New Kids on the Block—August 2018

July 31, 2018

Rediscover the Discovery Center

Children’s Discovery Center has renovated its downtown location and the new space is worth discovering! Located in the hub of Toledo’s business district on the third floor at 338 North St. Clair Street, Children’s Discovery Center is a dynamic and innovative facility. The remodeled space focuses on modern design, STEAM education and creative hands-on learning. With things like a sensory wall for infants, preschool and pre-K science lab, and a rooftop playground with stack and build, plant and grow and art, climbing and trike stations, this is a place where children can engage in limitless exploration. To reserve your child’s spot call 419-867-8570. childrensdiscoverycenters.com

New, Local Leadership

When classes resume at Maumee Valley Country Day School this fall, there will be a new Head of School. Lynn Casto comes to MVCDS from the Sanford School in Hockessin Delaware, where she served as the upper school head since 2013. “I love the student-centered focus of the school. That’s originally what drew me to MV—the focus on the students. It’s a place where each child can define his or her passion, discover it, and explore it,” Casto said.

There’s a new owner and director at Sylvania Children’s Center. Aalaa Eldeib, with more than 20 years of experience in the early education field, working as a preschool teacher and a principal, came to the Sylvania Children’s Center in June. Eldeib says SCC is a place where children are taught to care about the community around them, while growing into leaders. She said diversity is celebrated here and everyone is welcome. sylvaniachildren.com

New Doctors are In

There’s a new choice for women’s healthcare in Perrysburg. ProMedica Physicians Obstetrics|Gynecology at Levis Commons is now open. This new practice provides convenient, comprehensive services to women in Perrysburg, Bowling Green, Rossford and surrounding communities. Providers include a nurse midwife and board-certified physicians who specialize in obstetrics/gynecology and urogynecology. The office, which is located at 5180 Chappel Drive, is accepting new patients. 567-585-0265. promedica.org/perrysburgwomens

Giveaway—August 2018

Digital Media

July 31, 2018

This month one lucky reader will win a Daniel Tiger Crayola Trolley Play Set from Amloid! Enrich little creators’ play time with a wholesome activity set that fuels imaginations with a variety of sturdy and stackable building blocks, stickers and crayons, which help children identify and learn colors as they develop fine motor skills.The 46-piece set includes 5 block fit figures, 8 Crayola crayons, 1 decal sheet, and 32 bright and durable Kids@Work building blocks.

Preparing Youth for College & Career—The Ability Center’s Life Skills Program

Emily Remaklus

July 31, 2018

The Ability Center works hard to empower individuals with disabilities by teaching skills to help with socializing, working, and living independently. In 2017, The Ability Center’s Community Connections Program was restructured. Renamed the Life Skills Program, there is now a renewed focus on helping youth with disabilities develop employability and independent living skills.

Developing skills for life

The program aims to provide youth and young adults, ages 13-26, with interactive classes that will help them with post-secondary school or competitive employment. The classes focus on two major categories; soft skills and employability and independent living. Soft skills and employability include classes such as communication, networking, professionalism, and self-advocacy. Independent living classes include cooking/nutrition, financial management, sex education, and future care planning/benefits counseling, which helps participants to solidify long-term arrangements regarding housing, insurance, and caregivers.

Mallory Tarr, Community Relations Specialist for The Ability Center, explained that the staff design the classes, all of which are held at The Ability Center, to be engaging and hands-on for the students. “It is important to create a comfortable environment for students to ask questions, form their own opinions, and to learn valuable skills. Staff will support them through high school and into their post-secondary education to ensure they are receiving the accommodations they need to achieve their goals and to gain competitive employment.”

The staff teaches most of the classes, though experts do come in to share their knowledge on certain subjects. For instance, Planned Parenthood comes in to help with sex education classes, Fifth Third Bank helps with money management classes, and The Toledo Police Department provides instruction for personal safety classes.

The Ability Center can also facilitate presentations for teachers, parents, and students to educate local school districts about the benefits of the programming and how to get connected to the services.

Wendy Smenner, Conor’s mother: “My son Conor was very blessed to have had this experience. He gained strengths in so many areas, job skills, advocacy, and true dorm life. All of the staff was awesome, and he made some very valuable connections with others who have disabilities.”

Nick Hyndman: “I am thankful to have been chosen to be a part of this wonderful program. This program has given me confidence in myself that I didn’t know I had. It has allowed me to become proud to be disabled because I’ve been surrounded by fellow people with disabilities that are absolutely wonderful people. I leave this program a better person and with a new perspective on disability and life.”

Donny Stewart: “Something that worried me was being able to successfully live on my own. I am so thankful I was able to be a part of the Next Steps Summer Program. I was given the tools and help I needed to reassure myself that I am capable of successfully living on my own. I saw everyone overcome their disability.. I know I’ve already done a lot, in terms of overcoming my autism, but it gave me hope that I could do even more.”

For more information, please visit abilitycenter.org.

Upcoming Classes

August 28: Employment Class begins
September 5: Cooking & Nutrition Class begins

Bento Boxes to the Rescue!

Raegan Nelson

July 31, 2018

You’re probably an expert at the quick school lunch, but if you and your kids are ready to swap out the sack lunch for something more exciting this school year, try a bento box filled with a delicious and nutritious assortment of food. To keep your bento box cool for up to 8 hours, toss an ice pack in the lunch box or bag or, for room temperature food, you’re set for the day. Using a bento box provides great portion control, reduces plastic and paper waste, encourages kids to try a variety of foods, and is easy to wash and reuse for years.

1 | Tomato, Cucumber, Avocado Salad

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups of chopped cherry tomatoes
1 cucumber — peeled, seeded and diced (or 5 mini Persian cucumbers — sliced)
1 avocado — diced
4 oz. feta cheese
2 Tbsp. minced red onion
1 handful minced parsley — about 2 Tbsp.
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
Pepper to taste

How To:
Combine chopped cherry tomatoes, seeded cucumber, and diced avocado in a bowl.
Crumble feta into the bowl.
Add minced red onion and minced parsley.
Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar and black pepper – pour over salad. Toss gently.
If refrigerating keep the avocado aside and add before serving.

2 | Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Pinwheels

Ingredients:
4 large spinach and herb flavored tortilla wraps
8 Tbsp. roasted red bell pepper hummus
8 oz. thinly sliced ham or turkey
8 slices colby jack cheese
2/3 cups roasted red bell pepper slices, drained
Ranch greek yogurt dip, optional

How To:
Spread hummus on the 4 tortillas.
Place the meat and cheese in the middle of the tortilla and arrange the roasted red bell peppers along one side of each tortilla. Tightly roll up the tortilla starting with the bell pepper side.
Slice pinwheels into 1 inch thick pieces and secure with a toothpick. Enjoy, dipped in ranch.

3 | Fresh Picked Strawberries

Picking delicious, fresh strawberries is a wonderful family-friendly activity.

4 | Chocolate Dipped Almond Butter Banana Bites

Ingredients:
3 large bananas
1/3 cup nut butter of choice
1/2 cup melted chocolate of choice

How To:
Cut bananas into slices about 1/4-1/2 inch thick.
Spread a little nut butter onto a slice and sandwich two banana slices together.
Place on wax paper on a cookie sheet and freeze until solid, at least an hour.
Melt chocolate in the microwave for a minute or until smooth.
Remove banana bites from the freezer and dip them in chocolate. Freeze for another hour.
Store in airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks.

5 | Trail Mix

Pick your child’s favorite healthy mix to include.

Dessert

Add a small amount of your child’s favorite dessert. We chose Caramel M&M’s with nuts and raisins.

Build-Your-Own Chicken Taco Bento Box

This recipe allows for kids to have fun building their own mini tacos with their favorite toppings while keeping each element separate so the food stays fresh for hours. You can easily personalize each child’s box with things like a soft tortilla or crunchy shell, salsa or pico de gallo, black beans or pinto beans.

Chicken Taco Filling

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
3 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup chicken broth

How To:
Dissolve taco seasoning into chicken broth.
Place chicken breasts in crock pot and pour broth over.
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
With two forks, shred the chicken.
Optional: Freeze extra meat into freezer bags with the juices. Press out all the air and seal.

Easy Black Bean and Rice Side

Ingredients:
1 ½ cup black beans
1 ½ cup rice
3 cups chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes

How To:
Dump all ingredients into a rice cooker. Set to cook until all liquid is absorbed (varies depending on your rice cooker)

Taco Topping Ideas: lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cheese, sour cream, salsa, corn, beans

What’s Briefly Happening in… August!

Toledo Parent Staff

July 31, 2018

Don’t Forget!

Get those school supply lists ready—the 2018 tax free weekend is here! Shop Friday, August 3, through Sunday, August 5 and you won’t have to pay sales tax on clothing priced $75 or less or school supplies priced $20 or less. You can find more info, including frequently asked questions, online at tax.ohio.gov. And don’t forget to swing by Toledo Parent’s Back to School Fair at Franklin Park Mall on Saturday, August 4. This annual event has everything you need to get ready to start the school year off right!

New Options for Parents

The YouTube Kids app adapts to include three new features that give parents more control of the app content. Collections by trusted partners and YouTube Kids offer trusted channels on a variety of subjects from arts & crafts and music to sports, learning, and more. Access Profile Settings, and select from available collections such as Sesame Workshop and PBS KIDS. Parent approved content allows the handpicking of every video and channel available in the app. Improved search-off control for an even more contained experience will limit YouTube Kids viewing to channels that have been verified by the YouTube Kids team. James Beser, Product Director for YouTube Kids says, “At YouTube Kids…we’ve worked hard to build personalization features into our platform.”

Wanted: Sports Gear

If you’re cleaning out closets and tidying up the garage, save your used sports gear and equipment for UpLyft Toledo. This local nonprofit wants to insure all children in Northwest Ohio have the opportunity to participate in sports and fitness activities by collecting new or gently used sports equipment to donate to schools, organizations and programs that serve disadvantaged youth. UpLyft Toledo will accept all kinds of sports gear, except for football helmets, underwear garments, used hats, hunting and fishing gear. uplyft.today

Bikes for Kids

There’s still a few weeks until school starts, which means there’s still time to get in on Wersell’s Bikes for Kids Free Bicycle Giveaway. This is open to any kid making a difference in the community. Parents, grandparents, family members, teachers and friends just have to share how a favorite kid is making a difference by visiting bikesforkidstoledo.com. Wersell’s Bike and Ski will give away a free bike, along with a helmet and bike lock each Tuesday in August from 2:30-3:30pm.
2860 W Central Ave, Toledo | bikesforkidstoledo.com

How Did We Get Here? It All Goes By So Fast

Karen L. Zickes

July 31, 2018

Thirteen years ago, with tears brimming in my eyes, I watched as my oldest and only daughter bounced up the steps of the yellow school bus and waved good-bye. That was only the beginning of the countless times she would confidently find her wings, turn, and wave good-bye.

In the words of songwriter Mark Harris, “Let my love give you roots, and help you find your wings.” To that point, her father and I did our best to give her the necessary tools, guidance, and encouragement to help her grow and become the confident, motivated and independent individual she is today. I watched her prepare to graduate high school this past spring and she had plans to move away to college in three short months. We have done our job for the last 18 years to get her ready for this day. Why then, did I feel so sad? Selfishness. Pure selfishness.

Anticipating loss

I assumed it would be difficult to send her off to college. But that day always seemed light years away. Recent months have been a year full of bittersweet “lasts”. I would gaze around the dinner table as the kids bantered back and forth and thought how I will miss her caustic wit, her smile, her playful jabs at me or her thoughts on current events. She always has an opinion and isn’t afraid to voice it. There is so much I will miss every day.

For the last couple of years I have been anticipating the “loss” I would feel when she left for college. (Nothing like planning ahead I always say.) I realize “loss” sounds a tad dramatic. I do realize she was only planning on going away to college. But some time ago I finally had a revelation that allowed me to make sense of my premature feelings of “loss”.

Her dad’s passing almost five years ago was a huge loss and left a huge void. Suddenly she became the next oldest in the household. She became my balance of sanity when her younger brothers had maxed my energy and patience. Obviously not an equal counterpart, I could still share things with her that I couldn’t share with her brothers. Mindful to always remain mom and not best friend, there continued to be a connection that was different from the relationship I had with the younger two. She was not only my oldest, but also my only daughter. Now at almost 19 she truly is the other adult in our house. I now understand the root of my premature feelings of loss.

Sharing is caring

I know it’s time to share this amazing individual with others. This is her moment to fuel the fire inside her and bring her dreams to fruition. And as I was FINALLY adjusting to the idea of saying goodbye, she announced her decision to attend The University of Toledo, to avoid what could become crippling debt in the form of student loans. I could not have been more proud of her well thought out and mature decision. And I know the good-byes will still come soon enough. For now she is fully embracing her decision.

I reflect back on how fast 18.5 years has flown by and I ask, “How did we get here?” I believe the answer lies in one success, disappointment, laugh, tear and good-bye at a time. We gave her roots. She is finding her wings. And I’m confident “she’s got this.”

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