Mathnasium - November 2020

Mathnasium - November 2020

NOVEMBER 2020

Mathnasium of Cherry Creek [email protected] mathnasium.com/cherrycreek

Mathnasium of Cherry Hills [email protected] mathnasium.com/cherryhills

Mathnasium of Littleton [email protected] mathnasium.com/littleton

Mathnasium of Parker [email protected] mathnasium.com/parker

Helping Students Gain Confidence in Mathematics A FAMILY BUSINESS

I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, and I have a love for teaching and a knack for mathematics. At Mathnasium, all of those qualities meshed together perfectly. After eight years of helping kids learn to be comfortable with and even love math, I’m happy to have found a career that is a perfect fit for everything I love. I hope that Mathnasium is a perfect fit for your child to increase their confidence and develop their mathematical skills. My name is Allison Shride, and I’m the owner and executive director for four Mathnasium centers in the Denver Metro area. While you might not be familiar with who I am, you’re probably familiar with either my sister, Suzie Shride, the center director of Mathnasium of Littleton, or my daughter, Sierra Richards, the center director of Mathnasium of Cherry Hills. You’ll get to hear from them in later editions of this newsletter. For this edition, I’m excited to share with all of you a little bit of how I discovered Mathnasium and why I absolutely love the work we do here. Like I said before, I grew up surrounded by business owners. My grandfather owned an ice plant in the middle of the Arizona desert, and my dad owned an electrical engineering business while I was growing up. My mom ran the front office at my dad’s business, and Suzie and I both worked on the shop floor, doing jobs like wiring control panels and soldering circuit boards. When I started college at Colorado State University, my dad encouraged me to get a degree in computer science, insisting that it was the way of the future. While that might have been true, it was decidedly not the way of my future. I lasted a semester before I changed my major to mathematics. Math always came naturally to me, and I liked doing it, so it seemed like a good fit. During my college years, I was also active in the tutoring department, which led me to get my teaching certification, as well. However, during my semester of student teaching, I discovered that the traditional classroom environment was not for me. Then I applied for exactly one job, for which the description was something like “evaluating the effects of certain particulates on the environment.” I’ll forgive you if you fell asleep halfway through reading that. I did, too.

So, instead of immediately putting my degree to use, I decided to hark back to my entrepreneurial roots. I opened a retail store in Fort Collins when I was just 22 years old and operated it for many years. After that, I worked in the world of wholesale for 16 years. However, something was missing from those jobs that I ultimately found at Mathnasium: heart-filling work. Even though I didn’t want to teach in the traditional sense, I still love giving kids an environment where they can grow more confident in their mathematical abilities. Many of the kids that come to Mathnasium enter our doors for the first time hating math, or at the very least, being intimidated and frustrated by it. Time and time again, I get to watch as these students make a complete 180, and it never gets old. Even though we’re spread out across multiple locations in the Denver area, I like to think of our Mathnasium locations as a family business. We don’t have customers; we have family. Our No. 1 priority is our students’ success, and we hope that if you know a child who is struggling or bored with their math class, you’ll encourage them to become a part of our family, too. –Allison Shride

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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-474-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184

BORED ON THANKSGIVING? PLAN A MOVIE MARATHON!

5 THANKSGIVING FLICKS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

After a giant Thanksgiving meal, it can be tempting to sink down onto the couch and never get up — so embrace it! This Thanksgiving, try planning a family movie night to enjoy while the turkey settles. Movie nights are about as low maintenance as family hangouts can get. According to Elle magazine, actress Angelina Jolie credits family flick marathons for helping her survive quarantine with six kids at home. Her secrets to success are comfortable clothes like pajamas and robes, along with plenty of movie snacks. This Thanksgiving, plan your marathon around these holiday-themed films. 1. ‘Free Birds’ — This hilarious 2013 animated film stars Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson as turkeys who have escaped the Thanksgiving table. Together, they go on a mission back in time to break up the first Thanksgiving and get turkey off the menu for good.

WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT BIRKIN BAGS? A Close Look at Hollywood’s Favorite Purse

This summer, Cardi B made headlines when she gave Megan Thee Stallion an extravagant gift: a custom Birkin bag. If you follow celebrity culture, you’ve probably heard about Birkin bags before. They’ve been hot among the Hollywood elite for years, spawning thousands of magazine articles and Instagram posts. Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, and Victoria Beckham have all been spotted carrying them. But what exactly is it that makes a Birkin bag so special? It’s just a purse, right? Maybe not. On the surface, there’s nothing stunning about a Birkin bag. The Hermès bags have two handles, classic lines, and tiny feet on the bottom. Usually, Birkin bags come with gold hardware, a raincoat (not for the human — for the purse), and a miniature lock and key to keep the owner’s valuables secure. You can find them in every imaginable color, from bright red to turquoise blue. What stands out the most about a Birkin is the price tag: The handbags start at $12,000 and have sold at auction for over $200,000. Part of the allure is the materials: crocodile skin, gold, and diamonds. Another factor is the limited supply. According to Forbes, in 2015, some Birkin bag waiting lists stretched up to six years long. When something is rare and mind-blowingly expensive, it acquires a certain cachet. Combine this prestige with a timeless look, and it’s no wonder the popularity of Birkin bags has endured. Last but not least, one must consider the power of the Hermès brand. Hermès was founded in Paris in 1837. Originally, its workers made saddles, bridles, and other riding gear for the European nobility. Then, the company expanded its wares to bags for carrying saddles and eventually clothing, travel bags, and perfumes. This long pedigree has made Hermès one of the most trusted luxury brands in the world. Even today, top-shelf items like Birkin bags are made entirely by hand, using a 200-year-old French stitching technique. On top of being hand-sewn, they’re hand-polished and hand-painted. These techniques make each bag an art piece. Considering all this, there’s no question as to why Cardi B settled on a custom Birkin bag as the best gift for Megan Thee Stallion to celebrate their single, “WAP,” hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

2. ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ — This old-school television special from 1973 is a Thanksgiving classic. In it, Charlie Brown and Snoopy navigate football, an ever-growing Thanksgiving guest list, and a backyard feast of junk food. 3. ‘Garfield’s Thanksgiving’ — Everyone loves Garfield, and this 1989 television special starring Jon, Odie, and the fat cat himself is another Thanksgiving mainstay. The vet puts Garfield on a diet at the worst possible time: right before Thanksgiving.

4 . ‘An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving’ — This 2008 period drama is based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott and tells the tale of an estranged family who find themselves back together just in time for the holidays. It’s historical, heartwarming, and fit for all ages. 5. ‘A Family Thanksgiving’ — This Hallmark comedy is a funny combination of “A Christmas Carol” and “17 Again.” A high-powered lawyer is transported to an alternate universe and gets a look at what her holiday life could have been like if she’d made different choices.

With these five films on your watch list, you won’t need any other Thanksgiving entertainment!

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Cherry Creek 303-333-MATH (6284) • Cherry Hills 720-47

GET A SALON-QUALITY MANICURE AT HOME Celebrity Tips for Beautiful DIY Nails

During this year of pandemic chaos, we’ve all limited our trips outside of the house. Odds are that in the last few months, you’ve skipped at least one visit to the hair stylist, spa, or nail salon — and you’re probably noticing the difference! If your nails look worse for wear, it’s time to take action before the holidays.

Cosmopolitan, the “coffin” nail is trending right now thanks to celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Khloé Kardashian,

and Ariel Winter. This shape is ideal for long nails and features tapered sides and a straight edge across the top. For a lower maintenance nail, try the “squoval,” a square-oval hybrid with a gently curved tip. Pay attention to your cuticles. Your cuticle is the thin layer of skin along the bottom edge of your fingernail, and it can get in the way of a professionally manicured look. To prepare your “canvas” for polish, use a cuticle remover liquid like Butter London ($18 on Amazon and recommended by Byrdie) and/or cuticle clippers to push back your cuticles and remove dead skin. Use the 3-layer approach. There are three layers to a beautiful manicure: the primer or base coat, the polish, and the top coat. According to celebrity manicurist April Foreman, the nail genius behind Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman’s paint jobs, a good primer is the foundation of a perfect manicure. The primer can be clear or nude and goes on before the colored polish to even out imperfections. After both the primer and polish layers dry, add a clear topcoat for a varnished look.

To get salon-quality nails at home (or pamper your partner with an in-home spa day), use these tips and tricks to take a simple coat of polish to the next level.

Shape your nails like a pro. One thing that people often forget when doing their own nails is to shape them with clippers and a file. This is one of the most important parts of a manicure because nail shapes go in and out of style. According to

With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll have no problem taking your manicure into your own hands (pun intended)!

TURKEY AND OATMEAL DOG TREATS

TAKE A BREAK

Inspired by DogTipper.com

Ingredients

• •

1 cup turkey or chicken broth 1 1/2 cups shredded turkey

• • •

1 3/4 cups whole-wheat flour 2 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 tsp baking powder

Directions

a lightly floured surface, turn out the dough and knead it. 5. Roll out the dough and cut it into fun shapes, like bones, leaves, or turkeys. 6. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. 7. Let cool, then your dog can indulge in the flavors of the season!

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a large bowl, mix flour, oats, and baking powder and set aside. 3. In a blender, add broth and turkey and pulse until it’s the consistency of baby food. 4. Add the meat mixture to the dry ingredients and mix it well. Then, on

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74-1878 • Littleton 303-979-9077 • Parker 303-840-1184

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

11211 Dransfeldt Rd. #149 | Parker, CO 80134

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How I Found Mathnasium

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What’s the Big Deal About Birkin Bags? 5 Thanksgiving Movies for the Whole Family

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How to Get a Salon-Quality Manicure at Home Leftover Turkey Dog Treats

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Black Friday: COVID-19 Edition

BLACK FRIDAY: COVID-19 EDITION How to Turn the Shopping Holiday Into a Stay-at-Home Family Event

A string of retail stores, including JCPenney, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, have declared they won’t be open for the traditional Thanksgiving and/or Black Friday shopping this year. But that doesn’t mean the annual shopping holiday is canceled! If you’re an avid Black Friday shopper, you can keep the tradition going and involve the whole family by using the day to shop online. Here are a few tips to get everyone involved in the fun and turn the holiday into an overnight party. Divide and conquer. Does your whole family love shopping? If they do, it’s time to break out the laptops, cellphones, and tablets. Take the list of items you’re hoping to snag and divide them up so that each person has things to browse for. Then choose a start time — midnight is always good — and let everyone loose to bargain hunt. While you’re shopping, remember to use store apps, websites like RetailMeNot and Groupon, money-saving browser extensions like Honey, and price-comparison apps like Flipp to score the best deals. Refuel with caffeine. No all-night shopping spree is complete without a coffee run. To keep your family fueled, make sure to stock up on your favorite coffee in advance and set a time for a coffee break. It’s not quite the same as taking a break at the mall’s Starbucks, but it will help you power through the night. For an

extra bit of fun, you can even try to recreate your favorite Starbucks drinks at home. ChowHound.com is a great resource for DIY recipes and has hacks for the caramel frappuccino, pumpkin spice latte, and more.

Celebrate with a big breakfast. When you’ve finally dropped the last item into your virtual cart, it’s time to celebrate! Depending on how long your spree took, it might be 3 a.m., or you might be able to see the sunlight peeking through your blinds. Either way, you deserve to reward yourself with breakfast. Try cooking your favorite breakfast foods as a family or, if it’s late enough, order home- delivered pancakes and hashbrowns from your favorite local restaurant. Once you’re stuffed, you can crawl into bed knowing that you had a fantastic family night.

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