Valley Parent Magazine

11/12/2024

Valley Smiles 😁

Zion Lane enjoyed exploring his new classroom on the first day of preschool.

See more happy faces here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr/14

11/07/2024

Valley Smiles 😀

Bennett Oliver loved playing in his homemade ball pit

See more happy faces here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr/14

11/05/2024

Learning Through Exchange:
JAPANESE MIDDLE SCHOOLERS THRIVE IN COLUMBUS SCHOOLS

Kiryū, Japan and Columbus, Georgia have enjoyed a vibrant sister city relationship since 1978, fostering cultural exchange through gifts, talents and traditions. This August, a group of ten middle school students from Japan, accompanied by four chaperones, traveled to Columbus to immerse themselves in our local culture.

During their visit, the students were warmly hosted by families from Richards Middle School and Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts. They participated in school activities, engaged with Muscogee County School District leadership, and explored the city's highlights, creating unforgettable memories. The experience was filled with hands-on celebrations, gift exchanges, laughter and the sharing of traditions, making this cultural exchange enriching and impactful for everyone involved.

See more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr/6

10/31/2024

10/28/2024

Fall Fun – Outdoorsy Family Adventures

Summer may be seen as the outdoor season, but autumn also offers lots of opportunities for outdoor fun. Try some of these family activities and fill your kids' senses with delight.

Enjoy a color tour. National parks and forests are the places to be in the fall. Contact your nearest National Park and find out when fall colors will be at their peak and recommended routes for picturesque views. Visit https://www.standingboy.org/ or https://www.alapark.com/parks/chewacla-state-park

Host a campfire cookout. If outdoor fires are permitted in your area, have the kids round up neighborhood friends for a cookout. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, marshmallows and s'mores are a traditional way to top off the season. Have everyone take turns telling stories around the fire. If you have little ones, check-out library books with autumn themes to read to the youngsters. Join and visit your local library www.CVRL.com to source books.

Attend a football game. Gather your blankets and head to the stadium. High school,
college and pro football games are great fun for kids and parents alike. Take along a bag of popcorn and thermos of hot cocoa, then snuggle up and get ready to cheer on your team. Check out https://www.ghsa.net/2024-2025-ghsa-football-schedule or https://www.ahsaa.com

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr/10

10/24/2024

How to Create Your Family's Best-Ever Pumpkin

It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-o-lantern? Check out these handy tips with everything you need to know to create your family’s best-ever pumpkin.
Picky, picky

The best selection in your local pumpkin patch will probably be available in early October. Of course, selecting your gourd at the grocery store is convenient any time. My kids have found some of their biggest, best pumpkins at the local store.
No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots that indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.

Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem breaks off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.
Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it uncarved in a cool, dry spot. When it is time to create your jack-o-lantern, aim for just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.



Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr/8

10/24/2024

Who's ready to get in the Christmas spirit? We're giving away a family pack to see Rudolph at the RiverCenter.

Enter here: https://valleyparent.com/rudolph/

10/11/2024

The 411 on Special Education

We are full swing into the school year now, and for most students they have received their initial grade performance. For some parents, it is shocking to find out that your child is struggling with their academics. For other parents, their initial concerns about their child’s performance are confirmed. Wherever you may be on the continuum, this article can be both informational and revealing in learning how the special education system within the public schools is arranged. Special education is governed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) which was originally approved by congress since 1975. This allows children with disabilities to receive free and appropriate education.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr

10/07/2024

Can you solve our family fun page?

10/03/2024

Fall is here! Check out some family friendly events you can't miss!

10/01/2024

NEW ISSUE ALERT ❗

On the cover: Zuri Mennifee, is looking forward to some fall activities. She is the daughter of Jason and Whitney Mennifee of Phenix City.

Read our digital issue here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/on24_valley_parent_lr

09/25/2024

Valley Smiles 😀

Thea Brocato, age 9, Lane Brocato, age 5, and Etta Broccato, age 3, set up a lemonade stand at Lakebottom Park

See more happy faces here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/editedas24_valley_parent_web

09/23/2024

Valley Smiles 😀

Adriti Shrivastava had a fun summer vacation in Panama City Beach.

See more happy faces here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/editedas24_valley_parent_web

09/18/2024

Valley Smiles 😀

Congratulations to the winners of The Food Mill’s garden- inspired art contest. One of the winners was Abigail Greene.

See more winners here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/editedas24_valley_parent_web

09/16/2024

Check out some great books to help this school year!

Check out our digital issue here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/editedas24_valley_parent_web

09/12/2024

How I Spent My Summer Break
Reflections from Muscogee County 2024 Teacher of the Year, Christie Akers

Christie Akers, a Muscogee County educator since 2006, learned she was the 2024 Teacher of the Year at a May 9th gala held in the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. More than 1,000 attendees, including most of this year’s 55 nominees, cheered as the Northside High School English teacher stepped to the podium and accepted the award. Presented by Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation Chair, Josh Reynolds, and Muscogee County School District Superintendent, David Lewis, it represented years of hard work and experience.

Soon, after an end-of-year crush of tests, ceremonies and farewells, the school year concluded, and teachers, administrators and students settled into summer mode. Christie’s schedule was far from routine, though. The seasoned educator always keeps an eye toward the future—her own and her students’—and uses the summer months for not only rest and relaxation but for prepping for the next school year, all while maintaining a balance of fun and work.

Read more here: https://issuu.com/columbusandthevalley.com/docs/editedas24_valley_parent_web