Books to help parents get through the school year
Published 12:00 am Thursday, September 12, 2019
By Chelsea Rhae Childers
Rowan Public Library
The pools are closed, Rowan Public Library’s summer reading programs are over, and we have all scowled at going back to our fall schedules for school.
It was a short summer for most of our kids this year, due to the early back-to-school date in the Rowan-Salisbury School system.
As a parent, I am concerned about my children being physically and mentally prepared at the launch of each academic year. Do we have everything on the supply list? How many uniforms do we have that still fit? What else do we need to get ready?
In my family, we have 4-year-old twins who just started preschool this year and our oldest just started middle school. With the chaos that thrives at my household, it is important to have some tips and knowledge to help me through this process.
Every child deserves a proper start to each new school year. Sometimes this can be difficult due to circumstances. It can be stressful for parents who work full time and/or have multiple children.
At Rowan Public Library, we strive to provide as many free services as possible to the residents of Rowan County and beyond. Our programs are aimed at educating, encouraging and nourishing the individual needs of our patrons.
Here are some books I found that will help parents be prepared, so that our children can be as well.
• “The Parent You Want To Be: Who You Are Matters More Than What You Do,” by Leslie Parrott (2007);
• “The Good School: How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve,” by Peg Tyre (2011);
“Beyond the Big Talk: Every Parent’s Guide to Raising Sexually Healthy Teens — from Middle School to High School and Beyond,” by Debra Haffner (2001);
• “Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers,” by Michael Riera (2004);
Library Card Sign-Up Month: Library cards are priceless – do you have yours? At RPL, cards are free and, when kept in good standing, offer access to RPL’s circulating collection, computer labs and online resources and materials. Contact your nearest branch for more details or visit RPL’s website, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.
Scavenger Hunt: U.S. Presidents, Headquarters, South, through Sept. 30. Can you find the pictures of the United States presidents that are hidden throughout the children’s room? Complete the challenge and get a prize. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Scavenger Hunt: Past Presidents, East, through Sept.30. Discover little known facts about our past presidents! Find them all and be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. For more information, call 704-216-7842.
Tractor Mac Storytime: East, Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. This is a free event with crafts, games and refreshments. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.
STEAM into Adventure: South, Saturday, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Make a sculpture that balances on a point using various materials. This science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics program is geared for ages 6 to 11. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more details, call 704-216-7729.
Songbird Storytime: Headquarters, Saturday, 11 a.m. This is an interactive program of music, reading and learning for ages 7 and under. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany participants. For more information, contact Chelsea at 704-216-8269.
Reader’s Theater: Saturday, South, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Be an actor without the pressure of memorizing a script. This theater style conveys the story through vocal and facial expressions. This program is designed for ages 8 to 13. Questions? Call 704-216-7729.
Fat Cat Storytime: South, Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m. Children ages 5 and older are invited to learn new stories, enjoy fun activities and meet FAT CAT. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. This program is presented by the State Employees Credit Union. Questions? Call 704-216-7728.
Baby-Toddler Tea party: South, Sept. 18, 10:30 a.m. Fun for every child. Refreshments will be served. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Questions? Call 704-216-7729.
Exploration with Aida: Headquarters, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. Using a green screen “chroma,” take a picture in outer space, in the jungle or with your favorite superhero character. This program is designed for ages 10 and under and will be held in the Children’s Room. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, contact Aida at 704-216-8234.
Escape Room: Without a Trace, Sept. 16, 4 p.m., South; Sept. 17, 4 p.m., headquarters; Sept 19, 4 p.m., East. Solve clues and decipher puzzles to crack the case of a girl who mysteriously vanished. Can you escape from the room before time runs out? This teen program is designed for rising sixth- through 12th- graders. For more information, call Sydney at 704-216-8229.
Wednesday Writers Club: East, Sept. 18, 6 p.m. Love writing? We do too! Join the East Branch for a time of solo writing, group sharing and peer-to-peer reviews. Encouragement, coffee and snacks will be provided. This program is designed for teens and adults. Call 704-216-7840 for more information
North Carolina History: South Rowan’s Eighteenth-Century Germans. South, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. Rowan native Kevin Sloop will discuss facts and legends pertaining to the German people who began settling southern Rowan County in the latter 18th century. He will also have a 255-year-old German Lutheran Bible on display during his presentation. For more information, call 704-216-7727.
Outdoor Mystery Cinema: South, Sept. 17, 6 p.m. Discover great mysteries with this film series. This month’s mystery-of-choice is “Searching” (2018, 102 min.) and will be shown on South’s covered porch. This film is rated PG-13, so an adult (age 18+) must accompany anyone 13 and under. Light refreshments will be served. For more details, call 704-216-7727.
Read an eBook Day: Headquarters, East and South, Sept. 18. Celebrate modern storytelling by checking out your favorite eBook from RPL’s online collection. Use the hashtag #eBookLove on social media to join the conversation and share what you’re reading and why you love eBooks. Find RPL on Facebook @rowanpubliclibrary, Twitter @rowanlibrarync, and Instagram @rowanlibrarync. For more information, visit readanebookday.com or www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.
Chapter Chats: Sensory storytime, East, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. This weekly program is designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges and is coordinated in collaboration with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness (SOAR) program and Rowan County’s Therapeutic Recreation Division. To learn more about how to participate in this program series, call Tammie at 704-216-7842.
Stories by the Millstream: Headquarters, Sept. 19, 7-8 p.m., Sept. 21, 11 a.m.-noon. Storyteller Andy Offut Irwin presents a one-hour performance. This family-friendly storytelling event, sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library, is free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. For more details, contact Hope at 704-216-8258.
Displays: Headquarters, DAR Constitution Week, Lee Street theatre and Trinity Living Center On the Grids; East, German heritage, Old Stone House by Kevin Sloop; South, German heritage of Southern Rowan County by Kevin Sloop.
Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.
