3rd Floor Views: Recent Episodes
Chesapeake Family Life
3rd Floor Views focuses on health, education, and living with kids. The team from Chesapeake Family Life and their guests will discuss topics that are currently on our minds, as well as get helpful advice from experts.
Annapolitans and Marylanders in general have been eagerly awaiting the Annapolis Blues Soccer Group - a new soccer team in the state capital! Joining us is Fred Matthes, the team’s General Manager.
Our discussion with Fred Matthes touches on the following topics:
- Let’s start with a bit of background and context for listeners and viewers. Could you explain both the Annapolis Soccer Group and the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), and where the Annapolis Blues fits within both?
- The team- where did the idea for an Annapolis team originate? What was the evolution, and who was involved?
- Who are some of the team’s local/regional partners/sponsors? Listeners will definitely recognize some of these names (Rise Up Coffee, Watermark, Luminis Health, Hero’s Pub, Bread and Butter Kitchen, etc.). Why is it important to have local sponsors like these?
- The name: what does Blues represent? Piggybacking on the meaning behind the name, why did Annapolis need/deserve a team? What does it do for the community and region?
- The coaching staff and roster- what was the process like building those, and can you give us a sampling of their backgrounds and skills, what they bring to the table (pitch)?
- Season/looking forward: homes games at NMCMS, aways throughout Virginia through July. Hopes for future of club?
- For listeners/viewers who’d like to learn more or get tickets, where can they go?
- Lastly, why should folks- residents or visitors- head over to the stadium to catch a game?
What's the best way to deal with seasonal allergies?
We talked to Dr. Jennifer Dantzer, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at Johns Hopkins, and Johns Hopkins pediatric allergy and immunology fellow Dr. Aimee Magnarelli. We discussed something near and not-so-dear to many of us in the mid-Atlantic right now- seasonal allergies!
Questions about Seasonal Allergies
- Let’s begin with what you do at Hopkins- what does the average day of a pediatric allergist and immunologist look like?
- Allergies- can you explain what an allergy is, how it affects the body, and the body’s response?
- How do seasonal allergies develop?
- How does climate change affect seasonal allergies?
- The Maryland/mid-Atlantic- what’s the allergy season timeline for our region?
- Can you explain the difference between allergies, colds, and other respiratory viruses? Although we’re heading into warmer weather, we’ve still got colds and other viruses hanging on, which can make it confusing to know what we’ve “got”.
- Why are some children affected by allergies and others are not?
- What are some helpful tips to deal with children’s allergies?
- When is it time to see an allergist and get allergy testing?
Today, we’ll be talking about body image- a healthy body image and how it can be disturbed, the media’s effect on body image, and what parents can do to help their children love their bodies.
Joining us is Dr. Renee Engeln, professor of psychology at Northwestern University and author of Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women.
The interview answers the following questions.
You run the Body and Media Lab at Northwestern. Could you tell us your focus and work there? Body image- definition. What’s a healthy body image?
When and how might one’s body image be skewed/altered? Social media/culture/etc.?
Are there certain groups of individuals- ages, gender identities, orientations- who appear to have higher rates of “body image disturbance”? Why?
Beauty Sick
Beauty Sick: “After researching women’s battles with beauty for years, I can confidently tell you that girls and women who struggle to feel at home in their bodies are not some odd subculture of America. They are our daughters, our sisters, our students, our friends, our partners, and our loved ones.”
“Beauty sickness is what happens when women’s emotional energy gets so bound up with what they see in the mirror that it becomes harder for them to see other aspects of their lives.”
Manifestations of beauty sickness, who, etc? Why for women? Other individuals?
CAUSES of Beauty Sickness
Parents, Peers, Media
What's the answer/remedy? What can parents say or do to nip this in the bud for children (youth, teens) so they don’t head down the wrong road? Tips?
Caregiving and losing a loved one is different for every family. Authors of the book, Ok, Now What? A Caregiver’s Guide to What Matters, Nancy Taylor Robson and Sue Collins give the answers to questions that caregivers don't even know to ask.
They address how to talk to children about a loved one’s illness or the fact that they’re dying. Quoting from the book: “Some children want and need to be protected until they can’t be protected any longer. Others need to be included. It’s a soup-to-nut mix; whether or not to tell a child depends on a host of factors including the personalities involved, the ages, of the children, and the circumstances.”
Caregiving topics discussed
- PRACTICAL: finances, paperwork, physical locations and considerations
- SELF-CARE when beginning the journey: breathe, talk about it: what should parents, children, caregivers keep in mind as they are about to embark on the experience of caring for/living with/spending time with someone with a terminal illness?
- CAREGIVING 101: things to consider- medications, necessary items.
- CARING for the CAREGIVER: taking care, asking for help and support.
- HOSPICE: what is it, and when is it time to consider it?
- DYING: what advice can you offer families when a loved one is in his or her final days?
What are the benefits of Garden to Table for your family? Farm, or Garden to Table, or the process of growing and consuming your own food - from the nutritional benefits, to the process, to the recipes, is featured in Kayla Butts’s new Garden to Table cookbook.
A recent study has revealed that Americans now consume 25% more than they did in the 1970s. A big part of American diets consists of refined grains and inflammatory see grains. Corn and soy are in nearly everything that we eat. The average American now eats 77 pounds of sugar in a year.
Kayla answers the following questions:
- Why is growing, freezing, preserving your own food better?
- Is DIY food growing in depth and time consuming?
- Could it be easier than we might think?
- What do you need to consider?
- Money- does it save or cost extra to raise your own food?
- Can the whole-family participate?
- Can growing your own food cater to all palates and dietary needs/considerations?
Garden to Table is a practical and accessible guide that will show you how to grow a lush home garden, as well as how to preserve, can, and cook easy, healthy recipes from the vegetables you’ve cultivated all year round! No big gardening space or gardening experience needed!
We’re talking about mental health and teaching coping skills for children with Jenna Bernstein, assistant director of social work at Sheppard Pratt. They are the nation’s largest private, nonprofit provider of mental health services.
A Pew Research study from January noted that more than being bullied or facing difficulties with drugs/alcohol, parents are most worried about their child experiencing depression or anxiety.
The CDC’s recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey reflects a worsening of mental health trends among high school girls over the past decade. Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls report feeling anxious and having a negative view of themselves. They are constantly worried and comparing themselves to their peers.
Coping Skills for Kids
Parents should start modeling positive behaviors to their children at an early age. If parents are angry it’s ok to say they are angry, and then model a behavior to reduce their anger.
Foster connections with kids without making direct eye contact. Try talking while you are driving in a car. Play video games side-by-side, go fishing. If a child hangs their head while trying to have a conversation with you, don’t make it mandatory that they have to look you in the eye. It was probably hard enough to start the conversation, don’t make it harder by forcing eye contact.
When a child shares their feelings, they are often looking for validation, not a quick fix from an adult. After making sure to understand their feelings an adult can then ask if there is anything they can do to help.
When to get help
If parents see a lot of self-blame, guilt, loss in interest in favorite activities, loss of appetite, and especially self harm or aggression it’s time to seek help.
Sheppard Pratt Mental Health Care Finder
https://www.sheppardpratt.org/care-finder/outpatient-mental-health-centers/
More Podcasts
We discuss the symptoms, treatment and prevention of concussions with Dr. Adrian Svingos from the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Brain Injury Recovery.
Concussion Source
It’s estimated that each year between 1 and 2 million children experience a concussion. Falls are the primary source for toddlers and preschoolers, while driving and sports accidents cause the most concussions in teens.
Concussion Symptoms
Parents and coaches should learn the symptoms of a concussion, some of which are not immediately apparent. Blackouts are rare. 80% of kids never experience a blackout. Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, balance problems, emotional and sleep changes.
There are many misconceptions surrounding the treatment of concussions and the rules have changed as more is learned.
Concussion Prevention
Coaches are changing how they train their student athletes to prevent concussions. There are less contact practices, more strength training and better technique.
More resources are available at:
https://kennedykrieger.org/patient-care/centers-and-programs/concussion-clinic
We’re talking about STEM, nature, language, and illustration in children’s literature. Joining us are Donna Jo Napoli and Feleecheeta Sala, author and illustrator (respectively) of the new children’s picture book AS NIGHT FALLS, from Penguin Random House.
AS NIGHT FALLS is a glimpse into what creatures do after dark. From algae to spiders to jackals. Why is this important- uncovering the mysterious for kid readers?
The book depicts the exact processes, habits, tendencies of these creatures. Why are STEM and nature in kid lit valuable?
Real names/language- dinoflagellates, goby fish, spot-bellied eagle owls- are not simplified for young readers. Why does this matter?
Your illustrations- gorgeous! How do they draw the reader in?
And finally, what's the connection between these wild creatures and children?
We’re talking about all things homeschool and joining us is homeschool advocate, educational consultant, and founder of the Maryland Homeschool Association, Alessa Giampaolo Keener. Also with us are Nicole Kennedy Green, a veteran homeschool parent, author, and co-director of eXtend Homeschool Tutorial, and Brittany Young, a Maryland mother now in her third year of homeschooling.
The Maryland State Department of Education reported roughly 4.6% of K-12 public school population students were being homeschooled late in 2020. The Census Bureau reported a significant rise in African American families switching to homeschooling from 3% in 2020 to 16.1% in 2021. We discuss why the increase in homeschooling as well as the challenges and benefits of homeschooling.
Today we’ll be talking about the importance of crafting and what it provides for the community.
Joining us are Judith Carr, owner of Bumbershoots sleep sacks, Amy Blair, owner of Sun Ah Blair jewelry, and Nicole Stokes, owner of HGE Designs. You’re all from the Baltimore/Anne Arundel County area and will be exhibiting your crafts at the 46th annual American Craft Council Craft Made Marketplace- Baltimore Convention Center, March 3-5, where 350 artists will be showcasing their creations.
Each crafter discusses why and how they got started in crafting along with their connections to the community. Problem solving and giving back are two of the main reasons the crafters turned a passion into a business.
The best crafters in the country will be at the American Craft show in Baltimore.
Today we talk about opportunities for neurodivergent musicians, disability rights, and music therapy. Joining us are CJ Shiloh, owner of Annapolis Music Therapy Services and co-founder of the Musical Autist, Naomi Davis, an instructor with The Musical Autist, and Will Swartz, a board member of The Musical Autist and participant of the organization's Troupe.
We explain neurodiversity and how neurodivergent individuals-including musicians, and those on the autism spectrum, learn differently or experience music differently.
Topics covered include:
What is The Musical Autist?
What does it celebrate and what does it provide for those on the spectrum? What is music therapy?
What does self-advocacy look like when it comes to neurodivergent musicians? Why is this important?
What are sensory-friendly concerts? Examples and why are they important to provide for the community?
The college application process can be stressful for a family but we got some advice from experts Elizabeth Almeter, Director of College Counseling at Garrison Forest School in Owings Mills, and Lee Norwood of Annapolis College Consulting in Severna Park.
Tips for a Stress Free College Application Process
- The timeline; when do high school students truly begin the college applications process? Tours, considering things to include on their college applications such as extra curricular activities, volunteering, etc
- What does senior year look like for students- what are those first steps to applying?
- Types of applications- common app, individualized apps- what do applications look like and require these days? Is there much variation depending on the institutions? Commonalities?
- Test scores- recent trend of either pause or full stop in requiring them at some colleges/universities. What’s the latest?
- What “types of decisions” are there: regular, early, early action, etc. Pros and cons of both?
- Advice on interactions with college admissions officers- what type of correspondence is appropriate and appreciated between a prospective student and an admissions rep?
https://youtu.be/QUVKu68Hcek
Food, Health and Education is the mission of the Kids' Health and Wellness Fair on February 4th, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center at Truxtun Park, Annapolis, MD. The Fair is sponsored by Annapolis Pediatrics.
The Fair purpose is to encouraging wellness as a whole for our children and providing information and resources to local families. It is free to families in the community, with lunch from Mission BBQ and food boxes for the first 100 people from the Anne Arundel County Food Bank. The event will host a variety of family-fun activities for kids ages 5-13 and offer many local community resources.
Listen in as Dr. Turner and players from the Navy Football team describe what to expect at the Kids' Health and Wellness Fair and how Annapolis Pediatrics has worked with other community groups to make the Fair a reality.
Annapolis Pediatrics’ partner and pediatrician, Dr. Margaret Turner shares her excitement to bring this free community event to life, “We are excited to host this event with Navy football players in attendance and along with our other sponsors to bring health and wellness education to our community. Healthy eating and exercise are the foundations on which long-lasting habits for wellness are built upon. We hope the kids in our community will come out and take advantage of the opportunity to come play with our hometown football team!”
Players from the Navy Football team will be in attendance leading active play with the kids, taking pictures and signing autographs.
The Health and Wellness Fair will include many community organizations such as the Anne Arundel County Public Library who will be giving out books for kids to take home and leading a STEM activity. Makeathe bakery will be doing healthy eating demonstrations, the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, and Chesapeake Family Life who will be leading family-fun activities, and more!
Author Zetta Elliott discusses inclusivity and representation in children's books. Elliott is an advocate for greater diversity and equity in publishing as she grew up in Canada and rarely read books that included characters that were children of color.
Children need to see themselves in books regardless of their color, gender or ability, otherwise they feel erased and that can cause harm. Elliott has created her own imprint, Rosetta Press, “To generate culturally relevant stories that center children who have been marginalized, misrepresented, and/or rendered invisible in children’s literature.” Plus self-publishing allows Elliott to get books into the hands of children much faster and much cheaper than traditional publishers are able to do.
It’s clear that keeping plastic out of the Bay should be a priority. In our discussion with Doug Myers from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation he details how your decisions about the products you buy can have a big impact on the overall use of plastic.
Plastic Litter
Portions of the bay, especially in tributaries, are littered with plastic trash. Nationally 5 trillion pounds of plastic is disposed of each year in the United States. Unfortunately there is no state or national ban on plastics. Bag and bottle bans are accomplished at the local level.
Plastic in Food
Plastic bags, bottles and straws in the water is not only trash but attracts other plastics to form big mounds. Plastic is now showing up in sediment and also creatures living in the Bay. Crabs, fish and oysters are not thriving and are smaller is size since their stomachs are full of plastics preventing them from eating normally. They can not thrive with plastic in the water. It’s clear that plastics are bad for the Bay and that our personal choices can have a big impact. If you are concerned make your voice heard.
Gentle Parenting is a term being thrown around quite a bit. Laura Goldstein, Licensed Clinical Marriage and Family Therapist and Founder of the Montgomery County Counseling Center talks about what Gentle Parenting, or as she prefers, Balanced Parenting, means.
Balanced Parenting is bringing compassion and emotional well-being to interactions, but it also includes providing a structure and limits for children. Parents need as many coping skills as teens, and children learn their coping skills from adults. All caregivers, parents, grandparents and teachers influence how children cope. All parts the the family impact one another.
Connecting with Kids
As an adult the more you direct a child, the less you connect with that child. When children are young, parents spend a lot of their time directing their kids so that they stay safe. As kids grow into teens the job of a parent changes to connecting with their kids and being a cheerleader, coach and supporting the person their child is becoming – boundaries and limits in place. Join us in this discussion about parents modeling good behavior and bringing empathy and accountability to their children.
You can find more tangible skills and tools for parenting through Laura’s Online Course, Translating Teens: A Parent’s Guide to Adolescent Emotions and Behaviors or from direct therapy services at Montgomery County Counseling Center.
We are discussing how to keep kids eating healthy during the holidays. Joining us from the Johns Hopkins Children's Center are Dr. Kristin Arcara, a pediatric endocrinologist, and Dr. Jennifer Dantzer, a pediatric allergist and immunologist. They will provide tips and answer the following questions.
This is the time of year - full of treats, special meals, and desserts. What are some of the concerns for all of us about holiday foods, from a nutritional standpoint?
What is diabetes, and why is this time of year problematic for children with diabetes?
What are some common pediatric food allergies, and what are the concerns during the holidays for kids with food allergies?
How can children with diabetes enjoy holiday foods safely?
What should parents keep in mind?
For children with food allergies, what can they/their parents do to keep them safe while allowing them to have seasonal treats and foods?
For all of us- no matter our age- what are some other “health pitfalls” for this time of year? Tips for staying healthy?
Engaging kids in reading isn't hard. That's what Kit Ballenger, a DC-based youth services librarian who helps kids and families find the right books for them, wants all parents to know. That and the fact that Graphic Novels are terrific.
Kit with talks about trends in youth literature, inclusivity and diversity (LBGTQIA, various cultures and ethnicities) and strategies for engaging kids with reading.
The number of homeless kids in Maryland is about 1.8% of all kids enrolled in public school.* That means that for a high school with a total enrollment of 1,000, 18 of those kids are homeless.
Anne Arundel County Homelessness
In Anne Arundel County the number of homeless kids has risen by 58% between 2018 - 2021. The Light House Shelter notes that there are 1,000 students in the public school system that are currently homeless. The Governor’s Office for Children states that these children are prone to being disconnected and socially disengaged, at risk of physical and sexual abuse, and reports higher rates of mental, behavioral and physical health issues than their peers.
For some perspective, the National Alliance to End Homeless estimates there are approximately 6,360 homeless people in the entire state.
The Light House Shelter
Today we are discussing homelessness in Anne Arundel County and what The Light House, a homeless prevention center in Annapolis, is doing to help individuals and families get back on their feet. Joining us are Heather Cassity, Executive Director of The Light House, and Corine Sheridan with Friends of the Light House, which works to raise funds for The Light House.
The Light House Shelter
https://annapolislighthouse.org/
*data from the Governor’s Office for Children
Poverty Amidst Plenty, is the seventh Needs Assessment undertaken by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) in partnership with Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families. Pamela Brown, Ph.D., currently the Executive Director of the Anne Arundel County Partnership for Children, Youth and Families, is the author of the study.
We spoke with Mary Spencer, President and CEO of CFAAC about the results of the 2022 Needs Assessment. The report examines the gap that exists between the current state of Anne Arundel County and the desired state of Anne Arundel County in terms of the key measures of community well-being. The study will be used to align the grant making done by CFAAC with the most pressing needs of the community.
Well-being measurements for the report included health, mental health, food access, gun violence, transportation, homelessness, child care, the environment, labor shortages and social media. Anne Arundel County has consistently struggle with, and has a shortage of public transportation, affordable housing and childcare options. Since the COVID pandemic the county has lost 42 childcare facilities.
The report draws on qualitative data gathered from 14 key informants and 18 focus groups. Focus group areas included emergency department personnel, behavioral health providers, Hispanic residents, advocates, representatives of philanthropy, public and subsidized housing residents, pupil personnel workers, disabled residents, seniors, and a host of others representing a total of 168 participants.
Art education is important in any community because of the many ways in which art can tell stories, inspire and empower better than most other mediums.
Alison Harbaugh and Darin Gilliam are the founders of ArtFarm, a space that inspires others to create, encourage artistic innovation and bring together the community in Annapolis.
Alison and Darin join us to discuss how art education can benefit kids and adults alike, as well as some of their recent and upcoming community projects, including their newest endeavor AND.
Dr. David Baron joins us to discuss the importance of stress management for female athletes and what can be done to slow down the rate of tragedies. 2022 has been an unthinkably sad year for NCAA athletes. Lauren Bernett, a 20-year-old softball star from James Madison University, killed herself a few weeks ago. Her suicide follows Sarah Shulze, a cross-country athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and 22-year-old Stanford soccer captain Katie Meyer who took her own life in early March.
Sponsored by Annapolis Pediatrics
If you are the parent of a student athlete you should be aware of both the upsides of youth sports but also of the pressures they face. Young kids can be pushed too hard, they burn out and there are even instances of cyberbullying. The joy and fun can be taken out of youth sports in pursuit of a good college and scholarships.
“The suicide rates amongst NCAA female athletes are both heartbreaking and unacceptable. All athletic programs must treat the mental well-being of their athletes as they would the physical well-being of their athletes,” explains Dr. Baron.
What Can Parents Do?
How can parents support their student athletes? Dr. Baron says to show support and be engaged. Ask your kids if they are having fun? Did they have a good practice? Praise them for their progress, not just when they are winning.
Ask yourself, “What can I do to make this a more enjoyable experience for my child.” Don’t talk to the coach about playing time. Support your athlete from afar with a positive attitude and make sure there is a safe, confidential place to get help if it is needed.
Talking to Student Athletes
Dr. Baron recently met with student-athletes from the University of Oregon to discuss mental health in athletes. There’s no denying the stress balancing athletics, academics, and a personal life puts on athletes.
“Modern athletes have modern problems. Research is showing factors like a global pandemic, social media, and financial stress all play a role,” explains Dr. Baron
- Growing public support for sports mental health is crucial to fixing the problem
- There is an incredible amount of pressure and anxiety on college athletes, and they must have resources to help them manage that stress.
David Baron, DO, Osteopathic physician faculty in the Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at WesternU’s COMP and COMP-Northwest
Resources:
International Society of Sport Psychology
https://www.issponline.org/
Dr Dave McDuff
https://www.mdsports.net/mcduff
More podcasts https://www.chesapeakefamily.com/category/podcast/
Persistence paid off for high school student Reed Spaulding as he planned the Tributary Festival to raise money for the Chesapeake Bay. After a two year COVID delay Reed held the first Tributary Festival in 2021, followed a year later with the second concert raising over $20,000 to protect the Chesapeake Bay.
Reed grew up kayaking and digging for oysters on the Chesapeake Bay and as he entered high school, felt compelled to protect the Bay. He decided to pair his passions for the Bay and music to make a difference.
His 2021 event on the Inner Harbor of Baltimore drew more than 500 attendees who donated to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The free festival featured live music from a half-dozen professional and student bands, including Reed’s own band.
A drummer since age 10, Reed had formed a rock band in fifth grade and had seen music festivals rally entire communities behind a cause. He launched into staging a festival to benefit the Bay. When the pandemic twice delayed his plans, he maintained momentum by staging a backyard concert and hosting a live-streamed festival of pre-recorded band performances.
Shortly before the 2021 festival, Reed founded the Tributary Club at his high school to help plan future concerts. “With hard work and determination, you really can bring your goals to fruition,” says Reed. “I’ve learned I’m more capable than I thought and that students can make a massive impact.”
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honored Reed in 2022 for his efforts. Established in 2001 by author T. A. Barron, the Barron Prize annually honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive impact on people, their communities, and the environment. Reed says that this prize has given the Tributary Festival a big boost in visibility in the community.
More podcasts: https://www.chesapeakefamily.com/category/podcast/
Keeping kids safe online is now a concern for nearly all parents. Derek Fisher, the author of a book series, Alicia Connected aimed at making complex security topics simple and easy to consume, joins us to talk about online safety.
Using his understanding of the security field, Derek provides his insight for parents and answers the following questions.
Tips For Keeping Kids Safe Online
- What are the biggest concerns with online safety and kids?
- As kids grow and mature and gain independence how can parents scaffold safe online behavior? What does online safety look like for different ages?
- How do we set our kids up for success, what should parents be teaching their kids about online safety?
- What suggestions do you have for social media? What should parents consider about social media compared to just online surfing?
- What are the different precautions that need to be taken on different platforms?
- What are common mistakes that parents make around online safety and their kids?
- What other suggestions or tips do you have for parents?
Resources to Help Keep Kids Safe Online
The book website: www.aliciaconnected.com
You can also reach out to me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-fisher-sec-arch/
Bark is a good device management tool: https://www.bark.us/
Circle is a good network device management tool: https://meetcircle.com/
Two Facebook groups worth checking out:
Parenting in a Digital World: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyFirstApp
Parenting ina Tech World: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parentinggeeks
Drake Brown is already making waves competing in the Junior Olympics. Drake is a student at St. Anne’s School of Annapolis going into the 6th grade. He just returned home after competing in the 2022 AAU Junior Olympics at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro.
Drake runs for the Union Track Club and this was his 3rd appearance at the Junior Olympics. This year Drake had a Personal Record in the long jump, leaping a whopping 14 feet, 6 inches.
Drake and his mom joined us to talk about what it’s like competing, training and being a 6th grader.
If you would like to make a donation to help Drake compete in future competitions here is his go fund me page
https://gofund.me/81ccfcd7
And you can follow Drake on Instagram: Lilboobie_45
https://www.chesapeakefamily.com/competing-in-the-junior-olympics/
Dealing with bullies is unfortunately, a challenge that many parents and students deal with. The negative impacts of bullying can impact the academic progress of students along with mental health.
Counselor Samantha Straub, MS, LCPC provides tips and strategies for dealing with bullies. Straub says that bullying happens when there is a power imbalance between kids. Adolescents especially, are in a development phase when they do more comparisons between their peers but are unable to completely regulate their emotions.
Strategies
Parents need to modulate their response when kids come to them because they've been bullied. The most common reaction from parents is outrage towards the bully, and comfort to the children, which is reasonable but sometimes parents' outrage can cause kids to withhold information.
When possible the best solution is to help your children figure out how to deal with the bully, while also considering how and whether to involve outside supports such as school personnel. Maintaining a calm demeanor so that your kids will feel like they can come to you with any problem is the objective..
- Help kids figure out why there is a power imbalance between them and the bully
- Have the kid being bullied figure out what power they have in their life
- Help kids determine a powerful way to respond to the bully
- Try role playing so that the bullied kid can learn to speak assertively
Resources for dealing with bullies
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
https://cyberbullying.org/
https://www.facebook.com/SamanthaStraubConsultingLLC
How can parents help kids catch up in school? There's no doubt that academic achievement has taken a hit over the last couple of years. Study after study show that parents are worried about their children's educational delays due to the pandemic.
We talked to Tiffanie Catron, Educator and owner of Priority Academic Tutoring to discuss. Tiffanie first recommends that parents not blame themselves. Shifts in education due to the pandemic have pushed parents to be more involved and kids less independent.
- Are students currently meeting grade level expectations?
- Who is this impacting the most?
- What should parents be doing, in general, to support their kids in the great catch-up?
- If everyone is behind then when should parents start to worry that their individual child is not catching up at a reasonable rate? What should parents be looking for?
- If parents suspect their child is falling behind what should their first step be?
- When should parents involve a professional and who should they look to for help?
What are the best Maryland hikes for Families? Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker and mom, Janet Jefferson discusses hikes suitable for everyone in the family. A variety of trails for all abilities have been chosen, some leading to magnificent views, others to waterfalls, and some that are fun for rock hopping.
Trails have been evaluated for length and difficulty as well as any amenities. Plus some tips on where to look for as you hike, since many trails reveal hidden surprises if you know where they are.
Keep trails clean and follow the hikers rule: “Take only pictures. Leave only footsteps.” Most of all, enjoy your time outside.
Pearl Purpose was created as a safe space for queer and questioning youth by Leandra Nichola. It started organically with kids meeting in the Main Street Pearl micro-cafe. Kids came for drinks and vegan food in an environmentally friendly restaurant. They stayed to play games, talk and be together with like-minded friends. Thus, Pearl Purpose was born.
The space allows for self-expression and exploration, and offer programs that promote identity affirmation and inspire unconditional acceptance. Opportunities for meaningful community engagement will also be created and encouraged.
The vision of Pearl Purpose is to inspire communities where all youth are valued, welcomed, and encouraged to engage.
https://www.pearlpurpose.org/
https://www.mainstpearl.com/
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
https://smyal.org/
Birds of Maryland author and birding expert Marc Parnell discusses how to get into birding and how to set up your backyard for optimal birdwatching. Parnell’s book details the 140 species of bird that are common to Maryland. He follows a day in the life of each bird and also a monthly bird forecast, which birds can be seen in which months.
Sponsored by Annapolis Pediatrics.
What to bring
- 8X binoculars
- Sunscreen
- A water bottle
- Wear long pants
Where to go
- Sandy Point State Park
- Susquehanna State Park
- National Arboretum
See the video
This expert panel discusses tips to help manage anxiety in children. Despite recent school shootings that can be very scary for kids and adults alike, we are still sending our kids to school. Some kids may want to stay home and they feel safest in their rooms. Panelists Dr. Shandonna Harris, a therapist specializing in client-centered therapy and Michelle Schall, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP) reveal strategies for easing anxiety in kids.
Author and illustrator, Carlyn Beccia takes a look at the childhoods of ten famous people in her book, 10 at 10: The Surprising Childhoods of Ten Remarkable People.Turns out famous people have pretty typical childhoods and at ten, none of the people profiled in the book had any idea that they would become famous later in their lives. Learn about research and process behind the book, and the one theme that seems to run throughout the childhoods of the accomplished people described, including Albert Einstein, Audrey Hepburn and Roberto Clemente.
Sponsored by Annapolis Pediatrics
Motherhood can be an isolating experience, but Mom Milestones will make new parents feel seen, encouraged, charmed, and loved. From the horrors of toddler meltdowns to the sweetness of bedtime kisses. From crying in the bathroom to reclaiming your identity, every new mom will find something to relate to, and something to laugh at, in this heartfelt, funny book that covers first becoming a mom through starting elementary school.
Author Grace Farris, a doctor, mother of two sons, and cartoonist joined us to talk about Mom Milestones.
We all know Baby’s first milestones—her first tooth, her first step, her first word—and how lovingly parents mark each of them. But what about the person who’s doing so much of the heavy lifting—wrangling a swaddle, navigating the world of postpartum work pants, and decoding the many mysterious parts of a car seat?
Finally, here’s a book that tracks and commemorates mom’s progress, beginning with one-day-old mom, who may feel like she is learning a new language, and continuing through all the turning points of early motherhood, like seven-year-old mom preparing for elementary school.
Planting a Pollinator Garden introduces children to the their place in the environment. By using native plants in a garden kids learn how their efforts help the birds and bugs that depend on plants for their survival. Pollinators, the critters who travel from plant to plant with pollen on their bellies, are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world’s flowering plants to reproduce. Without them, humans and wildlife wouldn’t have much to eat.
Joining us for the interview are co-author of Essential Native Trees & Shrubs, Ginger Woolridge and Meenal Harankhedkar, Director of Horticulture at Historic London Town and Gardens.
Using Native Plants for Pollinators
Native plants are much easier to care for than hybrids and certainly can provide your yard with plenty of color. Plants with a single layer of flower are better for pollinators because simple flowers make it easier for birds and bugs to get at the nectar in the plant. In general, the simpler the name of the plant, the simpler the variety and the better it is for pollinators. And kids have a better understanding of how things in nature work when they can watch the lifecycle of a bug on their garden plants.
Gardening Tips for Using Native Plants
- Don’t kill the insects in your yard. It takes 10,000 caterpillars to feed one clutch of baby chickadees.
- When planning your yard, think in layers. Trees, then shrubs, then flowers.
- Think of the four seasons when selecting your plants and how each plant will look beside its neighbor throughout the year, not just in the spring when everything is flowering.
Citizen science volunteers are often essential participants in monitoring and collecting data. They are also observers for many of the different habitats and species that scientists are studying. Participation in scientific studies allows volunteers to become involved in the data collecting process. Plus volunteers have the opportunity to learn more about ongoing scientific studies and the long term impacts revealed in the studies being done.
Would you like to participate?
Liana Vitali, is the Stewardship and Citizen Science Coordinator at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Jug Bay currently has nine active programs that study turtles, butterflies, birds, forests, and vernal pools. Vitali discusses what a citizen scientist does and how their contributions help in the decision-making process. Maryland is already seeing the effects of climate change and an increasing population. Citizen scientists help provide the data needed to monitor changes across the environment. There are also times when volunteers help save some of the more vulnerable critters.
If monitoring the progress of turtles, checking on Bluebird nests or counting waterfowl sound fun, or interesting to you, becoming a Citizen scientist could be in your future.
Citizen Science Opportunities
Other groups looking for volunteers include the Severn River Association (SRA) and their “floating classroom.” Students get a chance to learn about conditions in the water as they use water quality monitoring equipment to check on oxygen levels, pH, temperature, salinity and clarity.
Jug Bay Citizen Science Opportunities
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Citizen Science
More Podcasts
Kate Fritz, the CEO of Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, discusses Project Clean Stream a program initiated by the Alliance. Over the last 20 years thousands of volunteers have partnered with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay to clean up miles of shoreline.
Project Clean Stream offers hands-on opportunities for residents, local businesses, environmental organizations, local governments, community groups, houses of worship, schools and universities, to come together to take action to restore clean waters to local streams, creeks, and rivers.
https://www.chesapeakefamily.com/project-clean-stream/Volunteers pick-up trash in their communities, discover how their everyday decisions affect the overall health of their local waterways, and ultimately foster a healthier and more sustainable relationship with the Chesapeake.
https://www.chesapeakefamily.com/project-clean-stream/
What is Zero Waste Living?
Rini Saha started a project in 2019 to help the Takoma Park/Silver Spring/DC community approach zero waste. Her business is now a storefront called FullFillery. They sell cleaning products in bulk or without packaging, with minimal fossil fuel use. Local vendors are used so that they come into the store to drop off their products, instead of shipping them.
Zero Waste and Circular Design
Zero waste means that there isn’t even anything to recycle in the product that you purchase. A glass bottle full of shampoo, cleaner or even something to drink can be reused over and over again. That’s what’s called circular design, a product with no waste. The product has been designed with either no container or packaging.
As we talk to Rini we will discuss the following questions.
- What is a zero waste product and how does it fit into sustainability? What is circular design? How does zero waste compare to recycling?
- Why is pursuing zero waste important?
- Ok, how do busy families put this into practice? What can this actually look like?
- What is the best way to get started for beginners? Do you have any favorite products?
What does Green Building mean? What impact does green building have on your home?
Dr. Polly Bart of Greenbuilders discusses what it means to build green. Making green changes in your home, whether it’s a new kitchen or bath, a porch, or an addition, has many benefit and can pay off if you want to sell. Surprisingly, green building or remodeling doesn’t cost any more than traditional building. Green construction is beautiful and usually of very high quality.
When a green home remodel includes lovely natural or locally-made materials, good indoor air quality, and comfortable, cost-effective heating and cooling, the value of the home is enhanced.
Even as a young boy, Carter Weinstein had to learn how to overcome his student anxiety. Leaving his home and parents, Carter would be anxious. Summer camp was fear inducing.
Carter feels that there is a disconnect between the professionals who are writing the books about managing anxiety and the teenagers who need the information and help. So as a teenager he put pen to paper and wrote his own book, "Conquering Fear" that talks directly to students and provides tips for managing anxiety.
Get expert advice on how to pay for college from Certified Financial Planner Ann C. Alsina, CFP®, CPWA® of Covington Alsina, and Lee Norwood from Annapolis College Consulting.
With tuition for an instate school at $25,000 per year, $40,000 if the student is from out of state, parents need a plan for paying for college.
Get answers to the following questions about paying for college:
- What does it financially take to go to college these days (what is the price range of schools) and is that number headed up or down?
- How do you know what you can afford?
- How do you pick the right school for you?
- And how does cost factor in?
- What are some ways to plan ahead for paying for college?
- And when should you start?
- What is a 529 plan?
- Are there other options out there and how are they different?
- What does the scholarship scene look like these days?
- How competitive are scholarships? Where can you find them?
- What does the application process look like?
- What role should your rising college student be playing in this process?
- How can you teach your child to save money for school and learn to manage money?
- What is work study and how can it fit it to paying for college?
- What are some resources you can recommend to parents and students?
- What is the range of support that is available to guide families through this process?
Building a community of mom friends is essential to overcoming a sense of isolation as well as the negative impact of technology, over-efficient living, and the choices that can root us in chronic loneliness. Social media is no substitute for face-to-face conversations.
Mothers are used to giving to their kids, their spouses and their community but they are not getting their own needs met or recognized, and they need a release valve. That's where friendships come in. COVID has maxed out coping skills, including social skills that are not as strong as they were pre-COVID and while social media can be a great tool for finding a community, it does not fulfill the need for real conversations.
Suggestions for Making Mom Friends
In this interview author Heather Dugan suggests that moms, "Create space to grow a friendship rather than fit it into left over space."
Other suggestions include:
- Schedule time for a friend and put it on the calendar
- Don't do negative self-talk
- Volunteer to grow your network.
Animal care and sustainable farming are just a few of the programs at Wild Kid Acres in Edgewater, Maryland. What started as a small homestead has turned into something so much more including:
- Farm, animal assisted and horticulture therapy
- Farm physical fitness (Farm Fit)
- Educational programs, classes and camps
- Markets and private events
What led city kid Gerardo Martinez to become owner, farmer, builder and educator at Wild Kid Acres? Listen to his amazing story and find out how a trip to Africa inspired Gerardo and his wife to buy a dilapidated farm house on five acres and turn it into a place of learning and healing in Edgewater. As the programs at Wild Kid Acres expand, so does the need for a more permanent structure and the next steps towards creating a purposeful existence for the farm.
Turns out that learning history in a kitchen is a great way to get students immersed in a particular period of time. Adults and children alike can learn a lot from Riversdale Kitchen Guild & interpreter Marvin-Alonzo Greer, and Maya Davis - Director of Riversdale House Museum. They regularly give demonstrations preparing foods popular among enslaved communities in Maryland and open the house to visitors.
Two Families - One Home
The Calvert family lived at Riversdale. The Plummer family was their enslaved property. Research is uncovering new information about both families. The staff at Riversdale are using immersive techniques to teach visitors about the history within Riversdale. Smells of food being cooked in wood burning stoves, even the types food being cooked, help make history real to visitors.
Adam Francis Plummer and his descendants left a diary behind that has been a tremendous resource for historians. History isn't just reading plaques at Riversdale, it's experiencing the life of people within the house 200 years ago.
Black History stories celebrate, recognize, and represent Black people. Black History has historically been saturated with stories of the pain and suffering of Black people, but none of the success or happiness. Award-winning filmmaker and poet, childhood sexual abuse survivor, and author of Butterflies In Me: An Anthology Bringing Awareness to Mental Health, Denisha Seals seeks to change the narrative and believes that telling stories of joy, triumph, and every day life is imperative to celebrating Black culture throughout the year.
Learn how to deal with challenging behavior in kids from Karin Jakubowski, Ed.D. She provides parents, caregivers and teachers with problem-solving tips to help kids cope with the challenges they are faced with every day.
Dr. Jakubowski demonstrates some simple breathing exercises which she has learned helps kids regain control of their emotions. As adults, we need to remain calm and speak in a calm voice before we can help kids. The breathing exercises work for adults too.
Dr. Jakubowski is a well-respected international influencer on helping kids live happier, healthier lives. She has touched the lives of thousands of families with her ability to connect, and deal with challenging behavior in kids.
With a doctorate in Educational Leadership, and nearly 20 years of experience in education as a teacher, assistant principal and principal, she is highly regarded as an educational game-changer. Her insights have been featured in various media outlets and heard in multiple speaking engagements internationally such as the National Principals Conference.
As an empowerment coach, she provides a framework for parents who feel helpless when their child is experiencing challenging problems at school or home.
Mary McCarthy is an expert at beachcombing and finding treasures. She shares some of her beachcombing tips for finding the spots that are more likely to reveal fun artifacts. While she won’t tell us her favorite hunting spots, she does say that the sandy beaches that everyone visits in the summer are not where you are going to find treasures. Instead look for gravely beaches near towns and old dumping grounds. And creeks, streams and river beds make good candidates for hunting.
Mary is the Executive Director of The Beachcombing Center and owner of When’s Low Tide, both located at The Beach Bank on Tilghman Island. Mary is also Vice President of the North American Sea Glass Association
Talking to kids about puberty and their body changes can be a squirmy proposition. The traditional puberty education in school has involved splitting kids up according to gender. It often does not include all kids' experience of puberty, fostering shame and secrecy and alienating kids who may be gender diverse. And often leaving kids with questions about how puberty affects their friends and classmates.
Mistakes Parents Make Talking to Kids About Puberty
- Don't outsource to TikTok
- Don't freak out when kids ask you a question
- Take the time to answer all questions otherwise kids will look somewhere else for the answers.
We got the expert advice from pediatricians Trish Hutchison, MD, FAAP. She collaborated on a new book You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body (American Academy of Pediatrics; April 19, 2022). It embraces an inclusive gender-affirming approach and normalizes puberty for all kids. Kids may not know where to go to get accurate information about how all young people’s bodies change. By Pediatricians Trish Hutchison, MD, FAAP, Kathryn Lowe, MD, FAAP, and Gynecologist Melisa Holmes, MD, FACOG.
Kids can push parents to the limits of their patience. Mindful parenting helps parents learn how to overcome stressful, emotional and impulsive responses to their kids’ behavior so that their communications are effective and skillful. Author and Mindful Mamma Mentor Hunter Clarke-Fields’s non-judgmental, practical advice helps parents bring more calm and peace into their daily lives. Hunter has over twenty years of experience in meditation practices and has taught mindfulness to thousands worldwide. She is the mother of two active daughters, who challenge her every day to hone her craft!
Hunter Clarke-Fields. Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE, RYT, is a mindful mama mentor and the creator of the Mindful Parenting course. She is the host of the very popular Mindful Mama Podcast, and Best Selling Author of Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids.
Dealing with family stress over the holidays can be overwhelming. Moms take on a superhero sized list of tasks that they feel need to be done. There are events to attend, presents to buy and family members to please. The “Holiday Blues” are a real thing.
Dr. Shadonna Harris provides tips for surviving family stress over the holidays without losing your mind. She suggests breathing a little deeper, adjusting your expectations and be okay with the decisions you make.
Anxiety over violence, social challenges, and isolation are triggers that can necessitate dealing with family stress.
Signs of Family Stress
Here are a few things to be on the lookout for and if you notice these behaviors it’s time to get help.
- Isolation – staying at home, not answering the phone or not posting on social media
- Change in Personality – irritable, crying
- Impulse control issues
- Feelings and thoughts of self harm
Most of all, let your friends and family know that getting help is okay.
What are the best books for gift giving this holiday season? Librarians from Anne Arundel County Public Library, Rachel Myers, Rebecca Hofleitner and Aurelia Larrimore reveal their picks for the best books for kids, teens and adults in this lively discussion.
During the pandemic readers have trended towards books that offer feel good stories, stories that bring comfort and those very satisfying “beach reads.”
Listen to the interview for more details and individual recommendations about the following Best Books recommended by the librarians.
Maryland Legal Aid distributes free coats and legal services to Maryland residents at local clinics.
Along with Clothes4Souls, Macy’s, and community volunteers, Maryland Legal Aid has been distributing brand new coats donated by Macy’s, to children and adults in need at events throughout Maryland. During distribution events, volunteer attorneys also provide free, brief legal services to financially eligible adults. The events, called Coats and Clinics aim to give away free coats and provide legal services.
Legal AidAmy Petkovsek, Deputy Chief Counsel of Maryland Legal Aid describes how Maryland Legal Aid distributes 3,000 new coats at events across Maryland. Legal services are also available at the Coat distribution events to low-income, and marginalized individuals.
One-on-One Civil Legal Advice Available includes:
- Bankruptcy
- Child Custody & Support
- Debt Collection
- Expungements
- Foreclosure
- Government Benefits
- Landlord/Tenant
- Veterans´ Benefits
- Wage Claims
Maryland Legal Aid
The Baltimore Women’s Circle was created by Rachel Graham as she found herself craving friendship & sisterhood. Her background in yoga and interest in hiking led her to start the group. Having just moved back to Baltimore from Texas, Rachel was looking for deeper connections to her community.
What Does the Baltimore Women’s Circle Do?
Members of the circle come together every new moon and full moon to connect, socialize, and intentionally reflect together on themes that come up around the new moon and full moons.
Outside of the Circle, Rachel is a manifestation life coach, yoga teacher, and women’s retreat leader. Her interests are the outdoors, practicing yoga, rock climbing, and partaking in anything that feels magical, like reading or watching anything in the fantasy realm.
You can learn more Rachel and the Baltimore Women’s Circle at the links below.
www.rachelgraham.co/womenscircle
www.rachelgraham.co/goddessworkshop
The holiday season is ramping up. Find out about holiday things to do in Maryland. From ice skating and holiday performances to where to see lights and cut down a tree. You’ll learn about some favorites events and holiday activities.
Volunteering
After almost two years of the pandemic there are families and communities in need. Discover how you can help out.
Mmm, turkey – it’s not too late to find a Farm Fresh Turkey for your holiday meals!
Best places to be outside and get into the Holiday Spirit:
Thanksgiving Turkey Trots and Fun Runs
Holiday Light Displays and Boat Parades
Places to go Ice Skating
Cut Your Own Christmas Tree
Holiday Activities
Are you interested in taking a winter getaway? Get the info on the Special Deal the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay in Cambridge here!
Get your tickets now for these great holiday concerts and shows
More Holiday Events and Activities
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Talking about death won’t kill you. Everyone needs to have those conversations since we are all going to die. We just don’t know when. It’s usually uncomfortable to talk about death, but it’s an important discussion to have, especially with young children who might not understand what has happened. And also with aging parents so that everyone is on board with end of life wishes.
Dr. Joey Nichols discusses talking about death at different stages of life, from kids to grandparents, and when we should be having these conversations and with whom. As kids mature they have different ideas and perceptions about death. Try to understand their stage of development before talking to them about death.
5 Day Email Course – Talking About Death Won’t Kill You
Folks can sign up for the free 5 day email course, Talking About Death Won’t Kill You, at https://tadwky.canopyfamilycare.com/
The first 100 people to sign up for the course will get access to the Five Wishes, which is an advance directive you can fill out yourself and is legally valid in Maryland, DC and Virginia. Or folks can purchase their own copies at http://www.fivewishes.org/
Children’s Books on Grief and Loss
Organized by age group, the following list of books for kids, starting at 3 years, may be helpful to parents who are looking for tools to bring up or process these topics in a non-threatening, age appropriate way. Shout out Elizabeth Nichols, Montgomery County Public Schools librarian, who compiled this list. Click Here to get the list.
What is the latest COVID vaccination update for ages 5-12 now that the FDA has approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccinations for kids? What should parents do? Medical Director, Dr. Edwards and Partner Pediatrician, Dr. Turner from Annapolis Pediatrics will gave us the latest information and answered questions.
COVID Vaccination Risks
More than 415 million vaccinations have been given to adults and children ages 12 and over. There have been minimal side effects. In contrast COVID is now the 8th highest cause of death in children. Drs. Edwards and Turner discuss vaccine risks, misconceptions and rumors.
Check out Annapolis Pediatrics.
What is Benchmark testing and how can it help your student? After 18 months of an atypical school experience for most kids, is your student’s achievement at grade level? Or perhaps your child says they are bored in school. Is the coursework too easy? This discussion is lead by Dr. Leslie Eget, from The Summit School and Rachel Amstutz, A to Z Education Consulting.
Testing and Evaluation
Benchmark testing evaluates students, grades 1-12, in math and reading. Test results are compared against specific grade-level standards and learning goals, then used to identify a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses. After testing, specific actions can be put into place to help your student make up any shortcomings.
The Summit School Benchmark testing program is done three times throughout the year. In the fall to set a student’s baseline. In the winter to see if tutoring or any special programs have helped the student, and in the spring to gage a student’s progress. The cost is $200 for the year.
Both Dr. Eget and Rachel Amstutz suggest that the first thing parents should do if they suspect any problems is to work with your child’s teacher and/or team
Benchmark Testing vs. Diagnostic TestingFor The Summit School, Benchmark Testing is a standardized test that assesses children on grade level to see where they are compared to other children in their grade. Along with piece of mind for the parent, test results can be used as a tool with the child’s teaching team to, if needed, put supports in place. It is not a diagnostic test, it does not get to the reasons why a student is not performing at grade level for reading and math, just that they are or aren’t. In short, Benchmark Testing, at The Summit School, does not have a diagnostic component. The Summit School does offer diagnostic testing – psycho educational evaluation, psychological evaluation, social-emotional assessment, speech-language evaluations – but they are different and shouldn’t be confused with Benchmark Testing.
Rachel from A to Z Consulting, pulls together her own assessment and she looks for more than the right answer. She watches the child and assesses their problem solving ability to get the whole picture. When does the student struggle, how do they struggle? Can they sit still? When does the student get stressed, what do they do when they are stressed? What if they get the right answer but can’t explain how they got the answer? These are all important areas of assessment/testing but are not part of Benchmark Testing at The Summit School.
Resources
Summit School Testing Resources
Building kids’ confidence is the underlying motivation behind the two books that author and preschool director, Mary Ostrowski has written.
We talked to Mary about her books Drip, Drop and Drizzle: A Journal to Grow Your Child’s Creativity and Drizzle and the Letter. Whether it’s a story kids have read or through stories they create on their own, learning to express themselves helps building kids’ confidence.
“Kids can’t change how they feel, but they can change how they react to events,” says Ostrowski. Her books help kids learn to express themselves and build confidence.
Website: www.maryostrowski.com
Free Offering: https://www.maryostrowski.com/f/sparking-creativity-list
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryostrowski_official/
Learn how to minimize food allergies in children from Dr. Wendy Swanson, author of “Mama Doc Medicine. In our interview Dr. Swanson discusses how to prevent food allergies.
Minimize Food Allergies
Science has proven that the early introduction of common food allergens to babies reduces the instances of food allergies. Eggs, peanuts, hazelnuts and seafood can all be feed safely to babies beginning at four to six months. If a child is allergic the reaction will begin within two hours of eating the food. The goal is to get as many types of food into a baby’s digestive track as early as possible to minimize food allergies.
Eczema Development
Around 10% of those in the U.S. suffer from eczema – that’s more than 31 million people. While the root cause of eczema is unknown, those with at least one first-degree relative who has eczema, asthma, or hay fever is more likely to be predisposed to have drier skin and to more prone to develop eczema.
But did you know that babies with eczema are more than 600% more likely to develop a food allergy? That’s because those babies with broken skin (due to eczema) are more likely to experience topical exposure to food products in the environment (peanut dust, etc.).
Dr. Swanson is the Chief Medical Director of SpoonfulOne, leading communication and health translation to clinicians and parents to protect against the development of food allergies.
Here are more helpful links
Allergy Quiz: https://www.spoonfulone.com/pages/allergen-quiz-landing
The SpoonfulOne Explainer Video
Annapolis teen Trey Burman connects with WWII Veterans in his quest to learn more about the war.
Fascinated by WWII and recognizing a lack of education in school on the topic, Trey went searching for resources to learn more. What better way to learn about the war than hearing stories from those who were there? Given a unique opportunity, Trey met veterans who were a part of WWII. What he found after talking to veterans gave him a perspective much greater than he originally imagined.
Veterans Breakfast Club
Through the Veterans Breakfast Club, a national nonprofit dedicated to connecting veterans and providing a space for them to share their stories, Trey and his new friends have been able to meet WWII veterans from around the country. The students ask questions about a time period that feels increasingly important to these teens. Each week, Trey tunes into VBC’s virtual events to learn more about history and the veterans who served our country. Now he wants other teens to join him and connect with WWII veterans so that they can see the value in learning from our past for a brighter future.
Veteran’s Breakfast Club https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/
Every Body Talk, is designed as an introduction to age-appropriate conversations about body safety, child abuse prevention, and ultimately sexual assault prevention. A tool for caregivers, the book will guide adults to have conversations with children that will accomplish the first step in ensuring child safety. Thus enabling the child to discuss anything of concern when it comes to themselves and their body. Every Body Talk was developed by the Erin Levitas Foundation.
“Our work centers around the fact that early education is the key to preventing sexual assault. What better way to reach young children than a children’s book? It makes the topics easy to understand and brings everything down to their level,” said Marissa Jachman, executive director, Erin Levitas Foundation and co-author of Every Body Talk. “We hope children will grow up feeling comfortable having conversations about their bodies and boundaries with a trusted adult.”
Book Topics
The book covers topics such as body parts, healthy boundaries, hygiene, safe play and finding a trusted adult if a child feels scared, unsure, or needs help, all while ensuring gender norms are represented in healthy ways. The book’s illustrations help make the topics easy to understand while depicting children of many races, ethnic backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and family units taking part in a wide variety of activities.
To develop the age-appropriate language that addresses the book’s sensitive issues, the Foundation worked with a variety of experts and consultants. Racial equity consultant and gender violence experts, teachers, a therapist, representatives from Lifebridge Health’s Center for Hope, librarians, individuals with disabilities, a disability rights activist, and parents were included in discussions.
Did you know that for many kids it takes effort and energy to HOLD STILL and FOCUS? Here are some tips for homework survival offered by Dr. Rebecca Jackson, VP of Programs and Outcomes and Board Certified Cognitive Specialist for Brain Balance.
The younger kids are developmentally, the harder it is to control their bodies, behaviors, and even thoughts and focus. The following strategies can be used to understand what your child’s homework behaviors are telling you, and tips for homework survival.
Get homework tips here.
Is there a need for a museum dedicated to American Women’s history? Jane Abraham thinks there is. She chaired the commission to study the potential for an American Women’s History Museum which is now a little closer to reality. In this interview Jane will Introduce the American Women’s History Museum and lead us through the progress of the new museum.
Not to let a pandemic get in the way, Jane, with the partnership of her daughter, also took over a vacant store at Annapolis Town Center. The new store is now a Scout and Molly’s Boutique at Annapolis Town Center.
Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum
General website: https://womenshistory.si.edu/
Info on status of museum and leadership: https://womenshistory.si.edu/about
Learn more about the American Women’s History Museum.
Scout & Molly’s Boutique
facebook@scoutandmollysannapolis
instagram@scoutandmollysatc
online website: reston.scoutandmollys.com
Teaching parents how to talk to kids about guns and gun safety is a focus of the work being done by Dr. Abena Brown-Elhillali, licensed clinical psychologist with Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Child and Family Traumatic Stress.
The ages of your children will help determine what you stress when you talk to them about guns. When there are guns in the home, kids need safety instructions. Older kids need to recognize signs of violence when they are away from home, and strategies for how they can get themselves out of harms way.
Some kids may have fears about guns. Parents should learn to identify signs of stress in their kids and when to get their child help.
This week on Third Floor Views we talk with Gwena and Gerry Herman about the Paralympics, and the Paralympians who have been training at Kennedy Krieger Institute.
Herman and her husband Gerry started the Bennett Institute Physically Challenged Sports Program at Kennedy Krieger in 1989. They have watched programs for disabled athletes flourish in the past three decades. Starting August 24th, three former athletes from their program will compete in the Paralympics: track and field racer Tatyana McFadden, a 17-time medalist; Daniel Romanchuk, also a track and field racer; and wheelchair basketball player Ryan Neiswender. Gwena and Gerry discuss the ways that adaptive sports have grown and why everyone should tune into this year’s Paralympics.
This year the spotlight shines brighter than ever on the world’s Paralympic athletes—and for good reason. “Paralympians put in the hours and the time and the training,” says coach Gwena Herman. “They are athletes just like Olympians, and what they are doing is just as impressive as the able-bodied athletes.”
https://www.kennedykrieger.org/community/initiatives/physically-challenged-sports/sports-programs-we-offer
This week on Third Floor Views we talk to Jason Bowers, founder and curator of JAB Arts and founder of DC Mural Tours. He talks about touring DC Murals and street art, and the burgeoning street art scene in DC, why DC’s art is unique, and how to best see it. He shares stories about his favorite murals and artists and what it takes to be part of a changing and growing art movement.
Jason Bowers is a Tour Guide, Art Events Management, Curator, Broker, and Gallery Manager. Jason has lived in DC for nearly 15 years and has watched the city’s street art and mural scene grow rapidly. He’s an experienced tour guide with years of tour guide experience.
For the past four years he’s been part of the team bringing a major international mural festival to DC (POW! WOW! DC). He has been fortunate to work with many of the artists whose work paint the walls of NE DC.
https://www.instagram.com/jab.arts/?hl=en
https://www.instagram.com/dcmuraltour/?hl=en
www.dcmuraltour.com
Don’t you wish you could try out different life choices or careers without actually quitting your current job? This week on Third Floor Views we talk to Christine Albrecht, entrepreneur, consultant, and author. She talks about her new book, You Make the Path by Walking, a self help storybook for restless millennials. This unconventional guide book to life is modeled after the choose-your-own adventure books popular for kids in the 1980’s and 90’s. It allows the reader to try out different life choices from the comfort of their own couch.
In this interview Albrecht speaks about her own personal journey from an unfulfilling desk job to something more rewarding. She gives advice on how to move your dreams in a positive direction, what pitfalls to avoid, and when to just jump in!
You Make the Path by Walking: A Self-Help Storybook for Restless Millennials
An ebook for stuck professionals to explore possibilities without quitting their jobs. Perfect for mid-career millennials who feel trapped in a job they don’t love—but don’t know what else to try.
This book will help you:
- Test-drive other life choices (with zero risk of failure)
- See what else is possible for your life
- Begin dreaming … then begin planning
- Find inspiration from wise voices who have gone before
- Get unstuck!
Get the book at:
https://www.acsas.work/product-page/you-make-the-path-by-walking-a-self-help-storybook-for-restless-millennials
https://www.amazon.com/You-Make-Path-Walking-Millennials-ebook/dp/B097CHS4RP/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=you+make+the+path+by+walking&qid=1627501529&sr=8-2
Christine Albrecht is also the co-founder of Artists Creating, Supporting, and Shipping (ACSES) and co-founder of Transformunity, an organizational strategy consultant company.
https://www.acsas.work/
https://www.transformunity.com/
Parents are worried about their kids and the screen time that occupies so much of their attention. Anne Bryan, CEO of Circle, a screen management system, joins Third Floor Views to give parents some tips about managing screen time.
Bryan suggests:
- Start managing your child’s screen time at an early age
- Teach your kids and give them the tools needed to manage their screen time
- Make managing screen time something that the entire household takes part in
- When deciding how much screen time and the hours of screen time available to you kids start with bed time and work back from there.
Listen in for more tips.
Here’s more information about Circle:
Circle’s award-winning parental controls let you manage screen time and monitor not just some, but ALL websites and apps. With our complete in-home and on the go solution, you set the rules for sites like YouTube, TikTok, Discord (and many more) across all your family’s connected devices. https://meetcircle.com/
Cover My Dreams in Ink, an interview with mother and author Jessie Dunleavy about her son’s journey through a learning difference, a mental health diagnosis, a drug addiction, and the systems that failed him.
Cover My Dreams in Ink includes Dunleavy’s son’s poetry and reflections on her own shortcomings, as well as her advocacy for comprehensive reform.
Author website: https://www.jessiedunleavy.com
The Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) oversees the Maryland Green Schools Program, which was established in 1999 as a sustainable schools program. The program promotes responsible environmental stewardship and provides educational opportunities for grades PreK through 12.
In 2014 the Maryland State Department of Education made environmental education part of graduation requirements for all Maryland students. The Green School program supports these education requirements. Listen in as Executive Director Laura Johnson Collard talks about Green Schools and the resources available to parents from MAEOE.
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE)
Resources:
https://maeoe.org/resource-library/home-based-environmental-education-resources
Map of current Green Schools:
https://maeoe.org/green-schools-and-green-centers/green-schools-program/current-green-schools
Newsletters:
https://maeoe.org/resource-library/engaging-with-nature
Green Schools program info:
https://maeoe.org/green-schools-and-green-centers/green-schools-program
current Green Centers:
https://maeoe.org/green-schools-and-green-centers/green-centers-program/green-centers-list
This week on Third Floor Views we are speaking with Raymond Cooper, Founder and CEO of Rhema Motors, manufacturing Electric Cars in Prince George’s County. Rhema Motors is the 1st African American owned Electric Car manufacturer in the U.S. They have started their 81′ Dodge Omni Horizon Electric Drag Car project intending to race it in Bristol, Tennessee Oct 14-16 at the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
Cooper says “The car will also be the ‘Mule/Pre-Prototype’ that we use to add our proprietary components to that we look to build in our production model electric car, effectively becoming our ‘Proof of Concept.’
This project is also sparking our STEM program that we plan to work with local Maryland, D.C. and Virginia schools and recreation centers to teach the youth and young adults about the technology and jobs of the future with Electric Cars, Wind Energy, Solar, Energy Storage etc.”
Here’s the link to the Rhema Motors Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/3e1d51e6
https://www.facebook.com/RhemaMotorsOfficialPage
Are you looking for the best outdoor play spaces in Maryland to while away the wonderful lazy days of summer? Something your kids will love to explore, play on and spend time outside in? Katrina Kessler of Maryland Kiddos shares with us her picks for the best playgrounds and outdoor play spaces in Maryland. Have a listen for all of the details.
You can email Katrina @ ConnectingwithKatrina@gmail.com or find her on Instagram @MarylandKiddos.
Summer Playground Favorites
- Cabin John- Bethesda
- Granville Gude Park- Laurel
- Bailey Park near Merriweather Splash Pad- Columbia
Hidden Gems
- Cedar Villa Heights- Laurel
- Shipley Park – Hanover
Specialty Playgrounds
- Sophie and Madigan’s- Frederick (fairytale/accessible for all)
Playgrounds that Multiple Ages Will Enjoy
- Blandair Playground North (new section) – Columbia
- Watkins Regional Park- Upper Marlboro
All around Summer Favorites
- Walker Mill Regional- Capitol Heights
- Alpha Ridge- Marriottsville
More Playground Reviews
Nature Playspaces
8 Playgrounds Perfect for Kids of Different Ages
This week on Third Floor Views we talk with Dr. Katherine Edwards and Dr. Margaret Turner of Annapolis Pediatrics about kids, vaccinations and COVID. Starting with the basics; who can and should get vaccinated against COVID and what can vaccinated kids can do safely? We discuss what younger, unvaccinated kids need to do this summer to stay safe. When might younger kids be eligible for vaccination and what is the potential timeline? What do parents need to do to get their kids ready for the COVID vaccine? We also dive into common parental objections to the COVID vaccine and our trusted pediatricians give us straight answers to our questions.
About Annapolis Pediatrics:
For over 70 years, Annapolis Pediatrics has provided superior healthcare to infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in Annapolis and the surrounding communities. In some cases, they have cared for three generations of families. They strive to provide high quality medical care, from excellent clinical care to a positive customer experience for their patients and their parents.
Annapolis Pediatrics has over 30 physicians and nurse practitioners in 5 locations: Annapolis, Crofton, Edgewater, Severna Park, and Kent Island.
Visit https://annapolispediatrics.com/ for more information on the practice, providers, free events, and resources.
This week on Third Floor Views we explore gardening with native plants. Join us to discuss the benefits of native plants, how to choose them, and how to care for them. We talk about how to make your yard wildlife habitat certified and a variety of resources available to learn more about the benefits of using native plants in your garden.
Amy Clements, professional gardener and certified watershed steward, gives lots of tips and useful advice for your yard. She also takes us on a tour of her personal garden in historic downtown Annapolis.
Resources
Mt. Cuba Center mtcubacenter.org
Mt. Cuba Center is a botanical garden that also does research and teaches about conservation. They are located in Hockessin, DE.
National Wildlife Federation https://www.nwf.org/garden-for-wildlife/certify
How to create and have your yard, school or landscape recognized as a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
The Jordan McNair Foundation’s goal is to keep student athletes safe and diminish the number of heat-related deaths that occur each year. The foundation also sponsors programs aimed at community involvement and engagement.
If you are the parent of a student athlete this could be some of the most important information you will hear that will keep your child safe. Parents, coaches and student athletes need to recognize the warning signs of heat-related stress, and they need to be prepared to immediately provide treatment. Listen to learn more.
This week on Third Floor Views we talked to the folks from Operation ARTS Foundation (www.operationarts.com) and Sonor Wines America (http://Sonorwinesamerica.com) who have formed a unique partnership to promote local musicians and local wines. Together they will be hosting a competition to find a band who will help create a music infused wine. Listen to the interview to learn more about Operation ARTS Foundation, Sonor Wines America, the sonification process, and the upcoming competition. Podcast hosted by Janet Jefferson and edited by Caitlyn Mateik.
On this week’s Third Floor Views, we spoke with Aladrian Wetzel, Executive Director of Two Strikes Theatre Collective about local theater, strong Black women artists, and the power to persevere.
Two Strikes Theatre Collective, based in Baltimore, was founded in July of 2019 with the mission to “create art that is unapologetically Black femme centric, to upset the white patriarchal status quo, and to provide creative outlets for Black women in the Baltimore community to express themselves through art.”
After you listen to the interview, learn more about past projects and upcoming shows at Two Strikes Theatre Collective website.
This last year has been a wild ride for kids of all ages, and we’re seeing kids exhibit concerning behaviors including irritability, fatigue, loneliness, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and lack of academic progress.
We spoke to Summit School Psychologists Genevieve White and Dr. Leslie Eget about how the last year has impacted childrens’ mental health, reasons difficult behaviors are on the rise, and how we can reverse some of the impact of the last year. Tune in to also learn about how kids are handling getting back into the classroom, and anxieties surrounding the switch back to in-person school that some students are having.
Websites for Anxiety StrategiesGritxWellness TogetherWorrywise KidsConscious DisciplineAnxiety and Depression Association of America
Mindfulness AppsSmiling Mind
Headspace
Calm
Breathe Kids
MyLife
Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area in Owings Mills is a rare and imperiled eastern U.S. Serpentine Grassland. Join our discussion with Dr. Anahí Espíndola from the University of Maryland to talk about bugs, butterflies and how they all interact.
We talked about what it takes to be an entomologist; native pollinators and what people can do in their yards to help pollinators; how to handle weed and pest control, and fertilizer; and suggestions on where to see some interesting pollinators, particularly butterflies.
Find out more about the Maryland Grows program, which includes great tips on gardening, learning about native plants, and pollinators. The program also features a spanish language extension site!
Are you thinking about buying or selling a house? Wondering which communities are good for families? Listen to our discussion with Annapolis realtor Liz Montaner and find out what’s happening in the 2021 Maryland Real Estate Market.
Also, check out our new Best Places to Live directory, which helps families learn detailed data on great neighborhoods in Maryland!
In advance of our WeLead event on May 7, spoke to Judy Buddensick from Frances Marketing Group, LLC, AliceAnne Loftus from Leading Ladies with AliceAnne Loftus Donna Jefferson, publisher of Chesapeake Family Life, and Michelle Lucente from Lady Boss Operations with Michelle Lucente the women behind WELead, a Virtual Leadership Event for Women.
You can register for the event now! The first 100 registrants will receive a luxury gift box with exciting swag and more!
We spoke to Lesley Romanoff, Director and Lead Teacher at Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School (TPCNS). Romanoff discusses how 2020 has changed TPCNS, lessons learned, and thoughts on what changes will be permanent.
On this week’s Third Floor Views, we talked to Dr. Stephen Godfrey, Curator of Paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md. about how to find fossils! We got great tips and information on the best local spots to find fossils with your family, what you need to look for, and what type of fossils you might find along Chesapeake Bay beaches.
Want to learn more about fossils and paleontology? Dr. Godfrey recommended these sites as a good starting place!
Calvert Marine Museum Paleontology Resources
The Fossil Guy has great info on paleontology in general.
Want to learn more about fossils and paleontology? Dr. Godfrey recommended these sites as a good starting place!
Calvert Marine Museum Paleontology Resources
The Fossil Guy has great info on paleontology in general.
On this week’s Third Floor Views, we spoke to Imani Black, founder of Minorities in Aquaculture to hear about her journey as an oyster woman, what life on the water is like as a woman, and sustainability in aquaculture.
She comes from a family of watermen on Maryland’s Eastern Shore that dates over 200 years. Black graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Marine Biology degree. She was also a Division 1 lacrosse player. Black is an African American oyster farmer building a career in the rapidly growing aquaculture industry. She was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and her love for conservation and restoration on the Chesapeake Bay started at a young age.
You can learn more about Imani and her work in aquaculture at the Minorities in Aquaculture website.
One year into our lives during a global pandemic, stress and anxiety are still high, and that includes in our children. On Friday, March 12 we discussed stress, anxiety, and depression in kids one year into the pandemic.
Our Guests:
Aaron Rakow, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Co-Founder and Director of Operationsof MedStar Georgetown WISE Center. The WISE Center aims to reduce mental health and educational disparities in Washington, D.C. by bringing innovative best practices to schools throughout the city.
Lauren Pantoulis LCPC, is a Certified Specialist in ADHD and Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy for children and adults at Oasis: The Center for Mental Health in Annapolis. Pantoulis’s expertise is with ADHD and assisting students and families with the struggles of learning differences. She also specializes in anxiety disorders and has a special interest in school avoidance and social anxiety.
On Friday, March 5, Third Floor Views discussed the importance of diversity in children’s literature. We spoke to two local women who have started companies to deliver diverse books to kids, and offered suggestions on how to diversify your children’s at-home library.
Our Guests
Bunmi Emenanjo, founder of Atlas Book Club.
Atlas Book Club aims to expose children to different cultures and introduce them to world history, which helps them learn about the world and the concepts of empathy and cultural diversity. Emenanjo created Atlas in 2016 “with the goal of ensuring my Nigerian-American kids continue to develop their knowledge of their African heritage.”
What started, she says “as a family book club focused on African countries grew into an exploration of different cultures and countries from around the world.”
Ceece Kelley founder of Soaring Kite Books
Ceece Kelley founded her independent book publishing company in the spring of 2020. After having her son, Ceece felt compelled to introduce him to a variety of children’s books including timeless classics, empowering current releases, and books with characters that look just like him.
Rhonda Pindell Charles has been a part of the Parole community of Annapolis her entire life, including attending Parole Elementary, Annapolis Junior, and graduating from Annapolis Senior High School in 1972 as a scholar athlete.
Pindell Charles graduated from Morgan State University in 1976, and served as an Attorney with the Office of the Attorney General for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, as well as more than 20 years as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Baltimore City.
We’ll be talking to the Alderwoman Friday, February 26, at 2 p.m. on Facebook Live, about her family’s history in Annapolis, her rise to Assistant State’s Attorney, and her service in Annapolis as Alderwoman.
Wondering about sending your kids to summer camp? Hear from the experts and find out what camps are planning for summer 2021 in terms of camp size, COVID precautions, signups and more.
We chatted with Mike Strawbridge of Bayside Summer Camp, Cory Evans of South Mountain YMCA Camp Conrad Weiser and Sarah Krizek of Annapolis Maritime Museum and Park on Friday, February 19 to learn about what their camps are up to for the summer, how they’ll be different from other years, and how they’re going to keep kids happy and healthy this summer.
In this week’s Third Floor Views, we talked to fashion designer and author Marina Makaron about her new book, Mashka and Mishka Get Trapped in a Rainbow, which explores gender identity.
In the book, Mashka and Mishka are siblings who can only see each other in the reflection of a mirror but can never see themselves in the mirror. One day they wake up in a mystical land with a singing sun near a skyscraper city of flowers, the Floreton. With the city’s ruler, Tiny Royal de Vasil, they must save the magical land. In the process, they find secrets about the enchanted realm as well as about themselves.
It is a twist on an old Eastern European fairy tale, and incorporates lessons about gender identity, acceptance and self-discovery.
Children need nature! In this last year of pandemic living, many more of us have seen this in our day-to-day lives, how much kids thrive when playing outside. We spoke with Nancy Striniste, founder of Earlyspace and author of “Nature Play at Home: Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children with the Natural World” on about the importance of playing in nature.
With a unique background in both children development and design, Striniste has been creating spaces for children for more than three decades. Striniste talks about how to connect children—in their neighborhoods, backyards, schoolyards, child care centers, and parks—to nature through good design that is deeply informed by an understanding of child development and principles of sustainable landscaping.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future was passed in March 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This landmark legislation was enacted to establish State education policy, based on the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education (known as the Kirwan Commission).
Shortly thereafter, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the bill, citing the economic impact of COVID-19 would make it “impossible” to fund the program. We spoke with Shamoyia Gardiner, Deputy Director of Strong Schools Maryland to learn about the group’s work and the fate of the Kirwan Commission and The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
Students at Arundel High School are actively working toward addressing racial justice in Anne Arundel County. Along with Principal Gina Davenport, students formed Our Anne Arundel, a book study group to read books about racial inequity, racial justice and activism. The group of about 60 students, as well as Davenport, began with “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, and has grown exponentially.
We spoke to Gina Davenport, along with student leaders Bunmi Omisore and Eddy Awe, and Dr. Jasmine Coleman, the Equity Leadership Council’s co-facilator, to hear more about their initiatives, how the group is growing, and how the students and faculty are working together to make positive changes in the community.
Children dream without boundaries; they aspire to become paleontologists, astronauts, doctors and teachers without considering socioeconomic barriers, discrimination, disease outbreaks, violence or any one of a host of other challenges impacting their likelihood of success. It’s up to us, as a society, to help each and every child fulfill his or her potential. In fact, the future of our nation depends on it.
On Friday, January 15, we spoke with Dr. Irwin Redlener, author of “The Future of Us: What the Dreams of Children Mean for Twenty-First-Century America” about the obstacles facing children today, including inadequate education, barriers to health care and crushing poverty—all of which make it overwhelmingly difficult for many children to realize their dreams.
Redlener is a pediatrician, author, president emeritus and cofounder of Children’s Health Fund, and founding director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. His new book follows Redlener’s winding career, from his work as a pediatrician in the Arkansas delta, to treating child abuse in a Miami hospital, to helping children in the aftermath of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina.
These stories are his springboard for discussing larger policy issues that hinder us from effectively eradicating childhood poverty and overcoming barriers to accessible health care. Persistent deprivation and the avoidable problems that accompany poverty ensnare millions of children, with rippling effects that harm the health, prosperity, and creativity of the adults they become. Redlener argues that we must drastically change our approach to meeting the needs of children—for their sake and to ensure America’s resiliency and influence in an increasingly complex and challenging world.
Working at home while toddlers are underfoot or the older kids are in virtual school, or needing help with their work has been a challenge for every parent over the last year.
We decided to check in with some local moms on how they’re managing working and parenting from home, and all the challenges that have come along with it.
We met with local Moms Karina Davis, mom of 5 and founder of My Tutor Partners.
Darin Gilliam, mom of two and owner of 19FIFTYTHRREE and co-owner of ArtFarm Studios.
and Dr. Shadonna Harris, mom of two, and therapist specializing in client-centered therapy.
It’s something we can all relate to right now!
Nonprofit organizations that help keep our community members fed, house, and safe from harm are facing an uphill battle right now, trying to raise funds, food and shelter for a growing population of people in need.
We spoke to three local nonprofit leaders about what their organizations need right now and into 2021, and how you can best support them as they help all of our neighbors in need.
Jo Ann Mattson of the Light House Shelter in Annapolis
Susan Thomas of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank
Cheri Parlaman of the House of Ruth MarylandPlease check out the above organizations and help any way you can. If you’re looking for more ways to give back to other groups, we have a large list of opportunities to help during the holidays and beyond.
If you can’t help financially this season, remember to follow these organizations (or any organization that you’d like to support) on your social media channel of choice, and make sure to like and share posts when you can to get more people involved!
Light House Shelter: Facebook; Instagram
Anne Arundel County Food Bank: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
House of Ruth: Facebook; Instagram; Twitter
To donate financially to Anne Arundel County Food bank, “food” to 41444 or order from their Amazon wishlist: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-1660473
The holidays are here and with the added stress of a pandemic hanging over us, it’s going to be a stressful time. So we spoke to author Shantelle Bisson on how to avoid parenting stress during the holidays.
Shantelle discussed tips for getting through the holidays with your kids, without losing your cool—a special challenge this year while we are living in close quarters due to COVID.
You can find more from Shantelle at her website, or by purchasing her book, “Raising Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool”.
Find her on social media at
Instagram: @shantellebisson
Twitter: @shantellebisson
Facebook: /Shantelle Bisson
How often did you wonder as a kid whether you’d ever need Trigonometry skills in the real world? What if your teacher could provide students with an example of how engineers, accountants or scientists truly need that math because the teacher had actually worked with these professionals in the real world?
That’s what the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Teacher Externship program aims to do. The program bridges the gap between businesses and educators by pairing high school teachers with top Maryland businesses that can provide hands-on experience in industries related to the subjects they teach.
We spoke to Whitney Harmel from the Maryland Chamber Foundation about the program and what it hopes to offer teachers and businesses in the coming year.
If you or a teacher you know are interested in applying, check out the Maryland Externship application page. And find more information on the Maryland Chamber’s Advocacy programs here.
Maryland MENTOR is dedicated to quality mentoring experiences for all young people. Yet 1 in 3 young people still need and could benefit from a caring adult mentor.
Learn what mentoring does for the lives of young people and their mentors. We spoke to Sadiq Ali, Executive Director of Maryland MENTOR about its programs, how to get involved and how mentoring benefits kids in school and in future endeavors.
Acknowledging race, diversity, inclusion, bias and acceptance is extremely important in education today. It’s especially important for kids to develop strong, diverse identities, and for educators to foster this development inside and outside the classroom.
We spoke with Dr. Valaida Wise of Dr. Valaida Wise Consulting, who specializes in diversity, equity and inclusion, governance and leadership; Andrea Weiss, Head of School, St. Anne’s School of Annapolis; and Harold Lloyd, local activist, student, and St. Anne’s School graduate in a conversation about what it means to have and build a strong racial identity, and why it’s important.
The Hood2Good Movement is an Annapolis nonprofit that provides teens in Annapolis with opportunities to express themselves through the arts. Hood2Good works out of Maryland Hall alongside the ArtReach program, providing kids with a way to showcase their artistic talents, learn new skills and connect with other kids in a safe environment.
Hood2Good under its broader name, says its mission is to “create, cultivate and transition our youth’s energy into endless possibilities, by providing a positive and compassionate space that allows our youth to maximize their full potential.”
Hood2Good uses a three-pronged approach to community involvement, including listening to the community and assessing needs, roundtable community discussions, and Youth Showcases, where members share their stories through dance, music, art, spoken word and other platforms of art in the Annapolis area.
Catch the showcase on Instagram or Facebook.
Grief looks different for everyone, especially children, who deal with loss in different ways depending on their age, developmental stages and personal affect.
We spoke to Susan Coale, Director of the Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Chesapeake Life Center to discuss how families and children process grief, and how others can help kids through the process. Included in the discussion is what grieving looks like in children, how to identify when they need outside help, and what grief support services look like at the Chesapeake Life Center, which hosts summer bereavement camps.
With election season careening out of control across the country parents are in a tough spot. What’s the right way to talk to your kids about such a polarizing topic? We spoke to author and Parent Coach Robbin McManne about how to help kids navigate the political scene, feelings around having different political views, and bullying over one’s beliefs.
What’s the right way to talk to your kids about such a polarizing topic? Have a listen!
Having a hard time juggling work, kids virtual school and life? We talked to Megan Gordon-Hall of Co-Creations, Inc., for some useful tips on managing stress and anxiety, bringing balance back into your life!
When a pandemic hits, why not buy an RV and travel around the country? Maryland mom Kelly Edmonson and her husband decided to take the plunge and homeschool their way around the country with four kids in tow. Hear all about their adventures driving cross-country, homeschooling, and learning all about the RV life.
The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) helps local nonprofits and grassroots organizations organize their best efforts to meet the needs of everyone in Anne Arundel County by pooling resources, donations and grant funding. The organization identifies areas of strength and weakness in Anne Arundel County and helps put resources in the places and with the people who need it most.
We met with Mary Spencer, President and CEO of the foundation, to discuss its efforts in helping the community, especially with its needs assessment and the Fund for Anne Arundel, which helps the nearly 34,000 Anne Arundel County residents (6.3%) living below the federal poverty level of $25,100 for a family of four.
Sara Stein is a busy Edgewater mom who decided that she needed some help getting things done after having her second child. So, she created the MamaThis app. Stein developed MamaThis, which just launched in select areas (including this one). MamaThis helps moms find help with errands, organizing, and other tasks from other local moms looking to earn extra income. Moms can sign up as a Boss Mom (someone looking for help with tasks) or a Mom boss (someone looking to earn a little extra). In addition, MamaThis aims to help these moms make connections with local moms, who can earn cash for referrals.
Find out about the app at mamathis.com or download it on the Apple app store.
In a Navy town, many kids have aspirations to become a naval officer.We spoke to Officer Candidate Alexander Boettinger, a Baltimore native and graduate of Mt. St. Joseph High School, who discussed his summer in the rigorous 13-week Officer Candidate School program in Newport, R.I.
The recent graduate of University of Tennessee Knoxville, with a degree in Nuclear Engineering, Boettinger is finishing OCS and moving on to the Navy to work on submarines.
Founded in 2019, the Annapolis Police Foundation raises money to take care of Annapolis kids in need and to fund community building activities. The foundation also takes kids shopping for school supplies, provides backpacks and a ton of other community building programs. We met with Judy Buddensick and Peter Grimm from the Annapolis Police Foundation, and Lt. Kevin Krauss from the Annapolis Police to discuss the programs.
Bringing local produce to market isn’t as simple as it seems for these women business owners, who work hard to bring fresh, local farm products to the community.
Kids will soon be thrust back into e-learning and continue to miss their friends and communities. Here are some ways parents can help them stay motivated at school and at home this fall.
Kids are going to be missing a lot of regular sports this fall. What will they miss out on this fall, and how can parents focus on for their well-being without their sporting communities.
We spoke to Annapolis High School lacrosse coach Stephy Samaras and John Downs III, basketball coach and creators of Common Goal sports about the importance of sports in kids' lives.
Wondering how to set up your child's learning space for e-learning this fall? We spoke to a local teacher about space design, methods of keeping kids on track and calm.
Harford County first grade teacher Alley Hart, who recently wrote a detailed list of ways to setup your child for success during distance learning at home, talked with us about how to set up a designated workspace for kids, products they'll need and effective ways to help them get through this next semester of distance learning at home. You can read more of her tips and tricks here, which includes her original popular Facebook post on the matter.
Navy Football is doing more than just training to beat Army—now the team is taking on racism.
Coach RB Green and senior Slot Back Myles Fells discuss the Racial Equality Council that the Football team developed this year, and how it has impacted them and the rest of the team.
Childcare centers are facing an uphill battle to meet new and changing regulations, cleaning measures and worried parents.
Listen to our discussion with Bright Beginning Children's Learning Center, Grannie Annies Child Care and Kingdom Kare Childcare Center about childcare during COVID-19. What precautions are being taken? Do kids have social interaction with other kids? What should parents expect?
Many families adopted or bought pets during the pandemic while they are home and have time to train.
We met with trainers Lucy Barth and Elizabeth Chaney from Perfect Pet Resort to discuss how to shape your beloved canine family member into a confident, well-behaved companion.
Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASAs, help children in foster care navigate their way through the court system.
Anne Arundel CASA Executive Director Rebecca Tingle, and Program Director Tracy Lane spoke with us about what a Court Appointed Special Advocate does in the foster community, and how volunteers can help.
What will schools look like in the future? What ways can educators take today's challenges and redesign the education system to work for everyone?
We spoke to Mike Posthumus, Education Design Specialist and President of EcoGeek Solutions, about today's educational landscape, what schools might look like in the fall, and in future years.
Monarch Academy in Annapolis is offering a new blended eSchool option for the 2020–2021 school year. We talked to the school's administrators to learn more about it.
We spoke with Rachel Amstutz, Principal at Monarch Academy, Brad Clapper, Assistant Principal and Nikki Johnson, School Counselor, about how the new eSchool will work, which students will benefit most from the program, and how you can apply. For more information on the program, visit Monarch Academy's website, or visit the Magnet Program application site here.
Find out about Juneteenth, how to celebrate, and what it means to the Black community.
Jessica Smith Hebron, Interim Executive Director of Prince George's African American Museum and Cultural Center joins us to discuss the history of Juneteenth and what it means to Maryland.
Summer Camp season is upon us. But how will it work this year? We spoke to the experts.
How will kids be safe from COVID at camp? Find out during our panel discussion with Annapolis Recreation & Parks and Bayside Summer Adventure.
Being a mom is not easy. Being a black mother adds many challenges to being a mom.
We spoke Annapolis native Octavia Brown, MSW, LMSW, who joined us for an open discussion about raising black kids, in which she describes with great honesty what parenting black kids is all about.
Communication, honesty and respectfulness are vital when working together to dismantle racism in the community.
We spoke to Paul L.A. Tue, mentor, football coach, community activist and Co-founder of Students Talking about Race to discuss fighting racism and injustice. His group works with teens in understanding and tackling racism, as well as with local authorities to make important changes to the community.
From a small volunteer effort to sending kids to college, Seeds 4 Success has grown to help kids from low-income families acquire the skills and support they need to achieve success in school and in life.
This is a true community success story. We spoke to Executive Director Najiba Hlemi who describes how the program started and grew into a great place for kids in Annapolis to learn from dedicated mentors and tutors, as well and even "Foster" grandparents.
Orthodontists offices are getting ready to reopen. In the meantime, they're putting copious precautions in place, and even practicing "drive-by dentistry!"
During the coronavirus pandemic, the current need for more foster families is great. Anne Arundel's Foster Care and Adoption services have been spotlighting the current families who are doing incredible things, as well as finding new families interested in fostering a child.
Waiting to find out what is happening at Ocean City this summer? We talked to Susan Jones from the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association to get the latest update.
As of May 8, the Ocean City beaches and boardwalk are open, albeit with social distancing measures in place. But what happens next? How will summer tourism be affected, when will we know it's safe to travel, and what else can we expect from goin' down the ocean this summer.
Third Floor Views host Janet Jefferson spoke with three private school administrators about how Maryland private schools are adapting to online eductaion. We spoke with Brian Michaels, Upper School Division Head at the Key School; Kelly Wilson, Director of Studies for Middle and Upper School at Severn School; and Sarah Allen, Director of Teaching and Learning at Indian Creek School to find out what's working, what isn't, and what schools and teachers are expecting from families.
We talked with couples counselor Kathleen Horrigan, LCPC, to get some tips on how to communicate effectively with your partner during the pandemic and other stressful times in your life.
Can playing in the woods help kids develop lifelong skills? Listen to an interview with Teece Nowell from River's Edge Forest Play about the importance of outdoor play for children.
What is the value of camp? What unique opportunities are presented at camp that are rarely found elsewhere? What lessons do kids learn at camp and what role do they play later in life? This episode features Iris Krasnow, New York Times best selling author, professor at American University, mother of 4, but most importantly, a camper. She has a new book out called Camp Girls - Fireside lessons on friendship, courage and loyalty.
This episode of Third Floor Views covers easy changes families can make to become greener. We explore plastic alternatives, simple life-style changes, and environmentally friendly products that make life easier and reduce our footprint.
Is it possible that a course to teach high school kids to respect differences and find appropriate ways to communicate could also improve class performance? The Global Community Citizen Course at Arundel High School is proving to have benefits far beyond what was even initially hoped for and has helped guide students towards what they want to do.
Update your home interior to a welcoming, warm and cozy environment without breaking the bank or going crazy. Designer Genevieve Torri talks about color making a come back into the home for 2020 as well as clean and classic looks that endure for years.
Has clutter taken over your house? Do you feel the need to straighten the mess? Mandy Watts took on the Declutter Like a Mother Challenge after a discouraging attempt to declutter on her own. Learn how it works.
All kids are spending time on screens of one sort or the other. As preschoolers are learning their place in the world is, should their education include screen time? We talk with Jessica Kemper, the Director of Woods Child Development Center in Severna Park to get her take on screen time for preschoolers.
Need more space in your house? A wall moved? Join us with Genevieve Torri of Honeysuckle Suite Design to talk about remodeling, home design, hiring an architect and what it takes to get you into your dream house. This is the first in a series and we follow the progress on Genevieve’s house.
Dr. McCarthy, Executive Director of The Summit School, sat down with Claire to discuss anxiety in children and how to recognize the signs.
As we wait for the decisions from local school boards on whether districts will open, go virtual or a hybrid model, we checked in with pediatricians to hear their thoughts on how they'll handle school for their own families.
We spoke with Dr. Margaret Turner of Annapolis Pediatrics and Dr. Aaron Millstone Professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University, who weighed in on pros and cons of having kids return to in-person school without a vaccine for COVID-19.
Dr. Joan Mele-McCarthy from the Summit School talks with Claire Kovacs from Chesapeake Family Life about what parents can do to help their kids retain school knowledge over the summer and prevent the dreaded summer slide.