Moms

The Autism Gap: The fight for insurance

Submitted by Jaye Watson, 11Alive Reporter

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013, 2:39pm

ATLANTA -- Eight year old Ava Bullard is playing with her sisters, riding their bikes on their long country driveway. It is a simple act that defies those who said she would never talk, those who said she wouldn't function in the real world.

Ava was not a typical baby, or toddler.

Her mother Anna says, "You couldn't interact with her."

MORE | Complete coverage of The Autism Gap

Ava did not play with toys. Did not speak. Could not dress herself. Did not interact with her parents or sisters. Slept two hours a night. She was in her own world.

Anna says, "It's like she looked straight through me. She would just...it's like you weren't there, if you were in the room with her."

Anna Bullard took Ava from doctor to doctor for months. One doctor told the family Ava was 'just weird.'

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Monkey Joe's holding birthday celebration

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, February 18th, 2013, 10:48am

Monkey Joe's holding birthday celebration

ATLANTA -- Monday is the birthday of Monkey Joe, namesake of the popular indoor bounce house venues.

To celebrate, Monkey Joe's is offering plenty of family fun, including reduced admission prices, all day.

On Feb. 18, entry into every Monkey Joe's location is only $5. The first 100 children at each facility will be treated to a free pizza party, and the first 75 children will be given birthday party goodie bags.

"Monkey Joe's birthday party provides us an opportunity to thank our loyal customers for their continued support of Monkey Joe's locations across the country," Monkey Joe's brand manager Sonny Crumpton said in a statement. "As a way to honor the families that visit Monkey Joe's time and again, we wanted to show our appreciation with discounted admission and special treats and events, which we believe both children and their parents will enjoy."

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Big interest draws lottery for GSMST admission

Submitted by Holly Pennebaker, Community Web Producer

Thursday, February 7th, 2013, 1:26pm

Big interest draws lottery for GSMST admission

GWINNETT COUNTY -- The Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology will hold a lottery to decide which students are admitted into the next freshman class in fall of 2013.

A spokesman for GSMST said the school had a great number of students interested in attending, as almost 850 eighth graders had turned in registration for admission as of the February 1 deadline. Only 350 students can be admitted.

The lottery is set for Monday, February 11, and will begin at 7:30 a.m. The drawing will be held in the Instructional Support Center in Suwanee.

Those students who will be a part of the lottery were assigned a number, and notified of that number by email. They will also find out if their name was selected shortly after the drawing, wither by email or mail. The lottery is open to the public, but parents and students are not required to be there.

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Harlem Globetrotters coming to Gwinnett Center

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, December 31st, 2012, 2:37pm

Harlem Globetrotters coming to Gwinnett Center

DULUTH, Ga. -- Smiles and laughter are sure to abound when the Harlem Globetrotters drop into the Gwinnett Center in 2013.

The world famous exhibition basketball team will bring its You Write the Rules tour to metro Atlanta on Saturday, Mar. 16.

The show is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Attending families will also have the opportunity to participate in a special pre-show, where they can shoot, try out tricks and take pictures with the Globetrotters.

Visit harlemglobetrotters.com for more information about the group.

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Belk santafest to spread holiday cheer

Submitted by Beth Sawicki, Where U Live Producer

Monday, November 19th, 2012, 10:27am

ATLANTA -- Belk department stores will host their first-ever santafest holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 1.

All santafests will be held from noon to 3 p.m.

Highlights include crafts, family-friend activities, Christmas treats and, of course, the chance to meet Santa Claus. Participants can enter a drawing to win a $50 kids wardrobe; three winners will be chosen from each Belk store.

Visit belk.com for more information and to find your nearest store.

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Tips for Kindergarten Parents

Submitted by Heather Clark, Act Together Ministries, Children's Charity Director

Thursday, August 9th, 2012, 10:13am

Where did the time go? Wasn't it yesterday that you brought the baby home from the hospital? It's back to school time again and for those sending a child to kindergarten, it can be quite emotional... for parents anyway. Kindergarten is a special time and you'll begin seeing pay off on your hard work over the past 5 years. For most this will be the first full school day, the first year to ride the school bus, the first year to have homework, and the first year when peer influences begin to play a role.

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As Students End School Year, Boys & Girls Clubs Offers Way to Fight “Summer Brain Drain"

Submitted by msleff on Monday, May 28th, 5:47 am

ATLANTA -- This month, millions of kids begin their summer breaks, looking forward to vacations, pool time and carefree days. But studies and experience show a lack of mental stimulation causes them to unlearn much of what they were taught over the school year. Boys & Girls Clubs across the country offer young people a safe, exciting place to spend their summer months, with staff and resources to fight the effects of this “Summer Brain Drain.”

The reality for today’s kids is that many will find themselves with few structured activities, caregivers who are working all day, and too much unsupervised television, video game and computer time.

President Touts Concerns Over Summer Learning

Also known as “summer learning loss” or the “summer slide,” this issue is a growing problem for American children. In 2010, President Obama noted, “Students are losing a lot of what they learn during the school year during the summer.”