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KIDS

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says spike in carjackings ‘top of mind,’ adding 40 more police officers to carjacking unit and gathering regional mayors

“We’ve got to intervene with these kids, there’s no question, and we’ve got to get them back in school,” Lightfoot said. “I’ve spent a lot of time talking to folks who are directly involved, particularly in the juvenile courts, and it’s very clear to me we’ve got to do much more. We’ve got to bring in the entire ecosystem of folks from the courts to the prosecutors, also the social service organizations that do work supporting these young people. But we’ve got to bring the message right to the young people, meet them where they are, and let them know that if they decide to go in this direction, to rob someone at gunpoint no less, that we have to and we will hold them accountable.”

chicagotribune.com

Get your kids into a healthy sleep routine

Consumer Reports has some ideas that could help your kids sleep better during these uncertain times. Consumer Reports says a key to good sleep is the same for kids and adults. Set a sleep routine, which means going to bed and getting up at about the same time each day. It can boost the effect of sleep hormones like melatonin, especially if it’s done in bright daylight in the morning! Blue light from screens can slow the production of your natural sleep hormones.

Going up: Jaxson de Ville, firefighters visit sick kids

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firefighters and the one and only Jaxson de Ville of the Jaguars went for a visual visit with the kids at Wolfson Children’s Hospital in downtown Jacksonville. It was all to cheer up the kids who are hospitalized while they battle cancers and other serious illnesses. Jaxson DeVille is getting ready to ladder up with @jfrdjax to visit the kiddos at Wolfson Children’s Hospital @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/LVZZdjJ8BA — WJXT4 EmilyBoyer (@Wjxt4EmilyBoyer) October 12, 2020Keeping in-line with pandemic precautions for people who are immunocompromised, firefighters hoisted Jaxson de Ville onto the fire ladder truck and waved to the kids through the window. Their smiles are ear to ear, and it’s so important we provide them these opportunities just to be kids, especially during treatment," said Vice President of Patient Care Services Cicely Brooks said. After the window visit, the kids were given ice-cream sandwiches.

Kennedy Space Center offers virtual after school programs for kids

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – What goes better with an after-school snack than a visit to space? Space After School, a new program from Virtual Camp KSC will bring all the wonder and excitement of space exploration into the comfort and safety of homes nationwide when it launches on October 19. Brought to participants live from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space After School, a five-day program, will be offered at three times each day. During the program, campers will engage in hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities, perfect for elementary school age students. For more information and to register for Space After School, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com .

COVID-19 closed Illinois schools the same week it infected a CPS speech pathologist and her parents. Six months later, she’s planning her father’s funeral.

“I did not get into this job to work with kids on a computer,” she said. "This is not what anybody wants to happen. The teachers don’t like this, the parents don’t like this, the kids don’t like this, the clinicians don’t like this, but in order for us to stay safe, this is what we have to do right now. I would hate for any of my colleagues to go through what I went through in March.”

chicagotribune.com

Students are getting too much screen time while remote learning in Chicago Public Schools, but in-person services still pose COVID-19 risk, CTU says

“I’m watching kids have struggles to stay focused, one, and two, to stay awake,” she said. “I see my kids and I know that we can do better by them. I know that these schedules can be tailored to make our kids be more successful and feel more successful. I’m seeing kids struggle, but I know that if our voices in the schools were part of creating schedules for remote learning it would not be so, at least not to this extent.”

chicagotribune.com

Need to burn your kids’ energy? Try golf -- as in, real golf

But if you’re in need of more ideas, how about this one: Have you tried taking your kid golfing? Depending on which part of the country you golf, other wildlife such as deer and alligators can also easily be present on a golf course. On a side note, you don’t have to have your kid hit EVERY shot. Golf courses know the value of introducing the game to youngsters, and thus, will often offer heavy discounts for kids to play, if they even charge them at all for a round. Some golf courses also will offer discounts for families who want to play.

Why you should stick to your childs scheduled immunization schedule during COVID

We are all socially distancing by staying home more, postponing hair appointments, graduations and family gatherings and telecommuting to work. Well-child visits during the first two years of life help parents and pediatricians track the childs growth and neurologic development at an age when they cant communicate with us. The AAP recommends that well-child care should continue in person, especially during the first 24 months of life when we are vaccinating and building the childs immunity to easily transmitted diseases. Cars have become the new waiting rooms, and you will receive a phone call when its your childs turn to be seen. Parents are encouraged to contact their primary care offices and ask what they recommend, including what COVID-19 safeguards they have implemented.

USDA: All kids across America can get free meals this summer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. All children regardless of where they live will be able to get free meals for the rest of the summer, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced on Wednesday. The waiver allows local partners to continue serving free meals. Typically, USDA funded summer meals sites are limited to low income areas. As our nation reopens and people return to work, it remains critical our children continue to receive safe, healthy, and nutritious food," Secretary Perdue said. This nationwide flexibility ensures Americas kids will continue to be fed this summer.Click here to find a location near you.

How to watch the historic astronaut launch with your children: There’s an invaluable lesson here

If it goes off as planned, this will mark the first mission involving astronauts from U.S. soil since 2011. Still, NASA astronaut Bob Behnken has said he and Doug Hurley are “really comfortable” with the risks. So you’re making educated guesses, at best.”It seems there’s just more uncharted territory when it comes to space travel. “The first astronauts really started out as test pilots,” Garfinkle said. But assuming this launch goes well, “It would be great for kids to see a successful, triumphant moment of science,” Fink said.

All your favorite children’s books, reimagined for the age of coronavirus

(Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Dragons Love Tacos" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "What Do People Do All Day?" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)"From there to here,and here to there,latex gloves are everywhere." (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Everyone Poops" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Go, Dog. (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: The "Olivia" series (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Miss Nelson is Missing!" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Inspiration: "Madeline" (Illustrations used with permission from Stefanie Trilling)Who doesn't love the "Pete the Cat" books?

10 fun, educational websites your kids will love to visit while stuck at home

Nat Geo for KidsSite address: www.kids.nationalgeographic.comWhat it does: Kids learn about geography and fascinating animals. Into the BookSite address: www.reading.ecb.orgWhat it does: Through playing games, kids can practice reading strategies. SuessvilleSite address: www.seussville.comWhat it does: Allows kids to hang out with Dr. Seuss and his friends, all while playing games and reading. PBS KidsSite address: www.pbs.orgWhat it does: Kids can learn while hanging out with their favorite PBS characters. Highlights KidsSite address: www.highlightskids.comWhat it does: Allows kids to read, play games, learn random facts and do activities such as crafts and recipes.

Professor Barbie is here to challenge you to this quiz

Barbie is getting closer to being eligible to collect Social Security. Monday is officially recognized as the iconic doll’s birthday, and it appears Barbie is aging like fine wine after six decades of existence. Barbie dolls are still a staple for kids to play with and even for adults to collect, so Monday’s National Barbie Day will give people another chance to celebrate Barbie and all of her friends, who have come into our homes and hearts for so long now. If you’re a Barbie fan, or even if you’re just curious to learn more about her, try your hand at the quiz below.