families more involved in their children’s educational experience. This become my personal mission. In 2010, I was elected to the Illinois PTA State Board of Managers as the Illinois PTA Bulletin editor. And in July 2012, I was elected by the Illinois PTA Southern Region members to serve as the Region Director. As Region Director, I want to rejuvenate PTA in Southern Illinois. In the past 20 years, we have seen the makeup of our communities and families change. Illinois PTA – Southern Region’s Board and myself have recognized and embraced these changes and are dedicated to keep PTA relevant and flourishing in Southern Illinois. As our younger sons’ moved on to middle school then high school and grandchildren entered our life, my position has changed and developed in something that I didn’t even know

existed 5 years ago, a Stay-at-Home-Volunteer-PTA-Babysitting-Soccer Mom with a mini-van! My transformation from corporate executive is complete. These days, the only ladder I climbs is to get things down from the top shelf or to help a child get to the top of the slide.

https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisPtaSouthernRegion Carolyn and her husband Steve have been married for 32 years. They have four fabulous children, Teresa (33), Chris (31), Matt (18), and Lucas (15) and two beautiful grandchildren Madylin (5) and Miles (1). They have resided in Belleville, Illinois since 1986.

Why Join the PTA

What is PTA? Why join PTA? The number one reason to join the Parent Teacher Association is to benefit your child. In doing so, you also help your school. But there are many more PTA advantages:

• Get Connected. There’s no better way to know what’s happening in your school.

• Discover Great Resources. The PTA offers a variety of programs designed for parents as well as students.

• Tap into a Network. PTA functions are opportunities to meet other parents and teachers, building rapport and discussing issues that are on your mind. You an share ideas, concerns, and experiences.

• Watch Yourself Grow. By volunteering with your PTA, you put your skills and hobbies to use for a noble cause—your child and all children in the community.

• Speak Up. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively suggest change at your child’s school.

• Witness Improvement. By getting involved at your child’s school you’ll be part of the solution, helping make positive changes. Local PTAs play an important role in fundraising to provide building improvements, curriculum-based programs, and social events.

• Be a Role Model. By becoming a PTA member, you’ll be demonstrating to your child the importance you place on education.

• Enjoy Substantial Benefits. Individuals and local units can take advantage of a host of benefits from PTA membership including discounts and offers from member benefits providers and sponsors, magazine subscriptions, leadership training, e-newsletters and much more.

For less than 3 cents a day, you can become a PTA member, joining more than 5 million other people who share your interest in issues affecting children. Everyone—parents, educators, students and other citizens active in their schools and communities—is invited to join our not-for-profit parent association.Find a Local PTA or Request Information to Start a PTA at www2.pta.org/lookupFor less than 3 cents a day, you can become a PTA member, joining more than 5 million other people who share your interest in issues affecting children. Everyone—parents, educators, students and other citizens active in their schools and communities—is invited to join our not-for-profit parent association.

www.pta.org


Desiree Tyus is a wife and mother to three. When time permits she enjoys traveling, learning languages,

event planning and reading. She received her education at University of Pennsylvania and The Johns Hopkins University.

As a child advocate, she was recently elected onto the Illinois PTA State Board of Directors as Secretary, and serves on Girl

Scouts Troop #594, as well as works as the Director of Growing Scholars Educational Center located in Fairview Heights, IL.

You can reach her at [email protected] or at www.growingscholarscenter.com

919 MAIN ST. HIGHLAND, IL 62249618-651-0610

LEE’SFine Jewelry

Loans & More

WE BUY GOLD

JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIR


MetroEastParent.com

ask the trainer...Guest columinsts, William miller of Dynamic Fitness management

will answer any and all questions emailed to him at [email protected] and place some of the more

pertinant answers in his column every month.

about William i was born and raised in the metro east. after graduating from Belleville east i joined the marine Corps. Upon returning i attended SWiC and then KU where my academic focus was on Psychology. Since college i have dedicated my career to learning everything i could about becoming the best personal trainer i can be. i currently work for DFm as the Director of Personal Training in the Fairview Heights Club Fitness location.

William millerNFPT, Crossfitl1, USaW l1

I want to start a workout program but I do not want to get big body builder muscles, what can I do to avoid this?

- Melissa J. Fairview Heights

Hi melissa, i am glad you asked this question melissa! This is a very common question trainers get. The reality of the situation is that everyone has different goals and ideal body types that they would like to achieve. The women that you see that have achieved the bulky look you are referring to had to go to great measures to get there. The natural hormonal balance of the majority of women will not allow their bodies to achieve an overly muscular look. it is testosterone that allows muscles to grow to a large size and that is why men, with much higher testos-terone levels, can get rather large muscles from working out. a very small per-centage of the female population will have higher levels of testosterone which

may allow them to develop their muscles to a large size. There is a good chance that many of the women who have achieved the body builder look have done something to increase their testosterone levels. There are countless numbers of products that will increase testosterone available nearly anywhere workout supplements are sold. The types of workouts that achieve this look are also far different and more specialized than a general fitness program most women will stick to. The weight used for bodybuilding is very heavy and the number of repetitions used per exercise is much smaller than most women will use in the gym. another thing worth mentioning is that that kind of body does not happen overnight. even with the specialized workouts and special supplementation those types of results will take years to achieve. No one ever woke up in the morning and glanced in the mirror to find a bodybuilder’s physique. muscles of that size do not develop over night. my recommendation is variety. Use heavy weights and low rep ranges sometimes, moderate weight and reps sometimes, and light weights and high reps other times. There are countless benefits to lifting heavy weights as one part of your work-out regimen. When lifting heavy weight the potential for injury does increase. i definitely recommend you spend some time with a trainer or coach to learn how to employ good form for all of the exercises. This will help ensure a long and injury free fitness life.

I am overweight but I have a relatively flat stomach. I am carrying a lot of excess fat on my chest and I’m very self conscious this area. What are some of the best exercise and ways to cut down on this fat?

- Bradley B. Bunker Hill

Dear Bradley, Our genetic fat distribution varies greatly. in men the most common areas we see fat deposits are the stomach and love handles. Others will have large fat deposits in their chest and still others will have excessive fat stores in their hips, legs and butt. regardless of where your problem area is the answer for how to fix it is the same. You cannot lose fat from a certain area faster than another area. in the gym we call this spot fat loss and we are asked this ques-tion multiple times every day. When you lose fat you lose it from everywhere regardless of your gender or genetics. Once you start losing weight it will come off your stomach, chest, arms, butt, legs, toes and everywhere else at the same time.

as far as the muscle underneath the fat that is a different story. The way to work the chest and increase the size of the muscle is through pushing exercis-es. The most common are the pushup and bench press. incline bench press,

decline bench press and chest flies are also commonly used chest exercises. increasing the size of your pectoral muscles will not necessarily cut the fat in that area but it will change the shape of your chest and possibly add to a more masculine look. Ultimately though, you are going to have to eat right, get adequate amounts of rest and have a diverse workout rou-tine that consists of cardiovascular workouts as well as resistance training in order to cut the fat. Using a combination of increasing the muscle size and cutting the fat in the area will undoubtedly be the fastest way to change the look of the area.

Passionately Engaging Students Delivering Excellence

Equipping Youth to Lead

6305 Center Grove Road Edwardsville, IL

Don’t think you can afford it?

You might be surprised as tuition assistance is available.

618-656-0043 www.melhs.org

Open Houses Sundays—Jan. 27 & Feb. 10

1-3 pm each day

Serving Christian families from across the Metro-East area

since 1977.


Daddy’s CookbookMarch Madness

it’s that time again. Hook up the i.v. and catheter, because we are not leaving our couch afraid we may

miss that one upset or game winning shot. DOn’T FORGET THE liTTlE OnES

wiTH THESE GREAT quiCk iDEAS! RoB's Favorite Meat-atarian Sub Sandwich

INGREDIENTS:1 loaf French bread1/2 Cup Mayonnaise1/2 Cup Butter, softened1/2 Cup Each Shredded Cheddar Cheese and Mozzarella cheese1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheeseto taste salt and pepperto taste 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes1/2 pound cooked bacon1/2 pound sliced cooked ham1/2 pound sliced pepperoni

DIRECTIONS:1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Cut loaf of french bread in half lengthwise. 3. Mix to-gether Mayonnaise, Butter, cheeses, garlic, salt, pepper and pepper flakes. 4. Spread the butter mixture on each side of the French Bread. 5. Layer the meats on top of the the bottom half of the bread top with the tomato slices. Cover with the other buttered half of the bread. 6. Wrap the sandwich in tin foil and bake in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Easy Taco Chili con CarneINGREDIENTS:2 pounds ground beef2 cups water1 (16 ounce) can refried beans1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained1 (15 ounce) can chili beans1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce1 cup salsa

1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning1 (2 ounce) can sliced ripe olivesDIRECTIONS:1. In a large soup pot, brown the beef over medium heat until it’s cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except cheese and bring to a boil. 2. Simmer on low for at least 20 minutes, then garnish with cheese and serve.dressing. Fold in ends then roll into a wrap.

Don’t forget the kids... MARCH MADnESS

PizzA BAllSINGREDIENTS:2 can refrigerated crescent rolls16 pieces of Hormel Pepperoni1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese3/4 cup pizza sauce

DIRECTIONS:Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 large cook-ie sheets with cooking spray.Unroll 1 can of crescent rolls and press seams together. Cut 8 squares.Top each square with cheese, pepperoni, and 1 tbsp pizza sauce.Fold up sides of each crescent roll square and

press together forming a ball. Place balls onto cookie sheets.Repeat with second can of crescent rolls.Cook Pizza Balls for 10 minutes or until golden brown.Heat leftover pizza sauce in microwave for 1 minute, reheating an additional 10 seconds repeatedly until warm.Serve Pizza Balls with pizza sauce to dip.Eat and enjoy!

MetroEastParent.com

In this second article of the State of the Arts column, I cover the second lesson from the National Arts Educa-

tion Association’s citing of the 10 Lessons the Arts Teach from the book “The Arts and the Creation of Mind” by Eisner, E., chapter 4, What the Arts Teach and How it Shows (pp. 70-92).

2. The arts teach children that prob-lems can have more than one solution and that questions can have more than one answer.

As parents, the concept of multiple solutions seems obvious; we are bombard-ed by decisions everyday that have more than one positive outcome. However, most traditional subjects in school rely on convergent thought. Typically, students crunch their knowledge base and funnel, or converge, specific data related to the question to yield correct answers. Often, the solution is the only correct answer.

• Math: 100 x 5 = X • Literacy: Mrs. Smith wrote a story for the children to (read, reed). • Science: What do you get if you bond two molecules of hydrogen and one molecule of oxygen together? • Geography: The state of Illinois is (east, west) of Missouri.

The Arts utilize open-ended solutions to answer a question or problem. Within the broader Fine Arts family, visual art is generally the most accessible to personal interpretation and uses the most divergent thought process. Divergent thinking uti-lizes the student’s entire knowledge base including senses, motor skills, personal experiences, and emotional responses to answer the question. Some examples:

• Music: Play the note “C#” on a piano. Interpretation can affect how long the note is held or how soft or loud it’s played.

• Dance: Perform the dance routine. Dancers may choose to improvise a section or add extra movement to impart individualism.

• Theatre: Read your lines. Adjusting tone, volume, and posture can create a personalized conveyance of the script.

• Visual Art: Draw a tree. Students may consider and choose the type of tree, with or without foliage, its size on paper, position, color or black and white, surroundings, perspective, or the medium used to demonstrate personalization.

Whether a kindergarten teacher or an 11th grade art teacher asks his/her class to draw an apple tree, the answer involves a drawing of a tree based on the student’s interpretation. The students link the ‘tree’ to a visual image and then utilize their fine motor skills to put their thoughts to paper. Their drawings are the answer to

By: Sue

Hezel

the state of the ARTS

ViSuAl ARTS: Creating Awareness of Multiple Solutions and Answers


the problem, “Draw an apple tree”, and they are completely unique to each student.

And each and every drawing is correct!

What an assortment of correct answers to col-lect! It’s engaging and practical for young minds to understand there can be more than one correct answer. Open-ended problems lead to open-end-ed discussions and higher critical thinking. Also, divergent thinking allows for more students to join in conversations, due to the fact that students no longer fear not having the correct answer. What a pleasant endorsement of both diversity and unity in a classroom!

The Take Away…Regardless of the art education in your child’s school, you can help your child develop their divergent thinking skills with art at home. A par-ent doesn’t need to be ‘artistic’ to help their child realize the benefits of visual arts. Parents: teach your child that it’s not about the end product!

Don’t get frazzled and don’t be judgmental! Keep the focus on the journey of the creative process – that’s the part that is so beneficial. Keep it fun and simple. Remember that art, like anything else, is teachable and practice yields improve-ment.

the state of the ARTS

Sue Hezel is the owner of pen2paper art studio in Columbia, IL.

The eduArts method, founded by Mona Brookes, is taught by Sue to children

ages 3 to 103 at the studio and offsite. At pen2paper art studio, a dozen

professional artists teach a variety of art instruction, from photography to

clay sculpture, and every kind of drawing or painting class.

The benefits of a complete music ed-ucation are numerous and increasingly important. Learning music can increase language development, raise IQ, help develop spatial-temporal skills (the skills of making connections visually), and improve the test scores of students. Numerous studies have shown a direct correlation be-tween scholastic improvements and music education. These facts have not stopped music (and the other arts) from losing significant funding in most schools (both public and private). 91% of all schools in the United States have a music or band program according to the US Department of Education’s report titled Arts Educa-tion In Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. What the data of this report fails to show is that there are schools that have one music teacher (or band conductor) for 100 or more students. Some of the students in these schools will get a music education while the majority of them will not. The students need one-on-one time with a teacher to develop their playing and to en-sure that they are learning properly and not creating bad habits that will hinder them further down the line. Sadly, this is just not possible for many in today’s schools. This has caused an increased need for private music instruction. Private music lessons have been available and utilized by students for many years. It used to be that private lessons were a good outlet for students to learn instruments that are commonly not offered in the schools’ orchestra bands. Students could find a private teacher to teach them piano, guitar, bass, drum set, violin, or anything else that is not traditionally offered. Today, these private teachers have expanded further into working closely with the schools to give students the one-on-one time that they desperately need to have a complete music

education and to hone their skills properly. It is very common now for students to in both the school band and in private lessons at another facility outside of the school. Private instruction allows for the student to have a specialist (for that instrument) work with them on both their strengths and weaknesses. The school bands are great for teaching young musicians how to play together as a whole to create music in a group setting. The private lessons do not replace that but they are currently a great resource for the strengthening the student’s individual abilities. The extra time that the students get with the private instruction really help them flourish in every musical setting. It is important for parents that want their children to get private assistance to research both the company that they are looking into and the teacher. Some companies have public studio facilities that students of all ages can come to for all variety of instruments and lessons. Others are teachers that will teach out of their home or travel to the student’s house for lessons. It is important for parents to ask

questions of any teacher that they might be considering to make sure that they are safe for the student and qualified and capable of teaching the instrument that they are being considered for. Sometimes the best players do not always make the best teachers. Many of the privatized teachers are working closely with the local schools to make sure that they are not only helping the struggling students catch up but are also assisting the gifted students reach new levels of excellence in performance. If you are interested in learning about the private studios in your area that offer lessons for students, asking your school’s band director or music teacher for recommendations is always the best place to start. Garrett Peek is the founder of Melodic Rhythms in Belleville and Breese, Illinois. Melodic Rhythms is a lesson studio that offers private lessons for all instruments with professional teachers and tutoring for all elementary and high school subjects. Go to www.MelodicRhythms.com for more information. Garrett will answer all questions emailed to him at [email protected]

BY GARETT PEEK


!by Dr. Stephanie B. Berk

This is an important, short question with a long answer. (Hence in my book, I even de-

vote a chapter to helping a parent and/or caregiver figure it out.) Whether a child is ready to potty train depends on more than just if the child seems interested in “trying” the potty, or “knows” that he/she has to pee/poop. Language, age, person-ality, and timing are among the cues for starting potty training.

There are common potty-readiness signs, but for a child to be “ready to potty train”, he/she needs enough language to understand and say potty words. It’s important that the child is able to communicate a need to use the potty, but it is just as important for the child to be able to understand being praised for trying. With a potty training method that starts with the child’s awareness of

the urges, the child is an active partner in the potty training process. If language is not developed, it is hard to establish this partnership. Language cue: Your child might be ready to potty train if he/she can understand and answer the question: Do you want to try the potty in 1 minute or 3 minutes?

Although the age at which a child in the United States potty trains varies tremen-dously, the typical range is between ages 19 months and 3 1/2 years. Age however, is not as important as language or even “mood”. Both a child’s individual person-ality, and also his/her mood, needs to be considered. If the child is at a particularly stubborn stage, trying to change an easy behavior, like using diapers, is going to be harder. Even with stubborn children, communication and consistency helps. Personality/mood cue: Your child might be ready to potty train if the child’s re-sponse is “yes!” to a sentence like: Hooray, we are done with diapers, so we are going to use the potty now.

No, all of your hard work is not lost. Most of the time, these should not really count as

accidents. When a child doesn’t feel well, it is harder for him/her to get moving to go to the potty. Often times, medicines can change the system temporarily, making the child have to pee more frequently, or loos-ening poop. And because many children should be drinking more when they are sick, they have to pee more often. Both their routines and expectations change when they are sick. This makes it harder on everyone. The next question is what to do after the child has been sick and having accidents. It is important to remember to praise the child for trying to use the potty, support him/her when an accident happens, wait for the child to feel better, and then spend a day or two “re-training” if necessary. It doesn’t take long to “retrain”, once the child is healthy again.

A.

Is my child ready to potty train?

My child was sick and had lots of accidents. Do these really count as accidents?Q.

A.Q.

Potty Talk with Dr. Steph

Potty-training a child can be an overwhelming and frustrating task for parents and caregivers. It doesn’t have to be. Instead, with the 3 C’s and the 3 Pro’s, it can be a rewarding and positive experience. This book provides a day by day schedule in Chapter 4, that tells you what to do and say to your young child. This second ver-sion of How to Potty-Train Your Dragon/Child provides an expanded chapter on night-time potty-training, and some other additions based on consumers’ feedback.

About Stephanie – Stephanie is a mother of 4 young boys, with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University, a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from University of Connecticut, a post doctoral fellowship at Yale, and is currently a post-doctoral fellow at Washington University in St Louis. She has taught university classes on child and adolescent development, cognitive psychol-ogy, and the linguistics of American Sign Language and Deaf culture. When not doing research or teaching at Washington University, she gives classes on potty training based on her book, How to Potty Train Your Dragon/Child.

www.facebook.com/HowToPottyTrainYourDragonChild


MetroEastParent.com

Have an event you would like to see in Metro East Parent Calendar? Email us at [email protected] with the details and we will be happy to place it in there for you! Also, there are more events online at our new interactive website MetroEastParent.com!

Metro East Parent Magazine Calendar of Events!

EastEr HappEnings...BREAKFAST WITH THE BUNNY @ ECKERT’S FARMS BELLEVILLEMAR 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 DID YOU KNOW THE EASTER BUNNY’S FAVORITE MEAL IS SCRAMBLED EASTER EGGS WITH A SIDE OF FRESH FRUIT? JOIN THE BUNNY FOR BREAKFAST FOR A HEARTY COUNTRY MEAL TO START THIS FUN-FILLED DAY! RESERVATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED. FOR MORE IN-FORMATION CALL ECKERT’S COUNTRY RESTAURANT AT (618) 233-0513 X 3.

EASTER EGG-CITEMENT @ ECKERT’S FARMS BELLEVILLEMAR 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 HOP ON DOWN THE BUNNY TRAIL AND FILL YOUR BASKET WITH FUN! ECKERT’S ANNUAL EGG HUNT, BABY CHICKS & BUNNIES, FACE PAINTING, THE EASTER BUNNY, PLANT A SEED AND SAVOR A YUMMY EASTER TREAT! $10 PER CHILD. A PHOTO WITH THE BUNNY CAN BE PURCHASED FOR $5 EACH. EASTER EGG HUNTS, THE LARGEST IN SOUTHWEST-ERN ILLINOIS, WILL TAKE PLACE AT 10 AM, 11 AM,12 PM, 1 PM AND 2 PM EACH DAY. NO ADVANCED REGISTRATION REQUIRED. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL ECKERT’S AT (618) 233-0513.

Breakfast with the Bunny @ Saint Louis Zoo Mar 16, 17, 23, 24, 30Enjoy a full breakfast plus photo opportunity with the Bunny, treats, costumed characters and free parking. Seating times at 9 and 11 a.m. Pre-paid reservations are required, and seating is limited.

Breakfast with the Bunny @ Emerson Family YMCA Mar 163390 Pershall Road, Ferguson, MO 63135 Bring your whole family to enjoy breakfast with a very special guest: Registration is required by calling 314-521-1822.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade @ Downtown Belleville Mar 16

Peter Rabbit Puppet Show @ Edwardsville Library 10:30am - 11:15amHop into the library for a very special Peter Rabbit puppet show and a chance to meet the mischievous bunny, too.

Messiah Easter Drama @ The Pentecostals of Troy Mar 22-24 & Mar 30-31, 7pm - 9pm312 S. Main St., Troy, IL, 62294 (618) 667-6054 Messiah Easter Drama, a dramatic 90 minute Easter musical featuring: The Triumphal Entry, The Last Supper, The Crucifixion, and The Resurrection. Performance dates:: Free

Easter Egg Hunt: Hunt for a Cure in Forest Park @ Forest Park Mar 23This fantastic egg hunt is one of the largest in St. Louis and benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Gateway Chapter. More than 50,000 eggs will be hidden in the central fields in Forest Park and bags for eggs will be provided. Kids up to age 12 are invited to hunt. The Bunny will arrive at 11 a.m. in a carriage drawn by Clydesdales and will be available for pictures! Registration is $5 per family. More information: www.lls.org

Breakfast with the Bunny @ Ravanelli’s Restaurant (CARD) Mar 23, 9am - 10:30am26 Collinsport Drive, Collinsville, IL. Hippity-hop to Ravanelli’s for this very special spring event. The entire family will enjoy a deli-cious hot breakfast buffet and each child receives a special gift and has their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. Registration ends March 8.

Bunny Hop @ Shaw Park Mar 23, 10:30am - 11:30amShaw Park at the Pavilion, 27 S. Brentwood Blvd Bring your kids to Shaw Park in Clayton for this special Bunny Hop! The fun starts with a petting zoo, lots of eggs to gather in your basket, and a visit with the very special guest, Mr. Bunny. Don’t forget your camera! The hunt begins promptly at 10:30 a.m.

Easter Egg Hunt @ Melvin Price Memorial Park – Swansea Mar 23, 1pm - 2pmThe Swansea Rotary Club’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt will start at 1:00 p. m. There will be prizes and refreshments. The rain date is 3/30/2013.

South Mascoutah Jaycees Adult Egg Hunt @ Mascoutah Sportsmens Club Mar 23, 6:30pm - 8:30pmCall Michelle O’Leary 618-719-3244

Easter Egg Hunt @ Robert E. Glazebrook Community Park Mar 24, 2pm - 4pm1401 Stamper Lane Godfrey, IL 62035 The annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held for children up to 10 years old at the beautiful Glazebrook Park. Festivities will include the egg hunt, corn cannon, cow train and a visit by the Easter Bunny. For more info call (618) 466-1483. FREE


O’Fallon Public Library – 120 Civic Plaza10:30 AM - 11:30 AM ................ Every Thursday ................................Storyteller Gail Long 9:30 AM & 10:45 AM ................. Every other Monday ........................Preschool Storytime 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ...................... 3rd Monday of Month .....................Fun and Furry Reading

— PROGRAM —9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ................... Every other Wednesday ..................Babygarten10:45 AM -11:45 AM .................. Every other Wed. and Friday ..........Beyond the Gartens9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ................... Every other Friday ...........................Tween the Gartens

Edwardsville Library - 112 S. Kansas StFun for Ones.............Every Monday.......... 10:00 am - 10:20 amTime for Twos.......... Every Mon & Tues...11:00 am - 11:30 amBooks for Babies...... Every Tuesday.......... 10:00 am - 10:20 amPre-K Story Time..... Every Tuesday.......... 7:00 pm - 7:45 pmPre-K Story Time.... Every Wed & Thur... 10:00 am - 10:45 amPre-K Story Time.... Every Thursday........ 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

area storytelling times

Belleville Library Presents

DIAL-A-STORYDial 234-0555 and a child can

listen to stories over the phone!

There is a new story every week!

22nd Annual Easter Party @ Caseyville Community Building Mar 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pmGames, pictures with the Easter Bunny and food. FREE

Enrichment Eggstravaganza @ Saint Louis Zoo Mar 31, 9am - 4pmZookeepers will provide enrichment “egg hunt” activities for the animals. FREE

Easter Brunch @ Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center Mar 31, 10am - 5pm13653 Lodge Blvd. Grafton, IL 62037 Spring is in the air at Pere Marquette Lodge and we are celebrating with our traditional Easter Brunch Buffet. Easter Bunny will be conducting free Easter Egg Hunts at 11:30 a.m. and 1: 30 p.m .Call (618) 786-2331 ext: 502.

ConCErts...Concordia Chicago Band Concert @ Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL Mar 1, 7pm - 9pmArea resident Hannah Kesemen will perform with the Concordia University Wind Symphony in Belleville on March 1 as part of its annual spring concert tour. A variety of music in many forms and styles, programmed for wide audi-ence appeal, will make this event a pleasure for everyone. For more information please contact Dawn Tayon at 314.239.8240. FREE

Met at the Hett: Parsifal (Wagner) @ McKendree University Mar 2, 11am - 2pmLonas Kaufmann stars in the title role of the

innocent who finds wisdom in François Girard’s new vision for Wagner’s final masterpiece. His fellow Wagnerian luminaries include Katarina Dalayman as the mysterious Kundry, Peter Mat-tei as the ailing Amfortas, Evgeny Nikitin as the wicked Klingsor, and René Pape as the noble knight Gurnemanz. Daniele Gatti conducts. For more information visit www.thehett.com

The Jungle Book @ Florissant Civic Center Theatre, FlorissantMar 3 & 9 2pm - 4pm, Mar 8 7:30 pmFollow the tale of Mowgli, the man-cub raised by a pack of wolves, as he learns the value of friendship and the importance of loyalty. With the help of his animal friends, Mowgli faces his deepest fears and triumphs over the sinister tiger, Shere Kahn, who threatens the ways of the jungle. For more information and reservations call 314-921-5678 or go to www. florissantmo.com

Saint Louis Symphony Mondays @ The Hett Mar 4, 7:30pm - 9:30pmOur partnership with Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra continues, featuring smaller chamber ensembles. The Hett’s exceptional acoustics provide an exquisite concert experience. FREE!

A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Mar 8-101 University Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri 63121 (314) 516-4949 Join Company dancers and incredible guest art-ists in the ever-popular A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tickets: $10 - $30

Dueling Pianos @ Wildey Theatre Mar 8, 7pm - 8pmPart comedy, part music, and all fun, this act is sure to get the audience clapping their hands and yelling out requests.

University of Missouri- Columbia Steel Drum Ensembles @ St. Paul United Church of Christ Mar 8, 7:30pm - 7:30pm115 West B Street, Belleville, IL 62220

HANSEL AND GRETEL: THE NEXT GENERATION @ FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS PUBLIC LIBRARYMar 9, 10: 30 am - 11:30 amThe witch, the gingerbread house, the spooky forest—it’s been a generation since Hansel and Gretel’s adventure. Now, years later, Gretel has a whole new problem with her own

MetroEastParent.com

kids. But maybe, just maybe, that horrible encounter in the woods actually gave her a strength and self-reliance that her own children lack. Watch as Gretel’s idea of how to help them becomes a surprising, hilarious, musical romp into the unexpected.

NEW YORK CITY BALLET MOVES @ The Fox Theatre Mar 9 -10, 8pm - 10pmOne of the most exalted dance companies in the world is sending dancers to St. Louis for the first time since 1994 via New York City Ballet MOVES—a brand new venture of New York City Ballet.

War Horse @ The Fox Theatre Mar 13 - Mar 25A remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship. At its heart are as-tonishing life-sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride. Tickets: $74 to $15 Performances: Tues-Sat 8pm Sat &Sun 2pm Sun at 7:30pm Thur, March 21 at 1pm

Almost Heaven: The Music of John Denver @ Wabash Valley College Mar 14 – 17, 7:30pm - 9:30pmAlmost Heaven weaves together the songs of John Denver to create a uniquely theatrical narrative that reflects upon the country during the years in which he wrote them.

Youth Xplosion @ Liberty Worship Center Mar 15 – 16, 6pm - 10pm8025 Goshen Rd Edwardsville, IL 62025 YOUTH XPLOSION Featuring GOD (a.k.a. the Holy Spirit) For More Info Call: Pastor Josh Wolfe 618.656.6436 or 618.406.6728 $25 Pre-Reg-istration.

Alton Little Theater: Clue The Musical @ Alton Little Theater Mar 15 – 24, 7:30pm - 9:30pm2450 N. Henry St. Alton, IL 62002 The internationally popular game is now a fun-filled musical which brings the world’s best know suspects to life and invites the audience to help solve the mystery For more information, call (618) 462- 3205.

Francesca da Rimini (Zandonai): Met at the Hett @ McKendree University Mar 16, 11am - 1pmZandonai’s compelling opera, inspired by an episode from Dante’s Inferno, returns in the Met’s ravishingly beautiful production, last seen in 1986. Dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and tenor Marcello Giordani are the doomed lovers. Marco Armiliato conducts. For more information visit www.thehett.com

Jim Henson’s Pajanimals @ Peabody Opera House Mar 16, 4:30pm - 5:30pmPajanimals is an original short-form musical series produced by the Jim Henson Company and 4KIDS Entertainment. . Tickets may be purchased at the Ford Box Office at Scottrade Center, all Ticketmaster Ticket Cen-ters, by phone at 800- 745-3000, or online at ticketmaster.com.

Murder Mystery Dinner- Eckert’s Farms Belleville Mar 16, 5:30pm - 8:30pmChuckwagon dinner featuring pulled pork or bbq chicken, baked beans, skillet fried corn & au gratin potatoes. $35.00/Person includes appetizer, meal, drink (non-alcoholic), entertainment & tax

Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra @ McKendree Mar 16, 6pm - 8pmEstablished in 1962, this Metro-East orchestra provides musical opportu-nities to young, talented musicians throughout the area. FREE

The Ugly Duckling / The Tortoise and the Hare @ McKendree Mar 17, 3pm - 5pmThe Ugly Duckling / The Tortoise and the Hare As seen on “America’s Got Talent,” the creators of Darwin the Dinosaurreturn with another innova-tive, totally unique theatrical experience. Electroluminescent creatures light up the darkness to bring Hans Christian Andersen’s classic story and Aesop’ s fable vividly to life.

Taylor Taylor Swift: The Red Tour @ Scottrade Center Mar 18-19, 7pm - 9pmSee the Amazing Country and Pop Singer, Taylor Swift, as she rocks St Louis with her number one hits!

A Chorus Line @ The Peabody Opera House Mar 18-23, 8pm - 10pmIn an empty theatre, on a bare stage, casting for a new Broadway musi-cal is almost complete. For 17 dancers, this audition is the chance of a lifetime. It’s what they’ve worked for - with every drop of sweat, every hour of training, every day of their lives. It’s the one opportunity to do what they’ve always dreamed -- to have the chance to dance. This is A Chorus Line, the musical for everyone who’s ever had a dream and put it all on the line. This singular sensation is the longest-running American Broadway musical ever.

Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After Tickets@ Scottrade Mar 21 - 25In a new twist on fairytale fun, favorite Disney characters compete to be the next superstar in comical segments leading up to the tales of show stopping princesses -- Ariel, Rapunzel, Belle, and Merida from Disney• Pixar’s BRAVE in her ice debut!

Moody Bible Institute’s Women’s Concert Choir & Handbell Ensemble @ Edgemont Bible Church Fairview Heights, IL Mar 22, 7pm - 8:30pmFounded in 1955, the Women’s Concert Choir & Handbell Ensemble is composed of 40-50 women, representing a variety of academic majors, sings to worship God with their music while emphasizing artistic excellence.

The Passing Zone: Gravity Attacks! @ COCA Mar 23 -24Chainsaws, torches and knives fly through the air! The Passing Zone puts gravity in its place, overpowering it with effortless dexterity. It’s like the Flying Karamoazov Brothers (but more hip), Penn & Teller (but cleaner), The Smothers Brothers (but younger), Cirque du Soleil (but American), and Blue Man Group (but less blue) rolled into one. A “wow” perfor-mance for all ages.

Peter Gros - Fun for the whole Family @ The Wildey Theatre Mar 23, 3pm & 6 pmNow is your chance to see Peter Gros and many of his wild life friends at the Wildey Theatre. For tickets and additional information call 618.307.1750.

The Redhead Express and the Walker Family @ Lewis & Clark Community College Mar 24, 3pm - 5pmThe Redhead Express and the Walker Family will bring country sounds to the Alton area. TMore information on the concert season is available at www.AltonConcerts.org.

The Acting Company: Of Mice and Men @ McKendree Mar 26, 7:30pm - 8:30pmNobel and Pulitzer Prize-winner John Steinbeck’s tale of two drifters during the Great Depression is one America’s most widely read stories. Founded in 1972 by legendary producer-director-actor John Houseman.

FEstiVaLs anD sHoWs...St. Louis Public Schools Art Fair @ St Louis Zoo Feb 22- Mar 9View over 300 pieces of art by finalists in the 12th annual student compe-tition presented by St. Louis Public Schools Admission is free.

Alton Museum of History & Art: Art Show @ Alton Museum of History & Art Mar 1 - Mar 22This art show at the Alton Museum of History & Art will feature a young pen & ink artist, focusing on manga and anime illustrations. For more info, call (618) 462-2763.

Home & Garden Show @ Belle-Clair Expo Center Mar 1- Mar 4

Eckert’s Wine & Food Festival Belleville Mar 2- 3 Enjoy our 3rd Annual Wine & Food Fest as you taste your way through our Country Store! Enjoy cooking demos and product samplings. Free wine samples will be available.

The Nine Network’s Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash @ The Magic House Mar 2- 3The Magic House and the Nine Network are hosting a special Dr. Seuss Birthday Bash! Visitors to The Magic House will enjoy special story times featuring their favorite Dr. Seuss books, make their own Dr. Seuss hat and other crafts and enjoy screenings of the PBS show The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That! Kids can have their photo taken with silly Dr. Seuss props and even meet the Cat in the Hat! Children 11 and under who bring in a new Dr. Seuss book ($5 minimum value) to be donated to a child in need will receive free museum admission during the Dr. Seuss weekend event.

1st Annual Juried High School Art Exhibit at The Starlight Gallery Mar 2 – Mar 25Starlight Visual and Performing Arts Studio and Gallery Highland, Currently on display at The Starlight Gallery, Highland, IL, is the work of local Highland and Greenville High School students. The group show is the first of what is to become an annual event at The Starlight Gallery, where local high school students are invited to present several pieces of art to be juried, chosen and hung in the gallery. Several prizes are award-ed and the first prize winner will have the chance to hang a one person show at the gallery.

Folk Festival @ Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center Mar 3, 11am - 3pm13653 Lodge Blvd. Grafton, IL 62037 Dust off the fiddle and bring your dancing shoes as the Folk Festival kicks off. The festival will be a celebration of American Culture and will take place in one of the most historically significant areas in the region. Festi-val goers will enjoy live performances by authentic dance groups such as the Thunder and Lightning Cloggers. For more info call (618) 786-2331. FREE

Porkapalooza @ Alhambra Firemen-Legion Park Mar 9610 West Main, Alhambra, IL 62001 (618) 520-8919 All you can eat pulled pork smoked by Old Silo Smokers. Music by Buf-falo Road

“Best of Maryville” Art Contest & Show @ Maryville Mar 10, 1pm - 3pmMaryville Community Center, 500 E. Division Street, Maryville Artists and photographers can enter in 6 different age divisions: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th Grades, High School, and Amateur and Open.

American Indian & Ethnographic Show @ Gateway Center Mar 16 -17

Flea Market @ Belle Clair Exposition Center Mar 16-17

Pegasus Productions @ Gateway Center Mar 16 – 17

Art exhibition and presentation on Falun Gong @ Lindenwood University-Belleville Mar 20, 6pm - 9pmA peaceful belief persecuted in China Called by some a peaceful spiritual practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture whose devotees are openly tortured, persecuted, and killed for failing to renounce their beliefs

Wrapped in Art: A fundraiser benefitting St. Louis ArtWorks @ Soulard Preservation Hall Mar 21, 6pm - 9pm 1921 S. 9th Street St. Louis, MO 63104 COME CELEBRATE WITH US! St. Louis ArtWorks is hosting Wrapped In Art an evening of cuisine, craft, and celebration to raise money for our arts-based job training program for youth.


MetroEastParent.com

Country Treasures Craft Show @ Belle Clair Expo Center Mar 22-25

International Gem & Jewelry Show, Inc. @ Gateway Center Mar 22-24

2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con @ America’s Center St. LouisMar 22, 3pm - 8pmIf you have never been to qa Comic Con and you are a comics lover, you are missing out!

Grafton Riverside Flea Market: Spring Show @ The Loading Dock Mar 23- 24400 Front St. Grafton, IL 62037 You won’t want to miss this fabulous flea market on the river! Over 50 dealers with all types of goods, For more information, call (618) 786-8210.

Olde Alton Vendor & Craft Fair @ Alton High School Mar 23, 9am - 5pmThe Alton Band & Orchestra Builders will host a spring Olde Alton Vendor & Craft Fair. There will be many booths of crafters selling their best wares. All proceeds benefit the instrumental music program in the Alton School District. For more information, call (618) 474-6996.

BACONFEST ST. LOUIS: The Center of All Things Bacon! @ Keiner Plaza, St Louis Mar 23, 10am - 9pmThe Center of All Things Bacon! We will be celebrating the most important and best food item in the entire universe: BACON Without bacon life would be sad, food would be boring and the birds would not chirp. So to bacon, we have created an entire day of revelry all in the name of bacon.

Garrison Days @ Lewis & Clark State Historic Site Mar 23 -241 Lewis & Clark Trail Hartford, IL 62048 Camp River Dubois, where Lewis & Clark win-tered before their journey west, was a military camp and the soldiers were required to partici-pate in training and perform other military du-ties. Stop by the camp at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site and visit the men of the Corps of Discovery and see how they spent their winter & early spring months training & preparing for their voyage to the Pacific Ocean. For more information, call (618) 251-5811. Additional Details at www. campdubois.com FREE

triVia nigHts...EHS Band Trivia Night @ Liberty Middle School Commons Mar 1, 6pm - 10pm#1 District Dr, Edwardsville, IL For additional information, contact Lori at [email protected]

First Annual United Way Trivia Night @ St. Teresa s Parish Center Mar 2, 6pm - 10pm

St. Clair County Child Advocacy Center @ Swansea Improvement Association Mar 2, 6pm - 10pm301 Service St., Swansea, IL, 62226 Phone (618) 277-1134

Mascoutah Police Benevolent Asso-ciation Trivia Night @ Mascoutah Moose Lodge Mar 2, 7pm - 10pmMust reserve a table by calling 566-2976 (ext. 110)

Edwardsville Head Start Trivia Night @ Glen Carbon American Legion Mar 9, 6:30Pm - 10Pm190 S Main St Glen Carbon, Il 62034 Call 618-692-9604 Or 618-974-1449 For Details

VFW Post 5077 Annual Trivia Night @ VFW Post 5077 Mar, 9, 7pm - 10pm8500 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, O’Fallon, MO, 63366 Call for reservations with San-dy,636-357-0987 or Rose,636-240-0844

Metro East Humane Society 2013 Spring Trivia Night @ Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Hall Mar 16, 7pm - 10pmMarine Road Edwardsville, IL 62025

Project Restore’s Trivia and Game Competition for Africa @ Holiday Inn, Alton Mar 22, 6:30pm - 9:30pmReserve tables at [email protected]

Trivia Night @ Crehans Irish Pub Mar 23, 7pm - 7pmWillowcreek Nursing Rehab Center- Trivia Night

CLassEs...Party Up and Paint @ Starlight Visual and Performing Arts Studio and Gallery VARIOUS DATES AND TIMES, PLEASE CALL FOR DETAILSParty Up and Paint--Participants are provided with a blank or predrawn canvas and all sup-plies and guidance necessary to complete a take home masterpiece. Bottled water, paper prod-ucts and pretzels are provided but participants are encouraged to bring their own beverages and snacks to add to the festive atmosphere. No prior art experience is necessary! This is an art party, not an “art class”! Great for birthday cele-brations! Call us to see how we can personalize an event for you!

Kids Art Programs @ The Magic HouseTuesdays or Thursdays 9:30am - 10:15amChildren ages 3-5 and their special grownup discover the magic of art through special 4-week multi-sensory art classes in the muse-um’s new Art Studio. Cost: $60 for non-mem-bers $40 for members

Yoga @ Glen Carbon LibraryEVERY SATURDAY 1pm - 2pm

Ballroom Dancing @ MSCC EVERY TUESDAY 10:15am - 11:15am1003 N. Main ST, Edwardsville 618-656-0300 Teen Initiative @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center EVERY THURSDAY 6pm - 7pmSign up at the Main Desk to be a part of our ‘Teen Initiative’ program! It is a twelve-week program that lasts for March-May and allows youth to gain hands on experience with camera and drawing tablets and helps them to foster their creative expression. Participants will work with a mentor to complete independent or group projects over the course of the program. The program is absolutely FREE and teens can choose to participate at either of the MVLD centers, which include both Collinsville and Fairmont City Library Centers. Call 618-344-1112 for more information. Sponsored by the Project Next Generation Grant.

Starlight Visual and Performing Arts Center

New Classes at Starlight Visual and Perform-ing Arts Studio and Gallery, 903 Main St., Highland, IL, 62249 Call 618-654-3915 or 618-339-8884 for more info

9am - 9:45amDabblers--a little of this and that for ages 4-6

11:15am - 12:15pmPainting--ages 7-13, exploring watercolor and acrylic

12:45pm - 1:45pmDrawing--pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, marker, oil pastel, ages 7 and up

2pm - 3:30pmAdult painting--exploring watercolor and acrylic

10pm - 11pmOven fired Clay: Hand building--pinch, coil and slab for ages 7 and up

Mar 7 & 14, 10am - 10:45amDabblers--a little of this and that for ages 4-6

March 2Kids Club Read Across America Event@ Michaels 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with a themed craft and story time for only $2 per child, for 30 minutes of fun. All supplies are included. Register for a session every half hour from 10am to 12pm. See an associate to reserve your spot today!

Cartooning for Beginners! @ CARD10am - 10:45am

Family Workshop @ St Louis Art Museum 10:30am - 11:30amEach of these child-centered workshops combines a playful visit to the galleries with an art activity. Adults participate and create along with children — no experience necessary. Pre-registration is required.

Life and Figure Drawing 101 @ CARD11am - 11:45am

March 4FREE Diabetic Counseling @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center 3pm - 5pmThis class will focus on ‘Managing Your Diabetes.’ Hosted by Walgreens Pharmacist. Reserve your spot today by calling the Collinsville Beltline Walgreens 618- 344-6639.

Parent/Tot Tumbling @ CARD 5:45pm - 6:30pm

INTERNET SAFETY; Be Safe, Be Very Safe @ Glen Carbon Library 6pm - 7pmInstructed by: Terry McCann This workshop will be a PowerPoint presen-tation with handouts covering: Serious Problems Passwords Being Target-ed by Attacks Protection Software Much More Registration is required. Register online at glencarbonlibrary.org or by phone at 618-288-1212.

Beginning Tumbling @ CARD 6:30pm - 7:15pm

Tumble’n Cheer @ CARD7:15pm - 8pm

March 5Beginning Tumbling @ CARD5pm - 5:45pm

Life and Figure Drawing 101 @ CARD 5:15pm - 6pm

CAKE DECORATING @ Glen Carbon Library6pm - 7:45pmRegister online at glencarbonlibrary.org or by phone at 618- 288-1212.

Cartooning for Beginners! @ CARD6:15pm - 7pm

March 9Kids Club Paper Easter Basket Event@ Michaels 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Create a super cute Easter basket that will add a personal touch to your home’s Easter decorations for only $2 per child, for 30 minutes of fun. All supplies are included. Register for a session every half hour from 10am to 12pm. See an associate to reserve your spot today!

Homemade Baby Food Class @ Eckert’s Farms, Belleville 1pm - 3pmMaking your own baby food is rewarding, affordable, and surprisingly easy! Using tools found in most kitchens, a little time, and a lot of love you can make batches of food to feed your little one. This class will show you how to make Stage 1, 2 and 3 foods that are nutritious and delicious. Food safety considerations and bulk food storage will also be discussed. A great class for new parents, working moms, grandparents and daycare providers!

Systema Kids: Tough Target Seminar @ St. Louis Combat Institute 1pm - 4pmThe St. Louis Combat Institute will conduct a 3 hour, child specific sem-inar to address the subjects of School Safety and Abduction Prevention. This WILL NOT be the usual unrealistic, punching and kicking seminar. The skills your child will receive will tip the odds in their favor of coming home safe at the end of the day!

March 10Green with Envy Kid’s Cooking Class @ Eckert’s Farms, Belleville 1pm - 3pm You won’t need the luck of the Irish to make these easy and delicious rec-ipes! We will be creating Green Eggs & Ham, Spring Veggie Pizza, Green Fruit Salad and Leprechaun Limeade.

March 12Secrets to Grow Roses in the St. Louis Area @ Glen Carbon Library 10:30am - 11:30amInstructed by: St. Louis Master Gardener John Lewis Starting with soil preparation, looking at the various types of roses to select, considering how to plant both bare root and container plants, learning what pests and diseases may cause problems, John, with over 30 years of experience in growing his own roses, will take you through the steps to achieve a beautiful, blooming rose garden. Register online at glencarbonlibrary.org or by phone at 618-288-1212.


MetroEastParent.com

Cooking Class (ADULT) @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center 5:30pm - 7:30pmJoin our delicious and fun-filled cooking class-es! These classes will be presented by Certified Culinarian, Kathy Seibel. You will learn cooking basics and some quick and tasty recipes. Regis-tration is required Please call 618-344-1112 for more information.

March 14Unwrapping the Gift of ADD/ADHD @ Vitalize Family Chiropractic 5:30pm - 7:30pm4980 Benchmark Centre Drive, Suite 100, Swansea, IL, 62226 Are ADD/ADHD really a disorder or a gift that needs to be unwrapped and embraced? The CEO of JetBlue, David Neeleman calls his ADHD an asset. He said, “One of the weird things about the type of ADHD I have is, if you have something you are really passionate about, then you are really good about focusing on that thing.” Do you know a child or an adult with ADD or ADHD? A FREE community work-shop discussing the ways to manage ADD and ADHD without the use of medication! Phone (618) 624-9080 Price FREE

Que, Syrah, Syrah Wine Class @ Eckert’s Farms Belleville 6pm - 7pmSyrah has been gaining popularity in the wine market in recent years. Let’s taste Syrah from 5 different wineries to learn how this varietal differs regionally. Taste for yourself and learn why a variety of foods from savory to sweet pair perfectly with Syrah

March 16Free Family Craft Time Event @ Michaels 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.Bring the whole family to craft something spe-cial this Easter. Join us Saturday, March 16th from 1pm to 3pm for Free Family Craft Time. Make a FREE Crayola Model Magic Duck to share with your favorite peeps!

Time at the Table - Hands On! Cook-ing Class @ Eckert’s Farms, Belleville 11am - 1pmWe believe family memories are created around the dinner table. Dinner time is a great time to reconnect and family dinners often lead to a healthier lifestyle. In our first-ever Family Night Cooking Class, families will learn how eating foods in a rainbow of colors leads to a well-bal-anced meal. Come hungry and come ready to learn how to make some delicious dinner foods while you have fun with your family!

Cooking Class @ Collinsville Memorial Library CenterSEE MARCH 12 FOR DETAILS

March 20New York Chop Salads Lunch and Learn Cooking Class @ Eckert’s Farms Belleville 12pm - 1pmNew York City has a variety of delicious chopped salad restaurants. Let’s try out the trend in the classroom! Choose from an array of toppings to make your salad delicious cookie dessert. Learn how this theme can be fun for your next meal gathering! This is the perfect way to spend lunch with friends.

March 21Get The Scoop on Composting @ Edwardsville Library7pm - 8pm

March 23Kids Club Easter Egg Mosaic Event @ Michaels 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Create an adorable Easter Egg mosaic work of art using Perler Beads for only $2 per child, for 30 minutes of fun. All supplies are includ-ed. Register for a session every half hour from 10am to 12pm. See an associate to reserve your spot today!

Fruit Tree Seminar @ Eckert’s Farms, Belleville 12pm - 2pmRelish the bounty of your own personal orchard after attending Eckert’s Fruit Tree Seminar. Learn about the great variety of fruit trees available to homeowners, the basic of fruit tree planting and how to care for your home orchard from the Eckert family from 12pm – 2pm on Saturday. No registration required. Free. For more information contact Eckert’s Garden Center at (618) 233-0513 x 4.

Creative Kids Art Classes @ William and Florence Schmidt Art Center at SWIC 12:30pm - 1:30pmAfter a brief tour of the exhibition, children and their adults will create art related to the current exhibits. Please call to register by the Wednesday before the session you would like to attend. $5/child, ages 5 and up. Please register by the Wednesday before the session you wish to attend.

Mexican Medley - Hands On! Cook-ing Class @ Eckert’s Farms, Belleville 1pm - 3pmCome prepared to make your own meal in the classroom. We’ll get your hands on a variety of kitchen tools and learn some food preparation techniques as you make salsas, quesadillas, enchiladas and more. We’ll make a little sangria to sip too! (Aprons and cooking supplies will be provided for use during the class.)

March 28Couples Cook - Dinner Party! @ Eck-ert’s Farms, Belleville 6pm - 8pmCome prepared to make your own meal in the classroom. We’ll get your hands on a variety of kitchen tools as you make chicken in parch-ment paper, roasted vegetables with orzo, a fresh greens salad and mini fruit tarts. Prepar-ing these tasty recipes will provide a fun way to learn a few of our kitchen secrets first-hand. (Aprons and cooking supplies will be provided for use during the class.)

March 30Alzheimer’s Training for Family CAREGivers @ Alton Memorial Hos-pital 9am - 12pmHelp for ALZHEIMER S FAMILIES Home Instead Senior Care will be providing a FREE, comprehensive Alzheimer s training for family caregivers! lease RSVP by calling Kristina (618) 346-5008 or by sending an email to [email protected] RSVP by March 20th to attend!

Kids Club Hatching Chick Event @ Michaels 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.Create a clever chick who is ready to hatch for spring for only $2 per child, for 30 minutes of fun. All supplies are included. Register for a session every half hour from 10am to 12pm. See an associate to reserve your spot today!

tHE rEst...March 1Daddy Daughter Dance @ CARDAn evening for girls and their “dates” (dads, step-dads, grandfathers, uncles, or another sig-nificant man in their life - no moms allowed!) that includes dinner, dessert, dancing, and a special appearance by Miss Illinois. For more information, contact CARD at: 618- 346-7529

Jurassic Park @ the Saint Louis Sci-ence CenterLots of fun activities for the whole family. Tour the Wildlife Rescue exhibit during its final weekend at a special price.

9am - 3pm Free Early Childhood/Pre-K Screening @ Meadow Heights Baptist Church1498 Vandalia, Collinsville, IL At the screening your child will receive a free vision, hearing, speech, language, and overall de-velopmental check by the special education staff of collinsville school district. Children at least 3 and older that do not yet qualify for kindergarten may be screened. Pre-k and early childhood pro-gramming is offered for eligible children. Free


11:30am - 1pm Coventry Crafters @ Edwardsville LibraryEnjoy crafts, snacks, and lively conversation! Adult crafters bring portable crafts - needlework, quilting, scrapbooking, knitting

Every Friday 4:30pm - 7:30pm Edwardsville K of C Fish Fry7132 Marine Road(Hwy 143), Edwardsville, Illinois 62025

Centene Fitness First @ The Magic HouseChildren can earn free admission and take the first step toward a healthy lifestyle on the first Friday evening of every month. Free with museum admission.

Every Friday 6pm - 10pm Friday Fun Night @ Vetta Sports - PowerhausKids will have a blast playing soccer, dodgeball, jumping on inflatables, playing games and being entertained by a DJ. Friday Fun Night features sports, bouncers and games for kids who love to be active. A DJ will entertain while kids play soccer, dodgeball, jump on inflatable bouncers, play games and win prizes. For kids in second through eighth grades. Admission is $10 per child. More information: www.vettasports.com or call 618-939-4287.

March 212:30 p.m. Family Film Day@ Missouri History MuseumYour family can enjoy a free movie and light snacks at the Missouri History Museum. Kids can enter to win a prize basket from Radio Disney. Today’s film: Dr. Suess’ The Lorax. Free.

My Little Honey Brunch @ Eckert’s Restaurant Belleville Express love and appreciation this Valentine’s Season by bringing your family to our Valentine’s Brunch. This event is similar to our Breakfast with Santa event that all of our guests have come to know and love. Enjoy brunch made with love in our restaurant, make a heart shaped cookie, lovely face painting, cupid photos, chocolate fountain and a craft $12.99/child and $8.99/adult. Reservations are required. Please call 618.233.0513 x 3 to reserve your spot today.

8am - 12pm Kidmania Community Yard Sale @ Edwardsville High SchoolVisit the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Junior Service Club’s largest event: Kidmania! It is a community yard sale...Just for kid stuff!

8am - 12pm Mothers of Multiples Metro East St. Louis @ Gateway CenterJoin us for our semi-annual Re-Sell-It Sale! There will be an abundance of great deals on everything for child from infant up.

8:30am - 11am Free Screening Clinic for Children with Bone, Muscle or Joint Problems @ Anderson Hospital Maryville, IL For more information, call 618-210-3475. Sponsored by the T roy-Edwardsville Shrine Club of the Ainad Shriners. FREE

9am - 4pm Friends of the Library Book Sale @ O’Fallon Public Library

10am - 11am NeuroDay @ The St Louis Science CenterIt is a rare opportunity for the public to learn about the human brain, the nervous system, neurological disorders and cutting-edge brain research. You can hold a real human brain, trick your senses with optical illusions, and get dizzy with vision-distortion goggles!

11am - 1pm Clydesdale Camera Day @ Anheuser-Busch Tour CenterBring your camera for an up-close and personal visit with a world-famous Budweiser Clydesdale.

11am - 2pm March Family Day @ World Chess Hall of FameYou don’t need to be a chess player to participate in our free Family Day events! Family Day events are FREE, but space is limited and reservations are required.

1pm - 4pm Family Day @ St Louis Art MuseumYou can also take a kid-friendly tour through the Museum’s galleries to learn about Surrealism and abstract art.

9pm -2am Ghost Hunt @ The First Unitarian Church 110 E. Third St. Alton, IL 62002 Join us for an exclusive ghost hunt at one of the most haunted places in downstate Illinois --- and America. Discover the most haunted location in “One of Most Haunted Small Towns in America!” For more info, go to www. altonhauntings.com.

March 3My Little Honey Brunch @ Eckert’s (Belleville)See March 2 For Details

1pm - 3pm Visual Arts Open Studio @ COCAChildren can participate in various kinds of hands-on art projects, including collage, book art, watercolor and paper mache under the guidance of COCA’s visual arts instructors.

Mon Mar 412pm - 3pm BH - Teens Get Together @ Collinsville Library

1pm - 3pm School’s Out Movie Matinee @ Edwardsville Library

Daily Reading & Math Tutoring Overcome summer achievement loss & BRAIN DRAIN. Our camp provides engaging, academic enrichment & exciting activities that will have your child begging to stay! Daily Awesome Field Trips! Fridays = ALL DAY FUN DAYS Air-Conditioned Environment Exploratory Weekly Themes Upbeat Qualified Staff

Teambuilding, Robotics, Camp Songs, Cooking,

Science Experiments and much more!

May 28 - August 2 Mon - Fri | 9am - 4pm

* Before & Aftercare Available *

Kindergarten - 6th

REGISTER before MARCH 15th & registration is 1/2 OFF !

Growing Scholars Educational Center www.growingscholarscenter.com

6322 Old Collinsville Rd., Fairview Heights, IL 62208 | (618) 628-4769

MetroEastParent.com

March 6

10am - 11am Wednesday Morning Play Dates @ Contemporary Art Museum

5:30pm - 8pm Family Game Night @ Belleville Public Library

March 79:30am - 11am Totally Tots Playtime @ CARD

EVERY THURSDAY 6pm - 8pm FREE Movie Night @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center

March 8

8pm - 10:30pm Krazy Bowl Fundraiser @ St Clair Bowl All proceeds raised will be donated to Call for Help in Belleville.

March 9Wild Saturday @ St. Louis Science CenterThe featured group this Saturday is World Bird Sanctuary with their armadillo, Russell.

8am - 10am Columbia Athletic Booster Eagle Sprint 5K / 1 Mile Fun Run @ Columbia High School

9:30am - 3pm VITA Free Tax Preparation Assistance @ Collinsville Library Tax Preparation Assistance

1pm - 4pm Family Day @ St. Louis Art MuseumSEE MARCH 2 FOR DETAILS

6pm - 10pm Nelson Elementary Quarter Auction @ Edwardsville Knights of Columbus HallCome join Nelson Elementary for a night of fun! We are hosting a quarter auction with items from local crafters and direct sales con-sultants. Bring your own quarters or purchase quarters at the door. See you there!

March 1112pm - 2pm Adult Movie Matinee @ Edwardsville Library

6pm - 8pm Bunko Night @ Eckert’s Country Restaurant, Belleville

March 126:30pm - 8pm Teen Read @ West Branch Belleville Public Library

March 149am - 7pm Stork Lady Kids & Baby Consignment Sale @ Kenrick Plaza, St Louis Over 50,000 gently-used kids’ items from over 400 St. Louis families gathered into one place.

4pm - 5pm Chess Club @ O’Fallon, Public Library

6pm - 8pm FREE Movie Night @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center SEE MARCH 7 FOR DETAILS.

7pm - 8:30pm The Real James Bond @ Morrison – Talbott Library WaterlooGary Jackson will present a program, The Real James Bond. You will learn about the man be-hind the spy stories created by Ian Fleming.

7pm - 8pm Women in the Muslim World @ Edwardsville Library

March 155:30pm - 9pm Emerson Free Family Night @ The Magic HouseSome of the best things in life are free!

7pm - 10pm Game Night @ Our Lord’s Lutheran Church - Maryville150 Wilma Drive Maryville, IL 62062 Our Lord’s Lutheran Church invites the com-munity to Game Night. FREE

March 169am - 1pm Kid’s Flea Market Ages 6 – 17 @ Hazelwood Community Who needs eBay when you can shop locally! Children, age 6-17, can earn money selling their used clothing, games, toys and other items at great prices. Free


1pm - 4pm Family Day @ St. Louis Art MuseumSEE MARCH 2 FOR DETAILS

March 176:30am - 7:30am Spring Equinox Observance @ Cahokia MoundsMeet at the reconstructed Woodhenge. Arrive

by 6:35 am. to hear an explanation of the dis-covery, form and function of this ancient post circle calendar. Free.

2pm - 3pm St. Patrick’s Day Dog Parade @ ColumbiaDress your pet in their best festive attire for this fun parade down Main Street.

March 189:30am - 10:30am Wilderness Walk @ Watershed Nature Center Bring your curiosity, questions, and keen eye for observation. For additional information, please contact the Watershed, 618- 692-7578 FREE

March 194:15pm - 5:15pm Cultural Adventure Club @ O’Fallon Public Library

March 2011am - 7pm CHILI DAY by Rotary Club of St. Clair County @ First United Presbyterian Church

6:30pm - 7:30pm International Fiction Book Club @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center

7pm - 8:30pm Teen Advisory Board Meeting @ Edwardsville Library

March 215pm - 8pm Downtown Diva Night @ Downtown Belleville

6pm - 8pm FREE Movie Night @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center SEE MARCH 7 FOR DETAILS

March 23Wild Saturday @ St Louis Science CenterSEE MAR 9 FOR DETAILS

8am - 12pm 3rd Annual Alton Half Marathon @ Riverfront Park Be a part of the 3rd Annual Alton Half Mara-thon, beginning and ending in Riverfront Park.

8am - 12pm Kids 2 Kids Resale @ Whiteside Elementary School A children’s consignment sale with great bar-gains for children

8am - 12pm Ramble into Spring 5K/10K/10-Miler @ McKendree 618-537-6941 Price $14 ($20 on race day)

9am - 12pm St Louis Undy 5000 5K Run/Walk @


Forest Park Upper Muny Parking Lot Grab the kids and grab the dog, but leave your pants at home. Run in your underwear while raising awareness of colon cancer. Instead of race day T-shirts, all registered participants receive a commemorative pair of Undy 5000 boxers. It is a family-friendly event open to all ages. There is also a one-mile fun run. A giant, walk- through inflatable colon will make its appearance at the event! More info: 202-628- 0123 or [email protected] and undy5000.org.

9am - 4pm St. Louis Museum Stores Garage Sale @ Saint Louis Zoo Shop for close-out, clearance and almost one-of-a-kind items from St. Louis area museum gift shops. Located in The Living World at the North Entrance. FREE

11am - 3pm Alton Black History Tour @ YWCA – AltonTake an Alton Black History motor coach tour conducted by EJ Robin-son. This tour will focus on Alton’s pre-civil war history, Elijah Lovejoy and the seven different routes of the underground railroad that ran through Alton.

1pm - 4pm Family Day @ St Louis Art MuseumSEE MARCH 2 FOR DETAILS

3:45pm - 11:50pm 31st Annual Crusader Auction @ Althoff Catholic High School Join us for the 31st Annual Crusader Auction.

6pm - 7pm Hat’s off for Hannah’s Playground @ Breese American LegionDinner auction to raise funds for “Hannah’s Playground”, which is a spe-cial needs playground to be built in Breese.

6pm - 9pm Night at the Museum @ Gateway ArchLearn about how the Wild West was won at this special family event at the Gateway Arch Visitors Center and Museum of Westward Expansion. You’ll meet a cast of historic characters and hear their tales of setting the West. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities like making their own branding iron, a buffalo chip race and more. The whole family can take a tram ride up the Gateway Arch and enjoy a hot dog dinner. Kids will receive one free ticket for a future Gateway Arch Riverboat sightseeing cruise. More information and tickets (reservations required) call 877-982-1410 or go to: www.gatewayarch.com

March 256pm - 8pm Bunko Night @ Eckert’s Country Restaurant, Belleville SEE MARCH 11 FOR DETAILS

Paleo Preschool @ St Louis Science CenterPaleo Preschool, the perfect program for your young paleontologist! Each session will include a unique, private program with the dinosaurs. Paleo Preschool is designed for children ages 3-5 years old and takes place in the Dana Brown Fossil Prep Lab and Dig Site.

Mar 25-29, 9am - 12pm Bricks 4 Kidz Spring Break Movie Making CampBricks 4 Kidz brings alive the FX movie-maker inside kids age 7-12 with a fun, educational week-long camp. Using LEGO models & stop-motion animation, kids are challenged to write a script, build a stage, shoot and produce their own mini- movie. Every day offers new opportunity for developing skills that last a lifetime or even inspire a career! Call 314-525-2254 or register online at https://my.bricks4kidz. com

March 286pm - 8pm FREE Movie Night @ Collinsville Memorial Library Center SEE MARCH 7 FOR DETAILS

March 308am - 12pm Challenge of the Bluffs Run @ Downtown Alton200 W. Third St. Alton, IL 62002 Are you up for the challenge? Sign-up for the annual 5-mile competitive run up to the top of the Mississippi River bluffs and back, or 2-mile walk up to Riverview Park and back on the 5-mile course. For more informa-tion, call (618) 463-1016. Additional Details at www.altonmainstreet.com

9am - 1pm Gateway Pet Guardians 5K-9 @ Rock Springs Park - O’FallonThis 5K will be an out-and-back paved trail run on a 3.1 mile course, and all ages & abilities are welcome (including your four-legged friends)!


10am - 4pm Wind Tower @ Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower 435 Confluence Dr. Hartford, IL 62048 Bring the family out and party with the river wind at the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower. Kite and pinwheel making, shopping and contests will help guests bring in spring. The Gateway Kite Club will be there flying their stunt kites, too! All activities are free and open to the public. There is a charge to tour the Tower. For more info, call (618) 251-9101. Additional Details at www.ConfluenceTower.com

1pm - 4pm Family Day @ St Louis Art MuseumSEE MARCH 2 FOR DETAILS

March 31Easter

Family Sportsplex Offers Basketball & Volleyball Court RentalsWithin Our Facility are Other Private OWned Businesses:

The Batters’ Box 207-4549 • World Class Gymnastics 277-4555All Around Apparel (Owned by World Class) 277-4555

Becky Kern’s Dance Studio 234-6110Winning Streak (Printing Company) 277-8191

BFC Soccer Club 257-0284Southern ILLinois Soccer League 344-1986

Frankie D’s Restaurant 233-9700Athletic Therapy 277-6282 • JoJo on the Go Fitness 233-2700

BFC SoCCeR CLuB PReSenTS: 2013 spring Break camp april 1, 2013

Goal Keeper Striker Camp – 3:00-4:30pm Cost $20 Speed and Agility Camp – 4:30 – 5:30pm Cost $20

BeLLevILLe SPoRTSPLex PReSenTS:Skills and Drills – Basketball

Instructor: Mike Juenger – Head Women’s Coach SWIC

easter Break Day Camp: March 28, 29, and April 1st – Hours: 6am – 6pm

For more information visit the Family sportsplex website atwww.BellevilleSportsplex.com

or call us at 618-277-71112346 Mascoutah Ave., Belleville, IL 62220

MetroEastParent.com

We Specialize in Custom Cabinets,

Home Bars,Grandfather Clocks,

Entertainment Tables, Man & Woman Caves, Interior and Exterior

Woodworking!

NormaN Dailey, Swansea, il

Facebook.com/YouniqueCustomWoodworking

www.YouniqueCustomWoodworking.com

Let’s buiLd it together...

618-927-4756

metro east parent march issue

Documents