Community Music School Launches New Pay What You Can Model

September 16, 2020 by

Appalachian State’s Community Music School is excited to offer a new Pay What You Can model for its group classes, and financial assistance is available for private lessons. They are committed to making music accessible for ALL!

Course Offerings (Visit the website for more details):
Guitar (private and group classes)
Ukulele (private and group classes)
Discover Music (Infant to age 3)
Let’s Play Piano! (group piano class separated by age group)
Vocal Academy (high school program for motivated high school vocalists)
Youth Orchestra
Appalachian Youth Chorale
Hit Maker (middle and high school program for those interested in composing their own music on-line)

Registration is Now Open! For more information please go to our website: music.appstate.edu/cms or contact Dr. Nicole Sonbert: sonbertn@appstate.edu

The Community Music School is a non-profit organization that proudly serves Boone and the surrounding communities by making the musical arts accessible for people of all ages and backgrounds. We offer private music lessons, classes, ensembles, and community events. We invite you to learn more about our programs and events!

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Performing Arts, Things To Do Tagged With:

Wee-Cycle is having a virtual sale! {GIVEAWAY}

September 13, 2020 by

Shopping at Wee-Cycle has gotten easier! You get to shop online and then drive-thru to pick up.

Shopping for gently used clothing items online can be tough! Wee-Cycle has asked its consignors to inspect all items before adding them to the sale. So, at pick up, you can pull to the parking lot and look through your items. If clothing does not meet quality inspection (stained or misrepresented or not sized correctly), you may bring it back to the counter for a return. Electronics are also in this category and if not working properly, you may bring them back to the counter. Please note that once you leave the parking lot, all sales are final.

How do you shop?

Go to https://weecycletogo.com/, browse items by clicking on the category, or typing in the search bar! Add to your cart and purchase. All credit cards will be accepted. Give the Wee-Cycle team a couple of days and your items will be ready for pick up at the Boone location! Pick up will be on Friday, September 25, 2020, from 10:00 – 2:00 and 5:00-7:00. Shipping is also available. A charge of $10 flat rate per order. Once the team packs your items, you will receive an invoice if it costs over $10 to ship your box. (If it is more than $2 less, you will receive a refund). Larger items will incur additional costs.

GIVEAWAY

Let’s start your shopping experience by entering to win a $25 gift card. Visit https://weecycletogo.com/ and let us know your top item that you need for your family. Leave a comment below by noon on September 16, 2020. We we contact the winner on that afternoon!

Happy Shopping 🙂

Filed Under: Giveaways and Contests, Just For Parents, Shopping, Things To Do

High Country Rendezvous

September 9, 2020 by

Your family will not want to miss the High Country Rendezvous this Saturday, September 12th!

You may ask, what is a rendezvous? A Rendezvous was an annual gathering in which mountain men replenished their supplies. They were lively, joyous places where all were allowed. Join the Hickory Ridge History Museum for its own historical Rendezvous.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events

Beech Mtn Announces Fall Outdoor Activities

August 30, 2020 by

We live in such a beautiful area to enjoy the outdoors. Fall is no exception. Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation has announced its fall lineup of outdoor activities.

Also as a reminder, Beech has two canoes and a kayak that you can reserve to enjoy a beautiful outing on their Buckeye Lake. Reserve your date and time here. There is no charge.

Filed Under: Fall in the High Country, For Kids and Families, Things To Do, Weekend Calendar of Events Tagged With: ,

High Country Soccer Association Accepting Fall Registrations for U6-U10 Academy and U10-U15 Challenge Soccer

August 13, 2020 by

Is your child interested in learning the game of soccer? Or would your child like to continue to play but not quite ready to commit to travel soccer? High Country Soccer Association is accepting registrations for youth players ages U6 to U15 for the fall season. The U6, U8, and U10 Academy programs are designed to teach kids the fundamentals of soccer and prepare them for travel soccer. The U10-U15 Challenge programs are designed for kids who have aged out of Academy but are not ready to commit to travel soccer. 

Photo Credit: High Country Soccer Association

High Country Soccer Association follows strict guidelines set by NC Youth Soccer, US Youth Soccer, and FIFA to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. HCSA also follows state, county, and town restrictions, and works with AppHealthCare to safely protect players and families from contracting or spreading the virus. Protocols can be read at www.hcsoccer.com. 

All Academy and Challenge Soccer programs will be held at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex on Brookshire Road in Boone. Each team will be assigned a licensed, paid coach. HCSA, which opened in 1986, offers soccer training to youth ranging from U6 to U18 and competes in the North Carolina Youth Soccer Association. HCSA also operates adult leagues, winter futsal youth training, and summer camps. In all, HCSA has more than 600 youth players and more than 300 adult players from Avery, Ashe, Caldwell, Wilkes, and Watauga counties. 

2020 SPRING ACADEMY AND CHALLENGE FEES
U6 Academy: $65, 1 session per week, 6-week program, begins 8/31
U8 Academy: $80, 2 sessions per week, 8-week program, begins 9/1
U10 Academy: $195 (plus $60 for uniform kit if new to program), 3 sessions per week, 10-week program, begins 8/31
U9-U14 Challenge: $55, 2 sessions per week, 8-week program, begins 9/3 

U6 Academy is an age-appropriate, basic introduction to the game of soccer. It is a six-week program consisting of a weekly 45-minute session. Classes are offered on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. Sneakers or soccer cleats are appropriate footwear. Each player needs to wear shin guards and should bring a size 3 soccer ball and water bottle to each session. Practice begins August 31. 

U8 Academy is soccer with philosophy and curriculum taught by professional licensed coaches. It is an eight-week program consisting of a weekly practice (Tuesday) and weekly game (Friday). Soccer cleats are appropriate footwear. Each player needs to wear shin guards and should bring a size 3 soccer ball and water bottle to each session. Practice begins September 1. 

U10 Academy is more advanced than rec soccer and is an introduction to travel soccer. It is a 10-week program consisting of practice twice a week (Monday and Wednesday) and a weekly house match (Friday). There is also opportunity for Academy matches against similar Academy teams from clubs in our region of the state (limited travel, with the opt-out option to play on some Saturdays). Practice begins August 31. 

HCSA Challenge Soccer is a recreational league for players U9-U15. It is an 8-week program suitable for all levels of experience, including first-time players or those who are not ready to commit to travel soccer. This program meets twice per week consisting of a team practice and league game culminating in an end-of-season one-day tournament. Each team will be assigned a licensed, paid coach hired by HCSA. Coaches will follow a consistent curriculum for practices to ensure all players receive quality instruction from fun skill-building activities. Practice begins September 3. 

For more information or to register your child in HCSA Academy or Challenge soccer, please visit www.hcsoccer.com or email office@hcsoccer.com.

Filed Under: For Kids and Families, Health & Fitness, Things To Do

Home School Physical Education Program 2020-2021 academic year

August 13, 2020 by

The Appalachian State University Physical Education (PE) Program is pleased to continue its commitment to offering the Home School Physical Education Program for the 2020-21 academic year.  

Appalachian Home School PE Program (5 – 12 year olds)

Dates: September 8 – November 13 (online)

Meets: Tuesdays synchronously via Zoom from 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.; Thursdays asynchronously via a Fundamental Motor Skill & Family Physical Activity Challenge

Annual Cost: Fall 2020 $0 per child; Spring 2021 $30 per child (includes t-shirt)

The Appalachian Home School PE Program is a part of the Appalachian Health and Physical Education (HPE) Program.  Dr. Brooke Towner will oversee the program.  Dr. Towner is an assistant professor in the Appalachian HPE program, is a Certified Physical Education Teacher, and has physical education experience in both public school and recreational settings. 

We use the innovative SPARK physical education curriculum in our PE program. For more information on the SPARK curriculum, check out their website at http://www.sparkpe.org.  

The Fall 2020 Appalachian Home School PE Program Plan: 

  • The Appalachian Homeschool PE Program will be held in an online format. 
  • On Tuesdays, all age groups will meet on Zoom (an online video conferencing tool) for a 20 – 25 minute lesson instructed by an Appalachian student or teaching pair. 
    • Dr. Towner will attend all Zoom lessons.
  • On Thursdays, the Appalachian student or teaching pair will post an optional online Fundamental Motor Skill and Family Challenge PE activity using FlipGrid (an online tool for posting video responses). 
    • The Appalachian student or partner pair will provide feedback to the students that chose to participate. The FlipGrid will be moderated so only Dr. Towner and the Appalachian student or teach pair have access to the FlipGrid. Dr. Towner will monitor all Flipgrids.

For Fall 2020 the Home School PE Program will not offer the Play Pen or Parent Walking Group 

Registration:                                                                                 

Go to: https://appstate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1zEb2hHYa1R475j

Or visit: https://pehomeschool.appstate.edu/  and select the REGISTER ONLINE NOW! 

Registration DEADLINE: September 7th, 2020 (late registrations will be accepted as long as slots are still available) 

For more information, go to https://pehomeschool.appstate.edu/ or contact Dr. Brooke Towner at 828-262-8558, email townerbc@appstate.edu

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Homeschooling, School News, Things To Do

Holston Camp Announces School Day Camp for K-5

July 30, 2020 by

Holston Presbytery Camp and Retreat Center announces a STUDENT DAY CAMP. The camp will meet from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday for 9 weeks. This program coincides with the Avery and Watauga County school system’s 9-week virtual learning schedule from Monday, August 17 to Friday, October 16, 2020.

HPCRC will provide adult supervision for students to accomplish their class assignments on their own computer devices. Holston Camp will enroll at least 24 elementary-age students (K-5) which will be divided into two groups according to grade, in two separate buildings. Both buildings will have Wi-Fi, bathroom access, and classroom furnishings.

The STUDENT DAY CAMP will serve local Avery and Watauga parents of elementary school children (K-5) who either have work responsibilities or would prefer a small class size with the benefit of outdoor recreation. Face covers are required along with observing proper social distance, hygiene, and sanitation. Students must provide their own computer and face covering.

Supervision is provided by adult staff with at least a bachelor’s degree conferred by a college or university. They are trained and experienced in various aspects of care and management of children, including but not limited to first aid, safety, behavior issues, and recreation.

HPCRC will provide shuttle (pickup only) located at Lowes Foods (4000 NC Highway 105 S) and Avery County Morrison Library in Newland for an additional fee.  

“Our emphasis is to provide children a safe space to learn while enjoying the benefits of outdoor activities at campus by Wildcat Lake,” says Jim Austin, Director of HPCRC. “We understand some parents must work and need a full-time daycare, and others may prefer a smaller class size for their children to mitigate risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

HPCRC will provided guided outdoor actives such as nature play, field games, archery, hiking, swimming, biking, boating, rock climbing, and zip-lines. Arts and crafts will also be available.

HPCRC will serve breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack to student campers.

Austin said, “Holston has successfully completed a summer of overnight and day camps for children despite the COVID pandemic. Children quickly adapted to masks, social distancing, and hand-washing. Mostly, they just want to be with each other and play outside. Now, we offer parents an alternative to in-class issues by providing a full day of supervised care.”

STUDENT DAY CAMP registration is now open for children in grades K-5. The cost is $1,575 for 9 weeks. Payments by check or cash for the total tuition made before August 14, receive a 10% discount. Enrollment is limited. See www.HolstonCenter.org for details and registration.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, School News, Things To Do

Learning Pods in the High Country for the 2020-2021 School Year

July 29, 2020 by

We all know that the new school year will bring many adjustments for families. We are putting together a list of learning pods in the area to give families options to help with daily schedules.

The Big Blue Center for Expressive Arts opened registration for their remote learning center. Please note that assistants will be available to keep kids on task and to help with remote learning. Space is very limited to keep kids physically distanced. The location for the center is 174 Old East King St, Boone, NC 28607.

-WiFi available
-Extra precautions and cleaning to provide as safe a space as possible (temperature checks, masks when not 6 feet apart, extra hand washing, no shared supplies, etc.)

Example of Daily Routine (with a lot of flexibility to meet children’s needs):
Remote Learning 8-8:30
Stretch and Bathroom Break 8:30-8:40
Remote Learning 8:40-9:10
Activity and Bathroom Break 9:10-9:40
Remote Learning 9:40-10:10
Snack and Bathroom Break 10:10-10:30
Remote Learning 10:30-11
Activity and Bathroom Break 11-11:30
Remote Learning/Quiet Freetime 11:30-12

What to bring each day:
Laptop and/or school work for the day (including all supplies needed)
Snack (I will let you know closer to time if there are any allergies we need to be aware of)
Water Bottle (no sugary drinks)
Mask

Please register here! Questions can be directed to their Facebook page.

____________________________________

Northwest Studios has two options.

1 – Remote Learning Center:

Monday-Tuesday
8am-2:00pm
$50/day $95/week: Drop in Rate

Register for the month and get 5% discount!!

Learning Center opens August 24th

With high-speed internet and individual as well as family work stations, we will be working to give your child(ren) a flexible schedule to meet their scholastic needs. Further details will be emailed to you upon registration. The Learning Assistants Team will be led by Gabby Godwin, MA.

2 – Sublease from Northwest Studios – A great open space that they would like to offer to the community for use. They are keeping their hourly rate as low as they can, hoping to simply support parents and the community while covering some of their base costs that have been accumulating through having to stay shut down under the guidelines of Phase 2.

There are two studio spaces that are available. The upper studio is 60’x40’ with marley flooring, and the lower studio is 50’x30’ with hardwood floors. Upper studio will fit a group of 10-15 and lower will fit a group of 6-10; depending on the nature of the group. You may also rent both spaces if you would like to utilize the whole studio.

Studio space is priced as follows:

  • Upper studio: $35/half day (8am-1pm), $20/hour (+$5/additional hour)
  • Lower studio: $30/half day (8am-1pm), $15/hour (+$5/additional hour)
  • Both studios: $50/half day (8am-1pm), $25/hour (+$10/additional hour)

Add ons:

You can choose to drop your children off! These are additional costs to the studio use fee. The idea is that a group of parents work together to hire the space and then we provide the adult(s) that will be with your children. This was you know who will be there. Please contact us to personalize your experience.

Hire a dance instructor: $50/hour – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Teaching assistant: $35/hour per four children – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Childcare professional: $20/hour per 4 children – additional hours possible and at a discounted rate.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Homeschooling, Things To Do

Drive-Thru Back 2 School Festival

July 24, 2020 by

*Please note that the festival is still in need of donations. Read more below.

Due to ongoing issues from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Back 2 School Festival has announced that this year’s event will be drive-thru only. The 2020 Back 2 School Festival will be held at Watauga High School over two days; Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, with each school being assigned a specific time for their families to come pick up supplies.

The schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
9:00-10:30 | Green Valley
11:00-12:30 | Mabel/Parkway
1:00-2:30 | Bethel/Blowing Rock
3:00-4:30 | Cove Creek/Two Rivers

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
9:00-10:30 | Hardin Park (Last names A-K)
11:00-12:30 | Hardin Park (Last names L-Z)
1:00-2:30 | Valle Crucis/Home School
3:00-4:30 | Watauga High

“Our mission remains the same,” said festival coordinator Kendra Sink, “to make sure each Watauga County student returns to school with the tools they need to start the school year off confident and prepared. This year is going to look a lot different from previous years, but we are still committed to providing kids with much needed school supplies.”

Sink added that the Back 2 School Festival still needs around $10,000 in donations in order to meet the “unprecedented need in our community.”

In addition to the drive-thru style pickup, face coverings will be required for all attendees, both inside their vehicles while picking up supplies, and inside the shoe tent where children will be selecting a new pair of shoes. Only 25 people will be allowed inside the tent at a time.

“The school-specific pickup times will allow us to maintain social distancing in compliance with the guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and the executive order from Governor Cooper,” said the festival’s publicity coordinator, Matthew Lucas. “This year has given us some unique challenges, so we’re asking everyone to bear with us so we can get everyone through the line as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible. Every child who needs them will get the school supplies they need.”

The Back 2 School Festival was created in 2013 to provide school supplies free of charge for any Watauga County student whose family is struggling to meet the high cost of back to school shopping. Last year the festival provided supplies for over 1,200 students, and anticipates a higher number this year due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

You can learn more by visiting www.back2schoolfestival.org.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, Free Family Activities, Things To Do

Remote Learning Center Option – Registration Open

July 20, 2020 by

Are you looking for a safe place for your child to work and learn on remote learning days this upcoming school year?

The Big Blue Center for Expressive Arts opened registration for their remote learning center. Please note that assistants will be available to keep kids on task and to help with remote learning. Space is very limited to keep kids physically distanced. The location for the center is 174 Old East King St, Boone, NC 28607.

-WiFi available
-Extra precautions and cleaning to provide as safe a space as possible (temperature checks, masks when not 6 feet apart, extra hand washing, no shared supplies, etc.)

Example of Daily Routine (with a lot of flexibility to meet children’s needs):
Remote Learning 8-8:30
Stretch and Bathroom Break 8:30-8:40
Remote Learning 8:40-9:10
Activity and Bathroom Break 9:10-9:40
Remote Learning 9:40-10:10
Snack and Bathroom Break 10:10-10:30
Remote Learning 10:30-11
Activity and Bathroom Break 11-11:30
Remote Learning/Quiet Freetime 11:30-12

What to bring each day:
Laptop and/or school work for the day (including all supplies needed)
Snack (I will let you know closer to time if there are any allergies we need to be aware of)
Water Bottle (no sugary drinks)
Mask

Please register here! Questions can be directed to their Facebook page.

Filed Under: Education, For Kids and Families, School News, Things To Do