January 2009 Newsletter—Rice County

1. Parents as Teachers January 2009 Newsletter—Rice County YOUNG DADS, YOUNG MOMS PARENTING CLASSES For new parents looking for information and support to help you with the hardest job you’ll ever have! MONDAY EVENINGS 6:00 P.M. FEC BOARD ROOM You must pre-enroll to attend these classes. Childcare will be available. Please contact Tracy Suhler for more information at 257-5293 ext. 152 or tsuhler@usd405.com. PLAYGROUPS Lyons Brown Bag Play Day Wednesday, Jan. 7th 11:30 a.m. PAT Center Evening Playgroup Thursday, Jan. 8th 6:30-7:30 p.m. LRC Gym Daytime Playgroup Wednesday, Jan. 21st 10:00-11:30 a.m. LRC Gym Spanish-speaking Playgroups Wed, Jan. 13th and 27th 1:00-2:30 p.m. LRC Gym Sterling Wed. Jan. 14th & 28th 9:30-11:00 a.m. Sterling Library Little Wed. Jan. 14th & 28th River 10:00-11:30 a.m. Congregational Church ACTIVITY GROUPS (Designed for ages 3 and 4) Lyons Friday, Jan. 16th & 30th 9:00-9:45 a.m. PAT Center Friday, Jan. 9th & 23rd 10:30-11:15 a.m. Cornerstone Daycare Sterling Friday, Jan. 9th & 23rd 9:00-9:45 a.m. Sterling Library DUDES TO DADS MEETING Thursday, January 8th FEC Board Room 7:00 p.m. Parents as Teachers Tracy Suhler, Supervisor ext. 152 800 S. Workman Wendy Comley, Educator ext. 128 1-620-257-5293 Kari Troyer, Office Assist. ext. 142 1-877-808-9639 www.usd405.com

2. Wintertime Fun Page Dance Around the Snowman (Sung to the tune of “Mulberry Bush”) This is the way we dance around, dance around, dance around. This is the way we dance around our snowman in the morning. Act out other verses such as: skip around, twirl around, crawl around, hop around, tip toe around, etc. --www.prekfun.com Warming Up What warms me up on a cold, cold day? Cocoa warms me up in a chocolaty way. What warms me up on a cold, cold day? A fire warms me up in a toasty way. What warms me up on a cold, cold day? A quilt warms me up in a snugly way. What warms me up on a cold, cold day? A hug warms me up in a loving way! Snowman Pancakes Let your kids play with their food with these fun winter pancakes! 1 ½ cups flour Mix all the ingredients except the candy. 2 tbsp. sugar Grease and heat skillet. 1 tsp. salt Spoon batter onto skillet in 3 snowman parts 2 eggs (The circles should touch a little bit) 1 cup milk Flip pancake carefully. 4 tbsp. melted butter “Dress” snowman using the candy for eyes, buttons, Licorice and other candies scarf, etc.

3. New Year Resolutions for Moms and Dads The Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) knows that being a parent is often a stressful job and offers ten New Year resolutions to help parents lead, guide and teach their children. These directives are founded on research and shared with parents year-round at CTF-funded programs, workshops, and family centers. For more information, call toll-free (888)775-4KID. RESOLVE TO MAKE YOUR FAMILY STRONGER Spend more time with your children. Research shows that children who feel connected to their parents develop better self-esteem and experience less emotional distress. Show affection.By showing your children they are loved, you are telling them they are an important part of your life. Keep your promises. Promise only what you know you can deliver. Let it be something meaningful to your child, like spending time together. Follow through on your promises. Be in touch with your emotions.You teach your child through your actions. Gather your emotions and show your children it is always important to act in a respectful manner when interacting with others, no matter how difficult the situation. Become a better listener. Take time to listen to your children’s ideas and problems. Often, parents can do too much talking and not enough listening, particularly when children have done something wrong. Allow your children the chance to explain their understanding of a situation. And then listen. Discipline with love. Children need guidance and discipline, not as a punishment but to set reasonable limits. Remind your children of the consequences of their actions and provide meaningful rewards for good behavior. Be a good role model. By teaching your children right and wrong and encouraging them to do their best, you help them make good choices. Get involved in your child’s school life. Attend parent/teacher meetings. Help with homework. Check for school notices and information. Ask your children how school is going. Know the names and personalities of your children’s teachers and friends. Connect with other parents. Create a network of parents who you can talk to and share the trials and tribulations of parenthood with. Parents naturally have a common bond from shared experiences. Keep your sense of humor and be open to new ideas. Take the best possible care of your children. Watch what your children eat, keep them active, and make sure they get enough sleep. The same goes for parents! It is easier to tackle the stresses of being a parent when you feel healthy.

4. Fathers to the Frontline RICE COUNTY FATHERHOOD SUMMIT 2009 Dads in Rice County have an incredible opportunity to hear from former Navy Seal Presidential volunteer Service Award Winner, Eric Greitens at Lyons High School on February 5th at 6:00 p.m.Greitens was selected as a Rhodes and Truman Scholar, eventually earning a PhD in Politics from the University of Oxford. Having been deployed four times during the Global War on Terrorism– to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Southeast Asia—he used his combat pay to start the Center for Citizen Leadership to empower wounded and disabled veterans to continue their service to their communities and their country as citizen leaders here at home. Eric is a sub-3 hour Marathon runner and boxer, winning a gold medal at the BUSA national Boxing Championships. He has recently authored a book of award-winning photographs and essays, Strength and Compassion, investigating the ways in which international humanitarian organizations can best serve war-affected children. He has worked as a humanitarian volunteer, documentary photographer, and researcher in Rwanda, Cambodia, Albania, Mexico, India, the Gaza Strip, Croatia and Bolivia. Eric Greitens will be addressing the public at 6:00 p.m. in the Lyons High School cafeteria on February 5th.Greitens’ keynote address will open the Fatherhood Summit—an evening of focusing on the vital role that men play in the lives of their children. Greitens’ presentation is expected to conclude by 6:45 p.m., followed by 2 breakout sessions which begin at 7:00 p.m. These sessions will cover the topics “Balancing Work and Family” and “Helping Your Children Succeed in School” and will conclude at 7:30 p.m. Expectant fathers and fathers with children under 12 months of age will receive a $50.00 Wal-mart gift card for attending the Fatherhood Summit. A catered meal (BBQ by Ron Reece) will be provided from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Childcare will also be provided (please pre-register at 257-5293 ext. 152 or ketroyer@usd405.com by February 2nd if you need childcare). There is NO COST for this event.

5. Happy Birthday! Karson January 3rd Kasey January 3rd Kaylee January 3rd Campbell January 12th Cheryl January 15th Zane January 16th Deacon January 16th

6. DADS: Remember that you can earn gift cards from Wal-Mart by attending any of our Fatherhood classes! Of course, you will also receive lots of valuable information on being a great dad and enjoy discussions with other dads. Contact Ken Troyer at 620-680-0544, 620-278-4327 or ketroyer@usd405.com to sign up for the next class. NEW PARENTS: It’s not too late to sign up for the next session of “Young Dads, Young Moms” parenting classes!! Despite the name, these classes are for new parents of any age who would like to benefit from parenting information and support. To sign up, contact Tracy at 620-257-5293 ext. 152. Parents as Teachers 800 S. Workman Lyons, KS 67554