The Arabic Quilt: The Story of an Egyptian-Muslim Immigrant

By

-

August 18, 2020

Many mothers have dreamt of someday publishing a book; Aya Khalil made that dream a reality with the publication of her first children’s book, The Arabic Quilt. The story of young Kanzi, an Egyptian-Muslim immigrant struggling to find acceptance within her predominately white school, is a page from Khalil’s own history. Molly, the “mean girl” in the story, does not represent a single person from Khalil’s past but rather “all the racist people” she has encountered over her lifetime.

Local children’s author tops Amazon’s new book list.

Growing up Muslim in America

Khalil expounds, “How can I begin to say this? So 20 years ago, when we first moved to Toledo, it was right around 9/11, so there was a surge in discrimination and racism. My parents sent us to an Islamic school…they were worried.”

“Fast forward years later, when we had to choose schools for our own kids,” she continues. “We decided on public schools. While we are worried because there is another rise in Islamophobia, we feel the teachers are more aware of what’s going on and they are trying to take steps to address these issues. We decided on Ottawa Hills — their diversity population has been on the rise in the past couple years — and I feel like they have been making a great effort to [create] a more inclusive environment for Muslims and children of color.”

One of Khalil’s elementary school teachers strived to make her feel welcomed and accepted in the classroom with a project that was assigned to Khalil forming the basis of The Arabic Quilt. Khali recalls that before moving to Toledo, she attended public elementary school in another US community, “the teacher asked me to write my classmates’ names in Arabic. I went home and wrote everyone’s name in Arabic, and the kids copied them down and [our teacher] hung them all up.” Khalil recreated this project and received “a lot of positive feedback, and I thought, ‘This would be a cute story!’ So I wrote it down and made it into a book.”

The Arabic Quilt is born

After months of rejection letters and numerous revisions — with a final story that is significantly different than the original version — her book was published. Khalil was able to locate her former teacher via Facebook to share the good news: “I messaged her and she remembers me and the project! She told me, ‘It would be a dream for me to meet you in person now and sign the book!’”

“Teachers can make such a difference,” Khalil continues. “I still remember this teacher from elementary school who made me feel SEEN. My brother and I were the only Muslims in the entire elementary school…nowadays it’s so different.”

OK to be you

“I try to raise my kids in a way that shows them it’s okay to be Muslim, to be different,” confesses Khalil. “It’s okay to be you. I try to teach them to stick up for themselves, but also to ask for help when they need it. I was interested in writing a children’s book for that reason. It’s a fun way to address tough topics and facilitate discussion and talk about feelings.”

Khalil hopes that with her book, “readers who are Arab or Muslim can see themselves. That’s why we made sure Kanzi has curly hair and a darker skin tone. I want students to have this discussion with their teachers and librarians about accepting one another, while encouraging kids to make friends with people who do not look like them, and yet still find similarity.”

When Khalil isn’t writing, she’s raising her three children, Aminah (7), Muhammad (4) and Halimah (9 months), with her husband, Abdalrahman (Abdo) Algendy. They love traveling the world together as a family, and they’ve been to California, Egypt, Turkey, London, Mexico and Canada.

Q&A with Aya Khalil

What’s your favorite activity to do with your family?
Visit our local Metroparks.
What was your favorite book as a kid? Or one you love reading to YOUR kids?
The Berenstain Bears…I have fond memories of my mom reading it to me and my brother.
Best holiday memory from when you were a kid?
My generation tries to make Ramadan more fun for the kids, so having iftar with the family.
What’s your go-to activity when you have time to yourself?
Brunching with friends.
Describe your life in five words or less.
Never a dull moment.
What is your favorite Toledo place to brunch?
Fowl & Fodder
Describe Toledo in a sentence?
Quirky but lots of fun.

Healthy Tips for Back to School

By

Toledo Parent Staff

-

August 14, 2020

pexels-visionpic-net-2781814 — Photo by VisionPic.net

By Dr. Brad Lucas, Chief Medical Officer for Buckeye Health Plan

Whether you chose to send your child back to school, are homeschooling and supplementing with the occasional playdate, or are participating in the learning “pods” that are receiving a lot of publicity, there are general guidelines that can keep your children safe in each instance.

Buckeye Health Plan encourages parents to recognize the importance of preventative care and proper hygiene this school year to keep their children healthy as they head back to school this fall. Preparations look different amid continuing concerns about COVID-19. Check off these back to school items to give your child a safe and healthy start to the new school year:

Immunizations
Did you know that one in three Ohio children, 19 to 35 months, has not received all recommended vaccines? As children enter grade school, many remain behind on their vaccines. According to 2017 Ohio Department of Health data, only 62 percent of the approximately 2,000 Ohio elementary schools met the state standard for incoming Kindergartners by the October deadline.

“Getting the right vaccinations is a safe and effective way to protect your children from potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Dr. Brad Lucas, Buckeye Health Plan Chief Medical officer. “It also helps keep other children safe by preventing the spread of these diseases to children who cannot get vaccinated because they are too young, have severe allergic reactions or have compromised immune systems.”

Your family doctor or pediatrician can give you the list of immunizations required at every stage of your child’s development. Even if your child has missed immunizations early on, they can get caught up. The CDC provides a recommended immunization schedule for children, from birth to 18 years of age.

Well-child physicals
Many parents may be concerned about immediate health threats as their children return to school. Detecting hidden health challenges and milestone tracking are very important. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children visit their pediatrician once a year from ages 3 to 21. Additionally, if your child plays a sport in school, he or she must have a completed physical exam prior to tryouts.

A visit to your child’s doctor is a critical opportunity to detect a possible illness or developmental delay and to address known health challenges related to sleep patterns, nutrition among other concerns.

“Your pediatrician is there to partner with you and to help track your child’s progress throughout their school years,” said Dr. Lucas. “These visits are just as important as sick visits.”

Buckeye Health Plan ensures members have access to vaccinations and well-child visits by covering care at no cost to them. Buckeye’s MyHealth Pays® (a rewards program) offers families reward dollars for completing these back-to-school checklist items. Well-child visits can earn up to $75 a year on a Walmart® or Sam’s Club debit card. Plus, Buckeye provides free transportation to the doctor to improve access to care.

Practice Proper Hygiene
As children gather in the classroom or in pods or on playdates, proper hygiene will help decrease the spread of illness. Nearly 22 million school days are lost annually due to the common cold. This year, families may be concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in classroom settings. Research has shown that proper hygiene and social distancing are the best ways to fight the virus. The State, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization have provided additional guidance to schools to help decrease the spread of viruses. Buckeye encourages children to do their part as well.

Educate children on the importance of:

Washing your hands. Teach and reinforce proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds–or sing “The ABC Song”–and use hand sanitizer when soap and water is unavailable.
Being mindful of others when coughing or sneezing. Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or elbow and wash your hands after. Wear a mask to prevent the spread of the virus.
Reducing the use of shared items like school supplies and other communal items.
Staying home when they are sick. Students are encouraged to stay home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been sick or recently came in contact with someone with COVID-19.
Maintaining proper distancing between seats in the classroom, hallway, bathrooms or lunchroom and when in the gym or on the playground.

Mini Motions Celebrates 30 Years

By

Digital Media

-

August 14, 2020

“We all dance. It’s in our blood,” quipped Sue Hays, owner of family-owned and operated Mini Motions Dance Center.
Hays taught all 3 of her children to dance, as well as her 3 grandchildren. She reminisces, “I thought age 2 was young to start, but little Stella had tap shoes on by 12 months old. I think her fifth word was, ‘tap, tap, tap’ as [she tapped on my] kitchen floor, and then it was ‘plie’ as she bent her little knees.

Family support
Hays’ granddaughter Brooklyn (8) has assisted in the 2/3 classes since she was 6, and Brooklyn fondly thinks of the dance studio as her second home. Lincoln (5) is a tumbler and a ball thrower between classes. Sue’s daughters Melissa and Devon are teachers at Mini Motions and her son, Brad, is her “biggest fan and supporter.”
“They say that time flies when you’re having fun,” says Hays. “Now, 30 years later, [I think], ‘How could this happen so fast?’ Every year and every day, I’m always excited to walk into classes.”

Still a thrill
Nothing makes Hays happier than watching a reserved child finally inch out to join the class for the first time, and for Hays, it’s all about seeing the changes in her students, watching them grow, and bringing joy through dance.
“Little ones crave variety…[so] they learn tap, jazz, ballet and tumbling, rotating [through] every week. Variety keeps their attention and enthusiasm.”
Hays frequently receives compliments from parents on the age-appropriateness of the music selection, costumes and dance movements, as well as the affordability of both lessons and costumes. Tap and ballet shoes are provided, which is a bonus for those growing feet. Over the years, Mini Motions has won numerous awards from Toledo Area Parent Family Favorites, including top-rated Dance Studio, #1 Mom-Owned Business and runner-up Gymnastics Center.

Keep dancing
“As I approach age 60, the dance families are what stick with me the most: the 4-year-old I taught who is now driving off to college [or the kids I taught who] are now bringing their [own children] to lessons.”
“COVID-19 will not bring me down,” Hays continues. “We just have to get back on our feet. It’s true that dance is therapy–movement helps individuals achieve emotional, physical and social integration. It promotes self-awareness, self-esteem and a safe space for expression of feeling. I won’t talk about how difficult it was during this pandemic, but [I will] say that when the doors reopened, it was a mind, body and spirit connection. Especially now [with the] mental and emotional challenges going on, I can’t think of a better thing to do but DANCE!”

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER GIVEAWAY

By

Toledo Parent Staff

-

August 14, 2020

Natural skincare giveaway! As the seasons change, so does our skin. Hydrate your body with Miami Beach Bum Oregano & Pearl Infused Bum & Body Cream (mint scented, $45), a blemish cleaning, brightening and hydrating lotion that goes on smoothly and smells delicious. It’s also our editor’s pick, who has dry, sensitive skin. Ward off mosquitos with Miami Beach Bum Natural Insect Repellent, an effective and gentle spraying mist ($24). Then finish your skincare routine by treating your face to Vedic Botanicals Radiance Face Cream, a blend of herbs that maintain youthful radiance ($18), and spritzing with Balancing Body Mist Mosel Blend ($22). Worth over $100!

Submissions close September 30. Winner will be announced shortly after.

$50M in Grant Funds to Expand Internet Access for Ohio Students

By

Digital Media

-

August 11, 2020

State Rep. Lisa Sobecki (D-Toledo) announced Ohio schools may begin applying for the new BroadbandOhio Connectivity Grant beginning today, Monday, August 10. A total of $50 million will be allocated to expand high-speed internet access for Ohio students utilizing remote learning during the COVID crisis by providing hotspots and internet-enabled devices to students.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way many things are done in our everyday life, especially schools. Both our children and the dedicated professionals in the classroom deserve to be safe during the school year. This grant will allow schools districts to better equip our students to learn remotely, and continue to keep our families safe from potential exposure to COVID,” said Rep. Sobecki.
Purchases made since July 1 of this year are eligible for support from the Connectivity Grant program. The application period closes Friday, August 21. Schools may apply for this grant opportunity at https://ohio-k12.help/broadbandohio-connectivity-grant/.

When Schools Go Above and Beyond

By

Erin Schoen Marsh

-

August 6, 2020

COVID-19 has confirmed for teachers, parents and students the importance of a traditional classroom setting. Students prefer learning in a real classroom over virtual attendance, and social skills absorbed through peer interaction cannot be learned virtually.

Yet for medically fragile and immunocompromised students, physically attending school has its challenges, and few districts offer a combination of traditional versus virtual learning. Ottawa Hills High School (OHHS) piloted a trial iPad program last year, offering a hybrid mix of virtual and traditional learning, and this pilot program is now included as part of the 2020-2021 reopening plans for Ottawa Hills school district.

Avalon Budd, the student for whom the pilot program was developed, has hypophosphatasia (HPP), a rare genetic disease commonly called “soft bones.” A person with hypophosphatasia fails to produce an enzyme which delivers calcium to the bones, which results in abnormal and hollow teeth and bones, serious mental and physical fatigue, and metabolic challenges throughout the body’s many systems.

Avalon had accommodations made for her by the administration of her grade school, Lial Catholic School, which took an active role in working with this challenge. When looking for high schools, her parents Deborah Ayres and Douglas Hoblet were impressed with Ottawa Hills’ reputation for high educational standards. After speaking with administrators to develop a plan to accommodate Avie’s needs, Deborah and Doug were thrilled that OHHS faculty and staff were on board with the pilot program.

Meeting her needs
Jill Michaelson, Director of Student Services at Ottawa Hills, explains, “When we met with Avalon’s family, and we heard about things that worked and didn’t work in the past, we figured out how we could meet her needs here. We wanted to have the academic rigor that Avalon very clearly needed but still be able to respond to her medical needs as well.” Michaelson continues, “I think it took all of 30 minutes for our IT staff to train the teachers, and the teacher buy-in was phenomenal. They had a commitment to Avalon. They were like, ‘Tell us how to make this work and we will do it.’ We worked together as a team to address any kinks that came up, which wasn’t often.”

As each of Avie’s teachers has an iPad, the process is simple: the teacher turns on the iPad, which is located on a tripod in the classroom, and livestreams each class to Avie at home. Avie is able to ask questions, follow along, and even participate in group work. Ottawa Hills transitioned to Google Classroom last school year, so whenever there is a virtual presentation (PowerPoint, notes, etcetera), Avie accesses those in real time through her laptop, while still being “in class” via the iPad. Last year, she utilized the iPad option about one day each week and attended live classes the other days of the week.

Teachers were surprised at the benefits of the program; they said the iPad program was “the next best thing” to having Avie physically present in the classroom. It also ended up being much less work for the teachers as they didn’t need to compile, deliver and grade makeup work. The virtual learning option for Ottawa Hills includes many of the same details as The iPad Program.

Student responsibility is key
Before initiating the program, Avie signed a contract in which she agreed to take responsibility for any work outside the classroom and to clearly communicate with her teachers. Her parents “have very little extra involvement, if any,” they said. “The main relationship between the student and her teacher remains intact with no extra stress for her. We do not have to intercede or homeschool at all. It is the closest thing to keeping things ‘normal’ for her,” Ayres adds. ”Considering over 38% of female high school students suffer from an anxiety disorder today, this program clearly supports lower stress for our daughter and maintaining her mental wellness, as well as her physical health.”

Benjamin McMurray, OHHS Principal, adds, “She was able to stay connected with her peers and be part of the school culture. She was still a fundamental part of what’s going on in our school…it was a situation she could thrive in. Makes you think about all of the other medically-fragile students who could possibly benefit from something slightly different.”

The administrators and teachers at Ottawa Hills could have refused the request to create this pilot program, as other local high schools had, but they went above and beyond to listen to Avalon’s needs and figure out a way to address them. Then with the knowledge from that interaction the administrators and teachers shaped this school year’s reopening plans. “This was the next best thing to attending class in person,” McMurray concludes. “It was not the same, but it was pretty darn close.”