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October 2019 Vol. 30, No. 10
is Happy, Healthy Children!
In This Issue 4 MomSpeak Roundup 6 Why Do Some Kids Love School? 8 Breast-Cancer Screening Update 10 A New Age for Consent 12 Is Your Kid Bullying? 13 Win It! 14 PreK-8 Indepdent School Survey SpecialKids 15 Autism and the College Quest
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MomSpeak
The MomSpeak Roundup
Moms know things, but not all the same things. So we tap the pool of local mommy bloggers to get you the handiest advice to make your job easier. Find these and others at MetroKids.com/MomSpeak. Pumpkin, pumpkin, where’s the pumpkin? “I need to find a pumpkin.” “Where is the candy corn?” These are pretty common things to say in October, especially if you print out Katie Chiavarone’s Halloween Memory Game to keep the little ones distracted from how long it takes trickor-treat to arrive, even though they spotted the first jack-o-lantern before Labor Day. This simple game (printable from Katie’s Views From a Step Stool blog) allows even pre-readers to test their memory by matching bats, spiders, ghosts and other Halloween icons. Happy Halloween Hunting!
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How to deal with school refusal The year is new and already your child has started to refuse to go to school. Mornings are hard enough. How do you cope when each involves an argument before your kid even gets out of bed? “It’s exhausting,” says Lisa Lightner, a special education advocate who writes the A Day in Our Shoes blog. “I’ve seen what can transpire in the worst situations (observing clients). My heart really goes out to you because I can see how stressful it is.” Lisa provides eight tips for parents, from trying to figure out the source of the refusal to getting up to speed on truancy laws.
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Why Do Some Kids Love School? What makes children want to learn and love school … and still be successful? Answers vary for different kids, but research points to some key ingredients of progressive education, as outlined by Kate Kerrane, teacher and educational director of grades 5-8 at NCCL School in Newark, DE. • Learning is active, not passive. Kids ask questions they care about, about things that matter to them. Building skills feels meaningful and useful to students who can apply them in real life. • Making academic mistakes is safe; instead of feeling negatively about them, students are supported in growing from them. Students are challenged at a developmentally appropriate level. • Understanding is deeper than tests and scores. Project-based learning focuses on process and substance, not just answers. • Students are part of a caring community in which members learn to consider the impact of each person’s actions on others. • Children feel safe and confident expressing themselves in a myriad of ways: formulating insightful research questions, experimenting with a new artistic medium, or educating others in the school community about matters they’ve passionately investigated.
A Progressive Approach
What do these key ingredients look like in a school program? NCCL School, the only Progressive-designated school in Delaware, empowers children in grades K-8 for life, based on the philosophy articulated by education theorist John Dewey, “Education is not preparation for life but is life itself.” The entire school experience itself impacts and helps shape the student. As a Progressive School, NCCL School does so by building an educational community where subjects, lessons and skills connect to real problem solving and where positive, mutual relationships are woven throughout the process and outcomes. Kerrane refers to the importance of “social-emotional growth and joyful rigor at the heart of the student experience.” For instance: • In their multiage classrooms, a first grader teaches a new kindergartener how to perform the coveted job of taking attendance. This routine combines reading each name on the roster with a greeting in a foreign language. • Another student teaches a new classmate how to measure the outside temperature and report it to the class as the meteorologist. • “Museums” are conducted at the end of some academic units so that students can demonstrate or teach their findings to others. • Kids run school-wide meetings, where it’s not unusual for a 6-year-old to propose the creation of a nature kitchen or other long-term project spinning off from a science unit.
6 MetroKids.com
A Job to Do
Jobs and roles are taken seriously in building the community network, and they’re foundational in establishing civic attitudes, individual voice, and democratic behaviors. Seventh and eighth graders at NCCL School have two-hour apprenticeships every week with their commercial and non-profit mentors. Leading up to this enviable opportunity — whether at a restaurant on Main Street, a local Newark business, or a department of interest at the University of Delaware — the kids have already learned to research local commerce, prepare job applications, and practice interviewing, thereby acquiring a host of skills needed for successful participation in adult leadership roles. They gain on-the-job experience that translates directly into future competencies and learning. The “Big Give” allows middle schoolers to pursue a major challenge about which they’re deeply concerned. They research it, connect with stakeholders, analyze options, develop a mission statement as well as a plan for contributing toward a solution, and tackle it. In doing so, they’re honing and applying skills in communications, economics, math, history and science, all while building an effective executive function. Each student starts with about $50 and learns quickly how to leverage that into a meaningful course of action.
Standards for Future Success
Progressive education may sound idealistic, but it is rooted in research-based practices established over a century. NCCL School’s progressive structure ensures that students meet rigorous, standards-grounded curriculum in a way that’s responsive to their needs, strengths and challenges. Teachers provide comprehensive feedback in the form of conferencing, project evaluation, and narrative reports. Although NCCL School students don’t take standardized tests or receive letter grades, their skills ensure that they perform in that realm as well. NCCL School, founded in 1971, is proud that over 90 percent of their graduates are on the honor roll at their chosen high schools in the first marking period after their transition; that graduates are selected by superintendents and deans to serve in advisory positions; and that post-academic alumni serve in community and career leadership roles. Best educational practices have long reflected — as Plutarch reputedly noted some 2000 years ago — that “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” Education at NCCL School is generating a lot of heat and light.
Small Classes. Big Ideas.
ncclschool.com OCTOBER 2019
At NCCL School, our teachers focus on process, At NCCL, not just product. our teachers focus on process, not product.
Compare progressive education to traditional schools at an NCCL School Compare NCCL to traditional schools at Open House ncclschool.com/progressive-education
Nov. 3, 2-4 p.m. Open5,Houses: Nov. 9-11 a.m. Nov. 12, 2-4 & Nov. 14, 9-11
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MetroKids.com 7
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Health
When to Get Screened What are the guidelines now for breast-cancer screening?
By Kimberly Blaker Screenings are an important means for detecting breast cancer, hopefully in its early stages. But screening guidelines change so October, as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, is a perfect time to update yourself on the latest recommendations.
Self exams out, doctor exams in
Women were once encouraged to do a monthly self-examination, but a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute in 2002 concluded self-examination played no role in improving cancer detection. It also found the extensive teaching of self-examination led to an increase in benign breast biopsies. Clinical breast exams, however, are still recommended. For women with average risk factors, these should be done every one to three years starting at age 20. Then annually starting at 40. Women with greater risk factors should have exams more often.
The evolution of mammography
Mammography was once believed to be one of the most crucial tools for early detection. Early trials found mammography reduced breast cancer death rates by
25 percent. But Peggy Orenstein points out in her 2013 New York Times article, “The Feel-Good War on Breast Cancer,” such statistics have overstated mammography’s role in the reduction of breast cancer death rates because the increased use of mammograms occurred along with much-improved treatments. Medical experts now believe treatments likely played a greater role in reducing deaths.
For this reason, mammograms have come under fire in recent years as more studies question the usefulness of mammograms, at least for younger women. One reason is because it’s now known there are at least four types and subtypes of breast cancer. Mammography often doesn’t detect the more lethal types until they’re in the later stages. Also, mammograms result in significant overdiagnosis
Mammogram Recommendations from American Cancer Society For women at average risk for breast cancer
EVERY YEAR
Age 40-44
Age 45-54
Age 55 and up
Women have the choice to start annual breast cancer screening with mammograms.
Women should get annual mammograms.
Women can switch to mammograms every two years, or continue yearly screening, as long as she is expected to live 10 years or more.
that leads to unnecessary treatment, which comes with its own risks.
The dilemma of DCIS
Consider the case of DCIS. “Ductal carcinoma in-situ [DCIS] is also referred to as noninvasive, or Stage 0 breast cancer,” says Dr. Deanna Attai, president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. “It is primarily diagnosed by screening mammogram, as it often does not form a palpable lump. “DCIS accounts for approximately 20 percent of mammographically detected breast cancers. As screening mammography has become more prevalent, the rate of DCIS detection has increased.” Some medical experts, however, say DCIS is not really a cancer at all and treating it as a cancer results in overly aggressive treatment. The likelihood of low-grade DCIS developing into invasive breast cancer is only 16 percent, says Dr. Attai, while high-grade DCIS has a 60 percent chance over 10 years. The problem is there’s no way to determine which cases of DCIS will ultimately develop into breast cancer.
Age-dependent mammograms
There is much debate among medical and cancer organizations about the recommended frequency of mammography screening, particularly among women ages 40 and up. The American Cancer Society recommends women with average risk have annual mammograms from ages 45 to 54. After that, every two years, as long as they’re in good health with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. The American College of Physicians, however, says the potential harm from mammograms outweighs the benefits for most average-risk women under 50.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer.
8 MetroKids.com
OCTOBER 2019
THE
MOVE TO LEARN
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https://sites.udel.edu/move2learn/current-projects
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At Girl Scouts, she’ll have endless opportunities to get outdoors, At Girl Scouts, she’ll have endless inspiring her to seek adventures opportunities to get outdoors, and overcome challenges so she inspiring her to seek adventures and can create her own success— overcome challenges so she can whatever that looks like to her. create her own success—whatever Here she’ll discover she is, that looks like towho her. Here she’ll what she’s passionate about, discover who she is, what and she’s what she wants about, to achieve—both passionate and what she todaywants and in future. today and to the achieve—both in the future. BECOME A GIRL SCOUT AT gscb.org/join 800.341.4007 BECOMEorAcall GIRL SCOUT AT
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Education
A New Age for Consent More states now require middle and high schoolers to be taught about consent, but it’s a lesson parents can teach boys and girls from a young age. By Terri Akman Parents today realize that “the talk” is much more than it may have been for their generation. In fact, it is not a single talk at all, but a series of lessons about consent that starts with boys and girls in preschool and continues through high school. Many states, spurred by the cultural impact of #MeToo, adopted laws that require schools to teach consent. In New Jersey, consent is addressed in grades 6 through 12 and in Delaware, starting next fall, in grades 7 through 12. In April, PA State Senator Andy Dinniman introduced legislation to require consent education in the K-12 curriculum. Since one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they turn 18, it is best if parents talk to their kids about consent at home when they are young, but that’s often not the case. “Parents often wait for their kids to bring the topic up, in the way that, if my child ever wants to talk about this, I’m here, open and available,” says Brendon Jobs, director of diversity and inclusion at the Haverford School. It’s a well-intended plan, but if the right
10 MetroKids.com
time never arises it is too easy to put off a conversation that neither parent nor child relishes. “It’s about making intentional space and being brave enough to be proactive,” Jobs says. “It may even make your kids a little uncomfortable to get them to think about some of these issues.” Because Hilary Platt has heard students say things like “She dresses like a slut, she deserved it,” and “My boyfriend hits me, but it’s okay,” she knows about the need to teach consent. “These are really important statements, because if one person is saying it, more people are thinking it,” says Platt, coordinator and case manage for Project SARAH (Stop Abusive Relationships at Home) through Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern New Jersey.
Consent is more than sexual
You should start to talk about consent very early with kids, even as toddlers, says Meghan Walls, pediatric psychologist at Nemours A.I. duPont Hospital. “There’s a lot more to consent than just sexual consent,” she says. With preschoolers you can point out that this
is your own body, this is your space and people can’t touch you without asking. “I encourage parents to talk to kids at a young age about boundaries,” she says. Parents can say things things like “If you don’t want to be hugged by another kid you can say ‘This is my space and I don’t want you in my space,’” Walls says. “Or, ‘What are the things we need to ask permission for before we go up to another person — if I can hug them, if I can touch them, even if I can share their belongings.’” Walls encourages parents to role play what it sounds like when someone wants you to hug them or share something. Is the answer an enthusiastic “yes” or does the child turn his back, mumble “no” or appear uncomfortable? “Even if you are ‘bothering’ the child you say no to, that is your right. Your body and your space and things like physical hugs are okay to say no to.” One critical change in the conversation is that the prevailing rule of sexual consent – No Means No — is shifting to Yes Means Yes, which protects someone incapacitated or even too shy to say no. When someone says yes, it’s clear they are giving consent. Parents should teach their children that only a verbal affirmative answer means yes, and anything else means they should either ask again if they aren’t sure, or take it as a no, says Walls. “Parents can role play how to talk about their feelings, such as, ‘I felt sad that Katie didn’t want to hug me,’ but not have to act on those feelings,” she adds. “When we start these conversations early, we set the pathways to a better understanding of boundaries.” Walls says research shows that talking about sex education as early as elementary school doesn’t do any harm. “It doesn’t make kids more promiscuous, but it does get rid of the mythology and excitement around the unknown, by parents having that conversation.”
OCTOBER 2019
mk
Education
A dad’s advice
Jason Z., 40, from Wilmington, agrees. When his sons Westen, 10, and Isaac, 8, were toddlers, he talked about consent but didn’t use that word. “I tried to teach them not just don’t hit or bite, but a lesson about not to violate someone’s personal space,” he says. “I talked about self-ownership and how it feels to be hurt or how it feels when someone touches you and you didn’t agree to it. Golden rule stuff.” Those lessons are confirmed in their Brazilian jujitsu classes, which include a non-verbal part of training when they must do a two-touch system to verify that each partner is ready to engage. “They understand their bodies are capable of harm and using that capability in a responsible way is very important,” he says. The boys learned how those lessons applied in romantic ways when their dad began dating after his wife passed away. “It was a woman the boys already knew and they saw our physical relationship change,” he says. “They had seen me and their mom kiss and hug but we never explained that it was part of a deeper agreement and promise we had made to each other. So it opened up an opportunity for me to talk to them more specifically about romantic consent.”
Learn from mistakes
Eva (not her real name), 18, from Mount Laurel, NJ, hopes tweens and teens will learn from the mistakes she made when, during the summer between 7th and 8th grade, friends coerced her to sext. “Middle school was when we started to see more pressure from children,” recalls her mom, who believes kids lose sight of the dangers in a quest to be popular. She noticed behavioral changes in her daughter and sensed that something wasn’t right. She looked in her phone and discovered compromising photos. “Some teens think it’s the norm and don’t realize there’s anything wrong with it,” she adds. “Sexting is violating their boundaries and another form of abuse.” After finding the pictures, Eva and her mom talked about the do’s and don’t’s of sexting and how it’s illegal. Eva went into counseling to begin the healing process. Her mom has already started conversations with her 3-yearold son about consent, but in language he can understand. “We use words such as ‘my body,’ ‘my space,’ and ‘no touch,’” she says. “Just knowing that it’s his personal body is huge.” A lot has changed in the 15-year gap between her kids. When her daughter was little and a relative would ask for a hug, she encouraged her to hug the person. Now, when she finds her son in a similar situation, she lets him decide if he wants to hug the person or not. “We have to have these conversations with our children about their bodies and boundaries and caring for themselves, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation,” she says. “My daughter is still healing from that experience. She has come very far and is helping her fellow teenage friends with this topic.” Terri Akman is a contributing writer to MetroKids.
OCTOBER 2019
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Parenting
Is Your Kid Bullying? What to do if your child is the one tormenting someone else. By Michele Haddon What if your kid is the bully? First of all, don’t call him that, says Mandy Mundy, senior director of programs and services at the Network of Victim Assistance of Bucks County, PA. “It’s important to remember that when anybody, especially children, engage in actions and behaviors that are defined as bullying, that we don’t in turn define the child as a bully,” says Mundy. “Sometimes those labels stick with a child for the rest of their lives” even if they stop bullying.
Look for signs
If you aren’t alerted by the school or another parent, how would you know? For one thing, take time to listen to your kids, says Dr. Stuart Green, director of the New Jersey Coalition for Bullying Awareness and Prevention. “Parents should ask about their children’s interests and lives,” Green says. “What constitutes a lot of discourse between parents and their children comes from transmitting their values and interests to their kids rather than listening to their kids talk about what is happening in their lives.” Mundy says to ask open-ended questions about her day: “What was one good thing that happened during the day? What was something that made you sad or upset? What was something that was challenging?” Maybe she’ll acknowledge that nobody plays or eats lunch with her. That might signal she’s being bullied but it could also mean she’s doing the bullying.
Set expectations, consequences
Make sure your child knows what bully behavior looks like. “Kids need to have examples of what a bully does and doesn’t do. You have to be specific about the behavior,” says Dr. Patricia Scott, director of strategic partnerships and grants at Beau Biden Foundation in Wilmington, DE. See if he can identify it in real life.
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“This can start out with questions about other people’s bullying behavior (which can be examples from TV, internet, social media), and, increasingly, bring the query to the more personal — questions about the child’s own experience with bullying, either being bullied or being the bully,” says Mark B. Borg, Jr., PhD, a psychologist/psychoanalyst in New York City. When expectations are broken, set consequences tied to the behavior. “If the child engages in cyberbullying, take away the cell phone or use of social media. If it’s bullying on the playground, work with the school to substitute recess for extra library time,” says Mundy. This also makes it harder for that form of bullying to continue.
Look for a cause
“After you’ve addressed it, you also need to understand where that’s coming from,” Scott explains. “There’s always a reason behind it. “It’s not always a good one, it may be unjustified, but if you can understand what led to it, you can change the bullying behavior.” Bullying is a power struggle — whether emotionally, socially or physically, Mundy says. One possibility is your child is being bullied himself, is feeling misunderstood at school or has an unidentified learning disability.
OCTOBER 2019
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Parenting
“If they feel like somebody else is taking power away from them, they may engage in bullying behaviors against somebody else to feel powerful themselves and to feel in control of another situation,” Mundy explains. “Or if they have trouble learning in school, if they have trouble focusing in school, that sense of lack of control sometimes turns outwardly to aggressive behaviors or bullying behaviors.”
Teach, show empathy
Learning to build and maintain healthy relationships begins at home. “Children learn from watching. How we not only interact with the members within our household, but also with the people we see in our community, the people we see in our
mk children’s school, also impacts what children see and learn from us,” explains Mundy. Teaching empathy from a young age can help decrease bullying behaviors, says Claudine Malone, program director at Beau Biden Foundation. “Say to them, ‘When you hurt somebody, when you say something hurtful, they feel it. You don’t know what other kids are dealing with,’ ” Malone suggests. Sometimes, despite everything you’ve tried, the bullying behavior may continue. If so, seek outside help. Don’t let the fear of labels stop you, Mundy warns. “We’re not always the expert in helping our child solve problems,” she asserts. “So, if the things you try to redirect your child’s bullying behaviors don’t seem to be working, seek help from a school guidance counselor, an independent mental health counselor, or even another trusted family member.” Michele Haddon is a freelance writer based in Doylestown, PA.
OCTOBER 2019
Win It!
GHOULISH GOODIES
Wands at the ready! The Harry Potter Spellcasters Game calls on players to put their observational skills to the test as they cast and recognize spells to earn the coveted Barnabus Finkley Prize for Exceptional Spell-casting — or in Muggle terms, bragging rights. (Pressman; 6+; $14.99) Which famous troublemaker are you? Take on the role of a Disney villain and strive to achieve your wicked objective with the Villainous game, where you’ll discover your unique abilities while dealing twists of fate to your opponents. (Ravensburger; 10+; $24.99) Log on to MetroKids.com/winit and enter to win your favorite prize, beginning Oct. 1.
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2019-2020 PREK-8 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SURVEY
Those first years of school can be so important. Fortunately, there are many independent schools in Delaware that can set your child off on the right foot. But with so many options, it can be difficult to decide which school is the best fit for your family. To help, we offer our 30th annual Independent School Survey for grades PreK-8. In the chart below, you’ll find information about school size and type, tuition, world languages and special services.
Tuition is listed as a range, as described in the accompanying key. You can also find this information and more at Metrokids.com/educationguide, where you can sort by school, state, county, grades of school and gender. We are always looking for ways to improve our listings, so please send suggestions to editor@metrokids.com.
KEY TUITION: $ = < $10,000 $$ = $10,000-$20,000 $$$ = $20,000-$30,000 $$$$ = > $30,000
LANGUAGES OFFERED: CH= Chinese FR= French GE= German
HE= Hebrew LA= Latin SP= Spanish
SERVICES XXX = Enrollment
= Accommodates disabilities = Summer camp, school or program
Albert Einstein Academy, Wilmington (Jewish); Einsteinday.org; Grades K-5; Coed; 35 $-$$; HE; CACC Montessori, (Montessori) Hockessin; Caccmont.org; Grades PreK-K; Coed; 90 CH; Caravel Academy, (Nonsectarian) Bear; Caravel.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 1,200 $; FR, SP; Central Delaware Christian Academy, (Christian) Dover; Cdcacademy.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 80 $; Foreign Language Enrichment; Centreville Layton School, (Nonsectarian) Centreville; Centrevillelayton.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 92 $$$; FR, SP; Delaware Valley Classical School, The, (Christian) New Castle; Delawarevalleyclassicalschools.org; Grades K-12; 177 $-$$; GR, LA, SP; Fairwinds Christian School, (Christian) Bear; Fcsknights.com; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 160 $; SP; Gateway Lab School, (Nonsectarian) Wilmington; Gatewaylabschool.org; Grades 3-8; Coed; 210 $0; Hockessin Montessori School, The , (Montessori) Hockessin; Thehms.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 135 $$; SP; Independence School, The, (Nonsectarian) Newark; Theindependenceschool.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 460 $ -$$; CH, FR, LA, SP; Jefferson School, The, (Nonsectarian) Georgetown; Jeffersonschool.com; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 109 $$; SP; Mount Aviat Academy, (Catholic) Childs, MD; Mountaviat.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 225 $; FR; NCCL School, (Progressive) Newark; Ncclschool.com; Grades K-8; Coed; 80 $$; SP Independent, progressive elementary and middle school that provides a rich academic foundation while fostering confident thinkers. Red Lion Christian Academy, (Christian) Bear; Redlionca.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 425 $; SP Saint Anne’s Episcopal School, (Christian) Middletown; Stannesde.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 265 $-$$; SP; Saint Anthony of Padua, (Catholic) Wilmington; Sapgs.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 225 $-$$; SP Saint Edmond’s Academy, Wilmington; Stedmondsacademy.org; Grades PreK-8; Boys; 243 $-$$; SP; Sanford School, (Nonsectarian) Hockessin; Sanfordschool.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 351 $-$$$; FR, LA, SP; Tatnall School, The, (Nonsectarian) Wilmington; Tatnall.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 550 $$-$$$; FR, LA, SP; School provides a strong, balanced foundation with exceptional academics and athletics, unparalleled arts and authentic relationships. Tome School, The, (Nonsectarian) North East, MD; Tomeschool.org; Grades K-12; Coed; 450 $; CH,FR, LA, SP Tower Hill School, (Nonsectarian) Wilmington; Towerhill.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 800 $$-$$$; CH, FR, LA, SP; Ursuline Academy, (Catholic) Wilmington; Ursuline.org; Grades PreK-5-Coed, Girls (6 up); 275 $-$$$; FR, LA, SP; Wilmington Christian School, (Christian) Hockessin; Wilmingtonchristian.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 155 $-$$; GE, SP; Wilmington Friends School, (Quaker) Wilmington; Wilmingtonfriends.org; Grades PreK-12; Coed; 415 $-$$$; CH, FR, SP; Quaker school; Malone Scholar school; International Baccalaureate program; STEM/Design labs; CH program and solar-power system. Wilmington Montessori School, (Montessori) Wilmington; Wmsde.org; Grades PreK-8; Coed; 190 $-$$$; SP; Collaborative learning community rooted in Montessori principles on 25-acre campus; new middle school program.
MetroKids.com/educationguide 14 MetroKids.com
OCTOBER 2019
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Autism and the College Quest If their academics can get them admitted and there’s support when they enroll, students with autism can succeed. By Debra Wallace When Jane M.’s son, Ben, was 13 months old he was diagnosed with autism and his parents became sleep-deprived and emotional wrecks. As they tried to grasp the enormity of their “new normal” the Philadelphia parents asked themselves daunting questions: “Is Ben ever going to talk?” “Will he go to school?” “Over the years, how much progress will he make?” Now age 17 and a high school senior, Ben, along with his parents, meets with school guidance counselors as they embark on campus tours like other families that navigate the path to college. This is an overwhelming task for parents of neuro-typical teens, but when a high school student also has an autism diagnosis, the complicated college admissions process can feel like learning to run a marathon. “We have raised a very independent young man, who knows he has autism,
but he doesn’t use it as a crutch,” Jane says. “We have always tried to push him to reach his potential, but at the end of the day I can’t believe my baby may be going to college three hours away from us.” With 1 in 59 children diagnosed with autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and as this population grows older, their parents need to figure out the often bumpy road to college, internships and employment.
Don’t write it off
Should parents even consider college for a teen who has an autism diagnosis? “Absolutely. Everyone has a different strength and brings something new to the table,” says Amy Edwards, EdD, director of the Drexel University Autism Support program. “It is important that each of us embrace people’s differences.” Kathy Miller, director of community services for the Institute on Disabilities for Temple University, advises parents of
“The problem is that sometimes educators don’t even ask high shcool students who have differences if they want to go to college.” OCTOBER 2019
high school students who have autism or another disability to pursue the college path the same way as their neuro-typical peers. “The problem is that sometimes educators don’t even ask high school students who have differences if they want to go to college, so parents and students need to know that there are many opportunities out there,” Miller said. “The student, the family and those at the high school level all need to provide support.” Most college applications do not ask if the student has autism, so the students must decide if or when to identify themselves. Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was amended in 2008 and broadened the definition of disabilities, more students are identifying themselves to educators and programs, says Erin Leuthold, director of Disability Services at Rutgers-Camden. Drexel University is “test flexible, but not test-optional.” This means that depending on the major, the student may need Advanced Placement courses, SAT scores, entrance exams, or another gauge of the students’ abilities. However, even if their academics are good enough to get them admitted, that doesn’t guarantee success. Many 18-yearolds, with or without autism, simply aren’t ready for college.
Continued on p. 17 MetroKids.com 15
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Child Care & Early Education Directory
FY: Full Year AY: Academic Year SP: Summer Program MP: Meals Provided
BS: Before School AS: After School DA: Diapers Accepted TP: Transportation Provided
SN: Special Needs DHS*: Licensed: Dept. of Health & Human Svcs. DE*: Licensed: Dept. of Education DYF: Licensed: Dept. of Youth & Family Serv.
DE★: Delaware Stars Participant NAEYC: Accredited—National Assoc. of Education of Young Children PAIS: Accredited—PA Assoc. of Independent Schools MSCES: Accredited—Middle States Commission on Elementary Schools * Note: DHS License: requires annual on-site visits. DE License: 20% of all facilities are inspected annually. MSA: Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges
MULTIPLE SITES
HOCKESSIN, NEW CASTLE COUNTY
PIKE CREEK, NEW CASTLE COUNTY
GREAT NEW BEGINNINGS 14 St. Andrews Rd., Bear, DE 302-838-1000 210 Cleaver Farm Rd., Middletown, DE • 302-378-5555 GNBKids.com Ages: 8 wks.-School Age • Hours: 6:30am-6pm Serving children 8 weeks through 12 years old. Family owned and operated since 1999. Staff certified through Department of Education. Internet viewing available. Nutritional snack and lunch program provided daily. Proudly participating in the Delaware Stars Quality Rating System. Panic Button Security System. GREAT NEWS! Middletown location NOW OPEN. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, SN, DE, DE H, NAEYC
CACC MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1313 Little Baltimore Rd., Hockessin, DE 302-239-2917 •Caccmont.org Ages: 3 mos. to K • Hours: 7am-6pm The Montessori program at CACC is child directed with individualized instruction and a low student/teacher ratio. Our Enrichments include Chinese Instruction, Gardening, Library, Art, Gym (Zumba & Yoga), Music, and Technology. Preprimary students can also elect to participate in after school activities such as Ballet, Drama, Soccer, Science Club and Piano lessons. AY, SP, BS/AS, DA, DYF, AMS
INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL, THE 1300 Paper Mill Rd. Newark, DE 302-239-0332 • TheIndependenceSchool.org Ages: 3 yrs.-K – Hours: 7am-6pm Early Childhood is the first step of the exceptional Independence School Education. Children engage in developmentally appropriate learning experiences which contribute to their social, emotional and intellectual development. All faculty hold bachelor’s degrees in education with specific expertise in early childhood education. Fulltime nurse on campus. AY, SP, BS, AS, DE, MSCES
THE HOCKESSIN MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1000 Old Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 302-234-1240 •TheHMS.org Ages: 1 yr.-13 yrs. • Hours: 8am-3pm The school program follows the Montessori Method and emphasizes mathematics, language, humanities, arts and sciences while stressing life skills. All levels participate in enrichment subjects including STEM, art, library, computers, Spanish, music and physical education, which are developmentally appropriate for the age and ability. AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, PAIS, AMS, MSA
WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY
KIDZ, INK ACADEMY OF EARLY ACADEMICS 1 Songsmith Dr., Bear, DE • 302-838-1500 1703 Porter Rd., Bear, DE • 302-838-5400 345 School Bell Rd., Bear, DE • 302-327-0686 645 W. North St., Dover, DE • 302-730-4730 616 W. Glenwood Ave., Smyrna, DE • 302-653-4034 KidzEarlyLearning.com Ages: 6 wks.-11 yrs. • Hours: 6am-6:30pm Our curriculum is designed to stimulate your child’s mind, strengthen their bodies, and nurture their hearts. National curriculum: core knowledge. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Spanish degreed and experienced teachers, security cameras monitor every room. FY, SP, MP, BS, AS, TP, DE, DYF, DA, DE ★ LITTLE STARS INC. 5702 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilmington, DE • 302-995-2920 947 Old Harmony Rd., Newark, DE • 302-737-9759 Littlestarsinc.com Ages: 6 wks.-12 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6pm Come Join the Fun here at Little Stars. Two locations serving children 6 wks. to 12 yrs. Full day. Family-owned & operated. Warm, qualified staff teaches basic education concepts. Pre-school for ages 3 & 4. First aid & CPR. Breakfast, lunch & snack. FY, AY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DYF YMCA OF DELAWARE 100 W. 10th St., Ste. 1100, Wilmington, DE 302-221-9622 • Ymcade.org Ages: 6 wks.-13 yrs. At the YMCA, we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why child care and early learning programs at the Y focus on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to learn fundamental skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-esteem through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We offer a variety of programs throughout the state including Before and After School Care, Preschool and Summer camp. Bear-Glasgow, 302-836-9622 • BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Brandywine, 302-478-9622 • half-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Middletown, 302-616-9622 • before and after care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Central, 302-254-9622 • full-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Sussex, 302-296-9622 • half-day preschool, extended care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Dover, 302-346-9622 • before and after care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Walnut St., 302-472-9622 • full-day preschool, BS, AS, SP, DE ★ Western, 302-453-0123 • full-day preschool, before and after care, BS, AS, SP, DE ★
16 MetroKids.com
NEWARK, NEW CASTLE COUNTY EARLY LEARNING CTR. AT UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, THE 489 Wyoming Rd. Newark, DE 302-831-6205 •Elc.udel.edu Ages: 6 wks.-5 yrs. – Hours: 7am-6pm The UD Early Learning Centers provide high quality care and education programs for children and their families by establishing a model for exceptional practices for future early educators. Because the ELC is associated with the University of Delaware, children and their families benefit from clinical placements and current research on best practices in early childhood. SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, NAEYC EDU-CARE PRESCHOOL & DAYCARE 345 Polly Drummond Hill Rd., Newark, DE 302-453-7326 • Educarepreschool.com Ages: 6 wks.-12 yrs. • Hours: 6:30am-6pm Edu-Care provides both a nurturing and academic atmosphere. We offer a variety of scheduling options. Feel free to stop in at any time for a tour or contact us for more information. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, TP, DHS*, DE NEWARK DAY NURSERY AND CHILDREN’S CENTER 921 Barksdale Rd., Newark, DE 302-731-4925 • Newarkdaynursery.org Ages: 6 wks.-14 yrs. • Hours: 6:45am-6pm NAEYC Accredited & DE Stars Level 5. Dedicated to educating, enriching and inspiring children. Highly trained, professional, and experienced teachers, providing a quality program in a warm, family-friendly environment. Developmentally appropriate activities, computers, and separate toddler, preschool and school-age playgrounds provided. POC Accepted. Offers Financial aid in the form of a sliding fee scale. FY, SP, MP, BS, AS, DA, DYF, NAEYC, DE ★ ONE STEP AHEAD CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL, INC. 432 Salem Church Rd., Newark, DE•302-292-1162 Ages: 1 yr.-12 yrs. • Hours: 7am-6pm Devoted, skilled staff assist your child with age-appropriate weekly themed curriculum to enhance their self-esteem and love of learning. All staff CPR and First Aid certified. All teachers are Board of Education certified. Spacious indoor and outdoor play areas. Secured premises. All classrooms video monitored. Breakfast, lunch and snacks. Full-time and part-time options. Before- and after-school programs serving Thurgood Marshall and McVey School. Sibling discount. Summer camp with weekly field trips. FY, AY, SP, BA, AS, DA, DHS*
CONCORD PRESCHOOL AND CHILDCARE 1800 Fairfax Blvd., Wilmington, DE 302-654-9629 • Concordpreschoolandchildcare.com Ages: 1 yr.- 9yrs. • Hours: 7:15am-5:45pm Our small class sizes enable valuable one-on-one instruction. Caring teachers and rich curriculum including Computer Tots, Spanish, Music and Gym. Serving ages 1 year through Kindergarten. Summer to age 9. FT, PT, Extended, 7:15am5:45pm. Founded in 1956. Financial aid, Parent volunteer opportunities available. FY, SP, BS, AS, DA, DHS* ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 2320 Grubb Rd., Wilmington, DE 19810 302-475-3747 • Stdavidsdayschoolde.org stdavidskidsde@outlook.com Ages: 2,3, & 4 (must have reached age by August 31 if starting school in September) Hours: Preschool 9-12; Full day 7:30 – 5:45 A St. David’s Episcopal Church outreach, conveniently located in Brandywine Hundred. Develop- mental Movement class daily, developmentally appropriate curriculum. 2 playgrounds, weekly chapel services. Staff certified CPR & First Aid. Some financial aid . Preschool 9am-12pm; Full day 7:30-5:45; 2, 3 or 5 day options. POC and credit cards accepted. Parent volunteer opportunitites and financial aid available. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, TP, SN, DHS*, DYF, NAEYC, PAIS, MSCES, AMS ST. MICHAEL’S SCHOOL AND NURSERY 700 N. Walnut St., Wilmington, DE 302-656-3389 • Stmichaelsde.org Ages: 8wks-PreSchool • Hours: 7am -5:30 pm A 5-Star rated early education center with a recently expanded Infant and Toddler Program convenient to all downtown Wilmington employers. High quality, nurturing environment that prepares children to learn and succeed in school. Large facility with 16 classrooms, gross motor play rooms, dining room, library and spacious, age-appropriate outdoor play areas. Fresh, nutritious meals prepared daily. Our “whole child” approach supports children’s social-emotional, physical, language and cognitive needs. St. Michael’s values diversity, qualified faculty and family involvement. Vouchers accepted. FY, MP, DA, DHS, DE, DYF, DE ★ TOWER HILL SCHOOL 2813 W. 17th Street, Wilmington, DE 19806 302-575-0550 • Towerhill.org Ages: Age 3-Grade 12 • Hours: 8am -3pm Tower Hill’s preschool provides young learners with a quality education in a warm and supportive environment. Understanding that children gain knowledge through play, nurturing teachers emphasize engaging activities that allow students to explore, experiment and discover the world around them. AY, SP, MP, BS/AS, PAIS
MetroKids.com OCTOBER 2019
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Child Care & Early Education Dir.
WILMINGTON, NEW CASTLE COUNTY (CONT.) URSULINE ACADEMY 1106 Pennsylvania Ave., Wilmington, DE 302-658-7158 • Ursuline.org Ages 3-18 • Hours: 8am-2:45pm Our Early Childhood Programs are unique from any other school by offering two paths to First Grade: Pre-Kindergarten/ Kindergarten & Montessori. Children develop social consciousness by responding to personal, community, & global needs, and by becoming true models of Serviam through Christian love. Full & Half Day/Week Options. AY, SP, BS, AS, DAIS, ADVIS, NAIS
2019 Season
Family Owned Since 1860
Wilmington, DE
WILMINGTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL 1400 Harvey Rd., Wilmington, DE 302-475-0555 • wmsde.org • dmissions@wmsde.org Ages: 12 mos.-12 yrs. • Hours: 7am-6pm Students follow their passions, discover initiative from within and take ownership of their learning; a place that embraces the power of technology for teaching, exploring, engaging and collaborating. With a diverse student body and a challenging curriculum that promotes mutual respect and a global perspective, WMS graduates are prepared to move fearlessly into the world. FY, AY, SP, BS, AS, DA, SN, DYF, NAEYC, DE H, AMS
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SpecialKids
Continued from p. 15
Support programs
At Drexel, once accepted, the student can apply for the Drexel Autism Support program that begins the summer before the student’s freshman year. “Initially, I meet with the students on a weekly basis, help them write task lists, help them become organized so they will schedule enough study time,” Edwards explained. At the University of Delaware, Lubbers says the students meet with an academic coach at least twice a week in order to work on academic skills, executive function, self-care and wellbeing, socialization and more. Parents, meanwhile, should be prepared to step back. “The most successful students have parents who aren’t afraid to let them stumble a little bit,” she says. “So, all of this newfound independence is a learning curve for the parents as well.” However, the student must be willing to ask for help. Taryn Cooper, accommodations assistant for Disability Services at Rutgers-Camden, says students who had an Individualized Education Plan or 504 (medical plan) in high school, often see college as a chance to do it on their own, without putting support services in place. “But they should never be afraid to ask for help or to find resources such as tutors or learning specialists. It all starts with self-advocacy.”
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Pam Lubbers, of the University of Delaware’s new Spectrum Scholars support program, says her advice is the same for any prospective student who may not be ready to leave home and attend a four-year college program. “You don’t have to take the whole plunge,” she said, “If it is more comfortable for you, there is a way to do it step-by-step.” One plan is for the student to start at a community college to see what it feels like to be a college student. “Work on life skills, social skills and group projects,” Lubbers advises. “When nobody is prompting them at home will they brush their teeth, take a shower and do their homework? “If the student doesn’t have this figured out before heading to college, it could be a major challenge.” Many local community colleges, including those in Montgomery and Bucks counties in PA and Burlington County in NJ, have programs to help students with autism.
Open Weekends Sept 21st thru Oct 27th Sat/Sun and Columbus Day 10am - 5pm Open Fridays in October Noon to 5 pm Weekday School Groups by Appointment (Private parties hosted year-round by appointment)
Sept 27 – Nov 9 • Night Events Fri & Sat • 5-to-9 pm
Flashlight corn maze, Bonfires, and Hayrides Details at Ramseysfam.com
Debra Wallace is freelance writer based in Huntingdon Valley, PA.
OCTOBER 2019
MetroKids.com 17
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Family Fun
Hit the fields for apple picking during Fall Festival Weekends at Milburn Orchards.
DAY-BY-DAY CALENDAR Special needs event Truck and Tractor Day
5 Saturday
Seasonal event
$ = $1-$5; $$ = $6-$10; $$$ = $11-$19; $$$$ = $20 & up
1 Tuesday
Museum Playdate: Let's Go to Egypt at the Penn Museum, Phila. Little ones engage in storytime, art activities and gallery exploration. $$
2 Wednesday
Introduction to the Night Sky at Bellevue State Park, Wilmington. FREE
3 Thursday
Storytime in Enchanted Woods at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Wilmington. $$$$ Storytime Sprouts at the Mt. Cuba Center, Hockessin. $$ Caramel-Apple Making and Hayride
11 Friday
4 Friday
Chestertown Harry Potter Festival, Chestertown, MD. Multiple venues host activities that appeal to Muggles of all ages, which in the past has included an outdoor bash, charms classes, movie screenings and a Hogwarts experience. Cost varies The Glow: A Jack-o-Lantern Experience at West Fairmount Park, Phila. Through Nov. 3, wander along a trail of expertly carved pumpkins that depict superheroes, famous Philadelphians and local landmarks. $$$$
5 Saturday
Autumn Hayride
11 & 18 Friday 18 MetroKids.com
Chestertown Harry Potter Festival, Chestertown, MD. See Oct. 4. Cost varies
Fall Family Weekend at Morris Arboretum, Phila. Make a scarecrow, paint pumpkins and sample a variety of apples. $$$ Fall Festival Weekend at Milburn Orchards, Elkton, MD. Month-long activities include pumpkin & apple picking, mazes and farm animals. $$ Fall Foliage Express on the West Chester Railroad, West Chester, PA. $$$$ Fall Harvest Festival at Newlin Grist Mill, Glen Mills, PA. Enjoy 18th-century skill demos, hayrides, pumpkin painting and colonial games. FREE Harvest Moon Festival at the Coverdale Farm Preserve, Greenville. Expect artisan demos, kids’ crafts, farm-animal presentations, pumpkin carving, a corn maze and hayrides. $$ Intro to Rock Climbing at Alapocas Run State Park, Wilmington. $$$$ Midtown Village Fall Festival at 13th & Chestnut Sts, Phila. While parents explore vendor displays, kids are kept busy with performances and activities. FREE Truck and Tractor Day at the Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library, Wilmington. View dozens of tractors, meet firefighters, put out a “fire” with a pumper truck and try on a safety harness and climb a tree. $$$$
See MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information on these and other events. OCTOBER 2019
Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. Cruise over to the Powder Yard to take in foliage, then make themed crafts, watch a gunpowder explosion and see 19th-century machinery in action. $$$ Science of Sorcery at the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington. Skill workshops, themed treats and prizes cast a spell. $$$
13 Sunday
Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 12. $$$$ Family Arts Academy: Magic Storytelling and Rattle Craft at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. FREE Family Second Sunday at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. Activities include family yoga, storytelling and art projects. $$ Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$
FAN OF . . . JACK-O-LANTERNS
From cheery to chilling, pumpkins can be dressed up and decked out in an endless number of ways. You’ll get plenty of ideas during the Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival, Oct. 18 & 19 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. Explore the Pumpkin Trail, complete with 50 creative gourds on display, then enjoy a pumpkindecorating competition, costume contests, trick-ortreating, spooky bumper cars and public skating.
6 Sunday
Fall Family Weekend at Morris Arboretum, Phila. See Oct. 5. $$$ Family Arts Academy: Optical Illusion Paper Sculpture at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. FREE First Sunday Family Day: Art and Movement at the Barnes Foundation, Phila. Practice drawing a live model, make tutus & ribbon wands and learn ballet moves. FREE Steamin' Day at Auburn Valley State Park, Hockessin. Enjoy gas, steam and electric car rides and explore the Auburn Valley Railroad to find out what transportation was like in the turn of the 20th century. $$$
11 Friday
Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. After, relax with a picnic and campfire. $$ Caramel-Apple Making and Hayride at Bellevue State Park, Wilmington. $$$
12 Saturday
Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. Wear your costume to set out on a trick-or-treat safari, wind through the hay maze and explore the not-so-scary “Extinction Graveyard.” $$$$ Ghosts in the Graveyard at Old Swedes Church, Wilmington. Try to solve the mystery of the late-night bell ringing, a local legend told throughout the 19th century. $$$
OCTOBER 2019
National Dog Show Charity Walk at Wilson Farm Park, Wayne, PA. $$$$ Old City Fest at 3rd & Arch Sts., Phila. This event highlights the area’s art, culture and history via demos, live music, fashion shows, a kids’ zone and 100-plus vendors. FREE
17 Thursday
The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. In addition to hayrides, pumpkin painting and entertainment, you’ll view more than 70 pumpkins carved by local artists. $$$ Storytime in Enchanted Woods at the Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Winterthur. $$$$
18 Friday
Autumn Hayride at Brandywine Creek State Park, Wilmington. See Oct. 11. $$ The Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. See “Fan of,” left. $ The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. See Oct. 17. $$
19 Saturday
Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 12. $$$$ Ghosts in the Graveyard at Old Swedes Church, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$ The Great Delaware Pumpkin Carve Festival at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington. See “Fan of,” above left. $ The Great Pumpkin Carve at the Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford, PA. See Oct. 17. $$$ Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$ Vendor Fest at Smith Memorial Playground, Phila. Shop for familyfriendly items. FREE
20 Sunday
Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 12. $$$ Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$
MetroKids.com 19
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Family Fun Family Arts Academy: Accidental Characters at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Phila. Use pigment staining on paper to make spooky or silly characters. FREE Halloween Express on the Wilmington & Western Railroad, Wilmington. Families share the round-trip ride with a friendly witch. Wear a costume to receive discounted admission. $$$ Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$ Sea Witch Festival at Dewey & Rehoboth Beaches. See “Fab Freebie,” left. FREE Seaport Spooktacular at the Independence Seaport Museum, Phila. Trick-or-treat on the decks of the Cruiser Olympia, make a fish-skeleton craft, build a pirate scarecrow and partake in a scavenger hunt. $$$$
28 Monday
Community Night at the Franklin Institute, Phila. FREE
FAB FREEBIE Dewey and Rehoboth Beaches unite to host the family-favorite Sea Witch Festival, Oct. 25-27. Equal parts silly and spooky, highlights include costume and dog parades, a Sea Witch Hunt, trick-or-treat, hayrides and beach games.
25 Friday
Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. Kids trickor-treat alongside favorite storybook characters. $$ Glory of Stories: Halloween Edition at the Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington. Don your costume for a spooky tale and witchy art projects. $ Sea Witch Festival at Dewey & Rehoboth Beaches. See “Fab Freebie,” above. FREE
26 Saturday
Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 12. $$$$ Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. See Oct. 25. $$ CultureFest! Dia de Los Muertos at the Penn Museum, Phila. Celebrate the Mexican holiday with storytelling, face painting, sugar skulls and arts & crafts. $$$ East Passyunk Fall Fest and Spooky Saturday on East Passyunk Avenue, Phila. Festivities include costume contests for kids & dogs, pumpkin decorating, crafts, storytime, live music, trick-or-treat and a scarecrow scavenger hunt. FREE
20 MetroKids.com
Halloween Spooktacular at Verizon Hall, Phila. Performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra. $$$$ Hayrides at the Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington. See Oct. 12. $$$ Sea Witch Festival at Dewey & Rehoboth Beaches. See “Fab Freebie,” above. FREE South Street Fall Pumpkinfest at Headhouse Square, Phila. Family activities include crafts, circus performances, pumpkin putt-putt golf, a straw-bale maze, face painting and a costume contest. FREE Trick-or-Treat Trail at Franklin Square, Phila. FREE
27 Sunday
Bark-or-Treat Trail at Franklin Square, Phila. Bring the family pup for treats, music, photo ops and space to play. FREE Boo at the Zoo at the Philadelphia Zoo, Phila. See Oct. 12. $$$$ Children’s Fantasy Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes. See Oct. 25. $$ Fall Family Day Parade and Picnic at Laurel Hill Cemetery, Phila. $
PERFORMANCES Young Frankenstein at the Walnut Street Theatre, Phila. (pictured) Through Oct. 20. $$$$ The Wizard of Oz at the Delaware Children’s Theatre, Wilmington. Sat. & Sun., Oct. 5-27. $$$ Don Quixote at the Academy of Music, Phila. Oct. 10-20. $$$$ Ghost: The Musical at the Clear Space Theatre, Rehoboth Beach. Oct. 18-27. $$$$ One November Yankee at the Delaware Theatre Company, Wilmington. Oct. 23Nov. 10. $$$$
OCTOBER 2019
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FamilyFun Fun Family
Ultimate Guide to
Fall Fun! Sweater weather is here, apple cider’s flowing and jack-olanterns are perched on every porch. Fall is in full swing, and with it comes an array of harvest and Halloween fun in the Delaware Valley.
KEY: not-so-spooky;
elementary-age eerie;
batten down the hatches!
Ramsey’s Farm, Wilmington
Fifer Orchards, Camden-Wyoming
Through Oct. 26, closed Sun. The season-long fall festival features a maze, straw slides, pumpkin jumping, live music and a tractor train.
Fri.-Sun., through Oct. Love mazes? You’ll find three here, including an internationally themed adventure that leads families from one cornstalk continent to the next, with a focus on agriculture.
Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington
Sat. & Sun. Oct. 12-27 Hop on a hayride to the Powder Yard to take in the scenic foliage, then make themed crafts, watch a gunpowder explosion and see 19th-century machinery in action.
Arasapha Farm, Glen Mills, PA
Sat. & Sun. through Oct. A new hay-bale maze, barnyard bounce, pumpkin jump and gem-mining area join longtime favorites like pumpkin-picking hayrides and duck races.
Linvilla Orchards, Media, PA
Loblolly Acres, Woodside
Through Oct. Hop on a hayride around the farm, navigate the straw maze, relax by a bonfire, pick potential jack-o-lanterns from the pumpkin patch and play in the corn pit.
Milburn Orchards, Elkton, MD
Sat. & Sun. through Oct. On fall festival weekends themed to fun on the farm, autumn colors and trickor-treat, enjoy the non-scary “Boo Barn,” straw jump, obstacle bounce, farm animal appearances, hayrides and a maze.
OCTOBER 2019
Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington
Oct. 17-19 Don your wildest costume for Boo at the Zoo, where kids meet animals up-close as they trick-or-treat through the zoo.
Through Nov. 10 After marveling at 100 tons of pumpkins and towering scarecrows in Pumpkinland, climb aboard a hayride to the witch’s house (select Oct. dates) to meet a chatty enchantress who doles out stories, jokes and treats.
Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City
Fri. & Sat. through Oct. Join the Diamond State Ghost Investigators and park staff for a threehour recreational investigation that leads visitors to the park’s creepiest corners deemed “haunted” by Syfy’s Ghost Hunters.
MetroKids.com 21
Family Fun
Enter at Your Own Risk! Do your kids love the thrill of a good scare? These venues deliver just that, with special effects, unsavory characters and scream-worthy surprises guaranteed to terrify the whole family. Attics, fields, haunted houses and a barn are all extra eerie after dark at Frightland (Fri.-Sun. through Nov. 2) in Middletown. There’s also a carnival on-site for those who can’t handle the scares.
Hersheypark, Hershey, PA
Fri.-Sun., Oct. 18-Nov. 3 Show off your crew’s costumes during a flashlight tour of ZooAmerica, lights-out roller coaster rides and a Halloween dance party with popular characters.
Philadelphia Zoo, Phila.
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 12-27 It’s A-OK to go a little wild during Boo at the Zoo. Families set out on trick-or-treat safari, explore the not-so-scary “extinction graveyard,” navigate a hay-bale maze and snap selfies in front of the giant pumpkin wall.
In Glen Mills, PA, Arasapha Farms (select dates through Oct.) solidifies its scary reputation with impressive attention to detail and special effects. Mazes, themed rides and prowling spooks frighten even the most jaded thrill-seekers at Dorney Park’s Halloween Haunt (Fri.-Sun. through Oct.) in Allentown, PA. Terror Behind the Walls at Philly’s Eastern State Penitentiary (select dates through Nov. 9) takes visitors around every creepy corner of the former prison. Log on to MetroKids.com/familyfun for more information, including address, phone number, time & website.
2019 FALL FESTIVALS
Join us for our 2019 Fall Festivals, happening at all Y of Delaware locations in October. For details visit www.ymcade.org/fallfest.
PLUS, JOIN OCTOBER 19 - 28 AND PAY NO JOINER FEE! Valid at all YMCA of Delaware locations October 19 - 28, 2019. Discounts cannot be combined. Financial assistance is available.
22 MetroKids.com
OCTOBER 2019
SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS, OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 3* A fun, fall family event at Dutch Wonderland, featuring the Trick-or-Treat Trail, with over 20 lifelike dinosaurs! *Weather permitting
$3 OFF Happy Hauntings Tickets (ages 3+) DUTCHWONDERLAND.COM
â&#x20AC;¢
PROMO CODE: 192033 PRESENT THIS COUPON AT THE DUTCH WONDERLAND ENTRANCE OR USE THE PROMO CODE ONLINE AT DUTCHWONDERLAND.COM TO RECEIVE THE ADVERTISED DISCOUNT ON UP TO FOUR HAPPY HAUNTINGS ADMISSIONS. COUPON MUST BE PRESENTED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER DISCOUNTS OR SPECIAL ADMISSION PLANS. COUPON MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED OR SOLD. COUPON EXPIRES NOVEMBER 3, 2019.
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Join us for an open house! Thursday, October 10 at 9:30 a.m. or 5 p.m. Saturday, November 2 at 10 a.m.
302-475-0555
1400 Harvey Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
www.wmsde.org
12 months - 8th grade