Love and Logic Parenting Class Starting Soon!

Many educators, parents, families, and experts have been talking a lot about Love and Logic ideas when working with children. Well now all of you have an opportunity to hear more about Love and Logic Parenting in a FREE class starting up later this month. I have talked to a few parents that have been through classes on Love and Logic and they come away with many new skills and ideas and are really impressed with how it has affected their parenting and their families. If you want to take part in these upcoming classes, please see the information below. And when you are finished, let us know what you thought by emailing your building counselor. We would love to hear your thoughts and if we should work to get more of these classes and trainings offered. 

 Where: Family Enrichment Center, River Place, 2309 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, IA 50310

 When: Tuesdays 6-7:30 p.m., 6 weeks (Feb. 26th, March 5th, 12th, 26th, April 2nd, 9th) 

Cost: FREE!!!!! 

 To Register: Call 515-725-2682 


 What is Love & Logic?   "Love and Logic" is an evidence-based curriculum with a common-sense approach that provides parents with easy-to-learn skills that create respect, responsibility, and good decision-making in kids. It is based on 4 principles: Logical Consequences with Empathy, Problem-solving, Shared Control, Building Mutual Respect and Self-Esteem. Parents learn simple, effective techniques to help them remain calm and productive. 


 More about Love and Logic....click here!

FREE Groceries, health checks, resources, and fun SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12th!!!

Not going to put a big long post out about this, but I just learned of a great free resource happening tomorrow in downtown Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena. Please pass the word and get the message out. Click "here" to go to the page describing this, but long story short, an event called "Convoy of Hope Des Moines" is happening from 10 a.m. until supplies run out at the Wells Fargo Arena TOMORROW (Saturday!). Everything from free groceries to free haircuts to free vision and health screenings. This is an amazing opportunity for families in area who are in need. So please use this event if you can or need to. If not, please contact someone who can benefit. No IDs are needed, just attend if you need this help. We all need help from time to time....we need to learn to use that help and be thankful for that help when it is offered. This is a great chance to use it. Email or contact a Carlisle counselor if you want more information (although we are just learning about this ourselves)

Convoy of Hope website click here!

Winter Clothing Giveaway!! Now October 24th!!!

If you are a middle school parent or guardian and wondering if you have enough warm clothes for your middle schooler this winter and wondering how you would even pay for it if you don't have those clothes, we want to help. We have been collecting and gathering warm clothes (hats, gloves, coats, sweatshirts, pants, etc) for a couple years and we still don't have much, but we feel we have enough to give to others. And we want to do just that. A tentative date has been set (October 24th) and on that date from 4 to 6 p.m., we will have the clothes set out in the Life Skills room for the taking. We ask that those who come to see what we have to offer are families who are in need and simply can't balance all of the bills a cold winter might bring. We can't guarantee you much, but we are hopeful that those who come can find a few items to take home and that getting those items for free might ease the family budget this year. Please contact Kim Flagor Fuller or Ben Barry for more details. And check back soon to see if our date is more firmly set!

When: October 24th, 4-6 p.m.

Where: Middle School Life Skills Room

Why: To help any family who might need extra warm clothes this winter season.

FREE Dinner and FREE show at Carlisle Middle School on November 1st. (Did you see it said "FREE"!!)

A great FREE opportunity is coming up. The National Theatre for Children is coming to Carlisle Middle School on November 1st for 2 shows. First, they will perform for our entire 7th grade in the afternoon. Next, they will stick around to put on a show for the entire community after a FREE dinner that night. So, what is their show about? Well, their show is titled "Mad About Money II" and teaches financially literacy to young people. But guess what? Adults can learn from this presentation too and that is why we are hoping the entire family comes to the night dinner and show on November 1st. Lots of information about this event will be posted around the community and sent home with students, so keep an eye out for more information. For now, please see the following information and make sure to RSVP soon!

Who: National Theatre for Children performance for Parents, families, and students

What: A free, fun, family-friendly theatre performance. Dinner provided for everyone thanks to the Iowa Insurance Division

Where: Carlise Middle School

When: Tuesday November 1st at 6:00 p.m.

Why: To teach the importance of financial literacy through a fun experience.

Please RSVP to ben.barry@carlisle.k12.ia.us . Please note how many in your family will be enjoying the free dinner and show. Also, if you are need of child care during the show (show will last 45 minutes MAX), please note that in your RSVP as well. Childcare activities will be provided free of charge as well.

You can also visit the National Theatre for Children website to learn more. Click here!!

Kids Bowl Free This Summer!

Do your kids like bowling? Do you like FREE stuff? If you answered yes to both, or at least yes to the 2nd question, then listen up! Kids can bowl for free again this summer as a popular summer nationwide program is continuing this year. **(One catch is that most bowling alleys still require you to pay for shoe rental, so maybe not completely free....but close!)** My family did this last year, but got so busy with several things, never actually used it. But oh well, it was free. This year, we hope to use it several times as 2 of our 3 kids went bowling a couple times recently and loved it. We just wish it was cheaper....maybe even free! Now it is and we hope many of your families can take part in this program this year.

How can something like this be worth your time? Why is a counselor like me interested in a program like this? Here are some reasons I see that this can be a great thing....

*Activity and Exercise: Your children get some exercise and get to move around by playing a fun and climate controlled sport. Even if for only an hour or two, it is still a few hours away from the TV.

*If parents or grandparents can go, it is a great family activity. Getting a chance to do family activities outside the home can be costly at times, but this one is FREE!

*Can be a good time to have some important talks and talk about life. Maybe some one-on-one time with each kid by taking just one kid each time. Quality time one-on-one is very rare in our fast and busy lives.

*Interact with other people and watch other people. Kids learn by doing and by observing. If a lot of people sign up for free bowling, then a lot of kids and families are going to be bowling this summer and your family can meet new families or simply go bowling with your current friends and current family friends.

So....how do you get signed up and how do you learn more? Well, I'm going to link you to a great blogger, Richard Byrne, and his blog Free Technology for Teachers. He has a great blog entry with some videos you can watch to learn more. Go to his blog by clicking here.

If you don't need more information and you just want to sign up, click here to get to the Free Bowling for Kids page.

Happy Bowling!! (By the way....bonus points if anyone can beat Mr. Barry's record game. I bowled a 199 when I was in college! So close to 200, but I blew it in the last frame!)

Parenting Children with Difficult Behavior Seminar Series. And it's FREE!

Parents: Heads up on an upcoming class that is FREE!!!

If you want more details, please email me or call, but here are the basics. Sounds like a good deal and not too much of a time commitment.

What is it?: This class series is designed for parents of children (ages 5-12) who are diagnosed with ADHD and/or other behavioral disorders and for parents who are having challenges managing their children's behavior. You will receive concrete strategies for dealing with behavioral challenges in your children. Come, listen, and share! CHILDCARE AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED!

Where is it?: Family Enrichment Center, 2309 Euclid Ave., Des Moines, IA

When is it?: 5:30-7:00 p.m. on 12 Tuesday evenings from March 22nd to June 7th. So, it starts VERY soon! It is highly recommended that you attend ALL sessions in order to increase the success of the strategies presented.

Space is limited, so call today for more information or to get signed up. Call Child Abuse Prevention Council at 515-725-3682. If you have other questions, you can also contact me through email or phone at the school. (Even though it is Spring Break, I am still checking my messages)