Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in the Toledo Area
What brings in the beginning of the holiday season better than choosing your Christmas tree?…
Jaden Jefferson Reports: Taking the Journalism by Storm by Age 15
When we first interviewed Jaden Jefferson in 2019, we found the then 11-year-old surrounded by reporters at the Original Tony Packos, where he was getting his own hot dog bun signed, joining the wall of icons from the entertainment industry and beyond. At that age, he had been a guest on Ellen, and he had interviewed Elizabeth Warren, Brad Pitt, and Oprah Winfrey.
“I decided to pursue news in the summer of 2019 because there were just a lot of events happening, and I had recently gotten a camera. So it was a resource to go out and cover news, really just get my feet in the water and get started,” he said.
Now at age 15, the Maumee Valley Country Day School student has certainly not slowed down. His YouTube channel, Jaden Jefferson Reports, has grown from 5,000 followers in 2019 to 7.59K today. He has posted a staggering 2,000 videos reporting on everything from Toledo arts and culture to politics and crime. If he’s curious about it, he pursues it.
“With some things I cover, I don’t really have an expectation. I just let it flow and see what happens next,” Jefferson said. “That’s even true for a story I did on youth homelessness recently, because I didn’t even know that Toledo has the highest number of homeless students. I didn’t go into the story knowing, so I came out with a whole fresh perspective on it.”
What is perhaps most compelling about Jefferson is that he decided he would start reporting and began doing it on his own — not through a student paper (though he recently started contributing to the MVCD paper) or after formally studying journalism. He has a self-assurance and maturity that belie his years.
“A lot of the stories [I write for the school paper] are really about Toledo news headlines,” Jefferson said. “So the type of reporting I’m doing outside of school, I really just bring that in. And I think it’s important for younger people to get that perspective, because oftentimes, what they’re getting is just what pops up in their social media feeds. It’s not relevant at all, but even more so, it’s not relevant to their community. So yeah, I just tried to bring a local connection to it.”
He has definitely made his mark, even receiving an award from Film Toledo for his reporting. You can follow Jaden Jefferson on his YouTube channel, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram @jaden_reports, and at facebook.com/JadenJeffersonReports.
Getting to Know Jaden Jefferson:
Favorite movie: I’ve never really had a favorite movie, but the movie I saw recently that I did like was Argyle.
What books are you into right now? The Great Gatsby. It’s one of those books that I wasn’t sold on initially, but I ended up enjoying it.
Favorite TV show: Abbot Elementary.
Favorite Y2K pop song: “Say it Right” by Nelly Furtado.
Favorite place to eat in Toledo: Fowl & Fodder.
Favorite place to hang out in Toledo: Going to see a good movie or hanging out at one of the Metroparks.
Do you have any pets? I have three little dogs: a poodle mix, a Shih Tzu, and a terrier mix.
Best tip for overcoming imposter syndrome: Just looking at other people that are doing the job as well, using them as an example. Because I’m sure everyone experiences that.
TPS Student Wins Essay Competition
Myla Brown, a student from Burroughs Elementary, recently made history as the the first Toledo Public School student that has been selected as the winner for the 8th-grade essay competition for the 2024 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Art, Essay & Multimedia Contest.
This contest was sponsored by the Ohio Civil Rights Commission with support from our sponsor Honda.
“We received over four hundred entries for this year’s 8th grade submission and only one winner is selected from each grade level. The judges loved Myla’s work,” Melissa Wulliger, the director of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement, said.
The theme of the essay contest was to “describe a time when you felt you needed to do what was right.” The essay question is in context of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s inspirational quote, “The time is always right to do what is right.”
The award was accepted by Assistant Principal John Preston and 8th grade teacher Renee Ziesmer in Columbus.
Terry Crosby, community ambassador for the Steve Taylor Auto dealership, visited Burroughs and congratulated Brown her accomplishments.
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in the Toledo Area
What brings in the beginning of the holiday season better than choosing your Christmas tree?…
Childcare & Preschool Guide
Various locations
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
We use Creative Curriculum, which is play-based.
What age groups do you serve?
We serve infants through school age.
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
All Lead Teachers have at least a CDA credential or an associate’s degree and hold certifications in FA/CPR, child abuse prevention, communicable disease, and well as professional development hours, completed yearly.
What kind of support does your school offer for children with disabilities?
Educare Academy believes every child should thrive. We recognize that every child is different, and we make equity a priority by welcoming children of all backgrounds, cultures, experiences, identities and abilities. Our classrooms are filled with discovery, where every child is provided similar opportunities, where differences are embraced, and where all children can feel they belong and are included.
What is your school’s goal/mission?
At Educare Academy, our philosophy is to meet each individual child’s needs while fostering their growth. We use the whole-child approach to teaching which supports and nurtures all areas of children’s development and learning – from social-emotional and cognitive skills to literacy, math, and science understanding. Our goal is to develop healthy and well-rounded children who are equipped with the skills they need for life.
Toledo Public Schools
Various locations
What is your school’s philosophy on child care and/or education?
TPS Early Childhood Program Mission: The TPS Early Childhood Program recognizes the importance of early childhood experiences on school success and offers a wide spectrum of services and program options for children and their families. Our work with young children focuses on supporting their self-confidence, social competence, physical health, and academic preparation. We believe that a child’s family, the strongest influence on the child’s development, must be direct participants in the program.
TPS Early Childhood Program Philosophy: The preschool program is based on the understanding that children learn through experimenting, exploring, and interacting with their environment. We provide children with a rich variety of materials to encourage them to touch, smell, taste, hear, and see and thereby, learn.
TPS Early Childhood Program Goals: The written program goals provide a basis for daily operations, which support the needs, interests, and abilities of each child through quiet and active play while:
- Developing positive parent-child-staff relationships.
- Facilitating the growth and development of your child’s emotional, social, intellectual, and physical development.
- Assisting you in the education and development of your child.
- Stimulating children to become problem solvers.
- Assisting children in developing positive social relationships with a diverse group of children.
- Continuing to develop program systems that will help us achieve positive outcomes for our students, their families, and program staff.
- Supporting teachers and other program staff in their roles as service providers and collaborative team members.
- Providing high quality, individualized experiences for all students that are aligned with Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards.
- Effectively using evidence-based, culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessments to plan learning experiences and monitor student progress.
- Practicing thoughtful collection and use of valid, reliable, and meaningful data to inform programming decisions at both the classroom and program levels.
- Building strong, collaborative relationships with students’ families and community partners.
What accreditation(s) does your school hold?
All TPS ECE programs meet the 5 Star Step-Up to Quality requirements set forth from the Ohio Department of Education. .
Why should I enroll my child?
Our dedicated staff is focused on ensuring your child is successful when he or she enters kindergarten – that starts with enrolling in a proven early childhood education program. Our highly qualified staff is student-centered in their approach to education. All teachers have earned at least a four-year degree and our classroom assistants have an associate degree in early childhood education.
What age groups do you serve?
Who Should attend? Children 3-5 years old who reside in the Toledo Public School District are eligible to attend the TPS Early Childhood Program.
Where are the programs located? The TPS Early Childhood Program has preschool-only sites at Crossgates School and Mayfair School and classrooms at over two dozen TPS schools and the East Toledo Family Center.
How do I enroll my child? The first step is visit tps.org and complete the TPS enrollment form. You will then receive follow up information. Space is limited. You can call 419.671.9100 or email [email protected] with any questions.
What makes your school unique?
TPS Early Childhood Program believes in supporting the whole child which includes support services such School Nurses and Health Specialists • Behavioral Specialists • Specialized staff for speech, physical, and occupational therapy • Family Support Partners.
What days/hours are you open?
The TPS Early Childhood Programs offers a variety of options to meet the needs of all students including full-day and part-day sessions Monday – Thursday following the TPS District calendar & building hours.
How many students attend your school and what is the teacher/student ratio?
Toledo Public Schools has over 1,200 students in the Early Childhood Program. Space is limited due to licensing capacity and preschool is not mandatory by the state for general preschool students.
I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MY CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP.
- Development
- Speech, emotional/behavioral skills, social skills, learning, or physical development
- Ability to eat, drink, toilet, and dress independently
- Medical issues that may impact his or her education
- Disabilities that may impact him or her in a school setting.
Complete the TPS online enrollment form. You can call 419.671.9100 or email [email protected] with any questions.
How would you describe the teaching style at your school?
Things every parent should know about play:
Creative Curriculum is a play based and whole -child approach to education — one where children have opportunities to develop not only math and literacy skills but also social – emotional, physical, and cognitive skills — is developmentally appropriate and hand on learning better prepares children for life well beyond their time in a classroom.
- Playing is learning.
- Play benefits your child’s development.
- Play provides children with an opportunity to develop relationships with other children and adults while enhancing communication skills.
- Play allows children to express their feelings and relieves stress. • Play promotes curiosity and challenges children to develop problem-solving skills.
If you could describe your school in 5 words or less, what would they be?
School Readiness starts in Early Childhood.
More information…
Visit TPS.org/Departments/Early Childhood for further information including listing of locations and contact information for the department.
Children’s Discovery Center
Various locations
419-867-8570
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
Our curriculum is emergent, focusing on the strengths and capabilities of each child. We employ a project-based approach, known as Reggio Emilia, where children actively participate in designing and directing projects alongside teachers. This fosters important social skills such as creative problem-solving, conflict resolution, and collaboration, while promoting growth across physical, emotional, creative, and intellectual domains. Children develop verbal, graphic, and writing expression skills, with additional learning opportunities through field trips and guest speakers. Our goal is to create a stimulating environment that encourages discovery through interactive experiences.
Additionally, our Christian Education program nurtures spiritual values, emphasizing each child’s special place in God’s creation. We teach simple prayers, Bible stories and songs while respecting the diverse faith backgrounds of our families.
Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days? Infants are full-time only. Toddlers-PreK are full-time and part-time, and ½ days are offered. Morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack are provided daily for full-time and part-time children.
Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents?
Our operational hours are intended to provide flexibility for working parents, with standard hours being 6:45am-6pm, Monday – Friday
What age groups do you serve?
6 weeks to 5 years of age
After-school program: kindergarten – 11 years of age
What accreditation(s) does your school hold?
Step Up to Quality five star-rated
What is your school’s goal/mission?
Children’s Discovery Center, a premier early care and education provider, respects the child, encourages learning through exploration and supports the family within a creative, nurturing and Christian environment.
What sets your center apart from others?
At Children’s Discovery Center, our distinctiveness lies in our unwavering dedication to the renowned Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. Our team comprises caring and skilled professionals, including certified teachers, who create enriching classroom environments for children. We prioritize ongoing staff training and foster a collaborative learning environment led by both teachers and children. Internationally recognized for our innovative approach and classroom designs, our leadership travels widely to coach other early childhood education centers in successfully implementing similar methods within their communities.
How many students attend your school and what is the teacher/student ratio?
Infants 1:5
Toddlers 1:7
Preschool 1:12
Pre-k 1:14
School-age 1:18
Gateway Garden Preschool
4650 W Bancroft St., Toledo
419-724-5640
Is your curriculum play-based, academic-based or something different?
The academic program at Gateway Garden places an emphasis on every aspect of student growth and development. Suitable class sizes and exceptional, qualified teachers allow us to offer a comfortable and inclusive educational environment, while ensuring each student receives the individualized attention and support they need.
Does the center offer half days and/or full days? Is lunch provided on full days?
We offer half days, MWF, T/TH, M-F or full days, MWF, T/TH or M-F. Half days are 8:30- 11:30am and full days are 8:30am-3:30pm. Please bring a cold packed lunch for full day students.
Does the center have early drop off and/or late pick up available for working parents?
We offer early drop off at 7:45am and late pick up until 4pm
What age groups do you serve?
Children must be 3 by November 15th. We serve ages 2 years and 10 months to 5 years.
What training/certifications and experience do the teachers hold?
Our teachers have college degrees and many years’ experience in preschools
What sets your center apart from others?
Gateway Garden Preschool has been serving the Ottawa Hills, Toledo and Sylvania families for over 80 years.
How many students attend your school and what is the teacher/student ratio?
Gateway is a small school serving no more than 35 students. Small teacher/student ratios allow for more personalized attention in a warm supportive environment.
How to Beat the Scaries when Daylight Savings Time Hits
The clocks are set to spring forward at 2 a.m on Sunday, March 10, and parents everywhere have a sense of impending doom, as that single hour of missed sleep wreaks havoc on kids, creating significant bedtime battles both in the morning and at night.
Sleep Health Educator & Certified Sleep Coach Soda Kuczkowski said the sudden need to fall asleep and wake up earlier disrupts the natural alignment between kids’ internal clock and the external time cues.
“This lack of sleep can affect their mood, making them more irritable or emotional,” Kuczkowski said. “It can also hinder their cognitive functions, reducing their attention span, impairing memory, and making learning and schoolwork more challenging.”
Despite that, Kuczkowski said that parents shouldn’t fret – there are several ways to lessen the blow of Daylight Savings Time and beat the Sunday scaries. By following these practices, parents can help minimize the disruptive effects of losing an hour of sleep and support their child in adjusting more comfortably to the time change during DST.
Gradually adjust bedtime
Start adjusting your child’s bedtime 15 minutes earlier each night about 4 days before the DST change. This gradual approach helps their body clock adapt slowly without feeling a sudden change.
Establish a soothing bedtime routine
Create a calming bedtime routine that may include a warm bath, dimming the lights and reading a book. This routine can signal to your child’s body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep, making the transition smoother.
Incorporate reading into the routine
Reading to or with your child before bed can significantly calm their mind and prepare them for sleep. The act of reading not only enhances their literacy skills but also serves as a relaxing activity that promotes better sleep quality.
“Developing a consistent routine like reading a bedtime story at night can soothe jitters and create a calming environment when change is imminent,” said Alysson Bourque, author of Alycat and the Sunday Scaries, a new children’s book that provides young readers with tools to conquer their fears, struggles, and the unknown.
Books are also an excellent resource that can help with adjustments to change and improve mental wellbeing, Bourque said.
“Sharing a bedtime story with children brings families closer together, sparks imagination and develops problem-solving and coping skills as children are validated by a character that may be going through the same circumstances,” Bourque said. “Reflecting on these characters after a bedtime story will foster self-affirmation, confidence, and solace, especially with the Sunday scaries.”
Limit exposure to screens
Reduce screen time at least an hour before bedtime. The blue light from screens can inhibit the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, making it harder for children to fall asleep.
Ensure a comfortable sleep environment
Keep the bedroom cool, quiet and dark. Use blackout curtains if necessary to block out early evening light, creating an environment that supports sleep.
Expose to morning light
Encourage exposure to natural sunlight in the morning. Morning light helps reset your child’s internal clock to the new time, promoting wakefulness during the day and readiness for sleep at night.
Maintain consistency
Stick to the new bedtime and routine consistently, even on weekends. Consistency helps reinforce the body’s sleep-wake cycle, aiding in faster adjustment to the DST change.
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in the Toledo Area
What brings in the beginning of the holiday season better than choosing your Christmas tree?…
Toledo Area Easter Egg Hunts 2024
With Easter on its way, here’s our 2024 guide to community egg hunts and other seasonal festivities.
March 21
Stop by between 5:30-6:30pm at the Monclova Community Center (back of the property by the white barn) for a free digital picture with the “Easter Sheep” and a treat.
8115 Monclova Rd., Monclova. 419-861-1336.
March 22-23
Glow in the Dark Easter Egg Hunt
Cornerstone Church hosts a glowing wonderland with blacklights and fluorescent lights to illuminate the hunts. Games, face painting and photos will also be available for kids ages 2-12. Register to select a time slot.
1520 Reynolds Rd., Maumee. 419-725-5000.
March 22-30
The Wood County Museum hosts the 4th Annual Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt from March 22-30. Pick up your passport book and search the grounds for 10 hidden egg signs to collect the clues, learn some history and win a prize. This is a free community event for both kids and adults. The museum is open weekdays from 10am-4pm and Saturdays from 12-4pm.
March 23
Oak Harbor’s annual Easter Egg Hunt begins at 2pm in Adolphus Kraemer Park at the Log Cabin, and is followed by a candy hunt downtown and visits with the Easter Bunny at the Log Cabin. Free and open to children ages 12 and under.
125 N Church St., Oak Harbor.
Egg hunt with prizes and goodies starts at 11am at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
4155 Pickle Rd., Oregon. 419-691-9407.
Perrysburg First Church hosts an indoor Easter Carnival from 10-11:30am. The free community event for kids in preK to grade 5 includes carnival games, a bounce house, music, prizes, crafts and glow-in-the-dark Easter egg hunt!
200 W 2nd St., Perrysburg. 419-874-1911.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
The Maumee Senior Center hosts this event from 9am-noon. Enjoy pancakes and sausage along with an egg hunt, photos with the Easter bunny, games and coloring. Space is limited and advance registration is required by March 20 by contacting the center by email or phone. Cost is $10 for ages 12 and under and $13 for older kids and adults.
2430 S. Detroit Ave., Maumee. 419-893-1994
Downtown Perrysburg Inc. hosts this pancake breakfast that includes photos with the Easter Bunny from 8:30-10:30am at Zoar Lutheran Church. Cost: $5 adults, $3 kids at the door.
314 E Indiana Ave, Perrysburg. [email protected].
March 29
Hop into center court at the Franklin Park Mall from 11am-1pm for face painting, live bunnies, make & take crafts, the Bunny Hop and photos with the Easter Bunny.
5001 Monroe St., Toledo. 419-473-3317.
Come see what egg-citing treats the Easter Bunny dropped off for your favorite animals at the Toledo Zoo!
2 Hippo Way, Toledo. 419-385-5721.
Festivities at Swanton Valley Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center run from 2-4pm, and include an egg hunt, pictures with the Easter Bunny, enjoy face painting and cookie decorating.
401 W. Airport Hwy., Swanton. 419-825-1111.
March 29-30
Celebrate the spring season at Breakfast with the Bunny from 9-11am at the Toledo Zoo! Participate in an egg hunt, cookie decorating, crafts, an egg-citing animal encounter and photos with the Easter Bunny. Reservations required; tickets include parking and Zoo admission. Children ages 2-11: 35; adults and kids ages 12 and up: $50 (members receive a $5 discount per ticket).
2 Hippo Way, Toledo. 419-385-5721.
March 30
Schedel Arboretum and Gardens Easter Egg Hunt
Egg hunts take place at 11:30am and 3pm. Enjoy the beautiful 17-acre garden estate and other fun activities including live music, cookie decorating, face painting and a bouncy house. Admission is free, with donations of canned goods being collected for the Elmore Food Bank.
19255 W Portage River South Rd, Elmore. 419-862-3182.
The annual Hayes Easter Egg Roll replicates the White House Easter Egg Roll that Rutherford B. Hayes started when he was president. The egg roll is from noon to 2 p.m., and kids and their families can stop by any time during that time to participate. Kids are asked to bring three hard-boiled, colored eggs to use in the traditional egg games, which will take place on the lawn of the Hayes Presidential Library and Museums. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, story reading, a craft, corn hole toss and photos with the Easter Bunny.
Spiegel Grove, Fremont. 419-332-2081.
A helicopter will drop 75,000 colorful, candy-filled eggs at theChurch in a unique twist on the traditional egg hunt. Register your child in grade 5 or under online ahead of time and bring your own basket for this free event that begins at 5:15pm.
3000 Strayer Rd. Maumee. 419-866-2094.
Crafts, storytime and egg hunt begin at 10am. This free event is for children up to fifth graders.
3520 Strayer Rd., Maumee. 419-861-9520.
April 1
The Swanton Public Library hosts an egg hunt at 2pm for kids of all ages at the adjacent Pilliod Park. Babies and preschoolers have a head start and all kids receive a bag of candy after the hunt.
305 Chestnut St, Swanton. 419-826-2760.
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree Farms in the Toledo Area
What brings in the beginning of the holiday season better than choosing your Christmas tree?…