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kids • life
TUSCALOOSA ’ S FAMILY MAGAZINE
PUBLISHED BY Kids Life Magazine , LLC P . O . Box 2372 , Tuscaloosa , AL 35403 205.610.9551 email : info @ kidslifemagazine . com www . KidsLifeMagazine . com Facebook . com / kidslifemagazine Twitter : @ kidslifemag Instagram : kidslifemag
On Our Cover ...
The exceptional Middle / High faculty at The Capitol School provides a caring , individual-focused learning environment for our 6th - 12th grade students .
Front row left to right : Yang Zhao ( violin ), Melanie Mew ( biology & chemistry ), Jenni Jensen ( P . E . & Life Skills ), Deric Whatley ( music ), Frederick Whitt ( volleyball ), Dr . Geraldo Ruz ( Spanish ) and Dr . Elizabeth McKnight ( Director ). kids • life
2023-24 After School
ACTIVITIES GUIDE
JULY / AUGUST 2023
TUSCALOOSA ’ S FAMILY MAGAZINE
THE CAPITOL SCHOOL :
An Innovative School where Teens Thrive
FREE
THE BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE
PUBLISHER Kitty Collins EDITORIAL COPY EDITOR Diana Barrett
DISTRIBUTION Mary Jane Turner
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Larry Deavers
ADVERTISING Kitty Collins
Second row left to right : Heike Schad ( German ), Ken Gaddy ( Physics & middle school science ), Dr . Daniel Shankman ( math ), Dr . Elizabeth Bennett ( history ), Kathryn Brandon ( English ) and Kaitlin Redborg ( art ).
Photo by : Joseph Field , Field & Reed Photography , Northport , AL .
GUIDE TO BIRTHDAYS & CELEBRATIONS IN TUSCALOOSA
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SUBSCRIPTIONS Kids Life Magazine is available free throughout the Tuscaloosa area . Subscriptions are available for your convenience . Please send $ 12 for one year to the above address .
NEXT DEADLINE Ad deadline for the September / October issue is Wednesday , August 16 , 2023 .
Kids Life Magazine is published every other month . Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission of the publisher is prohibited . The publisher is not responsible for incorrect information . The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts . Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information , products or services . The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing which is not in keeping with the publications standards .
Features ...
Is Dyslexia Really Untreatable ?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Guide to Birthdays & Celebrations in Tuscaloosa . . . . . . . 12 The Upper School at Capitol School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 2023-2024 After School Activities Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 A Key to Contentment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Dear Friends …
My boys : Drew , Grant and Ryan
Here we are at the beginning of another school year . I hope your family has had a fabulous summer filled with sun and new memories ! As we wind down the days of never-ending feeding frenzies of bottomless tummies ( I mean , what ’ s up with that ?) and start setting those alarm clocks to our new routines , there ’ s so much to look forward to heading into a new season .
Speaking of a new season …. I remember my youngest , Grant ’ s first day of Kindergarten like yesterday . That baby is the only one I struggled to leave on his first day of school , we both had terribly leaky eyes that morning . I turned around and blinked to find that Ryan , my oldest , is now a fully employed Aerospace Engineer and fully off our payroll ( hallelujah ). Drew , my middle is beginning his journey at The University of Alabama after completing a gap year which , by the way , was probably one of the best parenting decisions we ’ ve ever made . If you are considering this and want to talk , I ’ d be happy to share our experience . And that baby , Grant , is entering his second year of middle school and is officially taller than me . I often hear mamas say they ’ d give anything to go back to when their children were little but I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever shared that sentiment . I think I am enjoying them even more as they grow into young adults .
As you consider your children ’ s extracurricular activities for this school year , I hope you will find our 2023- 2024 After School Activities guide helpful . Highlighted in this feature are many of Tuscaloosa ’ s options in sports , creative arts , music and more . Additionally , we ’ ve included our Guide to Birthdays & Celebrations in Tuscaloosa party planning resource . I hope you enjoy !