Toledo Public Schools history teacher Mona Al-Hayani was recently named the State of Ohio 2019 Teacher of the Year, helping the district live up to the motto, “TPS Proud.” Known to her students as Ms. Al, Al-Hayani teaches at Toledo Early College High School and advise the National Honor Society and Young Women for Change, a student-led group. A TPS and University of Toledo graduate, Al-Hayani, now teaching for almost two decades, knows the importance of helping her district, saying: “Because the struggles that urban public schools have are different than what other schools have, I’d like to use this as a platform to do whatever I can to help our students become more successful, to help our teachers have the resources they need in the classroom.”
Small Box Music In Uptown Maumee
Did you know that children’s brains develop faster with music training? New research confirms the long known fact that learning how to play a musical instrument strengthens your brain, improves your memory and offers a permanent, positive impact on a developing brain. So musicians, young and old, can look forward to the newest addition to uptown Maumee, Small Box Music which opened in October 2018. The specialty shop offers a custom curated collection of sought after stringed instruments with unique options for every budget.
203 Conant St.
419-740-3434 | smallboxmusic.com
October 2018 Giveaway!
October giveaway is a PLAYMOBIL Take Along Haunted House. Kids can enjoy a spooky good time with this fun playset. In a convenient take-along case, this on-the-go set includes scientist, monster and vampire figures, desk, potion bottles, spider web, coffin, skull and lots of other accessories.
Enjoy!
Hair Does Not Define You—Local Teacher and Mother Shares Her Struggles with Alopecia
McKenna Reitz, who has lost her hair, says that she is frequently stopped by strangers who ask her if she has cancer. While Reitz, thankfully, does not have cancer, she does have alopecia universalis, an autoimmune disease which leads to hairlessness from head to toe.
Reitz discloses, “People always ask if I’m going through treatment, saying ‘Can I pray for you? Can I give you a hug?’ I’m appreciative, but I’d rather those prayers go to someone with cancer.”
“I want to spread awareness about alopecia. I want people to become educated.”
Alopecia explained
Reitz describes one way to tell the difference between individuals undergoing cancer treatment and those with alopecia: eyebrows and eyelashes. “People going through treatment take a very long time to lose brows and lashes…if they ever do,” Reitz explains.
Three different types of alopecia attack hair follicles. Alopecia areata induces patches of hair to fall out, alopecia totalis produces the loss of all hair on the head, and alopecia universalis causes the loss of all hair on the entire body. Reitz has the most extreme and most rare type: alopecia universalis. “They don’t know why it happens,” Reitz says, “but there is a correlation between stress and genetics.”
Alopecia progression and treatment
“After I had [my first daughter], during stressful times, I would get a bald spot—the size of a quarter—and they would inject it with steroids and [the hair] would grow back.”
“After I had [my second daughter].” Reitz continues, “I will never forget when I felt a spot on my hairline that was itchy and red. After that my hair started to shed. At first I just assumed it was normal postpartum shedding, but then it started coming out in clumps. Within three weeks, my hair was gone.”
“The first six months, I hit rock bottom. For women, hair is [part of] your identity…and I felt like I lost ‘me.’ I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. It was really hard to move forward, but I had no other choice—I have two little girls. [Alopecia may] not be life-threatening, but it’s mentally and emotionally threatening. I had a lot of bad days,” confesses Reitz.
Reitz visited a University of Michigan dermatologist and tried topical creams, steroids, and injections, but nothing worked. Eventually the doctor said there was nothing more that could be done.
Reitz was beginning to lose all hope, but Dr. Sarah Stierman at Dermatology Associates in Perrysburg assured her that “they would always continue to try.” Together they have tried new medicines, which have produced positive results in clinical trials, but so far have been unsuccessful for her.
Acceptance and advice
After two years of attempting possible treatments, Reitz decided to take a break in order to “cleanse the body.” Reitz has come to terms with her disease. “I’m not on such an emotional roller coaster. I’ve accepted that I have it…and it has totally changed my outlook on life. It has allowed me to see the inner beauty more than just the outer beauty, to focus on the positive instead of always the negative.”
Reitz’s oldest daughter, Karsen asked her mom what was happening to her hair. “I told her what was going on. She asked it it would happen to her. I told her no…it’s sad and depressing.”
Almost 7 million Americans have this autoimmune disease. Reitz encourages, “Don’t allow it to define and change who you are. Hair doesn’t define you. If I could do anything to get my hair back, I would. I would take it back in a second. But I’ve grown and become a betterperson because of this.”
For more information, or to make a donation to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, visit NAAF.org.
What’s your favorite activity to do with your family? Going on a bike ride.
Best holiday memory from when you were a kid? Christmas with all of my grandparents.
What’s your go-to activity when you have a few minutes to yourself? Read. I like motivational books and love stories!
Describe your life in five words or less. Inspired by many.
What is your favorite Toledo hangout? Bar Louie or Tekela.
Describe Toledo in a sentence? Toledo inspires many and accepts all.
Favorite place to buy wigs? Charming Wigs on Manhattan.
Easy Does It—DIY Halloween Costume Ideas
We’ve got you covered! Halloween can creep up on us and become a potentially time-consuming holiday. Sometimes the elaborate costume ideas have to be pushed aside for something quicker, cheaper, and all around easier. But, do not fear! Here are a few super simple costume ideas that require little time and use materials found around the house. Best part is, they are adorable, unique, and can work for almost any age or gender!
Scuba Diver
Supplies
• Black pants and black long sleeve shirt
• Two 2-litter bottles
• Rope or yarn
• Spray paint, color of choice
• Black electrical tape
• Sponge hair curlers
• Swim goggles and snorkel
• Decorative silver ‘washi’ tape
• Hot glue
Instructions
Oxygen Backpack: Spray paint two 2-litter bottles. Once dry, add black electrical tape and silver washi tape to secure them together.
Measure and cut the rope so that when secured to the top and bottom of bottles, it will still fit snuggly around your child’s shoulders. Using hot glue, secure the ends of the rope to the bottom and top of the bottle. This should create two loops so you child can put it on like a backpack.
Scuba Tool Belt: Double the electrical tape onto itself so it isn’t sticky and weave on some sponge curlers. Using a small piece of tape, secure the belt together so it fits around your child’s waist.
Lego Block Costume
Supplies
• 1 rectangular cardboard box (Lego hat)
• 1 squared cardboard box (Lego body)
• 1 can of spray paint, color of choice
• 1 package Solo cups (match the color of paint, if possible)
• Duct tape
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors
Instructions
Using the smaller square box, cut a round hole in the bottom based on the size of hat your child wears. Hot glue the rims of 4 Solo cups onto the top of the box. This will create the Lego hat. Using the larger, rectangular box, cut a hole on the top about two to three times larger than your hat hole. This will be the head hole. On both sides of the larger box, cut large circles out for the arm holes. These holes should only be a few inches from the top of the box. Cut the back and bottom off the rectangular box so your child can easily get in and out of the costume. Hot glue 6 solo cups onto the front of the cardboard box. Duct tape around any edges to smooth them out. Spray paint both boxes and let them dry.
Note: If you have a hard time keeping the Lego hat on, have the child put a hat on backwards so the box stays more secure. The brim on the back will provide more stability.
2018 Open House Guide
Special Advertising Sections
Choosing the right school for your child is a key component to a successful education. With so many options in the area, how do you know which one might be the best fit? It’s Open House season at many local schools. Read on to find out which one you’ll visit first!
West Side Montessori School
Perrysburg: 13587 Roachton Rd, 419-874-9385
Toledo: 7115 W Bancroft St, 419-866-1931
montessoritoledo.org
Open House: 9-10:30am
Tuesday, November 6 | Friday, January 26 | Tuesday, February 27 | Tuesday, March 27 | Friday, April 27
West Side Montessori inspires children of all ages to discover their full potential and focuses on creating independent and self-motivated graduates. Unique to West Side Montessori is the world language curriculum. World languages are introduced to students at three years old and then lead to an immersion program in upper grades. Additionally, West Side creates lessons that are geared towards each student’s learning style. Children work at their own pace and choose work based on their own interests and abilities.
St. Francis de Sales High School
2323 W Bancroft St, Toledo
419-531-1618 | sfstoledo.org
Open House: 1-4pm | Sunday, November 12
High School Placement Test Prep Session: 9am-noon | Saturday, November 18 and Saturday, December 2
A Catholic college prep school for young men, 7th through 12 grade, St. Francis de Sales promotes the academic, spiritual, social and physical development of students in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales, who challenges “be who you are and be that well”. Find a rich history of athletic and academic excellence, including the Toledo area’s largest program for AP courses.
Horizon Science Academy
2600 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo
419- 474-3350 | horizontoledo.org
Open House: Call for details.
A K-12 college prep charter school, the mission of Horizon Science Academy is to prepare students to succeed in college, and beyond. With high-quality college prep courses, STEM education and partnerships with local businesses and universities for real-world experience, Horizon is the perfect choice for many students to improve their skills and become successful in life.
Notre Dame Academy
3535 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo
419-475-9359 | nda.org
Open House: 11am-2pm | Sunday, November 11
Notre Dame Academy is an all-girls Catholic school for young women in grades 7 through 12. The only school in Northwest Ohio to offer the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Notre Dame Academy has the largest, all-girls’ fine arts program, more than 30 clubs and sports, and many spiritual and service opportunities.
Maumee Valley Country Day School
1715 South Reynolds Rd, Toledo
419-381-1313 | mvcds.org
Open House: 1-3pm | Sunday, November 4
Maumee Valley Country Day School is the only preschool-12 grade accredited, co-educational, independent school in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. MVCDS’s rich tradition of excellence in education is a core of their program, with students learning in environments that challenge them to think creatively and work collaboratively. Along with academics, arts and athletics, MVCDS provides students with the opportunity to develop their personal narratives. 100% of graduates are admitted to a four-year college.
Solomon Lutheran School
305 W Main St, Woodville
419-849-3600 | solomonelementary.com
Open House: 1-3pm | Sunday, November 4
Solomon Lutheran School offers an environment for children from preschool (age 3 years) through 6th grade to grow in academics and spiritually. Guided by humility, kindness, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and compassion, Solomon Lutheran School works to help each individual child discover their unique talents, develop respect for others, and strengthen self-esteem and character. Additionally, Solomon Lutheran School offers extended care year-round from 7:00am-5:30pm at only $3 an hour.
St. Ursula Academy
4025 Indian Rd, Toledo
419-531-1693 | toledosua.org
Open House: Noon-3pm | Sunday, November 4
St. Ursula Academy (SUA) is the oldest, all-girls, Catholic, college-prep high school in Toledo. SUA prepares students for college and for life, delivering premier academics with 21 AP and 18 honors courses. The all-girls environment creates confident leaders for the future and is positive, supportive, and rich in tradition. Plus, the faith-filled student body is active in serving the community. During the Open House, you can tour the school with current students, talk to faculty and staff, look at academic profiles and materials and get a feel for the warm atmosphere of our school.
Ottawa Hills
3600 Indian Rd, Ottawa Hills
419-536-6371 | ottawahillsschool.org
Open House: We invite you to learn more about our tuition enrollment option. Please call to schedule a school tour or student shadow day.
Ottawa Hills Local Schools offers maximum learning for every student from kindergarten through grade 12. With a tradition of excellence, Ottawa Hills provides a challenging curriculum for students and involves parents as partners in the education of their children. Ottawa Hills inspires each student to realize his or her unique potential and embrace learning as a lifelong process, offering a variety of extracurricular activities including arts and athletics to set students up for lifelong success.
