Cover Story
A+ For Attitude
What holds a child’s interest? New studies explore the power of interest and recognize that a child will continue to learn if the subject is engaging. The world presents a wonderful amalgam of ways to spend time. Why not make it personal? Here we interview several focused local kids who are hooked on their thing.…
A Step Toward Safety
Entering Bend’s High Lakes Elementary School, it may look like nothing has changed: the arch over the entrance has the same gold lettering and trees shade either side. Students, however, have probably noticed one small difference: the presence of a secure lobby, one of 12 Bend-La Pine schools to receive the system thus far. The…
Bookshelf
Little Bird is an adventurous soul. When he lands with the Busy Birds in Drake Park in our very own Bend, Ore., he imagines a fun day ahead. Children will delight in following along as Little Bird shares his tour of the natural environment, landing in places like Tumalo Falls, Mt. Bachelor, Pilot Butte and…
Back to School Around the World
The City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, is the largest school in the world in terms of number of students, with more than 32,000 in attendance. Source: youtube.com The students in China receive the most homework in the world. On average, teenagers do a whopping 14 hours of homework per week. Source: theepochtimes.com Pakistan does…
Editor’s Note
A blink of an eye and summer is gone. For many families, back-to-school relieves the stress of occupying the kids all day, but for others, the alarm and fire drill of leaving the house on time sends the blood pressure skyrocketing. Getting back to the routine is bittersweet. Fall is time to focus on education, both…
Opening Doors: Finding the Right Tutor
A child’s school years are vital to their life-long success. From the first day of preschool until they walk down the aisle at graduation, an endless number of hours are spent learning everything from counting to 10 to fluently speaking a foreign language. While keeping learning fun and stress-free is a top priority, there is an…
Q & A: Jennifer Schroeder, M.D.
Q: My son has diarrhea quite often and sometimes complains of a stomach ache. Our pediatrician does not seem to be too concerned, but a friend recently suggested that it could be celiac disease. How can we find out? Jennifer Schroeder, M.D.: Yes, it certainly could be that your son has celiac disease. However, a…
Calendar
September – November Kid’s Taekwondo MARTIAL ARTS — Is your child interested in martial arts? Taekwondo is the perfect intro into this fascinating world. Classes at High Desert Martial Arts are a great way to practice discipline and focus at a young age. More information online. High Desert Martial Arts • Prices vary highdesertmartialartsbend.com September…
Rock Stars Wanted
I have come to a quiet residential street near the edge of southeast Bend on a warm summer night to witness the future of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s an unlikely location, but as I approach the outside of Rod DeGeorge’s home studio, the muted tones of what sounds like an Iron Maiden cover band drift slowly…
Death by Children
My son is sasquatchian. His shoes are collections of remarkable biodiversity. Our doorways all have an arch worn into the lintel where his head knocks the wood away. When he was a baby, we called him bam bam for his chimp-like strength, which hasn’t waned in the least. He can palm a watermelon. He’s strong.…
Spotlight on Teen Health
The American Academy of Pediatrics, along with most physicians, recommends an annual well child check for all kids. As our babies become teenagers, that annual well check gets harder to schedule. Our teens have a newfound sense of independence and their schedules are full of school, work and friends. Why should you take the time…
Exotic Extravaganza
Peter, a friendly Patagonia cavy, sniffs and greets us, while checking out the van. We have just arrived at Gramma Rose’s Keeper of Peepers a few miles outside of Prineville, where the owner of this large South American rodent runs an exotic animal farm and petting zoo. Originally from Molalla, Linda Rose Forney and her…
Camp Fire Central Oregon and Workshops with Purpose Raise Global Awareness with New BRIDGES Program
Camp Fire Central Oregon is partnering with Workshops with Purpose to pilot a new program for Central Oregon teens and adults focused on increasing global awareness, building tolerance and creating a community of empathetic leaders. The 8-month program includes an international travel adventure and pre- and post-trip workshops where adults and teens work together as…
Together for Children
The high school was packed. A beloved teacher in Sisters had recently passed away. As the crowd hushed, a longtime friend addressed the assembly, reminiscing about the time their families met. “We connected when our two sons were in Together For Children and became fast friends,” she said. Their boys and the families had remained…
A Message of Acceptance: Supporting Local Trans Youth
Brenda Ferns lives in Bend and is a mother to five children including Levi—her 14-year-old trans son. She remembers how around the age of five he would come to her and confide that he wanted to be a boy. “At that point, I wasn’t educated on (the transgender experience)…I hadn’t even really heard of it,”…
Meet Michele Gardemann
For 13 years, Michele has been the friendly smile behind the wheel of the big yellow school bus. Initially, she started driving because her family needed insurance, but never planned to be a longtimer. She loves working with kids (except after Halloween when they are on sugar overload) and has four children and five grandchildren…
