Magical Town Yards is a charming residential community located in Kissimmee, Florida. This unique neighborhood offers a magical experience to its residents with its enchanting architecture and whimsical landscaping. The main idea of Magical Town Yards is to recreate the charm and beauty of small European towns, transporting residents into a fairytale-like environment. One of the standout features of Magical Town Yards is its stunning architecture. The houses are designed to resemble the quaint cottages found in European villages, with their pleasant pastel colors, sloping roofs, and intricate detailing. Each house in the neighborhood has its own unique charm, making living in Magical Town Yards a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Arceneaux said they are trying to teach “value magic” through these exercises. Students learn to value characters who look like themselves and their classmates while reflecting on their own “magic.”
Ruth Young is a facilitator for the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Program at District 65, a monthly seminar that works to build a stronger and more equitable community. Scopes let you see the relative strength and range of color components such as luminance, chrominance, saturation, hue, color gamut, white point, individual RGB channels and more.
Each house in the neighborhood has its own unique charm, making living in Magical Town Yards a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Another main feature of Magical Town Yards is its whimsical landscaping. The neighborhood is adorned with lush gardens, manicured lawns, and colorful flowerbeds.
Finding your “value magic”: Black Girl Magic Book Club connects elementary school students with protagonists of color
District 65 teachers Jennifer Tertulien and Jenna Arceneaux started a Black Girl Magic book club after noticing a lack of representation in children’s books. Their book of the month is “Sulwe and Her Stories” by Lupita Nyong’o and Vashti Harrison.
Avani Kalra, Assistant City Editor
January 24, 2022
When Evanston/Skokie School District 65 teachers Jennifer Tertulien and Jenna Arceneaux interviewed elementary school students in 2018, they asked participants to name a book character that resembled them. The two educators said what they saw was striking: girls and boys of color struggled to identify someone they could relate to.
Tertulien and Arceneaux created the Black Girl Magic Book Club to change those answers. Students read picture books and collections such as “My Hair is a Garden,” “Her Stories” and “Freedom Soup” — all of which feature Black female protagonists.
“When I was their age, I can only recall two books that really represented who I was and where there were characters that looked like me,” Tertulien said. “We’re kind of living vicariously through the book club as well.”
The Black Girl Magic Book Club started at Walker Elementary during the 2018-19 school year, and hosted about 12 to 15 participants. When Tertulien moved to Lincolnwood Elementary, she started a second chapter. Now, the facilitators said they are both hosting conversations with groups of about 20 at each school. The partners are looking to start a third group at Willard Elementary within the year.
Tertulien and Arceneaux center each book club session around a theme. Students complete a self-guided activity to supplement their reading; for their “self image” meeting, students each shared a board with pictures, words and colors that represent them before moving into discussion. Before presenting, students share a snack, usually one relating to an assigned book or its culture. They tried jambalaya, for example, after reading Bayou Magic.
“We start by asking ‘How does the main character show Black Girl Magic,’ and allow for answer and conversation. Then we go into the Black Lives Matter guiding principles. We ask, ‘How did Black villages show up? How did empathy show up?” Arceneaux said.
Arceneaux said they are trying to teach “value magic” through these exercises. Students learn to value characters who look like themselves and their classmates while reflecting on their own “magic.”
The club is open to any student in grades three through five, regardless of identity. Tertulien said open registration is important and intentional, since every student should be exposed to Black female role models.
“Regardless of gender or race, we want to start by humanizing Black girls to everyone,” Tertulien said.
Ruth Young is a facilitator for the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Program at District 65, a monthly seminar that works to build a stronger and more equitable community. Arceneaux and Tertulien completed the interviews that inspired Black Girl Magic book club through the program.
Young said that clubs like Black Girl Magic are exactly what she wants to come out of the Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity Program.
“It really helps students feel a sense of belonging and feel seen,” Young said. “In many of the classrooms that they’re in they have to put on a mask. In Black Girl Magic, they were able to celebrate themselves and be celebrated.”
Arceneaux and Tertulien added that children of many identities, not just Black girls, have not seen themselves represented in children’s books.
In a recent discussion, Arceneaux said the group talked about a version of “Cinderella,” featuring a Black main character and an Asian prince. That conversation particularly impacted a Filipino student in Arceneaux’s class.
“We talked about how powerful that was, because those two groups are often cast aside and told that they aren’t beautiful,” Arceneaux said. “I saw how his face lit up. He was like ‘I’ve never seen that version. I want to watch it now.’ Through these stories, I’m able to reach children and hear more about their own stories.”
Arceneaux and Tertulien have utilized the book club to facilitate other conversations around identity, as well. Though they said it has been a challenge, the facilitators have tried to find trans affirming and clarifying books, in particular.
Arceneaux said that students recently read “When Aidan Became a Brother,” a picture book about a trans boy named Aidan who was assigned female at birth. During the discussion, she asked her students whether they consider Aidan to embody “Black Girl Magic.”
“They said that’s actually for Aidan to tell,” she said. “We all realized how icky it felt to have those conversations with Aidan’s voice missing from the story. That’s one of the best things that has come up for me –– the kids’ recognizing when a voice isn’t being heard.”
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Walking through the streets of Magical Town Yards feels like being in a magical garden, with the fragrant scent of flowers wafting through the air. In addition to its enchanting aesthetics, Magical Town Yards also offers a range of amenities for its residents. The neighborhood has a clubhouse where residents can gather, relax, and socialize. There are also various recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, tennis courts, and walking trails. These amenities provide residents with the opportunity to lead an active and vibrant lifestyle within the whimsical surroundings of Magical Town Yards. Moreover, the location of Magical Town Yards is another highlight. Situated in Kissimmee, Florida, residents have easy access to a wide range of attractions and amenities. The neighborhood is just a short drive away from Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and other popular theme parks. Additionally, there are numerous shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment options nearby. Overall, Magical Town Yards offers a truly magical living experience. Its architectural charm, whimsical landscaping, and convenient location make it an ideal place to call home. Whether you are looking for a unique community to settle down in or a vacation home that feels like a fairytale getaway, Magical Town Yards is sure to enchant and captivate..
Reviews for "Kissimmee's Hidden Paradise: The Magical Town Yards"
1. Jessica - 2 stars
I recently visited Magical Town Yards in Kissimmee and was quite disappointed with my experience. The place was quite crowded and it felt like I was constantly bumping into people. The attractions were also not very impressive. The rides were old and not well-maintained, and the staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful. Overall, I wouldn't recommend visiting if you're looking for a magical and enjoyable experience.
2. Michael - 1 star
I had high expectations for Magical Town Yards in Kissimmee, but unfortunately, it failed to meet any of them. The park was dirty and poorly maintained. The food options were limited and overpriced. The attractions were boring and lacked any excitement. The staff was rude and unresponsive. It was an overall disappointing and frustrating experience. Save your money and find a better theme park to visit.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
Magical Town Yards in Kissimmee was quite underwhelming. The park felt very outdated and in need of a renovation. The rides were mostly targeted towards younger children, so there wasn't much for adults or older kids to enjoy. The prices for tickets and food were also quite high for what was offered. It was a mediocre experience at best, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you have young kids who are easily entertained.