(Gulf Shores)

Baldwin County Schools has put out the following three announcements.

Three important reminders:

1.  School will dismiss Thursday (11/10) at noon for Teacher Professional Development.

2.  Schools and administrative offices will be closed Friday (11/11) for Veterans Day.

3. On Wednesday, (11/9) at 1:00 p.m., the Federal government will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System. The test will last up to 30 seconds. During this period, regularly scheduled television, radio, cable, and satellite shows will be interrupted as the system is being tested. It is only a test.

With the new school year only weeks away, the Coastal Baldwin Educational Enrichment Foundation, Inc. started off a new year with a new name, new leadership and new members at its July meeting.

Formerly known as the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Educational Foundation, the organization has awarded scholarships to graduating seniors from Gulf Shores High School and grants to teachers in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores public schools for more than a decade. “We wanted to start off a new year with a fresh new attitude along with our new members,” New CBEE Foundation Chairman Yolanda Devine Johnson said. “Our new name goes right along with that attitude.”

CBEE Foundation member Jason Holt said he thought the new name had meaning on several different levels. “Its acronym can be stated as ‘Seabee’.  This fits great with the location and purpose of our foundation,” he said. “The Seabees stand for the Construction Battalions of the Navy.  They are responsible for building and improving bases, hospitals and other construction projects after the U.S. military has landed. Of course we are on the coast and the foundation is here to improve and build on the success of the island’s schools.”

The new slate of board members includes Johnson, Vice-Chairman Fred Peninger, Recording Secretary Renee Eberly, Corresponding Secretary Christie Shannon, Treasurer Bob Grant, Scholarship Chairman Iris Ethridge and Past Chairman Mike Diehl. “I look forward to another successful year for our foundation,” Diehl said. “Now I have the best title of all - past chairman.”

New foundation members include Elizabeth Jones, Traci Fisher, John Knight, Dr. Rachel McDaniel, Tracie Sweat, John Marcus Price and Robin Nelson.

“I’m excited about this new year,” Johnson said. “I look forward to working with our new and returning board members along with the other educational foundations in the county to help make our schools the best anywhere.”

Photo by Clayton Wallace

Anyone who is interested in making a difference in our schools is welcome to become a part of CBEE. For more information on the foundation, see its website at cbee.la, or contact Johnson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 205-613-0001.

Gulf Shores, AL – August 3, 2011 - The time between the school bells ringing and the time mom and dad get home, can present temptations and pressure for many kids, particularly those who have nothing to do.

The City of Gulf Shores has created a unique opportunity to keep kids engaged and out of trouble, after school is out.

Thanks to the City of Gulf Shores' After School Program, local kids now have somewhere to go and something to do. The After School Program offers a variety of activities and healthy alternatives to students who need somewhere to go or simply want to stay involved after the school bell rings. The program provides students a safe place to hang out and have healthy snacks while participating in arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor games and frequent field trips focused on educating students about a healthy environment.

Registration for the After School Program is now underway and is open to children ages 5 through 11. The program begins August 15th and will run through May 25th.

To register or for more information, contact the Bodenhamer Recreation Center at 968-1420 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov.

(Gulf Shores)

Hobnob Gulf Shores has always tried to add some new ammunition to all of our vocabulary with an unusual "Word of the Week"  This weeks word is:

(Gulf Shores)

Many of the area’s top business leaders turned out Friday as the Alabama Gulf Coast Area Educational Foundation honored the recipients of its annual Teachers of the Year awards at the monthly Alabama Gulf Coast Area Chamber of Commerce’s First Friday Forum. Winners come from the four public schools in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and are nominated by their peers.

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“These teachers represent the best of the best in their chosen schools,” said Educational Foundation President Mike Diehl. “We believe our schools are home to the best teachers anywhere, and our winners were picked by their fellow teachers. Congratulations to them all.”

This year’s winners include Kristen Siegel of Orange Beach Elementary, Jalene Dennard of Gulf Shores Elementary, Pamela Tucker of Gulf Shores Middle and Will Randolph on Gulf Shores High.

Siegel, a sixth grade teacher who has been at OBES since 2008, holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Auburn University. She is a member of the National Science Teachers Association, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and the International Reading Association. She is also the school’s yearbook advisor.

“She is a teacher that goes above and beyond to provide her students with relevant, exciting learning opportunities in math, science, and technology,” OBES Principal Jonathan Ellis said. “She is a credit to the school both inside and outside the classroom.”

Dennard, a first-grade teacher, has taught school for almost 25 years all over the world. “My first teaching position was with the Department of Defense School System in Misawa, Japan,” she said. “I taught first grade there for five years. Then we moved to Baldwin County where I taught at Robertsdale Elementary for a short time, then moved to Foley Elementary and taught there for a little over three years.” She then transferred to Gulf Shores Elementary where she is in her 17th year.

“Teachers at the first-grade level prepare students for the rest of their educational endeavors, and she is one of the best,” GSES Principal Julie Pierce said. “That distinction doesn’t just come from me, as she was awarded Teacher of the Year by her fellow teachers. They undoubtedly share my respect and admiration for her.”

Tucker, in her 17th year of teaching, is an eighth grade language arts teacher at GSMS, where she is the sponsor of the National Junior Honor Society. She has been at GSMS for 10 years and serves on the Building Leadership Team and the Making Middle Grades Work program.

“It is my privilege and an honor to present Pam Tucker as GSMS Teacher of the Year,” GSMS Principal Phillip Fountain said. “She is a dedicated teacher and staff member who goes above and beyond for both her students and peers. We are very blessed to have Mrs. Tucker as a teacher at our school.”

Randolph, a world history teacher, has been teaching for 22 years, the past two at GSHS. Randolph not only teaches history, but is heavily involved in the school’s athletic programs as the track coach and an assistant football coach.

“Will has been at GSHS for only two years, but he brings a wealth of 22 years of teaching to his classroom,” GSHS Principal Dr. Ernie Rosado said. “It has been my pleasure to be his principal. He makes world history fun and meaningful for his students. His dedication to his students and profession are to be commended.”

Diehl announced the award recipients at First Friday Forum, which was sponsored by Krebs Architecture and Engineering. Diehl said he wanted to thank Krebs for their support of the foundation, and said the foundation membership hopes to do more for teachers in the future. “We've been able to fund projects for several teachers of the year through the foundation,” Diehl said. “We look forward to working with our teachers - including future teachers of the year - closely as we move forward in pursuit of excellence in education on the island.”

For more information on the foundation, go to their website www.agcaef.com or contact Diehl at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Photo by: Clayton Wallace

(Gulf Shores)

The PTO and Teachers are looking for volunteers to help with various and sundry tasks! Email Rachel Osborn, our volunteer coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to volunteer. Also, email your child's teacher(s) if you would like to help.

Below are some ways you can be involved:

> Assist with small group instruction [in a classroom other than your child's]
> Assist with bulletin boards, cutting, laminating, etc.
> Tutoring
> Painting, tree trimming, special education playground construction
> Photocopying, filing, organizing
> Assist with The Dolphin Sound after school on Thursdays

(Hobnob)

In an effort to further educate this writer and Hobnob readers we bring you the Hobnob "Word of the Week".  This weeks word is:

(Gulf Shores)

(ARA) - Keeping your children's clothing in good shape during the school year can leave any mom floundering. Besides sports and other after-school activities causing clothes to look dirty, you have to deal with growth spurts and your children just being kids, being a little tough on what they wear.

Here are some tips to stay on top of the clothing game and save a little money, so you can send your son or daughter off to school with pride:

* Buy in bulk - Kids tend to be very tough on clothes, so consider purchasing socks, underwear and other essentials in bulk so you don't have to take a trip to the store every time holes appear. Limit the items you do purchase, though - your children are probably growing like weeds, and you won't want clothes you've purchased to be outgrown before they're worn.

* Shop online - With all the activities on your calendars, you don't have time to coordinate a shopping trip to the mall or retail stores. Instead, shop for clothes online, and consider using coupon sites to save money on the clothing purchase or shipping of what you buy. If you work away from home, have your purchases shipped to your office, so you don't have to worry about the packages sitting outside your house.

* Keep the clothes clean - With a regular swirl through your washing machine using Cheer brightCLEAN laundry detergent, you'll be able to keep your children's clothes looking bright. Cheer brightCLEAN is not the most expensive detergent either, so it provides a great value.

"It may seem like a no-brainer, but switching to a wallet-friendly detergent, like Cheer brightCLEAN, will save you oodles of money," says Amy Clark, Cheer spokesperson and founder and creator of the MomAdvice.com, a community where she shares advice on parenting, money-saving ideas, recipes and solutions for work-at-home moms. Visit www.cheer.com/savings.html to find laundry detergent coupons as well.

When you use this alternative to bleach laundry detergent, you'll be able to easily remove dinginess from clothes, so both whites and colors are sparkling bright.

* Be creative with hand-me-downs - Your younger children probably dread their siblings passing on hand-me-downs, but you can creatively change that attitude. Patches, tie dye, buttons, scissors, fabric markers and basic sewing are all tools you can use to turn something "old" into a piece of fashion. Add a lacy ruffle to a skirt, cut jeans into shorts or turn a long-sleeved T-shirt into a tank top with buttons decorating the collar.

* Host a clothes swap - While your children might be tired of clothing they weren't able to wear out, there's a good chance one of their friends will find it "cool." Host a clothes swap with some friends, and let the kids try on and trade for new outfits they can enjoy.

With these tips, you don't have to let the busy school year and your children's clothes run you ragged. You can send them off each morning, sparkling bright.

(ARA) - The start of a new school year is an exciting time for children. Each fall begins with a new teacher, different classmates and a fresh start, making it the perfect time for you and your kids to get back into a daily routine.

A good place to start is the school lunch. The contents of your child's lunch are important to their overall daily nutrient intake. Packing the right kinds of foods can help them maintain energy levels and concentration throughout the day. To avoid falling into a rut and preparing the same lackluster foods, here are a few tips to help make over any lunch box this school year.

Take a supermarket safari. Many shoppers enter the supermarket with the same list of products for every visit. With hundreds of products to choose from in each section of the store, it's easy to stick with what we know. Discover the hidden gems of the supermarket by purchasing at least one item you've never tried before and find a way to incorporate it into a healthy lunch. It can be difficult if your child is a picky eater, so start with small changes. If your child is used to white bread, swap it for a whole grain pita instead or pack a different kind of protein in their lunch, such as almond butter with apple slices or hummus and veggie sticks. Daisy Brand Cottage Cheese is a great find because it's a 100 percent all-natural protein source and is versatile enough to be served alone, topped with strawberries, bananas and a touch of honey or incorporated into a variety of recipes.

Keep it fresh. The best way to ensure your kids eat their food is to keep it fresh. Insulated lunch bags are a great choice for school lunches. Some reusable insulated lunch bags are equipped with freezer packs. Not only are they great for keeping food fresh and appetizing, but they also provide you with the opportunity to pack a variety of perishable foods. A thermos is another good item to keep on-hand for foods that need to stay warm, such as chicken noodle soup.

Make it fun. Keep lunchtime interesting by allowing your kids to take the driver's seat when it comes to packing their lunch boxes. When kids are able to get involved in the process, they are more prone to eat it, as well as learn important nutritional information along the way. Consider taking them on their own supermarket safari, using fun-shaped cookie cutters for cutting sandwiches or decorating the lunch bag so it is personal. Visit FreshenUpYourFridge.com and pick a different recipe together each night to make it a bonding experience.

Strawberry Banana Parfait

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Total Time: 15 Minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 banana, cut in chucks
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 cup quartered strawberries
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts
2 cups Daisy Brand 2 percent cottage cheese
Directions:

Toss banana with lime juice. Mix bananas with strawberries, honey and walnuts. Spoon the mixture into parfait glasses. Top each glass with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese.

Courtesy of ARAcontent